A blood-curdling scream echoed throughout the streets.
"Help! Help me!" a soldier cried, running toward a group of soldiers struggling with a demon. The soldier had a bloody knife with blood gushing from a deep wound in his abdomen.
"Kill him!" commanded the demon, pointing its hand forward. It raised its arm causing the ground to quake violently.
"Run! Run for your lives!" screamed a second soldier.
His face twisted in agony, and he collapsed to his knees. The same blade pierced his stomach and came out of his back. Blood poured from both wounds like waterfalls.
"Stand back, boys and girls! Let the professionals handle this!" Lieutenant Nagrix Stout shouted to his platoon.
[ Demon … Database not found. ]
[ Analysis in progress … 5% ]
A bunch of window interfaces opens in front of him, each displaying a different analysis of the demon in front of him, "That's a decent-looking demon, but it's no match for me."
The demon strolled forward, grinning wickedly as it savored the fear it had instilled in the soldiers.
Standing ten feet tall, covered entirely with black scales and red eyes, its face was hideous, sharp teeth protruding from a gaping maw.
"I'll eat you up, little humans," snarled the demon, baring razor-sharp fangs.
The soldiers fell back, their weapons at the ready.
"You don't stand a chance against us," said Lieutenant Nagrix, drawing his pistol.
"We've got superior firepower and numbers. You've gotta know you've met your match, right?" He continued while swiping his hands around. Navigating the windows of course.
[ Creating and Updating Database … ]
[ Recording … ]
The demon laughed mockingly, showing off rows of jagged white teeth. "You're the one that's gonna meet the end of the line, human. Your pathetic weapons won't even scratch me. I'll devour every last bit of you and make my home inside of your corpse."
"Don't worry, I've seen the movies. You're not invincible."
The demon howled in anger. "I AM INVINCIBLE! I'LL EAT YOU ALL UP, ONE BY ONE!"
The demon leaped into the air, flapping its wings to gain altitude. It flew over the heads of the soldiers and landed on a nearby rooftop.
"Hm?" The demon sniffed the air, cocking its head to the side.
Suddenly, Lieutenant Nagrix appeared behind the demon, gripping his pistol.
"I'll blow a hole in your skull, asshole!"
The demon turned, swinging a massive fist.
Unlike the equipment held by the soldier, the weapon Lieutenant Nagrix used was far more advanced. His gun was a prototype, capable of massive firepower when paired with someone like him.
"I'll make sure I hit something important, like your brain."
Lieutenant Nagrix fired, unleashing a single beam of light at point-blank range. A brilliant explosion engulfed the demon's head.
It crumbled instantly, reduced to nothing but ash.
Lieutenant Nagrix sighed heavily, shaking his head while looking at the window interface in his vision. "Damn it, I wanted to see the look on the bastard's face."
[ Recording ended … 100% ]
[ Alert! High Energy Being Detected! ]
"It doesn't matter," said a voice. "The mission isn't over. We're still far from the shelter."
A man walked up to Lieutenant Nagrix, wearing an elaborate suit and hat. The outfit gave him the appearance of a nobleman, but the Insignia a golden eagle clutching a sword he wore indicated otherwise.
"That is… the Insignia of the Royal Military Unit? What are you doing here?" Lieutenant Nagrix asked, glancing at the ashes of the demon.
"I'm here to help. I've been watching you all from afar. I figured I'd better join the fray before you get yourself killed."
"Identify yourself!" Lieutenant Nagrix shouted, raising his rifle.
"Stand down Nagrix…" A female voice commanded softly.
"Hello, Captain Nerissa. You look well. I was wondering when you were going to show up." Grand Marshal Varda smiled.
"Grand Marshal Varda? What are you doing here on the frontline? And where are your troops? You should be leading them instead of standing on the frontlines."
Grand Marshals are living legends, they are heroes of the bygone days and held the highest military power in the world. What is he doing here?
"I'm not in the army anymore," replied Varda. "But we're all on the same team, aren't we? Besides, I've been keeping tabs on our progress since we arrived."
Lieutenant Nagrix scowled, glaring at the Grand Marshal. He looked very different than the last time he had seen him; his hair, beard, everything had changed completely.
"What's wrong?" asked the grand marshal, noticing his expression. "Have you seen a ghost? That's quite a scary look on your face."
Lieutenant Nagrix shook his head, snapping out of it. "Sorry, sir. It's just that I'm not used to seeing a deadman standing right next to me." He pinched himself hard on the cheek.
"Hahaha! The NanoTech and CyroTech have made the impossible possible, haven't they?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, we mustn't keep the general waiting, Captain. Let's go." Varda turned away and began walking back to the vehicle, leaving the stunned Lieutenant Nagrix behind.
Captain Nerissa followed him, her curiosity piqued at the sudden change in his personality and attire.
"What happened to you, sir?"
"I'll fill you in later," he snorted, strolling ahead briskly, "When we get out of this mess. For now, let's focus on getting out alive."
They climbed onto the vehicle and headed toward the main road.
"So, what have I missed?" asked General Garius. His deep blue eyes glared at the newcomer. "How did you find us?"
"Who? Me? No one told me anything. I'm just here to help."
"I can't believe it," snorted General Garius, rubbing his temples.
"Believe what, General Garius?" asked Grand Marshal Varda. "Did I miss a memo somewhere? Did they forget to tell you about me?"
The general frowned, his stony expression was unchanging. "So you came back just when all hell busted loose, huh? Is that why they brought you back and now ended up on the battlefield by mistake?"
"General Garius, please calm down. The situation has gotten out of hand."
"Calm down? Calm down, my ass!" roared the general. He pointed to the situation on the screen. "We're surrounded, we're outnumbered, we're losing soldiers left and right. This is a complete disaster."
"Disaster? It's beyond that General Garius, let me remind you again… This is the end time, Code-H311 remember?"
The general clenched his fists tight, gritting his teeth. "Shut your mouth, old man!"
"General Garius, stop." Captain Nerissa stepped between the two men, holding out her hand.
"Hmph! Aren't you supposed to obey orders, girlie?"
She snorted coldly.
"I think you need to rethink your priorities, General. There's no room for ego or pride right now, especially when it comes to the safety of those people." She glanced at the monitor.
A group of refugees huddle together behind the truck, their faces pinched with fear. Captain Nerissa couldn't imagine what kind of horrors awaited them if they didn't make it through. No, she did know. Death.
"General, you're a good soldier, but you're also stubborn," added the marshal.
"I have no problem with executing the mission but I refuse to listen to you. Especially you, you damned fool." He stared daggers at the Grand Marshal.
"Suit yourself, General." The grand marshal stood his ground, staring back at the furious officer.
The rest of the journey passed in silence, broken only occasionally by a stifled sob from one of the soldiers inside. The transport drove past several burning vehicles, which littered the street like torches. Several bodies lay sprawled across the pavement.
Flying demons roam the skies, raining death upon the defenseless civilians below.
Captain Nerissa took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. How could the earth change so drastically in just a few minutes?
The city's highrise towers were set aflame as a barrage of bombs rained down from the sky. However, their convoy made it through unscathed, hiding under the cover of the forest.
"The rendezvous point is in sight, sir. It's just a few more miles," said Lieutenant Nagrix, peeking out from the back.
She cleaned her hair with a cloth before turning to address the lieutenant.
"We're close, everyone. Stay alert, stay focused, and we'll make it." Captain Nerissa ordered, "Check your Nanomachines and your equipment."
The soldiers nodded, checking their gear and patting themselves to ensure that nothing fell off during the battle.
The captain checked her suit too. Her armour had taken a beating, but it was still intact, despite the stinging pain shooting from the numerous scratches and dents.
[ Armour Condition … 99.2% ]
[ Energy Level … 92% ]
[ Restoring Power to Weaponry System … ]
[ Updating Database for H311 Protocol: Database v102.44.312 ]
Looks like our NanoTech Network is operational. The peer networking never fails to amaze Captain Nerissa. These nanomachines inside of her are like a living miracle for humanity.
"Sir, there's smoke coming from the trees. Looks like there's an enemy ahead." Lieutenant Nagrix peered into the distance, his eyes glimmering with determination.
"Alright, prepare to engage!"
The soldiers readied their weapons, preparing to fight the oncoming demons.
Suddenly the radio crackled.
"Attention, this is the Demon Lord."