Bathed in sunlight, Brandon's ebony armor shone with an intimidating gleam as he launched himself from the balcony.
The battalion of 500 Enlightened warriors below watched his descent, the anticipation palpable as he executed a graceful landing amidst them.
"At Ease,"
Brandon's voice echoed with the regal command of a king and the tender familiarity of an elder sibling.
His eyes scanned the ranks, registering each individual's response.
Mixed emotions flickered in their eyes—awe, respect, camaraderie—attesting to the bond that had been hardened in the forge of countless battles and shared adversities.
They had fought side by side, bleeding and sacrificing never for any kind of noble or greater cause, but for each other and their boss.
In doing so, they had become more than mere soldiers; they were a family.
Their discipline broke at his words, replaced by relaxed smiles as they drew close to Brandon.
Each warrior wore unique ethereal armor, shimmering with energy and power.
"Boss!"
A voice emerged from the crowd, bristling with barely contained excitement.
"So what do ya'll think about your ethereal armors? Was being zapped over and over again worth it? Hahaha!"
Brandon chuckled as he pulled out a cigarette from his shorts, his arms phasing through the black armor surrounding his body.
A collective laughter resounded at the jest, echoing the playful camaraderie that permeated their ranks.
"It's super badass! Boss, can you really see the future?"
A soldier asked, a mix of awe and curiosity evident in his voice.
Brandon took a moment, taking a drag from his gold-plated cigarette before exhaling a plume of smoke.
Geoffrey came running along, distributing packs of cigarettes among the 500, their usual ritual before embarking on any mission.
"Thanks Grandpa Geoffrey!"
The band of fearsome warriors called out, gratitude evident in their voice.
Geoffrey had over the years become a caretaker/ father figure to the battalion of outcasts and while the world shivered in their presence, Geoffrey was like a grandfather to all of them.
He had been with them since the early days, tending to their wounds, sharing tales of old to uplift their spirits in dire times.
His stories, often their only respite from the nightmares of battle, made him more than just a caretaker.
He was their anchor.
"I've shared most of what I know and did my best to give us an advantage in this post-apocalyptic world,"
Brandon replied, his voice laced with a sense of familial love.
"But now, I have to count on y'all for the future."
"Hahaha, leave it to us!"
One of them exclaimed, a glimmer of excitement in their eyes.
"I can barely contain my excitement. Are we on route to rule the world?"
Brandon's smile deepened, his eyes shining with a mix of mischief and affection.
"What do you think? Shall we unite all of New-Earth for fun?"
Laughter erupted among the subordinates, the sound carrying a sense of familial warmth.
In that moment, they were not just loyal subordinates; they were siblings, connected by a bond stronger than blood relations.
The laughter died down, replaced by a more sober excitement.
Baal stepped forward stepping on his finished cigarette, his gaze serious and stoic, asked,
"Boss! What are our orders now?"
Asmo let out a maniacal grin, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Hehehe! Is it finally time to spill some blood~"
Brandon's stern nod was all the affirmation they needed.
"There are swarms of mutated beasts infesting the streets of our City of Void. It's time for a little spring cleaning. Keep in mind, these creatures possess energy crystals that can strengthen us! Massacre them and bring their bodies back here."
The battalion's eyes lit up with excitement and determination.
"What... Even our armors can be enhanced?"
One of the warriors questioned, a hint of excitement and determination tinging his words.
Brandon's gaze swept over them, his eyes bearing a profound message.
"You have all seen the status page within your minds… absorbing the energy crystals will increase your Divine Awakening Progress."
"This is our world, our generation."
His voice rang out, solidifying their resolve.
Before anyone could react, Brandon's ethereal armor emitted a suffocating aura, enveloping them in an unsettling sensation akin to being watched by the void itself.
A nervous chuckle broke the silence.
"Boss… Your armor… It's rather unnerving."
They were envious but not jealous
"Boss, most of us almost died during the crimson thunder storm and we had a hundred of us to share the pain… How did you survive all the lightning strikes by yourself?"
Another soldier asked, genuine curiosity lacing their words.
Brandon let out a helpless smile and replied,
"I barely survived the transformation myself… I actually did die…"
Before further contemplation could take hold, a sudden, thunderous noise broke through the momentary silence.
BAAAAANNNNNGGGG!!!!
Heads snapped in unison towards the source of the disturbance.
With an air of authority, Brandon quickly rallied the troops, assigning tasks for the upcoming mission.
His voice resonated with authority as he issued a series of clear and concise commands.
"Lili Squad, ready your bows and secure the perimeter of our wall. Provide aerial cover."
"Baal, Baph and Levi Squads, assume shield and spear formations."
"Asmo Squad, ready your dual daggers, go wild!"
"Stay 100 meters within the circumference of the walls, sweep counter-clockwise"
Brandon concluded, his words igniting a spark of excitement among the designated warriors.
"ROGER !!!"
The 500 responded in unison, their voices filled with determination and readiness.
Baph couldn't help but raise a question
"Uhmmm… Boss, why aren't we using guns?"
Brandon turned to face Baph,
"The mutated creatures have a mysterious resistance to conventional hot weaponry. The only way to deal significant damage to them is to coat your weapons or arrows with the energy of your inner gods."
They nodded in understanding and with disciplined coordination, the battalion of 500 Enlightened warriors marched in unison, their strides echoing in the quiet courtyard.
They filed out, heading towards the underground armory to arm themselves for the upcoming battle.
=========
<< Void Fortress - Main Entrance >>
By the main entrance of the Void Fortress, stood a towering golden retriever, its fur gleaming in shades of gold and amber under the sunlight.
The majestic creature was larger than any normal dog, almost thrice the size of a fully grown tiger.
Atop its broad back was a girl, Poki, with a playful smile and an air of youthful energy.
"Let's go Fluffy!"
The girl had two ponytails that bobbed with each movement, and her porcelain complexion seemed to radiate a natural glow.
Despite her youthful appearance, her figure was voluptuous, hinting at a womanly charm.
In her hand, she held a selfie stick, the camera of her phone pointed at herself.
Broadcasting live, she was a ray of light in a dark world, contrasting sharply with their grim reality.
"Hiya! The internet's finally back on! I'm sure you all know by now, but the end of the world is here. And look where Mommy Poki is now! Brandon Void's doomsday fortress!"
"HAH! Shame on you haters for mocking my idol! Who's laughing now?!"
"As Brandon Void's number 1 fan, I'm here to pledge my allegiance and hopefully he takes me in… Stay tuned my babies~ Kekeke~"