*Doro, doro...*
Suddenly, music echoed through the area, causing the Aragamis to shudder. They roared and charged toward the source of the music.
"This is our chance..."
Lindow, who was falling from the sky, rushed to assist the other God Eaters.
This was the first 'Resonance.' Yuki wouldn't just send them to their deaths. He knew very well that it would be nearly impossible for these God Eaters to break through the tide of beasts, so before entering Nova's detection field, Yuki would help by thinning out some of the Aragamis, activating the resonance.
One step into hell...
Because of this, Lindow and the other God Eaters didn't waste any time. They quickly ran while the Aragamis were distracted.
*ROOOARRR*
Of course, it wasn't that easy. As soon as the song ended, the Aragamis began to roar again.
But it was enough time for the God Eaters to hide.
"What now, Lindow?"
After reaching an enclosed space in a ruined building, the God Eaters cautiously asked. The Aragamis outside the building were prowling, searching for food.
Lindow, on the other hand, sighed.
"I wish you all would follow my three rules, but I guess it won't be possible on this mission..."
1. Don't die.
2. If you're about to die, escape and hide.
3. And if you have the chance, "KILL IT."
These three rules had kept the first unit alive for a long time, so they dared not break them. But Lindow knew it would be impossible on this mission.
Therefore, he looked around. There were few Aragamis, so it was possible to defeat them with minimal effort. However, the problem was that now the Aragamis, sensing danger, were very sensitive to energy levels. The moment these Aragamis died, others would come, trapping them in an endless tide of Aragamis.
Unfortunately, Yuki could no longer help with his resonance. He was out of range, and Yuki couldn't leave the barrier either. If he did and approached Aegis, Nova would awaken.
Thus, there was only one solution if they wanted to advance...
"Brendan... it's your turn..."
"Alright..."
A smile formed on Brendan's face when Lindow chose him. As the captain of the second unit, it was understandable that he would go first and set the example.
"Brendan..."
Everyone shuddered as Brendan activated his Void. They wanted to say something, but no words came out. They knew what Brendan was about to do and couldn't stop him. Even Lenka, sensitive to his comrades and hating to see them die, couldn't stop him. Nor could he say anything to Lindow, as everyone would eventually take turns.
"Come on, don't look at me like that. You'll make me doubt..."
Brendan lightened the mood with a bad joke, but no one responded. They just looked at him and then hugged him one last time.
"See you on the other side, Brendan..."
"Of course, I'll be waiting..."
With these final words from Lindow, Brendan ran toward the Aragamis while Lindow and the rest ran in the opposite direction.
"AHHHHH!! COME AT ME, BEASTS!!"
*ROOOOARRR*
Brendan's shout immediately drew the Aragamis' attention. To increase the effect, his Void glowed and instantly entered Resonance, causing a chain reaction among the Aragamis. Hundreds of them rushed at once.
The Apocalypse Virus was, after all, their greatest threat and had to be destroyed...
Yuki had instructed these God Eaters on this ability and its consequences. Resonance would cause them to be attacked non-stop by the Aragamis, a suicidal act and the best distraction, as the Aragamis would go crazy and ignore everything else.
"AHHHHHHH!!!"
Brendan ran without stopping, leading all the Aragamis away from the area. This allowed Lindow and the others to run unnoticed. Not one of them looked back, and though they swallowed the lump in their throats, sending their friend to his death, they continued...
This was the price of this mission, with such a high death rate to reach Aegis.
Advancing by using their comrades as bait—this was what it meant to be cannon fodder.
Eventually, Brendan's screams faded. Whether because they were too far to hear him or because Brendan had been defeated, Lindow and the others didn't know. All they could do was keep running...
They encountered Aragamis as they ran, but quickly eliminated them...
"Damn! There's a huge group two hundred meters ahead..."
Using the rubble of the buildings as cover, Lindow and the rest hid, holding their breath and moving slowly to avoid detection...
*Roar..*
These Aragamis were medium-sized: Varja, Golden Varja, and even a Dyaus Pita.
The mutation of these Aragamis had grown stronger since Yuki's arrival, so it was no surprise that these unique Aragamis had increased in number...
Lindow and the rest moved cautiously, definitely not wanting these Aragamis to see them.
Still, these Aragamis roared occasionally, as if something was wrong, but they couldn't pinpoint the exact location...
Fortunately for them, they managed to pass through this group by taking a small detour...
"Let's continue..."
"Yes..."
Resuming their journey, the group encountered more Aragamis, each stronger than the last. The closer they got to Aegis, the stronger the Oracle cell infection...
"Wait..."
Suddenly, Lindow stopped. His survival instincts were on high alert, signaling them to flee, but he couldn't detect the threat yet...
*ROAR*
"Above!!"
Until something fell from the sky, forcing the group to scatter. This Aragami had the form of a nine-tailed fox, quite large, measuring approximately 10 meters, with a body seemingly covered in metal...
"Magatsu Kyuubi!!"
This was a special rank Aragami; its strength was on another level...
*Roaaarrr*
Roaring, this beast began to call its minions. After all, it had discovered a potential threat and had to eliminate them immediately...
"Attack! Don't let it call others!"
Unfortunately, Lindow's order came too late, as the nearby Aragamis began to gather. Although they managed to damage this Aragami, it no longer mattered...
Lindow gritted his teeth. This was bad, very bad...
"I guess it's my turn..."
This time, without waiting for Lindow's order, a platinum-haired woman with an eye patch started running...
"Gina!..."
"Keep going, don't look back!!"
Gina didn't say another word and activated her Void, entering Resonance...
*Roaar*
This instantly made her a beacon in the darkness. All the Aragamis followed her, even Magatsu started chasing her. Fortunately, Gina's Void was a type of Glider, making her fast enough to escape. This allowed Lindow and the others to breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe this girl would get lucky and manage to escape. If so, her mission would be complete...
*ROOOAARRR*
However, their hopes were dashed when flying Aragamis began to appear, pursuing Gina....
In the end, hope was as small as a tiny flame in the storm. Gina was quickly cornered by a tide of Aragamis that covered the sky...
But because of this, Lindow and the rest could continue...
(Damn it!!)
Still, Lindow cursed himself, but there was nothing they could do. Activating their Voids made them instant targets in this darkness. They needed to be cautious to enter Aegis...
"So little time and I already have two more souls..."
Yuki sighed, standing in the middle of the crown while recovering two small souls. These souls were Brendan and Gina.
In the end, they completed their mission, but it cost them their lives. With nothing else he could do, Yuki sent them to the alternate space where millions of souls were watching the world, supporting these brave heroes...
"Gina? Wow, I'm sorry it's you next..."
"It's natural, don't worry..."
Meanwhile, in the world of the dead, Brendan scratched his head upon seeing his comrade suddenly appear. He felt defenseless and a bit happy. They no longer had to continue that crappy life...
"I hope we were useful. I'd like to keep watching them..."
"We can't. We can only rely on them..."
Shrugging, they both shook their heads and walked toward the crown. It was time to rest....
-----
TN: Atleast bluds are chilling as ghosts ... lol