The forest was eerily quiet as 117 and his squad approached the ancient portal gate. The trees around them were tall and twisted, their branches forming a natural archway leading to the gate itself. The air was thick with anticipation, and the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures.
117 halted his men with a raised hand, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The portal gate stood before them, an imposing structure of stone and metal, covered in glowing runes and ancient symbols. The air around it shimmered with a strange energy, a sign of the powerful magic that kept the portal active.
Trooper 309 and the other troopers, along with a few of the village's warriors, formed a loose semicircle around Priad, their weapons at the ready. Yami and a small contingent of Armenthian warriors stood slightly apart, their eyes reflecting the faint glow of the portal.
"This is it" 117 said, his voice low but firm "The entrance to the heart of the planet"
Yami stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the portal "Beyond this gate lies a different dimension, one where the barrier's core is protected"
"Any idea on what kind of opposition we'll be facing on the other side?"
"I'm not sure. I have never known what was on the other side of this gate. However, the kingdom should have been expecting us to launch an assault, so they must be expecting us"
"But they won't be expecting us to find the barrier this quick" He then turned on his communicator and contacted the others "553, 421. Are you both ready?"
553 replied from the other side "All set"
Then 421 followed after that "Everything's ready"
"Good. Proceed as planned. 117 out" He then looked back to Yami "Let's go" he ordered, and with a final nod to Yami, he led his men through the shimmering gateway.
Stepping through the portal was like passing through a wall of liquid light. 117 felt a brief moment of disorientation as the world around him shifted and changed. When he emerged on the other side, he found himself standing on a rocky outcrop, overlooking a vast landscape of floating islands and glowing crystals.
The air was filled with a strange, ethereal light, and the ground beneath their feet seemed to pulse with energy. The floating islands were connected by narrow bridges and pathways, creating a labyrinthine network that stretched out as far as the eye could see.
As 117 and his men surveyed the landscape, they saw brief flashes of purple crystals intermingled with the other glowing crystals. The sight triggered something deep within 117's mind, a fleeting memory just out of reach. He shook his head, trying to focus.
"This place... it's incredible" 309 muttered, his eyes wide with amazement.
117 scanned the horizon, his mind already working on how to navigate this new terrain. "Stay focused. We need to find the core of the barrier"
The brief flashes of purple crystals continued, each one sending a jolt of familiarity through 117. He could tell his men were experiencing something similar, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion.
As they moved forward, the gravity anomalies quickly became apparent. Some areas had reduced gravity, allowing for longer jumps and easier climbs, while others were so dense that every step felt like walking through thick mud. 117 and his men adapted quickly, using their training and equipment to traverse the challenging landscape.
It wasn't long before they encountered the first signs of the kingdom's presence. A patrol of heavily armored soldiers was moving along a narrow bridge, their weapons gleaming in the strange light. The moment they spotted the group, they raised the alarm.
"Positions people!" 117 barked, and his men quickly took cover behind rocks and outcroppings.
The village warriors, led by Yami, spread out, their bows and spears at the ready. The air was thick with tension as both sides prepared for the inevitable clash.
The kingdom's soldiers were quick to form up, their discipline evident as they readied themselves for battle. They were clad in ornate armor, their weapons glowing with a faint magical aura. 117 could see their confidence from afar.
"Hold your positions" 117 ordered, scanning the battlefield. "Wait for my signal"
The village warriors, with Yami at the helm, moved with practiced ease, blending into the rocky landscape. He then signaled to 309, who nodded and relayed the message to the other troopers.
Suddenly, the air was filled with the twang of bowstrings and the whoosh of arrows. The village warriors launched their first volley, targeting the kingdom's soldiers with deadly precision. The kingdom's troops raised their shields, deflecting most of the arrows, but a few found their marks, causing the first casualties.
"Now!" 117 shouted, and his men opened fire.
The advanced weaponry of the troopers roared to life, sending streams of bullets toward the kingdom's forces. The bullets themselves were enough to penetrate their shields, killing more than the village warriors did. The kingdom's soldiers then responded with their own barrage, their magic-infused weapons creating bursts of light and heat, as well as archers firing back with their magic-infused arrows.
117 and his men took cover, using the rocky outcroppings for protection. The village warriors moved with agility, darting in and out of cover, their spears and arrows finding their targets. It was a fierce, chaotic battle, each side struggling for dominance.
The kingdom's soldiers began to push forward, their superior numbers becoming apparent. 117 could see the strain on his men's faces, the realization that they were outnumbered. He knew they had the technological advantage, but the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming.
"Push forward!" 117 shouted, firing his weapon at an advancing soldier "We can't let them gain ground!"
The troopers fought valiantly, their training and advanced weaponry allowing them to hold their own. But the kingdom's soldiers were relentless, their magic-infused weapons creating a formidable challenge.
Amidst the chaos, something caught 117's attention. From a distant ridge, two figures appeared, fighting each other. Upon a closer look, one of them is an Armenthian, one of the kingdom's soldiers, and the other one is a familiar face.
"Faith?" 117 muttered to himself before turning his attention back to the current battle.