[ New York ]
Inside a modest apartment, a middle-aged man sat hunched over his gaming setup, his face illuminated by the glow of a large monitor. His hands moved deftly across the keyboard and mouse as he immersed himself in Battle for Vallarta, a cutting-edge VR RPG strategy game set in a sprawling galaxy teetering on the brink of collapse.
The game's backdrop was the Vallarta Galaxy, a sprawling domain torn apart by interstellar war. Three major factions dominated the conflict: the rebellious [Free Line], the authoritarian [Empire of Fenrir], and the resource-hungry [Golden Union]. Countless minor factions had already been obliterated, their remnants scattered across the stars.
Today Marks the fifth year of the game and the day that the man clan helped [Empire of Fenrir] take down the [Golden Union] and [Free Line] as they siege the last planet of the two factions' alliance had a heavily fortified planet. It was up to him and his allies to take it intact and deliver the severed heads of its leaders to the Emperor.
[Welcome again, {Jedikiller99}]
As he logged in, hundreds of soldiers stood at attention before him—his personal NPC army, granted by the Empire for this final assault. Their orders were clear: crush all resistance and claim the planet for Fenrir.
To his left, a hundred other top-ranking players had already gathered, their IDs hovering above their heads in bright holographic text. One of them, {CatMAN567}, stepped forward with a smirk.
[CatMAN567]: Looks like the big man finally decided to show up.
A ripple of tension passed through the NPC ranks at the casual greeting. One particularly zealous officer stepped forward, his face stern.
[NPC]: That is Grand Duke Alabama to you, Viscount Jellybean. Show respect where it is due.
The battlefield had yet to be claimed, but even here, hierarchy and titles held weight. The final war for Vallarta was about to begin.
JediKiller99 glanced at his friend, but since he enjoyed roleplaying, he remained in character. His expression hardened as he straightened his posture, addressing the assembled forces with the authority of a true Grand Duke.
[Jedikiller99]: Report the status of the siege.
CatMAN567 smirked, leaning casually against a nearby holo-table displaying a real-time projection of the war-torn planet below.
[CatMAN567]: We've bombed everything that moved and leveled more than half the planet, but we still can't locate the resistance's hidden capital, General.
[CatMAN567]: We even deployed planetary drills to dig into the crust, but they came up empty.
A murmur spread among the officers and NPC commanders. They had thrown everything at this world, yet the remnants of the Free Line and Golden Union had managed to remain hidden. The fact that no command center had been discovered meant one thing—an underground fortress, a last-stand bunker built to outlast the siege.
Jedikiller99 stroked his chin, his mind racing through the possibilities. He turned toward his personal adjutant, a battle-scarred NPC in Fenrir's signature black-and-gold officer uniform.
[Jedikiller99]: If they are not on the surface or in the planet's crust, then they must be deeper… far deeper.
[Jedikiller99]: Scan for geothermal activity and unnatural voids. If they've dug themselves into the mantle, we'll flush them out.
The adjutant nodded sharply.
[NPC]: As you command, Grand Duke! Initiating deep-core scans.
A moment later, the holo-table flickered, data streams filling the screen as the fleet's sensors probed the planet. Red markers flashed across the display—massive caverns, previously unnoticed, stretching miles beneath the planet's surface.
CatMAN567 let out a low whistle.
[CatMAN567]: Well, well… looks like we just found ourselves a rat's nest.
Jedikiller99's lips curled into a cold smile.
Jedikiller99 straightened his posture, his voice ringing with authority.
[Jedikiller99]: Prepare the drill ships—we're going in.
[Jedikiller99]: I won't miss the opportunity to honor our great Emperor. Prepare my armor and weapons.
As his words echoed through the command chamber, one of the NPC officers opened his mouth to object, but another quickly placed a firm hand on his shoulder, shaking his head.
[NPC]: If the Duke lands, victory is certain. He is the Empire's finest warrior.
Jedikiller99 felt his cheeks redden slightly beneath his headset. While it was all part of the game, he had put in real effort to back up his in-game reputation. He had taken real-life combat training just to improve his VR combat skills—everything from Dragon-Style fistfighting to medieval swordplay. He had even endured the brutal naval training alongside other squads to sharpen his endurance.
But it didn't stop there. He had earned the title of an honored samurai and had even learned to fly a plane—a skill taught to him by his uncle. That same uncle had, unfortunately, been arrested for smuggling emo eggs into Australia, but that was a different story altogether.
Shaking off the memories, Jedikiller99 refocused on the mission. His personal armory was already being prepared—powered armor forged from Fenrir's finest alloys, a massive plasma greatsword strapped to his back, and a hand cannon capable of blasting through reinforced bunkers.
CatMAN567 let out a laugh.
[CatMAN567]: You're really going all in, huh? Alright, I'll bring my own toys then.
Jedikiller99 smirked.
[Jedikiller99]: We end this today. The Emperor awaits his prize.
As the drill ships powered up, their engines roaring to life, the final battle for Vallarta's last stronghold was about to begin.
[Inside the Underground Bunker – The Last City of the Resistance]
Deep beneath the planet's surface, hidden from the Empire's relentless bombardment, an entire city stretched within a colossal underground cavern. Streets were lined with hastily built fortifications, and every man, woman, and even child carried a weapon. The last remnants of the Free Line and Golden Union had gathered here, their final refuge in a war that had already swallowed the rest of the galaxy.
At the peak of the city's tallest tower, two men stood overlooking the defiant but weary citizens.
One of them was draped in an opulent golden suit, his monocle gleaming under the artificial lights. His teeth, crafted entirely from diamonds, sparkled with an unsettling brilliance, a reminder of the wealth his faction once controlled. He was Janko Jan Je, leader of the Golden Union, the once-mighty financial powerhouse that had funded wars and bought planets before the Empire crushed its economy into dust.
Beside him stood a stark contrast—a man who looked like he had crawled out of a thousand battles and survived them all. His iron crown, rusted and battered, rested atop his war-scarred face, and a tattered cape hung from his shoulders like the remnants of a once-glorious banner. He was Alexa, the last commander of the Free Line. To his people, he was a hero; to the Empire, he was a stubborn fool who refused to kneel.
Janko adjusted his monocle and exhaled slowly, glancing at Alexa with a forced smile.
[Janko Jan Je]: So, this is what we have left… a city full of dead men walking.
Alexa remained silent for a moment, his tired eyes scanning the streets below. He had fought for years, bled for his cause, and watched countless comrades fall. And now, the Empire was at their doorstep, drilling through the planet to finish them for good.
[Alexa]: It's not over yet.
Janko chuckled dryly, shaking his head.
[Janko Jan Je]: You still believe that? After everything? We lost the war, Alexa. Fenrir is a monster, and we were fools to think we could stand against it.
Alexa's grip tightened around the worn hilt of his sword, the same blade he had carried since the first battle of this war.
[Alexa]: Maybe we were fools… but I'd rather die standing than kneel before that monster.
Suddenly, alarms blared through the city. Red warning lights flashed across the cavern walls.
The Empire was coming.
Janko sighed and adjusted his cufflinks.
[Janko Jan Je]: Well then… shall we give them a proper welcome?
Alexa turned to face him, his war-torn face set with grim determination.
[Alexa]: We fight to the last man. We die as free people.
Far above them, the drill ships of the Empire of Fenrir pierced the planet's crust, bringing death with them. The final battle was about to begin.
As Jedikiller99 landed on the war-torn underground city, he was immediately met with a hailstorm of bullets, plasma fire, and explosions. The resistance fighters had prepared for this—they knew the Empire was coming, and they were ready to sell their lives dearly.
But to Jedi, this was just another battlefield.
With a single, practiced motion, he raised his flamethrower, its dragon-shaped nozzle roaring to life. A torrent of liquid fire erupted forward, engulfing the enemy in a blaze of crimson and gold. Screams filled the cavern as resistance fighters burned, their makeshift barricades melting into slag.
The path was cleared.
Above him, explosions rocked the underground battlefield. Several decoy drill ships—sent ahead to lure out the defenders—detonated in massive fireballs, sending shockwaves through the cavern and collapsing entire sections of the city. The bodies of soldiers, civilians, and anyone caught in the destruction were reduced to dust and rubble.
Jedi strode forward, his power armor glinting in the firelight. Each step shook the ground beneath him, the heavy plates of his exosuit humming with the raw energy of Fenrir's finest technology. Around him, his elite NPC soldiers followed in disciplined formations, their weapons cutting down anyone who dared to resist.
Then, his gaze lifted.
Through the smoke and destruction, his eyes locked onto the tallest tower—where two figures stood frozen in shock.
Even from this distance, he recognized them.
Alexa, the Fallen King. The battle-scarred commander, his iron crown reflecting the firelight, stood with a hand resting on the hilt of his legendary sword. His face was unreadable, but Jedi could see the tension in his stance—the realization that this was truly the end.
Janko Jan Je, the Golden Merchant. The wealthy strategist, his diamond teeth clenched as his monocle trembled, could barely hide the fear in his eyes.
For a long moment, the three men simply stared at each other.
Jedi smiled behind his helmet.
[Jedikiller99]: Found you.
The hunt was over.
The Empire of Fenrir had come for their heads.
[Chapter end]
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