December 31, 2174
—The counter offensive to reclaim the city of Helios from the Vrykals was successful, with the total elimination of the Vrykals forces, but with zero survivors in the city of Helios—General Leofric said whith a sadly tone.
—The Stellar Guards we sent were reduced to less than half of their forces, they are heroes who fought for the people of Norsthania—General Leofric said whith a brave tone.
—The elite Shadowbringers team has discovered about massive blood portal, the number of human lives these portals have claimed are terrifying. We plan to make an incursion into unknown territory—said General Leofric.
—That is why we have decided to call upon half of the terrestrial forces of Norsthania and the Stellar Guards dispersed across all sectors, from sector 1 to sector 5 —said General Leofric in a serious voice, as his gaze swept over the vast battlefield, marked by the sacrifice of so many.
The wind, heavy with dust and ash, whispered between the lines of soldiers as war machines lined up like giants waiting for their final command. A sense of tension, mixed with the weight of history, filled the air. The war had changed, and with it, the challenges.
The blood portal, that bottomless abyss, loomed like a terrifying enigma, an echo of death and darkness that promised to lead them into the unknown.
With every word from the general, the army responded in silence, with the resolve of those who know that the fate of their world is about to be sealed. The forces of Norsthania, vast and fearsome, awaited the order to march into the abyss.
—There are more than 30 million Star Vanguard here with us.
1,000 Shadowbringers
700 Luminor Tanks
2 Celestari
300 Skyron
13 million armored vehicles
7 members of the Aerotai Guard
—Before we march —continued General Leofric—, it's crucial that everyone understands an important change in the deployment system of our forces, especially for the Shadowbringers.
As you know, the situation has changed, and the technology we possess has also evolved. We've implemented a monitoring and evaluation system in real time, directly integrated into each Shadowbringer's armor.
— This system measures each soldier's physical capabilities and reflects them through a point system in key areas: strength, speed, agility, endurance, and combat ability—Leofric paused and looked at the members of his elite team, who listened attentively.
—This system is designed to optimize each of your performances. Through your armors, you will be able to know in real time the physical condition of every Shadowbringer. For example, one of you might have. strength 6, speed 5, agility 8, endurance 7, and combat ability 9. These numbers will update instantly according to your physical state, allowing us to adjust strategies on the battlefield.
General Leofric activated a hologram in front of him, projecting the stats of a typical Shadowbringer. The numbers flickered softly in the air, reflecting the soldier's various capabilities.
—Each time you enter combat, these points will automatically adjust according to your performance. If a Shadowbringeris injured or begins to show signs of fatigue, the system will adjust those values and reflect them in real time.
This will allow us to make more precise tactical decisions, such as reinforcing a weakened soldier or assigning tasks to those more capable, depending on the situation.
Leofric looked at his elite soldiers, who now understood the significance of this system.
—This system is implanted in each Shadowbringer's armor, not only allowing us to monitor your individual status, but also optimizing the use of our forces. Don't underestimate the power of this technology. It won't just help us gain a tactical advantage; it could also make the difference between life and death on the battlefield.
The general concluded firmly:
—With this new system, each of you will be an optimized war machine. Your vital points will be the key to determining the course of the battle. Now, we march into the unknown, and the sacrifice of Helios will not be in vain.
For Norsthania and for humanity!
A roar of determination echoed through the ranks of the Shadowbringers as the war machines began to advance, their armors shining with a new light under the gray sky, heading towards the abyss that awaited them.
The portal waited, and with it, the uncertain future. The battle was about to begin, and the sacrifice of Helios would not be in vain. Each of Norsthania's warriors knew that today, the fate of the humanity would be written in blood.
January 1, 2175
The team advanced steadily across the vast and strange surface of the fleshy planet. Though the atmosphere remained unsettling, nothing seemed capable of stopping them. They weren't mere soldiers but one of the most powerful forces in Norsthania, and that thought filled them with confidence.
Elias led the group, his steps firm and swift, while Staniel stayed by his side, relishing the sense of control over the mission. Sara, further ahead, kept a constant watch on the horizon with her sharp vision, scanning for any unusual movement. Ronan, the giant of the group, marched calmly, but his presence was unmistakable. The armor of his battle suit gleamed under the red rain, his body armored like a mobile fortress.
"This still doesn't make sense," Elias remarked, his usual confident tone evident as he looked around. "Everything seems in balance, but... something doesn't fit. This place isn't as lifeless as it seems."
Staniel didn't respond immediately. In his mind, all the pieces of the puzzle were slowly starting to fall into place.
There was something strange about the way the ground vibrated, how the plants moved, how the air seemed charged with an invisible presence.
He could feel it something was watching them, something was lurking in the shadows.
Suddenly, a shift in the atmosphere a low whisper, like a vibration in the air, filled the space.
The team stopped instantly. Sara raised her hand, signaling for them to remain silent.
"Did you hear that?" Ronan murmured, his eyes scanning the horizon.
Elias smiled dismissively.
— "There's nothing. This place is strange, but there's nothing here we can't handle."
But Staniel wasn't so sure. The vibration in the air had intensified, and his instinct, as sharp as any Shadowbringer's, told him that something was approaching. Something dangerous.
Suddenly, the sky lit up with an intense glow, much brighter than any bioluminescence they'd seen so far. It was a flash of light coming from deep within the planet, but its origin was unclear.
Then, a series of rapid, barely perceptible movements appeared through the thick red fog. Gigantic tentacles emerged from the ground, swaying and twisting toward the group. At first, they were small flashes, barely visible to the naked eye, but soon they rose like shadows from a nightmare.
— "Alert!" Staniel shouted, and before they could react, a telepathic wave of energy momentarily paralyzed their minds