As the gunfire subsided, the men entered through the blasted door. The stone was still hot and sizzling, almost scorching them, however, equipped with their All Cloak, it was no problem at all, the men couldn't help marvel at how amazing this gear was. They then checked the hostages, numbering forty-four in total, all of whom were safe. Some were bruised and others grazed by bullets, but overall, everyone had survived.
An old arcanist spoke up, "Are you here to save us? If so, we need to destroy the facility these lizards built underground. It seems to be some sort of gate that allows them to summon countless reinforcements."
Axel and the other men exchanged glances, and the men automatically reloaded their firearms in preparation for the upcoming tide. He then asked the old man, "Would you like to come with us to expedite the process, or would you prefer to stay here?"
The arcanists all stood up. Despite their frail appearances, the fire in their eyes could not be quenched. This prompted them to join the men as they descended to the sixteenth floor. As soon as they arrived, they were met with an eerie silence. However, the men knew that this silence was a sign that dangers lay ahead.
"I remember when this portal-like structure was still—"
Before he could finish, a gust of wind suddenly passed through. His head snapped back, blood spraying across the room in a gruesome arc, painting the walls with crimson. Axel's instincts kicked in immediately.
"Men! Protect the arcanists! Form a defensive line around them! Keep them in the center! Turn on your Bulwarks immediately! Everyone, unleash a hail of bullets in all directions! The enemy moves swiftly and strikes from the shadows!"
"Sir, I confirmed a—"
Before the operative could finish his sentence, Axel watched in horror as his head flew across the room, a gruesome testament to the violent threat they faced. The man's face, frozen in a moment of triumph over his discovery, swiftly transformed into a nightmarish image.
"Form up against the wall! The enemy can pierce through the All Cloak! Stay on high alert!" Axel shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
"Change your ammunition to disintegrating rounds!"
The men opened fire in all directions, the air crackling with gunfire and the sharp retort of weaponry. A cry of anguish pierced through the chaos as one soldier managed to wound the opposing operative. Axel, crouched in the corner, caught sight of a massive creature towering at five meters. It resembled the one above, yet this one lacked the magical prowess of its counterpart.
With a cruel snigger, it brandished a two-meter-long blade, a grotesque reflection of their own gear but perfectly suited to its monstrous form.
As the creature appeared, it vanished as swiftly as a heartbeat. Unlike what they expected, there was no blood dripping from the injury it had received. Axel glanced at Wong, who had his Pision drawn. For a brief moment, Axel considered blasting through the entire area, knowing it would also destroy the facility, so he shouted.
"Everyone, target the machinery with your Pisions! Leave nothing intact! Reinforcements might arrive through the gate!"
The Heuchromixix operative, quick to discern the meaning of his language, locked onto Axel with intense focus. Anticipating the move, Axel transformed his Winston into a sword, slicing diagonally with one swift motion.
"Clang!"
Sparks erupted as he was sent hurtling twenty meters into the air, nearly crashing into the cavern's ceiling. A sinister chuckle echoed through the chaos as the creature darted toward him. Grounded by his paratrooping experience, Axel regained his composure mid-fall. In a single fluid motion, he met the creature in a clash of steel against steel.
The other operatives, ready to support, aimed their weapons at the invisible foe but hesitated, unsure of hitting Axel in the fray.
"Clang!"
He was driven into the ceiling this time, but the All Cloak absorbed the brutal impact, safeguarding him from harm. Sensing their hesitation, he barked, "Don't hesitate to shoot! What are you all waiting for?!"
The Heuchromixix assassin landed with feline stealth, nearly undetectable amid the chaos. But as the Pisions unleashed their bombardment, the surroundings melted into molten stone and metal. The operative was no fool, it knew that engaging here meant exposure, and as chaos raged, it chose to retreat, aware that its cover was slipping away.
After a minute had passed, the Heuchromixix operative appeared to have retreated. The big question was, 'Where to?' Axel and his men were no amateurs so they decided to move forward while their backs against the wall as it cooled down. A female arcanist stepped forward and suggested,
"How about if we cool down the surroundings? Would that help you guys?"
Upon hearing this, the men couldn't help but look at her as if she were a rare treasure. Though the young lady was confident, she found herself blushing profusely under the weight of their awed gazes.
"Look alive, men! Stop staring at her like that! This is the Middle Ages! Remember your etiquette and grace! Etiquette and grace! Make sure to raise your Bulwarks on your head!" Axel shouted, feeling a surge of annoyance as he noticed the men distracted by the arcanist.
He indicated the path that needed cooling, and the young lady, recognizing it as a simple task, nodded in agreement. As they approached another doorway, the heavy scent of blood filled the air. Four men who were positioned at the back, consisting of three operatives and one arcanist, had their heads severed, now rolling down the slope they were traversing. One of the operatives, close to the bodies with severed heads, had his All Cloak torn at the neck, fortunately, it only nicked his skin, though the slash exposed his arteries. The man couldn't help but fell a chill ran down through his spine. Axel noticing this shouted.
"Engage Winston munitions on the perimeter. If anyone here is a thermal arcanist, intensify the heat in the area. Ensure the surroundings reach a temperature sufficient to turn the rocks red. Move!"
An arcanist who bore a striking resemblance to Phoenix stepped forward and nodded to him. Axel seeing this handsome blonde man couldn't help but recall the face of the young mischievous lady, he even started to remember distracting thoughts of her. However, he quickly regained his composure and said to himself.
'Focus, Axel. Clear your mind of any distractions. I'm on a mission right now.'
As he appeared distracted, the men remained unaware that the Huechromixix assassin was lurking on the ceiling. Noticing Axel, the pillar of the team, in this moment of vulnerability, the assassin smiled slyly as it licked its blade, applying a coat of venom. This venom contained a deadlier variation of the Black Plague, one of many the Huechromixix were immune to.
As it darted toward Axel, the creature caught sight of a smirk at the corner of the man's mouth. It realized he muttered, 'Got you'. Fueled by such confidence, the Huechromixix operative abruptly altered its trajectory mid-jump. However, when it landed and locked eyes with its target, it was met with five bullets from Winston's gun, striking its head. The creature, now headless, attempted to regenerate its severed head, after all, it could still survive as long as its heart still pumps blood. However, Wong did not give it a chance. With the last bullet in his Pision, he shot the creature to kingdom come.
Seeing the creature blasted to oblivion, the arcanist couldn't help but celebrate. The men began gathering the equipment of their fallen comrades, each of them hoping that one day they would don that gear once more. Axel, too, was affected by the mood, his mind wandering to past missions. He recalled the Figure in Black who had recruited him, a face that felt oddly familiar. Memories of his days as a seal operative flooded his mind, but he shook his head, realizing that this reminiscing wasn't going to help him now. He allowed the men a minute of respite and to pack up while he focused on checking the objective ahead.
The obsidian door loomed before him, a monolith of jet-black stone that towered thirty meters into the air and stretched fifteen meters wide. Its surface shimmered with an unnatural sheen, reflecting the dim light like a dark mirror that swallowed even the faintest glimmers of hope. Carved into the solid mass were intricate etchings of twisted vines and ominous symbols that seemed to writhe and pulse, as if the door itself possessed a heartbeat.
A cold breeze whispered ominously, wrapping around them like a warning. Each breath he took felt heavier, the air thick with anticipation and dread. He could almost hear echoes of long-forgotten secrets trapped beyond the colossal barrier, waiting to be unleashed. With every step closer, he sensed the weight of unseen eyes watching and measuring his resolve. The door stood firm, a silent guardian of whatever lay hidden behind it, daring him to unlock the mysteries that it holds. What dangers are behind such huge door? Will they be able to finish the mission before time runs out?
[Mission Duration: 01:29:53 – Currently Ongoing]
[France Time – 23:30]