The first bullet fired before Karin could respond, flying straight toward Yank. With his superhuman reflexes, he dodged, but the sound of the shot echoed loudly, alerting the Tyranos.
"Cerberus!" Yank shouted.
The camouflaged wolf lunged at the man, sinking his teeth into the arm holding the gun. The traitor screamed as Cerberus brought him to the ground, tearing off his head with a brutal motion."Are you alright?" Karin asked, trembling."I'm fine. Looks like you are too. Let's get out of here before more of them show up."
She glanced at the headless body of the man, then at Yank. "Wait. That bastard has the briefcase, and I think I know what's inside. We need it."She knelt down, trying to pull the briefcase from the dead man's hand. The corpse seemed to resist, but with a grunt of effort, Karin managed to rip it free.
"Got it. Hope you rot in hell, you son of a bitch. Ugh, now let's go."
Following Karin's instructions, they made their way to the machinery hall. There, she pointed to an old wall."Behind this is a tunnel that leads to an abandoned sewer. It was an emergency route, but it's been sealed off for decades."
Yank examined the structure. "Step back. This will make noise."He activated his chainsword, which began spinning with a shrill whine. Karin covered her ears as Yank cut through the wall. The noise was deafening, and soon distant screams began to echo."They're coming! Can you hurry up?" Karin yelled.
"Almost there! Cerberus, stay alert."
With a final strike, the wall gave way, revealing the tunnel."Let's go!" Yank said, pulling Karin as Cerberus moved ahead to lead the way.
The tunnel was long and dark, filled with the stench of rust and decay. They ran for about a kilometer before reaching the end: a wall of compacted dirt."We're close to the surface. We just need to dig."
As Yank and Cerberus dug frantically, Karin collapsed to the ground, exhausted."Do you think they're still after us?" she asked, panting.
Yank didn't stop digging. "No doubt. But when they reach the machinery hall, they'll find the surprise I left for them.""What surprise?"
He glanced over his shoulder with a sly smile. "A hydrogen bomb."
The ground above began to give way, and light from the surface finally illuminated the tunnel."Come on, Karin. We're almost there."
With one last push, they emerged into a desolate field. A muffled explosion from the bomb rumbled in the distance, causing the ground to tremble slightly. Yank stared at the horizon, his eyes fixed on the next step of their journey."The mission isn't over yet. We need to stay alive. Let's keep moving."The sunset over Aphehein painted the sky in fiery hues, while the air was heavy with the scent of burnt flesh and rust. Cerberus, ever vigilant, stayed ahead, sniffing out every step."We need to leave now. They'll be here soon," Karin said, glancing nervously toward the horizon.
Yank nodded, adjusting his grip on the chainsword. He looked at the digital map on his armor's display. The portal was about 5 kilometers away, but the terrain ahead was a treacherous mix of ruins and open plains."We'll stay out of sight. The General might be nearby."
They began moving, silently navigating the ruins of an old communication station. The toppled towers cast long shadows that seemed to embrace the survivors, while the wind whistled through the debris.Karin looked around, trying to process the chaos that had consumed her planet. "Do you think he's hunting us? The General?"Yank didn't answer immediately. His experienced eyes scanned the environment, searching for any signs of movement.
"He's after the gem—and us. That much is certain," Yank finally replied. "If he catches up, we'll have no choice but to fight. That's why we need to hurry."
Cerberus suddenly stopped, his ears perking up. A low growl escaped him. Yank raised a hand, signaling Karin to stop."What is it?" she whispered.
"Something's coming. Stay behind me."
A smaller Tyrano emerged from the shadows, its grotesque form coming into view: a thin body covered in bony plates, with sharp claws and a jaw that seemed too large for its face. The creature lunged quickly, but Cerberus was quicker. With a powerful leap, he took the monster down before it could make a sound."Good boy," Yank said, patting the wolf before pulling Karin back onto the path.
As they moved deeper into the ruins, Karin stumbled and fell to her knees, exhausted. Yank stopped, looking at her with a mix of impatience and concern."We can't stop now. The portal is close."
"I know, but..." Karin hesitated, wiping sweat from her forehead. "I'm trying to keep up, but I'm not like you. I'm not a warrior."
Yank knelt beside her, offering her a canteen of water. "You don't have to be a warrior to survive. You're here, aren't you? That's more than many can say."She took the water, breathing deeply before continuing."I don't understand why the General is here. It doesn't make sense. Generals don't leave their planets, not without a reason."
"You think he lost his king?" Yank asked, trying to probe for more information.
Karin shook her head, thoughtful."Maybe. But even so, that doesn't explain everything. If he lost his king, he should be fighting for control of his own planet, not here. It's as if... as if he has another priority."
Yank narrowed his eyes. He didn't like where this conversation was heading."Whatever the reason, we're not sticking around to find out. Let's move."
They finally emerged from the ruins into an open clearing. The portal was visible in the distance, its pulsating glow framed by two large metal towers."We're almost there," Yank said, pulling Karin to keep going.
But something felt wrong. Cerberus began growling again, this time louder. The wolf's ears locked onto a specific direction, and Yank followed his gaze.In the distance, small figures were moving—smaller Tyrano creatures, like the one they had just encountered, but in greater numbers."They're blocking the path," Yank said, drawing his sword.
"What now?" Karin asked, visibly terrified.
"We cut through them. Stay behind me and follow my orders. Don't look back."
Yank led the charge, slicing through the smaller Tyranos with surgical precision. Cerberus darted alongside him, taking down any that escaped the reach of his blade. Karin followed close behind, clutching the briefcase tightly.They were nearing the portal when a voice boomed through the air, freezing them in their tracks."Good evening, humans. Is that the proper way to greet you?"
Yank stopped abruptly. The voice was deep and dripping with disdain. He looked ahead and saw the Tyrano General standing beside the portal, having just emerged from behind it."Ah, I really must work on those irritating mannerisms, don't you think? But where are my manners? You've come so far; it would be rude not to greet you properly."
The creature's stature was unremarkable, but his presence was suffocating. He stood almost human-like, but his pale skin and glowing eyes betrayed his true nature."You know, humans are fascinating. So fragile, so persistent. It's why we've never exterminated you completely. You're... entertaining."
Karin took a step back, but Yank stood firm, raising his sword."Enough talk. If you want something, come and take it."
The General laughed, a guttural and chilling sound."Oh, you're an Astra. One of the weaker ones, I presume. No matter. Even a good show needs a final act, doesn't it?"
Before Yank could react, the General vanished in a blur, reappearing mere meters away. His punch landed squarely on Yank's chest, sending him to his knees.As Yank struggled to rise, the General advanced like an unstoppable shadow, grabbing Cerberus by the neck. The wolf, usually indomitable, snarled and thrashed, but the General's grip was so strong that Cerberus's paws barely touched the ground."Interesting... I can't quite understand this deep connection between you two. How does it work?" the General murmured, his glowing eyes radiating a sadistic curiosity. "I want to understand it better. How can such a fragile human bond with something so fierce and untamed?"Cerberus lashed out one final time, snapping his powerful jaws toward the General's arm, but it was in vain. The monster didn't even flinch; instead, his grip tightened further. The sound of Cerberus's growls turned into a muffled whimper—a sound that made Yank's blood run cold."No! Please, don't hurt him!" Karin screamed, her hands trembling as she clutched the briefcase.The General turned his gaze toward her, as if only just noticing her presence. His lips curled into a contemptuous smile."Humanoids... always begging. But what would you do if no one cared enough to listen?"
He shifted his attention back to Cerberus, who kept struggling despite the deadly grip around his neck. Yank, still on the ground, managed to lift his head. His eyes met Cerberus's for one fleeting, but profound moment. There was no fear in the wolf's gaze—only unwavering loyalty.Grinding his teeth, Yank forced his body to move, but his muscles felt heavy, the earlier blow sapping his strength."Cerberus..."
The General tilted his head, studying the wolf with an almost contemplative expression."You created these creatures to fight alongside you. Fierce, loyal, but... fragile. Let's see how long that loyalty lasts."
With a swift, merciless motion, he squeezed tighter until a sickening crack echoed through the air."Oops... Seems your beast wasn't so special after all, was it?"
The General held Cerberus's lifeless body in his grasp, still warm, as if it were a trophy. He tossed it to the ground with disdain, the impact sending dust flying. Yank's eyes widened in a mix of shock and unbridled rage.A scream tore from Yank's throat, ripping through the silence like a blade. It was a sound filled with pain, fury, and loss—a primal roar that seemed to reverberate through the air. The General grinned, baring uneven teeth in a gesture that was both mockery and menace."What a magnificent scream! Come, human. Show me your rage."
Yank, trembling with grief and fury, rose unsteadily to his feet. Though his body was still reeling from the General's earlier blow, his hatred drove him forward. He activated his chainsword, the buzzing blade roaring like a battle cry of its own. With all the strength he could muster, he charged and drove the blade into the General's side.The General let out a pained growl, staggering back a few steps. But his recovery was quick, and soon, a chilling laugh escaped his lips."Pathetic. Is that all you've got? A noisy little toy?" He straightened, his glowing eyes burning brighter. "I'll tear you apart so slowly your ancestors will feel it."
The General lunged forward, his movements unnaturally fast, forcing Yank to dodge as best as he could. The Astra's mind raced, torn between his grief for Cerberus and the desperate need to survive. This isn't over, Yank thought, gripping his weapon tighter.He knew he would have to fight smarter, not harder, if he was going to bring the General down.