"Soldiers at the ready!" General Voxtrom's commanding voice thundered across the encampment, cutting through the murmurs and background chatter like a blade.
*thud!
The response was immediate—hundreds of boots stomped against the ground in unison, a heavy thud that echoed through the encampment and the air.
The soldiers, all trained to precision, fell into perfect formation within seconds.
Rows upon rows of them aligned themselves in a straight linear pattern, their armor clinking softly as they shifted their stance.
Each man and woman gripped their weapon tightly, eyes focused ahead, the dim light of the Veil Pylon glinting across polished helmets and metallic plating.
The sound of mechanical rifles being checked and blades unsheathed followed, forming a rhythm that mixed discipline with the unspoken anxiety of what awaited them inside the ruins.
From behind, several battalion officers paced through the ranks, shouting affirmations and last-minute adjustments.
