Before the dawn could warm the earth, the rumble of explosions and the screams of battle still ruled the walls. Amid the relentless tremors shaking the defenses, an urgent message spread faster than an arrow — a message that would change the course of the war.
From the command center, after hearing Tonny's report, Commander Bayu Kertanegara immediately dispatched the fastest couriers to deliver a message to all sides of the wall: "A zombie with unusual behavior has been found on the western side. Believed to be the control center of the attack. Surrounded by four strong guards. Be alert for its possible existence on other parts of the wall. Prioritize elimination."
This warning jolted the Arkanists across the defense lines.
Northern Wall
The Northern Wall, shrouded in icy fog, remained eerily calm, though fierce battles raged on. The three Arkanists stationed here stood serious-faced, watching the battlefield.
One of them, a young woman with neatly tied long black hair, stepped forward, preparing an ice blast from her hands. Beside her, an older man with a burly physique checked the magic devices around him. The three of them stood facing the fog-covered horizon, eyes sharp, ready for the upcoming attack.
Unexpectedly, communication from the command center was suddenly cut off. A voice echoed through their transmitter, breaking the silence of the frozen wall. "Latest report from the command center," the courier's voice sounded swift and firm. "Zombies appearing on the western wall are behaving unusually. They are controlled by a large entity that seems to have dominion over the others."
This statement silenced the Arkanists at the northern wall. The young woman stared with a cautious gaze, while the old man furrowed his brow.
"Zombies… controlled?" muttered the old man.
"So there's a brain behind them?" the young woman asked hoarsely.
The old man nodded and then spoke more sternly, "If they truly have a controller, this could be much worse than we thought. We must be careful. Immediately check for possible attacks from the north."
Meanwhile, the young woman raised her hand, summoning a storm of ice in front of them. "We'll be ready for anything. We won't let them through." The three exchanged glances, but the silence lingered between them. They readied themselves to move, awaiting further reports.
Eastern Wall
In the soft light of the dawn, three Arkanists leaned against a wall marked with burn scars and bloodstains. Two of them were preparing to move, while the third appeared more relaxed, occasionally touching the ground beneath her. They had just received a new report from the command center about a more coordinated attack, and they were getting ready.
In the brief silence, a voice of jest echoed from the third Arkanist, who seemed less affected by the situation. "Hey, are you sure these zombies are smarter than us? I'm still confused how that works," he said with a wide grin, though his eyes remained alert.
His comrades exchanged serious glances. Despite speaking casually, they knew this was a critical moment.
"Quiet," said the second Arkanist in a firm tone. "We have orders. Focus."
The third Arkanist shrugged. "Yeah, yeah. Besides, what's so exciting about zombies? They just have bad eyesight."
But beneath the joke, all three knew the war would never be simple. They parted ways, ready to face the next wave of attacks.
Southern Wall
Amid the raging flames, Bara stood with steady breaths. The fourth wave of zombies had just been incinerated. His body was cloaked in fire, his red hair billowing in the heat he created himself.
A courier arrived in haste. His breath nearly gone.
"Report from the command center… Unusual zombies found… not attacking… guarded by four large zombies… suspected to be the control center…"
Bara looked at him, silent for a moment, before pulling at his own hair.
"Gods… So that's why they've suddenly become more organized. There's a brain behind those rotting bones."
Suddenly, the ground beneath him exploded in a burst of fire.
"I'm sick of this game! If they have a general… then I'll burn their heart until this world lights up!"
In an instant, Bara leapt into the air, a jet of fire from his back lifting him like a red meteor. The sky to the south immediately turned orange with the glow of fire.
Western Wall
Meanwhile, at the source of the news, the battle raged on. But unlike before, the soldiers now showed renewed spirit. It seemed that Teddy's energy and the middle-aged man, now fighting with full stamina thanks to the Grace of Solis, had become infectious.
Soldiers on the lower battlefield lined up more closely, sealing the gaps and holding the line against the zombies with flawless teamwork. On the wall, snipers focused their aim, no longer reckless. Meanwhile, the two Arkanists — the young woman with fire magic and the old man with a wind spear — took on crucial roles, guarding the gaps and supporting the weary.
"Counterattack, hold the formation! Don't let them get within two meters!" one of the captains shouted.
Teddy, standing on a pile of rubble, fired energy bullets toward the zombies, now scattered. Sweat soaked his face, his eyes squinting, and his breath was heavy.
["Your stamina has dropped 42%, Teddy,"] whispered Axcel inside his helmet.
Teddy gave a tight smile. "I can still stand, right?"
["But if this continues, you—"]
"Axcel," Teddy gently interrupted. "Relax. I know my limits."
He took a deep breath, staring at the sky, now turning red from the distant explosions — a blast originating from Bara.
"Look, even the sky's burning," he muttered.
Teddy reloaded his weapon, casting his gaze across the battlefield, watching his fellow humans and comrades fighting with extraordinary bravery.
A thin smile appeared on his face.
"This is just the beginning... Humans… are starting to strike back."