The plains of Kharos Vale stretched toward the distant mountains, their once-barren surface gradually recovering beneath the thinning grey clouds. Gamma Squad followed Commander Vance across the open terrain, their equipment bearing the marks of a deployment that had tested them far beyond anything the Academy could have prepared them for. With their assigned operations completed and planetary conversion approaching its final stage, the prospect of returning to Earth was finally beginning to feel real.
A deep rumble rolled across the sky.
June stopped walking.
"Wait. You guys hear that?"
The sound came again, louder this time, a low mechanical vibration that seemed to roll through the clouds rather than originate from any particular direction.
Lucian tilted his head. "Sounds like engines."
June's expression changed immediately.
"That's a ship!"
He turned toward the others, excitement spreading across his face.
"They're coming to get us!"
Before anyone could respond, he threw both arms into the air.
"YES! We're going home! Goodbye, Kharos Vale! You miserable, creature-infested nightmare!"
Lucian laughed. "You sound like you're about to kiss the ground when we get back."
"Are you kidding? I'm kissing the first transport pilot I see!"
Mira glanced at him. "Regardless of who it is?"
June hesitated.
"Okay, maybe I'll shake their hand. Depends on the pilot."
Castiel shook his head, a faint smile appearing beneath his grey-white hair.
"You might want to wait until we actually see the ship."
"Don't ruin this for me, Cass. I've been dreaming about a proper bed, real food, and a shower that doesn't smell like recycled swamp water."
"Don't call me Cass," Castiel replied.
June waved him off. "Fine. I'll save that one for David."
David glanced at him. "Don't involve me."
"Too late. You're involved in everything."
Nyra laughed softly beside David, but her attention shifted upward as the rumbling grew stronger.
The clouds above them began to move.
At first, the change was subtle. A broad section of the grey canopy darkened, its lower layers folding over one another as something immense passed behind them.
Then the clouds separated.
A massive black vessel emerged from the opening, its angular hull cutting through the mist. Crimson markings stretched along its armored sides, and several enormous engines burned with a deep violet glow beneath its rear section.
The ship was unlike any Unified Defense Command transport.
Its forward hull tapered into a predatory shape, while overlapping armor plates covered its underside. Rows of narrow red lights glimmered through the dark metal.
June's smile slowly disappeared.
"...Okay. I'm really hoping they're not here for us."
The vessel continued descending.
Its engines sent powerful vibrations across the plains, flattening the grass beneath the approaching shadow.
June watched it for another moment.
"Wait. Don't tell me they're coming this way."
Lucian followed the ship with his eyes.
"Looks that way."
June threw his hands into the air.
"Man, this author really sucks! Can't we have one chapter where something doesn't try to kill us?"
Lucian glanced at him.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing. Just questioning whoever keeps making my life miserable."
Mira shook her head.
"You're doing that yourself."
"See? Even my own squad is against me."
Then the ship changed direction, moving directly toward their position.
Commander Vance stepped forward.
"Gamma Squad! Defensive formation! Now!"
The humor vanished.
David immediately moved into position as Castiel shifted toward his right flank. Nyra drew her twin Wind Crest Swords, their blue energy edges humming softly as they extended from their hilts.
Lucian unsheathed his Bloodcrest Blade, while Mira drew the twin fold-out blades resting at her hips. June activated his kinetic baton, its stun core producing a sharp electrical crackle.
Vance positioned herself several steps ahead of them.
"Hold your ground," she ordered. "Nobody attacks unless I give the command."
The Fallen vessel slowed above the plains.
Its immense shadow swallowed the squad.
David looked upward, his blue-grey eyes narrowing as the underside of the ship passed across the thinning clouds.
He had seen Fallen vessels during Academy briefings, but those images had done little to prepare him for the sheer size of the craft now hovering above them.
A warning appeared before his eyes.
System:
WARNING — HOSTILE VESSEL DETECTED
System:
Origin — Fallen
System:
Threat Assessment — Extreme
David's expression tightened.
He glanced toward Vance.
"Commander, my instincts are telling me we should get away from that ship."
Vance kept her eyes on the vessel.
"I've reached the same conclusion."
"Then why are we standing here?" June asked.
"Because it's already seen us. Running across open ground would only expose our backs."
The engines changed pitch.
A tremendous downward pressure struck the plains as the vessel lowered itself toward the earth.
Grass flattened beneath the exhaust. Loose stones scattered across the ground, and dust rose in broad circular waves around the descending hull.
Nyra raised one of her swords, using a controlled current of wind to keep the worst of the debris away from the squad.
The landing supports extended.
With a deep metallic groan, the ship settled onto the plains several hundred meters ahead.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
The engines gradually quieted, leaving only the fading rumble of their power systems.
June swallowed.
"Maybe they're just stopping to ask for directions."
"June," Vance warned.
"Right. Serious situation. Understood."
A narrow seam appeared along the vessel's lower hull.
Hydraulic mechanisms engaged.
An armored ramp slowly descended toward the ground.
Dark figures waited beyond the opening.
The first Fallen soldiers emerged in disciplined formation, their black armor bearing crimson insignias. Each carried a bladed weapon at their side, and their movements were precise enough to suggest experienced combatants rather than ordinary patrol troops.
They spread outward, establishing a perimeter around the ramp.
Then another figure appeared.
He was taller than the soldiers accompanying him, dressed in dark ceremonial armor beneath a long, crimson-lined mantle. His features were pale and sharply defined, and his eyes carried a cold, reddish gleam.
A curved blade rested at his hip, its black metal reflecting the light of the recovering planet.
He descended the ramp without speaking.
David watched him carefully.
There was something different about this Fallen.
The soldiers around him maintained their positions with visible discipline, but several lowered their heads slightly as he passed.
A new System notification appeared.
System:
Entity Identified
Name — Lord Vaerik Morvayne
Race — Fallen
Level — 30
Threat Classification — Severe
David's stomach tightened.
Level Thirty.
The same level as Commander Vance.
And the Fallen soldiers were treating him as though he were merely an escort.
"Commander," David said quietly. "The one with the curved sword is Level Thirty."
Vance's expression hardened.
"Understood."
June glanced toward the ramp.
"Please tell me that's the strongest one."
Nobody answered.
A second figure emerged from the darkness inside the ship.
Unlike the others, he wore a full black helmet, its faceplate marked by narrow crimson lines that glowed faintly beneath the metal.
His armor was darker than Vaerik's, formed from overlapping plates with deep red seams running across his chest, shoulders, and arms.
A long mantle hung from his back.
He descended the ramp slowly, each step measured and deliberate.
The soldiers straightened as he approached.
Vaerik stepped aside.
The armored figure stopped at the bottom of the ramp and surveyed the plains.
For a moment, his gaze rested on the recovering landscape.
Then he reached upward and removed his helmet.
Pale skin emerged beneath the dark metal. His hair was neatly arranged, and his face possessed the composed, almost aristocratic features common among the Fallen nobility.
But his eyes were what held David's attention.
Deep garnet red.
They moved across Gamma Squad without urgency, studying each member as though evaluating objects placed before him.
A pressure settled over the plains.
It wasn't a physical force, yet David felt his muscles tighten.
His instincts screamed that something was terribly wrong.
System:
WARNING — EXTREME THREAT DETECTED
System:
Entity Identification In Progress
System:
Entity Identified
Name — Vireth Kael'tharyn
Race — Fallen
Level — 45
Title — Blood Ascendant
Threat Classification — Critical
System:
Recommended Action — Retreat
David stared at the notification.
Level Forty-Five.
Thirty-five levels above him.
Fifteen levels above Commander Vance.
Even the Legendary Varkyss Ravager they had defeated during the convoy operation had been weaker than this Fallen.
And that battle had nearly killed them.
"David?" Nyra whispered.
He didn't immediately answer.
She glanced toward him, noticing the change in his expression.
"What is it?"
"Level Forty-Five."
Nyra's eyes widened slightly.
David looked toward Vance.
"Commander. The one who just stepped off the ship is Level Forty-Five."
Vance remained motionless for a moment.
Then she tightened her grip on her sword.
"Nobody breaks formation."
The Fallen leader began walking toward them.
Vaerik followed several steps behind, while the soldiers remained near the vessel.
The distance between the two groups gradually narrowed.
Vance stepped forward to meet him.
"That's far enough."
The Fallen stopped.
His garnet eyes moved toward her.
"Commander," he said, his voice calm and surprisingly refined. "I assume you're responsible for the humans who have been interfering with our operations."
Vance raised her chin.
"Identify yourself."
The Fallen regarded her with mild amusement.
"Vireth Kael'tharyn."
He allowed the name to settle between them.
"Blood Ascendant."
Lucian's expression darkened.
"Blood Ascendant?"
June glanced toward him.
"Please tell me that's just a dramatic title."
Lucian didn't respond.
Vireth's eyes shifted briefly toward the squad.
"Such young soldiers. Humanity must be growing desperate if it has begun sending children to interfere with Fallen military operations."
"They're soldiers under my command," Vance replied. "And you're trespassing on a world undergoing authorized conversion."
Vireth smiled faintly.
"Authorized. Such an interesting word."
He glanced toward the sky.
"The treaty permits conversion, Commander. It does not guarantee that everyone involved will survive the process."
Vance's sword remained lowered, though her posture was ready.
"If you've come to discuss treaty violations, contact Unified Defense Command. You have no reason to approach my unit."
"On the contrary."
Vireth's attention shifted past her.
His eyes settled directly on David.
"David Wyn."
David went still.
The others turned toward him.
Vireth studied his reaction with unmistakable satisfaction.
"There you are."
David stepped forward slightly.
"How do you know my name?"
Vireth's smile widened.
"Three of my soldiers returned from a rather unfortunate convoy incident. They brought stories of a human who possessed an ability they couldn't explain."
David remembered the battle.
The massive Varkyss Ravager.
The prisoners.
The Fallen escorts who had escaped while Gamma Squad struggled to survive.
Vireth continued.
"They described a young soldier who could cut through space itself. A rather extraordinary claim, wouldn't you agree?"
David said nothing.
"At first, I assumed fear had distorted their memories. Soldiers are prone to exaggeration after surviving encounters they should have won."
He looked David over.
"Then I learned the human responsible was only Level Ten."
June shifted his weight.
"Okay, that's definitely not good."
Vireth ignored him.
"A Level Ten human wielding an ability powerful enough to threaten creatures and soldiers far above his own strength. Naturally, I became curious."
Vance moved between them.
"Whatever you want with my cadet, you'll have to go through me."
Vireth glanced at her.
"Commander, I believe you'll find that rather difficult."
His attention returned to David.
"Show me."
David frowned.
"Show you what?"
"The power that frightened my soldiers enough to abandon their orders."
David's hands remained near his Claw Gauntlets.
"I'm not here to entertain you."
Vaerik's eyes narrowed.
One of the Fallen soldiers behind him shifted forward, clearly offended by David's response.
Vireth raised a hand without looking back.
The soldier stopped immediately.
"Interesting," Vireth murmured.
He took another step.
"Then perhaps I should give you a reason."
Vance moved.
"Aegis Dominion!"
A brilliant defensive field erupted around her as Vireth suddenly disappeared from his previous position.
There was no warning.
No gathering energy.
One instant he stood several meters away.
The next, his armored fist struck Vance's shield.
The impact thundered across the plains.
A circular wave of force spread outward, tearing grass from the ground and scattering loose stones.
Vance slid backward, her boots carving deep furrows through the soil.
David barely had time to react.
"Commander!"
"I'm fine!" Vance shouted, forcing her shield forward. "Gamma Squad, engage!"
Nyra moved first.
Her twin swords flashed as she accelerated across the ground, currents of blue energy spiraling around her arms.
Lucian followed from the opposite side, his Bloodcrest Blade cutting a crimson arc through the air.
Castiel disappeared into a spreading veil of shadow.
Mira advanced low, her blades positioned for a rapid flanking strike.
June circled outward, building kinetic energy through his legs.
David activated his Claw Gauntlets.
The folded metal segments extended across his hands, their curved blades locking into position with a sharp mechanical click.
Vireth watched them approach.
He didn't draw a weapon.
Nyra reached him first.
Her Wind Crest Swords crossed in a rapid combination, one blade aimed toward his shoulder while the other swept across his midsection.
Vireth shifted his weight.
The first sword passed beside him.
He caught the second against his armored forearm, redirecting its path with an almost casual movement.
Nyra twisted, using the momentum to launch a rising strike.
Vireth stepped backward.
The blade missed by inches.
Lucian attacked from his left.
Crimson Threads extended from the Bloodcrest Blade, spreading outward in several intersecting lines designed to restrict Vireth's movement.
Vireth glanced at them.
"Blood manipulation?"
Lucian tightened his grip.
"Something like that."
The threads snapped inward.
Vireth moved through the narrowing openings with unsettling precision, avoiding the binding points before the formation could close.
Then he struck Lucian across the chest with an open palm.
The impact sent him skidding backward.
Lucian managed to keep his feet, though pain flashed across his expression.
"All right," he muttered. "That was unpleasant."
A shadow moved behind Vireth.
Castiel emerged with his Shadow Blade already descending.
Vireth turned.
Their weapons met as Vireth intercepted the strike with an armored hand, catching the flat of the blade between his palm and forearm.
Castiel's eyes narrowed.
He twisted the weapon, trying to break the hold.
Vireth released it and drove a short kick toward his abdomen.
Castiel dissolved into shadow before the strike connected.
He reappeared several meters away.
Mira attacked the opening.
Her twin blades moved in precise succession, one targeting the gap beneath Vireth's shoulder armor while the other angled toward his knee.
Vireth avoided both.
But Mira had anticipated the first movement.
She adjusted her second strike, forcing him to turn farther than he intended.
June came in from the opposite side.
"Kinetic Step!"
His body accelerated across the ground.
The energy baton crackled as he swung toward Vireth's exposed flank.
Vireth caught June's wrist.
June's expression changed.
"Oh, that's bad."
Vireth twisted.
June activated Momentum Break, releasing the stored force through his body before the Fallen could throw him.
The resulting burst separated them, sending June tumbling backward across the grass.
He rolled twice before scrambling upright.
"Okay! Nobody let that guy grab you!"
Vireth looked toward him.
"A sensible recommendation."
David had remained just outside the immediate exchange.
He wasn't hesitating.
He was watching.
Every movement.
Every adjustment.
Every fraction of a second between Vireth's attacks.
The Fallen was fast, but speed alone wasn't what made him dangerous.
He understood exactly where each opponent intended to move.
He allowed their attacks to develop just far enough to expose their weaknesses before responding with the minimum effort necessary.
Even when surrounded, he never seemed pressured.
David glanced toward Vance.
She was advancing again, her shield glowing with renewed energy.
"Commander!" he called. "We need to force him to defend in more than one direction!"
"I know!"
Vance slammed her shield into the ground.
"Aegis Dominion — Bastion Advance!"
A broad wall of radiant energy surged forward.
Vireth turned toward it.
Nyra immediately moved to his right, using a burst of wind to accelerate around the advancing barrier.
Lucian sent another spread of Crimson Threads toward his left.
Mira followed close behind, her movements synchronized with the shifting openings.
Castiel disappeared.
David felt the moment approaching.
Vireth struck the advancing barrier.
Cracks spread across its surface, but Vance continued pushing forward.
For the first time, the Blood Ascendant was forced to devote more than a passing movement to an attack.
Nyra's blades flashed.
Vireth turned to intercept them.
Lucian's threads tightened around his opposite arm.
They didn't hold him.
Not completely.
But they delayed his movement.
Castiel emerged behind him, Shadow Blade cutting toward the gap beneath his shoulder.
Vireth twisted.
He avoided Castiel's strike, broke Lucian's threads, and drove his elbow toward Nyra.
She narrowly evaded the blow.
But David had already moved.
"Shadow Step!"
His body vanished into the darkness cast by Vance's defensive field.
He emerged near Vireth's unguarded side.
The Fallen's garnet eyes shifted toward him.
Too late.
David brought his Claw Gauntlets forward, channeling the familiar pressure of spatial energy along their curved blades.
He didn't attempt a wide attack.
He focused everything into a narrow cutting plane.
"Cosmic Spatial Severance!"
System:
Cosmic Spatial Severance — Activated
Space fractured.
A thin, nearly invisible distortion crossed the distance between them.
Vireth moved to evade.
The spatial cut struck his armor.
A sharp metallic crack rang across the plains.
One of the black plates covering his upper torso split apart.
The distortion passed through the damaged section and carved a shallow line into the flesh beneath.
Dark crimson blood emerged.
System:
Cosmic Spatial Severance — Successful Hit
System:
Target Defense — Penetrated
System:
Cosmic Spatial Severance Mastery Increased
System:
Cosmic Spatial Severance — Mastery 2 (10%)
Vireth stopped.
David landed several steps away, his boots sliding across the grass.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Even the Fallen soldiers near the ship seemed stunned.
A Level Ten human had wounded the Blood Ascendant.
Vireth slowly lowered his gaze.
He examined the fractured armor, then touched the damaged section with two fingers.
When he withdrew his hand, a small amount of blood marked the tips of his armored glove.
His expression changed.
Not to anger.
To interest.
"A Level Ten human shouldn't possess enough power to penetrate my defenses."
David kept his Claw Gauntlets raised.
"Then maybe you shouldn't have underestimated me."
Vireth looked up.
The faint amusement that had accompanied his earlier movements was gone.
"Tell me, David Wyn. Do you even understand what you're carrying?"
David studied him carefully.
He didn't like the question.
Or the certainty behind it.
"Enough to know you're not taking it from me."
Vireth's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Such confidence from someone who has barely begun to understand his own abilities."
David said nothing.
The Blood Ascendant glanced toward the damaged armor again.
"Extraordinary."
Commander Vance moved closer to David.
"Gamma Squad, regroup!"
Nyra returned to his side, her swords still glowing.
"David, are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."
She glanced toward Vireth.
"You actually cut him."
"Not enough."
"No," Castiel said as he emerged beside them. "But enough to make him pay attention."
Lucian approached from the opposite side, rolling his injured shoulder.
"Something tells me that might not be a good thing."
Vireth heard him.
"An astute observation."
He straightened.
The pressure surrounding him seemed to deepen.
Until now, he had moved like someone indulging in a casual exercise.
That had changed.
"During the war," Vireth began, "I encountered many remarkable humans. Captains who commanded entire divisions. Warriors whose abilities were powerful enough to turn battles that should have been decided long before they began."
His gaze remained fixed on David.
"Some impressed me enough that I preserved their blood."
June's grip tightened around his baton.
"Preserved?"
Vireth glanced toward him.
"Of course. Among my people, the blood of a powerful opponent is not something to be wasted."
Lucian's expression hardened.
"You drink it."
Vireth smiled.
"From crystal glasses, naturally. One should never abandon refinement merely because one is standing on a battlefield."
June stared at him.
"That's disgusting."
"To you, perhaps."
Vireth returned his attention to David.
"Human blood carries strength. Experience. The essence of lives spent developing extraordinary abilities. A sufficiently powerful human can be quite valuable."
He paused.
"But you are different."
David felt Nyra shift closer beside him.
Vireth continued.
"A Level Ten human capable of wounding me with an ability that should not exist at your level."
His garnet eyes gleamed.
"I wonder what your blood might contain."
Vance raised her sword.
"You won't find out."
Vireth regarded her almost regretfully.
"Commander, your devotion to your soldiers is admirable. But you are beginning to mistake courage for capability."
Behind him, one of the Fallen soldiers stepped forward.
The soldier drew a narrow blade and started toward David.
"Blood Ascendant, allow me to—"
"No."
The single word stopped him.
Vireth didn't even turn around.
The soldier immediately lowered his weapon and retreated.
Vaerik remained near the landing ramp, silently observing the exchange.
Vireth's attention never left David.
"This one is mine."
The words settled over the battlefield.
David felt a cold sensation move through his chest.
He had fought creatures larger than buildings.
He had faced enemies whose strength should have made survival impossible.
But there was something different about the Fallen standing before him.
Vireth wasn't fighting to protect territory.
He wasn't defending a military objective.
He had come specifically for David.
And now that he had seen Cosmic Spatial Severance, his interest had become something far more dangerous.
Vance shifted her stance.
"David, stay behind me."
David glanced at her.
"Commander—"
"That's an order."
Nyra tightened her grip on her swords.
"We're not leaving him alone."
"Nobody is leaving anyone," Vance replied. "But we need to fight together. If he separates us, we're finished."
Castiel stepped beside David.
"Looks like we're doing this the hard way, D."
David looked toward him.
"Do we ever do it another way, Cass?"
Castiel gave a humorless smile.
"Not that I've noticed."
Across the plains, Vireth slowly raised his right hand.
A faint crimson glow appeared around his fingers.
Then another.
Thin streams of dark red energy began gathering around his arm, twisting through the air like liquid suspended in an invisible current.
The grass beneath his boots bent outward.
The pressure intensified.
Lucian stared at the forming energy.
"That's blood."
Vireth's smile returned.
"Now then."
The crimson streams twisted together, growing denser as they circled his outstretched hand.
His garnet eyes settled on David.
"Let's see how much of that extraordinary power you can survive using."
Commander Vance raised her shield.
Gamma Squad braced for the next attack.
And across the recovering plains of Kharos Vale, the Blood Ascendant finally began to fight seriously.