Chapter 132: Signs of the Final Hour

The cold glow of holographic projections illuminated the war room beneath the Mercenary Guild headquarters in Valeris. The air was thick with tension, the usual hum of bustling personnel subdued to a quiet murmur of anticipation. The leaders of the coalition, battle-hardened veterans, strategists, and fighters had gathered to evaluate the early results of the northern campaign. Though the victories in dismantling Syndicate supply depots were significant, a dark cloud loomed over the room, hinting at something far more ominous.

Darrik Voss stood at the head of the room, his broad frame silhouetted against a massive holographic map of Kynara. Markers glowed across the northern region, showing the areas where coalition teams had successfully destroyed Syndicate supply depots.

"Let me start by saying this," Voss began, his voice carrying the authority of a leader who had seen too much war. "We've dealt a heavy blow to Drakor's logistical operations. The Syndicate's ability to transport supplies and weapons has been crippled across the northern region."

A series of red icons blinked on the map, signifying destroyed depots and bases. The leaders seated around the table. Ethan, Guild Secretary Kael, Captain Alrik Thorne, and Joran Kren via hologram nodded as Voss continued.

"Our teams have proven their worth," Voss said. "Each operation was carried out with precision and determination. The Syndicate's supply convoys have slowed to a crawl, and their stockpiles have been decimated. However…" His tone darkened, and the map shifted, zooming in on two specific locations marked in black.

Voss's expression turned grim. "Two teams failed to report back."

The room fell silent. The only sound was the soft hum of the holograms. Ethan straightened in his seat, his sharp gaze fixed on Voss.

"We sent reinforcements to investigate," Voss continued. "What they found was…" He paused, his jaw tightening. "Devastating."

The hologram shifted again, displaying images taken from the scenes. Jagged craters marred the icy tundra, stretching for miles. Twisted metal, charred debris, and the faint outlines of mutilated bodies painted a gruesome picture. Not a single survivor had been found, neither from the coalition teams nor from the Syndicate forces stationed there.

Ethan leaned forward, studying the images. "This wasn't a conventional attack," he said quietly.

"No, it wasn't," Voss agreed. "Entire stretches of land were obliterated. Whatever caused this wasn't a firefight, it was precise, calculated. A warning, or perhaps worse."

Captain Alrik Thorne, the Federation Guard leader, adjusted his posture. "Could it have been an orbital strike?" he asked. "The Federation's space station has systems capable of this level of destruction, though none have been detected in Kynara's orbit."

Joran Kren's hologram flickered slightly as he cut in, his tone sharp. "Orbital strikes? Unlikely. This reeks of Drakor. We've already heard whispers about an ultimate weapon. My guess? This was a test."

Ethan remained silent, his mind returning to Raeth's final words. You think killing me will end this? Drakor has already won the moment he got the backing of such a benefactor. Those words, cryptic at the time, now seemed to echo with chilling clarity.

"This wasn't just a show of power," Kael interjected, stepping forward with a datapad. "It was tactical. Drakor has no reason to waste such a weapon unless he was demonstrating its capabilities, to us or to someone else."

Kael activated his datapad, syncing it with the holographic display. Files and encrypted documents recovered from Syndicate bases appeared in the air, filled with technical jargon and fragmented data.

"This is what we recovered from several bases and depots," Kael began. "Most of it is vague, likely because the weapon is top-secret, even within the Syndicate. But the name keeps appearing: 'Resonance Amplification Device.'"

Captain Thorne frowned. "Resonance?"

Kael nodded. "The data suggests that it's tied to the psychic ore native to Kynara. The weapon appears to amplify the ore's properties, creating destructive shockwaves. The specifics are unclear, but based on what we've seen…" He gestured toward the images of the craters. "We can assume the results are catastrophic."

Ethan clenched his fists. "Raeth hinted at this. Drakor's 'creation.' This must be it."

Darrik Voss straightened, his expression resolute. "We've dealt with Raeth, Vela Drasik, and most of Drakor's supply lines. The northern region is clear enough for us to make our next move."

Joran Kren's hologram leaned forward. "It's time we establish a forward camp in the northern region. If Drakor wants to make his stand, we'll meet him head-on. But we'll do it on our terms."

Captain Thorne nodded. "The Federation will deploy additional troops and supplies to support the forward camp. We'll fortify it as a staging ground for the final assault."

Kael added, "The guild logistics teams are ready. We'll ensure the camp has everything it needs, medical supplies, upgraded dampeners, and advanced weaponry."

Voss turned to Ethan. "Walker, you've proven time and time again that you can lead under impossible circumstances. I want you to oversee the establishment of the forward camp. Scout the terrain alongside a few other D-rank mercenaries, fortify the area, and ensure we're prepared for the final push."

Ethan nodded without hesitation. "Consider it done."

As the meeting concluded, the leaders rose from their seats, the weight of the discussion still heavy in the air. Voss's voice cut through the low murmurs, commanding attention with the steady conviction of a former C-rank mercenary who had seen countless battles yet knew this one would be the most critical.

"This is it," he began, his gaze sweeping across the room. "We've come too far, sacrificed too much, and fought too hard to falter now. The final campaign is upon us. Drakor's desperation makes him dangerous, yes but it also makes him vulnerable. A cornered enemy reveals their hand, and we've seen what he's willing to unleash. But we've also shown time and time again that we can outthink and outfight the Syndicate."

He stepped closer to the central holographic table, the red marker of Drakor's northern stronghold glowing ominously. "Every depot we've destroyed, every base we've dismantled, and every life we've saved has led us to this moment. The Syndicate's grip on Kynara is slipping, and they know it. They're relying on fear, on chaos, and on this so-called ultimate weapon to try to break us." His voice grew more resolute, each word landing like a hammer on an anvil. "But we won't let them."

He straightened, addressing the entire room one final time. "The Syndicate has underestimated us for the last time. We're not just a collection of mercenaries, resistance fighters, and guards. We're a force united by a common purpose. And together, we will dismantle the Black Sun Syndicate piece by piece until there's nothing left but ash."