A New Foe

The battle in the skies raged on. Lionel's forces, though weakened, pressed their relentless assault against Mars's orbital defenses. Cannon fire flashed, and bursts of magic clashed against the dark expanse of space. Distant explosions lit the sky like dying stars. The planetary defenses held strong—for now—but they were losing ground.

Below, the situation was just as grim. The outer cities swarmed with enemy soldiers. Machine units and corrupted warriors tore through the defenses, leaving destruction in their wake. Buildings burned, their skeletal remains barely standing against the onslaught. Civilians fled deeper into the city, seeking refuge from the chaos. The once-thriving outskirts had become a war zone.

Amidst it all, Angel Squad moved with precision. Their mission: rescue as many people as possible before the enemy consumed everything. Rose activated her comms, her eyes scanning the ruined streets below. "I count forty machines in the area," she reported, her voice steady.

Kai's voice crackled through the earpiece. "How many hostages?"

"Twelve."

A pause. "…Only twelve?"

"Yeah."

Kai exhaled. "Alright…" He switched channels. "Aika, you know what to do."

"Right," Aika replied from an adjacent building, already preparing her spells.

Kai turned his attention to Arnik. "Arnik, on your command."

Silence. Kai frowned. "Uh, Arnik—"

BOOOOM.

A sudden explosion of light and energy roared through the center of the enemy ranks. A massive bolt of lightning split the sky, striking the ground with deafening force. When the dust settled, Arnik stood in the middle of the battlefield, electricity coursing through his veins, his fists crackling with raw power. In his grasp: a severed machine head.

"Lightning Mutation—Consecutive Strikes," he declared. The words barely left his mouth before the energy surged again. A pulse of lightning erupted outward, chaining through the machines in an instant. Sparks flashed as ten machines collapsed, their circuits fried beyond repair.

Kai sighed, shaking his head. "A little heads-up would be nice…"

Arnik smirked. "You're slow."

Kai clicked his tongue. "Aika, Rose—go."

Rose didn't hesitate. She leapt from a broken window, her Yari gleaming as she shot downward. "Fourfold Strike!" Her weapon blurred in one clean motion. Four machines fell, their bodies sliced so precisely it seemed like a single attack had done the damage.

Aika followed, her chains bursting forward, wrapping around thirteen machines at once. With a flick of her wrist, the ground beneath them cracked open. The machines struggled, but the enchanted chains dragged them into the earth, crushing them on impact.

Kai shot out from an alleyway, pistol in one hand, shifting weapon in the other. His blade molded mid-motion, striking one machine before morphing instantly to hit another. His attacks were so fast the machines couldn't process them in time.

The moment they did, they lunged for the hostages.

But Arnik was already ahead of them. He slammed his hands together, releasing a pulse of plasma energy. A barrier erupted around the hostages, cutting the machines off from their targets. The machines faltered.

Their leader stepped forward—a hulking figure of twisted metal and pulsating veins of energy. Sparks flickered across its jagged armor, and its single glowing eye locked onto the squad with deadly intent. Its arm crackled, raising a clawed hand as a dark spell surged.

A powerful blast ignited, tearing through the battlefield. Kai barely ducked behind a pillar, snapping his fingers to cast a shimmering barrier over Rose as the wave of energy slammed into them. Debris rattled against the shield, the air shimmering with heat.

"Damn, that was strong!" Kai hissed through gritted teeth.

"Thanks," Rose muttered, glancing back briefly before charging forward, her Yari gleaming. She swung her weapon, sending enchanted chains that wrapped around the machine leader, locking its limbs in place. "Gotcha."

With a smirk, she vaulted over its immobilized frame, striking down with her spear. The machine's arm was severed in a clean motion.

Kai's weapon shifted again, forming a massive magic axe. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and brought it down with full force. The blade cleaved through the machine's core. A surge of energy exploded outward, cutting a deep, jagged line through the ground. The sheer force split the battlefield apart.

Kai exhaled, spinning his weapon back to a neutral stance. The machines were defeated. The hostages—safe.

A deafening sound erupted from the ruined buildings. The team snapped their heads toward the noise. Ten machines burst from the wreckage, their glowing optics locking onto the squad. Their movements were swift, merciless, weapons drawn as they rushed to overwhelm them.

But—

BANG. BANG. BANG.

As swiftly as they appeared, they fell. One after another, each machine dropped, their heads exploding with perfect precision. Far in the distance, perched on a high rooftop, Markus lowered his sniper rifle.

Arnik smirked, speaking through the comms. "Great job, Markus."

A grunt was his only response.

Kai exhaled, glancing at the fallen enemies. "Show-off."

Aika adjusted her grip on her staff. "Are there more?"

No movement. No sound. Just the flickering of distant flames and the crackle of ruined metal.

Arnik nodded. "Alright. Requesting evac ship to our position."

Minutes later, the hum of engines filled the air as a transport ship descended, its hatch opening. Soldiers rushed out to secure the area. The survivors—what few remained—were carefully ushered aboard.

Aika watched as the civilians climbed into the safety of the transport, her hands tightening around her staff. "There were so few…"

Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know…"

Rose crossed her arms, her tail flicking. "How horrible."

They stood in silence for a moment, watching the ship ascend, carrying the survivors away from the wreckage of what had once been their home.

"We should probably leave before more of those things show up," Kai said.

"Right."

At Markus's position, he was loading his sniper rifle when he suddenly felt a powerful magic aura. His grip tightened. He drew his weapon.

Arnik was about to call for another ship when—

BOOM.

Markus came flying in, crashing into a building next to them. "MARKUS!"

He staggered to his feet, brushing dust off his coat. "I'M FINE."

"Damn, that hurt," he muttered, rolling his shoulder.

The team turned toward the source of the attack. "What was that?" Kai asked, already drawing his weapon.

Everyone tensed, weapons at the ready. Walking toward them was a man. He looked human.

"What?!" Aika muttered.

"A human?" Rose said, uncertain.

Markus scoffed. "No." His grip on his sword tightened, his teeth gritted. "That's no man… I can feel it."

"He's a demon?" Arnik narrowed his eyes. "A demon? But Lionel is the only demon left."

"It's hard to explain," Markus said, shifting into a combat stance. "But he has a demonic aura."

"We can talk later," Arnik said, stepping forward, his mutation crackling around him.

The man smirked, slowly drawing a blade that shimmered with magic. His eyes burned with anticipation. "I'm getting excited," he murmured.

High above, hidden within the shadows of a drone's surveillance, someone watched. A low chuckle echoed through the feed. "This should be interesting," the voice mused. "Go, my brother… Let's see how you fare against them."

He was covered in cybernetic armor, sleek and advanced, with intricate engravings running along its plating. His long hair flowed behind him, dark as the void, moving unnaturally as if caught in an unseen current. His eyes—deep, blood-red—gleamed with something unholy, something ancient.

Markus tightened his grip, stepping forward. He drew his massive trident-sword, its weight familiar in his hands. The blade shimmered under the dim light, its chained segments rattling slightly as he pointed it toward the figure.

"He has impeccable magic power…" Markus muttered, feeling the sheer weight of the energy radiating from him.

Rose scoffed, flicking her tail. "DUH. We all can see it, Nimrod."

Markus growled, his grip tightening. "Why are you working for the demons…? You're a human!"

The man's lips curled into a sneer.

"Human?!" His voice dripped with disgust. "You dare lump me in with those worthless pieces of entrails?"

Kai stepped forward slightly, adjusting his stance. "What's the game plan, Arnik?"

But—

The moment Kai finished speaking—

A burst of energy erupted.

Arnik was already moving.

In a flash, he appeared at the man's side, his fist surging with raw energy, crackling with the force of his mutation.

I can't risk my team's safety. He's an unknown entity.

His fist shot forward.

The man tilted his head slightly, meeting Arnik's gaze with a slow, confident smile.

Arnik's fist surged forward, a direct strike backed by his full strength and the force of his mutation.

CLANG.

The man caught it, in one hand.

Everyone's eyes widened.

"Impossible…" Kai muttered, gripping his weapon tighter.

Arnik's arm trembled. Not from weakness—but from something far worse. He read my movements.

The man's grip tightened, stopping Arnik completely in his tracks. His smile didn't waver, his blood-red eyes burning with amusement.

The man's smirk widened as he tightened his grip around Arnik's hand.

"That's all you've got? Your power is pathetic."

A sickening crack echoed through the battlefield.

Arnik's scream tore through the air.

Without hesitation, Rose and Markus dashed forward.

Markus lunged with his trident-sword, its energy surging as he unleashed the stored magic in a devastating arc. The ground beneath him cracked from the sheer force of his charge.

At the same time, Rose thrust her Yari with deadly precision, aiming to pierce straight through the man's armor.

But—

He smirked.

A pulse of magic erupted from his body.

Dozens of swords materialized midair and launched toward them like a storm of blades.

Markus and Rose reacted instantly, slicing through the incoming barrage, their weapons moving in perfect rhythm. The clanging of steel echoed as they cut their way through.

But—

By the time they reached him, he was gone.

Arnik gritted his teeth, gripping his shattered hand.

Aika sprinted toward him, her hands glowing with healing magic. "Arnik—!"

His eyes widened. "Aika, behind you!"

A chilling presence loomed behind her.

The man was there, a magic blade raised high, its edge glowing with lethal intent.

Aika barely had time to turn her head before the blade came down—aiming to cleave her head from her shoulders.

But—

CRACK!

A whip-like chain wrapped around the man's wrist, stopping his blade just inches from Aika's neck.

Kai stood firm, his weapon shifting fluidly in his grip. His expression was unreadable.

"Not happening."

The man hummed, intrigued.

He grabbed the whip, yanking hard—but the moment he did, Kai's weapon shifted again.

From a whip, it reformed into a war hammer mid-pull.

BOOM!

Caught off guard, the man barely had time to raise a shield. The impact sent him skidding backward, dust kicking up around him.

Kai exhaled sharply, gripping his weapon tighter. "Thought so."

Aika turned back, hands trembling, before kneeling beside Arnik once again, trying to heal him.

But—

The man wasn't going to give them any breathing room.

A crackling ball of magic energy wailed toward Aika's direction. She barely had time to react—her staff pulsed as she threw up a magical barrier. The impact sent shockwaves through her body, her knees nearly buckling from the sheer force.

Arnik gritted his teeth. He could feel the weight of the battle pressing down on them.

This can't slow me down.

His shattered hand throbbed with unbearable pain, but he refused to let it hinder him. His mutation flared to life, heat radiating from his veins. The flames crawled up his arms, flickering wildly. He focused—his energy surging, forcing his broken bones to hold together, as if his very mutation was refusing to acknowledge the damage.

He roared and charged.

The man barely had time to react before Arnik's flaming fist came crashing down, the sheer heat distorting the air around them.

But he was fast.

He twisted at the last second, barely avoiding the brunt of the attack, his blade flashing toward Arnik in retaliation.

Markus was already moving.

He gripped the chain of his trident-sword, swinging it like a whip. The blade coiled around the man's arm, locking it in place.

Markus pulled.

The force sent the man hurtling into a nearby building, the structure collapsing around him.

Before the dust could settle—Rose and Kai were on him.

The fight was relentless.

All of them pressed forward, their attacks coordinated, their movements sharp.

Aika's hands glowed as she cast buffing spells, amplifying their speed and strength, reinforcing their stamina. Keep going. Keep pushing.

The battlefield was chaos.

Markus's sword lashed out, striking from impossible angles, keeping the man on edge. Arnik slammed his fists into the ground, sending tremors that cracked the earth. Rose weaved between strikes, her Yari spinning like a cyclone, each thrust precise and deadly.

And yet—

He still held his ground.

The man countered effortlessly, dodging and deflecting, his speed almost inhuman.

Buildings shattered from the force of their clash, debris raining down like a war-torn storm.

Kai took aim with his gun and fired.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

The magic rounds shot straight toward the man's chest.

Nothing.

The bullets barely fazed him, the energy dissipating harmlessly against his armor.

Kai's eyes narrowed. So only magic weapons can harm him?

"Tch—figures," he muttered, flipping his weapon back into sword form.

He had to get in close.

The battle raged on.

Smoke and dust clouded the sky as the echoes of destruction rang through the crumbling streets. Machines lay in heaps of scrap, the ground littered with shattered weapons and scorched debris. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and burning magic.

Amidst the chaos, Aika moved swiftly, her hands glowing with restorative energy as she weaved between her allies. Every time someone staggered, she was there—patching wounds, reinforcing barriers, keeping them standing.

Kai groaned as she pressed magic against a deep gash on his shoulder. "Do you have to be so rough?"

Aika rolled her eyes. "Maybe if you stopped getting hit, I wouldn't have to heal you."

Rose wiped blood from the side of her mouth, smirking. "Just be grateful she's not charging you for it."

Arnik barely reacted as Aika reached for him, his focus locked onto the battlefield. "No time. Keep moving."

Aika hesitated before nodding, her magic never stopping.

Beat passed, a heavy silence followed.

They all stood, panting heavily, the battlefield around them in ruins. Smoke and dust filled the air, the echoes of their battle still lingering in the crumbling remains of the city.

The man stood there, his cybernetic armor cracked, wounds decorating his body. And yet—he was healing. The cuts closed, the damage repairing itself as his blood-red eyes gleamed with something between rage and amusement.

Arnik and Markus stood tall. Unlike the others, who were struggling to catch their breath, they were still holding strong, their bodies refusing to falter.

The man scoffed, flexing his fingers as his regeneration continued. "You two… you're the only strong ones here."

Markus and Arnik exchanged a glance.

No words were needed.

They charged.

The man snarled, his fury boiling over. With a sudden burst of speed, he closed the distance between himself and Markus.

Before Markus could react, a crushing blow slammed into his chest.

The impact sent him flying.

His body crashed through shattered debris, concrete and metal caving under the force. Dust and rubble exploded around him as he tumbled, his grip loosening—

His weapon slipped from his grasp.

But Arnik was already there, to back him up!

His flaming fist crashed against the man's ribs, the impact sending out a shockwave.

The man stumbled, coughing.

A slow, delighted grin spread across his face. "I'm so glad…" His eyes glowed brighter. "It seems you are him… the one with multiple mutations."

Arnik didn't answer.

Instead, he sucker-punched him across the face.

The man staggered but quickly caught himself, wiping the blood from his lip. "I see. Not much of a talker."

Arnik was reaching his limit. His body was screaming at him to stop, but something inside him refused.

Then—

It happened.

His mutation shifted, evolved.

Energy surged around him as flames twisted into a new form.

A sword.

Arnik had forged a blade from his own mutation.

Kai's eyes widened from the sidelines. "He's… exceeding his limits."

"You still have to hit me—" The man started.

But Arnik had already dashed.

A flash of movement.

A slice.

The man froze.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

His hands were gone.

Arnik sneered. "Call that payback for my hand."

The man screamed, eyes wild with fury. His body trembled with rage as his wounds regenerated once more.

"I CAN'T BE WOUNDED BY A MERE HUMAN!!"

Rose narrowed her eyes. What a baby.

suddenly the man snapped.

He went all out.

His movements became erratic, monstrous, his strikes faster than before. Arnik could barely keep up. Each hit sent him reeling, his body breaking under the overwhelming force.

Arnik lunged forward.

Before the man could react, Arnik wrapped his arms around him in a tight bear hug.

Arnik ignited.

A violent burst of flames erupted from his body, consuming them both in a searing inferno.

"Aika!" Kai shouted.

Aika didn't hesitate. She threw her hand forward, gravity magic pulsing as Markus's trident-sword flew into his grip.

Markus caught it, eyes sharp.

Arnik, in that same moment, pushed off the man, forcing him right into Markus's waiting blade.

The trident-sword pierced straight through his chest.

"NOOOOO!!!" the man howled.

He gathered all his remaining magic, preparing one final attack.

But he was too slow.

A blur of movement.

Rose.

She dashed in, her Yari cutting through the air like lightning.

With a clean slice.

The man's head rolled to the ground.

Rose flicked the blood off her blade, smirking. "Too slow."

The fight was over.