Chapter 106: The Second Wave

Chapter 106: The Second Wave

The sound of distant thrusters rumbled through the station's failing walls, signaling the arrival of reinforcements. The first wave had been eradicated, but Raizen knew that had only been a probe—a test of their strength. Now, the real fight was about to begin.

Liana's voice crackled through the comms. "I'm picking up additional energy signatures—two more squads are boarding through a secondary entrance. These guys aren't playing around."

Raizen wiped blood from his blade and smirked. "Good. Neither are we."

Seraphina stepped beside him, her glowing violet eyes locked on the station's security feeds. "They know they can't win in a straight fight, so they're attempting to outmaneuver us. If they take control of the core systems, they can shut down the station's atmosphere, forcing us into a disadvantage."

Joran growled. "Great. Guess we'd better make sure that doesn't happen."

Raizen nodded. "Kain, take a defensive position at the primary hallway. Joran, you and I will handle the bulk of the incoming wave. Seraphina—"

The silver-haired woman tilted her head. "You want me to eliminate the squad moving toward the control room?"

Raizen grinned. "I knew you were quick on the uptake."

Seraphina smirked. "I'll make it quick."

Holding the Line

The moment Raizen and Joran took position, the air crackled with tension. The heavy clank of approaching magnetic boots signaled the enemy's organized advance.

A voice echoed through the comm system of the mercenaries. "Secure the sector. Eliminate hostiles."

Then, they rushed in.

Plasma fire lit up the corridor, streaks of red and white slamming into the cover where Raizen and Joran crouched. The mercenaries moved in formation, their precision honed, their firepower concentrated.

Joran rolled forward, his gauntlet crushing the skull of the first attacker. He spun, ripping the rifle from another before throwing it with such force that it cracked a third's helmet in two.

Raizen, moving like a shadow, was already inside their formation. His Crimson Fang Energy Blade slashed through their ranks, each precise movement severing armor, cutting through vital systems. His speed was unnatural—Draconic instinct pushing him forward, his enemies falling before they even knew what hit them.

Kain's sniper rifle fired from a distance, precise headshots thinning the enemy numbers before they could regroup. "I've got your backs, just keep them in sight."

Despite their tactics, the mercenaries kept pushing forward, refusing to retreat. They were under orders—this wasn't about survival. They were here to complete a mission, no matter the cost.

Raizen clicked his tongue. They weren't mercenaries.

They were assassins.

Seraphina's Hunt

Meanwhile, Seraphina moved through the station like a phantom, her bare feet silent against the cold steel. The squad assigned to the control room had taken a different route—one that led them right into her hands.

She didn't waste time. With a single motion, she extended her hand—and the air around her rippled with power. The first two mercenaries were yanked from their feet, their bodies crushed against the station walls with a sickening crunch.

The remaining enemies whirled, trying to fire—but Seraphina was faster.

With a simple flick of her fingers, their weapons melted in their hands, the metal overheating until it became molten slag. Their screams were cut short as a shockwave of Draconic energy sent them flying down the corridor.

She sighed, dusting off her hands. "Too easy."

Her violet eyes flickered to the control panel nearby. Time to shut down their little invasion.

Revealing the Truth

Back at the main battle, Raizen ducked under a plasma blade, his counterstrike decapitating the enemy with ease. The rest of the mercenaries hesitated, realizing their assault was failing.

And then—

A deep metallic groan shook the station. The lights flickered, then pulsed a deep crimson red.

Seraphina's voice crackled over the comms. "I just rewrote their access codes. They're locked out of the system."

Raizen grinned. "Good work."

The mercenaries' leader, realizing their mission had failed, activated a remote detonator. The station trembled as charges placed along the exterior began to count down.

Joran growled. "Oh, come on! Really?"

Raizen grabbed the leader by the collar, his Draconic Aura flaring dangerously. "Who sent you?"

The man, despite his injuries, smirked. "You already know the answer."

Raizen's eyes glowed fiercely. The Noble Houses.

Without hesitation, he drove his blade into the man's chest, ending the fight in a single movement. He turned toward his team. "We're leaving."

Liana's voice crackled over the comms. "Raizen, we need to move! That explosion will take the whole station with it!"

Seraphina stepped beside him. "Then let's not waste time."

Raizen smirked. "Agreed."

The team sprinted toward the docking bay, the station crumbling around them. They had won this battle, but war had already begun.

And next time, Raizen would take the fight to them.