MORNING INVASION THAT SHOOK THE CITY

ASCADRA DISTRICT — MORNING, 08:32 AM

Morning light shimmered brightly across the Ascadra District. The city looked peaceful, as if the world had decided today would be light and easy. At Shadow Base, Broxtler and Shyblance were getting ready for a stroll. Casual outfits—simple shirts, light jackets, and sneakers. No armor. No weapons.

Shyblance tied her hair up while smiling at Broxtler. "Let's try the café up north. They say their glowflower-fermented tea is amazing. You could use something... sweet."

Broxtler raised an eyebrow. "If it tastes like your smile last night, I'll give it a shot."

Shyblance laughed. "You're getting better at flirting."

They walked toward the exit door of the base. But before they could even hit the auto button—

BOOM!

A massive explosion echoed from the eastern sky. The base shook. Emergency displays flicked on. A faint siren blared outside. Surveillance drones projected a feed showing foreign armored vehicles breaching the outer city gate.

[ALERT: INVASION DETECTED — FOREIGN FORCES IDENTIFIED]

The logo of a foreign force appeared: RAVASNA CITY, led by a face now broadcast across every emergency channel—

BENITO MUSSOLINA.

A militarist leader from the southern territories. Known for zero compromise, a totalitarian with ambitions to expand his control and harvest the Ascadra system's resources.

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SHADOW BASE — MAIN ROOM, SECONDS AFTER THE BLAST

Broxtler immediately headed to the weapon locker. Shyblance activated a digital air map, scanning for exit routes and attack focal points.

"Lenan will deploy his forces," said Shyblance.

"I know."

"And us...?"

Broxtler stared at the screen showing Benito Mussolina's face. His gaze was cold—not out of fear, but disappointment that peace had only lasted one night.

"We're not joining them. We're heading straight to the source."

Shyblance turned. "Straight to Benito?"

Broxtler nodded. "As long as the snake's head stands, the body can still strike. We cut the head."

Shyblance grabbed her combat jacket. "Not the first time we've fought without ranks or flags."

Broxtler opened the underground locker. His armor, helmet, and custom weapons were ready. This time... no names. No call signs. Just two shadows moving silently against the noisy light.

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MEANWHILE — VLADIMIR LENAN'S COMMAND ROOM

Vladimir Lenan stood in front of an interactive city map, issuing commands to defense units. But when he asked for Broxtler and Shyblance's position…

"They're not listed in any of our combat squads, sir."

Lenan paused for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Of course. They're not soldiers. They're... a message."

✦ ✧ ✦ ✧

PREPARATION COMPLETE.

Under skies filled with the sound of drones and missiles, two shadows exited a nondescript safehouse. Their mission wasn't to hold the line.

Their mission: infiltrate. Penetrate. End it.

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SHADOW PENETRATION — FORBIDDEN INDUSTRIAL ROUTE, 09:13 AM

Black smoke rose from the east. Streets emptied. Civilians evacuated. Patrol drones hovered high, scanning buildings with infrared sensors and biometric trackers.

But two shadows moved quickly underground—Broxtler and Shyblance, clad in unmarked armor, navigating an old distribution route from the city's early construction phase.

"Two scout drones in corridor 4C," said Shyblance, pressing a detector against an old metal wall.

Broxtler responded fast. "Deploy decoy signal. I'll throw a disruption frequency."

With a tap on his glove, a disruptor signal fired. The two drones spiraled out of control, crashing into the pipe ceiling with sharp bursts.

Shyblance glanced at Broxtler. "That... was more effective than your joke last night."

"I thought we agreed not to bring up last night," replied Broxtler flatly, though a small smile touched his lips.

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MUSSOLINA'S OUTPOST — 09:45 AM

A small black metal outpost stood at the edge of the old industrial sector. Benito Mussolina's troops—wearing deep crimson armor with steel wing insignias—stood guard with sharp discipline. Inside, holographic displays tracked the city's invasion progress.

Benito stood tall, clad in layered armor, hair slicked back, eyes sharp with domination.

"Capture Vladimir if possible. But prioritize infrastructure and weapons control. I don't need this city's heroes... just its resources."

A junior officer approached. "Sir, we've detected abnormal energy activity in Sector 7's underground channel."

"Track it. Send a pursuit unit. I don't enjoy morning surprises."

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SECTOR 7 UNDERGROUND — 10:02 AM

Broxtler and Shyblance ran. Surface explosions echoed, tremors shaking the old concrete walls. Ahead of them stood a steel door with an outdated code system—a remnant from secret infrastructure projects.

"Give me ten seconds," said Shyblance, tapping numbers on the pad.

Broxtler stood guard. Heavy steps approached. Mussolina's troops.

"Three more seconds," Shyblance muttered.

Laser fire lit up. A blast struck the side wall. Broxtler fired a flame round at the source. "Shy—"

Click.

The door slid open.

They entered and slammed it shut. It locked automatically. Their breaths were heavy, but their eyes stayed sharp.

In front of them—an old vertical lift shaft leading directly to Mussolina's tactical tower.

Shyblance looked up. "You sure this route isn't sealed?"

Broxtler checked his wrist console. "System's still manual. We've got one shot."

"Alright. If we die, let's die with style."

Broxtler looked at her. "You're beautiful when you're serious."

Shyblance smiled. "And you're... a jerk. Why do you always say that right before I explode?"

They ascended.

The lift shot upward—toward enemy command.

Toward the peak of danger.

And toward... Benito Mussolina.