UNIFIED W

Chapter 40: Irregular, part 5

One day had passed since the Lightning Clan's military began its operation to reclaim the uncharted territory.

The advance went smoothly.

Everything near the Great Wall was cleared with ease, the creatures along the outer perimeter falling quickly, weak compared to what was believed to dwell deeper in the forest.

Commander Blade split the force into three units, with Unit One moving east, Unit Two holding the central approach, and Unit Three advancing west under his direct command.

Only hours later, as Unit One pressed deeper into the forest, they were caught in a sudden ambush by massive predators, leaving no survivors.

Upon receiving the report, Blade called Unit Two back to hold position.

Unit One lay destroyed, Unit Two had suffered casualties, and Unit Three had faced no threats, emerging unharmed.

Something about the situation didn't sit right with Commander Blade.

He sent Unit Three deeper into the forest to investigate, and they soon came across cold, abandoned campfires and scattered remains of creatures, signs that someone or something had been here before.

The soldiers quickly reported their findings to the commander, who immediately contacted headquarters and requested that Arthur be informed directly.

Commander Blade swiped his watch band, staring at it as the line went silent. Then Arthur's voice cut through the pause.

"Hello, Commander."

"Sir, I'm reporting an emergency."

A sharp pause, then Arthur's tone cut through clearly.

"Emergency?"

"Unit One has been annihilated. Unit Two has been ordered to hold position. Unit Three has uncovered something concerning."

Commander Blade heard Arthur draw a slow, heavy breath through the watch band.

"Sir, it appears someone else has been operating on the west side of the island."

"What was that?"

The silence that followed felt heavy, broken only by a sharp breath through the band watch.

"Sir, we didn't encounter a single creature or human on our approach through the forest."

Arthur spoke again, his words measured and tight.

"Commander, establish a camp at your current position and begin a full sweep of the surrounding area."

"On it, sir."

"Keep me updated. Arthur, out."

While the commander returned to his duties, Arthur paced his office, anger and frustration building within him as he muttered to himself.

'How did anyone get inside the uncharted territory?'

'They have to be outsiders. The Great Wall's guards wouldn't let anyone through.'

'The outsiders could only have come from the uncharted side, and that means suicide.'

While events continued to unfold on Perigo Island, far away in Von City, the Fire Clan leader prepared to deliver a speech that would decide their future.

***

Beneath the headquarters of Prov Island, inside the secret lab, preparations were underway in the operating room for Zeru.

Thomas stood behind the reinforced glass, his hands folded behind his back as he observed the team's movements.

Phase Two of the AC Project was ready to begin..

The sound of wheels broke the stillness.

Zeru rolled into the room, seated in a wheelchair. Thomas turned when he sensed the movement and faced him.

The clan leader quickly noticed that Zeru appeared broken, both in body and mind, his lifeless eyes staring past the room like those of a dead man in a wheelchair.

Thomas slowly approached and offered a warm smile.

"How are you feeling, Zeru?"

No answer came, and the silence lingered as Zeru lowered his eyes to the floor.

"This won't be easy."

He paused, studying Zeru's face.

"But it will heal you. And it will allow you to move forward."

Zeru looked through the thick glass at the science team preparing the operation, one that would change his fate, then turned back to Thomas.

"How did you know I would say yes?"

Thomas drew a slow breath, then answered.

"I knew your story wouldn't end in a wheelchair."

The doors to the operating room slid open, and the lead doctor stepped out toward them.

The doctor lowered his head to greet Thomas and then knelt down to speak with Zeru.

He was tall and lean, his white coat catching the light as he moved. His expression was calm and unreadable, eyes sharp with focus rather than emotion.

"Everything is ready."

The doctor's voice was steady and precise.

Zeru studied the man for a moment, then nodded faintly as Thomas placed a hand on his shoulder.

"This is Doctor X, head of the AC Project."

The doctor gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

"You can call me Orin."

Zeru let out a quiet breath, his fingers tightening against the armrest of the wheelchair, and remained silent, offering no response.

"This may feel overwhelming, but I'll be by your side for every step."

Thomas leaned in, pressing a small chip into Doctor X's hand. Without a word, the doctor rolled Zeru into the operating room.

The assistants moved in silent unison, lifting Zeru onto the operating table. White lights glared above him, machines humming and blinking all around.

Zeru's eyes flicked toward the door, catching sight of Thomas waiting just beyond the operating room.

The assistants moved quickly, fastening straps across his head and arms. Zeru's chest tightened with fear, and he shouted in defiance.

"What... is this?!"

Orin pulled off his mask, revealing a calm face, and stepped closer, hands open, trying to ease Zeru's panic.

"Take it easy, Zeru. The straps are only to make sure you don't move. You have to stay awake for the operation."

Zeru's eyes went wide, his pupils dilating as the weight of the doctor's words sank in.

Zeru drew a deep breath and met the doctor's gaze. A mouth guard was placed in his mouth, and the operation began.

Nervousness clawed at him, each breath shallow as he tried to steady himself. Then the room erupted with the loud whirring and beeping of machines.

Before Zeru could brace himself, a brutal pain struck his chest. It was as if every bone in his body was being hammered mercilessly during the operation.

The blade sank into Zeru's chest, every slice driving a surge of pain that radiated through his body.

All Zeru could do was grit his teeth against the mouth guard, fighting to stay conscious as the pain clawed through him. Slowly, the edges of his vision blurred, and the world began to fade.