ANGEL'S LANDING | BL ✔

CHAPTER 38 | OUT TO WAR

Axel was still processing what had just happened as he exited the base with his team from Unit K. One moment he was with Callon, Eryx, and Hakken, and then he was chasing after Rae. But now, he was doing neither. He was marching through the destroyed city of Dexys in search of a way to end the war.

Unit K had suddenly been ordered to march toward the Transport Tower. They were the team that would spearhead the largest assault yet in the war against Hades. Eyrik encouraged the team with the promise of reinforcements joining them when they arrived at the Transport Tower. But they first needed to make it through the numerous groups of demons that separated them from their destination.

When the unit emerged from the base, they headed to a nearby skyreacher garage where they loaded into several rovers. They were met by two EDF units and the units that had come from Neptune and Jupiter. Altogether, the six units totaled just over a hundred soldiers.

Axel looked around at the combined units' low numbers and nearly scoffed. 100? How are we going to take the Transport Tower with just a hundred? Never mind that. How are we even going to make it to the Transport Tower with so few?

"Will the Heavens really open for us?" A soldier of the EDF inquired of Major Eyrik as Unit K joined them in the garage.

"If you pray hard enough," was Eyrik's response as he and his unit boarded several rovers. Along with the orders to charge on the Transport Tower, Grand Colonel Hendry promised Eyrik that reinforcements from Heaven were on their way and would join the units before they reached the tower. 

However, Eyrik could not stop the sinking feeling that settled in his gut. Hendry would not have lied to Eyrik and sent the unit to their death, but he could not shake the feeling that they would not see the next sunrise. But, he kept his face from showing his doubt as he loaded up his unit.

After making sure everyone had a spot on a rover, Eyrik gave the command, "Let's head out."

"Major, were we expecting another unit?" Joi inquired of Eyrik as she sensed several other angels quickly approaching the garage.

"I guess they did make it after all," Eyrik commented as they watched Unit R enter the garage.

"A heads up would've been nice," Lt. Colonel Azyr, leader of Team R-11, said to Eyrik in greeting as Unit R came to stand in front of Unit K.

"Apologies, Lt. Colonel," Eyrik returned with a small bow. "We could not afford to wait."

Eyrik dipped his head in greeting to Rae as Unit R's commander stepped forward from his unit and scanned the crowd of soldiers ordered to fight to the death to reach the Transport Tower. Rae's cool, blue eyes flowed over the group of human soldiers mixed with those from Neptune and Jupiter before continuing to Unit K where his gaze landed on the hangel gazing at him intently from afar.

Axel was sitting on the rim of a rover that had been packed with members of Unit K, so he had a clear view of Unit R which had just arrived. Colonel... Axel's heart sped in his chest as he gazed into Rae's eyes. The cold and distant curiosity that had filled Rae's eyes just a few hours prior had completely disappeared. What now replaced it was worry and hope.

"We've no time to waste, Colonel," Eyrik reminded Rae of the situation's state of urgency, causing the colonel to break his eye contact with Axel and order his unit to load up on the remaining rovers. "Move out!" Eyrik commanded to the group of roughly 120 the moment the rovers were packed to the brim with soldiers.

Unlike past missions, the units were not concerned with creating noise. They sped out of the garage at full speed and headed in the direction of the demon-infested Transport Tower. The small army was bound to run into demons even if they traveled as quietly as they could on foot. So, they bit the bullet and took the means of rovers since it would allow them to reach the Transport Tower faster.