Shadows of Alliance

The Mission begins

Inside the sprawling old building nestled on the outskirts of town, Ren stood at the helm of the briefing room, surrounded by seventeen operatives, each bearing the weight of their impending mission. The old building, fortified by towering walls that seemed to touch the sky, offered a panoramic view of the entire town below.

"We've trained for this," Ren's voice cut through the somber air, commanding attention from Chesnut, Sindy, Bob, and Julie, his trusted team leaders. "This building is our staging point. Zeo, Hiroto, Joseph, and Anabella, you're on rescue duty in the town. Move swiftly with Brownie, Xiang, and Cotton," he ordered, eyes scanning the tired yet determined faces before him.

Icey, Mark, Rosy, and Tina were designated to the hills, accompanied by a priest for rituals Ren privately dismissed as unnecessary, courtesy of Mr. Ayumu, the head of the main branch.

"At last," Ren continued, his tone unwavering, "Robo and I will head to the main branch in town. Our mission: eradicate the monsters threatening our people and ensure the safety of every soul in this town."

The room buzzed with anticipation as the operatives absorbed their roles, knowing their success meant more than personal victory-it meant salvation for their community. Ren glanced once more at the expansive view outside, where the town awaited their intervention, and with a nod, the team dispersed, each step purposeful as they embarked on their assigned tasks, united in their resolve to confront the darkness looming over this town.

The narrow streets of the town echoed with the distant sounds of chaos. Zeo and her team, including Joseph, Hiroto, and Anabella, were patrolling the area on horseback. The town, once a thriving hub of activity, was now cloaked in fear and destruction. The scent of smoke and the sharp clang of metal filled the air as they advanced through the wreckage.

Suddenly, Zeo's senses sharpened. Her instincts, honed by years of fieldwork, picked up on a low, guttural growl reverberating through the narrow alley. "Monsters!" she shouted, her voice urgent as she drew her sword. Her team quickly followed suit, weapons at the ready.

In a swift and practiced motion, Hiroto and Anabella unsheathed their blades, while Joseph brandished his gun. The narrow passage became a battleground. Shadows darted and twisted as the monsters emerged, their eyes glowing with malevolent hunger. Zeo's sword cut through the air with precision, cleaving through the dark figures that lunged at them.

The clash was fierce. Hiroto's blade moved with the fluidity of a master swordsman, while Anabella's gunshots rang out like a relentless storm. The monsters fell, one by one, but more seemed to appear, drawn to the sounds of the skirmish

As the fight continued, the team was forced to split up to cover more ground. Zeo and Hiroto maneuvered through the chaos, their horses galloping through the streets. Amidst the cacophony, Zeo's keen ears caught a faint, desperate cry. Her heart skipped a beat. "This way!" she yelled to Hiroto, who nodded, guiding his horse towards the sound.

They skidded to a halt at a small, overturned cart. Zeo's eyes widened as she spotted a tiny bundle nestled among the debris. A baby, no older than a few months, wailed in distress. Zeo's heart ached as she quickly dismounted, gently scooping the infant into her arms. Hiroto scanned the surroundings, sword drawn, ensuring they were safe.

"Let's get her out of here," Hiroto said urgently. Zeo nodded, mounting her horse once more, holding the baby securely. They rode swiftly towards the rendezvous point where the remaining agents-Cotton, Brownie, and Xiang-were supposed to be.

As they arrived, Cotton and the others were engaged in evacuating injured townsfolk. Zeo and Hiroto dismounted and approached Cotton, who was directing the others with calm authority. "Cotton, we found a baby. She's injured and needs immediate attention," Zeo said, handing the baby over carefully.