Malakov's Base – Outer Layer Breach
The Origin jet roared overhead once—then silence.
Seconds later, the first shockwave hit.
A ripple of crimson energy slammed into the outer hatch, blowing the reinforced door clean off. Shrapnel screamed through the night air. Anita landed first, boots crunching onto metal. Red aura burst from her coat as she drew both blades, blood-forged, humming with kill-commands etched deep into their core.
Behind her, the Apex squad poured out.
Jax hit the ground next, his mechanical arm twisting as targeting lines locked onto every entrance. Kira followed, curses spiraling from her mouth as sigils flared along her arms. Serah exhaled a slow hiss, dagger already coated in black venom. Vel came last, red lightning dancing along his shoulders like hungry fireflies.
No enemies yet.
Just wind.
Then—movement.
From the deeper corridor ahead, footsteps echoed.
Fast.
Too fast.
Something metallic scraped.
Then they appeared.
