[center][b][u]12 Days Later[/b][/u][/center] From the distant lands past Sovereign, a lone Frigate Shuttle flew towards the military base. As it came to a swift halt and landed on a clearing, the soldiers around the camp began darting back and forth to prepare for the second arrival of the Commander. Moments later, Commander Lide stepped out of the shuttle, followed by six Vanguards. Walking past a number of salutes and greetings, Lide instantly called for the activation of the portal that led to what lay on the inside of the enormous wall. On the other side, he didn't have to walk far to greet just who he was looking for. "Nekros, glad to see you've got my men busy. You do know they only listen to you because they fear you, right?" Commander Lide said, as he approached Nekros with not the slightest display of nervousness. "Then again, what fool would say no to someone with your power, hm?" At this, Lide was standing face to face with the large, hooded figure. "But I'm not afraid of you, [i]Nekros.[/i] You're under [i]my[/i] command, and that means when I ask you to do something, I expect it to be done." Nekros remained motionless and silent. Lide shook his head and crossed his arms, "You didn't kill them when you had the chance. I've about had it with your death games, Nekros. I gave you a list." --- [center][youtube]tDkbTJY0h88[/youtube][/center] Miles away from the military camp, a gentle breeze brushed past empty streets. Among these empty streets lay a dead bank, gaping open into a dead street. Inside this bank was the entrance to Sector Zero, and inside Sector Zero, a movement was brewing. "Rapido! Rapido! Pack 'em up! Every second is golden, hermanos!" Hector Esteves commanded his men as they prepared containers of ammunition and survival gear. He walked fast with two of his assistant mercenaries beside him. As he entered a large opening in the halls, where multiple civilians were being briefed by groups of mercenaries, he called out to some more working men. "We need to pick up the pace with civilian handling! Get these people moving Montez! C'mon! C'mon!"The area was bustling with movement. The public locations of the sector were booming with masses of people trying to gather in groups and ensure they remained together. Other people began speaking of what they would do if things went haywire. Mercenaries and squads of men moved about in an attempt to organize the rush of people, while other men reviewed last minute strategies. People were preparing themselves - it was about time. Hector continued to walk until he saw a group of mercenaries lined up besides three shuttles. He noticed one of the newcomers, who had proven to be one of the Golden Mercenaries finest assets. "Ah, Zachary and Nal! How are things coming? The shuttles good to work?" Nal smiled, "We're about to find out." Hector nodded and smiled to Zachary, "Let me know how it turns out," he said before continuing on his way. After walking through out the sector and continuing to keep things in check, Hector stopped abruptly and turned around, "Shit, where's Ishigo and the hosts?" --- "Death has an agenda, and [i]I[/i] am its writer," Nekros replied to Lide, who turned red in response. "Damnit, if you won't do it, why not let someone else do it?! What power do you think you have, fool?!" Lide stepped up against Nekros, which didn't seem to faze him one bit. Instead Nekros looked back at the man with unseen, calculating eyes: "I am the end, I give you no power." Nekros took a deep breath, and Lide turned around shaking his head. He took a moment to collect himself and then spun back around at Nekros, pointing at his face. "You gave them time to assemble. You let them get riled up! Do you understand what it means if they manage to harness the power contained within these walls? If they can control that sort of chaos?!" Nekros looked to the side at where the rest of his squad was sitting idly. He then looked back at Lide, "They do not know power." --- Within a large forest, groups of men and women ran gathered in small groups. Some of them had been frightened off, and some of them decided that they could not handle what was coming their way. But now, those who remained gathered with purpose. A total of nine hosts remained. At first, Hector worried that the dwindling numbers of remaining hosts would threaten the integrity of their plan. But he had underestimated their power. Ishigo had known that hosts could transcend humans in every aspect of existence: not only did their bodies heal exceptionally well with their larger spirit reservoirs, but their ability to learn and progress through experience was far greater than ever imagined. What started as a group of unorganized, undisciplined, and inexperienced survivors turned into a group of synchronized, battle ready revolutionaries. Hector walked through the doors leading to the large training forest grounds. He took a moment to look around and finally caught sight of the hosts. They were in there new squads, sitting along the lake, listening to Raeven brief them. He saw Julian, Yugeto, Chief, and Arianna, who now made up the new Splinter squad. He then noticed that Ivor, Ria, Blake, and Noel in another area. They made up the assault squad. Hector smiled but then curled an eyebrow, "Where's Ishigo...?" --- "When they're at OUR doorstep, ready to take down EVERYTHING we've worked for, it will be on YOU Nekros. And not even your god could save you then. You know what I mean." Lide spat angrily. Nekros nodded, "Death does not forget its duty." He then turned to his squad. "It is time," he said hauntingly. No one could see his face, but they could hear his voice, as if it echoed through the air. As he said this, all seven other Hunters left their resting area to prepare for whatever came next. Nekros slowly turned his head to Lide. "Do you hear them, Commander?" --- Outside the base of Sector Zero, a large squad of patrolling mercenaries jogged side by side towards the base. Among this group was Vates and the rest of his squad, who had no trouble adjusting to the squad they were paired with for the rest of the operation. That is, except for their newest addition who happened to be missing. "He's flaking at the most crucial time," said one of the mercenaries at the front of the patrol, jogging right in front of Vates. The squad had grown to like Vates, as his input usually seemed to be extremely valuable to them. The mercenary next to the first chuckled, "He's probably off looking for trouble, like usual." --- Lide scoffed, "Hear what?" He knew Nekros spoke in riddles, and it amused him to a degree. However, he know that there were messages in his gibberish. Nekros nudged his scythe upward, nodding to the sky. "The crows. Do you hear them sing?" Nekros looked up, and Lide remained speechless. The entire camp began to grow more ominous as the entire air began to grow chilly, and the wind picked up. The area directly above gave way to dark clouds, and the nearby trees swayed ominously in the spontaneous winds. Nekros let his free hand rise until it was extended to his side. A dark aura began to emanate from the abyss within his hood. "Their day has come. Today, the howling winds and raging fires will chant the name of death and his glory. Today, they die." --- *pant* *pant* "Shit!" Kisheto leaned backwards, dodging another long kick and then jumping back to give himself some room. Ishigo panted as well, nearly out of breath. "C'mon... you've been doing so well recently," Ishigo said, wiping sweat from his forehead. Kisheto chuckled weakly, "I'm just getting warmed-up!" he spat as he dashed towards Ishigo and let loose a flurry of strategic kicks and punches. His movement was much more fluid than before, and instead of just flailing around, his strikes were powerful and delivered with purpose. Ishigo had to resort to retreating step by step, because constantly blocking his strikes had actually worn him out. Kisheto grunted as he continued to push himself to deliver more forceful blows. Ishigo finally swept his leg under Kisheto, but Kisheto managed to flip into his fall and roll out behind Ishigo. He then proceeded to launch an elbow towards the back of Ishigo's head, but Ishigo quickly spun and swat it away before reaching forward and getting Kisheto in a standing arm bar. Kisheto cried out in pain and Ishigo chuckled. "Close, but not quite, do you know what today is?" he said as he pushed Kisheto away. Kisheto, confused, shook his head and rushed forward, delivering more punches. "*pant* *pant* Wednesday?!" Ishigo then spun around and caught Kisheto's punch, throwing him over his shoulder. KIsheto coughed violently on the ground. Ishigo wiped his forehead and took a knee beside Kisheto. "No, fool..." he said with a warm chuckle. He then held a hand out to Kisheto, and Kisheto grabbed it. Ishigo then pulled Kisheto up close to him and smiled, "Years from now they'll sing songs of the men and women who fought for the freedom of Sovereign. In mere hours, we'll be tasting the air of the world we were so wrongfully torn from." Ishigo then pulled Kisheto to his feet and put a hand on his shoulder. "Today, we rise."