[b][i]Chapter One, Desperation in Lingayen, Part 2[/i][/b]

[b]Lingayen Beach, Municipality of Lingayen, Lingayen Gulf[/b]

The bombardment had begun in earnest, and the Chinese had rectified their mistake of landing only infantry and marines first by sending an armored spearhead of [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_99_tank]their latest tanks[/url] (landed by dedicated boats), supported by [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_05_amphibious_fighting_vehicle]amphibious fighting vehicles[/url] which carried infantry while trying to fill the air with machine gun fire and rockets; some of both were directed at Sophist's position. At the same time, the Chinese were using boat-mounted water cannons as a specific countermeasure against Princess Ryuko; it appeared that they've been appraised of her presence and Noble Arm powers, but not of the fact that the Princess had someone who can freeze the water cannon blasts as her bodyguard, nor did they know of the [i]other[/i] Ice-user in the ranks (Hanni).

Noel Alonso was already activating La Luna's Miraculous Evasion as he sliced through swathes of Chinese infantry and marines with his scythe, even as supersonic jets were dropping incendiary bombs on everyone; hopefully, the Arms Masters had proper defensive and anti-aircraft abilities. Nevertheless, upon hearing that somebody wanted to see him, he used La Luna's Veil of Night to sneak back to where the newcomer was, removing said veil in order to greet him. His voice betrayed no hint of how [i]handsome[/i] Regil was to him as he said, "That would be me. Second Lieutenant Noel Alonso; I'm the Provisional Commander of this unit. And no, I have not seen Lady Regina yet."

As a significant number of Arms Masters (aka all of them but Sophist and Noel, who were actively attacking) took a 'wait-and-see' approach, the Chinese landings began to break through the defensive lines set up on the beach and the road beyond, threatening to isolate the Arms Masters who [i]did[/i] fight into their own little pockets unless a miracle happened or they got their stuffing together and began a coordinated counter-strike, which was possible through radio, which they all had.

Noticing this, Noel shouted into said radio, "What are you all doing?! Counterattack now and those of you who can bring planes down from the sky, at least [i]try[/i] - Use your Noble Arms in a smart way!" He then looked at Regil and said more courteously, "We need shields and Anti-Aircraft; can your Noble Arm provide any of those? We're going to need to coordinate a counterstrike and I [i]must[/i] get back into the battle; this line must not break."

And with that, Noel returned to the fray, activating his Veil of Night and vanishing; thirty seconds later, a Type-99 Tank had its gun and hatch cut off and explosive grenades tossed inside its innards, causing it to blow up to smithereens. Somehow, the Philippine Army and Marines' morale held just long enough for this to happen, and Noel was even able to speak through the radio, seemingly out of nowhere, "Do not let yourselves be cut off from each other - Cut down the enemy trying to separate you from your allies, mundane and not!"

Then, a miracle of miracles happened, and the defensive line was enclosed in a dome of light that was nearly impenetrable to most forms of attack; mundane or mystical. Alain and Ari, or in this case, [i]Ari and Alain[/i], had arrived just in time to save the defense from collapsing. Noel noticed this long enough to say over the radio, "Thanks, you guys! You might have just saved the defense - All of it!" 

Then, as he reappeared, he spoke, "All right, people! Now that we have a reprieve, time to discuss another counterattack!" 

This happened just as the Chinese were dropping [i]Fuel Air Bombs[/i] onto the 'Wall of Light', only for the latter to be able to withstand multiple ones with relatively little strain...

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