Final Fantasy VIII: Axis

[Nigga Sauce]

It was really a bit early to be having the Entrance Seed exams today, but that was just the way it was going to be. There was just a bit more pressure to pass the exams this year, mainly because a lot of people wanted to prove something to somebody or other, or they had something against evil in the world. Whatever the reason there was quite a bit of foolishness going on, and for what it was worth it was obvious that only a handful of these dubbed brave warriors were even going to make it anywhere in their could be even more pitiful lives.

"Wait a second wasn't the exam supposed to be held next week or whatever?? I thought that we still had time to prepare. Why is it today?? I don't get it..." More or less a lot of the students and even other Seed wanted to know just what the hell as going on. But unless you really knew how to get answers that wasn't going to happen for you. The answer was pretty simple actually.

The Galbadia Army had attacked sooner than expected. It wasn't really expected at all. They were a sketchy force to deal with but them outright attacking Dollet was pretty bold. For now it was going to be used as an excuse for training purposes and also a test for the new Seed after the test…

[Ubiquity]

Two weeks earlier.......

“So you got stronger then, but you still can’t beat me.” The taunt was ignored, or at least it seemed that way because right after, Mithos had to drop so low to the ground to avoid a kick from Curtis that his hair got rather dirty………it wasn’t a good thing for Curtis at this point, but anybody watching wouldn’t see that much going on. All you could really see was small flashes of light and the clang of weapons as the two men fought rather fiercely for just a training match.

A rock blew up to the right of the training area where the fight had started and then both Curtis and Mithos dropped to the ground, Mithos with his hand still held out. “What the hell man, that’s bullshit you cheated!!!!” Curtis pointed to the rock and glared at his opponent. “I mean what spell was that?? That rock could have been my face,” All the while he talked, the fight continued, and the oddly dressed one called the Gold Seed was sent hurtling backwards by Curtis’ fist. “Ha take that.
“What??” Mithos blurred into view behind Curtis…..

“The hell?? You just, DAMN!!” Curtis quickly turned his Vanishing Star around and tried to stop Er Tagna , but the blades clashed and Curtis wasn’t in a position for proper defense at all. The gunblade kept slipping and the edge of Er Tagna swiped Curtis’ face and he leap backwards and landed on a rock. Blood trailed down his cheek where he was cut.

Mithos laughed and rubbed his chin where he’d been slashed earlier. “Oh well asshole that’s gonna leave a scar for sure.”

“Shut the hell up!!!!” They both rushed forward again.

Present Day……

Mithos sat on his rather lavish bed and looked up at the ceiling, rubbing his chin. “he is damn good, I can’t believe he got me like that. Best fight I’ve had in awhile.” His mind wandered to the info he had on the attack on Dollet that was fresh. “Meh, I guess I’ll be leading a team.”

[Lonbilly]

'Ugh. This is just downright awful. I mean, it's a Saturday. Maybe I had planned with my friends today, or maybe I wanted to go out shopping, but no. We just had to attack Dollet now, right?' She said, walking down the blood-stained streets of Dollet. Her name was Sharpay. Strutting down the street, she stared at her nails, fidgeting with them as she walked by many houses and stores. 'Man, I really could use a manicure. It's fun and all out here, but seriously, I had an appointment scheduled yesterday. Ugh.' She then reached for her sword from behind her, attached to her back, unsheathing it. Then, a man jumped out from the tree on her right, but she slashed him in the stomach, blood gushing all over herself and the street, and he collapsed.

"Oh great! Now look what you did to my shirt! It's white! This stain will never come out," she expressed, furiously rubbing at the stain with her free hand, trying to rid of the blood. Then, after failing horribly with the stain, she lifted her head. "Oh... my god." It was a clothes store. "A' guci! I love that store!" Sharpay then looked down at the man's corpse, and bended down. "Well...." Then, digging through his pockets, she grabbed a wallet out, sorted through it to find the money, and then took it. "...I don't think you'll be needing this anymore." Happily, she began to skip to the abandon store to look at the clothes.

[Archetype00x]

"I can see why mother and father sent me away from Galbadia... people are seriously fucked up over there."

Luca had seen a lot since his arrival in Dollet. Civilian executions, single soldiers mobbed to death by other civilians, civilians killing civilians, looting-- the works, typical bloodshed and casualties that come with the brutal ballet of war. But even his strong will and experience didn't keep him from shivering at the sight of it. Just a moment ago, a young blonde woman had, in one deft motion, opened up a man's stomach with a sword, taken his wallet, and skipped off towards a clothing store. From her appearance, she was one of the Galbadians.

He had received an early dispatch order from the heads of Balamb Garden-- sneak past Galbadian blockades, into Dollet, assess the severity of the situation, and take out whatever enemy units he deemed uniquely dangerous, utilizing the utmost stealth and subtlety. Stella was to be used only in the most desperate of engagements. If the situation escalated to a point where Luca could no longer remain unseen, he was to retreat and then return with the bulk of the Balamb's forces.

He gave blondie another once over, then sighed, flexing his wrist so that the Craft Grid booted up. A sniper rifle materialized in his hands, and he positioned it up against his position, splayed out on the roof. "Sorry, lady," he said, getting her in his sights and preparing to fire. A single bullet would effectively tear through her spine, leaving her down and out. "But you're special. Too bad."

[Azrael]

"Looks like the moment to prove my strength to the world is now right up in my face." Jerome Constantine's eyes wandered around his roommate's room from a beanbag chair watching the reactions of his friends to the news that the Galbadia army had attacked Dollet. It somewhat pained him to see his friends weep upon watching the graphic images displayed by the various news networks of the bloodshed and casualities that were constantly being updated by reporters on the ground. From what I could remember, everyone here except for myself used to live in Dollet prior to training to become a SeeD. I understand their feelings yet I find it pathetic that they would weep for them. He found quite un-necessary to cry over those who were already killed and unable to bring back from the dead. From an early age, Jerome Constantine was already used to what war often brung to the world through his rigorous training as a SeeD. Perhaps after all these years of being couped up in the various Gardens, he would able to prove himself. While standing up and walking out of the room, he said. "Excuse me. I am sorry for leaving but it seems that I have the hunch that I will be there soon fighting those guys."

[∞]

When one goes on temporary leave of being a SeeD, one typically also hopes for there to be a minimum of fighting. Such was unfortunately not the case for Maximillian, who was dressed finely in a pristine navy-blue tuxedo, with a white shirt and pitch black shoes and tie. His blonde and slightly wavy hair was a strong contrast to the rest of his appearance, and the only thing that didn't appear refined about the man was his face, which was gaunt and thin, as though suffering from some kind of starvation that transended mere nutrition. Among the SeeDs, the man was a rank five, and moderately senior for his age of 32, but nonetheless, still very deadly and useful. That was pretty much the only thing keeping him in SeeD.

The man, sitting on a beach chair underneath a large parasol, looked on to the vast ocean in front of him, a cool, salty breeze issuing forth, and the waves frothing as they reached the shore and collapsed upon it. Maximillian was the man's name, and currently near the horizon and to the right, the south, he saw an assortment of unusual ships and marine vehicles approaching the beach. They were painted a stark grey, the sort that would best camoflauge in most weather conditions. Thankfully, the current weather was absolutely beautiful, and the boats were highlighted distinctly against the dark blue ocean and the brilliant, blue, cloudless sky.

Something buzzed in Maximillian's breast pocket, vibrating and emitting a low ringing tone. The thin man chugged back the last of his martini and placed it on the small glass table next to his chair and stood up, retrieving the communications device from his pocket. The thing was small and black, and incredibly simple. It had no microphone in it, just play, pause and rewind buttons, and a speaker and a reciever antenna. Maximillian lifted the thing to his ear and pressed the play button. A pre-recorded message began playing. The Galbadian Army had attacked. That they would do such a thing was no surprise to Maximillian, but they had started the assault early, and no one was hugely certain of what they wanted, but it was definitely in Dollet and there were already soldiers inside laying siege to the city.

"Damn." Maximillian spoke in a refined but also growly voice. "Looks like I'm coming out of leave early." He was now reinstated as an acting SeeD officer, and was to group up with any other SeeD operatives and repel the attack on the town. The message was brief, and to the point as always. Maximillian pocketed the device once more, and turned on thr spot, and began walking towards the town centre. He would take a slightly longer route around it, repelling more soldiers as he went.

Speaking of soldiers, one happened to run down the alleyway Maximilliam now, and almost bumped into the man, were it not for the blade that now went from invisible to solid from Maximillian's right hand, which was now held sideways through the man's throat. "Scum." Maximillian said, before the blade widened and severed the man's head completely, a small but strong trickle of blood issuing from the man's uncovered neck as his heart pumped its last breaths. Maximillian, who had the fingers of his right hand all held in line and close together, now loosened them from their position, and the blade faded away. He continued walking down the street, ready and more aware of just how far the Galbadian soldiers had proceeded.

[Black Rose Witch]

Marutis was in his dorm, as usual playing on the computer. Now you wouldn't think this because of his attitude and the fact that when he wasn't wearing school uniforms it was japanese robes,but yes, he was a geek. He sat on his computer studying for his final exams. They were starting on such short notice and he was getting all studying in that he could. "this is so stupid why are our exams today? I know it's because of the attack but couldn't they like, postpone it?" he thought to himself angrily. His mood only made him study harder. After some time studying he switched over to fixing his cards up. There was this card game here that was all the rage, and it seemed everywhere that it was played, and he was fixing his deck up by sorting them manually. After that he strode over to his closet and put on his uniform, regrettfully putting the ancient japanese robe away. "Aww, I really like that robe too!" He said out loud, since no one was in the room. After brooding a bit, he finally walked out of his room and out into the wide open area that was Balamb Garden. In spite of the Exam, he really enjoyed this place it was so peaceful, but now the soldiers were attacking, so in the back of his mind, Marutis was a little worried. He walked down the stairs and through the doors, and into the main area of Balamb, walking to where his exams would be, the classroom on the second floor.

[Azrael]

Obviouslly caring less over some stupid training exam that all Balamb Garden students needed to take, a rebel like Garden prodigy and master swordsman Jerome Constantine would never consider wasting his time answering something that he already knew years ago from personal battle experience training with his parents, both retired former high-ranking army generals, in the time prior to attending the Garden. There was a crisis going on in Dollet between the civilians and the defending forces againist the invading Galbadian armed forces and the instructors in the school were more preoccupied with testing their students instead of making them useful and sending him towards the battle lines to fight againist the Galbadians. Most of the students, whether they were from Dollet or not, were more than willing to take part in the battle on the side of Dollet and began enlisting in the army while others simply cut school and used their own private connections to gain transport to Dollet and relieve the besieged town. Jerome knew that he would not be the first and news of others doing the same as he was doing and skipping the test encouraged him now more than ever to leave and help out the town. By the time that his parents back home knew about what had occured and offered their own words of encouragement, he was within walking's distance to Dollet.

"These Galbadians are nothing more than fucking cowards." These were the only words that came out of Jerome's mouth that described how the Galbadian armed forces were driving these poor, defenseless civilians into their homes and soon killed many of them inside as their homes went up into flames. Such cruelty infuriated Jerome as much as any person although knowing him, it would be more considering that he believed that all warriors, be they SeeD or not, should follow a code of conduct when engaging in military operations againist the enemy forces. Pulling out the Masamume that his father had bestowed upon him, Jerome looked around the damaged town, looking for enemy Galbadians to kill. "Come on out, you fucking cowards! Are you afraid that a Constantine has arrived to bring hell down on you heartless bastards!"

[Angel]

The woman he loved was reduced to a crazed frenzy. Snarling, degrading right before his eyes. His comrades looked on at her, clad in iron chains to the wall, as the tainted GFs tore away bit by bit at her sanity.
"Why? Why did you volunteer for this, Anna?", the man questioned. A short teenage girl stepped forward, on the verge of speaking, when a huge, broad shouldered man to her right gave a particularly violent nudge, which was a very non-verbal way of saying "This isn't the time."
As the group slowly turned one by one to leave the room, a loud cracking signaled the crazed woman's newfound freedom, which was soon used to assault her love.

Izzy jerked out of bed, and was greeted by a stream of sunlight into his dorm. Rubbing his eyes, he noticed that his ring was missing from his right hand. Picking it up off the sheets, he noted that he had definitely seen those people before, and also noted that those dreams ended with him replacing his ring. Writing it off as a coincidence, he got ready to eat.

[Archetype00x]

It would've been so easy, just to squeeze the trigger, let fly the bullet and put down the blonde.

But Luca knew better. Things were never that easy. And his job was never that simple. No sooner had he trained his cross hairs on the girl's back had a voice rang out through the air, not far from Luca's position. A familiar voice. A voice from the Garden. Alarms went off in Luca's head. The SeeD weren't supposed to arrive for another day! At least not until the exams were finished. Groaning, he punched the keys on the Grid, and the rifle dematerialized in a flash of light.

Pushing himself up from his position on the roof, he squatted, out of sight of the girl below, and craned his neck to identify the voice. He heard where it was coming from, but couldn't quite see... he'd have to move. "Deviating from orders to cover some rogue soldier... administrations going to have my head for this one." Stealthily as he could, Luca slipped from perch to perch, rooftop to rooftop, moving like a ghost of a shadow, closer to the source. Finally, he stopped, pressed himself down on the side of a slant roof, and peaked through the area between a gutter and the wall of the establishment, just barely able to peek through and see the young man, brandishing his weapon, and hollering at the top of his lungs.

"He's going to draw a lot of attention for that move..."

Luca turned his attention to the Craft Grid monitor on his wrist, and scrolled through his options. He'd only expected to need a few armaments for this particular mission, with the intention of reloading when he got back, so his range was limited. A sniper rifle - too cumbersome and big for the confined space they'd both be fighting in. That just left a chain whip, a basic broadsword, and a pair of throwing knives.

Exasperated, the SeeD blew out through is teeth, punched in the code for the knives, and slipped down into the street, behind a rather sizable trash receptacle. Hoping it would be enough cover until he made his move, Luca tightened his grip on the knives, get his eyes trained on the boy, and waited.

[∞]

Maximillian heard a distinct voice yelling as he moved to the main street. Between his first killing of a soldier and now, he had taken out three more. He turned his head to see who was yelling, and an interesting individual, not a soldier, but perhaps not a civilian either, was walking down the street. Silver hair bordering on blue sat atop his head, and didn't come down past his jawline in thick waves. He was young, around his early twenties, but looked around with a keen and experienced eye. He wore a pale jacket over a dark green turtleneck shirt. On his legs he wore jeans and feet sneakers. He then heard him continue speaking, "Come on out, you fucking cowards! Are you afraid that a Constantine has arrived to bring hell down on you heartless bastards!"

He definitely seemed to be a part of the battle. Maximillian was almost certain he was a civilian, but definitely not a soldier. Over his hand now, Maximillian summoned another weapon. Not a blade, but a gun, a long-barreled and powerful pistol, which he then pointed towards the Constantine, and in his other hand, brought out his badge, that of a SeeD agent, with five markers to indicate his rank. "Halt!" He yelled, and made sure that both his gun and his badge could be well seen. The Constantine then stood still on the spot, and then stood up ramrod straight, and brought his hand up to his forehead in a salute used among SeeD operatives. "Sir," the man said, before Maxmillian continued; "Badge, name and rank." Maximillian then commanded him curtly, listing the things in order of appearance. The badge would prove he was a SeeD operative. His name meant more to Maxmillian than his rank, because regardless, the two, if the Constantine was a SeeD operative, would be working together. Maximillian didn't care much for rank anyway, it was just part of a standard procedure that he ask for it.

"Jerome Constantine." The man then reached into a pocket and pulled out a SeeD badge, and Maximillian then counted the number of rank markers on it. He then lowered his own badge, and spoke. "Maximillian. No official surname. Rank 5 SeeD operative." Then, he began walking to Jerome, and gestured to shake his hand, a common courtesy regardless of whether Maxmillian believed he deserved it or not. "I was in the area when the Galbadian soldiers attack. Down by the beach, two blocks away," Maximillian pointed in its direction, "I've taken out several soldiers already, and have apparently gone undetected. You?" Jerome waved his head, indicating he had not yet taken a soldiers life in this battle, and that he had avoided detection.

"Well, that's half good. Let's talk as we walk." There was something Maximillian liked about Jerome, but he couldn't quite pick it. "Where'd you come from?"

[Archetype00x]

Glorious. Luca had looked away only for a fraction of a second, and another stranger had arrived on the scene. Maintaining his position, he observed the two and listened.

"A Constantine... and Maximillian," he hissed. This was getting to be too much for the young SeeD. None of the mission briefings had ever included details about the presence of someone like him. The two seemed to be pretty chummy, from what Luca could tell, but despite the fact that they were allies of his, when they started walking away, he cursed under his breath.

Against his better judgement, he scaled the wall of the building, and returned to the sea of roofs and chimneys. The road stretched out before the two of them, long and bare. The blond was still in the clothing store. He wouldn't be able to communicate with the men, and they might confuse him for an enemy... but at the very least, if the two of them chatting attracted even more enemy troops than Constantine's yelling did, he'd have the element of surprise.

[∞]

"Hm?" Maximillian made a noise as they were walking. He thought he heard or saw something moving in the rooftops near to them. But he couldn't be certain. It was only momentary, but it seemed louder, larger and heavier than a pidgeon, from what he could gather. "What is it, Max?" Jerome spoke, elliciting a growling reaction from Maximillian, who quickly retaliated verbally, "As a higher-ranking SeeD operative, you will refer to me by the name I first gave you until I allow it to be otherwise. Now.... No, forget about it." Maximillian said, waving a hand dismissively.

If it was an enemy, it would likely have taken the time to kill both of them while they were both standing still and talking. Or maybe it was uncertain over who they were? Either way, they had a possible ally on their side. If they were sticking to the rooftops, then clearly they felt they had the best advantage at such a height or position, and Maximillian would not risk compromising it. As Maximillian thought to himself, a group of four Galbadian soldiers came running down a sidestreet and straight into the path of the two SeeD agents. All four of the men held assault rifles that they pointed straight towards the two.

With a gesture of his left hand's fingers, a large shield appeared over Maximillian's hand, and in the other he spawned a submachine gun that had a large bayonette beneath the barrel. With similar timing, Jerome took his own measures to preserve his safety, before preparing to elimate the soldiers in his own way. Maximillian, a tall individual, crouched down to be completely covered by his shield, and poked his gun out every now and then to take blind shots at the four soldiers.

He hoped the thing on the roof was some kind of soldier, and that he was on Maximillian and Jerome's side.

[Azrael]

"Looks like I got here pretty late and all the action has ended." Jerome had looked around again in Dollet's charred ruins but could not find anyone who would seemed to have belonged to the Galbadian army that had attacked the independent duchy. He felt pretty disappointed that he had arrived into the town late and considered returning back to Balamb Garden, even contemplating asking the Garden authorities to take the test upon coming back from the battle that seemed to have ended.

"Jerome Constantine." These were the words of this unknown SeeD operative, apparently knowing his name from somwhere. His parents Catherine and Julius Constantine were not SeeD operatives at all but were high-ranking members of the regular military forces back in their hometown although they made various forms of contact with SeeD operatives from time to time. This guy doesn't look too bad and looking at that uniform of his, he must be a high-ranking SeeD operative. I guess it won't kill me to give him my badge. It was quite possible that this man was a well known acquaintance or partner of their partners during their time as Generals although there was a chance that he was not. Regardless, he was a high-ranking SeeD operative. Now where did I leave that old piece of junk lying around? Ahh...I got it! He reached into his pocket and pulled out what he hoped to be his own SeeD badge, ranked somewhere around a three or four. I can't honestly remember shit. The SeeD operative counted the number of rank markers on his badge and lowered his own, and spoke. "Maximillian. No official surname. Rank 5 SeeD operative." Just when things could not get much worse for Jerome, he began walking towards him. Oh shit, I'm a goner! The silver haired swordsman gulped nervously until he felt something. Huh? Jerome scratched his nose upon seeing his hand firmly pressed upon by Maximillian. "I was in the area when the Galbadian soldiers attack. Down by the beach, two blocks away," Maximillian pointed in its direction, "I've taken out several soldiers already, and have apparently gone undetected. You?" Jerome waved his head, indicating he had not yet taken a soldiers life in this battle, and that he had avoided detection.

"I had just recently arrived here from my prior location upon hearing of the Galbadian invasion of Dollet and felt it was my duty to come here as soon as possible." Jerome felt slightly jealous that this Maxmillian was so close in distance from him yet was able to strike down several Galbadian soldiers by the beach before the main force had seemed to have withdrawn. There was nothing else to do and Maximillian did not seem to be a bad fellow, so there was some time to kill before thinking of heading back towards Balamb Garden. "It's a damn shame yet I'm glad that the Galbadians withdrew before they could kill the remaining survivors."

"Well, that's half good. Let's talk as we walk." There was something Maximillian liked about Jerome, but he couldn't quite pick it. "Where'd you come from?"

"At the moment, I currently attend Balamb Garden and I hope to become-" Jerome soon paused himself as he heard a noise coming from the rooftops of the nearby buildings. Was that someone just now that I saw over at the rooftop? I fucking hope that's not a Galbadian and another one of our guys...

"Hm?" Maximillian made a noise as they were walking. He thought he heard or saw something moving in the rooftops near to them. But he couldn't be certain. It was only momentary, but it seemed louder, larger and heavier than a pidgeon, from what he could gather. "What is it, Max?" Jerome spoke, elliciting a growling reaction from Maximillian, who quickly retaliated verbally, "As a higher-ranking SeeD operative, you will refer to me by the name I first gave you until I allow it to be otherwise. Now.... No, forget about it." Maximillian said, waving a hand dismissively.

"Aye! Aye Capitan!" Jerome saluted in front of the capitan in a ridiculous manner. "I will make sure not to call you Max!"

If it was an enemy, it would likely have taken the time to kill both of them while they were both standing still and talking. Or maybe it was uncertain over who they were? Either way, they had a possible ally on their side. If they were sticking to the rooftops, then clearly they felt they had the best advantage at such a height or position, and Maximillian would not risk compromising it. As Maximillian thought to himself, a group of four Galbadian soldiers came running down a sidestreet and straight into the path of the two SeeD agents. All four of the men held assault rifles that they pointed straight towards the two.

"Oh god damn!" Jerome gritted his teeth as he switched into a defensive pose with his Masamume's sharp blade pointed at the approaching Galbadian soldiers. Or was that offensive? Oh god dang, why am I forgetting the pointless shit I learned in those classes now!

With a gesture of his left hand's fingers, a large shield appeared over Maximillian's hand, and in the other he spawned a submachine gun that had a large bayonette beneath the barrel. With similar timing, Jerome took his own measures to preserve his safety, before preparing to elimate the soldiers in his own way. Maximillian, a tall individual, crouched down to be completely covered by his shield, and poked his gun out every now and then to take blind shots at the four soldiers.

I won't allow those Galbadian bastards get me! I'm a damn Constantine scion for Bahamut's sake! Jerome was blocking barrages of gun pellets targeted at him and the operative by his side, Maxmillian with each swing of his Masamume. "This doesn't look as easy as I had thought it was when I was just training with those mechanical bots programmed by Dad! Shit, how are you holding there with your shield." The silver haired teen was made silent as Maximillian shot two of the approaching soldiers in the head.

[∞]

As they talked, Maximillian also realised something he disliked about Jerome. Fuck, he sure can be verbose, he thought to himself. But those further thoughts were, of course, interrupted by the sudden appearance of soldiers. After ducking behind his shield, Maximillian had fluked two deadly shots to two of the soldiers, who fell lifelessly to the ground with small sprays of blood as each bullet impacted. Maximillian had no idea how Jerome would cope, apparently having no weapons. He found it more than likely he would draw a soldier into an alley and strike him from around a corner, or get in close enough with a blade that the soldier couldn't take him out. That seemed exactly what he was doing, because he was making his way slowly along the wall he was up against, thankfully covered by the stone pillar supporting the second story balcony of the building he was backed onto.

A few more seconds passed, and Jerome was around a corner and down an alley. Of the two surviving soldiers, one of them ran after Jerome, but was both cautios of Maximillian and shooting at him as he came alongside him. The SeeD soldier swapped the submachinegun in his right hand for a second large shield, which repelled the incoming bullets just in time. That soldier then ran down the same alleyway that Jerome had gone down, soon to likely meet his demise.

From where he still crouched, with his second shield, Maximillian now had the space to expand a bit and move, so he did so, inching towards the wall to his left, giving himself another point to cover himself. The last soldier remaining did not fire at him, but instead began talking into a radio, requesting to speak to someone. At the same time, a flash of white light caught Maximillian's gaze, and he stared up to the rooftop it had originated from, from which now extended the barrel of some kind of gun, a sniper rifle. And it was aimed straight at the soldier.

Just as his signal went through, and the soldier started yelling into his radio, it was shot out of his hand and to pieces by the sniper on the roof, who Maximillian now associated to be a friendly force. The soldier had perhaps three seconds to gawk at the broken radio on the ground, look around the area to just what could have shot him. The silver-haired man, who did not fire in the first place and likely had no guns, had been chased down the alleyway. The man who used to have a shield and a gun had swapped the gun for another shield.

By the time it dawned on the man that there might be a sniper in the area, his head had already vanished into a cloud of blood, bone, flesh and grey matter.