Endgame
"Hmm, let's see what's happening to the transmigrator and his friends," the old man said.
"Grandpa, last time I checked, you were spying on that kid," the child pointed out, pointing to the crystal ball.
"Shush, I told you she's over 50 years old," the old man replied.
"Grandpa, aren't you too old for him? And it's a male," the child asked.
"We've talked about this before, Pochi. I'm just checking because they're interesting fellows," the old man said.
"I see," the child said.
"It seems Eiko has left to go to Xanthea to continue with her training while Mika, Airi, and the band are still at war in Caelumoria. Let's see how it all turns out," the old man said.
"OROCHI! DID YOU STEAL MY FUTURE GAZER AGAIN?" the older man shouted.
"Oh no, Papa is coming. Pochi, go back to your room," the old man said.
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The soldiers were deployed to their first assignment, a reconnaissance mission to gather intelligence on enemy positions and movements.
Before dawn, they set out, moving stealthily through the terrain and keeping a sharp eye out for any signs of danger.
As they crept closer to the enemy lines, the tension mounted, knowing that one false move could mean disaster.
However, their extensive training and preparation paid off, and they executed their mission flawlessly.
Over the next few weeks, the soldiers faced increasingly challenging missions.
They were tasked with securing towns and cities, rescuing slaves, and engaging in direct combat with enemy forces.
Despite the risks and losses, the soldiers remained battle-hardened and determined.
They had been trained to expect the unexpected, adapt to changing situations quickly, and work together seamlessly as a team.
They knew that their lives depended on their training and ability to rely on each other.
Despite the casualties suffered in battle, which included both injuries and losses, the soldiers remained steadfast in their commitment to their mission, land, and fellow soldiers.
However, as the weeks turned into months, the soldiers gradually became more distant and individualistic, as the toll of war began to weigh heavily on them.
Out of the initial 600 soldiers, only 120 remained after three months.
Shockingly, most of the deaths were not due to enemy fire but rather to self-inflicted wounds, with a ratio of five suicides to every death in battle.
The remaining soldiers had evolved into an elite force that could even take down an enemy base with just thirty of them in a month.
Their experience and training had molded them into a cohesive team, and they had earned the respect and admiration of their superiors and fellow soldiers.
The war had changed them, but not their will.
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Wyvernwing 2nd, Caelumoria, Zodiac Warriors' Strategy Room, 7:00 PM.
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The Zodiac Warriors, a group of skilled individuals engaged in a prolonged war, now consists of seven core members.
Orion Sky Hunter has been appointed as the team's war general, recruited by Lee Virtus, the chief strategist.
Mika has been promoted to be the lead strategist by the vice-captain.
As they gather for their 25th strategy meeting, the stakes are higher than ever before.
"It's been nine months since the first-ever strategy meeting," the chief strategist began. "We have successfully taken out six out of eight enemy bases. The only ones left are on the northern outskirts and the western outskirts."
"Hooray..." the captain sarcastically interjected.
"Captain Astraia, it's time to stop being childish. We are making progress, and it will end soon," the vice-captain said, trying to maintain a positive attitude.
"No, no, it's all thanks to the captain's efforts. She single-handedly took out four of the eight enemy bases in just six months. Our soldiers have improved along the way, and I would estimate that the war will completely end in around two full moons," the chief strategist said, praising Captain Astraia.
"We have improved our airships and are ready to launch an attack from above," Mika, the lead strategist, said, revealing their new tactic.
"I would suggest attacking their west base from the south, as one of my spies analyzed that it lacks defense on that side," Orion Sky Hunter, the war general, said, sharing his intel.
The vice-captain turned to Kim, the leader of the protestors, and asked, "Any comments on this?"
"I don't even care anymore. You can even do it without my second opinion," Kim said, expressing his despair and frustration with the ongoing war.
The room fell silent, except for the sound of Kim's chair scraping against the floor as he stood up and walked out.
A heavy feeling settled in the room, as the others looked at each other with a mix of sadness and frustration.
"We all know that Kim has been struggling with the war and the losses we have suffered," the chief strategist spoke up, breaking the silence. "We have lost a lot, and, understandably, some of us are feeling the weight of it all. But we cannot give up now. We are so close to ending this war and bringing peace to our land."
The vice-captain spoke up, her voice filled with determination. "We will continue with the plan to attack the west base from the south. Mika, prepare the airships. Orion, get your troops ready. We will launch the attack at dawn."
The rest of the team nodded in agreement, and the meeting came to an end.
As they walked out of the room, the reality of the war hit them once again.
The once-bustling city was now in ruins, the people living in constant fear and uncertainty.
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The night had been long and restless as the team braced themselves for the imminent attack.
They meticulously checked and re-checked their weapons, reviewed the plan again and again, and silently prayed for their safety.
As the first rays of dawn crept over the horizon, the airships thundered into the sky, their engines shattering the tranquil morning.
Orion's troops marched resolutely towards the enemy's west base from the south, ready to engage in battle.
As they moved forward, Orion's mind wandered back to his past.
He had been the general of Red's Wing, a lone commander who had once led thousands of soldiers into war.
It had been a while since he had taken up the mantle of leadership, and he couldn't help but feel a tinge of anxiety.
"Ha..." Orion let out a deep sigh, momentarily lost in thought.
"General, is something bothering you?" A sixth-ranked soldier asked.
"It's nothing," Orion replied, forcing his doubts aside. "Let's just focus on the mission."
As they approached the enemy's base, tension hung thick in the air.
"General, the enemy base is in sight," an 18th-ranked soldier shouted.
"Alright... Zodiac Warriors! LET'S SHOOT FOR THE STARS!" exclaimed the general, his voice booming with excitement.
"General..." spoke a soft voice from the second-ranked soldier, her tone hesitant.
"Well... That was something. I think I just invented a new dance move. The 'I Can't Watch' Shuffle," added the 13th-ranked soldier of the team, his voice tinged with amusement.
"Welcome to Orion's battle team, where our general has 'The Strongest System: Getting Stronger by Saying Cringe Things to His Underlings'," chimed in the highest-ranked soldier of the team, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"That was like watching a car crash in slow motion, but without any of the excitement or drama," added the seventh-ranked soldier of the team, his voice dry and unimpressed.
Orion let out a big sigh. "You guys are the finest soldiers of Caelumoria, and yet you're taking it easy."
With fierce determination, Orion's troops surged forward, flying towards the enemy base, the sound of wind gliders rustling in the wind.
"High level of movement, northeast," informed the 17th-ranked soldier.
"Copy that," replied the team in unison.
"General, can we fully use our system now? Over," asked the fourth-ranked soldier.
"Negative, you still have a lot to learn. Let's just use the 8-4-8 diamond formation. Hiro, Mei, you'll be the leads for the 8s, while I lead the four," replied the general.
"Eh? It's so tiring," complained Hiro, the highest-ranked member.
"M-me, general? B-but Sakura has better leadership ability," Mei, the second-ranked soldier hesitantly replied.
"Don't be too humble. The general chose you because he trusts you," Sakura, the third-ranked soldier replied to Mei.
"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! We'll send our foes to heaven!" shouted the general.
"Ah, not again," half of the soldiers groaned in unison.
"I just want to die on the battlefield at this point," added one of them.
"Uhm... I don't think it's that bad," the second-ranked soldier said softly.
"HAHAAHAHA! See? Even Mei agrees with me!" the general exclaimed.
"...At least it's better than the last one," Mei added.
"HAH! GOOD ONE, MEI!" the highest-ranked soldier laughed followed by a chorus of laughter erupted from the other soldiers.
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The core members of the Zodiac Warriors waited anxiously for news of the attack, their hearts heavy with the weight of what was at stake.
Finally, after hours of waiting, a messenger raven arrived with news of the attack.
"Huh? A raven?" the vice-captain said, surprised as she waited near the strategy room.
"We... Successfully... Enemy base... Burst of light..." she whispered, her voice trailing off.
She hurried to the captain to show her the message.
"Captain Astraia, there's an urgent matter!" she shouted.
"What is it, Amy?" the captain replied.
"Look at this," the vice-captain said, showing her the message.
The captain read the message and muttered, "...Two stick figures...Holding hands.."
Her face fell, and her eyes were filled with despair.
It was as if all of her fears had come true, and she didn't know how to react.
"Send team Sigma right away," the captain shouted urgently.
She let out a deep sigh and murmured to herself, "I can finally meet him again..."
...
"Asterius De Astraia."