Kaelen followed Andras back to the team, his mind still whirling from their conversation. As they approached the others, Kaelen noticed Lyrian’s sharp gaze flicking toward him. It was subtle, a silent exchange between friends, but the message was clear. Kaelen gave a quick, barely perceptible nod—just enough to ease Lyrian’s worry but not enough to draw attention.

  The squads were ready, the tension palpable in the cool night air. Andras didn’t waste time. His voice was steady, calm, the kind that cut through the nervous energy of the team. “It’s time. We move in five. Trigger the shield on my mark.”

  Lyrian shifted, nudging Kaelen with his elbow and giving a wry grin. “You ready for this?”

  Kaelen’s lips twitched in a half-smile, the weight of what was about to happen grounding him. “Let’s hope I don’t need a second pep talk.”

  Andras motioned for the engineers to get into position. Rina and her team, faces set with concentration, moved swiftly toward their equipment, calibrating the drones and devices that would send the signal to the mercenaries’ shield. The rest of Squad One gathered around, their weapons prepped and ready. Jax stood nearby, pulse cannon in hand, scanning the horizon like a hawk.

  “Squad Two, in position,” came Harken’s voice through the comms, clipped and professional.

  “Squad Three ready,” Vin added, her tone all business.

  Andras nodded, eyes locked on the perimeter. “Alright, engineers, on my mark.”

  Rina gave a quick thumbs-up, fingers dancing over the control panel as she coordinated the drones with the other engineers. Three drones shot forward, buzzing low through the night air, invisible against the darkened sky. They hovered for a moment before diving toward the perimeter, purposefully triggering the energy field with a sharp burst of light.

  The shield flared to life, glowing bright blue as it activated. An alert went off, echoing through the mercenary building. Inside, mercenaries scrambled to their stations, clearly caught off guard. The drones, in perfect synchronization, unleashed a focused barrage of energy pulses at key nodes in the shield’s structure. The blasts weren’t enough to take it down but were precisely timed to destabilize the shield for a critical few seconds, creating brief gaps.

  It was all the team needed.

  Andras’s voice cut through the comms. “Trigger's set. Go! Squad One, move in. Squad Three, prepare for infiltration.”

  Kaelen sprinted alongside Lyrian and the others as they darted toward the main entrance. It was a fortified structure, bristling with high-tech defenses and a handful of mercenaries wielding a deadly combination of technomancer weapons and dark magic. The air crackled with energy as they unleashed a barrage of attacks toward Squad One’s advance.

  "Watch for the disruptor fields!" Lyrian called out, his voice steady even as the chaos intensified. Andras was already ahead of him, using his energy blade to deflect an incoming pulse round with ease. His sword flickered, absorbing the energy before returning it in a precise, devastating counterstrike that sent the nearest mercenary flying.

  Suddenly, the sharp whine of drones sliced through the air, streaking past Kaelen and Lyrian toward the mercenary line. Nyra's drones, sleek and efficient, darted between the soldiers, unleashing a relentless barrage of gunfire that rained down on the enemy. The rapid tat-tat-tat of bullets filled the battlefield, forcing the mercenaries to scramble into defensive positions.

  In response, the mercenaries quickly activated their shields. Blue energy fields flared up around them, shimmering as they absorbed the bullets with each impact. The mercenaries moved like clockwork, well-coordinated and experienced, keeping their defense tight as they returned fire with dark magic-infused rounds.

  "Eagle down! Shields up!" one of the mercenaries barked through their comms, and in an instant, every operative in their group flicked their wrist-mounted shields to life. The battlefield buzzed with overlapping shields, technomancer energy barriers shimmering to protect both sides.

  Kaelen, Lyrian, and the rest of Squad One mirrored the move, their own shields materializing in front of them as they pressed forward, bracing against the onslaught. The familiar hum of energy fields surrounded Kaelen as he took cover behind a low wall, catching his breath as bolts of dark magic ricocheted off their defenses.

  "Don’t let them pin us down!" Andras barked, cutting down another mercenary with his energy blade as he signaled for the squad to push forward.

  Jax fired off a rapid succession of blasts from his wrist-mounted cannon. "Kaelen, left side!" he called, and Kaelen moved without hesitation, dodging an energy pulse aimed at his head.

  Kaelen felt the familiar pull of the shadows deep within him, but he shoved the feeling aside, focusing on the mission at hand. The mercenaries were using suppressive fire, attempting to push Squad One back, but Andras kept them advancing. His sword was a blur of light, cutting down anything that got too close, while the rest of the squad fired strategically, hitting critical points in the enemy defenses.

  "Squad Three, status?" Andras asked, his voice calm despite the storm of gunfire around them.

  Vin’s voice crackled through the comms. "Roof breached. We’re in."

  “Good,” Andras responded, slicing through another mercenary. “Squad Two, hold the rear and cover the exits. Don’t let anyone slip through.”

  Meanwhile, the mercenaries inside the building were scrambling to mount a defense. The captain of the mercenary team barked orders through their own comms. “Reinforce the main entrance! They’ve triggered the shields—we’re under attack!”

  The air was filled with the hum of pulse rifles and the sharp crackle of dark magic being summoned. Mercenaries rushed to seal off the building, but it was clear their initial surprise had cost them precious time.

  From above, Squad Three made their move. Vin and her team dropped silently into the building through the ventilation shafts, moving with the precision of trained assassins. They planted disruptor devices at key points, disabling internal defenses as they moved. The mercenaries hadn’t even realized they were already inside.

  “Disruptors planted,” Vin whispered through the comms. “Their internal systems are going down.”

  “Keep pushing,” Andras ordered, his eyes scanning the battlefield. “We’re close.”

  A sudden explosion rocked the ground, sending a wave of debris into the air. One of the mercenary tanks had fired a round, aiming to take out Squad One in a single devastating shot. The massive shell whistled through the air, zeroing in on their position with terrifying precision. Dust and debris kicked up as it hit the ground, narrowly missing the team, but the sheer force of the blast sent shockwaves rippling through the area. Squad One scrambled to regain their footing, their movements sharp and instinctive as they dodged the tank’s follow-up, knowing the next hit wouldn’t miss.

  Through the smoke, Andras barked orders into his comms. “We need that tank neutralized now!”

  Jax squeezed the trigger of his pulse cannon, unleashing a barrage of energy. The first blast slammed into the tank but barely left a mark. He snarled, adjusting his grip as he fired again—twice more in quick succession. His face twisted into something almost feral as the cannon roared to life, each shot hammering the same weakened spot.

  When the final pulse hit, the tank shuddered, the metal groaning before the explosion erupted in a deafening roar. A cloud of fire and debris shot into the air as Jax watched, a wild grin splitting his face.

  "Boom," he growled, eyes gleaming. "That's how you make an entrace."

  Nyra, her face serious, barely allowed herself a brief smile. "You know, Jax," she said without turning from her console, voice flat but carrying a dry undertone, "I’m really glad you’re on our side." The faintest hint of humor colored her words, but her focus remained locked on the drones, still targeting the mercenaries with relentless precision.

  Andras motioned for the team to press forward. "Move! They’re falling back."

  Just as they neared the entrance, a figure appeared, cloaked in dark energy. His eyes gleamed with the unsettling glow of dark magic. He raised his hands, summoning a swirling mass of dark energy that lashed out toward Squad One.

  "Magic incoming!" Lyrian shouted, diving to the side just as a tendril of the energy slammed into the ground where he’d been standing.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Kaelen felt the shadows inside him stir violently in response. It was almost as if they recognized the dark magic, pulling him toward it. For a split second, he hesitated, feeling the tug, but then Andras's words echoed in his mind: Use it freely.

  Without thinking, Kaelen raised his hand, feeling a surge of energy he could barely comprehend. Shadows flickered at his fingertips, but instead of the violent eruption he had hoped for, a single tendril of darkness extended weakly from his palm.

  It slithered forward, dark and sluggish, responding sluggishly to Kaelen’s mental command. His focus narrowed as he pushed all his concentration into the shadowy extension. With a grunt of effort, Kaelen forced the tendril to collide with the mercenary commander. The impact wasn’t as strong as he wanted, but it was enough to stagger the man, the dark energy pinning him down just long enough for Kaelen to catch his breath. His heart pounded in his chest, frustration gnawing at him as he realized how little control he still had over the dark forces swirling inside him.

  Lyrian grinned wide, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “That’s my boy! Think you can pull off a few more of those before we’re done here?”

  Kaelen shook his head slightly, still focusing on keeping the shadows under control. “I don’t even know what I just did,” he muttered, his voice low but steady. “Don’t count on it happening again anytime soon.”

  "Neat," Andras muttered, noticing the window of opportunity Kaelen had just opened. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, his energy blade igniting in a brilliant flare. In a swift blur of motion, he closed the distance to the mercenary commander, who barely had a second to react.

  Andras struck with precision, sending the commander sprawling to the ground. As the mage struggled, Andras didn’t let up—he sent a barrage of electric pulses surging through his blade, each pulse striking the commander’s writhing body. With cold efficiency, Andras reached his target, standing over the fallen mage before driving his energy blade straight through the commander’s chest.

  "Commander’s down," Andras said coolly through the comms. "Squad Two, close in from the rear. Let’s finish this."

  "Reece, Lona. Scan the perimeter, find anyone still breathing. Two prisoners. Knock them out, cuff them, and get them to the transport. Now."

  Reece and Lona immediately sprang into action, their scanners lighting up as they swept the area for any remaining mercenaries. The tension was thick as they moved quickly, their movements precise, professional. Within seconds, they located two mercenaries who were still conscious, though barely. Reece gave a quick nod to Lona, who raised her weapon and fired a stun pulse, sending the mercenaries slumping to the ground. They moved in swiftly, binding their hands and feet, dragging them toward the vehicle.

  "Secure them. I want no loose ends," Andras added, watching as they followed his orders.

  Then, without missing a beat, Andras turned to the rest of Squad One, his expression hard. "Squad One, move in! Help Squad Two and Three clear the interior. I want every last one of them eliminated. Leave no one standing."

  Kaelen, Lyrian, and the others exchanged a quick glance, already anticipating the command. With weapons raised, they advanced into the building.

  The entrance hall was wide and deceptively simple, with corridors branching out like a maze, each leading to unknown rooms that promised danger.

  Andras’s eyes swept over the area, reading the terrain like a seasoned tactician. His hand shot up, “Formation!”

  Without hesitation, Squad One moved into a tight circle, backs to each other, weapons raised, scanning the perimeter. Rina, their engineer, was shielded at the center, her visor lighting up as she prepared for what might come next.

  “Nyra, drones,” Andras ordered, his voice steady and focused.

  Nyra’s fingers flicked across her wrist console, and within seconds, her drones zipped into the air, disappearing down the labyrinthine corridors. On the visors of every member in the squad, the feed from the drones appeared in real-time, scanning the environment and mapping out the structure ahead. The rooms were stark and clinical, with no immediate sign of enemies—until suddenly, the drones picked up movement.

  "Contact!" Lyrian’s voice rang out just as the sound of rapid footsteps echoed from the main entrance.

  Before anyone could fully react, five mercenaries burst into the hallway, their weapons blazing. Lyrian was already in motion, his twin pistols firing with precision as he deployed a wide shield in front of him. The energy barrier flared to life, absorbing the incoming fire. With fluidity, he dropped two of the mercenaries in quick succession, his shots sharp and lethal.

  In a blink, a sixth mercenary emerged. His pulse cannon charged with a deep hum, the energy building rapidly before the blast exploded forward.

  "Move!" Lyrian barely had time to shout, his eyes widening as the pulse cannon roared to life. The force was too fast, too powerful. The blast hit them like a freight train, throwing them backward through the air.

  They were propelled across the room, crashing through a doorway and straight into Squad Two’s position, who had just arrived at the scene. Bodies collided with the floor in a chaotic tumble, but the response was immediate.

  Harken and the two other soldiers sat up mechanically, their movements synchronized, while Lyrian, still on his back, raised only his head. Arms outstretched towards the mercenaries, they all began firing in unison. Their reflexes were pure muscle memory—decades of training kicking in.

  The four of them unleashed a hellish barrage of gunfire toward the mercenaries, now advancing into the room with the pulse cannon. Their shots were deadly accurate, cutting through the mercenaries with brutal efficiency. The enemy staggered, taken aback by the counterattack.

  Lyrian’s pistols flared in quick succession, taking out the pulse cannon operator with two clean shots to the chest. Harken dropped another mercenary with a single, well-placed round to the head. The remaining operatives followed suit, sweeping the area with a hail of bullets, cutting down the last of the opposition with ruthless precision.

  The hallway fell silent, the mercenaries slumped against the walls, their bodies still smoking from the relentless assault.

  "Clear," Harken grunted, lowering his weapon, eyes scanning the now silent battlefield.

  Lyrian breathed out slowly, standing upright, his weapons still at the ready, but the tension in his body began to ease. The fight had been sudden, violent, but the squads had reacted like clockwork, proving their mettle.

  Andras, having landed heavily but uninjured, stood up and dusted himself off, his energy blade flickering before he deactivated it. He looked at Lyrian and Harken, giving them a short nod of approval.

  Andras straightened, his voice cutting through the sudden quiet like a blade. "Is everyone alright?"

  "All good," Lyrian muttered, still catching his breath.

  "Still standing," Kaelen added, giving a quick glance to his side.

  “Squad Two, all clear,” Harken confirmed, lowering his weapon.

  Before anyone could react further, Nyra’s voice cut through the air, sharp and direct, leaving no room for hesitation. "Commander, we’ve got incoming. The drones are picking up movement—multiple contacts heading our way from the upper floor."

  Andras’s expression sharpened. "How many?"

  "Three confirmed," Nyra replied, her visor reflecting the information scrolling rapidly. “They’re closing in fast.”

  Andras didn’t hesitate. "Squad Two, handle them. Neutralize the threat. Squad One, with me—we’re moving up to assist Squad Three."

  The soldiers moved with precision, no hesitation in their actions. Squad Two broke away, weapons ready, advancing down the corridor toward the big rooms. The sounds of footsteps and clinking armor echoed faintly as they prepared to intercept the approaching hostiles.

  Andras motioned for Squad One to follow, his steps quick and deliberate as they moved toward the staircase leading to the next floor, where Squad Three was still locked in their own fight. "Stay sharp," he muttered, leading the way into the next phase of the operation.

  The team ascended the stairs swiftly, their movements synchronized, boots barely making a sound against the cold metal steps. As they neared the top, a loud crash echoed through the corridor. Kaelen’s eyes widened as he spotted a figure—a soldier from their own ranks—being thrown violently against the wall.

  Andras was on him in an instant, his reflexes sharp and deadly. In two massive strides, he reached the top of the stairs, weapon raised. His pulse rifle opened fire, precise bursts aimed directly at the mercenary attacking his man, while his energy blade instinctively flared to life in his other hand, ready for close combat if needed.

  The mercenary barely had time to register the threat before the bullets ripped through him, sending him crumpling to the floor. Andras didn’t pause, stepping over the body and pushing forward with the kind of cold efficiency he was known for.

  Squad One surged after him, moving past the fallen mercenary and their injured soldier, their weapons raised as the chaos at the top of the stairs unfolded. The hallway was a battlefield, gunfire echoing from every direction.

  "Move!" Andras shouted, gesturing for the team to push deeper into the hallway.

  Doors were flung open as soldiers from both sides fought tooth and nail. Squad Three was engaged in a brutal close-quarters battle in one of the adjacent rooms, while down the hall, mercenaries took cover behind overturned furniture, laying down suppressive fire.

  Lyrian ducked behind a wall, quickly assessing the situation. "We need to clear that hall! Kaelen, cover me."

  Kaelen nodded, already firing a series of precise shots down the corridor, forcing the mercenaries back into cover. Lyrian sprinted ahead, weaving through the chaos as he fired both of his guns in quick succession, the blasts slamming into a group of mercenaries and sending them stumbling.

  In the chaos, Andras swept into the fray, his energy blade slicing through another attacker, the weapon humming with power as it absorbed the energy from the incoming fire. His movements were fast, efficient—each strike designed to eliminate a threat before it could react.

  "Squad One, move!" Andras barked, his voice cutting through the noise of the battle.

  The team pressed forward, pushing the mercenaries back inch by inch, every shot deadly, every move calculated. The hall was filled with the sharp sounds of gunfire, the metallic clang of weapons clashing, and the heavy breaths of soldiers fighting for every inch of ground.

  Fast. Deadly. Relentless. This was war, and Squad One was prepared to win it.

  Kaelen’s pulse raced as he scanned the chaos, his eyes locked on Lyrian, who had moved further ahead, too far for comfort. “Lyrian!” he called out, his voice cutting through the noise. Lyrian turned, a quick smirk flashing across his face as he fired another round, his twin pistols blazing.

  “I’m good! Keep up!” Lyrian shouted back, his usual wit slipping through the intensity of the battle. But Kaelen’s instincts flared, something felt off. He sprinted forward, determined to close the gap between them, his eyes never leaving Lyrian.

  But before he could reach him, an unseen force slammed into Kaelen with the force of a freight train. The impact was brutal, sending him hurtling sideways, crashing through a half-open door into a dark, empty room. His body hit the floor hard, the air knocked out of his lungs as he gasped for breath.

  In the dim light of the hallway, Lyrian turned just in time to see a blur of movement with long, deep blue hair rush past him with an almost inhuman speed. The figure slipped into the room after Kaelen, slamming the door shut with a deafening bang and locking it tight.

  “Kaelen!” Lyrian shouted, his heart lurching in panic as he bolted toward the door, his hands frantically reaching for the handle.

  It didn’t budge.