***

--- Rondel Airspace ---

Date: June 16th, 2026

Time and time again, Frayen has been impressed by the Terran’s technological crafts. What they call a C-5 Galaxy cargo plane was able to get them from Fort Defiance Helicopter Air Base by Fillsville to Rondel so quickly.

“You look like you are in deep thought,” Giselle commented, sitting next to him.

“I recall conversations I had with my former master,” Frayen replied. “We spent many nights wondering what it was like to be in one of these machines. Were they like the belly of a dragon or like one of their jeeps?”

Giselle laughed. “You thought this was like the insides of a dragon?”

“Just like everyone else at the time, we had no idea,” Frayen said. “The key point was the wonder of their devices. The challenge my master had. Most men fight for power, wealth, status, or tradition, while my master only saw the challenge the Terrans brought.”

“He sounds like a glory hog to me, no different than all the others.”

It is rare when Frayen experiences anger, but Giselle saw just that. “It is not glory; it is purity.”

“You represent everything that is wrong with us Apostles, Giselle. What makes changes in the world, what influences the lives of millions, what makes a lasting difference is not us. Mortals must create, change the world around them. All moments throughout history, achievements, challenges, are not remembered by other mortals, but by us.”

“And that is why I followed my master. He was just a Man and yet took on the greatest military might in Uros history and warped the crisis to fit his agenda. Defeat or fear never once crossed his mind because he knew that history would always remember his name no matter what would happen. The man who challenged both the Empire and NATO and won… even in death his name lives on when we are replaced.”

“With all our power, our knowledge, we lack the one thing mortals have, sheer determination for self-preservation. They must earn their station; nothing is given. The day I submitted to a mortal was when my impact on the world multiplied. That is a lesson Rory learned; it is why she followed Sharpe and his comrades. She could have led but decided to support instead, and from that, she has reshaped Falmart into her image through the Terran’s actions.”

Noticing the red light turn green. The loadmaster escorted them to the back of the plane. The man handed Frayen a bag, explaining that it was a parachute.

Ignoring the bag, Frayen jumped off the plane. Giselle followed suit, grabbed his clothes, and escorted him to the city below. “I see, Rory. Sarah was correct.”

“That lady scares me. Too nice for the crazy plan she came up with. Do you think it will work?”

“If we do our part, yes.”

--- Rondel ---

Spitting blood onto the brick street, Rory was unable to move as two Apostles had her pinned down. Jasis, the Apostle of Sifilis, the goddess of evil. The other is Evira, the Apostle of La, goddess of learning. "What are you doing here, Mabel?"

"To see you again, Rory. It has been centuries."

"This isn't like you, though," Rory stated. "Why did you leave Avion?" Looking to Envira. "And you were helping the people on the Telirif continent, southeast of Falmart island chain. How did you get here so quickly? And Jasis, when did you side with them?"

"I recruited them, Rory," Mabel said. "The gods have betrayed this world as have you by helping these outsiders."

To Rory's confusion, Mabel was acting like Taylin, something she would never do. "Because they will bring a new age, a better age for the peop-!" As she spoke, Mabel struck sever her right arm and a deep stable though her left leg with her Blood Sword Diva, immobilizing her.

"I know what is happening, Rory. He has set everything in motion and expected us to blindly follow his will. Well, we reject his will, and you will too. You will join Zufmuut’s light and the rest of us Rory!"

Nothing Mable’s saying is making sense to Rory. Zufmuut has always acted more cultish compared to the other gods but rebelling against them? Feeling the blood flow from her right arm and left leg, she was not worried about dying from blood loss. She just had to reattach them. It still extremely hurt as the gods forget to remove the pain nerves from the brain, but the biggest problem was her having greatly reduced mobility, rendering her unable to to reach the limbs and the three Apostles would easily gang up on her before she could reach them.

Staring toward Mabel, Rory noticed something strange. The Mabel she knew always had beautiful green eyes just like the eyes of her childhood friend back in Eden Kingdom, Belle, who is also Mabel’s ancestor. But now all she could see were a pair of red eyes. The other two share the same strange red eyes, which neither had before.

"You're alone, Rory. Everyone is busy, and no one is coming to help." Mabel boldly stated.

"Rory, this is Sarah. Ten more seconds." A voice came from her Nett Warrior Radio.

"Ok, Sarah," Rory answered the radio.

Annoyed, Mabel took the radio. To Rory surprised her old friend already knew how to use it. "You must be Sarah. You're too late to save Rory now. We have her cornered and there is nothing you can do."

"Damn right you son of a bitch! How dare you assault my friend like that. I know Apostles can regenerate, but that just means I can kill you again, and again, and as many times as I like. And by the way, she is never alone."

Mabel reacted with confusion, never had a mortal spoken to her like that before. "There is nothing you can do. You are in Alnus after all, and your husband and his men are too busy fighting."

"Excuse me lady but you don't mess with my family. I learned a few things from my husband. Like how to misdirect a bunch of idiots from what really is happening."

With the three Apostles still looking at the radio baffled by the conversation, Rory glanced up and saw Frayen drop right between everyone. Quickly, Frayen blasted Mabel and Envira away before they could react. In a coordinating strike, Giselle swooped down and struck Jasis away.

"Still in one piece, Rory?" Frayen asked.

Rory looked at him surprised before she giggled. “I didn’t think you had a sense of humor,” she responded with a smirk. Giselle helped Rory from the ground and reattached the arm. "I had it worse, but something strange is going on. That is not Mabel or Jasis." Looking out, the three enemy Apostles formed up – Frayen’s hands glowed as he held them out for a fight. "Look at their eyes; they are red."

"I noticed," Frayen said. "And they took Envira. The warning was correct."

"Warning?"

"Frayen was summoned while we were assaulting Marais, so I tagged along."

"That makes sense." Rory picked up her weapon as soon as her limbs were reattached. "Mabel was saying Zufmuut is involved."

"Rory is correct," Mabel yelled. "I am happy you all arrived. It makes bringing you all into the fold easier."

"She is right," Rory said. "Even with the help of you two, they have the advantage. We need to get back to Sharpe and regroup."

"Agreed," Frayen said. "Your friend over the radio already planned our escape." He then used his radio and spoke, "Vanguard-lead. Ready."

Feeling out of the loop, Rory was suddenly alarmed after a sudden explosion occurred where the three were standing. "I know that explosion," she said, startled. Looking up she saw where the American gunship was; she saw the stream of weapon fire. A 105mm round with multiple follow-up shots with a hail of 30mm bullets.

“Let’s get out of here!” Giselle grabbed Rory and Frayen and flew away as the gunship provided cover.

--- Villa, Rondel ---

Once the battle during the graduation was over, Sharpe’s Delta team, and Tuka, rushed to bring the Pro-NATO leadership to the Villa, believing they were next. During the raid, they discovered that the Guilds were coordinating together to undermine Rondel. However, information is limited. They know that the Guild leaders, Duke Aulus Fastidius and Albus Russus, are working together with Drasho Getro. Any hard evidence that Darlko is behind all this was limited.

The current issue is how much the Empire is involved? Everyone knows that the Empire and the city of Darlko have forged an alliance, and the leadership could be supporting the plot to replace Rondel. It would not be the first time Zorzal and his goons would have betrayed their people for some gain.

“Why are we hiding here?” Cato asked. “The Empire’s plot to stop us has failed, and we need to push on this. They crossed a line, but we are allowing them to yell at the citizens that we attacked them.”

“My students are saying that they attacked us,” Skrotarot said. “I agree with Cato. I saw Imperial soldiers cutting down fellow mages. We must respond before we lose control of the situation.”

“Hold on,” Soredin said. “You forget about Kagash and Galrik. They put a lot of effort into assassinating Lelei.”

“I remember what she said,” Cato added. “That was a side quest, not her overall goal. Darlko is here and undermining the city. I have seen this tactic before in the 30-Year-War.”

“That just proved that the Empire is behind this,” Skrotarot said. “We will be blamed for all this. They will say that everything was normal before we started proposing siding with NATO.”

As the debate continued, Sharpe looked to Pina. “How is the defense?”

“Secured, sir,” Pina said. “We have a decent defense position; however, there is no good escape path. If they attack, we are trapped.”

Noticing the current topic is about the Empire, Pina imminently objects to the fact that the Empire is at fault. “It was not the Empire.”

“Pina, I saw the Imperial soldiers storm the room,” Cato said. “Let’s not forget Darlko is working with the Empire.”

Soredin shook her head and said, "I can confirm that those two Darlko couples created those infected."

"This proves that the Empire and Guilds have been working together all along," Skrotarot said. "How else are they getting all these resources?"

"That is not possible," Banks pointed out. "I have been undercover for months within the Imperial ranks. Even I know the Army hates Guilds. Unless the General formed a secret alliance with them."

Cato nodded. "General Pepreos has deep roots in this city. Good chance he has back door connections that we don't know about."

Pina slammed her fist on the table and shouted. "Enough! It is not the Empire’s doing!”

Everyone went silent, confused by Pina's outburst but began to protest. Sharpe silenced everyone to allow Pina to speak. Normally he would assume the Empire being a natural choice, but something about this situation has been bothering him.

"During the fight, I saw General Pepreos and some of his men fighting the ones who stormed into the room. I was going to confront him, but I watched as he killed two legionaries while getting the Pro-Empire men out," Pina boldly stated. "Why would he kill his men? Why would his men try to kill him and his people too?"

Pina's point silenced everyone as they couldn't counter it. Everyone here wanted to blame the enemy they knew, a result of mob mentality. The plot against the city is far more complex and deeper than the traditional binary lines.

"Pina has a point," Sharpe said. "He did say his Legion has been fighting the infected, and I had an interesting situation while fighting Galrik. He killed three Imperial soldiers that I assumed were coming to help him."

"But what about the Rondel Knights?" Soredin asked. "They also attacked us. It was too easy for them to storm the chamber."

"They were not my Knights," Knight Reldom Masulk said.

Looking over, Sharpe saw the young knight. To his amusement, he noticed Sofia helping him walk. "How can we trust you and your Knights?"

"Because this man could have sided with that pedo bastard, sir, but fought him," Sofia boldly stated.

Masulk held his side, still in pain. "About the armories, I bet most of the armor and weapons were unguarded or already gathered by Russus. It wouldn't be hard to get the equipment. With my Knights, most of you would be dead if we were not there, so if that isn't a good enough reason to trust us, then I don't know what is."

"Good enough for me and Pina, right?" Banks asked. "More you think about it, the more it makes sense. Kagash has been dividing this city, and we all played into her hands. We all played her game, Americans and Imperials."

"Even if this is true, does it matter now?" Soredin asked. "Look outside and see those fires. We can hear the rioting from here."

As the conversation continued, Randy approached. "Sir, Rory has returned and has guests."

Feeling great relief that Rory was back. While he could not show it, he was deeply concerned about her well-being. He didn't go after her because his place was needed here, and Sarah said she had it under control. Not knowing the tactical situation, he decided to trust her.

Walking through the main room, Sharpe saw his Rangers and Rose Knights preparing to defend the Villa. Looking to the master room, he saw Jerry and Selina helping the wounded; he noticedSelina's gloves and medical cloth were stained blood red, but she remained unfazed by them. During this time, she started practicing her healing magic on some of the wounded. Although she was exhausted just after healing two people due to her lack of experience, she had managed to save both from death. He simply smiled, proud of how strong she had become.

As Rory was being brought in through the balcony opening, Sharpe was shocked to see Frayen and Giselle. He heard that Frayen was recommissioned after Vanguard-2(1) found his last body part and that Giselle was helping Bailey but seeing them here was still a shock.

Seeing Rory battered, Sharpe gave her a warm hug which was appreciated. She hugged him back and was about to tease him, but she was quickly interrupted. "Go to Selina,” Sharpe ordered, as Rory left. As he watched Rory sprint away, he looked towards Frayen. "Report."

Frayen then explained what had happened. He had no idea how the three Apostles seem to have been brainwashed by Darlko and Zufmuut. It looked like they were trying to do the same with Rory.

It took a moment for Sharpe to get them up to speed on the situation. It sounded like what Pina and Welulia proposed is correct; the Guilds have gone rogue and have sided with the separatists, being led by Darlko.

Frost yelled out a warning as a trebuchet fireball hit the Villa. The Rangers quickly reacted, engaging all nearby targets. First Sergeant Nicholas Hart of Delta noted that the nearby swords and pikemen were Adventurers, not Imperial Army.

"How can you be sure?" Mimoza asked.

"Because I killed three of them today for their formation," Nicholas responded. "Just like us, Imperial forces work as one unit. Every action is based on our teammates. The Adventurers act independently, even while in a party. If you watch, while they are on the same team, they are not working together as a military unit would."

As the Rangers engaged, Pina took her Rose and Rondel swordsmen to protect the main entrance. At the same time, she ordered the archers and her knights who were armed with compound crossbows to spread out, focusing on picking off warriors of interest. Randy walked behind all the defenders while the sandbags filled with pot dirt, broken chairs, and tables provided them with cover, "Alright, boys and girls, focus fire. Scott, keep the enemy pinned down; the last thing we want are them swarming the Villa. Everyone else picks your targets and know your field of fire. Soredin and Lelei, focus on rebuilding your mana, might need it later."

"Do you consider that strange, Sarge?" Panache asked as she looked onto the balcony. “Is that what I think it is?”

Not liking Panache's tone, knowing that something bad was coming. Sharpe walked over and saw what she saw. "Shit, that is a goddamn cannon. Everyone take cover!”

The trebuchet fire did not scare Sharpe; he had dealt with them dozens of times and knows how to deal with them. For the cannon, while slow, it has more than enough firepower to punch a big hole to the Villa. So far, the only known combat usage of the Imperial cannon has been during the assault on Combat Outpost Romesha(2), where the cannon wreaked havoc on the Eugene Reybold highway.

The cannon fired, but the shell was deflected by Frayen's barrier, "that is enough of their tricks." The lightning-enchanted cannonball detonated, scattering lightning sparks everywhere. Three Adventurers and mages that were assaulting the Villa were struck by lightning and lethally electrocuted.

The Next moment, a hail of 30 mm rounds from the C-130 gunship decimates the cannon and trebuchet crews which was called down by Alicia. The strike caused much destruction as the attackers fled for cover.

“The siege weapons are neutralized but the enemies are still swarming to the Villa. Teams of three begin sweeping the place for any rogue attackers,” Sharpe ordered.

--- Santee Dungeon, under Rondel ---

In the deep, forgotten dungeon under the mighty city of Rondel, Kagash finished recovering from the fight at the graduation. She walked to her husband Galrik and handed him a potion. "Drink, my love, you took a brutal beating."

Listening to her husband complaining about being defeated in a fight, she was happy that he was still alive. "Remember, this fight was not the end goal of our plans." The main reason for their assassination attempt was to remove the major contributors in the United States' diplomatic effort however, it was always a side objective. Their deaths would have only increased their true agenda chances of success. "Now, get some rest."

Leaving her husband to rest, Kagash entered a massive chamber. The leader of the Magic Guild, Drasho Getro, once said that this place was a prison for legendary beasts in the early days of Rondel during the Dark Ages. Now long forgotten as it no longer serves any necessity.

A Darlko mage approached and bowed as he said, "everything is in place."

"Good," Kagash replied. "How are things progressing on the surface?"

"Our agents are spreading misinformation as planned. The attack on the graduation had the desired effect on spreading confusion and fear, and the polarized populist is consuming it without resistance."

"Good." The plan has always been to install as much division among the population as possible. A divided house is always at its weakest, and when the time to strike arrives, which is now, they will be too hateful and divided to resist.

Strangely, it was far easier for Kagash to divide the city than she expected. She wished it was harder to be a more worthy challenge, but this war has done most of the work for her. Her people at Darlko have told stories of how mighty Rondel was. How much of a threat to the magical order they were, and how their elitism has prevented outside forms of magic from blossoming.

Finally arriving at the city, all she saw was a hollow husk of what she was once told. A city in decline got used to being on top and in control of things that could not adapt to outside factors.

"Right now, there are riots across the city as the Pro-Empire and Pro-NATO sides clash against each other. Neither trust each other nor assume they tried to murder their leaders."

"What about Rory?"

"Mabel, Envira, and Jasis defeated her; however, the Americans used their large flying machines to bring Giselle and Frayen. They saved Rory and brought her to the Villa."

Kagash merely let out an amusing cackle as she responded, “these Other Worlders never cease to amaze me.” NATO's abilities continued to impress her; the ability to redeploy their forces to far away regions quickly without teleportation spells amazed her. Last she heard was that Giselle was imprisoned for her crimes against murdering elves, and Frayen's body was still scattered across Falmart. It never crossed her mind that NATO would use other Apostles beside Rory and Karlin. "And Vanguard-7?"

"As planned, we have the Guilds laying siege against the Other Worlds and the Imperial forces, however the ones who were attacking the Villa have been repulsed. The Americans brought what they call a gunship and had destroyed the Adventurers’ and Guild Mages’ forces.

"No matter, they’re all going to burn once this is over," Kagash stated. "Get everyone ready."

In the center of the chamber was a large ring encompassing most of the chamber’s length. Dozens of mages in black robes were on the rims, kneeling as they chanted. Two mages were walking in the center of the ring, pouring blood, creating a ritual symbol.

“Demon blood. The only source of power on this world that can destroy this city. The only source that could summon a being that puts the Flame Dragon to shame.”

The room went dark and then green flames appeared all around them. The mages began chanting as the Demon blood spread. The sole reason why Kagash and Galrik went to the Arrun Labyrinths, the key to Rondel’s destruction.

Kagash began to chant, placing her right hand on the thick, goopy blood. Her hand began to shimmer until an ominous glow enveloped her hand entirely; she continued to channel all her mana into the blood, draining her strength equally.

Hearing the thumping sound, Kagah saw a giant hand placed on the blood and began doing the same thing. Looking up, she saw Galrik kneeling next to her, his helmet off. Listening to her husband speak in his cursed dead language, she started to cry. He said, “we started together and shall end this together.”

Galrik then kissed his wife as a burst of light appeared at the center of the ritual circle. The rim burst into flames as a hand emerged.

---

The defense at the Villa had been a success. The Adventures and mages were fleeing to regroup, and the Villa was no longer under siege. At one point, the attackers got close when they broke through the inner gate, however, Pina led a counterattack of Knights and Rangers, preventing the enemy from getting inside.

Cato walked to the balcony and laughed. “So, this is what it is like to fight with your kind. Lelei, my dear, your letters do not do them justice.”

“I am sorry master, I tried my best to describe the events,” Lelei shamefully replied.

Sharpe shook his head while smirking, and added, “Lelei, he was joking.”

“Now what?” Mimoza asked. “Look at all that destruction out there. We cannot let these riots continue.”

“Agreed.” Looking out, Sharpe saw the chaos. According to Sarah, the IRS showed that most of the fighting are civilians of each faction, however, he knows the Empire will take advantage of this situation. They never let an opportunity go to waste, and neither will he. “Mimoza is right, gather up supplies; we are going to turn this around.”

Rory walked in, looking out into the battle, licking her slips. “About time. I can feel the souls passing through me. It is beautiful. But we cannot forget they are out there.”

“Leave the Apostles to us, Colonel,” Frayen assured. “You all worry about saving the city.”

With a nod, Sharpe was about to give the order before everything started to shake. He does not know who yelled it, but someone said something was coming out of the ground.

Peering into the city, Sharpe's eyes widen with a confused, horrific look. A giant winged, horned monster with a body engulfed with flames, carrying a flaming sword, broke through the ground letting out a mighty roar. “Is that…. It looks like a Balrog from Lord of the Rings,” Andrew pointed out in a nervous tone. “Those things are real?”

Once the Balrog broke through the ground, it began destroying the nearby buildings. Civilians, regardless of what faction they support, were engulfed in flames; giving nothing but pure destruction.

A thin blue field appeared around its body as four AGM-114 Hellfire came raining down from the Gunship. The missiles missed the Balrog, failing to lock on to the monster for some reason, so they impacted the surrounding buildings.

Looking into the sky, the Balrog stretched its wings and burst upward at incredible speed. While Sharpe and anyone else couldn’t even see what was happening, the next thing they saw was an explosion in the sky. Debris from the gunship began raining down as the Rondel residents raced for cover, but most collapsed onto the ground as the Balrog landed back into the city. It looked over into the burning site of the once proud city and let out a low-belly growl. It faced upward and let out an ear-piercing but mighty roar as it focused completely on Rondel, sealing its fate.