SCREEEEE—
The Hetero-Creature collapses to the ground in defiance, its form slowly fading away.
Without so much as a glance at the fallen foe, Vergil flicks Yamato to clear the creature's blood before smoothly sheathing the blade.
Do you need to rest, [player name]?
This is the 20th floor. Based on my earlier observations of the Babel Tower's height from a distance, we've now reached the halfway point.
Two doors left.
Lucia steps forward and pushes one of the doors open.
This is...
Behind the door lies a vast space, its floor packed with people standing shoulder to shoulder, their bodies crammed together. A rough estimate puts their number at two to three hundred.
Noticing the opened door, the crowd recoils in a frantic wave, scrambling backward. Only when their eyes adjust—when they recognize the figures in the doorway—do their cries erupt.
It's Constructs!
Are you here to save us?
Their clothes hang in tatters, their faces hollow with hunger and fear, their frail forms betraying days of starvation.
Copy.
A refugee offers you an explanation, his body frail and weakened.
We're residents from conservation areas. Those bats captured us and brought us here.
That man in the white lab coat, no... he's no man. He's a demon!
Once I saw wings growing out of his body!
He comes here regularly to take people. Drains them dry. Only stops after killing twenty or more...
And then, he mixes his own blood with the Red Tide. Turns it into those bat things.
Alpha approaches you from the side and speaks in a hushed voice.
There's a pool formed of the Red Tide inside. It must be where the Mirror Demon breeds those Hetero-Creatures.
No wonder those bats stink like demons.
They're barely holding on, and most are showing symptoms of Punishing Virus infection from going without serum injections for too long. They need to return to a conservation area for treatment.
Should we leave them behind? We can't battle the Mirror Demon while escorting all these people.
The kidnapped residents fall silent, realizing the upcoming conversation will determine their fate.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes are fixed on you.
A young child, overwhelmed by the heavy silence, lets out a choked sob, only for the mother to swiftly clamp a hand over the child's mouth.
Commandant...
Understood.
Roger that.
...
Roger!
Commandant, take care of yourself.
Let's go, [player name].
As everyone turns to leave, Lucia calls out to Alpha.
Alpha...
What is it?
Can I trust you?
The girl's gaze fixes on Alpha, unwavering.
Since when did we become this close?
...
I know what you're going to say. This time, I'll allow it.
Then I'll leave Commandant in your care.
Alright.
Satisfied with Alpha's agreement, Lucia turns and walks away.
New Oakley
New Oakley.
The Hetero-Creatures' assault has been ongoing for some time.
Fann finds Lyca hiding in a corner, and together they head toward the convoy.
Why are you hiding here? I'll take you to the convoy. The captain of the Support Force from Babylonia is looking for you.
On the way, she sees a young man carrying the elderly woman from last night toward the convoy, the two of them arguing as they go.
Grandma, please... C'mon, we gotta go right now!
Put me down! I'm not leaving! What does it matter if these old bones die anyway?
Let those young folks leave as they want.
If you stay, I'll stay too!
With those words spoken, the elderly woman finally stops arguing.
Soon after, Fann brings Lyca to Bridget and Max, who are discussing evacuation arrangements.
Some fully-loaded vehicles have already left, and we don't have enough for everyone. That means some of us aren't getting out.
You've got any other vehicles in town?
Everything with wheels is already here. We can't scrounge up any more.
Combat personnel will be last priority. Civilians come first. I'll see who's willing to stay behind.
I'll stay too...
Despite advance preparations for evacuation, a group of people remains left behind due to the shortage of vehicles.
Seeing Fann's arrival, Max pauses the discussion.
Babylonian, I've brought Lyca.
Thank you.
Lyca is visibly frightened as she struggles to understand why Fann has brought her here.
Noticing her distress, Bridget crouches down and offers a reassuring smile.
I'm Bridget, Captain of the Babylonia Support Force. [player name] asked me to look after you.
These vehicles behind me are our transports. You need to get inside and evacuate with everyone else.
I...
What is it?
Lyca recalls what happened last night, hesitating for a moment before finally speaking up.
I think... those Hetero-Creatures are after me. I can...
Before Lyca can finish, an explosion resounds in the distance.
A transmission from the frontline comes through Max's radio.
They broke through! Some bat monsters got inside!!
Lyca faintly makes out several Hetero-Creatures flying in from the distant frontline.
I'll stop them!
Without hesitation, Bridget snaps her tactical tonfas into position and lunges forward.
The Hetero-Creatures this time are much stronger!
Faced with numerous enemies, Bridget manages to hold her own against the onslaught, yet struggles to eliminate them quickly.
Then, a new alarm comes from another part of the frontline. Another wave of Hetero-Creatures has breached the defenses, flooding into the town.
Buildings crumble like sandcastles under their relentless assault, the tranquil haven of last night now a living hell.
Lyca watches the scene unfold, her heart twisting with unbearable anguish.
No...
Get away from here!
Gunshots erupt nearby.
Before anyone notices, several Hetero-Creatures have crept dangerously close.
Lyca's breath catches as the young man throws himself between his grandmother and the looming threat—but it's still not enough. A Hetero-Creature lunges from a blind spot, pouncing toward the elderly woman in his arms.
No...
She watches as the kind-hearted woman from last night falls to the ground.
Ill-timed memories suddenly flood her mind, threatening to overtake her focus.
In a stark white hospital room, the curtains hang motionless as a doctor with an indistinct face delivers regretful news.
What is it?
The air reeks of disinfectant and cold metal, pressing in like a weight.
Beneath the bloodstained white sheet, something lies.
What is it?
A trembling hand of a middle-aged person enters her view, fingers twitching toward the fabric, trying to lift away the white covering.
STOP!!!
Lyca lets out a furious roar as a blinding white light erupts around her.
What?!
This is...
The entire town suddenly falls eerily silent as all Hetero-Creatures freeze in midair, as if someone had pressed pause on time itself.
But the moment lasts only briefly before the Hetero-Creatures begin to stir restlessly once more.
The shadow of death looms again.
The next moment—
Thunder roars as lightning flashes across the sky!
The gleaming edge of the Rev Blade slices through the air, severing the Hetero-Creatures' wings with precision.
Looks like we came just in time.
Are you alright, ma'am?
The young man helps the elderly woman to her feet with a warm smile.
Bridget, who's rushing back toward the scene, lets out a sigh of relief at the sight.
Finally.
In the distance, a transport vehicle slowly comes to a halt as several figures step out.
Playing the hero again...
Bambinata, Leia, reinforce the front line.
Simon, take Dark Aries with them.
Bridget, update me on the evacuation status.
And are you the Lyca mentioned in the reports?
After issuing orders without allowing any objections, Vanessa turns to Lyca, who kneels on the ground, her face etched with exhaustion.
Recalling the flash of white light from earlier, Vanessa frowns.
Tsk.
