Randal guided Shade roward a fortified military base.
As Shade entered, he observed personnel moving back and forth, carrying supply crates and weapons, while others attempted to establish communication with central command.
After a few minutes, Shade arrived at a door that opened as Master Randal placed his palm against it.
Inside the room, there were two people.
The first, Shade recognized as Master Dale, who had the same somber demeanor as always. The master nodded in greeting, which Shade returned.
The other man in the room appeared to be around fifty years old, dressed in a blue military uniform with a large navy overcoat.
"Colonel Anders, I am Master Uriel, commander of the irregular company of the evacuation army," he said respectfully.
"I have heard much about you, Master Uriel. Your achievements spread like the wind."
"Oh, no, I'm not that great. The rumors exaggerate a bit."
Dale and Randal exchanged glances, rolling their eyes at the younger master's attitude.
"Well, in any case, it's a relief to have you with us. Your strength will be invaluable," the Colonel said.
Shade sat down in one of the empty chairs, as did Randal, while the Colonel—who was in charge of this besieged city—stood before the three elite masters.
"What is the situation?"
"For approximately two weeks, the number of Gates emerging in this area has been increasing. According to the information we received from central command, it may be due to a phenomenon known as a Call."
Shade blinked, unfamiliar with the term.
"A Call occurs when multiple Gates open consecutively, generating others in a chain-like reaction, though on a smaller scale. It's very rare," Randal explained.
"I see."
"For now, the situation is being controlled. However, it is only a matter of time before we begin to lose control completely. I have sent some Awakened into the Dream Realm to gather more information about what is happening." Anders paused, clasping his hands as his expression hardened.
"It seems the entire Antarctic center is experiencing the same phenomenon," he concluded.
"This is strange," Randal murmured, drawing everyone's attention.
"We have never experienced an event of this magnitude, not even during what happened in the United States."
"Master Randal, do you think the situation will worsen?"
"Most likely," he said, grimacing as if tasting something bitter.
"For now, our job is to keep Camp Erebo safe from the abominations so the evacuation can continue," Master Dale said calmly.
"Do you have a plan?" Shade asked.
"Hold out for as long as we can," Anders replied.
"Reinforcements have been sent, both Awakened and Sleepers. If the situation continues to worsen… well, let's pray it doesn't come to that."
"Master Uriel, during your journey here, how would you assess the number of abominations?"
"There are many of them. But fewer than I initially expected. I suppose they've chosen to move toward areas with higher population density," he explained.
"Although… there is a way we might buy ourselves some time."
"And what would that be?" Randal asked.
"I have a special Echo. It has the ability to control Nightmare Creatures over a large range. If I deploy it, it will force the abominations besieging the wall to turn on each other. That way, we preserve our forces and reduce the number of external enemies."
Dale, Randal, and Anders looked at the young man with surprise.
"You really are full of surprises, kid," Randal said with amusement.
"Yeah, that's just how I am. Anyway, with your permission, I've got an Echo to put to work." Shade stood up and left the meeting room.
With no further important matters, the meeting ended shortly after.
Moving through the shadows, Shade arrived near where Rhino and his subordinates were stationed. Due to the constant influx of people arriving at Camp Erebo to be transported to Falcon Scott, there was little space available, so they had chosen to remain inside the Rhino.
Asher sensed his presence and looked at him, informing the others.
"Captain, what happened in the meeting?" Lucien asked.
"Nothing important. Just that things might go from bad to worse," Shade said, summoning the Eternal Bottle.
"Those who haven't gone yet, head to the Dream Realm and find out what's happening in Antarctica. I have a feeling things are about to get very busy."
"Whatever you say, Captain," Miranda said, standing up and taking a sleep capsule.
"See you in a few hours," Lucien added.
"See you," Tiffany said.
Only Asher, Lily, Abel, and Shade remained.
Shade looked at his three subordinates.
"I'll be back in a few minutes… oh, and don't be alarmed if you see a tree about two kilometers tall appear."
With that, Shade began walking, stepping into the darkest area.
He emerged near the center of Camp Erebo.
Bringing a hand to his chin, he ignored the looks from those who recognized him from the broadcast.
"Well then, let's begin."
In front of him, wrapped in black sparks, Soul materialized, smiling.
"Uncle Shade," Soul said cheerfully.
"Hey, Soul. I need you to do something for me."
"You don't need to say more, I already know. Besides, I need more souls to keep producing fruit."
"I'll leave it to you, then."
"Yes!"
Shade watched as Soul began to glow, her form shifting into massive branches that fused together and expanded toward the sky, growing thicker and covered in leaves.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
In less than ten seconds, where there had been nothing before, there now stood a colossal tree nearly two kilometers tall and at least five hundred meters wide.
Its eyes glowed a soft lilac, and from its branches hung purple peaches that looked almost delicious.
Shade nodded as he felt the abominations that had been attacking the wall suddenly freeze. Moments later, they turned on each other, tearing themselves apart, leaving the soldiers on the walls confused.
Shade whistled as he walked away. As long as no corrupted creature beyond the Tyrant class appeared, there was nothing to worry about.
He returned to his subordinates, who were staring at the gigantic tree that had appeared out of nowhere, already knowing it was their captain's doing.
Abel immediately looked at him.
"What was that?"
"It's an Echo I obtained. Don't worry, it only harms abominations," Shade said, casually eating a banana no one had seen him get.
Though Shade didn't know it at the time, this event would draw the attention of a certain woman from a powerful clan.
...
The hours passed slowly as Shade slept in his private cabin inside the Rhino. He was eventually awakened by Soul, who sent him a mental alarm.
"Soul, stop doing that," he muttered, half asleep.
"Uncle, wake up. There's a big problem. A Corrupted Tyrant has just appeared."
Shade's eyes snapped open instantly.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. It's at the peak of the mountain. For now, it's gathering its troops."
Shade frowned, stood up, and stepped out of his room, stretching slightly.
Lucien, Miranda, and Tiffany—who had already returned from the Dream Realm—looked at him.
"Good morning, Captain," Lucien greeted.
Shade nodded.
"Where are the others?"
"Asher, Abel, and Lily are still in the Dream Realm, but they should be back soon," Abel replied.
"Is something wrong, Captain?"
"Yes. Prepare for battle," Shade said in a serious tone.
The three of them turned serious as well. They had rarely seen their captain with such an expression, and when he did, it meant one thing—the upcoming battle would be difficult.
"Miranda, have communications been restored?"
"Yes."
"Good. Contact Master Randal, Dale, and Colonel Anders. Inform them that a Corrupted Tyrant is in the mountains near the northern wall."
Miranda's face turned slightly pale.
"A Corrupted Tyrant?"
"Yes."
She quickly moved to the rear of the vehicle and made the calls, reporting the situation. The two masters tensed upon hearing about the Tyrant and immediately began preparing.
Colonel Anders quickly mobilized the mundane soldiers, equipping them with heavy MWP for the battle.
In less than an hour, an army of around two thousand mundane soldiers, about one hundred Awakened, and three Masters had gathered to eliminate a Corrupted Tyrant—without the support of a Saint.
Upon learning of the Tyrant, Anders immediately contacted central command to request support from Saint Tirys. However, she was currently occupied defending Falcon Scott against a Corrupted Terror. Meanwhile, the Saint of the House of Night was escorting a refugee convoy to eastern Antarctica, and Saint Cord was leading a campaign in the eastern sector.
They were on their own.
"This will be difficult," Randal said.
"Without a Saint, we'll suffer heavy casualties," Dale added.
"Hey, Master Uriel, don't you have any tricks up your sleeve?"
"Yes," Shade replied.
Two Echoes appeared beside him. The first was the Dark Knight, and the second was Gunlaug, not in his dragon form.
"They'll be of help. But it will still be difficult."
"Even so, we're talking about a Corrupted Tyrant. It's not like dealing with a Fallen creature… not to mention its army."
"That's not a problem," Shade said calmly. "I can… no, I will kill the Tyrant. You deal with its underlings."
"Master Uriel, no matter how strong you are, we're talking about something Corrupted."
"I've killed things stronger than me. Things no Ascended could kill, by the way. Among all of us, I'm the only one who can make sure most of us survive."
Randal and Dale exchanged glances, then looked toward the massive裂 in the mountain where the abominations resided.
"Alright," Randal said. "I'll trust you. Kill the Tyrant. We'll handle the rest."