chapter 4

The rain poured relentlessly over the lush, green forest of Woodway, drenching the leaves and turning the ground into a slippery mosaic of mud and moss. Nix raced through the underbrush, her team close behind, their movements swift and synchronized. The wind whipped against her skin, cold and sharp, carrying the faint metallic scent of the storm. The mission was clear: eliminate the human commander. Just days ago, the humans had attempted to breach the wall, only to be driven back by the Grey Holks squad. Some had been killed; the rest had fled into hiding, their presence now a lingering threat. Nix glanced over her shoulder, her sharp eyes scanning the forest. Only the best could match her speed, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before they reached the wall. Woodway, a quiet town nestled deep within the forest, lay just a few kilometers from the towering barrier. The human wall loomed ahead, its red bricks weathered by time and stained with the blood of countless battles. Standing at a staggering 22 meters, it was a monument to oppression, a symbol of 290 years of Gaian subjugation. In some sections, the wall remained unfinished, its gaps heavily guarded by the Human Federation. For the Gaians, it was a reminder of stolen freedom and fading hope—a legacy of survival, not triumph. "Watch out," Nix commanded, her voice low but firm as they approached the danger zone. "Affirmative," her soldiers replied in unison, splitting into two groups and moving to their assigned positions. Nix halted abruptly, her boots sinking into the soft earth as she crouched behind a thick cluster of bushes. She held her breath, her ears straining to catch the slightest sound. The forest was

alive with noise—the rhythmic pitter patter of rain, the distant rustle of leaves, and the faint crackle of a radio from the human camp. "Did you hear that?" a human soldier whispered, his voice trembling with fear. He clutched his rifle tightly, his knuckles white. "Hear what?" another soldier replied, his tone impatient but edged with unease. "There, behind there," the first soldier stammered, pointing toward the bushes where Nix hid. Nix’s muscles tensed. She had to act now, before he called for backup. Her eyes narrowed as she assessed the situation, her mind calculating the risks. "So? Go check it out," the more experienced soldier barked, his voice sharp with authority. He was a sergeant, his uniform slightly more adorned than the others. "Yes, sir," the nervous corporal replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He stepped forward hesitantly, his boots squelching in the mud. Each step was deliberate, his rifle raised and ready, the blade at its tip glinting in the dim light. Corporal Kent reached the bushes, his heart pounding in his chest. He used the barrel of his rifle to part the foliage, his hands trembling as he peered into the shadows. For a moment, he saw nothing but the dense undergrowth. Relieved, he turned back to his sergeant. "Sir, clear," he called out, his voice shaky but loud enough to carry.

"Good. Next time, don’t wait for me to tell you to secure the perimeter," Sergeant Gram snapped, his expression stern as he turned and walked away. "Why does this always happen to me?" Corporal Kent muttered under his breath, his shoulders slumping in frustration. Nix watched silently from her hiding place, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. "There are too many of them," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain. "Yeah, but that one almost peed his pants," Liam chuckled, his tone light and mocking. He sat crouched beside Nix, his posture relaxed even with the tension in the air. "Do not underestimate them," Nix snapped, her gaze cutting through him like a blade. She wasn’t amused by his carelessness. "You may think they fear us, and you may think they’re stupid, but look around you, Liam." Her voice was firm, her words deliberate. She stared into his brown eyes, demanding his full attention. Her soldiers needed to understand the gravity of their mission. Each member of her team had endured four years of grueling training, each had faced death in the final exam. This wasn’t a game, and the humans were not to be taken lightly. Liam fell silent, the smirk fading from his face as he absorbed her words. He didn’t fear the humans as much as he feared Nix herself. Her presence was commanding, her resolve unshakable. She was a leader who demanded respect, and he knew better than to challenge her. —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Commander, this is the wall," Jo said, his voice steady but tinged with deference. He stood tall in his crisp white uniform, the skull rose symbol etched in gold lines on his back catching the pale morning light. The emblem glimmered faintly, contrasting to the grim reality it represented. "Yes, Jo, I can see it," Leanna replied, her tone calm and measured. Her hands rested casually in the pockets of her tailored white uniform, the high ranks on her shoulders gleaming with real gold. The faint reflections danced as she moved, a subtle and undeniable proof of her authority. "This is the first time I’ve been so close to the wall," she continued, her voice carrying a composed authority. "It’s important we check on our soldiers’ well-being and ensure they’re fed properly." Leanna walked beside Jo, her presence commanding but unhurried. Behind her, five guards followed in perfect formation, their footsteps muffled against the packed dirt. Another five led the way, their movements precise and disciplined. Above, snipers perched in the trees like silent sentinels, their eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger, fingers resting lightly on their triggers. The forest around them was alive with the soft rustle of leaves and the distant calls of birds, but the tension in the air was apparent. "Of course, Leanna. Everything you say," Colt responded, bowing slightly. His weathered face bore the lines of decades in service—forty years her senior, yet bound by duty to obey without question. His voice carried a quiet respect, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. Leanna approached the camp, where squads trained with methodical precision. The rhythmic clatter of weapons being cleaned, the sharp commands of drill officers, and the dull thud of

boots striking the ground wove together into a harsh, disciplined symphony. As she neared, conversations died mid-sentence, and the clamor faded into heavy silence. The soldiers’ eyes gravitated toward her pristine uniform, their expressions shifting from indifference to rigid attention. The gold insignia on her shoulders shone like a silent declaration of her rank, a beacon of authority in the midst of the camp’s chaos. "You see, Squad A, B, and C train every day for five hours," Officer Colt explained, his words measured. He gestured toward the soldiers, his movements stiff but deliberate. "Every six hours, there’s an exchange in duties to patrol the wall." Leanna nodded, her gaze sharp as she scanned the scene. "What about food?" she asked, her tone betraying the faintest flicker of concern. For her, it wasn’t just about discipline or strategy—it was about ensuring her soldiers were treated as more than expendable assets. "Indeed, please follow me," Colt replied, his pace slowing slightly as he led her toward a massive white tent. The canvas walls rustled faintly in the wind, the sound blending with the distant hum of the camp. Inside, long wooden tables stretched under the muted glow of light filtering through the fabric. The scent of roasted meat mingled with the earthy scent of fresh vegetables, creating an aroma that was both rich and comforting. Fruits gleamed in polished bowls, their vibrant colors providing an obvious contrast to the muted tones of the tent. At the center of the table lay a whole roasted boar, its charred skin glistening with juices, an apple wedged between its scorched teeth.

Leanna’s eyes narrowed slightly, not in suspicion but surprise. The soldiers here were far from starving; they ate in measured silence, savoring their meals with the slow, deliberate movements of men accustomed to rationing but gifted a rare abundance. She stepped back into the open air, the sudden coolness brushing against her face. The breeze tugged at her dark hair, scattering it like storm-tossed threads across her vision. She tucked a strand behind her ear, her mind already calculating the next steps of her day. The quiet comfort of her office beckoned, a sanctuary from the weight of command. Just as she was about to enter her car, a flicker of motion caught her eye—a subtle rustle in the bushes to her left. Instinct sharpened her senses; the background noise of the camp faded into nothing. Leanna tilted her head slightly, her gaze narrowing. "Colt, get down !" she shouted, her voice slicing through the air. In one swift motion, she reached out, shoving Colt to the ground, her hand pressing down on his head as she scanned for the unseen threat lurking within the camp’s fragile boundary. " Shi t !" Nix hissed under her breath, her voice barely audible over the chaos erupting around her. She sprinted through the underbrush, her movements swift and precise, signaling her crew to attack the humans scattered in the trees. Each human soldier held a long rifle, their barrels glinting ominously in the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy. "Target confirmed," a human soldier whispered into his mic, his voice calm but edged with tension. He lay prone on a thick branch, his rifle steady as he took aim.

One shot after another pierced the air, the sharp cracks echoing through the forest. The bullets were aimed at the Gaians, who moved like shadows, slaughtering the snipers with brutal efficiency. Leanna grabbed Officer Colt by the arm, her grip firm as she pulled him toward her car. The door swung open, and she shoved him inside, her eyes blazing with determination. "Go as fast as you can," Leanna ordered, her voice cutting through the noise. Before Colt could protest, she was gone, disappearing into the fray. Her hand instinctively went to the gun at her waist, her fingers wrapping around the cool metal as she ran toward the sounds of gunfire. "Don’t lose them!" Liam roared, his voice raw with fury. He grappled with a human soldier, his claws slicing through the man’s throat with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed across his face, but he didn’t flinch, his focus unwavering. Nix was a whirlwind of motion, her claws slashing through the air as she fought off multiple attackers. Blood splattered across her cheeks, the metallic tang sharp on her tongue. Her eyes glittered with a feral excitement, the thrill of battle coursing through her veins. Leanna ran toward the heart of the chaos, her ears filled with the agonized screams of her soldiers. The scene before her was a nightmare: a Gaian beast held one of her men in its grip, its claws tearing through his chest with merciless precision. The beast’s lips curled into a grotesque smile as it ripped out the soldier’s heart, the organ still pulsing in its hand.

Leanna’s stomach churned, but she didn’t hesitate. She raised her gun and fired, the bullet slicing through the air. Nix dodged the shot with inhuman speed, but the second bullet grazed her arm, drawing a hiss of pain. The Gaian leader’s eyes locked onto Leanna, her gaze sharp and calculating. Nix was not amused by the human girl’s audacity. She lunged forward, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. Leanna fired again, but Nix was too fast, grabbing the rifle and wrenching it from her hands. Now they stood face to face, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Leanna was tall, but Nix matched her height, her presence imposing. Leanna’s eyes flickered to Nix’s unique eye color, a striking hue that seemed to glow in the dim light. Nix’s lips curled into a predatory smile, her long canines glinting as she bared them. " Commander !!" The shout came from behind Leanna, followed by a barrage of bullets. Ten human soldiers rushed to her side, forming a protective circle around her. "Please get down; we’ll escort you," one soldier said, his hand gently pressing on Leanna’s shoulder as he guided her away from the battlefield. "Move back, NOW !" Nix barked, her voice cutting through the chaos. She knew the mission had failed. The humans were too well-prepared, their new weapons too effective. A few humans lay dead, but only one of her crew was slightly injured—a small consolation.

"What was it?" Liam panted, his chest heaving as he ground his teeth in frustration. He held the injured soldier in his arms, his hands glowing faintly as he used his abilities to heal the bullet wound. "Poison," Nix replied calmly, though her mind raced. She tended to her own injury "This is something else, Venix," Liam muttered, his voice low and tense. "I know," Nix said, her tone grim. She could still hear the humans searching for them, their voices growing louder. The mission was a failure, and she had to return to inform the council leaders. The humans had created a new poison, and this time, it worked on the Gaians.

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