It had been three months since the rescue. Parliament remained unsupportive of fully mobilising Heaven’s Command. However, it would not be long before they come head to head with this fearsome army which was marching its way to the capital without much effort. Oclia must show the world how powerful their army could be.

All eyes were on the Lieutenant General as he walked towards the speaker’s podium. The man in his decorated military officer uniform was easily distinguishable among the aristocrats in formal black suits. The rows of medals pinned on the left-side of his chest jingled with pride. His eyes never once showed a hint of weakness when he stared down at the aristocrats, briefing them on the progress of the war. Usually, the Minister of Defence would do the honours. However, the circumstances were different this time round. Lieutenant General Warrington was delegated to lead a special army of elites. With the training scrutinised by him personally, this army was the nation’s trump card. Unlike the previous war a decade ago, Warrington now possessed very powerful bargaining chips. It meant more freedom in decision making, which could very much be the deciding factor of any war. The mere act of acting without permission during the previous war cost his promotion to a full general.

“According to reliable intelligence, the enemy, who claimed themselves as Phantasm, has suceeded in taking the South of Odina and will be advancing north to the capital. As a result, I feel it necessary that we deploy another commander to defend the city of Odina.”

The nobles and the people in parliament made disapproving expressions. It was then followed by an uproar.

“Not another one of your little experiments, Warrington!”

Another noble stood up and added, “I agree with Dellimor on this. We cannot keep replacing existing experienced commanding officers with your men.”

“Thank you, Garard. Besides, the cost of deployment is simply too high.

The general’s request was hard to accede to. Deploying one more man would mean a significant change in military leadership, which would affect the morale of the soldiers. Also, transport would be required to move the special team to the battlefield. Most importantly, even with such men on their side, a win could not be guaranteed.

“These men are essential. Their existence was what made the professor’s research so important. It was with this reason that the parliament commissioned the command in the first place! Look at the 5th Battalion rescue executed by Colonel Harrold Husker three months ago, or Fernando Footes recently! No one should dispute that we need them!”

Dellimor stood up and announced, “till these special men of your’s actually show some winning statistics in battle, it would be unwise to accede to your request. Also, there is no urgent need to deploy another commander since the WAR treaty has been signed.”

The parliament session was adjourned for a fifteen minute break. With that, Warrington’s session with the parliament ended.

“Do you think they will approve of Warrington’s request?”

“Don’t know… But it’s Warrington we’re talking about. During the last war, he prevented genocide.”

“And it’s exactly because of that, that his promotion was forfeited. The military is about discipline and order. He clearly shows no respect for the uniform he dons. Besides, replacing our experienced commanders with scrawny and weird circus freaks? Atrocious!”

Warrington gave no attention to trivial gossip. His scar on his right eye was not for nothing. It reminded him of how fragile life was, and why fragile people were worth saving. More importantly, he knew that these men he placed all his hope on would not disappoint him. After all, he had experienced their superiority first-hand.

Rust, who was the only one in the hall not dressed up to occasion, still in a linen black t-shirt, walked up to Warrington and said, “didn’t go as well as expected, eh Winston?”

“When did anything go as expected for us, Rust?

Rust fidgeted with his golden ring on his left ring finger and stared straight at Dellimor and his associates.

“Enough of that anyway. You are supposed to be at HQ Command,” Warrington said gruffly.

“Came here to tell you something.”

Rust dropped the tone of his voice and mouthed the word “Nyx”.

Warrington’s expression darkened. He peered over his shoulder to make sure no one was eavesdropping on them. Rust continued to whisper in hushed tones.

After he was done, Warrington said, “get Professor Regina to do what’s necessary.”

Rust nodded and swept pass Warrington as the parliament members watched and wondered about the identity of this mysterious man who seemed to give no attention whatsoever to the strict dress code – an insult to the parliament.

The laboratory was in ruins. Stray wires hung loosely over the half-collapsed ceiling. The open circuits cackled with electricity while the florescent lightings flickered.

Lying spread on the floor amongst shrapnels of broken apparatus was an unconscious young man.

The scientists managed to evacuate the isolation chamber before the test subject went out of control. Professor Regina and her team stood behind a transparent window, stunned by the outburst. Had they not been protected by reinforced, shock-absorbent metal walls, their lives could not have been guaranteed.

These scientists were not meddling with the unknown. They were experienced in the field of bio-radiance and had analysed and trained every Berserker in Oclia to control their powers. Every single one of these test-subjects made it to Heaven’s Command, the special operations army commanded by Lieutenant General Winston Warrington himself.

However, it seemed as though Ezerka Nyx had outdid every single Berserker. His power was beyond anything these scientists were prepared for. All he wanted was to turn out the glaring lights. The only soldier who survived Phantasm’s experimentation passed out on the ground, a single tear rolling down the corner of his eye.

Sigma, alpha, tau, alpha, nu, alpha, sigma, axe, eye, axe, eye, axe, eye…

…

…

He chanted the code in his mind before he lost consciousness. All he wanted to do was to turn out the lights…