Chapter 153 - Mad Ceremony

The next day, in Raktor...

Fanfare erupted from the side of the streets as platoons of armed enforcers marched down the main roads of the Central Sector. Their emblazoned dress uniforms glistening with pearlish white under the bright sky gave a sense of purity and justice to the onlookers, while their golden pauldrons accentuated their visage with pride and honor. Citizens of Raktor cheered and threw rose petals from windows high above, the parade a dazzling affair as the Sanctum of Yual showed off its might in its full splendor.

As the throng of enforcers marched past in lockstep, a reporter dressed in a skimpy blue dress adjusted her skirt, speaking clearly towards the light-capturer with fervor. [ Today is the annual Sanctum of Yual award ceremony, where our best and brightest enforcers who fight for justice every day in Raktor are recognized and celebrated throughout the city! ]

The trail of parading enforcers stretched into the distance, seeing no end as more than a fifth of every enforcer in Raktor was called up to attend, numbering in the thousands as they filled the streets of the Central District in a sea of white and gold. The parade contingent converged onto a central chapel - a towering display of wealth and holiness with a statue of the emperor positioned front and center on its roof. The numerous marble steps leading up to the chapel door were now occupied by countless dignitaries: town elders, nobles, and donors to the Sanctum sat on temporary chairs prepared in advance, watching the parade of enforcers salute them as they marched past below.

Among the row of nobles was Baron Cain, clearly uncomfortable under the sweltering heat at noon. There was hardly any cover, and while everyone was happy at the good weather, Baron Cain could only clench his fist and withstand the stuffy feeling in his tight collar, faking a smile as he returned a salute back to the marching enforcers. Each time he thought he could take a break and relax his expression, he spotted yet another light-capturer aimed in his general direction, forcing him to hold the smile once more.

"Enjoying the parade, Baron Cain?" Bishop Vernette muttered from the corner of her mouth, taking her seat next to Baron Cain with an equally forced smiling expression. Both of them were flanked by their own guards, Cain with his two knights and Vernette with two enforcers in honor guard uniforms.

"I wish Kyle wouldn't have funded the invention of that accursed thing," Cain replied without giving away his smile, still looking straight ahead.

"A man of politics should always be adept at changing with the moving times. Even if Kyle did not fund the research, the technology would have gotten out either way."

"If I knew about it, I would have crushed it at a moment's notice."

"Ridiculous. You would have used it to blackmail your enemies." Bishop Vernette raised a knowing eyebrow.

Baron Cain didn't bother playing along, spotting the Bishop's two honor enforcers guarding her from behind. "Looks like Inquisitor Mason got out easy."

"Inquisitor Mason is on important business. Can't have every enforcer leaving their post lest the gangs have some... funny ideas."

"Yet this important business seems to involve a financial negotiation with the Seven Snakes. How ironic."

"A Bishop must engage with all stakeholders of society to ensure harmony and peace in our trying time." Bishop Vernette snapped back.

"I would very much prefer if the Bishop, whose salary is furnished by me, would clue me into some of the plans in place. I have no qualms about your negotiations, but you have to agree that your inquisitor not attending the annual award ceremony to have a talk with a minor gang is not a good look for optics."

"Then we'll spin it as a discussion to control the rising dissent. We live in times of war, Baron. If it weren't for the Seven Snakes, we would be knee-deep in bodies filling the South Sector. I would rather not have that 'optics'."

Baron Cain snorted, but he didn't disagree. The stability of the Seven Snakes was a much-needed factor in controlling the South Sector. With rising food prices and uncertainty about the outcome of the war in Versia, crime rates were increasing all over the city, with more and more joining gangs in search of security. He could only hope that the planned offensive in Ocra would work out, securing a much-needed victory to dispel the doom and gloom lingering over much of Raktor.

The parade did alleviate some of the uncertainty, but only for those living in the Central District. As far as the nobles were concerned, the cardinal Sectors did not matter as much, since the bulk of the wealth was concentrated in the safer Central District. It was here that the largest pool of taxpayers had to be pacified and kept happy. So far, the award ceremony has been doing just that, with Baron Cain putting up with the discomforting heat.

Soon, the dignitaries and attendees were heralded aside to prepare for the award ceremony, the Central District's Bishop Flectus presiding over the entire affair with a ceremonial uniform. He was dressed from head to toe in embroidery that clung to every fold of the white uniform, the emblem of the Sanctum prominently displayed on his chest as he raised his hand to calm the jubilant crowd.

"Today, we gather here to celebrate the achievements of those who have sworn themselves to justice and peace in our times. Under the power vested onto me by the living god Yual himself, I shall confer the White Heart Medal first onto our most outstanding enforcer in the past year. Inquisitor Kitana, please step forward!" Bishop Flectus announced.

A thunderous roar of applause erupted from the audience gathered while journalists filmed the scene with light-throwers, getting every angle they could as Kitana stepped out from a row of other inquisitors, climbing up the steps to meet Bishop Flectus. She got down onto one knee, kneeling on the marble surface with her head down in reverence.

"Inquisitor Kitana has a stellar record. Assisting in the eradication of the Ilysian Punks, uncovering a dastardly plot by Versia to smuggle classified weapons technology, and doing what no other enforcer in our times has been able to - pacifying the West Sector." Bishop Flectus explained. "In particular, Inquisitor Kitana has been able to achieve a record number of confirmed executions as well as cases closed. Crime rate has plummeted in the three months since she has taken charge of the West Sector. With the Violet Demons and Veiled Angels losing their strength, peace and prosperity can finally return to the West Sector!"

Bishop Flectus picked up a large white crystal badge from a servant, pinning it on the collar of Kitana's inquisitor uniform. “This medal goes to those who exemplify hard work, steadfastness, and, most of all, dedication to the Sanctum of Yual and its precepts. As the only enforcer and inquisitor to receive this medal, I hope that you will serve as a guiding light for all those who adhere.”

“Yes, Bishop.” Kitana bowed once again, smiling genially as she recovered and looked right at the lightcapturer.

“INQUISITOR KITANA, WE LOVE YOU!” A particularly ferocious fan club screamed, waving a large banner with clear enthusiasm. Kitana merely smiled and waved at them for a brief moment, but that moment was enough to excite them. The next few awards went towards Kitana’s enforcers, who were now ardent followers of hers, willing to stamp out the rampant gang violence plaguing the West Sector. Already supporters of her harsh methods were springing up among the citizens of the Central District.

“She must be an angel – a vengeful angel who knows what the fuck is up. Instead of arresting these violent punks, they deserved to be put into the ground!”

“I fight for the day gangs no longer rule Raktor. And Inquisitor Kitana has my full support. The law exists for a reason: these gangs are exploiting the locals for their own greed. Well, no more! We’re putting our foot down!”

Kitana’s influence on Raktor was becoming widespread now. Originally feared as the Mad Dog, she was now viewed as a force for good thanks to her heavy-handed role in suppressing the two major gangs of the West Sector. The surrounding dignitaries clapped heartily as the award ceremony continued to play out, while Baron Cain and Bishop Vernette played along.

"Record number of executions? I wasn't made aware of the actual number." Baron Cain whispered to Bishop Vernette.

"Three thousand two hundred is the ballpark figure. That's just her alone, not including her squad." Bishop Vernette muttered. "As for the actual figure, I have no clue. I heard she killed a few more just an hour before this ceremony."

Baron Cain's throat stiffened a little hearing the insane number. "And how do we know all of those.... executions are warranted?"

"We don't. She's an inquisitor. She has the Yual-given right to execute on the spot. And frankly, she's done a terrific job with the West Sector. I haven't heard a single gang fight between either the Veiled Angels or the Violet Demons since a month ago, so she has to be doing something right."

"Or perhaps the two major gangs have finally set their differences aside and come together." Baron Cain retorted.

"Impossible. They have been at odds with each other for years. The grudges they hold against each other are irreconcilable."

"A common external enemy is a very effective way to unite people together. You'll be surprised just how much people are willing to forgive in order to face a bigger threat."

The award ceremony was slated to take the entire day, but they were barely a third of the way through. Baron Cain was already bored out of his mind when he spotted something strange moving on the rooftops of the nearby buildings. A reflective glint peeked out from one of the curtained windows for a brief instant, Baron Cain barely able to shout when a pellet shot forwards towards the speaking Bishop Flectus.

As the pellet touched his ceremonial uniform, a glistening bubble shield erupted from his chest, blocking the pellet as the crowd screamed. Before Bishop Flectus could react, three more pellets from other directions slammed into his shield, dissipating it for the last pellet to blast through his panicked expression. He fell over with spurting blood, his face locked in agony as the pellet seared through his brain.

The award ceremony broke out into an uncontrolled panic as the various dignitaries scrambled to get out of range. Baron Cain was immediately shielded by his knights as he retreated off the steps, more knights crowding around him and shielding him from the chaotic crowd. The assassination shocked the onlookers, while enforcers immediately rushed up the buildings where the snipers were spotted. "GET EVERYONE IN THE CHAPEL!" Kitana roared, motioning to the rest of her enforcers to protect the nobles.

Yet no one on the ground had time to react as a full onslaught of pellets blasted the entire area, military-grade machine guns spewing out death from the surrounding windows and massacring the onlookers. Citizens and enforcers alike struggled to crawl out of the kill zone, with the bodies piling up on one another. Entire platoons of unprepared enforcers only had ceremonial rifles to bear, unable to hold a candle against the sheer firepower as they were mowed down in one fell swoop.

Baron Cain cowered under the hailstorm of pellets, his knights falling one by one as they hurried him into the chapel, using the heavy double-barreled doors to block off the attack once all the nobles were inside. He huffed and panted, sweating buckets as he rested on a bench while the other nobles were equally panicking.

"How dare the Versians attack us on such an award ceremony? What were the enforcers doing?" A lesser noble complained loudly to his servants, the other dignitaries joining it while the more prudent ones were already leaving the group, searching the chapel for a possible exit with their own entourage. The other Barons didn't linger either, fanning out through the wide chapel to secure their own escape routes.

"We're all going to die!" The Bishop of the West Sector exclaimed in horror, clinging onto Inquisitor Kitana who shot him a derisive glance. "We should surrender, surrender immediately! I don't want to die her-"

His whining was stopped short by a tight slap by Bishop Vernette. "Get yourself together, you pitiful man. You're a Bishop of the Sanctum, for crying out loud. Now you either shut the fuck up, or help me organize everyone. Are we clear?!" Bishop Vernette snarled.

The West Sector's Bishop nodded meekly, letting go of Inquisitor Kitana, who stepped forward to Bishop Vernette.

Bishop Vernette immediately took charge of the situation, reorganizing the enforcers who had made it into the chapel. "Who's attacking us? Versians? Harrison's men? I want to know their numbers and where they are striking from! Gather every fucking enforcer in the city and have them surround the Central District. No one gets in or out!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Inquisitor Kitana and the others saluted while Baron Cain cursed under his breath, sitting up and storming over to the Bishop.

As soon as the rest left to secure the chapel's windows and vicinity, he yanked Bishop Vernette to the side, whispering angrily to her. "What the fuck is going on? We have thousands of enforcers here, and Bishop Flectus was still killed in front of everyone? How did the people attacking even know he had a relic shield?!"

Bishop Vernette shrugged his hand off. "I'm just as clueless as you are, but right now we have to get out of here." She reached into her pockets, fishing out an arctech radio. "Vernette to Mason. Come in. Come in."

However, only static replied her words, a clear sign of jamming. Baron Cain didn't need any more information, knowing just what he was into. He took stock of his current retinue of escorting knights, seeing that at least a dozen had made it into the chapel, the other half's survival unknown. "Commander." Baron Cain beckoned to the leader of his escorting knights. "Secure the windows and find me an escape route. If the other Barons have already found an exit, I want to know immediately!"

"Yes, sir. We have three planned from this chapel. I will have my man investigate right away. You two, follow the other Barons' knights, the rest will barricade the door and the front windows!"

"Good. Bishop, if you know of any secret exit only privy to the Sanctum, now would be a good time to let me know." Baron Cain glared at Bishop Vernette.

"There is one neither you Barons nor your knights should know about." Bishop Vernette pointed to the center of the chapel, where a large towering statue of Yual stood tall on an elevated platform, four golden prayer altars surrounding it in the cardinal directions. "Right at the base of that statu-"

Bishop Vernette's words were drowned out by a distinctive whizzing sound, a knowing expression dawning on any of the nobles who had fought in the wars before. "GET DOWN!" Baron Cain roared, dragging the Bishop down onto the ground with him and taking cover under the benches.

The less aware nobles had no time to react as an entire barrage of mortar shells slammed into the roof of the grand chapel, breaking through the pearlish white ceiling. Waterfalls of dust and soot fell in a thunderous crash, smothering the statue of Yual golden altars and intricate marble flooring. The mortar shells crashed into the statue, snapping off the head of Yual before exploding, the shockwave deafening as sharp deadly fragments ricocheted across the vast chapel.

Baron Cain could only look on in horror as he watched another dying noble clutch his pierced neck in vain, choking on his own blood as he keeled over. One of Baron Cain's knights grabbed the Baron by the shoulder, trying to lift him out, while Inquisitor Kitana helped the other Bishops up.

"We need to get out of the chapel, now!" Baron Cain urged Bishop Vernette.

"To the statue!" Bishop Vernette yelled at she staggered about, resting against a pillar, her ears still ringing from the explosion. The other nobles heard the call and began to run for the base of the statue.

A few nobles were pinned under falling rubble, screaming in pain as enforcers nearby tried to rescue them. Baron Cain didn't care at all whether the other Sector's Barons died in the chapel or not - in fact, it would be a much better outcome if he survived and they didn't. Bishop Vernette and Baron Cain scrambled to their feet, escorted by their knights as they ran as fast as they could to the supposed secret entrance.

"Over here, behind the altar!" Bishop Vernette motioned to the golden altar, where there was a small arctech switch that revealed a medium-sized hidden access tunnel in the base of the Yual state to the sewers. No one could see more than three meters into the tunnel, the darkness pitch black. The foul-ridden, murky opening was large enough to fit an entire wagon, prompting the dignitaries to surge forward only to be stopped by Baron Cain.

"HALT! You three, check out the tunnel!" Baron Cain played it by the book, sending his knights to scout out the escape route first. However, just as the first of Baron Cain's knights entered the tunnel, a loud yell erupted as he found his chest plate grabbed by a single burly hand the size of a boulder. His scream of pain was cut short by the crushing grip that shattered his ribcage, the bones puncturing into his lungs while he was flung out of the tunnel, crashing into the altar and knocking it over.

"Someone said you little noble rats would be running under Yual's skirt. Looks like he was right!" A familiar hearty voice grunted, the owner of the voice bursting through the tunnel, fragments of concrete and marble flying everywhere in a cloud of dust and smoke. "Get them, boys!"

Baron Cain could barely get a grasp on who was attacking, only seeing multiple human-shape figures rushing forward and firing at his knights. The altar stage turned into a fearsome firefight, both sides exchanging pellets blindly into each other. He could feel the heat of the pellets zinging past his ear as he took cover behind a podium, hoping the material could withstand it long enough.

"Protect the Bishop and Baron!" Kitana roared from behind, charging up to join the firefight with her squad that had finally recovered. They fought back with a vigor unlike another, Baron Cain witnessing firsthand the violent ferocity that the Mad Dog Inquisitor was famed for.

Eyes of Truth! Kitana activated her skill with an internal thought to see through the smoke. Corners and objects turned into lines and geometry, her recent class upgrade allowing her to see through with varying degrees of dissection. Every outline of the attackers was highlighted, even if they were hiding behind cover. She could see more and more attackers filtered out of the tunnel gap as enforcers joined the fray, laying down suppressive pellets into the large opening.

The enforcer's pellets only found the clink of metal rather than flesh, defensive barriers hoisted by sturdy attackers allowing a dozen more attackers to crouch past the onslaught and spread out into the chapel. The brawl and firefight spread out across the elevated platform, screams and squishes echoing off the painted ceiling. Kitana could see the enforcers around here slowly backing off, losing ground.

"THE SANCTUM NEVER SURRENDERS!" Zealot Dominion! Kitana bellowed as she channeled a motivational aura, boosting the enforcers’ morale to sky-high levels as they fought back with fervor once more, willing to give up their lives to protect the dignitaries who were now fleeing the chapel.

Suddenly, most of the gunfire immediately began to focus on her, as though the attackers were already aware of this phenomenon in the past.  Kitana slid to another pillar and swiveled her rifle, firing rapidly and killing any attackers that popped their heads out. Her marksmanship was precise thanks to the Eyes of Truth, each shot nailing the attackers in the head.

MG404: [System Message | Killed: [Violet Demons Soldier] | +500 EXP]

MG404: [System Message | Killed: [Veiled Angels Soldier] | +500 EXP]

MG404: [System Message | Killed: [Bolsh Legion Soldier] | +500 EXP]

MG404: [System Message | Killed: [Ardent Cretins Soldier] | +500 EXP]

MG404: [System Message | Killed: [Tul’e Da’li Soldier] | +500 EXP]

It's an alliance of major gangs?! Kitana didn't have time to think, as her vision was filled up by a large human figure the size of a half-giant, his bellowing laughter already dominating the soundscape.

"So! This is the Mad Dog in the flesh! I heard from my boys you're the strongest inquisitor in the city?" The same burly hand that crushed Baron Cain's knight swept the smoke away, revealing Ares Ulras towering over Kitana. Each step he took towards her sent tremors through the chapel's platform, loose dust and soot shaking off the ceiling. Even Kitana's squad, buoyed by the motivational aura, faltered upon seeing the size of the man, an entire three heads taller than most of them.

"You... you dare to attack the heart of the enforcers?" Kitana smirked, undeterred by Ares even if she had to crane her neck up to look at his face. "You'll be surrounded in half an hour!"

"Not if the other enforcers can't even make it here!" Ares let out a grin, his dirty, misaligned yellowing teeth bared for all to see as a series of explosions rocked the city, each shockwave sending waves of tremors through their bodies. "Today, the gangs rule Raktor!"

***

At the Seven Snakes arcade...

"...You want to create a savings pool...?" Mason scratched his head in frustration. "I'm sorry, I don't understand at all. What even is the purpose of such a pool? Any of you understand this?" He glanced back to the two enforcers protecting him behind his current velvet chair.

Keith groaned, leaning back in his office chair while two Seven Snakes guards flanked him, the skyline of Raktor fully visible in the glass windows. "It's simple. People put their money in, we give them a guaranteed return in a few years, and during that period, we can invest in profitable industries. Like a long-term contract that the banks in Tryas do. They call it a holding...? Not the right word I would use but whatever. A pool is better."

"How can a return be guaranteed?" Mason squinted his eyes. "Companies come and go all the time. Unless you're talking about investing into potions and alcohol, which would be even more uncertain."

"I'm sure our enforcer friends wouldn't like to rock the boat as much. But even if the leadership does change, it would be perfectly fine. We have enough legal ventures that we can cover up our proceeds perfectly." Keith pointed out. "This savings pool will act as a sort of fundraiser, but this time from the locals rather than from a few wealthy individuals if that makes sense."

"I find it hard to believe that you can pay back the Baron, the nobles, the business owners AND now the people." Mason shook his head. "Asking us to endorse this would be political suicide the moment the returns aren't met."

"Oh no, I'm not asking you to endorse it. I'm asking you to offer it at your branches."

"Are you out of your mind?"

"Not at all. I think this is perfect. In exchange for your offering, we will provide you a commission fee as well. The savings pool will also serve as a good backup plan for many locals, who clearly have issues managing their own money."

"Don't frame it like you're doing good for them. All you want is their money so you can scale your businesses up."

"Which in turn boost the economy and have more open jobs. Give and take, inquisitor. That's the nature of society." Keith smiled. "We already account for a tenth of all jobs in the South Sector thanks to our investments in construction and public utilities. If you consider the fact that we only control three districts, we are punching way above our weight. If your Bishop wants the crime rate to drop, this would be a step in the right direction."

"Hmm..." Mason tapped his hands on the velvet holster of his chair in contemplation. "I don't really understand how any of this is going to work, but I'll talk to Vernette about it. See how we can work it out."

"Good, that's all I needed to hear. If the enforcers are onboard with this, we could supercharge our building projects much faster."

"Only projects I've been seeing is those defensive checkpoints you have set up all around the perimeter of your districts over the last few months," Mason interjected. "What the hell is up for that? You guys preparing for a war...?"

"Not against you, that you can be assured of." Keith quickly placated the suspicious inquisitor. "The checkpoints serve as a bulwark against small thug rackets who think they can get a quick profit off our people. It also helps to reinforce our control over the district and make people feel safer. Just like your patrols, Inquisitor."

"My patrols don't feature machine guns, mortar tubes, sandbag walls and a point defense system," Mason grunted. "If you think that's going to be enough to fend us off, you better think twice. There's more in our armory than what you see us carrying about."

"Of course, Inquisitor. We wouldn't dare to lift a finger against you. Now moving on to our rental agreement about the light-capturers.... Mason?" Keith soon realized that Mason and his two enforcers were barely looking at him, instead staring straight past him with jaws dropped. "What is going on-"

He turned to see a muted scene of catastrophe play out in the distance, the glorious grand chapel of the Central Sector collapsing from mortar hits. All along the river bank that separated the Sectors were a series of explosions, their residual smoke spiraling high into the sky as if there was a raid. "By Yual..." Keith muttered under his breath as the shockwave finally hit them. The windows of the shopping arcade rattled violently, while the cheaper buildings in the same street had their glass shattered into a million pieces by the sheer force.

"That's.... that's the award ceremony..." Mason spoke in a daze, before suddenly shooting up from his chair. "You, call in the Magda, NOW! Send everyone available to the award ceremony." He ordered his two enforcers.

To their surprise, the radios were jammed, only a sharp painful burst of static emerging out from the speakers. Keith tried his own radio too, but instead of static, he only heard a familiar chuckle on the other side. Keith triple-checked the frequency he was tuned to, absolutely sure that it was that of the Seven Snakes. "What the hell did you do, Sebastian?" Keith spat in anger, Mason shocked at the mention of the name.

[Only following the terms of our deal, my dear Keith.] Sebastian's calm voice wafted in through the radio, a stark contrast to the panic and chaos that was spreading through the city. More and more explosions rocked Raktor, building after building blown to shreds in the Central District as a growing fire raged in the horizon.

"I didn't agree to any deal with you!" Keith shot back, his eyes already spotting Mason reaching for the handgun strapped to his belt.

[Capture Mason now, or there will be consequences.]

"You two-faced rat!" Mason roared, raising his handgun to aim at Keith. "You've planned this with the fucking Ardent Cretins - you pulled me away from the Magda for this!"

"Wait, wait!" Keith waved his hands frantically, while his own two Seven Snakes guards raised their repeaters. Both sides were now in a standoff, with Sebastian laughter in the radio.

[Mason, always the clueless one. Didn't you learn from your father?]

"Fuck you, and fuck you too!" Mason motioned with the barrel of his handgun.

"Stand down! STAND DOWN!" Keith ordered his guards. "Mason is not the enemy!"

"Sir, he's aiming at you-"

"I don't care!" Keith slowly reached for the radio, switching off and tossing the radio aside onto the carpeted floor. "Mason, listen, I never agreed to anything Sebastian offered!"

"So he did offer you!" Mason gritted his teeth. "And here I was wondering why Sebastian didn't mess up your fundraiser. You two have been in cahoots since the start to overthrow the enforcers!"

"Mason, we're being pitted against each other! Look, we can talk this out, no one is going to capture you-"

"Like hell I'll believe you! I see it all coming together now. You built those fortifications so you could hold off against us alongside the Ardent Cretins! That's, I'm taking in the entire Seven Snakes for interrogation. Put your fucking repeaters down if you don't want to go to the mines in Tryas!" Mason barked. "NOW!"

Keith turned his head to the two guards, motioning for them to lay down their arms. They reluctantly complied, slowly placing them down on the floor. Just as they did so, Mason's radio came to life, Sebastian's voice coming through again. [Keith, always the coward. So undecisive. I offered a deal, and here you are groveling to our captors. Raktor belongs to us, not the enforcers! You have three seconds to capture him. One.]

Keith swiveled to face outwards to the windows. How does he know what my actions are right now? A glint of a scope could be seen from a rooftop far away, a sniper's rifle aimed right at them.

[Three.]

Keith didn't shout, immediately lunging out to tackle the confused Mason to the ground. At the very same instant, three high-velocity pellets smashed through the glass windows, killing the two enforcers who were standing right behind Mason. Keith and Mason tumbled onto the ground in the chaos as the two guards immediately smothered Keith, using their own armor as protection.

Mason's eyes widened at the blood splattered on the wall, his two dead enforcers head blown off in an instant. The office door swung wide open, Damian rushing in with his tower shield at the ready. Five more sniper pellets shot in towards Keith and Mason, one penetrating the guard's armor, maiming the guard before Damian flung his shield forward, blocking the rest.

"GET THEM OUT OF HERE, NOW!" Damian used his own body to block the line of sight of the sniper. "Adrian, track that fucking sniper now!" He yelled into his radio, only earning another chuckle from Sebastian, who was still on the same frequency.

[ You don't stand a chance against us, Seven Snakes. ]

Damian didn't respond, shutting off the radio while ensuring Keith and Mason got out of the office safely. Once they were out, Damian slammed the door shut, still using his shield to block in case the pellets could penetrate walls. They moved locations to the armory, where Seven Snakes guards were already gearing up.

"Radio is down. Expect no communications! Follow Emergency Plan H! This isn't a fucking drill!" Niko roared as he handed out repeater after repeater to dozens of guards filtering out. "Hold the damn perimeter. Not a single Ardent Cretin gets through!"

Keith groaned, still dizzy from the sudden assassination attempt while Damian laid him on a makeshift stretcher, while Mason still stood in shock. "I don't believe it, the Ardent Cretins have gone mad! Are they really going to take on the whole of Raktor? They won't have the weaponry!"

"Not on their own." Damian took out an opened letter from Kyle. "I just got this five minutes ago. The major gangs are all working together now, and all their weapons are fueled by Count Leon's supply lines and Versian weaponry. Harrison must be supporting them!"

Mason clenched his fist in anger as he read through the letter. "Those slimy cunts, I'll hang them from their ankles for years once all this is over!"

Before Mason could continue ranting, Damian grabbed him by the shoulder with a firm grip. "We need to rally the troops. I have a stronger radio on the rooftop. I'll call additional reinforcements from outside Raktor, but you need to save Bishop Vernette and Baron Cain from the Central District before it's too late!"

Mason got the gist of what Damian was proposing. "I'll get them out and rally the enforcers to beat back the Ardent Cretins."

"Good, I'll send two squads with you while we hold them off." Damian and Mason got to work, sending out orders through messengers while Damian got two technicians to reactivate the strong radio. It had been previously used to jam the handguns city-wide, but now would serve as a strong one-way communication method. The shopping arcade's engravings fluctuated, the lights flickering as the radio was turned on to its maximum power, its antenna already glowing red hot from the radiation.

"Call in every combat-ready hobgoblin from the Culdao Peaks. Set up refugee tents in the shopping arcade now. Open up the pub and the training facilities, open the extension wing too. Everyone who seeks shelter is allowed in. Recruit those willing to fight, we have more than enough pellets to go around. The bulk of our defenses should be on the weapons factory." Damian continued to dish out orders, organizing the Seven Snakes into a defensive force. "We've planned for this two months ago, now it's time to put everything into practice."

The messengers nodded, leaving quickly while Damian moved up to the radio. I say that we are prepared, but only for the Ardent Cretins. Will we be attacked by another major gang? The alliance threw a wrench into everything that he had expected, but there was no choice but to hold their ground. It was that or die, and he'll be damned if he let everything go to waste while he was the underboss. He reached up next to the radio, bearing the intense heat from the active radio landing on his skin as he picked up a microphone.

"Seven Snakes. This is Damian speaking. Listen up!" Damian yelled into the microphone, his voice carrying all across the city to every Seven Snake out at the perimeter who were still confused.

"The Ardent Cretins are attacking us and the rest of the South Sector. They want to control us, to make us lick their foot like dogs. We are not dogs. We are Seven Snakes! When the world didn't give a shit about us, we stood strong and fought for our own right to live. To be proud and to be free. If might makes right, then let us show the Ardent Cretins our might! Hold the line, hold them back! For the sake of your loved ones, your friends and everything that you have worked so hard for. When the world wants to take what is ours, we put down our foot and say no. SEVEN SNAKES! FIGHT! FIGHT TO SURVIVE! FIGHT TO LIVE!"

A resounding roar erupted through the three districts, the Seven Snakes letting out a battle cry as more and more recruits filtered out of the arcade, manning the defensive fortifications all around the three districts. Machine guns, boxes of pellets and countless explosives manufactured by the Aspis Weapons Factory were dished out in droves. Stockpiles that had already been prepared in advance were activated, while secret scout apartments high up in the flanking buildings gave a bird's eye view of the approaching Ardent Cretins. Those at the front could see the impending horde of Ardent Cretins wagons and troops storming the streets, citizens and locals fleeing in a throng towards the shopping arcade for safety. Yet the Seven Snakes held firm, waiting with bated breath for the Ardent Cretins to enter firing range.

"And to the Ardent Cretins who seek to crush us: let's find out who the true kings of the South Sector are!"