Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

The command to kill the rats spread like wildfire, and Ghoul Shelter was suddenly filled with chaos. Soldiers, alchemists, and even kitchen hands abandoned their tasks, turning the fortress into a killing ground.

A rat dashed across the barracks floor, only to be skewered by an arrow that nailed it to a bed.

Squeak!

Another tried to climb a wall, but a burst of flame engulfed it, leaving nothing but ash clinging to the stone.

Gunshots could also be heard within the mess hall, splattering vermin against the grain sacks.

”Damn it!” a cook shouted, slamming his ladle down in frustration.

”You’re staining the grain with their filth!”

The soldiers only laughed before chambering another round as more vermin moved into their sights. Each pull of the trigger sent another rat tumbling lifelessly, the sacks growing dirtier with every kill.

In the kitchens, one rat scurried across a counter, moving between pots.

”Ahh! Just die already! You dirty thing!”

A cook shrieked, swinging her ladle, but it was a guard’s spear that pinned the creature through the belly. It then started writhing until it stilled.

Another rat leapt into a cauldron, only to be boiled alive, wasting a whole meal that could feed dozens of people!

Nonetheless, the laboratory was actually way worse than that!

Alchemists hurled vials as glass started shattering into clouds of acid and frost. One rat froze solid while running away.

Then, its body started cracking apart before a boot crushed it.

Crash!

Then, another was caught by a lightning spell, and it collapsed in smoke. Leonidas himself hacked one apart with a knife while his face was still bleeding from the scratch of its kin.

”Just how many rats have entered our shelter?! What are the guards doing?! Right, there should be barriers around us... Wait---”

Finally, Leonidas realized that this wasn’t just a small matter.

It was no wonder Alexander was a bit panicking during his announcement!

These rats weren’t just random vermin. They might be being controlled by another Survivor... To be exact, an Enemy Survivor that could be affiliated with Shane’s Eclipse Revenant Clan!

After reaching this thought, he immediately shared it with everyone so they could take this matter seriously!

***

Everywhere, Fiona’s swarm was slaughtered.

Arrows were released, spells were cast, blades were flashing, while the rats were helpless against the fury of Ghoul Shelter’s defenders.

Their tiny bodies littered the halls, until silence returned.

But not all were gone. One rat, smaller than the rest, had slipped through the carnage that they had purposely created!

Indeed, this move of numerous rats moving around wasn’t just an idiotic move by Fiona!

It was all to create chaos for one simple reason... to get closer to Roan!

It scurried unseen into the deepest chamber, squeezing through cracks and darkness until it reached the chained dragon.

There, behind Roan’s massive body, the rat hid. It was already exhausted after tearing through the barrier, but it was alive.

Far away, Fiona finally lay on her bed within the meditation chamber. For days, she had used her various skills silently to poke through the shelter’s inner barrier. She had done this with her mystic rats, thread by thread.

Later this morning, she had succeeded. Her rats had gnawed a hole, and it was perfect... She then had her rats slip inside to search for Roan.

But since she had pressed too far and too quickly, one of her rats had been noticed!

She made a quick decision to create chaos instead and have three of her strongest rats use various skills to find Roan faster!

Thanks to the chaos where most rats were annihilated, the three were able to use their Skills and find Roan successfully.

It was perfectly fine, even if just one of them survived, since she could just use another skill to multiply them later on!

Of course, now that Fiona finally saw Roan, who was bound in chains, but still alive, she already felt a little relaxed.

Her lips curved into a smile...

”At last... I’ve found you. Shane... I’ve done my job.”

***

Meanwhile, the silence after the rat purge did not last long.

From the watchtowers, Phoenix Phalanx scouts spotted movement in the distance...

Soon, armored vehicles started advancing through the forest.

They just stopped at the limit or range of their guns.

Soon, the ground trembled faintly as they heard a rhythm of heavy machines rolling closer.

Without a doublt, Lysandra had come.

Her troops moved like soldiers...

They were so disciplined that it was terrifying.

They were spreading across three sides of Ghoul Shelter like a tightening trap.

Aegis Mechs marched in formation...

Behind them, Warden Units advanced with their rifles on hand and blades on their sides.

Trucks also rumbled into position...

Soon, their mounted cannons started turning toward the shelter walls.

Needless to say, the Automated Turrets or Sentinel Mk-V were also three!

The machine guns were locked and loaded as crews prepared to unleash suppressive fire.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Within Ghoul Shelter, alarms rang.

Guards immediately scrambled to the battlements, shouting reports as the enemy lines closed in. Alexander’s jaw tightened when he heard the words...

”They’ve surrounded us... three sides blocked!”

From her command vehicle, Lysandra surveyed the fortress.

Her eyes were cold, calculating. She raised a hand, and the Aegis Mechs got into position while the Warden Units spread into firing lines with their rifles leveled.

The crews of the artillery division also adjusted their cannons’ aim, ready to pound the shelter’s defenses at any moment...

”You asked for this...” Lysandra muttered.

Without a doublt, Ghoul Shelter was trapped.

Inside, Alexander knew that he had to quickly move...

First the rats, now Lysandra’s army. He clenched his fists, knowing the Elixir of Draconic Vitality had arrived just in time, but whether it would be enough against this siege was uncertain.

***

Alexander quickly contacted the three leaders who should be waiting not too farm from the Ghoul Shelter.

The first name he selected was Kelly, leader of the Skyfang Clan. Her warriors were infamous for their aerial dominance. The Flying Crews, mounted on gliders and winged beasts, striking from above would be a great help!

[ Alexander: Kelly! I need your Flying Crews now! Strike them from the sky! I have the potions I promised! ]

The reply came swiftly.

[ Kelly: You finally made it? The Elixir is real? ]

[ Alexander: Yes. Maximillian succeeded. Permanent boosts, immunity, resilience — everything we dreamed of. It’s ready. It’s a 300% permanent increase! ]

[ Kelly: Then you’ve done well. But understand this, Alexander... my Flying Crews are stretched thin. Shane’s scouts have noticed us... If I pull them now, the secret base nearby will be noticed. ]

[ Alexander: If Ghoul Shelter falls, you’ll lose your chance at the Elixir. I can’t distribute it if I’m dead. Send them now, and I’ll guarantee your clan priority access. ]

Kelly paused before answering.

[ Kelly: I’ll consider it. But I won’t move until I see proof. Send me one vial. If it’s genuine, the Flying Crews will descend on Lysandra’s forces. Until then, my wings stay folded. ]

Alexander cursed under his breath. He didn’t have time for delays. Still, he moved to the next name.

The second was Nestor, commander of the Ironclad Brotherhood. His clan specialized in armored infantry... They had shield walls, heavy weapons, and incredible durability. It was thanks to their Clan Leader with Legendary Talent.

They were the kind who could hold a line against impossible odds!

Perhaps, even the Aegis Mech wouldn’t kill them so easily.

[ Alexander: Nestor! I need your Ironclads to march now! Lysandra’s mechs are surrounding us. With your shield walls, we can break their formation. The Elixir is complete... I’ll share it with you later! ]

Nestor’s response was slower, but he also replied.

[ Nestor: If it’s true, it could change everything. But my Ironclads are already committed. Shane found our small team and sent some troops to deal with our healers... If I move now, we’ll get into trouble. ]

Alexander was furious. That didn’t even make any sense!

[ Alexander: This is more important! Lysandra is here with Aegis Mechs, Warden Units, artillery. If she crushes Ghoul Shelter, you’ll be next. ]

[ Nestor: Perhaps. But I don’t gamble lightly. I need assurance. If I march my Ironclads, I want at least 300 Elixirs within a month.

[ Alexander: Three hundred? That’s impossible. But we can negotiate... I need it to rally five clans, not just yours. I can’t give a lot since I have to give them to other clans! ]

[ Nestor: Then you’ll have to fight without me. Unless you reconsider. ]

Alexander slammed his fist against the desk, vials rattling. Another delay. Another demand.

Finally, he opened the channel to Ylla, matriarch of the Mystic Gate Clan. Her people were assassins, infiltrators, masters of sabotage. If anyone could disrupt Lysandra’s siege, it was them.

[ Alexander: Ylla! The two other clans will be coming soon. I need your Agents now. Slip behind their lines, sabotage their cannons, silence their gunners. The Elixir is finished, I’ll give your clan exclusive access to the first batch. ]

Then Ylla’s reply came, but she seemed amused.

[ Ylla: You’ve finally made that potion. Impressive.. I hope you didn’t waste too much Dragon Blood. ]