The captain raised his voice, his words carrying across the entire formation.
"We stand together."
"Always and forever, we stand together."
The Shinras echoed his words in perfect unison, their voices reverberating through the forest.
"All Mages, teleport all five courts to their designated positions around the forest. We strike first. We won't wait for the Darkside Spirits to reach us."
"Yes, sir."
The Mages immediately began preparing for the operation.
Unlike other Shinras, Mages possessed no innate Renshi. Instead, they relied on Renshi-infused tools and objects to perform their duties, which primarily involved teleportation, defense, and battlefield support.
They were the backbone of the operation.
The Mages belonged to different courts, groups of Shinras assigned to various kingdoms throughout Wuhan on the Soul Continent. More than thirty thousand courts existed across the country, yet only five had been selected for this mission.
Leading the operation was a high-ranking Shinra, a Special Darkside Knight.
Only the legendary god Slaying Knights stood above him.
The captain turned toward Falco.
"Stand strong, Smith. You have a family to protect."
He gestured toward the weapons Falco had delivered.
"Pick up your sword and fight."
Falco grabbed one of the swords and a shield he had forged himself.
"I'm no stranger to a sword." He examined the blade in his hand. "I tried joining the academy four times and failed every time. But that doesn't mean I learned nothing."
The captain gave him an approving smile.
"That's the spirit of a true Shinra. You don't need a title to prove you have the heart of one."
Falco stepped into the formation, gripping his sword firmly.
"I'm not going to stand around waiting to die. If I'm going down, it'll be fighting."
"Tch."
The Shinra wearing the second dark cape scoffed.
"Don't get cocky, blacksmith. You'll be dead in a millisecond."
Falco turned toward him.
"Watch your mouth, rock-head. People like you are the real Darkside of the Shinras."
The Shinra's expression darkened.
"What did you just say to me?"
His hand moved toward his weapon.
"Say that again, and I'll cut your tongue out."
"Enough."
The captain's sharp command stopped them.
"Save your strength. We're comrades now, whether you like it or not. We're fighting the same enemy, so get yourselves together."
The tension between the two men gradually eased.
"Good. That's settled."
The captain turned toward the Mages.
"Teleport the five courts to their designated positions."
The Mages raised their Renshi Orbs, and purple symbols began forming in the air above them. As they channeled their energy, the symbols grew brighter.
"Prepare."
Members of each court reached out and grabbed one another, forming their groups for teleportation.
The captain's court gathered together, with Falco taking his place among them.
"Teleport."
A flash of purple light engulfed the battlefield.
In an instant, they disappeared.
---
The next moment, they reappeared deep inside the forest.
Directly ahead of them, the Darkside Spirits were already charging toward their position.
Dozens became hundreds as the creatures surged between the trees like a black wave.
"Advance."
The captain drew his weapon.
"Yes, sir."
The Shinra wearing the second dark cape charged forward. As he passed Falco, he shot the blacksmith a mocking grin.
"Try not to slow us down, blacksmith."
Falco raised his sword.
"Same to you, loudmouth. Let's see if you're more than just bark."
The Shinra grinned.
"Let's see."
The captain raised his hand and issued his next command.
"All Sage Shinras, lead the charge."
The Sage Shinras immediately surged ahead.
"Cyborg Shinras, stay behind them. Prepare for the counterattack."
The Cyborg Shinras took their positions behind the front line.
"Nature Shinras, strengthen our defenses."
The Nature Shinras spread throughout the formation, preparing their abilities.
The captain then turned toward Falco.
"Come with me. You said you wanted to fight."
Falco tightened his grip on his sword.
"I have no intention of dying here. I'm fighting for the people who matter to me."
The captain regarded him with respect.
"I like your spirit, Smith. If we survive this mess, I want to hear more about you."
Falco fixed his gaze on the approaching Darkside Spirits.
"Don't call this a mess, Captain. We're protecting the people we love. That's not a mess."
He raised his sword.
"That's purpose."
The captain smiled.
"I like that. You understand loyalty and passion better than many Shinras who carry titles and fancy capes."
Falco noticed the enemy drawing closer and immediately raised his shield.
"There's no time for praise. Here they come."
The captain tightened his grip on his weapon.
"You're damn right."
He stepped forward.
"Let's end this."
The Darkside Spirits crashed through the forest, their shrieks echoing between the trees.
Each court found itself surrounded by hundreds of enemies.
Five courts.
Around four hundred Darkside Spirits against each one.
More than two thousand enemies in total.
The Shinras, by comparison, numbered only around 125 warriors, with twenty-five in each court.
The odds were overwhelmingly against them.
Yet not a single Shinra retreated.
The first Darkside Spirit leaped toward the formation.
A Sage Shinra stepped forward and cut it down before it could reach the others.
Another creature attacked from the side, its claws slamming against a raised shield.
CLANG.
The impact sent the defending Shinra stumbling backward.
"Hold the line."
Three more Darkside Spirits rushed toward them.
Two Shinras moved in unison. One blocked the first creature's attack while the other struck, bringing it down.
But before they could recover, another Darkside Spirit took its place.
"Don't let them surround us."
The battlefield quickly descended into chaos.
Darkside Spirits leaped through the trees, attacking from every direction. The Shinras remained close together, covering one another's blind spots and preventing the creatures from breaking through their formation.
One Shinra raised his shield to block an incoming claw.
The impact cracked the shield.
"Damn."
Before the Spirit could strike again, another Shinra drove his sword through its chest, killing it.
"Behind you."
The warning came too late.
A Darkside Spirit sprang toward the first Shinra's back.
Falco reacted immediately.
CLANG.
He stepped between them, catching the attack with his shield. The force drove him down onto one knee as he struggled to hold the creature back.
"Get off me."
With a desperate push, he forced the Spirit away and swung his sword.
SLASH.
His blade cut across its body, sending the Darkside Spirit crashing to the ground.
Falco drew a heavy breath and glanced at the damaged shield in his hand.
So this is what it feels like to fight with the weapons I make.
Another Darkside Spirit charged straight at him.
Falco raised his shield.
"Come on."
Instead of backing away, he stepped forward to meet the attack.
The battle raged on.
Swords clashed.
Shields shattered.
The ground shook beneath their feet as the forest filled with screams.