Cedrion laughed as the explosive-tipped RPG round struck the front of the main arena. A cloud of smoke and ash went up as the explosive round impacted against the front doors. This place, with the statues of the gods of ancient times was too gaudy. How dare these mongrels pay homage to the most powerful beings. They are my gods, not the animals.
Cheers went up from his men beside him as the doors were blasted apart. Cedrion set aside the spent RPG base as he looked at his men gathered around.
More than a hundred soldiers waited behind him, armored, armed, and eager for blood. Their inside source provided a list of students that were reported to be Shifters.
First-years. Barely trained, barely dangerous. This will be over before lunch. The only real threat was the number of staff inside the arena. Cedrion flashed a wide grin as he anticipated the carnage.
"The auxiliary units will continue their assault against the dorms and administration buildings. Our targets are the first year students. Let us wipe out an entire generation of Shifters in one single strike!" Cedrion's voice boomed throughout the gathered soldiers.
Cheers went up as the soldiers checked their weapons, chambered the first rounds, and formed their squads.
"All right you apes, move in!" Cedrion called out, his voice loud and bubbling with excitement as his force of several dozen men lined up in formation to storm the main entrance. Gunfire could be heard as the front members engaged with staff at the entrance of the arena. Cries of pain and fear mixed with the sounds of battle and gunfire rang in the entry.
A middle-aged man with skin dark as night stepped up next to Cedrion. "Resistance is heavier than expected," he said, his voice deep and commanding as he addressed his leader.
An explosion rocked the entrance as several massive stone walls erupted from the floor, blocking the hallway. . Several of his men cried out in pain as they were blasted back by the force of the spells.
Cedrion glanced at the man, "Malachai, relax my friend. We will be victorious today. Of that I have no doubt," Cedrion responded nonchalantly as he pulled out a pair of sleek silver and black mana pistols from his chest holsters. He thumbed the safeties off, re-holstered them and grinned. "I think it's time to get bloody Malachai old boy," Cedrion said with a sadistic laugh as he followed the soldiers inside the entrance.
Blue flames swirled into Cedrion's palm until they condensed into a blazing sphere. The blue and white flames licked at his flesh and illuminated his face in the shadows of the arena.
"These animals are nothing to us!" He shouted and threw the fireball at the erected barrier. The orb exploded and the wall crumbled to the ground in tiny pieces.
Malachai said nothing as he shouldered his rifle and followed his boss inside the building. The sounds of gunfire and magical blasts were going off all around them as the battle began. Malachai noticed the ground was already littered with the bodies of the fallen.
Malachai double tapped the head of each body they passed. The last thing he wanted was an ambush from behind by someone they thought was out of the fight.
Eventually, they made their way through the hallway and into the grand arena area itself. So far, they had lost only a handful of soldiers to make it this far. Malachai wasn't overly concerned with their numbers yet.
Malachai rushed into the opening, expecting to find a few hundred students terrified and hiding behind the staff as they entered the arena. But there was nothing of the sort. By the time they reached the grand arena itself, not a single person was left inside the area.
"Damn it!" Cedrion cursed in frustration. "My prey has run away. This just means the hunt continues," Cedrion said angrily as he looked around. He hadn't killed nearly enough Shifters yet to satisfy his bloodlust. Four squadron commanders approached him as the others remained on the lookout until orders were given.
"What are your orders, sir?" the man asked. He was young but determined to see the cause succeed.
"Move through the facility, at this point… no survivors." Cedrion gave the cruel order. He was done playing around.
The commanders saluted and disappeared into the corridors. Moments later, gunfire echoed through the academy once again.
A sly grin appeared on Cedrion's face. "By the will of Ares."