Worthy enemy

The battle at the Thunder Claw base was becoming a serious matter.

In the bowels of the lair, far from the impending destruction, a highly important experiment was underway, one in which a colossal amount of resources had been invested. The aseptic silence of the research rooms was the perfect contrast to the chaos that was already resonating outside.

"Beep, beep!"

Suddenly, the alerts sounded.

"Entities of unknown origin... invading, destroying and looting..."

The artificial intelligence in charge of the base's security, upon realizing that the defense protocol had been broken, analyzed the threat.

"Alert! Alert! Threat of unknown origin confirmed! Containment protocols activated!"

The data yielded a clear conclusion: the threat was unexpected and serious. The beings had appeared inside the base so suddenly that the external defenses never activated, almost as if they had appeared out of nowhere.

"Threat analysis in progress. In the south sector, multiple large entities, composed of straw and hay, are destroying the infrastructure. In the north sector, human-like figures in black suits have been detected neutralizing security personnel and looting technology and information from the laboratories. Complete analysis: threats exceed internal security's containment capacity. Immediate support is requested."

The AI, without hesitation, emitted an alert signal that mobilized three of the closest generals to the location. To contain the invasion and protect the operation, the order was clear: suppress the invaders. The fate of the base, and everything it contained, now rested in their hands.

The first to arrive was General Boar.

His personality was manifested in every fiber of his being: an unpleasant pride that made him impatient and brutal. Physically, he was a mountain of muscles wrapped in black bristly fur, with yellowish and twisted tusks that protruded from his jaw. His power was the charge, an unstoppable impulse that could demolish any obstacle that stood in his way.

"Hahahaha! I found one of the invaders!"

He was the first of the three generals to feel the AI's signal and the first to arrive at the base. His arrival was a rumble, a show of strength that made the hallways tremble.

"And I'll destroy it here and now!" he roared with pride, his voice a guttural growl.

Without waiting for a response, the boar monster launched into a charge at a surprising speed.

"Charge speed: 250 km/h. Projected impact force: 12 tons. Threat level: High."

The surveillance camera, connected to the AI's system, captured it all. The AI's analysis proceeded to process the general's data.

Just as the general was pouncing, his opponent unleashed a blinding golden glow that filled the room. Her straw doll form vanished in a flash of light, revealing a childlike girl, covered by a red cloak that waved like a tunic.

"WHAT?!"

General Boar stopped dead in his tracks, momentarily surprised by the sudden transformation.

"......"

In that instant, that girl, with a surprising impulse, appeared in front of the boar monster and concentrated a monstrous amount of light energy in her small fist.

"Justice."

BAAAMMM!

"Aaaargh...!!"

Before the general could react, Goldie's fist connected with his face with such force that it sent him flying like a bullet, shattering all the walls behind him until he disappeared from sight.

"Event analysis: The high-threat target, General Boar, has been neutralized with a single blow by the unknown entity. Unknown entity's power level: Immeasurable. Security risk: Maximum."

After the encounter, the AI analyzed the new data with the same calm, mechanical voice.

"Updated analysis. New entry signals detected. Containment objectives reassigned."

The AI's voice resonated, shifting its focus from the immeasurable threat to two new points of interest that had just arrived at the base.

"....."

The first was General Tetrand, an imposing and corpulent figure who moved with the solemnity of a consummate warrior. His massive body was covered by armor that reflected his honor and power. It was a ceremonial set, similar to a samurai's, forged from a dark metal polished like onyx, with gold details that highlighted his multiple arms. The visorless helmet left a stoic face, weathered by a thousand battles, in plain sight.

"The fate of this base is ours. There is no honor in defeat, only in victory."

Wielding four katanas with his four arms, General Tetrand was the personification of martial arts. The swords, unlike his armor, were made of a clear and deadly steel, each with a distinct sheath and handle. The two upper ones were called "Demon Annihilator" and "Dragon Hunter," while the two lower ones were "Wind's Edge" and "Thunder's Blade." Together, they formed a whirlwind of steel and precision, reflecting the path of the warrior he had sworn to follow. His personality, unlike General Boar's pride, was one of honor and discipline.

"Well, well! It seems the fun has started without us. I hope there's still some pain left to enjoy."

Just behind him appeared General Vespira. At first glance, she looked like a woman of inhuman beauty, with a voluptuous body that stood out in a tight, shiny black latex suit. The suit was deliberately revealing, with cutouts that showed the skin of her thighs and a deep neckline that connected to a spiked collar. Her face, pale and angular, was adorned with a permanent, sadistic smile. However, her true nature was revealed in the large scorpion tail that came out of the base of her back: a deadly, bright red stinger that moved with a life of its own and lethal intent. Her sadistic personality was reflected in her gaze and her voice, which was a mix of seduction and venom.

"Combat analysis in progress. The south sector is committed by multiple straw entities. The north sector, by a second threat, which is currently looting information. Multiple failures have been detected in the security systems. The containment plan has been updated to mitigate damage and secure the most valuable assets."

The AI's voice then resonated, cold and calculating, dividing its orders.

"General Tetrand, proceed to the north sector. Your objective is to neutralize the figures in black suits that are compromising our information. Eliminate the entire threat."

"Understood. Victory is the only path for a warrior."

Tetrand nodded solemnly and, without another word, turned and headed to his destination with the discipline of a soldier.

"General Vespira, your mission is more delicate. The most important asset, the 'sample' of the experiment, has been compromised. Its current location is the containment room in the east sector. You must recover it before any enemy gets to it."

"Oh, what a delicious task. I hope the 'sample' is worthy of my attention, and that the 'enemy' provides me with good entertainment."

Vespira tilted her head; her sadistic smile widened. Her scorpion stinger twitched in anticipation, and with a predatory movement, she glided down the hallway, disappearing into the shadows.

Meanwhile, Pia's group moved with the precision of a shadow. Unlike the chaos of the other entities, their advance was silent and methodical. Following the plan their leader had entrusted to them, they moved through the hallways of the Thunder Claw base, neutralizing the remaining defenses and collecting all the armament they found in their path.

"We have secured the arsenal in sector C-7," whispered one of the figures, their voice barely an echo in the communicator.

"The energy rifles and sonic grenades have been classified and packaged. As ordered."

Pia, at the front of the group, raised a hand, and they all stopped instantly.

"Excellent. The will of the Messiah must be attended to. These toys are mere stepping stones toward our true objective."

After responding with a chilling calm, her gaze fixed on the next objective.

"We will proceed to sector B-2. Reports suggest the prototype is there. There will be no room for failure."

With that declaration, the group moved, an elite force that acted with a discipline and purpose that no one in the base could have anticipated.

However...

SWIIIIISH!!!

"?!"

"?!"

"?!"

"This is as far as you go," he declared in a grave, resonant voice that filled the hallway.

The hallway wall, right in front of Pia's group, split from top to bottom, opening with a dry bang. From the opening emerged the imposing figure of General Tetrand, his four katanas already unsheathed, shining with a menacing edge under the dim light of the hallways. His dark armor seemed to absorb the light, making him appear even larger and more threatening. His four eyes fixed on Pia's group with penetrating intensity.

Ante la imponente declaración de Tetrand, el grupo de Pía reaccionó con una sincronización ensayada. Sin una palabra, cada miembro desenfundó su arma.

FSHH!

Pia brandished two short, curved swords, whose blades seemed to absorb the little light in the hallway. To her right, a slender figure unrolled a segmented metal whip, whose links shone coldly.

SHINNNG!

Three other members wielded firearms of unknown design, aiming with precision at the general.

CLACK!

"......."

Tetrand observed the display of weapons with an imperturbable calm, his four arms moving with surprising fluidity as he adjusted his grip on the four katanas.

"......."

"...."

"...."

The tension in the air could be cut with a knife.

The first move came from Pia, who lunged forward in a blur of speed, her two swords tracing deadly arcs toward Tetrand's legs.

SWISH!

At the same time, the metal whip whistled through the air, trying to entangle his lower arms.

POW! POW!

The figures with firearms opened fire; bursts of dark energy impacted Tetrand's armor, leaving bright marks but failing to penetrate his defense.

CLANG! CLANG!

Tetrand moved like a whirlwind of steel. With his upper arms, he deflected Pia's attacks with amazing precision, the clash of metal resonating in the hallway. His lower arms moved with equal speed, the katanas tracing fast and precise cuts that forced the whip user to retreat to avoid being hit.

The fight became a deadly dance. Pia and her warriors attacked with ferocity and coordination, using guerrilla tactics and taking advantage of the narrowness of the hallway. However, Tetrand's skill and experience were evident. His movements were clean, powerful, and always a step ahead of his opponents. Each blow of his katanas was a latent threat, forcing Pia's group to constantly stay on the defensive.

The battle dragged on, the clash of weapons resonating incessantly. Despite their determination, Pia's group began to show signs of exhaustion. The energy bursts from the firearms were easily deflected and the whip user had been forced to retreat.

"Haaa... Haaa... Haa..." Pia gasped as she dodged a cut that grazed her arm.

"An opening!"

Finally, Tetrand found an opening. With a quick and coordinated movement of his four arms, he launched a devastating attack. Two of his katanas went toward Pia, while the other two aimed at the flanks of her nearest companions. The blow was so fast and powerful that it seemed inevitable. For an instant, defeat seemed imminent, a deadly slash about to end the resistance of Pia's group.

FWOOOSH!!!

"?!?"

But Tetrand's devastating attack did not reach its destination.

CLAAAANG!

Just as the slash was about to connect, Tetrand felt a deadly danger, a gust of power that forced him to change his stance at the last second. With a swift movement, he redirected his four katanas, crossing them to block an aerial cutting attack that was heading directly for him. The clash resonated with a metallic crash.

"....."

The impact was so strong that it made him recoil, sliding his feet across the floor.

"Such a precise and powerful attack!"

He murmured with admiration.

In front of him, with a sword and shield at the ready, stood a small silver armor, shrouded in gray flames that waved like a ghostly cloak. From the tiny figure emanated the pressure of a formidable warrior, a force that Tetrand had not felt in a long time. A genuine smile of pure emotion was drawn on his weathered face.

"It seems you are also a worthy enemy"

He smiled as he adopted a combat stance.

(".....")

The small armor responded to his gesture, its sword and shield aligned in a position that was both defensive and aggressive.

"I am Tetrand. Show me the honor of your blade, warrior"

He presented himself, declaring his name to his rival.

("Silver")

The small armor responded in an echo of pure will.

CLAAAANG!

Thus, the silence was broken when both warriors lunged at each other. The clash of their wills marked the true beginning of the battle, for Silver had arrived with excitement.