Chapter 1.2: Injustice

The bay doors opened as the marines take in the luscious scenery of forests, oceans, and mountains. Some of them took off their helmets as the vast scenery of Ren'veil swept the hearts of each warrior, as though they had fallen in love for the first time.

One of Kent's close allies and friends aboard the Night Hawk, Clayton Carmive, is the Resident muscle of the Strike team. He often wore a Generation 4 Tactical Knight armor – Heavy Herculio. Like Rex's suit, it is also equipped with jump-kit boosters, gravity boots, and a grappling hook gun. The suit can be compared to a behemoth in terms of size due to its base design was derived from the heavy knights during Terran Age 2942 in Xheronian time.

Clayton has a mesomorphic build, Caucasian skin tone, brown eyes, and brown hair. Although he is a Promethean, he has prosthetic legs. He clads a brown hostile environment suit, a pair of claw boots, and a shirt with leather plating that symbolizes their cultural heritage as proud warriors. 

Although Promethians are classified as Zerrohnians, they are identified as humans by some other species. The only difference between the two is Promethians have nerve cords that stick out of the back of their heads going to their hips

For his weapon, Clayton uses a modified Magnus 12-inch barrel – a Type 1 Gatling gun code-named as the “Trencher”. This firearm could fire over 2400 rounds per second and uses a 90mm Pandemonium-class caliber round – an impact-based high explosive round. This gun can create trenches on its own compared to all of its counterparts. This new type can destroy a bunker by firing just a quarter of its magazine in contrast to anti-air batteries used against tanks that look like a windup toy.

Although he is strong and can be considered as the big brother of the Strike Team, his mouth can be compared to a bullet train – a very dirty bullet train.

"Bossman, we are closing in on the beacon's location and according to Lily, there are a lot of villages that are under attack. The other Knight Bosses want us to have something to fight and those shitty half-wit soldiers are looking for a decent fight." Clayton cussed.

"Very well, Clayton. Tell the other captains to dispatch and engage the enemy wherever they may be. However, two squads shall remain with us. I have a feeling that we will be needing some backup." 

"You got it, Bossman!" 

"Sometimes, I don't know where or how he even has pluck to cuss and swear like that. It's a bit annoying," Willow said as she threw an energy mag to Kent.

"Sorry about him, Willow. He means well but he does not often show it in the most obvious way. Believe me, out of that hard exterior beats the heart of a true warrior and friend." 

"I will take your word for it, sir, but I am still slightly dubious. But since my brother and I had been in your squad for about a year now, I guess the benefit of the doubt would come into play, huh, General?" 

"Right. Listen. I know you are looking out for your brother. But does he know that most of the medics – including my sister, Lily – say that he shouldn't be heading out into battle after suffering so many head injuries? Didn’t I tell you to reassign him as a maintenance crew so that way he won't get hurt, right?" Willow asked

"He is already assigned as a maintenance crew but he keeps on sneaking out, grabbing up a rifle, and rushing back into the fight."

"I’ll tell you what, Willow – after this is over, you have my permission and support to help your brother find a better job." Kent said as Micheal handed him a juice box to assist him with getting it.

"Permission to speak freely, General!" 

"Sure, Marky, what's on your mind?" Kent replied as he handed back the opened juice box to Micheal.

"This place... looks fairly similar to my homeworld, Pri-ah, and Requiem as well how is that even possible but I wanted to know is how you found this place." 

Kent sighed as he told the team what exactly happened to him during his disappearance and how he managed to find the planet and why it was very important for him to get back with an army. 

"Fair point. If faith steps in, then this is some serious stuff... I am glad to be here making a difference. Though the other marines are, quite frankly, not making it easy for me to trust them." 

"I know it's hard to trust others. However, if you should put your faith in those who believe in you, then you shall never face betrayal and those friends who truly believe in you will never leave you hanging of who you are." 

"Thank you for trusting me and keeping my secret, Kent. I will repay that debt no matter what." 

"Don’t worry, Marky, it’s already paid in full. Lady Winter, how long until drop?"

"Thirty seconds ‘till drop, cousin... Opening rear bay doors now." 

With the strike team coming together, everyone was ready to fight. As the rear bay doors opened, Clayton took a quick glance at the situation below and it was looking dire.

"Bossman! The iron armored soldiers are killing the civvies! Request permission to break their legs!" 

"Granted," Kent shouted.

Kent jumped out of the Night Hawk and, with sword and pistol in hand he opened fire on several soldiers that were about to skewer a group of civilians. He landed on top of a soldier crushing his neck upon impact. With boosters ignited, Kent rushed into a platoon of soldiers and started cutting down the enemy soldiers methodically.

He crashed into a platoon of soldiers that formed a shield wall by throwing one of the Excaliburst blades cutting down their shields and several soldiers into pieces. He dived into the middle of the group as he grabbed the Excaliburst using his steel claw boots. Upon activating the ability of the blades, it unleashed a powerful energy wave defeating several groups of soldiers in rapid succession.

The knight showed his prowess with the blade as he tactically cut and sliced down dozens upon dozens of soldiers – limb by limb – without mercy or respite.

One of the soldiers charged from behind and plunged his spear on his back but the tip of the spear broke off upon impact due to the toughness of the Xerrohmite plating. Kent grabbed the soldier by the neck and fed a fragmentation grenade into his mouth and threw him into another group of soldiers – killing them immediately.

The rest of the Strike Team jumped in the middle of the city to neutralize every soldier they saw while Lily and Micheal aided the civilians towards safety.

"General. Rex here. The soldiers are not letting up... We have a lot of wounded civilians in the city center."

"Help them and push the army out of Hope City... By the way, Rex, if you see two girls with violet hair wearing a white clerical outfit, and a black-haired monk – let me know right away... If you see them, show them the Dragon-wolf emblem." 

"Copy your last, General. Over and out." 

He closed the intercom, maneuvered to the side, and kicking one of the soldiers – breaking the shield into shrapnel that penetrated into their rib cage – which instantly killing them. Kent looked up to the sky to see the Marines with their knight captains dropping in from the sky – aiding the Strike Team as the battle rages throughout the city.

The battle raged on as enemy reinforcements came in from the northern and western flanks. The Knights and Marines regrouped at the western gate while Dreadmech suits positioned themselves on city entrances while repelling the tide of soldiers out of the city.

He displayed his skills and mastery in handling the Excaliburst blades and Trailblazer buster sword as he juggled from one blade to another while releasing a flurry of throwing knives and small arms fire against the seemingly numerous hoards of enemies.

With the aid of other Sky Raider teams that dropped to the other villages earlier, they were able to force a retreat against the New Kingdom Army. 

The Sky Raiders attacked from the rear of the Western Army and the Dread Knights from the north they drilled through the enemy formation as they are trying to rendezvous back to their lord and master.

The first wave of Zerrohnians, led by Captain Khorn Blood Fang, arrived aiding his lord in battle as he ripped through several dozens of soldiers using his plasma axes. Khorn Blood Fang is well-known among the Iron Wolves as an “Ancient Venerate Fell Fang berserker” – hailing from the Red Ring Zone of New Dawn. 

The Red Ring Zone is notoriously known for Fellbeast spawns and its harsh living conditions – making it near impossible for anyone to live unless they are part of the Blood Fang tribe.

The Blood Fangs are known to the Iron Wolves as the best frontline mercenaries in any war as no company will fight head-on with little to no concern about themselves. Blood Fangs specialize in close quarters combat which has been embedded on every Blood Fangs’ rite of passage as a warrior.

Its hierarchy is based on the number of occasions their weapons and armor had been repaired or replaced. The number of dents present on their gear is equivalent to a year's worth of experience since Xerrohmite’s Adamantine armor is incredibly strong and tough.

Khorn Blood Fang had seven years of experience under his belt and he is the oldest Fell Fang berserker to have joined Victor Redridge in rescuing Charlotte Sentinel from the Graveyard station and participated in the final battle for Jorgal V during the Second Great War.

Khorn is also one of the many mentors of Kent Redridge during his time on New Dawn before he was summoned to Ren'veil.

"ALL HAIL FOR LORD ANTHONY!" Khorn cried and howled from the top of his lungs while bathing into the blood of fallen soldiers.

"Good to see you are enjoying yourself, mentor. Now, report."

"Yes, my lord. We saved several hundred villagers. They say that these sniveling scumbags are called the New Kingdom. They hailed from the Capital City and were formed about a year ago. Though they are just pudgy flesh bags, they are worthy enough to satiate my axes." Khorn said as he butchered two soldiers into half.

"Hmm… If what you are saying is true, then they were formed by the time my summoning contract was completed. I need to speak with the elders of the city... Khorn, can I count on you to drive the enemy out of the city?" 

"If you will it, my Lord… then my berserkers will see it done," Khorn replied with a sadistic smile.

"Then make it happen... No mercy or respite. Enjoy yourself, Khorn. Also, try to rescue as many civilians as possible while you're at it," Kent told the mighty berserker.

"I shall not fail, my Lord," Khorn affirmed with a salute as his eyes turned bloody red.

The Fell Fang berserkers have a unique ability called «Blood Rage». This genetic trait is well-known amongst the Fell Fangs as it increases their dexterity, aggression, physical strength, stamina, speed and agility, reaction time, and pain tolerance beyond angelic levels.

Although, the empire had considered this trait as a defect due to the mass genetic alterations made by the custodians when they originally found the Xar-gezh.

On the contrary, «Blood Rage» has its own drawbacks, Its prolonged usage will increase the chances of losing one's sanity, and rapid aging of their body in exchange for power. 

Their service to the Dragon-Wolf and to Faith earned them their right of audience with her despite seeing the Blood Fangs made the sacrifice and she offered to remove the curse of the Blood Rage from their genetic sequence.

They politely refused their deity's offer as their founder told her, “Should we die by the curse? Then, so be it. Until then, we shall use its power to better serve creation as her defenders for we shall never rest. Only in death shall relieve us from our duties.”

Faith felt humbled by their gallantry to protect the Created and the Shepherds. However, her heart cries out to them as every berserker carries a burden that would steal away their lives one day.

They are an invaluable and well-trusted ally of the Kingdom. Khorn himself and many others amongst the Blood Fang were offered a seat upon the Royal guards but they declined. They rather wish to serve as the fangs and claws of battle are the place where they belong. 

Khorn smiled at his enemies as he used «Bloodlust» and «Dominator’s Rage» against the soldiers sending them all into a terrified frenzy as they were brutally cut down by the Berserker.

With the army's attention drawn towards the berserker, Kent sneaked towards the city while the marines and knights screened the charging soldiers.

He made his way on what was left of the makeshift bridge and a broken barricade. The sight of dead civilians was too unsettling for a knight to see as it breaks every rule and code made by their founder.

The Knights’ Code states that for every innocent and defenseless who died in the battle between the knights and their enemies, a prayer of peace must be offered in order to allow the innocent to pass into the heavenly realm. Sadly, there was little time to mourn the dead as he moved through the streets – passing through several soldiers of the New Kingdom who fought against the platoon of marines scattered across the city.

Passing through several blocks across the destroyed main roads during battles against the New Kingdom, Kent was able to regroup with the Strike Team who created a base around the ruins of city hall.

"My god! How could I let this happen?" Kent thought as he inspecting the area.

The sight of thousands of wounded civilians of all ages – afflicted by loss of limbs, eye injury, and family members – radiates the sorrow, pain, and anguish crying for vengeance and justice.

The massacre of the Vai’lens enraged the knights and this heinous crime had been committed by their own king. The Knight Lord closed his eyes and listened to the billions of souls wailing from their deaths as the Earth Mother cries for justice.

Though they gladly answer the call of the Vai'len, however, little did they know that another force craves for battle from deep within the stars.