The battle of Hakona continues. The remaining Akadian fleet hovering above the planet started to lower themselves towards the planet's atmosphere, which then followed by the Federation fleet. Liliana had done her best to fend off General Amberglade's attacks while following Priad's instructions. Despite this, she kept her senses sharp and remained ever ready for whatever her enemies are throwing at her.
On the ground, the Akadian ground forces continued their ambush tactics against the Federation forces. Alisha fought alongside her men while simultaneously coordinating her forces across the planet. Her fighter squadrons had also deployed to the planet's surface, providing much needed aerial bombardment for the Federation army. Their progress was slow, but they were slowly making their way towards the capital city, fighting off the Akadian garrison stationed there.
Meanwhile, Priad was watching from the shadows as the battles unfolded. He continues to coordinate with his men. Laying traps and continuing their ambushes on the Federation forces, while being wary of Alisha's capability in facing his tactics and her strength.
The two of them fought each other as in they were in a synergy. Alisha fought using her strength, while having the sharpest mind to not fall for simple trickery, while Priad fought mainly using his mind, coming up with strategies and using his forces as best as he can. Yet, soon, the outcome of battle will be decided.
Alisha's forces have finished their encirclement of the city, continuing their intense fire at the city a couple of distance from its walls. However, Alisha would sense a strange energy coming from a certain direction, away from the city, taking her focus away from the siege.
Just then, Friday once again landed to report her success to Alisha.
"Alisha. I have aided our men, and they are heading this way to reinforce our assault"
Alisha didn't respond to Friday's report, her focus fixed on the strange energy. As one of the goddess's champions, her resonance is far stronger than those of her men, which allows her to sense all forms of energy, much better than anyone.
Friday takes a look at the direction Alisha was facing, and with a single nod, she understood what Alisha had been doing.
"Shall we investigate?"
"Yes"
Alisha then walks over to one of her captains, addressing him with a commanding tone.
"Captain, there is something that I must investigate. Take command and continue the siege"
"Understood. Best of luck, commander"
"And you" She then turns to the soldiers that were on standby in the distance "You guys are also coming with me. Let's go!"
The soldiers nodded as they walk over to her side.
Both Alisha and Friday, along with their group then leaves the besieging army behind, making their way through the forest carefully, and towards the source of the energy. Strangely, there were no ambushes or any Akadian troopers that attempted to stop them. Making them even more cautious at the strange silence.
Once they arrive, they were Surprised at what they found there. There was a portal gate, one that the Akadians have likely been using to ambush their forces. In front of it was a couple of Armenthian soldiers and their captain who had just triumph against the Akadian troopers defending the gate. The dead troopers littered the ground with both their bodies and their blood.
Alisha's group readied their weapons, readying themselves should the Armenthians decide to attack them. However, The Armenthian captain approached Alisha with a gesture of peace "We are not your enemies, soldiers of the Interstellar Federation. We seek to help you vanquish these Akadian invaders"
After a moment of caution and observing the Armenthians, Alisha instructed her men to lower their weapons.
"By the look of your armor, do you happen to be a special brigade of this world's army?"
The Armenthian captain smiled "You have a keen sense, milady. Yes, we are king Okamoto's elite guards. He has tasked us with aiding you and liberating our people from Akadia's clutches"
Alisha was not fully convinced by the help the Armenthian was offering. So, she replied with a hint of scepticism "If I recall, your people have remained isolated from the rest of the galaxy. If you help us, your king would have chosen to side with us on this war"
The Armenthian looked down, bowing towards Alisha while withstanding the shameful outcome that she had mentioned "His majesty understood this, and was left with no choice but to bow his head to the Federation's cause" He then raised his head, looking at her with determination "Please, help us. Whatever you ask of us, we will honour it and pay whatever it is required. I stake my honour and my life with this promise"
After seeing how sincere the Armenthian was in asking for her help, Alisha smiled and lowered herself at him, giving a sympathetic smile "I understand. We will help your people, and I can assure you that the Federation will not take advantage of this. You have my word" she said while offering her hand towards him.
The Armenthian looked at her in disbelief, taking her hand as she helps him stand up again "Thank you. My people, as well as king Okamoto himself, owes you a great debt"
Alisha chuckles "Don't worry. We're happy to help those in need"
"I see" The Armenthian then smiled "I'm Kenji Shigeoka, captain of the king's elite guard"
"Alisha Sturn. Commander of the Federation army"
As the two of them were getting along, Friday walked past them while looking at the portal gate.
"Is this the strange energy you sensed back there?"
Alisha turned her attention to the gate "Yes, this is the one. The energy I sensed from within is… Strange"
Kenji replied to her while crossing his arms "That's because through this gate is another dimension. We called it the Heart, a place where we store a powerful device called 'The Barrier' that has kept us isolated from your wars" He then looks at Alisha with a grim expression "It's clear that the Akadians have destroyed it"
Friday walks up to him "Do you have any intel on who's leading the Akadian army?"
Kenji nodded "An Akadian trooper is in command of their army. His number is 117, but I overheard them referring to him as Priad"
Hearing that name, Alisha's eyes widened. Her suspicion seems to be correct about a Trooper leading the Akadian ranks, but never had she expected that it was going to be him. Alisha instinctively clenches her fists, as she remembers the ingenuity of Priad's strategy, and how she was almost beaten by him.
"I knew it. So, he's still alive"
Kenji raised his eyebrow, curious about Alisha's connection with Priad "Do you know this Trooper?"
"Once" Alisha then looks at Kenji with a grim determination "Captain Kenji. We're dealing with a very dangerous trooper. Under no circumstances should you or your men underestimate him"
"Of course," A slight worry follows as Kenji replies to her.
The same goes for both Alisha and Kenji's men, as they overheard the conversation just now. Alisha then turns to her men, giving them their orders sternly.
"I need some of you to remain here and guard this portal. If we don't come out, call for reinforcements and search for another. There's got to be more around here"
"Yes sir!"
She then looks at Kenji "You and your men will follow us in. We're going to take a look at your barrier"
"Yes. We will guide you there without fail"
Alisha nodded with a faint smile at his assurance.
Alisha, Friday, and their combined forces headed through the portal, while some of Alisha's men remained outside to guard the portal gate and ensure Alisha's entrance and escape from there.
***
In the wilderness, among the dense forest. Trooper 309, along with his troopers were overhearing the conversation that Alisha and Kenji were having. Some of the troopers there were injured, and only a handful were healthy enough to fight alongside 309.
"I wasn't expecting the king's elite guards to attack us, but everything seems to be going according to his plan. But the Fallen Princess seems to have a history with 117" Trooper 309 observed the conversation.
An unknown trooper next to 309 commented "Maybe 117 left quite an impression on her. Quite rare for troopers like us to do so on an enemy like her"
Hearing this, 309 grew tense at the possibility of Alisha countering Priad's plans "Damnit, change of plans. We must destroy the portal gate no matter the cost and buy time for 117"
The unknown trooper replied "309, we're outnumbered. Not to mention that some of us are heavily injured"
Despite the concern, the injured troopers that 309 had just patched up, walked up to them from behind, readying themselves to fight, even in their critical condition. 309 looked at them hopelessly yet prepared for what he and the others must do.
"We have no choice. We never have and this is what we were always meant to do. But…" 309 looked at the Portal gate "Maybe 117 and can make sense out of all of this. Somehow"
The unknown trooper chuckles "Heh, to the death as always"
"And for our brothers in arms" 309 said, then he turns to the others "We only have one shot. Make it count"
They nodded and readied their rifles to begin their final charge against the enemy. It was a desperate move and one that Priad didn't make them do, yet 309 decided to entrust it all to Priad. Whatever suspicion he had on Priad before, it didn't matter if it meant winning the battle. And so, he prepared to sacrifice it all.