After the reply was sent, Osiris's hologram flickered before being completely hacked. The sender's image appeared in a way no one had expected. The background displayed a glowing, ethereal moon, its cool light casting an almost otherworldly glow. He stood on a crescent-shaped platform, something straight out of a fairytale. At the center of the platform was an ornate chair, where he sat with an air of relaxed confidence, wearing a black suit trimmed with silver that shimmered under the moonlight. His posture radiated assurance, bordering on arrogance.
The entire team stared at the hologram, eyes fixed as if trying to decipher the secrets of this enigmatic man from the details on display. Akira analyzed him, trying to figure out who he truly was, but before anyone could speak, a soft chuckle emanated from the hologram.
"Hahaha… Don't bother staring or trying to memorize my face," he said in a deep, smooth voice laced with a hint of mockery. "Because…"
He stood from the chair, and then the scene shifted into something astonishing. The luxurious chair dissolved into a pile of filth, and his pristine suit morphed into ragged clothes, making him look like a homeless man steeped in misery. Yet with a single step forward, he transformed again—this time into a rotund merchant dressed in lavish attire, surrounded by heaps of gold and glittering jewels.
With another step, he became a warrior clad in heavy armor, a massive bloodstained sword in one hand. Behind him, an arsenal of weapons was neatly stacked. "As you can see," he said with a sly smile, "I can be anyone. So what's the point of remembering this face? What matters is that we work together… for mutual benefit."
"Mutual benefit?" Akira repeated skeptically.
He nodded. "Yes. This time, I'll provide significant assistance in your fight against Zekhtau. In return, I ask for your help in purging the chaos at Elfegreen."
"What's happening at Elfegreen?" Mirelle interjected immediately, her face etched with concern.
The man in the hologram let out a quiet sigh. "The World Tree has been heavily poisoned by chaos. The situation is worse than you can imagine. Leanne and I have barely managed to contain the spread of the corruption, but it's draining our strength just to hold the line."
"Wait…" Mirelle interrupted again. "The World Tree? Isn't it the most important thing? If it's left unchecked, won't it destabilize the entire system?"
He nodded, his tone growing heavier. "Exactly. That's why I need Yue and Akira's abilities. The two of you might just be the key to reversing this disaster."
All eyes turned to Yue and Akira. Yue looked hesitant, but Akira's resolve was clear. He locked eyes with the man in the hologram and responded with unwavering determination. "My duty is to purge chaos. Even if this plan is a trap, I'm willing to take the risk to protect everyone. This is what I've been doing all along, and I see no reason to refuse your offer."
The man in the hologram smiled in satisfaction. "A commendable answer. It seems my observations of you since Celes were not misplaced."
Yue's eyes widened in shock. "Since Celes? You've been watching us all this time?"
He replied in a calm, even tone. "Yes. You've been a fascinating source of data. Everywhere you've gone, you've purged chaos along the way—something no one else has been able to do. Even the strongest Guardians can't leave their designated territories. The hope of Arcadia rests solely on you."
His words began to paint a clearer picture for Akira. He now understood that his role in this world wasn't just about survival—it was about creating a better future for everyone.
Draco raised his hand like he was calling for a timeout. "Uh… shouldn't we be discussing the plan? Zekhtau's probably closing in on us."
His words sounded almost like a joke, but they hit closer to the truth than anyone wanted to admit. Lunar Cipher nodded, his demeanor turning serious as he began explaining the strategy in detail…
After the reply was sent, Osiris's hologram flickered, then stabilized, revealing Lunar Cipher's detailed strategy. The plan was deceptively simple yet intricate: the evacuees would be divided into several smaller groups, each taking different routes toward the Guardian base. The goal was to confuse Zekhtau and prevent him from pinpointing their true destination. Meanwhile, Osiris was to remain hidden, separate from the evacuees. She would stay in a blind spot away from enemy attacks, a location that Lunar Cipher marked clearly on the hologram. To ensure her safety, two of the most agile and resourceful team members, Uncle Pong and Little Eve, would accompany her as bodyguards, capable of responding to emergencies quickly.
The main team—Akira, Draco, Yue, Mirelle, and Elina—would move to the ruins of Osiris's old camp. Lunar Cipher promised to provide cloaking devices for them. Although not perfect, these devices would reduce the chances of detection for a limited time. The team's objective was to wait until Zekhtau and his entire unit settled into position on the hill and began their assault.
"When they start firing, their units, including Zekhtau himself, will anchor their stabilizers into the ground to maintain precision," Lunar explained, pointing at the holographic map. "At that moment, they'll be immobile. That's when you strike."
He gestured to the tanks stationed at the foot of the hill. "These tanks are positioned below the main hill, which means they won't be able to fire back immediately. Their movement is slow, and your team must take them out before they get into position."
The key to the plan revolved around Draco. Lunar emphasized his role with a serious tone. "Draco, at the moment Zekhtau prepares to fire his death beam, you'll need to use your power to make him as light as possible. Then, force him to redirect his bow toward his own tanks. That beam should deal massive damage to his forces."
Draco nodded, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. Mirelle, standing beside him, added with encouragement, "I'll boost your power. If it has to be done, I believe you can do it."
"After that…" Lunar turned to Elina. "You'll need to shield Draco from retaliation. As soon as the beam fires, he'll be their primary target. But I trust your magical barrier will hold."
Elina gave a firm nod, accepting her role without hesitation.
Lunar continued, "Once the beam stops, the rest of the team will converge on Zekhtau. His long-range units have thin armor, and if you can take them out quickly, they won't be able to counterattack."
He paused momentarily, then pointed to another section of the map. "However, you'll need to retreat immediately afterward. The support tanks will begin to flank you, and that's when things will get extremely dangerous."
Lunar then brought up the image of fighter jets on the hologram. "At this point, I've already contacted the Guardian base to prepare airstrikes. These jets will neutralize the remaining tanks. If everything goes according to plan, we'll finally put an end to Zekhtau's terrifying assault."
As the explanation concluded, Akira's team stood in stunned silence, taken aback by the precision and depth of the strategy. It was meticulously calculated, leaving no room for error.
"To come up with a plan like this, in a situation like this…" Draco muttered, disbelief evident in his voice.
Akira, who had been quietly listening, lifted his gaze to meet Lunar's holographic image. A thought crossed his mind: This level of strategy… Lunar Cipher might be the only rival my father would consider worthy in an RTS game.
He took a deep breath. Whether or not the plan would succeed remained uncertain, but it was the only option they had. Akira turned to his teammates, scanning their faces. Despite the worry lingering in their eyes, there was also a glimmer of determination and hope.
"Alright," Akira said firmly, his voice steady. "We'll follow this plan. It's the only way we'll survive the light of despair and make it through this."