Alex lit another cigarette and slowly made his way home after learning who would join him in tomorrow's assault on Raccoon City. As he walked through the settlement, he silently watched the people he had led halfway across the world to bring to this safe haven. He knew—he didn't have to do it. He could've left them to fate; after all, he wasn't obligated to become anyone's savior.
Death is a part of life.
But he also understood: once the Minister of Monoliths and Davaot were defeated, all the souls enslaved by them would finally be free. They'd have a chance at reincarnation—and maybe, just maybe, a peaceful, normal life... in another world, one not ravaged by yet another apocalypse caused by a madman obsessed with power.
When Alex reached the house, he lingered on the porch. He gazed out over the settlement for a long time, thinking about the future of these people once everything was over. The simplest option would be to put them under the protection of the Resistance, which would likely become the new government.
But with that came the realization that their fates would once again be placed in the hands of... other people. He hoped that Balalaika and Svetlana could maintain order and help those who remained survive. Alex seriously considered whether he should leave humanity a final gift—something that could help rebuild this broken world.
Finishing his cigarette, he went inside. Another thought briefly crossed his mind: what if he took the people of the settlement to Orario? But he knew—not everyone could adapt to life in that world, with its harsh rules and completely different culture. There was no place for the weak in Orario.
Survival there belonged to those who could fight, or at least provide tangible value.
Alex shook his head. He didn't want to force his will on anyone. Let people choose for themselves how they wanted to live. He had already done enough.
Inside, he met the girls' expectant gazes. They immediately asked how many people would be joining tomorrow's battle.
Alex shook his head.
"Everyone who fought before is going. No one stayed behind," he said calmly.
The girls instantly noticed there was no joy in his voice. There was a weight in it. They exchanged glances, and Saeko was the first to ask:
"Something's wrong?"
Alex nodded. He knew that many of those who marched into battle tomorrow would not return. This wouldn't be just a fight—it would be a battle for the very survival of this world. The girls understood him without further explanation and silently nodded. There are always casualties in war. But tomorrow's battle—it wasn't just war anymore. It was the final clash at the edge of extinction.
To ease the mood, Alex suggested watching a relaxing movie. Something light to take their minds off things. The girls eagerly agreed. Grabbing some snacks, they gathered in the living room and put on a simple comedy.
"Alex, will you tell us what really awaits us tomorrow?" Saeko asked quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Her words made the other girls turn to him. They knew tomorrow wasn't an ordinary day. The Minister of Monoliths and Davaot were in Raccoon City, and everyone understood—demons weren't the only threat there. If it were just them, it would be much simpler.
Alex paused in thought. He could feel it—even now, if he focused. From deep within the city radiated a darkness. He sensed an immense surge of negative energy. And he knew the Icon of Sin was in Raccoon City.
"I only know one thing," Alex began, averting his gaze, "there's a Red Marker in Raccoon City. And it's... different. I've tracked every one that's ever been created in this world."
"You said something about a web of black threads..." Coco tilted her head. "Did something change?"
"Before, the lines stretched in all directions. But now... they're all converging on Raccoon City. I'm certain the Prime Marker is there—the one that will trigger the Convergence."
"And that worries you?" Becca asked lazily, still munching on chips. "Besides the whole 'planet turning into a meatball' thing?"
"There's a creature in Raccoon City capable of destroying entire universes. The longer it stays in this world, the stronger it becomes. It bends the laws of reality, influences the fabric of existence itself. It's the Icon of Sin. Its arrival has already erased countless worlds."
With those words, Alex activated a projection and showed them what the creature looked like.
Deep inside, he prayed that the Icon wouldn't merge with the power of the Black Marker. If it did, it would no longer be just a monster—it would become an Outer God, an existence so far beyond comprehension that it drives minds to madness. And if the Icon joined forces with Davaot and the Minister of Monoliths... the result would be truly catastrophic.
The girls stared at the holographic image of the Icon of Sin floating in Alex's palm, holding their breath. The creature looked like a titanic demon, a fusion of living flesh and architectural elements. Its body was composed of meat, bone, and metal, and in the center of its forehead gleamed a massive eye, like it was forever watching.
Even though it was just a projection, the girls could feel how monstrously dangerous the thing was. Alex explained that the Icon of Sin was the embodiment of suffering, born from the souls of traitors.
Hearing that, the girls exchanged glances. They immediately understood—Alex wasn't finished. If he was talking about a traitor's soul fueling that monster, it meant he knew more. And they were right.
"The soul fueling the Icon this time... belongs to Albert Wesker," Alex added quietly.
"Wesker? Why him? Wouldn't any traitorous soul do?" Ada asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That one's obvious," Saya said calmly. "That bastard betrayed the entire world. His soul is the perfect fuel for a creature like that."
"Saya's absolutely right," Alex nodded, giving her a thumbs-up. "Only someone who betrayed the whole world could be a powerful enough energy source for the Icon."
"And how exactly do you plan to kill something like that?" Shino asked lazily, leaning on the armrest. "I mean, yeah, you're a badass and all… but this feels like a bit much."
"It'll take a special weapon," Alex replied, raising two fingers. "Either Slayer's sword—the Crucible—or something from my personal collection. Something destructive enough."
"And what exactly in your collection can do that?" Rika purred, running her foot teasingly along his thigh. "Care to show me, dear husband?"
Alex smirked, grabbed her foot, and immediately started tickling it. Rika squealed and writhed, laughing as she tried to escape his grasp.
"Alex! Stop!" she gasped, pulling away. But when she saw him reaching for her again, she shrieked and dove behind Shizuka, expertly using her friend as a human shield.
Shizuka looked at him with a resigned expression, wide-eyed and pleading for mercy. But it was too late—the tickle monster had entered the fray. Shizuka burst into uncontrollable laughter, tugging at his face and trying in vain to fend him off.
When Alex finally let her go, she was panting heavily, clinging to his chest. Smiling, he looked up at the other girls. They all flinched.
"I think I'll go now," Chun-Li said, standing up. "I don't want to be the next victim."
"Too late, sweetheart," Alex smirked, grabbing her by the hips and pulling her in.
"Run! While he's distracted by the leggy one, we've got a chance!" Juri shouted, leaping over the couch with a running start.
The girls looked at Juri, then at each other—and immediately scattered in all directions. Alex rose from the couch, giving them a long, measured look. They knew... the hunt had begun.
But among them was one who didn't even flinch. Alcina sipped her wine elegantly, showing not a hint of fear.
"Just try it," she said coldly. "The consequences will be... painful."
"My dear wife, how could I not try?" Alex grinned, stepping toward her.
Alcina met his gaze with blank eyes, but as always, he ignored the warning—and attacked.Soon, Lady Dimitrescu was struggling to free herself from his grasp, a drop of sweat sliding down her cheek. Alex laughed, kissed her on the cheek, and backed off. Alcina rolled her eyes and sighed, covering them with one hand as she returned to her wine.
Alex's next target was Shigure, who clung to the ceiling, hoping no one would notice her. He silently looked up. Their eyes met. Shigure froze, pretending she didn't exist. It didn't work.
Soon, the room was filled with screams, laughter, and chaos. The girls, trying to escape his tickling claws, ran from room to room, hiding wherever they could—but Alex wasn't giving up. Even Alyssa, Anya, and Nobukatsu, who peeked out of the game room, were caught in the mayhem.
The evening ended on a cheerful note. Some were laughing, some were grumbling, some hissed at Alex under their breath, but all of them—without exception—had finally relaxed. And though tomorrow would bring a battle that could determine the fate of the world, in that moment, for at least an hour, they were able to forget everything.
Alex knew full well that the girls would be thinking about the coming assault on Raccoon City all night—and most of them probably wouldn't be able to sleep. So, he'd made a simple but effective decision: wear them out with a wild game of tag. The goal was clear—exhaust them to the point where fatigue would overpower anxiety.
And he was right.
Completely drained, the girls didn't even make it fully into bed—once they flopped onto the mattress, sleep took them instantly. Not one of them thought about tomorrow anymore.
With the first rays of sunlight, Alex and the girls woke and headed straight to the kitchen—no one intended to fight on an empty stomach. Breakfast was quiet. Everyone was mentally preparing for the upcoming battle in their own way, and Alex didn't disturb their focus. After downing a strong coffee in a single gulp, he headed to his workshop.
Entering, Alex made his way directly to the massive mech—Atlant Mech. He needed to be sure that GIR, MIMI, and Stitch had finished the upgrades. As he approached, he examined the work with satisfaction: new cannons were mounted on the mech's shoulders, a heavy machine gun stood nearby, and a massive steel mace was attached to its side. The Atlant was ready for war.
GIR, MIMI, and Stitch proudly admired their handiwork, happily high-fiving each other.
Alex shifted his gaze to Slayer, who sat off to the side sharpening his wrist blade. The man sensed his presence and looked up.
"It's time, Slayer. We're moving out," Alex said calmly.
"Hmm," Slayer grunted, locking the blade in place with a click.
"You three—get ready too. Armor on. It's time to roll," Alex added, addressing his assistants.
The trio nodded and rushed off to change. Alex watched them with a faint smile as his little helpers geared up for battle. He then used magic to suit up in his own familiar combat attire. In one hand, he summoned Yamato; with the other, he slicked his hair back in a familiar gesture.
He sent a message to Chris, notifying him that they were moving out, and almost immediately received a reply: their squad would be ready to deploy in a couple of hours.
Slayer was the first to be ready. Alex nodded to him, and they waited a bit for the others. When GIR, MIMI, and Stitch returned in full armor and armed to the teeth, Alex stored Atlant Mech in his inventory for transport.
They stepped out of the workshop.
Tense silence filled the living room. The girls were already fully geared up, focused, and ready for battle.
"Ready?" Alex asked with a slight smile.
"Hell yeah. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we go on vacation," said Becca, slinging her shotgun over her shoulder.
"We've all earned a break," Alex chuckled, nodding.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go smear those bastards across the floor!" Koko shouted, raising her fist.
The girls laughed and raised their fists in unison. Even GIR, MIMI, and Stitch, caught up in the mood, threw their tiny arms into the air. Only Slayer stood apart, with his usual empty gaze.
Alex lowered his hands and smiled as he walked over to Namiyo, Kiriko, Yuriko, and Alcina—the ones who would stay behind to keep things in order. He hugged each of them, promised to return as soon as possible, and kissed them goodbye. Then he headed out with the rest of the group.
Outside, the air was cool and fresh. Alex immediately sensed that everyone had already gathered in the center of the settlement, waiting only for them. As he approached, he saw focused, serious faces. There was no fear in their eyes—only resolve. Even Itami, who usually avoided any kind of work, was standing in formation today.
The moment Alex arrived, all eyes turned toward him—and to the silent Slayer walking beside him.
"Late as always, our so-called leader," Lehm smirked.
"I'm never late. I just arrive exactly when I need to," Alex grinned. "And since everyone's here, allow me to give you my final gift. Something that might just save your precious asses from demon claws."
"What kind of gift this time?" Soap asked, squinting and crossing his arms. "Some new weapon? Or something even crazier?"
Alex smiled, pulled a massive container from his inventory, and set it down in front of the group. He opened the lid, revealing rows of neatly packed modules, then stepped aside to let everyone take a look.
The crowd exchanged glances, then turned back to Alex, clearly waiting for an explanation. He didn't rush—he simply waited for each person to pick up one of the new modules. Those who held it could feel it wasn't just another gadget—it might be their lifeline in a critical moment.
"I'm sure you're all wondering what these little things do. Let me explain," Alex began, lighting a cigarette. "You all have energy shields—that's nothing new. These modules are an upgrade. If your shield takes a critical hit and reaches overload threshold, the module activates. It'll trigger a powerful energy pulse, reset enemy aggression, and give you a window to retreat... or fight back."
He took a drag and exhaled the smoke.
"But here's the catch—after activation, your shield will be overloaded and shut down for a few seconds. So you'll need to be extra careful."
"Sounds... interesting. A few seconds without a shield? Manageable," Toji said, slotting the module into his suit.
"If only it were that simple," Alex muttered, watching the glow of his cigarette.
"Come on, don't keep us in suspense. Spill it," Ken said with a smirk, sliding his module into his exosuit.
"Alright. Just don't freak out. If one of you dies," Alex said, staring straight ahead, "the module will trigger a total energy system overload. You'll explode. Literally. You'll become a living bomb."
He flicked the cigarette to the ground and crushed it under his boot.
"So... don't die. I really don't want to be picking up your remains. We're not going there to die—we're going to win."
"Got it, Alex. Even without the warning, we know what's waiting for us out there. If it weren't for you, we'd already be demon chow... or undead playthings," Lehm said grimly, a cigarette between his lips. "We're either demon food—or a bright, burning firework that drags as many of those bastards down with us."
Many nodded silently. They knew the truth—without Alex and his technology, they wouldn't have survived this long. Some would've been torn apart by the undead, others burned alive in the fires of the demonic invasion. But now, they stood here—united, ready to fight one last battle.
Lehm and his fighters. Price and his squad. Itami's group. The forces of Balalaika and Svetlana. Even Mr. Chang's men—and the former Cosa Nostra mafia members, now turned religious fanatics who worship the "Emperor" and operate like a Black Templars unit. The Sun-Woo Clan, the Ryōzanpaku dojo, Master Ma's disciples—everyone who survived, everyone still capable of holding a weapon.
"Since everyone understands what's at stake, I'll spare you the dramatic speech. Chris and the Resistance will be ready in a couple of hours. We'll still make it in time for the last dance of this world," Alex said, scanning the faces around him. "We started this nightmare together—and we'll end it together. Today, no one runs. No one hides. Today, we strike back with a fury that'll make the invaders drown in their own blood."
Alex raised his hand high.
"Rip and tear until it is done!"
"RIP AND TEAR!" dozens of voices roared back, fists raised to the sky.
Alex grinned wide. Their fighting spirit burned like fire—bright, fierce, and ready to consume anything in their path. With that fire in their hearts, they could move mountains.
Drawing Yamato, Alex opened a portal with one swift motion, leading straight to the heart of the Resistance's military base.
He stepped through first. Slayer followed with heavy, echoing footsteps. GIR, MIMI, and Stitch jumped through next in a race. The girls weren't far behind.
As soon as the last one exited the portal, dozens of weapons were instantly aimed at them—soldiers hadn't expected someone to teleport straight into the most fortified zone.
"Hold fire! They're allies!" Chris's voice rang out clearly, and the weapons slowly lowered.
He pushed through the crowd of soldiers and was met immediately by Claire, already in battle armor. He clearly wanted to protest—but quickly gave up. He knew Claire wouldn't listen.
"You still manage to surprise me with your tricks, Alex…" Chris said, extending his hand. "But I'm glad you're here. We could really use the help."
"We wouldn't miss a party like this," Alex smirked, shaking his hand. "So, tell me—what's the situation with Raccoon City?"
"Come on. I'll show you," Chris said shortly, motioning for him to follow.
Alex nodded and told the others to get comfortable and be ready to move out. Slayer, Brunhilde, and Saya went with him. Once they reached the large operations room, Alex followed Chris inside and immediately noticed the room was full of soldiers in uniform. All were focused on maps and drone imagery.
Among them, he spotted Payne and Hannibal.
They both nodded in greeting. Alex returned a small smile and a nod, then stepped closer to the table to examine the intel. As he feared, the situation in Raccoon City was a complete disaster. Demons had overrun the city, swarming through it like ants through a massive colony.
Alex and the girls studied the assault plan laid out by Chris and his staff. His face slowly settled into a blank expression—the plan didn't sit well with him. It was, frankly, a frontal assault that amounted to a suicide mission. The only sensible part of it was a large-scale bombardment before the attack.
Those who knew Alex noticed the shift in his expression immediately.
"Hey, kid, what's with the face?" Hannibal asked, squinting. "Got something to say?"
"Your plan is a disaster," Alex said calmly, pointing to the map. "I have nothing against the initial bombing—that's smart. But a full-on ground assault? That's suicide."
"Then spill it, smart guy. What do you suggest?" Payne snorted, rolling his eyes.
"It's simple. The bombardment isn't to clear the way—it's to lure the demons out. No one enters Raccoon City. No one… except me and Slayer," Alex said, nodding toward his silent partner. "Everyone else—your army, my squad—focuses on securing and holding the outer perimeter. We need to stop the demons from spilling out. Because if they do, they'll overwhelm us. The images don't lie—there aren't thousands in the city. There are millions."
He began pointing to the map, indicating optimal defensive positions, bombing zones, and retreat routes. At first, some of the senior officers tried to argue, but Alex's points were much stronger—logical, clear, and irrefutable.
When he finished, no one objected anymore.
Alex also mentioned that in the very center of the city, something far more dangerous than the demons themselves was hiding—and therefore, no one should approach it without necessity. All attention must be focused on holding the outer line.
Having finished his explanations, Alex left the headquarters with Slayer, Saya, and Brunhilde. He was glad that Slayer didn't rush into battle alone this time, as he used to, with a shotgun and shield in hand. His calmness was the best sign—it meant everything was going according to plan.
Alex found his girls by the combat plane.
"What are you doing here?" he asked as he approached.
"Given my experience piloting, I decided: why should I rush into the thick of battle? I'm the pilot. And Chiquita will be the co-pilot," Coco said proudly, giving a thumbs-up.
"Good to hear. But… why do you all look so tired? The battle hasn't even started yet," Alex smirked, lighting a cigarette.
"Because I've been explaining to Shizuka for an hour how to use this damn turret!" Rika groaned, putting her palm to her forehead.
Alex looked questioningly at Shizuka, who lowered her head sheepishly. He smiled and motioned her to follow him.
"Come on, I'll explain it myself. Maybe it'll be easier that way."
Shizuka stuck her tongue out at the other girls and ran after Alex toward the plane. They exchanged looks—it was clear they found Alex's confidence amusing, thinking he could explain to Shizuka what they couldn't.
Seating her in the gunner's spot, Alex began his explanation:
"So, my love, a crash course. This is a tracer gun. Push forward—you shoot. Pull back—you reload. Simple."
"What?" Shizuka asked, tilting her head in surprise.
"Push, hold, pull back, repeat. Push, hold, pull back, repeat," Alex repeated, tapping her nose. "Got it?"
"So, push—pew pew—then pull back, and forward again?" she clarified, jerking the sight.
"Smart girl. Here's your reward," Alex said, kissing her on the cheek.
Shizuka smiled happily and cuddled up to Alex. He took her hand, and together they stepped out of the plane.
Giving the girls a thumbs-up, Alex sat next to them, while Shizuka, proud of herself, demonstratively snuggled up to him and stuck out her tongue again. Naturally, this drove Rika crazy.
"What are you playing at?!" Rika got flustered.
Unwilling to back down, Shizuka used her secret weapon: she grabbed Rika's head and buried her face right in her big chest. Rika squirmed, trying to escape the "death trap," and the girls, along with Alex, burst out laughing.
For a moment, Alex looked up at the sky, painted in an alarming crimson hue from the mass of demons. He saw soldiers bustling about, each tense to the limit. And yet… in their eyes burned a spark. Hope. Fragile, like a candle's flame, but it was there. And if given strength—it would turn into a fire.
He knew: right now, everyone needed faith. Faith that their fight wasn't in vain.
To be continued…