Ashlock wasn't the kind of place you stumbled into by accident. It was more like a trap that clicked shut once you stepped inside. The kind of place that smelled like rust, smoke, and old grudges.
I was standing on the edge of the Outer Ring, pipe in hand, watching the fog roll in thick and slow. The kind that blots out the sky and makes every shadow feel alive. Perfect for ambushes. Or disappearances.
A message pinged in my HUD, breaking the silence:
[System Notice]Welcome, Anchor Vaelric. You have claimed Ashlock Gamma-9.Core Integrity: 100%Zone Control: 12.4%Objectives: Defend, Upgrade, Expand.
I scoffed. "Defend, huh? Easy to say when the enemy wants to rip you apart."
Jex's voice crackled in my ear. "We've spotted movement near the north ridge. Goldteeth Syndicate's scouts."
Great. Just what I needed.
I adjusted my grip on the pipe and glanced over at Zorn, who was already pounding his hammer against the barricades like he was trying to start a war. Nira melted into the mist, scouting ahead like she owned the place.
"Alright," I said, tightening my armor. "Let's make sure they regret ever thinking Ashlock was easy pickings."
The fog wasn't just for show. It hung heavy, dampening sounds and swallowing shapes whole. Nira's footsteps were nearly silent, but the way she moved said she was ready for trouble.
I kept my eyes peeled. Goldteeth Syndicate scouts weren't the friendly type. They came armed, and they came hungry.
"Jex, how many?" I asked through the comm.
"Five, maybe six. Mid-tier anchors," she replied, voice calm but serious. "They've got some decent gear, but nothing we can't handle if we stick together."
Zorn grunted nearby. "I say we give 'em a welcome they won't forget."
I smirked, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline. This wasn't just about territory anymore. It was survival.
Suddenly, a figure materialized from the mist, half a step too fast to be friendly.
Nira moved like a shadow, closing the distance in a blink. Her blade whispered through the air and met cold metal.
One down.
The others didn't wait.
The others came fast, weapons flashing in the dim light. I swung Pipe 2, the heavy metal connecting with armor with a satisfying crunch. Sparks flew.
Zorn was a whirlwind, hammer smashing through defenses like they were made of glass. His laugh was a low growl, fierce and fearless.
"Come on, Goldteeth! I'm just getting started!"
Nira danced between foes, precise strikes taking out key points before they could react. Jex's drone buzzed overhead, firing concussive blasts that knocked attackers off balance.
It was chaos, but the kind I thrived in.
One of the syndicate scum tried to flank me with a sonic pulse emitter. I caught it mid-spin, palm slamming it hard. The device exploded, ringing in my ears.
No time to lose.
I pushed forward, each step closer to the heart of their formation.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed behind me.
The shadow slammed into me before I could react. A heavy fist cracked against my ribs, knocking the wind out of my lungs. I staggered, dropping Pipe 2.
The attacker was massive, one of Mavrikk's lieutenants, a hulking brute in reinforced exoskin. His eyes burned with hatred.
"You're the anchor causing all the trouble," he growled. "Time to end you."
I forced myself to my feet, gasping for air. Every movement was agony, but I couldn't show weakness. Not now.
Nira was already there, blades flashing, cutting a path through the enemy ranks. Zorn followed, hammer raised, ready to finish the fight.
I grabbed Pipe 2 and charged.
Our weapons met the enemy's with brutal force. The clang of metal on metal echoed through the fog.
Pain burned through my ribs, but adrenaline sharpened every sense. I couldn't afford to slow down, not with the Goldteeth pressing in harder.
Zorn roared, swinging his hammer in a wide arc that sent three attackers sprawling. His grin was brutal but honest. "You want a war? You'll get one!"
Nira was a blur, moving like smoke, slicing tendons and disabling weapons with terrifying precision. She landed beside me just as the brute charged again.
I met him head-on, swinging Pipe 2 with every ounce of strength left. The metal cracked against his armor, but it held, barely.
Then something clicked in me. The system pinged:
[Skill Unlocked: Core Pulse][Effect: Emit a shockwave of energy, stunning nearby enemies]
I focused, channeling the power through my pipe. A pulse of energy exploded outward, throwing attackers off balance.
The brute stumbled, his armor flickering from the overload. I pressed the advantage, hammering at his joints until he finally collapsed.
The remaining enemies scattered, their morale broken.
The fog began to clear.
We'd held the line.
But the war was just beginning.
The air was thick with smoke and dust. The groans of the wounded mixed with the distant echoes of retreating footsteps. I leaned on Pipe 2, trying to catch my breath, every breath a sharp reminder of the fight.
Zorn was busy patching up a broken turret, grumbling about its "stubborn guts."
Nira checked the perimeter silently, her eyes never missing a detail.
Jex tapped away at her console, scanning for incoming signals.
"We won't get a break for long," she said without looking up. "The Foundation's not sending foot soldiers anymore. They're sending specialists."
I rubbed my ribs and forced a grim smile. "Specialists or not, Ashlock's ours."
Just then, a ping lit up my HUD.
[Incoming Transmission — Encrypted][Unknown Sender]
Selis's voice cut through the static.
"Vaelric, you've made noise. Foundation Command is sending someone to deal with you directly. Prepare yourself."
I looked out toward the horizon, where the fog still lingered.
This was no longer just a fight for a zone. It was a war for survival.
Night fell hard over Ashlock, swallowing the last light. I stood on the ramparts, eyes scanning the fog like it was a living beast.
A soft chime rang through the comm.
[Unknown Signal Detected — Incoming Vessel]
A sleek craft slid silently through the mist, landing on the broken tarmac nearby.
From the shadows emerged a figure, clad in dark armor, face hidden beneath a high-tech helmet. The air around them buzzed with quiet menace.
"Anchor Vaelric," the voice was calm but carried weight. "I'm here on behalf of the Foundation. They want to talk."
I clenched my jaw, gripping Pipe 2 tighter.
"This zone isn't up for negotiation."
The figure raised a hand.
"Not yet. But it will be. Let's see if you're worth the conversation."