Into the Breach

“Sounds like the raid has begun,” Ray says, his voice a hushed tone as the distant battle cries echo from the south gate.

“Then we'd better hurry,” Mika whispers as she and Ray climb the castle walls on the west side, away from the main fray. She finds purchase on jutting stones, the rough surface giving them traction. They ascend swiftly, stopping just short of the top. Accel Order riflemen, oblivious, lean out with their rifles extended, peering into the periphery.

With the enemy exposed right above them, Mika and Ray each seize a rifle, yanking the startled men over the edge and sending them plummeting into the moat below. They pull themselves over the parapet, unsheathing their blades. Riflemen remain preoccupied with shooting over the walls, unaware of the breach in their lines.

Mika and Ray explode into the ranks of riflemen. Startled cries are cut short as the men struggle to spin and fire, only to fall before the duo's blades. The two move in tandem, perfectly synced, each covering the other's back. They are a ballet of death.

With the interior defenses compromised, the rifle volleys weaken, becoming more sporadic and manageable for the United Army. With the path open, the main force storms across the bridges, flooding past the castle walls and into the grounds.

Dell and Jade, part of the raiding force, crash through the splintered gate and immediately join the melee, engaging the enemy at close range.

Jade, with a sharp exhale, chops an opponent in the neck, scattering him. She continues her assault, kicking away rifles before they can be aimed.

Dell charges forward, his new composite shield absorbing the brunt of lead projectiles as he tears into the enemy line. He punches through their ranks, turning their advantage into chaos. The United Army follows Dell’s clearing path.

With lines broken, the battle devolves into a brutal free-for-all. Blades clash, spears jab into shields and flesh, and rifles are used as makeshift clubs. The air becomes rife with the clang of steel and guttural cries of the bleeding and dying.

Then, the Order's elite shock troopers, clad in heavy armor, descend from the castle’s main keep, heaving their massive broadswords. They meet the United Army soldiers head-on, cutting them down with sheer, overwhelming force, blood splattering on their armor.

“Looks like it's my turn.” Dell grins as he drops his shield and draws his broadsword from his back. He meets the shock troopers head-on, trading massive blows, each swing a wide arc. They are evenly matched.

Jade leaps onto a shock trooper's back, driving her karambit into the vulnerable armor gap in the back of their neck. The trooper gurgles in agony, collapsing into a heap.

The battle rages across the castle grounds. With Accel Order sensing a losing battle, they retreat, some fleeing into the castle's auxiliary buildings, others heading down into the dungeons.

“Dell! Follow me!” Jade yells while slicing the throat of an enemy. Wiping the blood off her face, she leads the charge down the stone stairs into the dungeons with Dell following close behind. The narrow halls are packed with enemies, forcing Jade and Dell to fight back-to-back. The Order fighters try to keep them from advancing with their polearms and spears, while occasional rifle fire blasts down the corridor, picking off their own men.

Jade leaps, using a spear as a launch platform, and kicks the spearmen down. Dell uses his broadsword to cleave through multiple opponents in one swing, clearing the corridor heading to the main chamber.

Yet more enemies surge from behind.

“Damn, they just keep coming,” grunts Dell. He stands his ground, his hefty frame and broadsword standing in between Jade and an incoming swarm of Accel Order blades.

“I'll handle the small fry. You keep going.” He gives a thumbs up before charging into the fray, felling multiple enemies at once.

“Dell... I'll see you on the other side.” Jade surges forward into the main chamber.

…

Mika and Ray, ignoring individual skirmishes occurring, race across the courtyard and make their way into the castle's main keep. The room's center is dotted by museum displays of ornate and ancient relics.

Bang! The wooden floor splinters before them, stopping them dead in their tracks.

Locke steps out from around the corner, reloading her matchlock pistol.

“You only have one shot. There’s two of us,” warns Ray with a thinly veiled threat.

Without a word, Locke draws a second pistol with her other hand.

They split, diving for cover behind the displays. Locke fires, shattering glass as the antique relics reduced to fragments.

She reloads both matchlock pistols in a single, swift motion.

Mika peeks out. Bang! A lead projectile impacts the wall behind her, narrowly missing her.

“Shit!” she hisses, feeling the sting of the graze on her knuckles.

“I'll distract her. You go find Icarus,” says Ray.

“Wait. You can't fight her alone,” protests Mika.

“No. I got this.”

“Let me help you.”

“Trust me. This is something I have to do on my own.”

“...Then get back in one piece.”

Ray nods and dashes out, feigning a charge. Locke fires, but misses as Ray dives behind another pillar. Mika sprints toward the stairwell. Locke pivots and fires again. The projectile splinters the wood banister. Mika, unharmed, ascends the stairs up the main tower of Osaka Castle.

Locke clicks her tongue in annoyance. Ray closes the distance and swings his blade. Locke uses her pistols to block. Clang.

Ray jumps back, resuming a ready stance.

“You and I have a score to settle,” he growls, eyes burning with fury.

“Trying to be the hero? How typical,” Locke sneers.

“I'm no hero. I just want revenge.”

“Oh?”

“You killed my partner. Flint Song.”

“Then you shall join him.” She raises her guns.

Ray ducks out the side door. Bang! The projectile clips the corner. Locke follows in hot pursuit, her pistols at the ready.