The ground trembled beneath Nam's feet as the black ship loomed overhead, eclipsing what little light the broken world still had. The dark entities pouring from its bays moved like shadows come to life—silent, fast, and lethal.
"Defensive positions!" Nam barked into the comms.
Squad Alpha, battered but unbroken, formed a perimeter around the Shard. Their armor was scorched, their weapons almost overheated, but none of them backed down.
The first wave of shadow-beasts struck.
Nam fired into them, but bullets barely slowed their advance. Lan hurled an energy grenade that exploded mid-air, scattering several of them, but it was like trying to empty an ocean with a bucket.
"We need reinforcements!" Lan gritted out, ducking under a swipe from one of the creatures.
Nam glanced at the transport beacon—it flickered wildly, struggling to maintain the lock on the Shard.
Another impact rocked the plaza. A giant shadow, larger than the rest, crashed down from the dark ship. Its form shifted and twisted, a nightmare made flesh. It carried a blade forged from pure nothingness.
Nam's stomach tightened. "That one's their leader."
The creature pointed its blade at the Shard. At that moment, the air itself screamed.
The Shard reacted violently, its surface cracking like glass under unseen pressure. A blinding pulse surged outward, throwing friend and foe alike to the ground.
Nam struggled to his knees, his vision swimming.
From the heart of the Shard, a figure began to emerge—glowing, ethereal, almost too bright to look at. It was shaped like a human, but its energy was vast and ancient, beyond comprehension.
Lan gasped. "Is that… a Guardian?"
The dark leader hissed in rage and charged the Shard, its blade raised to strike.
"No!" Nam roared.
He threw himself between the dark creature and the awakening Guardian. Their weapons clashed—Nam's blade of light against the enemy's blade of void.
The impact sent shockwaves through the plaza.
Nam barely held his ground. The enemy was faster, stronger, and filled with an unnatural hunger. Every blow felt like it would tear him apart.
Lan and the others opened fire, forcing the lesser creatures back, but they couldn't reach Nam in time.
The dark leader slammed Nam aside like a ragdoll. He hit the ground hard, coughing blood.
Through dazed eyes, he saw the creature raise its blade again, ready to end him.
Before it could strike, the Guardian fully emerged from the Shard.
With a single wave of its hand, golden light erupted across the battlefield.
The dark creatures shrieked in agony as the light burned through them. Even the massive enemy leader staggered, its body searing under the Guardian's gaze.
Nam felt a gentle touch lift him to his feet. The Guardian, standing tall and radiant, met his gaze.
A voice, both everywhere and nowhere, echoed in his mind:
"You have fought with courage. Now… you are chosen."
Nam felt a surge of energy flood his body—strength, clarity, and a deep connection to something far greater than himself.
The Guardian turned toward the dark ship and raised its hand. A beam of pure light shot skyward, slicing into the vessel. It shuddered, groaned, and began to retreat into the swirling clouds.
The remaining shadow creatures fled, vanishing like mist before the dawn.
The battlefield fell silent.
Lan rushed to Nam's side. "Are you okay?!"
Nam nodded slowly, feeling the energy still pulsing within him. "I think… I'm more than okay."
The Guardian spoke again, its voice ringing out for all to hear:
"The darkness has seen your strength. But this is only the beginning. The true war... lies ahead."
With that, the Guardian dissolved into a thousand sparks of light, absorbed back into the Shard, which now hovered peacefully once more.
Nam and Lan exchanged a long look—relief, awe, and a grim understanding passing between them.
This victory was just a spark.
The firestorm was yet to come.