[EMPIRE CASTLE]
Lycus made a grave mistake when he foolishly executed his generals. With no generals, the Empire soldiers were disorganized and in disarray.
By the time Suho and Thalia returned, the fighting was basically over. The majority of the Empire's forces were annihilated.
"Thalia! Thalia! Thalia!" Suho was anxiously shaking Thalia…desperate to reach her.
"Suho! What's wrong…what happened to her! Tell me what happened!" Gaia shouted with a frightened voice.
Arsha, Liu Zhigang, and Kavar joined as soon as they heard the yelling.
"Is she hurt?"
"What happened to her?"
"What's wrong with her…why is she not responding?"
A blur of voices blended together.
Suho managed to calm his anxiety…he calmed his mind replaying the final moments…right when they defeated Lycus.
"I think she is undergoing a metamorphosis." Suho said softly…almost as if whispering to himself.
Arsha examining her closely said, "yes…you are correct. Her vitals are stable. There is nothing wrong with her physically…she is in a suspended energy-conservative state…much like a butterfly's transformation. She is undergoing a massive change."
"Are you sure? Is she ok?" Gaia asked unconvinced.
"Positive…she will be ok. She just needs some time." Arsha said.
With that assurance, the rescue team let out a sigh of relief.
"Liu…please take command. See to our soldiers, wounded, and prisoners." Suho pleaded.
"Leave it to me kid." Liu replied as he gently patted Suho on the shoulder.
[…]
"The remaining forces are fleeing…should we pursue them?" Kavar asked.
"No…let them go…there is no hiding what we accomplished here. The Empire will learn of it soon enough." Liu said.
He added, "General Kavar, please take command of all Cherubims and Seraphims. See that their needs are cared for and that they all make it back safely."
He continued relaying orders, "Lady Gaia…I need you…please Suho will care for your daughter. I need your help to bridge the gap with the rescued Apostles. Many of them know you from the frontlines or at least recognize your name…you are the only one that they trust right now. Please, help us…see to them please."
"Arsha, contact Thomas Andre and tell him to get here immediately. I don't care if he is holding court or taking a dump…he says he is the King of Giants, there are giants here that need him."
"Also contact Antares, or Ragnar, or whatever name he goes by now days. Tell him to get here immediately. There are dragons here that need him…I don't care if they are not from our universe and technically a different type of dragon. They are flying lizards that shoot fire…that's a dragon. Get him!"
"You, get me an exact headcount of rescued prisoners…and I mean exact. Take some soldiers and get it done."
"You, I need wounded numbers."
"You, scavenge anything of use. Take some men and get it done."
"You four, we need intelligence. Start with Control Room. Document everything…and I mean everything."
"Arsha, we need those gates now!"
"You, take some soldiers and form a perimeter. I don't want to get ambushed or caught off guard during the evacuation."
One Ruler soldier said, "and I thought he was scary with a sword."