Chapter 66: Checkmate in the Peaks
The first member of the Crimson Banner squad came flying over the edge of the island, landing in a perfect combat roll. He was fast, silent, and his eyes immediately locked onto the fake versions of Scarlett and Chris standing on the fragile ledge. He saw them as the main threat.
"Targets spotted! On the ridge!" he yelled.
Tom Kane and the other two soldiers landed right behind him. They were a terrifying sight, a blur of red and grey armor moving with deadly purpose. Without a moment’s hesitation, they charged towards the illusion.
"Wait," Kane suddenly barked, his eyes narrowing. His S-Tier talent, "Strategic Mimicry," was screaming at him that something was wrong. The way the fake Chris was standing, the angle of his shield, it was just a little too perfect, a little too obvious. "It’s a trap!"
But it was too late. The first soldier had already leaped onto the fragile ledge, his sword raised high to strike the illusion.
CRACK!
The sound was like a giant bone snapping. The entire ledge gave way. With a surprised yell, the Crimson Banner soldier tumbled into the endless, misty void below, his scream fading into nothingness.
"Man down!" another soldier shouted in panic.
Before they could recover from the shock, Chris "Boulder" Magnus, the real Chris, let out a mighty roar from his defensive position. "You want some of this? Come and get it!"
He was a giant, unmovable wall of muscle and metal, and he was impossible to ignore. Kane and his remaining two soldiers turned their attention to the real threat. They were professionals, and they adapted quickly.
One soldier charged straight at Chris, his weapon glowing with energy, while the other tried to run around the side to flank the rest of the team.