Chapter 37: (CH36)The Shepherd and the Wolf
The air inside GFH Forward Operating Base Iron Haven buzzed with tension. The clatter of keyboards mixed with the low murmur of tactical chatter. In the brightly lit command center, a holographic map of Manila flickered—at its center, General Azura’s worn face loomed over the city’s digital outline like a specter of war.
Outside that map, beyond the data and projections, the Lions-Bane, Level 47 of the Golden-Class, still roamed the burning perimeter of Manila. A scar that never stopped bleeding.
"How are our troops inside the Manila perimeter? Any reports?"Liam Pagara’s voice cut through the air like a blade. Level 6 Assassin. Lean, coiled, and still as a striking predator. The whisper of his god, Hanuman, the Agile Devourer, tickled the back of his mind—eager, hungry.
Captain Anya Sharma, Level 5 Warden-Class, stood from her console. With Durga, the Unyielding Shield, as her patron, she radiated quiet, grounded strength.
"General," she said, "our field analysts report the Lions-Bane isn’t moving beyond a specific zone. It’s defending something. A nest, maybe... or a newly opened portal."
Liam’s jaw clenched. "Send that to Aegis Command. Emphasize the ’protecting something’ theory. Also, get me a readout from all GFH bases. Any unusual Host movement outside the known guild zones—especially Calabarzon—I want it."
Anya nodded, but the moment was shattered by a sudden, ripping shriek outside.
Gunfire erupted.
Then screams.
"Intruder alert!" a soldier’s voice crackled over the comms—raw panic bleeding through the static.
Liam was already on his feet, daggers in hand.