CHAPTER 57: UNEXPECTED ALLIANCE

Right after Ayato’s counter broadcast shook the city, ZEAL and their allies, the Dusk Hounds, the Vultures, and the Black Lotus, began moving at once. Preparations for war spread like wildfire across Aetherpolis.

Everywhere, the city shifted into two sides. Gangs sharpening their blades and fueling their cores, and civilians rushing to find safety, either by hiding in shelters or fleeing the city altogether. The streets were uneasy, whispers of fear and determination mixing in the air.

At Ward 1, Ayato wasted no time. He called an urgent meeting, demanding the presence of all Wardens at HQ. Ren and Shin were also summoned, though the rest of the squads were ordered to stay spread across Ward 11, Ward 1, and the allied wards, ready to guard their territories.

That night, Aetherpolis was quiet, eerily so. But everyone knew it was the kind of silence that came right before the storm. Tomorrow, the city will burn.

Inside Ayato’s room, the atmosphere was heavy. The Wardens stood straight, their expressions serious, while Ren and Shin remained at the far corner, unsure why they were even included in such a high level meeting.

Ayato finally spoke, his golden eyes sharp as his voice cut through the silence.

"Immediate action is needed, so I’ll make this quick," he said. "You Wardens will act as generals in this war. People will die. I won’t deny it. As much as we want to save everyone, we can’t. So don’t lose your rationality when making decisions for the greater good."

The room tightened with his words. No one dared to interrupt.

"This is my command," Ayato continued, his voice carrying weight. "Do not waste your strength on foot soldiers. Yes, we are outnumbered, but the strength of each ZEAL member balances that. We stand on equal footing. Wardens, your role is to turn the tide. Engage only in battles that matter facing the Fangs, the Messengers, or situations where your power is absolutely necessary."

The Wardens all nodded, their faces grim. They knew the Shikkoku wouldn’t fight head on. No, the enemy would chip away at them, wear them down, and only then strike directly.

Ayato’s gaze swept across the room. "Aeri, you and your squad will act on your own judgment. Whatever you feel fits the situation, do it. I trust your instincts."

Then, his eyes moved to the corner, where Ren and Shin stood. "As for you two, there are two reasons I called you here."

Ren and Shin straightened unconsciously, hearts pounding.

"First," Ayato said firmly, "the Messengers. I want either of you to face them. I believe in your strength, I know you’re capable of dealing with them."

Ren clenched his fists at those words, both anxious and fired up.

"The second reason..." Ayato paused before continuing, "Shin will temporarily join your squad for this war. With the two of you fighting side by side, I’m certain you could take down one Fang in a two on one battle if it comes to that. But remember, avoid them if you can. Your main focus is the Messengers, while cutting down the enemy’s foot soldiers. Can I entrust this mission to you?"

Ren and Shin exchanged a quick glance, then answered together without hesitation.

"Yes."

"Good. I’ll deal with their leader myself once it comes to that," Ayato declared. "We don’t know anything about him yet, but until that time comes, I’ll focus on thinning out their forces."

Mei frowned. "But... won’t you wear yourself down before facing their leader?"

Ayato chuckled softly, his golden aura faintly flickering as if to emphasize his words. "Mei, who do you think I am? I am the Skybrand King, the leader of ZEAL." He gave her a reassuring smile.

"Don’t worry, Mei," Kaien added with a grin. "Gale and I will be with the captain."

The room lightened. Everyone exchanged determined looks, their tension melting into a strong, shared resolve.

"For ZEAL!" Ayato roared, his voice echoing through the hall.

"For ZEAL!" the Wardens answered in unison, their voices filled with fire.

But just as their spirits rose, the doors burst open. Zig came rushing in, bowing quickly. "Forgive the intrusion! A gang has appeared right outside the ward."

The mood shifted instantly, all eyes snapping to him.

"They’re not causing havoc yet," Zig continued, "but they’re waiting. What should we do?"

Ayato narrowed his eyes. "Who are they?"

"The Silver Talons, sir."

Without wasting time, Ayato and the wardens headed to the outskirts of the ward. There, already waiting under the moonlight, stood the Silver Talons.

They were dressed in silver coats and hoods, streaked with green, their presence sharp and disciplined. Around a hundred men stood in formation, but one figure immediately drew everyone’s eyes. He stepped forward, his aura heavy and suffocating, as if daring anyone to challenge him.

The wardens tensed. They knew exactly who this man was. All of Aetherpolis did. His name carried weight, his strength ranked close to the wardens if not equal. A man recognized as a disaster class threat within ZEAL. Tear.

The Silver Talons were infamous, but not for cruelty. They were thieves, yes, but thieves with a cause. The Robin Hood of their ward, stealing to feed and protect their own people.

Ayato’s eyes narrowed as he stepped ahead, facing the man directly. "So? To what pleasure do we owe your visit, Tear?"

The hooded man lowered his hood, revealing sharp green eyes that glimmered in the dark. His voice was steady, carrying the weight of his entire gang.

"Let us join your forces, Ayato."

The air grew heavy the moment Tear spoke.

Everyone knew him as a man of pride and independence. A leader who never bowed his head to anyone, neither ZEAL nor the Shikkoku. To him, only his people mattered, and he believed it was his duty alone to protect them.

And yet here he was. The man who stood above all in his ward, lowering his pride to ask Ayato for an alliance.

"I’ll be honest," Tear said, his voice calm but edged with frustration. "I hate asking anyone for help. But this, this war is bigger than me. Bigger than my ward. Bigger than the Silver Talons. I can’t protect them all on my own. The only way forward is to join forces with ZEAL, with your reach across the city. Think of this as a favor I’ll owe you."

For a moment, silence lingered. Then Ayato let out a faint smile, stepping closer. He extended his hand without hesitation.

"You don’t owe me anything, Tear. If you’re fighting to protect, then we’re already allies. But," his voice turned firm, golden eyes sharp, "from here on, no more stealing. Make a living without it."

Tear’s lips curved into the faintest smirk. He clasped Ayato’s hand firmly, their handshake sealing the pact.

"We’ll talk about that later. For now," he said, his aura flaring like steel drawn from its sheath, "it’s an honor to fight by your side."

The guys and the wardens exchanged firm smiles at the alliance they had forged, even if only for this war. Everyone knew how dangerous Tear was. With his drive ability that sprouted razor sharp feathers and wings from his back, he and his squad brought a brutal edge both on the ground and in the skies.

Ayato wasted no time, assigning them to Ward 11 to reinforce Squads 7 and 3.

Meanwhile, Aeri regrouped with Ren and Shin, heading back to Squad 4’s apartment for briefing.

When they arrived, Kaela, Sora, Minato, Miko, and Seth were already gathered in the living room, waiting for orders. Their eyes widened slightly when they saw Shin standing with Aeri and Ren.

"First of all," Aeri began, her voice steady, "Shin will be joining our squad for this war. Our primary goal is to thin down their numbers and take out the three remaining Messengers. As of now, we don’t know their identities or abilities, so stay sharp, and don’t dive in recklessly. That goes double for you, Ren and Shin."

She paused, then continued. "We’ll split into two groups, or rather, it’ll be me alone, and the rest of you together. We’re deploying to Ward 6. After Grin’s defeat, the remnants of the Smileys were absorbed into the Shikkoku, and they moved their base of operations there."

The squad immediately clenched their fists upon hearing those words.

"Meanwhile, their foot soldiers will try to exhaust our members and the wardens by focusing their swarms on Ward 1, Ward 11, and the recently reclaimed territories which are 8, 9, 10, and 12. Our job is to cripple their strongholds while their focus is drawn elsewhere. According to Kaien and Gale, their main forces are spread across Wards 13, 7, 6, 3, and the Abandoned Zone."

Aeri glanced at them for a moment before continuing.

"But Ward 6 is different, it’s where Messengers themselves are stationed, being led by one of the Fangs named Junk Dog. Kaien and Gale confirmed it." Aeri continued. "Normally, the Abandoned Zone would be our first target, where Kade and Rikael are stationed, but we need to stay close enough to our own wards to respond if reinforcements are needed and to join the frontlines. And above all, we don’t need to engage two fangs as early as the first day of battle."

Ren’s fists clenched the moment he heard Kade’s name, but he forced the anger down. His family matters could wait. Right now, eliminating the Messengers took priority. Taking them out would cripple one of Shikkoku’s main threats aside from the Fangs.

"But if Ward 6 is one of their strongholds, wouldn’t it be crawling with Shikkoku soldiers? Maybe even Ashes?" Minato asked.

"I don’t think you’ll need to worry about that," Seth muttered, eyes fixed on the window.

"Huh?" Minato blinked.

Seth smirked faintly and pointed outside. "Because your old squad’s already here, man."

Outside, lined up before the apartment, stood the remnants of the Raging Waters, about fifty men, ready for war.

"They insisted on fighting beside you," Aeri said with a small smile. "With Valen and Ayato’s approval, they’re now officially under our squad. And I want you and Kaela to lead them."