"When you fight the ground, build walls. When you fight the sky—build faster."
—Jag, Command Journal Entry #12
+4 Hours – Ashen Vault Campaign, Day 1 Continued
The third wave didn't rise from the ground.
It fell from above.
At 3:12 a.m., a soft tremor hit Tower A. Then a high-pitched hum spread across the plateau—like wind, but sharper.
Lights blinked red on the upper edges of the Forward Relay Crystal.
[System Alert: Skybound Unit Detected – Confirmed Aerial Strike Phase]
New Hostile Types:
• Disruptor Drones (Stealth Glide Units – EMP Capable)
• Skybreakers (Heavy Cannon Support – High Altitude)
• Ascendant Cores (Command Beacon – Buffs Nearby Machines)
[Wave 3 Begins]
Weather Modifier: Fog Drift (Visibility -40%)
Targeted Zones: Tower A & B
Tactical Objective: Protect Anti-Air Towers
Jag bolted toward Tower A.
Ashra had already arrived, scouting the top deck with her spyglass. "They're not dropping bombs," she said, voice tense. "They're dropping commanders."
From the cloud cover descended three Ascendant Cores—hovering orbs enshrouded in glowing hex-runes. They pulsed with every second.
Behind them, clusters of Skybreakers flew in V-formation, preparing long-distance barrages.
Branwyn activated the Signal Rune atop Tower C.
[Command Signal: Mobilize Anti-Air Defense Line]
• Deployed: 2 Arc Lance Teams
• Jag Unlocked Skill: Skyreach Slash – Mid-Air Jump Strike, 15s Cooldown
Combat Phase: Air Defense
[Wave 3 Progress: 0% → 15%]
The first volley struck Tower A's roof.
-21% Structure Integrity
1 Guard Injured, 2 Shields Damaged
Branwyn reinforced the west wall, bracing behind a metal slab.
[Skill Used: Hammerhold Posture]
Buffs: Defense +30%, AoE Taunt active for 10s
"Focus on the Cores!" Jag shouted.
Ashra leapt from the tower using a Shadowbind Tether, anchoring mid-air and cutting through one Core's rune casing.
[Critical Hit: -112 HP to Ascendant Core Alpha]
[Effect Triggered: Buff Field Disrupted]
The drones responded.
EMP Burst: Tower B – Relay Offline 12s
Oil Trap Disabled
[Jag Activates: Skyreach Slash]
Result: +67, +89 damage to Skybreaker pair
Airspace partially cleared
Wave Status: 58% Cleared
Branwyn and the arc teams hold the flanks
Jag keeps midair pressure on command units
Ashra dances through fog, severing drones one by one
Suddenly—
New Threat: Skybreaker Omega Detected
• Traits: AoE Bombardment / Suppression Beam / Command Beacon Sync
• Armor Rating: A-Class Alloy
• Range: Entire Plateau
[Timer: 90 Seconds Until Ultimatum Bombardment]
Rialt's voice cracked over the crystal relay.
"We need to ground it, now!"
Crisis Tactic Deployed: Combined Target Focus
Jag triggered Skyreach Slash, using it to launch onto the back of the Omega unit mid-flight. The metal hull steamed from his burning footsteps.
Ashra tethered up behind him.
[Team Combo Activated: Phantom Cross]
Effect: -34% Armor Integrity
Internal Engine Exposed
Branwyn threw her reinforced warhammer like a missile.
It collided with the power core—
[Skybreaker Omega: Neutralized – Crash Imminent]
Jag leapt off seconds before it exploded across the ridge.
The force shook the entire basin.
[Wave 3 Cleared]
Time Elapsed: 6m 01s
Fort Damage: Tower A -23%, Tower B -17%
Morale: +5%
Resources Gained: 170 Gold, 2 Strategic Tokens
Upgrade Opportunities:
• Tower A: Install Shock Netting (Anti-Air Boost – 80 Gold)
• Tower B: Fortify Relay with Spell Mesh (EMP Resistance – 90 Gold)
• Tower C: Deploy Counter-Signal Beacon (Disrupts enemy command sync – 1 Token)
Jag selected:
Tower B: Spell Mesh Reinforcement Installed
EMP Resistance added – Relay uptime +25%
Nightfall Strategy Session – Eastern Mesa
The team gathered near a fire ring below the plateau. Scouts rotated quietly behind them, taking reports of machine movements on the lower trail.
Ashra sat cleaning her new gear—blades freshly coated in fog-oil.
Branwyn stared at the horizon. "They're adapting faster than flesh ever did."
Jag watched the firelight flicker in the wind. "Then we stop treating this like a raid. From here on, it's a siege."
Rialt brought a map etched in glowing ink.
"We've tracked their resupply lines—mechanical harvesters drilling out new parts every six hours. If we don't cut them off, they'll overwhelm us in attrition."
Ashra smirked faintly. "So we break their arms before they raise them."
[New Optional Mission: Strike the Harvester Line]
Description: Launch a counterattack on two known mechanical harvest sites
Rewards: Reduce enemy reinforcement count by 1 wave
Danger: Harvester Lines protected by machine-forged militia and anti-personnel pylons
Jag Decision: Delay main battle to launch strike team mission tomorrow at dawn
Units Chosen: Ashra (Recon), Branwyn (Shield Lead), 5 Shadowblades
Ashen Vault Campaign Status:
Waves Cleared: 3/8
Fort Integrity: 81%
Resource Pool: 140 Gold, 1 Strategic Token
Status Effect: Enemy Command Sync Disrupted
Next Threat Class: Siege Platform Deployment + Infantry Blend
Optional Mission Active – Outcome affects Wave 5 difficulty