Chapter 13 - Cheers to the End of the World
Northern Blockade: Hell Spawns
Western Blockade: Yetis
Southern Blockade: Skeletal Swamp Trolls
Remaining Perimeter: The defense now spans a 15-kilometer radius, primarily covering Intramuros, Rizal Park, and the CCP Complex. Defensive lines along major access points, such as Monumento, EDSA-Ortigas Junction, and Alabang-Zapote Road, are holding but are critically weakened. The retreat has left 75% of the Metro Manila area compromised, with no further fallback positions available.
Remaining Forces:
One fighter jet, at 50% fuel.3 operational tanks (1 in the Northern sector, 1 in the Western, 1 in the Southern).2,000 active soldiers total (700 in the North, 600 in the West, 700 in the South).500 militia fighters, armed with improvised weapons and minimal training, spread across all blockades.3 mortar teams, focused on the Southern sector.2 howitzers, one each in the Northern and Western sectors.3 functional drones, primarily for reconnaissance.
Civilians:
40,000 non-combatants sheltering within the final safe zone.10,000 able-bodied individuals, including militia, providing logistical support, resource management, and minor fortification efforts.
Resources: Food and medical supplies estimated to last 3 days.
Enemy Breach Estimate: 24–48 hours without reinforcements or breakthroughs.
—
"Safety be to our next generation and if possible… the next..." Victor Ramirez, formerly known as General Ramirez, and now Wartime President, ended what felt like the final meeting of his term with a solemn laugh. The days they have left displayed on the screen serving a quick summary of their failure.
The grim situation more than enough to squash the old and decrepit council into a lul, as the information in front of them was collated two days ago, meaning they have less than a day to evacuate or risk being trampled to death by the war of these monsters.
Tears and a look of hopelessness painted the council members as they excited the room. Some even ran as soon as they left the meeting room clearly unwilling to follow the agreed upon move of the meeting.
One of them even waited for the Warmaster to exit, and exchanged a couple of words. Not even bothering to hide the fact that she opposed the final orders given to the council.
"The once never ending game of the council, now both out of moves as well as pieces." The similarly old woman said to the warmaster chuckling as she bid farewell.
"Well it must really be the end if that old woman was willing to break character…"
"Not that it matters."
The warmaster laughed. Not even bothering to do anything as re-entered the now empty council room.
—
Victor serving himself a glass full. He took a small sip of the well earned brandy before directly gulping down the rest, his mind already numb due to the recent developments.
These last two days has been particularly tough even for Victor.
People, particularly the council becoming more and more selfish. And sometimes even deranged.
Monsters breaking through fortified perimeters, slaughtering battalions of militia, soldiers and civilians as if they're cattle…
Our safe haven becoming less and less…
The survivors becoming more unhinged. Hoarding, looting, raping… The ugly sight of people reverting back to the old ways…
Assassinations… Arson… Scheming… Backstabbing…
The last bastion of this country becoming a false claim of safety, as everything became expendable, all in the name of 'the greater good.'.
Soldiers sent to their deaths, Civilians used as chess pieces in this losing game. To serve as distraction, and sometimes even as Bait for monsters. As cannon fodder…
Victor felt ironic.
Who is it if not the military's role to protect everyone during these chaotic times? It felt wrong, but the words have been repeated to him during the past few meeting enough times for even his own thoughts to blur along the panic and desperation.
'For the greater good of our countrymen…'
'Just so at least a few could have a chance at survival…'
His knuckles cracked crushing the glass along with splinters and blood now covering his wounded hand but he felt nothing. Or rather what of it.
It would soon be his turn anyway.
…
… …
A few hours later…
As predicted, the capital fell a few hours after the councils last meeting. The remaining council who still haven't fled fought valiantly. Exhausting all the pages in the book of tactics, pulling miracle after miracle until they had dried up all of their luck.
Buying the new generation as much time as there is to exit the capital. Their eyes filled with tears as they watched their country die in front of their eyes.
'If only we chose to migrate as soon as we noticed the encirclement.'
Some of them kept mumbling as they fought their last. A sentiment even the Warmaster heavily suggested upon but what could have he done? He was only the warmaster. Not the president. The president had long died at the start of the apocalypse.
And what formed in place of the position, was the council.
Come to think of it, they were doomed from the start. Given the individual interests of each council member, there was no chance that they could have exited or even break through the encirclement in time.
And Victor's heart crumbled night by night because of it. Maybe if Levi was here, he could have outspoken everyone and even prevent the forming of the council. But alas.
'I just hope that the boy won't be foolish enough to rush here.'
…
… …
As the last of the units stationed outside of HQ had died. Everyone solemnly prepared themselves for the end. Crying, hugging. Decking themselves with whatever gear they could find.
The people left in the HQ less than a few, but all of them brave and honorable. Hardened by experience of fighting together. All of them fueled by the countless deaths they have witnessed.
A few of them could have arguably survive if they left alone, but they didn't. They wanted to die along with the country they have served. And tonight they will.
…
… …
Two hours before the collapse of the final fortified perimeter, the Warmaster Victor, fully decked in combat gear rushed to finally join the ranks before doing looking back to stop as he heard a familiar voice call to him.
A voice, he sincerely did not wished to have come here...
"A master of tactics, an iron grip hard enough to choke out all plots and schemes. The Warmaster of Manila. Victor Ramirez."
"That's a well earned title, old man."
The Warmaster reddened in anger looking as if he would explode, before de-escalating into a sigh. Instead focusing his attention more towards the man hiding behind the shadows. The dark cowl masking everything about the man. Yet he knew who he was.
A slight smile lightly brushing across the Warmaster's face, before being replaced by a fresh new scowl, turning around to once again continue his stride, knowing that the man would come and walk by him by him.
"You shouldn't have come here."
"Yet I came here as fast as I could."
"You're too late… Arrogant Fool. This is why I keep telling you to live somewhere nearby."
"I have served my time."
"That you did. But you know it yourself that your duty never really ends until you or your country dies. You know what. Why don't you just go. This isn't your country anyway."
"I have fought for this country–"
"You forced yourself to play the role. Do you think another couldn't have done the things that you did?"
"Naturally."
"Arrogant!"
The Warmaster unconsciously raised his voice causing the people to look at him and the man covered in black. Both the Warmaster and Levi then next laughing, the warmaster noticing that Levi was simply goading him.
"Right until the end you're a pain in the neck. Do me a favor and get the fuck out of here will you?"
"You know it yourself. There's no point in naming more heroes if everyone else dies in the end anyway."
"And I wanna die a hero. Got it? Go home. You should have a better chance there." The old man whispered. Levi's tears bubbled up, but he kept himself still. Rather than an order it painfully sounded like the old man's dying wish.
"I'll be going ahead. Take care of yourself."
'I can at least save you...'
He wanted to say, but he knew the old man wouldn't relent. So he kept silent even if it tore his heart. He watched the back of the warmaster fade, taking his time to pause and breathe.
Before leaving the HQ.
As expected of the losing war, each faction had their own 'mentors' and 'prodigies' to send away. The people on top cold and calculative until the end. Quelling the fires of the more important figures while igniting the will of those who are decided to pave the path for the next generation.
And even Levi was no exception to that.
He was being ordered to escape. Provide whatever help he felt like, and escape safely.
It was an order from the Warmaster himself.
Not only an order by a superior in the military, but what probably was the dying wish of the closest person to a father figure he had in this life…
Levi felt that he had no right to deny that.
…
… …
To be continued.