Joshua had brought more HDF reinforcements. More Valiants, AS users, Gladiators and more Orions to the fold. Their stats were similar just without the special perks of the Nightwing, White Comet, Blue Python and Fire team Skeller's benefits. The more specialized units were in a state of being modified for further weaponry.

Walking through the compound, Joshua found a Suicide Division Trooper fiddling about with a newly customized unit. A Warwolf that has been modified with a chain saw blade at the back, fangs and even shoulder mounted knife launching mechanisms. It was meant to be a recon type unit. The multiple Iron Golems that were being spotted defending the line had brought Joshua's attention to call the Lions of Pride Rock to the fold. As their Frames landed, they took up positions to get a feel for the terrains. Mapping the geography and topography with their recon radar drones.

"What are you doing there, Trooper?"

"Oh, Lord!" He stood to salute Joshua.

"What is this?"

"It's a newly made drone type. We're thinking of giving this aid to the Daemon's Punisher and Void Dancer units. We're leaving the naming up to you. The HDF and the Pride Rock has been working to give these units some better A.I function. Meant to hunt down enemy units. When they escape. So far we've made ones with blades, we're still making a few that makes a few to use the rail guns and maybe even more." The trooper spoke with delight, enjoying this work.

"I think I'll call it Sword Wolf." A menu popped up.

Alpha Sword Wolf

Class Mechanical Combat Unit Level 500

Machine taken from the Drusken Empire's new weaponry.

This particular model will be named Alpha Sword Wolf since it is the first of its kind to be named.

Based on a wolf, but it fights far more dangerously and has even quelled swordsman to their knees by its sheer might.

Personality : Quiet. Only speaks their concerns to their Commander 151.

Familiar Skills

Alpha of the Pack. The one who leads the pack of the sword wolves Astute AI It learns as it battles, though it is strong, it does not have combat experience. Enough combat experience will change it. Azterian Glare Forming as members of the pack, working with the Azterian forces granted the Sword Wolves their glare. Stealth

Optical camouflage systems to avoid detection, their body makes little sounds. Makes it useful for infiltration.

Howl of the Machines

When in combat, their bodies will howl. Synergizes with Lugasa's howl and others.

"Good morning. I am Alpha." The machine spoke in a monotonous voice.

"No personality matrixes installed into you?"

"Negative. It was deemed that it would be better if we learned. That was what it was said to be useful for us. To learn in combat. We do have the basics but to learn alongside your companions may teach us more than anything else." Alpha whirred as its jaw moved.

"So do I call you, a he or she?"

"I believe that I am a he, but the one for the railguns are meant to be her. Due to her personality matrix of a sniper was installed." Alpha spoke as he sat up.

"Paw." Alpha raised its paw where the Trooper shook the paw.

"Good boy." Alpha was processing to what had happened.

"Ah. I see... I am based on a canine family. Which is why you refer to me as a good boy." Alpha spoke as he did not wag his tail that had the chain saw attached to it.

"Carry on. I'll need to check in on the others." Joshua waved farewell as the trooper saluted him, Joshua was checking in with the Frames that landed. Where Mistral's Prophecy was hovering up in the sky, getting a feel for the terrain. Where as Vertex was just checking on Headhunter's weapons.

"Greetings, Lord of Thorns." Headhunter spoke while Vertex was fiddling with the controls in the cockpit.

"How's it going?"

"It is an interesting world. We've also received data on the Iron Golems. My weapons of thermal stress may or may not be useful. Which is why we are planning to test it on a combat run with Moon slayer. Care to join us?" Headhunter checked in where Joshua shook his head.

"Sorry, but Fracture, Dove and Crow will join you. I need to make sure we're prepped for the assault." Joshua clapped his hands together, an apologetic bow as he headed to look at the Goliaths. They were readying their lances against the tanks, and their new revolvers were far more useful than what they had previously.

"Lord." The Goliaths greeted.

"We're still preparing. So far the tanks we've faced have thin armor. A single lance would be able to take it down but even then we're working on a special system that allows our lances to be used in rapid succession. We've managed to use a canister system so our lances work like the pile bunkers used by the HDF's Gladiators. It works better for us since we just need to change the pile bunker's lance once every 10 shots with the canister." The Goliaths showed Joshua their new equipment, it was Bellwitch's design but far greater efficiency. Bellwitch redesigned the lances for full on power but they were single use. The new modifications made it easier to use but retaining Bellwitch's design in the lance's handles.

The demonstration was good, but Joshua still had an uneasiness that was crawling all over him. Joshua dashed out of the compound, going over to a place where no one could see him or anyone can find him. He needed to be unreachable for a bit. Needing to take all of this in. He's been in a few wars but nothing fazes him like the dead civilians.

Joshua knelt as he held Ashen Phoenix in his hands, taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes. Opening them to see the Ashen Phoenix that had been floating above him. Ashen Phoenix's domain which was an empty land that was only filled with ash.

"My Bearer. Why do you look so lost?" The phoenix's voice rumbled throughout the ground. Kicking up the ash that began to spiral around his environment.

"Maybe I am lost. I just... I just feel as if fighting with Cold Cage will result in more innocent people dying right in front of me." He spoke his worries out. Letting out a deep sigh, feeling as if he had a thought that needed to be said.

"Hesitation may be fatal, for you... My bearer. The Cold Cage will be a troublesome foe but you must understand. That if you do not do anything, people of other places will die. If they use civilians to stop you from fighting, it may be a sign for you to learn your strength so that no matter their tactics. It will fail them." The ash spiraled all over to Joshua, where Joshua continued to look up at the Ashen Phoenix that was floating above him, covering the world with its wings.

"My Bearer. You must understand that with all the power in the world. You may never be able to save everyone. You can save as many as you wish with your powers. The laws of causality must stay, just as how if another person was stronger. It would not be you standing before me. But you were the one who endured many things. You understand what it means to lose and grief over the loss of those you know. The same can be said for the enemies that you face, but there must come a time Lord. Where you must bare your fangs to protect others, even if your fangs will scare the masses." Ashen Phoenix's words were wise. Strong yet gentle.

"You lost yourself to a rage during the HDF's war against the Entente and the Outsiders that invaded your world. You did not hesitate to kill non-combatants. That rage of yours, must be quelled and channeled properly. You were rash but over time, I have come to learn that you are the same as my former Bearer. The Avatar of Destruction. Who would unleash hell against his enemies and use whatever means to protect his loved ones. His gentleness to the innocent is one that even some Gods have envied, while his merciless attacks on the wicked have the Gods of Chaos smirking over to his path. You must choose your own path."

"Thank you, Ashen Phoenix. When I get out of this place. I wish to avenge my brother and to learn what was his work. It may be something far greater than anything else." Joshua stood up, feeling his resolve being renewed.

"Then it settles it. For I will lend you my power!" Joshua was blown away by the ash and opened his eyes to see Ashen Phoenix being unsheathed. The ash blade was now changed to be a blade that is white, with its sheathe changing to become iron black and a metal feather was hanging by the handle.

The engravings on the blade took the ash colours to form a phoenix's flame pattern over it. The tachi was now in a beautiful state. Even gripping it Joshua could feel his hands tremble from the feeling of its weight. It was strong, it was far more powerful than anything he had ever held in his hands. Just what sort of power was lurking within Ashen Phoenix?

He dashed back to the base, where Iacus was spending time with King Maximilian, Lady Aurelia and the Drakens. It was a sight to behold, watching Iacus's swordsmanship, a fencer at heart yet every step he took. It was one for the history books, for they have watched a legend come to life. Where King Maximilian's blade was not enough, even with Aurelia and the Drakens supporting them.

A quick turn to block off Aurelia, a dagger to stop a Draken's lance from reaching his neck. A thrust to the neck by King Maximilian, where Iacus managed to dodge it by a hair.

"You've grown faster, Your Majesty." King Maximilian sighed as he sheathed his blade.

"You're still too fast for me, Master."

"Come now, back then. You could barely score a hit. Now you're able to strike me." They watched Iacus take off his mantle. Showing the shallow cuts over it.

"It means that you've been able to strike me. You've come to a day where you can be able to fight against anything that the enemies throw at you and tomorrow. We end this war." Iacus's words were a declaration to those that were present. They understood that Iacus was serious. That he was willing to end this war soon.

Because at dawn, they will strike. The plan to ensure that the Lord of Thorns, Seijuro, One Winged Seraph and Final Judgement would be able to enter the capital. An attack from all sides. This was going to be a bloody battle, but Joshua had to prepare his mind for it.