"But they're priced more than we're paying to fix what we got."

Moon was now in the middle of a call.

"How much we're talking here?"

He held the phone by his neck as his order commenced. The catalog is still clenched in his hands.

"20,000,000 million Tridals per each, you say? Hmm, I like that. Can you replace all of them? Really you can get them in before midnight? Yes, make that five, then."

Taishae was surprised for a brief moment at such a hasty decision. He questions him to have Moon reconsider, but his mind is made up. Moon helps himself to a drink in a glass.

"We took an entire region not long ago. So we may as well have the best tech on our hands. We can easily secure more funds without effort. I have another plan in mind that we can try later."

"Very well. I'll let Second Hand know to be expecting a few packages."

Back from Anneria…. Steffbird's ship leads the fleet by a huge cliff. Planned initially ahead, they are to meet up with Anneria's resistance force.

"Wow, that's one huge cliffside." Katty pointed out.

Elena makes the call to Steffbird to sound the horn. Their allies are within reach from a visible distance.

"We're close to the Silver Maiden temple now that we took the long detour across. So that's your first destination on priority." Elena updated.

"Yeah… The Silver Maiden temple. If the story is true, we might as well check it out." Alistor agreed.

"This place is called BreakPoint end. A major cliffside filled with caves and hidden passages across Anneria." Claws informed.

"Hmm, that's good. At least we won't have to engage the enemy from the front." Maigashi replied.

Deployed onshore, anchors are laid at rest as the party takes their first step on land. Allies from the Anneria resistance greet them at the sight of Elena's return. Next, Claws went out, rushing to two familiar faces within the greeting crowd.

"Hey! So you both made it back." A friend of Claws spoke.

"Great to see you two both still hanging on there." Claws said. "Oh, sorry…Alistor and his team helped us back on the way."

Alistor and each party member briefly introduce themselves, quickly getting acquainted with Claw's comrades.

"The name's Ralph."

"And I'm Mira; nice to meet you all."

"So, Claws? Ready to knock some heads just like the good old days?" Ralph jumped.

Claws felt baffled for a slight second. Then, bumping some fists and exchanging a few shoulder smacks, they were left to their own business catching up. Mira escorts the rest to their designated camps.

"Still the same as always, Ralph." Mira sighed. "We haven't got a clue what we'll fight against."

She was gloomy compared to his other friend, with her bang covering one side of her eye. Elena was not at ease, witnessing what power the enemy had already demonstrated. The memory of the massive tide of darkness haunted her mind.

"That metal-faced monster Taishae... Sometimes I feel that large wave of power is not from him." She admits.

"Whether it's a hunch or not. Taishae is Vilevelious' brother and must be stopped at all costs." Alistor said.

"We're here!" Tannen said.

With Steffbird's ship unloading the last cargo, disappointed looks were soon on their faces. But, unfortunately, it was not much to be excited about.

"I know this isn't much right now, but don't be deterred." Mira apologized. "We'll constantly be moving on the road, so expect temporary spacing for now."

She and Elena leave them to their personal business.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Claws asked.

"This sucks! They could have given us two tents at least. It's cramped as hell in here." Maigashi ranted.

"Agreed." Tannen sighed. "It's getting stuffy."

The rest were feeling discomfort. Auroa agrees with the idea of filing a complaint about a spare room.

"So, what room are you staying in?" Maigashi glared back at Claws.

He and Ralph felt nervous for a slight second from the gleaming crowd. Ralph reluctantly points to the large tent they are staying in near Elena's quarters. Alistor and the gang go to take a look inside.

"For the love of…." Auroa halted at his words.

"Just great, really great. We get a shithole of space, and those two get a deluxe suite. Well, screw this then…." Maigashi cursed.

"Not a whole conspiracy at all. Shithole as agreed." Tannen sarcastically remarked.

"Ugh… I'm filing a complaint." Auroa nodded.

He left with Katty and Zolhalla following along.

A while later…There was little or no success; nothing could be done about it. Finally, sunset close in as the party looks out with envy.

Annoyed as ever, something must be done. Sairori was only neutral in the crowd about the whole situation. Though cramped, he still kept his hopes up.

"Elena sent us a word for our first plan of a raid for tomorrow." Sairori updated. "Best to get some rest while we can."

"Argh! Why the confined spaces?" The captain wondered.

Steffbird finally comes in to greet them, but he is treated to an unexpected surprise. With a sleeping bag in his hands, Maigashi eventually loses his cool.

"That's it! We're getting that second room." Maigashi marches out, firing at a neighboring tent with his bow.

A neighboring scream could be heard. Alistor and company eventually settled outside. Abandoning the small tent, they set a bonfire.

"So why are you here? We thought they would assign you with a better room for a captain like yourself." Katty honestly asked.

The captain seemed bitter at first.

"Argh! The coordinator says dey ain't keeping a place for old crust buckets like me in high class. That's why I'm assigned here. Whether they win or lose, I'll be on my way once my contract expires." Steffbird said.

"I see… Don't worry about it." Sairori reluctantly cheers him up.

"Hey! What about a song?" The captain sprung up.

"Not a bad idea." Zolhalla's mood got cheery.

Dining together and sharing laughs, they sing away all night with the captain, fooling around across the small bonfire they made. Then, sooner or later, they fall asleep outside in the cool breezing outdoors.

A little while later… Before sunrise.

Moon and Taishae didn't waste time resting back at the capital. As a result, the showerhead monster began functioning.

"It's almost complete with such power surging through it. How much more time will it be, Tai, my man?"

The power suddenly wanes. Lights flicker on and off.

"That's the third time we lost power. It's 90% powered up, my lord. Just another big battery, and it should be ours to command."

"Alright, I guess, hmm. A shame the other monsters we found couldn't work. Plenty of parts salvaged here and there." Moon regarded, looking back at the scrap pile.

Power was restored, but another battery was not found, leaving him slightly disappointed.

"What? What do you mean we're all out?" The metal general questioned a soldier.

"It seems another battery won't be ready until afternoon. We've been at this all night."

"So it's a minor setback. We still got other monsters to bide some time." Moon reminded.

An incoming call then comes in from the new viewing screen.

"Incoming call from commander Roxcrusher," Taishae announced.

"Answer away then." Moon apathetically permits since he could care less.

Roxcrusher appears on the screen. A golem with an all-seeing pyramid eye looks straight at them and updates them on the current status.

"General Taishae! The enemy's location has been confirmed. They outnumber us by the thousands. They'll be approaching the Maiden's temple soon. Is the secret weapon you promised ready?"

"Yeah, about that…." Taishae rolls his eye over to the lord.

"Oh, don't look at me. We have setbacks with all these outages. We need one last battery for our new monster to be ready. So we'll send something to reinforce your lines."

Disappointed for the time being, the commander returns to his post. Worried by the minute, Roxcrusher's army considers falling back. Whooper grunts are seen among his units as the commander halts them.

"No! We stay put. The resistance must not breach the temple. Our lord had already wiped out two-thirds of their army. If we abandon our post, it will hurt our morale."

Returning back to the capital….

"So, what two warriors will you send out?" Taishae asked.