Five minutes earlier, at the Aldo Village.
"Sir…we got them, the monsters are retreating," Albert said to Harvin who still wore the dumbfounded look. Even Rowan, who was the most skeptical among the villagers couldn't seem to move from the shock.
"You guys…thwarted a goblin invasion…with just twenty of you and the thing from the sky."
"Yes, it's easier than we expected. And as for the sky, it's ours. It came from our base which is far from here. That thing that is bombarding the goblins who were running now, are chasing them as we speak," Albert said.
Harvin breathed a sigh of relief. At last, they won't have to evacuate anymore and fear their village getting overrun by a monster. The men before him had done things unimaginable that if he were to tell this to the capital, they wouldn't believe him.
Then, Albert's radio sounded and excused himself. Seconds later, he returned to Harvin.
"The origin of the monsters was located, it's from a temple north of this village. Do you have any idea of its existence?" Albert asked.
"Temple…" Harvin looked at Rowan who shrugged his shoulders. "I'm afraid that we don't know. Our people wouldn't even dare explore lands unknown to us. But if it's a temple then possibly it's their nesting place…"
"And possibly the kidnapped women right?" Ward chimed in.
Harvin nodded grimly.
"Then we don't let Spooky-1 bombard that temple."
"So what are you planning sir?" Ward asked.
"We are going to conduct an operation that will clear out that temple. Surely with their numbers thinned down from Spooky-1, we can feasibly raid it."
"Isn't it dangerous?" Ward followed another question.
"It is dangerous, but based on the capabilities of the goblins, I don't think they'll even pose a threat to us. Still, we will exercise great caution," Albert said and added. "Get Claes here, tell him we are doing a joint-operation again."
"Very well," Ward excused himself to carry out his duties. Meanwhile, Harvin, who had overheard their conversation, bowed his head compassionately.
"Thank you so much kind sir…"
Albert offered a small nod to the elder. "You don't need to thank us, Elder Harvin. This isn't charity, it's strategy. The sooner we clear that temple, the safer this entire region will be."
Harvin looked up, awe still written across his weathered face. "Even so, your aid will be remembered for generations. You've done what armies could not."
Albert chuckled from the praise.
Moments later, Ward returned with Claes in tow. The Marine's boots thudded against the packed earth, his face set in a familiar scowl of fatigue and readiness. "You called for me, Commander?"
Albert turned toward him. "Yeah. We've got a confirmed source of the goblin infestation—some kind of temple three clicks north of here. Predator and Spooky both picked it up. We're moving to clear it."
Claes let out a short breath, almost a chuckle. "So, we're going from village defense to full-on raid ops now? Wait…we are supposed to protect this village not to go on offensive. You are deciding on your own again."
"Look, those monsters are a threat to this region and they are not far from our base. I suggest that we clear them up before they could cause a headache to us. We are just being preemptive."
"Look Albert, even if they are weak, you saw their numbers. It's dangerous to go into their base of operations. I'm sorry but I don't think I can risk the lives of my men in your mission. Besides, we are not working for you."
"Yeah you are not working for me but what are you going to do? Go solo with your marines? Look, you need us to survive in this world."
Claes's jaw tightened. "I'm not following you into some cult temple because you woke up with a halo over your head and decided to play god. My men answer to Marine command, not to fairy tales."
"Major, this isn't about faith. It's about containment. You want your guys home in one piece—so do I. This is the fastest way to stop another wave."
Claes spat a short laugh. "You decide for both our units. That's overreach, Spencer."
Ward moved between them before anything happened, palms out: "Hey—let's not—"
Claes suddenly stepped forward and shoved Albert in the chest. It wasn't hard, but it was enough to make a point.
Albert didn't even flinch. He steadied himself and stared back coldly. "Is that supposed to mean something, Major?"
"You think you can order me around?" Claes growled.
The air between them tightened. Soldiers from both sides tensed—hands drifting toward weapons. Even the villagers stopped what they were doing, watching the two men square off.
Albert didn't speak. He moved first. He deflected Claes's next shove, stepped in close, and slammed his shoulder into Claes's chest, sending him stumbling back a step.
Claes came back swinging, a quick right hook aimed at Albert's jaw. Albert ducked, countered with a sharp elbow to the ribs, and followed with a low kick that clipped Claes's leg.
Claes grunted, recovered fast, and caught Albert's arm, trying to twist it into a lock. Albert spun with the motion and flipped Claes over his shoulder. The Marine hit the dirt but rolled back to his feet, fists up.
"What the fuck!" Ward shouted, stepping back as the Atlas and Marine soldiers started pointing guns at each other.
"Stand down!" Albert barked without looking, just before Claes charged again.
Their fists collided mid-swing—Albert's palm strike met Claes's forearm with a dull smack. Claes countered with a heavy hook, but Albert slipped past it and landed a solid knee to the chest, forcing the air out of him.
Claes roared and tackled him. Both hit the ground hard, rolling in the dirt. Albert twisted, using his weight to break free, then slammed an open palm strike into Claes's jaw.
"Fucking bitch!" Claes spat, swinging wild. Albert sidestepped and planted a clean kick into his midsection, knocking him back several steps.
The two circled each other, breathing hard. For a moment, it wasn't commander versus Marine—it was two hardened soldiers testing who led the pack.
Albert raised his fists again. "You done yet, Major? Or do I have to keep teaching you?"
Claes wiped his lip, glaring—but finally dropped his stance. "Tch. You've made your point."
Albert exhaled slowly, lowering his hands. "Good. Then let's get back to work."