Top 5 Superpowers in Alternate Earth

1.) North American Empire

2.) People's State of Xinhua

3.) Austronesia People's Empire

4.) Deutsches Reich

5.) Russian Freedom Federation

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Night had fallen, and darkness stretched its veil across the world.

Under a starless sky, only the faint glow of a half-moon shines upon the world, casting its dim light over the thick shadows of the city.

On this very night, a prestigious carriage slipped out from the gates of the Rump Mansion. Its polished surface reflected what little light there was, and it was obviously designed for stealth.

As an Enchanted Carriage, it moved soundlessly along the hidden paths leading out of the bustling market district of the Free Trade City of Aquarius.

As one would expect from a carriage of this pristine nature, it did not travel alone.

An entourage of six powerful men, led by a pink-haired woman, surrounded the wheeled mechanism.

They were all on mounts, and they had solemn expressions on their faces as they advanced to whatever destination they had in mind.

Among the entourage, there was a certain hooded man who rode right behind the others. If Yuri could be labeled as the leader at the forefront, then this unknown person was the one who took the rear end.

Their formation was airtight to make sure that the carriage would be protected from all sides, even the flanks were surrounded by similar dark cloak figures with masks, leaving no angle unprotected.

A pretty standard formation for a considerably long journey.

“So, they’ve finally made their move…”

A silent voice, unable to be heard by anyone around, softly proceeded from the lips of a man hidden in the shroud of night.

Jawl, the leader of Scyllary’s Personal Recon Team, observed the scene from the cover of darkness. His body was completely shrouded in darkness as he narrowed his eyes to activate his Skill.

[Transparency].

With it, he could see through solid objects. Hence, the carriage’s tinted windows offered no resistance to his sight.

As expected, the Skill worked perfectly.

Inside the luxurious interior of the carriage sat Ronald Rumpan, Mara Terte Greene, and a masked man flanked by six silent subordinates. Ronald and Mara were seated side by side, while the masked figure was opposite them with an unreadable posture.

Jawl took in every detail with a cool and calculating gaze. Once he had committed the information to memory from their positions, their numbers, and any vulnerabilities, he deactivated his Skill.

'I should report to Lady Scyllary.'

His sharp eyes scanned the area as he noted his team’s positions. Scyllary’s recon operatives were scattered strategically along the route with their own formations ready to intercept. As professionals, it didn’t matter how well-defended the target was, Jawl was confident his team could easily dismantle it.

'We just need her signal.'

Jawl knew that his second Skill, [Dark Silence], was still activated, so he was confident that his next action wouldn't compromise his mission.

Reassured by the silence of his surroundings, Jawl reached into his cloak and retrieved a Magic Communication Artifact.

Shaped like an orb, it pulsed faintly in the dark and was considerably heavy with the embedded incredible amount of high-quality Mana Crystals needed to make it required for its long-range capabilities.

Pouring his Mana into the device, he activated it, knowing full well that a single call would drain its reserves. Recharge would be necessary, but that could wait.

Now, he only needed Lady Scyllary’s go-ahead to strike.

~ZTTTZ!~

Before long, the Communication Artifact crackled to life, and a familiar voice emerged from the other end.

[What’s the situation?]

Jawl immediately recognized the voice of his master, Lady Scyllary. Even though she couldn’t see him, he subconsciously bowed his head in respect as he began his report.

"All the necessary parties are present. Ronald Rumpan and Mara Terte Greene are inside the carriage. Their entourage is led by Yuri, their strongest warrior. Most of the other guards are familiar, though there are a few new faces among them."

He went ahead and succinctly poured out all the intel he had uncovered.

It was brief, straight to the point, and accurate.

As a professional who had served Scyllary for nearly a decade, he knew her preferences and how to do his job to her utmost satisfaction.

The reason he didn't even address her as 'Master' when on the call was due to her distaste for time-wasting formalities.

Jawl desired to please her to his utmost, so he did as he was told and reported exactly what his Master desired to know.

[Good job.]

The praise was simple, yet it struck Jawl like a reward far greater than gold or for all the scrutiny he had put into his work.

Scyllary's words of admonishment, spoken by her soft voice, put a smile on his face.

He wanted to do anything for her.

"My men are on standby. Should we engage passively to delay their arrival to the Dark Gathering, or launch a full assault to eliminate them?"

A brief silence followed, punctuated only by the faint hum of the Artifact.

[You mentioned there are many unfamiliar faces you Do not recognize? Are any of them dressed unusually? Perhaps in a manner fitting the title 'Ghost'?]

Upon hearing this, Jawl's mind worked quickly, searching through his incredibly photographic memory of the scene and came up with several results.

"Yes. Seven men in total, all dressed in black, hiding their faces. Four positioned at the flanks, two guarding the rear, and one within the carriage itself."

[Seven? I thought there would be three. Hmm...]

Jawl didn’t know who or what this 'Ghost' figure was, nor did he care. Names meant little to him and that wasn't going to deter him from fulfilling his duties and completing his mission.

Ghost or not, they would all perish if that was the wish of his Master.

[Do not engage the enemy. You’ve confirmed what we needed. Let them proceed and begin your next assignment.]

"Understood."

Jawl accepted the command without hesitation, though curiosity itched at the edges of his mind. Why hold back now? Still, his loyalty kept his thoughts unspoken.

He was in no position to question it.

He didn't need to know.

He just had to act, that was his purpose.

[You desire to know why I’ve ordered you to stand down, aren’t you?]

Upon hearing those words, Jawl shuddered a little.

He wasn't surprised that his Master had figured out his thoughts, but it still caught him off-guard.

"Yes." He responded.

There was no way Jawl could lie to Scyllary.

A soft chuckle echoed through the Artifact, sending a shiver down Jawl’s spine, and he swallowed hard as he listened to the melodious sound.

He felt something tingle between his legs, but he ignored it and focused solely on his Master's angelic voice.

It was enough to save a wretched man like himself.

[It’s simple, really. I do not wish for you or your men to meet futile deaths.]

The moment Jawl heard this, his heart nearly stopped. He couldn't believe the generosity and unparalleled kindness of his Master.

"...I understand."

He was momentarily speechless, overwhelmed by her mercy.

[Continue to monitor the situation and report back if anything changes. That is all. Goodbye.]

Once she finished speaking, Scyllary cut off communication from her end and the line disconnected, leaving only silence as the Artifact dimmed and deactivated. Jawl carefully returned it to the Dimensional Storage within his Spatial Ring while his hands were trembling slightly.

He couldn't say a word even a minute after the call. His mind was still recoiling from the kind words he heard from Scyllary.

'She doesn’t want me to die…'

The words echoed in his mind and clung to his thoughts. Though her statement applied to the entire team, Jawl’s broken mind interpreted it the way he wanted as a deeply personal affirmation.

~FWUSH!~

A sudden rustle in the shadows drew his attention. Out of thin air, one of his subordinates materialized before him and bowed deeply.

"Leader, we’ve been standing by for some time. What are your orders?"

Just as his eyes slightly moved upward, the subordinate's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets once he saw the massive pillar that rose from his leader's pants.

His eyes widened in shock at the sight of the unnatural… phenomenon.

Jawl, unbothered by his subordinate’s reaction or his incredible boner, spoke with steady resolve.

"Call the men back. We’re retreating."

Without further explanation, he turned, ignoring the stunned expression on the subordinate’s face and his incredible boner.

The mission wasn’t over, but for now, his Master’s will had been made clear.

————————————————————————

"Seven instead of three, huh? How… interesting."

The soft, velvety voice echoed through an immensely pristine room with every word dripping with amusement.

It belonged to a woman of striking beauty, sitting at the head of an enormous dining table. Her soft chair, crafted from the finest materials with utmost quality, cradled her like a throne, while the table’s polished surface gleamed under the golden glow of chandelier light.

The room was an artful blend of white, black, red, and hints of gold, an aesthetic that radiated wealth and power… but also with an undercurrent of forbidden danger.

She was not alone, though her only companion, the mask guard, stood silently in the shadows.

Her beauty was gorgeous beyond description, the kind that stole breath and left men powerless. With her kitsune traits, a delicate fox-like charm combined with angelic features, her face seemed sculpted by divine hands. Her flawless skin, luminous hair, and curves that seemed crafted to perfection made her a vision of man’s desire and their dream lady, yet the air around her hinted at something far more dangerous.

Before her lay a feast fit for royalty. A plate of tender, perfectly cooked steak glistened with deep red sauce, surrounded by a selection of finely arranged garnishes. A bottle of rare vintage wine sat nearby, and she held a crystal glass which was gracefully held in her grasp.

Her lips curved into a smile as she contemplated both her meal and the report she had just received.

All of it was making her hungry.

‘Could I have been wrong in my assessment? Seven… That number is unsettling.’

She picked up her fork and knife, perfectly slicing into the juicy steak that was on a plate in front of her.

"Mmm…" A soft hum of pleasure escaped her as she closed her eyes and savored the flavor with her smile widened.

"Perfection."

The meat melted on her tongue, and its rich juices intoxicating her senses or were fully absorbed without any discomfort of any kind.

'I can't ever come back from this.' She licked her lips as she looked at the steak, and then carried her gaze to the other meaty meals spread before her.

No other food could compare to this as nothing else could satisfy her so completely.

With a satisfied sigh, she took another bite, followed by downing the wine.

Once her glass was empty, she set it down and decided it was time to think more deeply about everything thus far.

‘I don’t want to be biased here, but… they both seem pretty powerful.’

At this point, her smile deepened, and the angelic facade she wore twisted into something far more sinister. If she were an angel, she would surely have fallen by now.

No, this was Lady Scyllary, the furthest thing from purity.

"I was prepared to send those men to their deaths to test the waters with this 'Ghost' and his entourage," she murmured, her voice as smooth as the wine she had just downed.

But after further reflection, she had decided against it after realizing how wasteful the whole thing would be.

‘What’s the point of testing the strength of someone who could kill a member of the Deadly Three with mere cannon fodder?’

Her Recon Forces, loyal as they were, were no match for such an opponent. It would be a futile sacrifice, one she had no intention of making.

Instead, they would serve a far better purpose, taking out the ExRump Corporation’s assets and the Rump Mansion.

Once the time for action arrived, they would complete their mission. And after that? She would find another use for them.

'Just a few hours left… I can’t wait.’

Regardless of how strong the Rump and Terte Houses had become under the shadow of this mysterious ally, their fates were already sealed. The trap she had laid was flawless, and her plans would unfold without fail.

‘Victory is inevitable.’

Scyllary stabbed another piece of steak in her plate and took another bite of the juicy tender meat.

Her intentions were to devour the entire Third Civilization Zone, the same way she consumed the delicious meat that now melted in her mouth.

No leftovers whatsoever.

————————————————————————

Free Trade City Of Aquarius, In An Ocean, Aquarius Sea, In A Sultan Kudarar Class Aircraft Carrier, Inside The Bridge.

1st Year of God, Tuesday, 1st Week, Month Of David.

Waves were crashing against the hull of the “Sultan Kudarat-Class Aircraft Carrier”, the wind howling as it pummeled across the flight deck and into the bridge’s reinforced windows. The storm was strong, a reflection of the turbulent history that had given rise to the vessel.

Commissioned in the 1960s, the Sultan Kudarat-Class was a product of desperation and ambition. Despite the government’s lack of funds and precarious finances, the upcoming shadow of global unrest demanded a show of strength. A symbol of power was needed, something to assert their influence in an increasingly volatile world.

This carrier’s story began a decade earlier, in the mid-1950s, under the rule of the National Imperial Maharlika, a rising force in the Pacific. Their leaders were driven by a dangerous ideology, one that drew the ire of an increasingly authoritarian United States under the “American Caesar”.

The American Caesar was none other than Douglas MacArthur.

MacArthur’s rise to power was a story of ambition and discontent. When casualties mounted during World War II and public morale in Washington eroded, General MacArthur became a figure of hope and strength. His victories in the Pacific Theater earned him near-mythic status and the admiration of millions, but frustration with the government’s incompetence and complacency grew.

By late 1944, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s health failing and political divisions paralyzing the nation, the stage was set for an unprecedented upheaval.

Emboldened by his popularity and the support of key military leaders, MacArthur declared the U.S. government unfit to lead in a time of crisis. Under the guise of “saving the Republic”, he launched a quick and bloodless coup, rallying the military and marched on Downtown Washington, D.C.

After successfully toppling the government of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and dissolving Congress, MacArthur assumed the title of “Supreme Leader of the North American Alliance”, vowing to restore order and proclaiming a new era of “American Manifest Destiny”.

No longer abiding with democratic opportunism, he proclaimed he will bring the United States Of America back towards the spotlight and will be the greatest of all.

In a speech that resonated across the fractured nation, MacArthur declared.

“All Roads Shall Be Led to America. God bless America!”

Surprisingly, the American public supported him and his policies. His promises of national greatness and his decisive leadership during wartime won over even his critics.

With the Axis powers defeated in 1946, MacArthur turned his attention to consolidating power. Recognizing the strategic importance of North America’s resources, he began pressuring Canada and Mexico to join his vision of a unified superstate.

Canada, wary of Soviet aggression, reluctantly agreed to a union under MacArthur’s rule. Mexico was resisted at first, but was brought into the fold through a combination of economic incentives and covert military operations.

By 1946, the “North American Republic” was born, a vast superstate ruled by MacArthur’s iron hand and Enlightened Despotism.

Under his regime, sweeping reforms revitalized the nation. War-torn industries were rebuilt, infrastructure expanded, and the military modernized. Propaganda celebrated MacArthur as a benevolent ruler, “The American Caesar,” and his government prioritize education and healthcare to bolster public support.

Despite initial success, cracks begin to show in the Republic in the early 1950s. Wealth inequality remained a persistent issue, and unrest grew among the working class. To stabilize society, MacArthur introduced several socialist-like policies despite his capitalist leanings. Land redistribution programs, nationalization of major industries, and robust welfare systems were enacted. These reforms strengthened the economy and quelled dissent but alienated the nation’s capitalist elites.

These reforms, while temporarily effective, sparked ideological shifts within the Republic. Intellectuals and labor leaders began advocating for deeper systemic changes, seeing socialism as the solution to the Republic’s inequalities. The seeds of transformation were sown, even as MacArthur tried to tightened his grip on power, determined to preserve his vision of a unified North America.

By the late 1950s, MacArthur’s health was in decline, and cracks began to form within his regime as rival factions began vying for control. When he passed away in 1960, his death marked the end of an era of enlightened despotism and created a power vacuum that unleashed a wave of socialist movements across the Republic.

In the power vacuum that followed in the early 1960s, the “People’s Revolutionary Council”, a coalition of socialist leaders, seized control of the government. The Republic was quickly dissolved and replaced by the “Socialist States of America (SSA)” in its place. Private property was abolished, and the state took complete control of the economy.

Although the new regime promised equality and prosperity, it quickly revealed its true nature. Under the guise of revolutionary progress, the SSA descended into authoritarianism. Political purges became commonplace, targeting anyone who dared to dissent, and the central government exerted oppressive control over every aspect of life. The middle class, which had once thrived under MacArthur’s rule, found itself crushed under the weight of the socialist system.

By the mid-1960s, the SSA had fully transformed into a communist state modeled after the now-defunct Soviet Union. The “Supreme People’s Council” ruled with an iron fist, ruthlessly suppressing freedom of speech, assembly, and religion. Political dissidents vanished overnight, while propaganda glorifying the communist state dominated the airwaves, and the nation’s cultural and spiritual foundations were systematically dismantled.

Religious groups were systematically purged en masse as they saw religion as an outdated brainwash system that ruined progress, civilian firearms were confiscated by force, and sweeping societal changes were imposed on the American people, often against their will with little regard for public consent.

Many Americans, feeling oppressed and powerless, sought refuge by fleeing to other countries from the oppressive regime in search of freedom.

In its authoritarian grip, the SSA made MacArthur’s rule seem moderate by comparison. Local governments were replaced by workers’ councils, and the military expanded aggressively into a force rivaling even the Soviet Union’s former might.

By the late 1960s, the new rise of the North American Empire, as the SSA later styled itself, shocked the world. Once a bastion of capitalism and democracy, the United States had become a symbol of communist totalitarianism and a mirror image of its Cold War adversary. The former ideological heart of the free world was now a red superpower, driven by totalitarian control.

Fearful of the spread of communism, Europe strengthened its alliances with former Soviet states after the red empire was completely dissolved into numerous nations, while Asia became the new battleground for global influence, where superpowers like the “People’s State of Xinhua (formerly China)” and the emerging “Austronesian People’s Empire (formerly the Imperial Maharlika)” found themselves caught in the ideological clash between the “North American Empire” and the remnants of the Western bloc.

Resentment festered within the North American Empire, as its rigid control over the population bred widespread dissent and reached a boiling point. Underground resistance movements began to take root and whispered of rebellion against the oppressive regime.

By the end of 1970s, the world teetered on the brink of a “Fourth World War”, as tensions between the Western and Eastern blocs were rising once more, threatening to ignite the fires of another global conflict.

(A/n: I already can tell that reader “Areyn120” would make a comment about this, writing down another +10000 word lecture about why Socialism is totally good and Capitalism is always bad lol)

Panning back to the “Sultan Kudarat-class Aircraft Carrier”, this colossal vessel had a displacement of 60,000 tons of steel. When fully equipped with manpower and machinery, its weight surges to over 80,000 tons. Measuring 326.1 meters in length, the carrier features a waterline beam of 39.26 meters, an extreme beam of 83.2 meters, and a draft of 11.3 meters.

The Sultan Kudarat boasts an impressive powertrain with four geared turbines and four shafts generating approximately 285,000 shaft horsepower. Equipped with four boilers, the carrier has a maximum operational range of 15,000 kilometers at a cruising speed of 37 kilometers per hour, or 7,400 kilometers at a higher speed of 56 kilometers per hour.

Staffing the carrier are 3,324 naval crew members, 2,089 air wing personnel, 75 flag officers, and 74 marines. The vessel carries an arsenal of 70 warplanes, forming a formidable air wing.

This includes: - Twelve F-12 “Phoenix” fighter jets dedicated to air superiority.

- Thirty-two MF-32 “Condor” multirole fighters

- Eight S-44 “Mamba” electronic warfare aircraft

- Four MP-62 “Dragonfly” maritime patrol aircraft

- Eight AH-74 “Heaven's Punch” heavy attack helicopters.

- Four AS-88 “Hornet” helicopters for anti-submarine warfare.

- Two CR-38 “Stork” aircraft for combat search and rescue.

The carrier’s armaments include four Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) for defense against aerial threats, two arrays of eight short-range surface-to-surface missiles used to intercept missiles, twelve 127mm cannons, and four Decoy Launching Systems (DLS) for electronic warfare countermeasures.

The Sultan Kudarat-class is outfitted with cutting-edge sensors and processing systems, including Missile Fire Control Radar, Navigation Radar, Surface Search Radar, and both 2D and 3D air search radars.

The Liberation Navy Taskforce, including the Sultan Kudarat, was heading towards the Free Trade City of Aquarius. This strategic maritime hub held immense value due to its pivotal position in global trade. Conquering and bringing the city under imperial control would expand the fleet’s operational range and cement the Empire’s influence over vital trade routes. Additionally, the city’s status as a merchant haven offered significant propaganda opportunities, projecting the Empire’s technological superiority to weaken enemy morale and sway the local population.

Reports from Riley’s team indicated escalating threats in Aquarius, prompting the deployment of 100,000 soldiers, 1,000 marines, and 10 elite special units.

After hours of travel, the Free Trade City of Aquarius was already in sight. As the Sultan Kudarat and accompanying aircraft carriers approached, their air wings launched, initiating the first wave of raids on the city.

At this point of time, most nations in the Third Civilization Zone remained unaware that a new challenger had entered the geopolitical arena, ready to alter the balance of power.

————————————————————————

Behind the Sultan Kudarat-class Aircraft Carrier, a second large warship, the Indonesia Martadinata-class Battleship, sailed through the dark churning seas. It was accompanied by an escort of six cruisers, twelve destroyers, and two submarines. Among these was the Indonesia-Malaysia Type-323B Submarine, a state-of-the-art weapon of war designed for stealth and lethal precision.

The fleet sailed as one as their destination set on the Free Trade City of Aquarius.

Onboard the battleship, Admiral Darmono, a middle-aged man with a weathered face and an air of quiet authority, walked around the deck. He had tried to relax for a moment, standing above the open sea as sailors worked behind him, conducting routine maintenance. His gaze lingered on the aircraft carrier’s wake with the rhythmic crash of waves from the memories of his younger days and the cool tranquil weather he once cherished.

The stillness of the moment was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps behind him.

"Admiral Darmono," a soft yet commanding voice called out.

He turned to see Officer Eded, a tall sharp-eyed woman with an air of professionalism.

"Officer Eded," he acknowledged with a slight nod. "Anything to report?"

"Yes, sir. We’re nearing our destination. I recommend we return inside, it’s safer in case of an enemy ambush."

Her words made the Admiral frown, reminding him of his incoming worries. He took a deep breath, inhaling the salty ocean air that filled his lungs, before turning to follow the officer back toward the ship's interior.

"Well, so much for relaxation," he muttered, groaning as he stretched, his aging joints protesting with a faint crack.

Man, he is getting old and even balder.

Eded glanced at him with concern in her eyes. "Sir, I know it’s not my place to ask, but… do you think we’ll make it out of this alive? I have a bad feeling about this."

Her unease struck a chord within the Admiral. The sinking feeling in his gut mirrored her doubts, though he kept his response measured. "You’re not wrong to be worried," he admitted and paused briefly, "but—"

Before he could finish, a sudden series of alarms erupted across the fleet as its calm atmosphere was replaced by chaos as red lights flashed and the intercom came to life.

[General Quarters! All hands to battle stations! Material Condition: 'Leviathan!']

Admiral Darmono winced at the piercing alarms, looking around with sharp eyes scanning the deck.

"Sir, what’s going on?" Eded asked tensely.

"Shit," he cursed under his breath, urgency overtaking him. "We need to get to our stations now. If I recall correctly, Material Condition 'Leviathan' means only one thing… sea monsters."

————————————————————————

Making his way through the crowded corridors of the Martadinata-class Battleship with the sound of his boots striking steel drowned out by the urgency of the crew's movements, the Admiral arrived back at the bridge just as the ship made a sharp starboard turn, and felt the cold steel of the bulkheads brushing his shoulders.

“What’s going on?” Darmono demanded through the tense air.

“Rear Admiral Darmono!” A red-haired officer seated among the crew turned around. “We’ve got sea monsters on sonar, three Kraken-like entities and… something else.”

Darmono's eyes narrowed. Through the bridge’s wide windows, he could see distant columns of water erupting from the sea, towering like ghostly specters in the rays of sunlight. His attention shifted to the sonar operator’s screen, where jagged signatures painted a grim picture.

“Well, that’s one Kraken accounted for,” he muttered. “And the ‘something else’?”

The bridge fell silent. The crew exchanged uneasy glances as their inability to describe the creature spoke volumes.

The sonar operator hesitated before responding. “Sir, its size… it’s massive. Larger than the Sultan Kudarat-class Aircraft Carrier itself.”

Darmono's lips thinned into a grim line. “A Leviathan…”

“Sir!” Another officer called out in panic. “The Iloilo, one of our destroyers, is requesting immediate assistance! The creature is chasing them to the surface!”

Darmono's brows furrowed in worry, and he rubbed his eyes as a telltale sign of his growing anxiety. “What? How the hell did it get that close!?”

“Estimated speed is 20 knots and increasing, sir,” the sonar operator replied.

“Damn it.” Darmono sighed sharply, preparing to give new orders to his men. “Order the destroyers to lead it to the surface. We’ll hit it with depth charges. Battleships are to time their artillery strikes with our charges. Ready electronic countermeasures and prepare for a full-area bombardment!”

Outside, the fleet sprang into action with Depth Charge Projectors from the Destroyers fired depth charges into the ocean below.

BOOM!

The deafening explosions sent massive columns of water bursting skyward and drenched the nearby destroyers in a misty spray as the sea trembled with the force of the blasts.

With the first volley of weapons discharged, activity ceased.

“Report!” Darmono barked.

The sonar operator hesitated, then grimly replied, “Sir, while we were able to take down the kraken-like creatures, the other one is still moving! Sweeps show the target decelerating, but it’s still chasing after them!”

Darmono clenched his fist and slammed it down on the console. “Hit it again! Destroyers, use your torpedoes! No holding back, we’re not worrying about cost today.”

The second wave of attacks was unleashed. Torpedoes streaked through the water with their trails like glowing arrows of vengeance. The Leviathan, massive and eerily agile, began to evade and glided effortlessly through the deep.

“Sir, we’ve got visuals,” an officer announced. “Putting it on screen now.”

The feed from an unmanned underwater vehicle released by one of the cruisers appeared on the monitors, revealing the Leviathan in its full monstrous glory.

The Leviathan was a truly massive being, with a length on par with that of a Supercarrier.

The appearance of the creature itself resembled the Christian myths, with its serpentine body resembling an enormous eel in an armor of interlocking scales. From narrow fissures along its torso emerged hundreds of tentacles, each spinning like the flagella of a microorganism, propelling the beast with terrifying speed.

It accelerated to speeds unexpected for a being of its size, several times faster than the top speed of an Indo-Pacific Sailfish. Its speed of over 120 knots was almost enough to shake the torpedoes, which were pushed to their operational limits.

The leviathan quickly fled the underwater arena, diving deeper. The creature's intelligent maneuvers and evasion helped it shake off half of the torpedoes, much to their surprise.

The remaining half detonated near the creature’s tail and armored lower torso, if it could even be called that. Some of the tentacles were caught in the blast and quickly vaporized. The resulting cavities formed by the explosions were quickly filled, but prevented the UUV from following further. The monster disappeared from sensors and visual feeds afterward, leaving the Austronesians wondering whether or not they managed to kill it.

Darmono approached a screen that displayed live camera footage from the UUV. “Is it… dead?”

“I… don’t know, Admiral,” an officer answered. “The pressure waves may have gotten it, but we can’t confirm.”

Darmono let out a sigh of relief. “Another day in the office,” he muttered bitterly. “Still, why would they send only a few? Do they think that’s enough to take us down?”

His brief reprieve was shattered when alarms blared anew.

“Sir!” an officer called out with panic clear in his voice. “Multiple signatures on radar, hundreds of them! Sea monsters, accompanied by dozens of warships from the Tarxan Coalition!”

“These sea monsters must’ve been tamed ones and are working with the elves,” Darmono thought as he felt sweat dripping down his neck, soaking his collar in an uncomfortable moistness. For the first time in his career, he was about to face off against foes that he seemed hopeless to defeat.

“God damn it,” he muttered under his breath. “Relay the message to the fleet. Prepare for an all-out battle.”

“Sir,” another officer interjected calmly, “you don’t need to worry about this.”

Darmono turned with a furrowed brow. “What are you talking about?”

The officer’s expression remained stoic. “I got reports that the special squad onboard the carrier is preparing to deploy to deal with the threat.”

Darmono’s eyes widened. “A single squad? Against an entire fleet and an army of monsters? Are they insane? How will they-... Wait… are you talking about ‘them’?”

The officer nodded. “Yes, sir. the Archangel Unit.”

————————————————————————

Sea warfare was exhausting, far more so than any other form of combat. If only this battle were in space, where crushing pressure wouldn’t reduce their mobility, and water wouldn't damage components if proper seals were not administered. Visibility was another enemy here, especially at the bottom of the sea, where darkness reigned supreme.

Sergeant Samudra, a member of the elite Archangel Unit, thrived in this hostile environment. Decades ago, he had served as an officer in the Imperial Tanah Melayu, but a catastrophic incident had shattered his life. Rebuilt as a cybernetic supersoldier, he now served as one of the Austronesian People's Empire’s guardian angels, a living weapon forged for war.

Now, enveloped by the crushing darkness of the ocean floor, Samudra waited. For any ordinary human, the enormous pressure would have crushed them. But his superhuman physiology, combined with the structure of his armor, made the depths a mere inconvenience. His armor was designed to withstand pressures far greater than this, and his enhanced senses allowed him to function where others would be blind.

A faint flash several hundred meters ahead signaled the presence of another Archangel in position. Samudra responded with a flick of his lamp as a silent acknowledgment. His squad was here. Even in the abyssal darkness, he could make out their faint silhouettes, nine Archangels, waiting for his signal to strike.

He laid his eyes on the squad’s newest recruit, a young soldier with freshly implanted cybernetics. The recruit had earned his place through sheer resilience when he survived a demon horde during the New Year Tragedy and proving his worth through feats that had stunned even the seasoned Archangels.

In just six months, he had risen to become a battle brother.

They don't know if the recruit’s insane feat of him stopping an entire horde of demons by himself, or his biological quality that made a quick adaptability, or the special traits of this world. If so, there is a possibility that gave them hope to replace the ten losses of their members that got killed by an Archdemon much easier.

Panning back to Samudra, he turned his attention back to the mission. The missile launcher on his shoulder scanned the surface above and detected the massive warships of the Tarxan Coalition. These vessels, over a hundred meters long and bristling with air fighters, were formidable foes.

The machine calibrated again and the missile container on his back pushed a missile into the chamber through the transporter and prepared it for firing.

Comfortable with the idea of being the first to open fire, he pressed the trigger.

The missile with a mithril-tipped warhead flew towards the ship, the water pressure had made it even slower, but no less lethal. Its propellant vaporised the water leaving a dark contaminating residue, a black line formed along the path of the missile.

It hit one of the Tarxan Coalition’s warships.

The damage area was small, barely a meter in diameter, but the damage was catastrophic. Instead of a typical explosion, the missile created a localized implosion and collapsed the surrounding area like a miniature black hole. Everything within range was sucked inward before the warhead detonated, releasing a wave of incandescent shrapnel that tore through the ship’s interior.

The ships of the Tarxan Coalition, famed for their power, would have presented a threat to any invasion plan by the Empire. With air support capable of deploying in minutes and sea monsters or transcendent beings, they would have presented a problem, even for the Archangels.

Not that the latter were defenseless. Torpedoes, depth charges, attack helicopters and fighter jets. All could be deployed to easily dominate the sea and skies.

But doing so would take resources that could be used for more important objectives. So it was better to simply destroy those wooden carriers.

The first missile hit the port side of the ship, the implosion punctured the hull allowing thousands of liters of water to rush into the magic core room.

This was the signal that unleashed destruction on one of the enemy navies.

Dozens of missiles were fired in unison. And their warheads were devastating to the enemy ships.

The wooden carrier that Samudra had fired on was split in two, after receiving three more missiles in the center. More magic-enhanced sailing ships were disabled after being hit by missiles in the stern, and soon began to sink. Dozens more did not last long as the mana-enhanced missiles struck like battering rams, often splitting them in half or simply blowing them to pieces if they hit the magic core or ammunition.

A new missile was inserted into the missile launcher, and the magic runes inside its hull indicated that it was ready to fire.

Samudra pulled the trigger without hesitation.

More missiles also escaped from dozens of sites, and more ships were destroyed.

The Tarxan Coalition had more than thirty ships in this fleet alone.

Samudra kept firing again and again, barely waiting for the magic runes to tell him that the missile launcher was ready.

The Tarxan fleet, once a dominant force, was in chaos. Ships broke formation, desperately invoking wind and water magic to escape. But the Archangels gave chase.

There was no longer any reason to remain hidden.

The thrusters on his back and legs, adapted for the deep, let out a jet of heat that propelled him forward as fast as a torpedo. As he moved closer to the fleeing vessels and was about fifty metres away, he fired again.

The warheads struck and imploded, tearing through the hull and skeleton of the ship. One of the enemy ships exploded, and a few seconds later sank to the bottom of the sea. Enemy mages retaliated, casting powerful spells with lightning bolts crackling through the water that were intended like depth charges, to no avail, but indicating that they would at least try to resist.

Samudra took aim again and fired.

Just as the magic spell made contact with the water, it was hit by the missile. The explosion engulfed the ship, causing it to explode after its explosives depot was hit.

Another missile was prepared, Samudra now aimed at the bow of another enemy ship. He fired, and a line of black formed heading towards the ship. The bow exploded into pieces, water began to seep in, but the ship would not give up. The system in his helmet warned him that he was being hit by magic spells that were being casted into the water, undirected, but aimed in his area. He didn't even feel anything in his armour. He laughed and fired again, two more missiles swam towards the ship, this time the ship's resistance mattered little and it exploded.

He paused his frenzy as he watched out of the corner of his eye as the rookie swam masterfully while firing a missile through the wound that had gutted an enemy ship. It lasted no more than a few seconds before exploding, taking the lives of hundreds of elven sailors.

The rookie would go far as of that he was sure. A sense of rivalry was born in him, he wanted to know how much he could compare to the inhabitants of this world.

Something caught Samudra’s attention. Five figures appeared from the murky depths, five hundred meters ahead. His superhuman vision quickly identified what they were, sea monsters. What made him more interested were the riders riding on top of these beasts.

A grin spread across his face beneath the helmet. Combat was coming to him and he welcomed the challenge. He demagnetized his bolt pistol with the magnetic clamps released with a faint hum and took aim. In a matter of nanoseconds, his cybernetic targeting systems calculated trajectories and aligned the shot. Time seemed to slow as he squeezed the trigger and shot towards the riders.

Water would have rendered any projectile weapon useless, but the round’s self-contained propulsion ignored the ocean’s resistance and was unaffected by the crushing depths.

In a split second hit, it pierced one of the riders square in the chest, and a red cloud of blood and gore erupted, tainting the water depths as the rider’s body disintegrated into a grisly stain.

The remaining riders were stunned to see how he had been eliminated at such a distance. Then, panic took over as they sped up, some moving in erratic zigzags to evade his aim while closing the distance.

Samudra reloaded with the fluidity of a predator in its element. This time, his target was the monstrous mount of another rider. The bolter round found its mark, obliterating the creature in an eruption of crimson and shredded flesh before sinking lifelessly into the abyss.

Satisfied, Samudra slung the bolter and missile launcher to his Spatial Ring and drew his plasma sword. The blade ignited and glowed with an intense white heat that boiled the surrounding water and ignored the surrounding water pressure. Thrusters on his armor were activated and propelled him forward like a predatory shark. In seconds, he carved through the depths like a missile and closed the gap.

Within moments, he was among them. He paused for a second to observe their armor to see they wore intricate mesh of iridescent blue scales, and the glowing tridents held in their hands, each radiating a faint aura of magic. These were no ordinary foes.

These were Merfolks.

The first rider lunged at him, manipulating the water to propel itself at blinding speed and thrust his glowing trident.

Samudra dodged the blow effortlessly and his plasma sword sliced cleanly through the rider’s chest. The body split apart as the mount thrashed in confusion before a single bolter round ended the beast’s struggle and its lifeless body sank into the depths.

Outraged, the remaining three Merfolk riders attacked in a coordinated assault, but Samudra moved with mechanical precision. One rider’s head exploded as a bolter round found its mark. Another mount was disembowell by the plasma blade as its internal organs spilled into the water.

The fourth mount roared in fury with its mouth opening wide to devour him, but Samudra’s superhuman strength met the beast’s crushing jaws head-on. Razor-sharp teeth, each as long as a sword, bit into his armor, but they couldn’t penetrate as Samudra’s cybernetic strength held the maw at bay.

With his free hand, he gripped his bolt pistol and fired two precise shots into the creature’s skull, which was enough to kill the beast as it convulsed and went limp, sinking into the abyss while dragging its rider with it.

The dead mount's rider attempted to flee by swimming desperately through the bloody water, but Samudra fired without hesitation, and the bolt round reduced her to a burst of bloody chunks that stained the water crimson.

There was only one rider left. From her figure, the Archangel could deduce that it was a female Merfolk.

The female Merfolk sat frozen on top of her trembling mount with her hands clenched tightly around her trident. Fear radiated from her, not just for herself but for something deeper.

Samudra paused, tilting his head as he studied her trembling form and noted the desperation in her eyes.

Had she been sent here to die? To what end?

Samudra raised his plasma sword and pointed it at the rider, causing her to clench her trident tighter in her hands.

The radio call broke the silence inside his helm. Battles similar to the one he just had were also in different places. Multiple reports of his brothers fighting groups of Merfolks. His auto senses picked up the taste and smell of water.

It was a massacre.

Samudra sighed, disappointed. He had hoped for more.

He looked at the rider, she too had realized what had happened. She was trembling, the fear could even be felt by her mount who seemed more and more nervous.

In her mind she wondered if it was worth fighting on. Was it worth dying here and abandoning her daughter who still depended on her to live. Was she fighting for her people? Or just for the money they gave her?

She felt a knot in her stomach. The taste of bile filled her mouth. Her weapons now felt so heavy.

She wanted to run, she wanted to see her family again.

With all those thoughts, she was no longer a warrior, just a mother desperate to survive.

Suddenly she saw something she didn't expect would happen.

The Archangel lowered his weapon and deactivated his plasma blade.

“Go,” he said calmly.

He no longer wanted to fight, there was no glory in hunting prey that could present no challenge.

For a moment, she stared at him with disbelief across her face. Then, she bowed her head and whispered words of gratitude in her tribal tongue. Turning her mount, she swam away and disappeared into the darkness.

Samudra watched her leave with an unreadable expression. There was no honor in killing something who had not presented the challenge he sought.

He did not need his auto senses imbued within his armour to know that one of his battle brothers had approached him. It was the rookie. The younger Archangel raised his gun and aimed at the retreating figure.

"Leave it..." Samudra ordered over the comms. "Let her live. Let her tell them what she saw here. Let the people outside know that to face the Austronesia Empire is to face extinction. Let them know that they have no chance of winning this war."

The rookie hesitated but eventually lowered his gun and nodded.

But before he could respond, the water around the two darkened, and a massive shadow rose overhead.

Suddenly, their sensors blared warnings.

[Magicule Levels: 99,649]

“Run!” Samura immediately shouted.

Obeying his command without question, the rookie immediately swam away, while Samudra turned around to face the danger.

From the depths rose a Transcendent Tier 1 Sea Monster, a ten-meter-tall humanoid figure with scaled sinewy limbs and glowing blue runes etched across its body. It wielded a colossal trident that radiated power as the weapon’s edges shimmered with an otherworldly glow.



The creature roared, and the sound reverberated through the ocean like an underwater thunderclap. The sheer force of its presence sent shockwaves rippling outward, displacing the bloodied water and debris from the earlier battle.

Samudra activated his thrusters and hovered in place as he sized up his opponent. His HUD flared red, scanning the creature and highlighting its designation.

[Name: Abyssal Champion Magicule Level: 99,649 (Transcendent Tier 1)]

“So, they sent their best,” he muttered as he gripped his plasma sword tightly.

The Abyssal Champion raised its trident, and the water around it began to churn violently, turning into a vortex of energy that coalesced around the weapon as it activated its special ability.

[Shatter the Ocean]

The trident absorbed the surrounding water, expanding in size tenfold until it was a titanic weapon with its edges razor-sharp and pulsating with power.

Samudra barely had time to react as the monster thrust the weapon forward at supersonic speed, and the force shattered the ocean around them like fragile glass.

The shockwave hit Samudra head-on and threw him backward with incredible force. His armor absorbed most of the impact, but the force was enough to dent the adamantine reinforced plating on his chest and screamed in protest as he slammed into the seabed, and the ground in the bottom of the ocean cratered beneath him.

[Armor integrity at 73%,] his AI warned.

“Noted,” Samudra growled and forced himself to his feet. Systems recalibrated as he regained his bearings, while his plasma sword flickered with its blade sputtered from the intense water pressure and the energy disruption caused by the attack.

The Abyssal Champion was already charging with its massive strides shaking the ocean floor and the trident aimed to impale him.

Samudra dodged with his thrusters roaring as he accelerated to the side.

Switching to his missile launcher, he locked onto the beast and fired a barrage of high-explosive rounds, each one streaking through the water and detonating on impact. The explosions sent shockwaves through the depths, creating a temporary smokescreen of silt and debris.

For a moment, it seemed effective. But then the monster emerged from the cloud, unharmed with its glowing trident raised high. With a guttural roar, it swung the massive weapon and released a horizontal arc of water energy that sliced through everything in its path.

Samudra dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack as the arc carved a deep trench into the seabed. His thrusters flared and propelled him upward to gain a better vantage point. Switching to his railgun, he took aim at the creature’s glowing eyes and fired a round that struck its face.

The monster roared in pain while holding its face as the energy surged through its body. Seizing the opportunity, Samudra closed the distance and activated his plasma shield and absorbed the monster’s retaliatory strike as he drove his plasma sword into its massive arm. The blade hissed and sparked as its superheated plasma cut through the tough scales, sending chunks of flesh and bone drifting into the water.

The Abyssal Champion howled in agony and swung its trident wildly, knocking Samudra back by the sheer force of the swing, but his armor held strong and switched tactics by deploying a swarm of micro-drones that buzzed around the creature, targeting its weak points.

While the drones unleashed concentrated bursts of plasma and chipped away at the monster’s defenses, Samudra deployed his [shockwave grenades], lobbing one at the monster’s feet and the detonation created a concentrated implosion that staggered the beast.

Enraged, the Abyssal Champion activated [Shatter the Ocean] again, this time unleashing a devastating area-of-effect attack. The trident’s energy exploded outward, creating a massive shockwave that obliterated the drones and sent Samudra spiraling through the water.

[Critical damage sustained. Core systems at 51%,] his AI warned.

Samudra gritted his teeth and activated his emergency repair protocols.

“We’re not done yet.”

With his plasma sword damaged, he drew his particle cannon, a heavy weapon reserved for the toughest opponents. The cannon hummed to life with its barrel glowing with a fiery orange light. Samudra took aim as the monster charged again with its trident ready to skewer him.

“Let’s see how you handle this.”

He fired, and the particle beam sliced through the water like a supernova. The beam struck the Abyssal Champion square in the chest and burned through its armor and flesh. The monster staggered with its roar turning into a gurgling scream as the energy tore through its body.

But it wasn’t finished. Summoning the last of its strength, the creature thrust its trident into the seabed and channeled its magic, causing the surrounding water to surge and formed massive tendrils that lashed out at Samudra. One struck him square in the chest and slammed him into a nearby rock formation. Alarms blared in his helmet as his armor sustained damage.

“You’re tougher than you look,” he muttered, his voice distorted by the helmet’s audio systems.

The sea monster roared and charged again. This time, Samudra activated his [Thermal Overdrive], superheating his plasma sword to its maximum output. The blade burned brighter and cut through the water like a beacon.

The two clashed as the monster’s trident met his plasma blade in a shower of sparks and boiling water. Samudra dodged a downward strike and countered with a slash across the monster’s leg. The creature stumbled, but its sheer size made it difficult to topple.

Switching to his [Missile Launcher], Samudra targeted the monster’s exposed chest. He fired, and the mithril-tipped warhead streaked through the water before impacting against the monster’s runed chest plate, shattering it and leaving a gaping wound.

The monster roared in fury and summoned one last surge of power. The water around its trident condensed into a massive spiraling drill and thrust the weapon forward with incredible speed, aiming to end the fight.

Samudra activated his [Evasive Protocols], and narrowly avoided the drill, which struck the seabed and created a massive crater. Using the opening, Samudra lunged upward and aimed his plasma sword for the monster’s neck.

The blade pierced through scales and flesh, severing the creature’s head in a burst of steam and blood as the blade glowed within the ocean depths. When the light faded, the Abyssal Champion’s lifeless body collapsed and sank into the trench it had created.

Breathing heavily, Samudra deactivated his plasma sword and the blade dimmed. His systems ran diagnostics, confirming his armor was still operational despite the damage and his HUD confirmed the kill.

“One less monster to worry about,” he muttered as he turned to regroup with his squad.

The Archangel had faced many foes, but this battle reminded him why he was one of the Empire’s finest. The ocean held many dangers, but none that could outmatch a warrior forged for war.

————————————————————————

General Trese, the second-in-command of the 19th Black Armored Division, lowered her binoculars as the colossal beast collapsed into the churning waters.

Before her lay the devastation wrought by the Archangels. A fleet of 30 elven ships, 100 sea monsters ridden by Merfolk warriors, and even a Transcendent Tier 1 Magic Beast, all decimated by the power and effort of just ten Archangel units.

She marveled at their sheer efficiency. Like the ones she witnessed in the battle on Marawi, these were no mere soldiers, these were truly beings that had surpassed her expectations as forces of nature. Where she would have required a thousand of her best men, a single Archangel had been enough. Where countless casualties were inevitable, these supersoldiers could walk under enemy fire to deliver death to their enemies.

“Ah... if only I were there,” she murmured wistfully with a rare smile gracing her lips.

“Then you would die there,” a calm voice interjected from behind. She turned to see a masked soldier in the division’s black combat uniform. “Our time will come soon enough, General, when we strike Aquarius. That city is the linchpin of the Third Civilization Zone. Once taken, it will be our stronghold, the springboard for attacks that will crush the enemy from all sides.”

Trese’s attention shifted back to the battlefield as the last enemy ship erupted in a fiery blast and its shattered hull sank to the ocean floor. The once-imposing fleet was now nothing more than floating debris, mingling with the blood of lifeless sea monsters.

“Are our forces ready?” she asked in a sharp and commanding tone.

“In position,” the soldier confirmed with a curt nod.

“Excellent.” A glint of anticipation flashed in her eyes. “Prepare my Hercules Exosuit. It's time to test the benefits of being the Major General's chosen successor.”

As her gaze returned to the horizon, she took in the grim spectacle of the battlefield with burning wreckage, lifeless bodies of sea monsters, and the bloodied waters of a defeated fleet.



A smile of satisfaction appeared on her lips. Trese was ready to join the fight, eager to prove herself worthy of leading the unstoppable advance of the Empire’s most controversial and powerful military faction.