The storm clouds over Mount Seraph churned with unnatural crimson lightning as the sovereign vanguard approached the base of the mountain citadel.
Rising three thousand meters into the darkened sky stood the one-hundred-and-twenty-story spire of Mercy Spire Corporation, gleaming with polished adamantine and gold.
Surrounding the mountain slopes were twelve concentric rings of automated perimeter defenses, including pulse cannons, railgun bunkers, and bio-electric barrier fences.
"Look at the defensive density on those switchback roads," Colonel Thorne remarked, peering through his night-vision binoculars from the lead armored vehicle.
"They have forty automated mana railguns zeroed on every approach angle," Captain Brandon reported, studying the thermal heat signatures on his tactical screen.
"Those railguns fire condensed titanium slugs at Mach seven," Captain Dennis added, adjusting the power couplings on his squad's shields.
