Zero Ground 1

It was a cold afternoon, wind blew across the street, carrying leaves and wrappers away. People walked to and fro in the sidewalks, entering and leaving concrete buildings that stood on the sidewalks. Vehicles sped past with moderate acceleration, stopping in front of a spotlight that displays red and moving when it flashes green. The volcano submerged within the sea can be seen in the east; a dense jungle in the lowlands separating the city and the Taal Volcano. The city itself stood on the top of the mountain. Tagaytay, as usual, continues with its busy day. Storefronts stayed wide open, inviting patrons and guests to their establishments. The sound of chatter and laughter helps create a joyful atmosphere in the city. Everything is welcoming and warm.
   A white van sped across the highway. Behind it, two more vans with the same appearance followed closely. It sped past the maximum limit, catching attention of nearby Law Enforcers in white motorcycles and blue uniforms. Upon seeing the vans, their sirens blared soon after as they revved up their motorcycles and moved in to apprehend the violators.
   "Victor-Alpha, we have company!" The driver inside the third van says over the radio, alerting the driver in the front van.
   "Victor-Alpha to Victor-Charlie, take down the pigs. I don't want anyone messing up the operation."
   "Affirmative." Came the reply from the third van. The window in the back seat slid open, revealing a man in a grey power armor; a prototype combat armor manufactured by the US Military's Division 5. The blueprints was stolen by Insurgents and the Prototype-1, reversed-engineered for them. Since then, the Black Poison Insurgents donned the armor.
   The Policeman glanced at the armored Insurgent, who was covered from head to toe. He could see his frightened face at the reflection of the Insurgent's grey visor. A skull can be seen imprinted on the Insurgent's right shoulder with the word 'Mortis' written below it. A diagonal slash ran across the faceplate of his helmet, marring the otherwise pristine surface of his visor.
   "Time to die, Asshole! Burn in Hell." The Insurgent says, his voice was filtered, designed to sound like a growling Demon. He lifted his Heckler and Koch MP5 Submachine Gun single-handedly and sprayed a magazine worth of bullets at the tailing Policeman in the chest. He swerved wildly for a few seconds before he slid down on the road, rolling and leaving trails of blood while his motorcycle turned right and collided with a civilian vehicle. It exploded, sending another Policeman in a motorcycle flying across the road.
   "Pigs are down, let's just hope there are no cops along the road or somebody's gonna die again." The driver radioed to the leading van as the window of the backseat slid shut.
   "Yeah, don't wanna disappoint the Boss."

Along the road, a man stood on the top of a three-storey building. Wind blew his shoulder length hair, revealing his surprisingly handsome face. His eyes glowed in yellow, his nose was pointed, his skin, a pale tan. Two fangs showed below his upper lip, snarled. A round stone made in ivory hung around his neck in a black lace, floating as air blew past. He was wearing a dark blue shirt underneath the dark brown leather jacket. His blue jeans was fastened with a black belt and his boots was covered in dust as if he had ran a thousand miles, which was true as to complete his mission of aiding the Insurgents in their operation that will benefit the rest of the d'Arquebus Family. He grinned as the three vans moved across the highway, speeding past the pesky Humans. He sensed that these small contingent of Insurgents were not operating alone and that a larger force is waiting somewhere, not far, not near. He glanced as he felt a presence emanating from a familiar comrade.
   "Mara, what are you doing here?" The Vampire asked.
   "Sandro, you have been bleeding too much for Lord d'Arquebus. Do you not rest even for a second?"
   Sandro d'Arquebus turned at her, yellow eyes locking on hers. Their irises glowed the same color. She was blonde, hair tied in a long ponytail. Her eyes were outlined in dark purple, matching the color of her lips where two sharp fangs protrudes. She has a dark mole just below her right eye; on her right cheek. Black jacket was worn over light purple shirt; her long black pants matches the color of her boots. She looked like a motorcycle rider; her skin was pale white, as if she has ran out of blood. Silver metal dogtags hung around her neck.
   "Leave me alone, Mara. Get back to the Manor and wait for my signal." He said, turning back at the street.
   "I can't." She protested which earned a dangerous look from Sandro. "My orders from Lord d'Arquebus himself was to accompany you on your mission."
    "I can handle myself." Sandro replied with aggressiveness. He stared down below and ignored  the Vampire behind him.
   "I AM to accompany you and you cannot change that. My instructions are clear."
   "Fine," Sandro snarled. "But do not get in my way."
    Mara nodded as she walked beside Sandro. They stood there, silent as they watched the streets even after the vans has sped away.
    "Do you think the Japs can do their job?" Mara asked, breaking the long silence.
    "Lord d'Arquebus never make mistakes. The Yokai will do their assignments just as planned."
    "Remind us of our objective here." Mara says again without glancing at him.
    Sandro grinned and whispered, "You'll see."

In front of a Japanese Restaurant, a man walked casually with hands both in the pockets of his white pants. The scent of roasted squid and the sizzling sound of burning meat hit both his senses. His white shirt remained pristine despite hours of continuous walking, greeting pedestrians with a nod and a smile. The good vibes around him was infectious. He strolled past the storefront, eyes wandering to meet another pedestrian and caught sight a man in a red sleeveless shirt and black sleeveless vest. A chain was around his neck, his fingerless gloved hand were tucked under his armpits, arms crossed. His eyes was obscured by round framed shades, black hair spiked with a gel. A cigarette hung on his mouth. His jeans were ripped in the knees, his black spiked boots clang in every step. The friendly man immediately looked away as he caught sight of the punk, his eyes wore a glare. The friendly man increased his pace as soon as he heard the punk stood from his seat. He walked further, but the sound of his footsteps remained close. He could hear more footsteps behind him and a few laughter emanating from behind. He glanced around and saw six of them now following him. All were wearing the same outfit. He turned to the left down the alley between two buildings, moved a little bit further and then stopped. He turned around and faced the group.
   "Oi, have you rallied the Bakeneko and the Ningyo on the meet up point?" The friendly man asked as he looked at the gang of men in front of him, who were now in a bowing stance.
   "No, Master." The punk says as he looked up at his master with a dog-like face. His other companions glanced at their master with the same appearance.
    "Nani?! Bakero!" The Master barked, his face instantly changed. From a friendly face to a face of a white furred dog. Its eyes outlined in red, flames dancing around it. His servants adapted his appearance; from dog-like to full form. Brown furred and red eyed.
   "But we have set up a beacon to the meet up point. The Ningyo and the Bakeneko has made their advance to it."
   "Good. Let us not waste our time. This battle is for Amaterasu!"

Down below, hidden away from the naked sight of the mortal ones, the Legion of the Black Marionettes and the Shadowhelm Legion stood in a perfect marching parade order. The Hellfire Marine Legion of the 136th were standing behind them. The Demons were standing in a dark place, surrounded by stones and rock. Pillars of cobbles supports the land above their heads, preventing it from crashing down. Out from the spiritual world of Hell they come, they dug a hollow area below the city to act as their staging area. The Demons were assisted by their Hellspawn brethren; the Swarm of the Seventh Sin. It comprises of floating rotting head, burning cannonball and a metal arm surrounded by blue aura.
   In front of the Black Marionette Legion stood the Hell Baron named 'Calaxis'. He was wearing a brown cowboy leather hat, wide-chested black armor with pointed shoulders, steel mechanical arms and armored boots and greaves. Two silenced Ragefire Moon Pistols holstered on his hips, ready to be drawn at moment's notice. His face was a skull; the hollowed eyes glowed in red.
   Calaxis regarded the Demons in front of him. They were beings whose skin was brittle porcelain white, with little cracks on it. Black marble-like eyes, lips were painted in red, black plated tuxedo was worn over their china-like bodies completed with black slacks and black shoes. They looked like secret agents had they only had human faces but instead, it looked like a puppet or an ageing doll.
   Beside Calaxis was a Baroness named Kelaes. She was standing in front of the  Shadowhelm Legion. A white featureless mask with two holes as its eyes hang on her face. Five horns protrudes out of her head. Her body was wrapped with purple armor; chains dangled out of the gaps of her armor where it reveals soft red fabric, scented on each thread. Her arms and greaves that also covers her boots were plated in red. A long whip was wound on her side.
   In front of her stood thousands of Demons possessing full sets of medieval gray armor. Their dark purple eyes glowed behind each eye slits. Some were horned, some were not. A dark aura emanates from them, indicating evil presence.
   The Baron who stood in the leadership of 136th was the bigger of all the Barons present. He was armor was blood red, his knee caps were spiked as well as his boots. A dragon with its mouth open was engraved on his right shoulder and a light brown loincloth hung on his waist, covering the groin area. A Devil's face can be seen on his left knee, engraved with a snarl on its mouth. The number '666' was written in blood on its loincloth and a pentagram was etched on its chest, glowing in hellfire. He doesn't have a head but his roar and his voice is as clear as a crystal; soothing and threatening at the same time. His name is Rajar, and for his brothers, he was death.
   The Hellfire Marines in front of him stood in attention, Ragefire Rifles at hand. They wore layers after layers of Hellstone forged together as a suit of red armor. The plates were riveted in place by yellow steel, also forged in Hell. In every step they make, they shake the Earth. Behind those transparent wide visor that looked like the helmet of an EVA, a skeleton with purple eyes grinned; small spikes protrudes from its head down its spine, like a mohawk. Their fingers were itchy, ready to fire.
   "Listen faithful to the Unholy One." Said Rajar, his voice echoed throughout the area. The Barons on his sides and the Demons in front of him stood in attention. "Today, we shall rise from the ground and we will take over this city for the glory of Lucifer. We shall turn this city into what they call a beautiful nightmare." He said, laughing that sounds like a Demon barking. "We take no prisoners! All those insects should be destroyed!" Then a laugh erupted from the ranks of Demons in front of them. "To the last, kill them all."