Victor observed with the ’slightest and most minimal’ frustration how the poorly organized defensive lines of the bridge were beginning to let some flying soldiers and diggers pass through.
Some of his soldiers were still arriving, ’marching’ from behind in unorganized and hasty formations that spoke of poor professional military training.
The delay in their positioning had been unfortunate, but not catastrophic... He had a plan.
The Yino soldiers had managed to establish what already seemed like a solid foothold in Yano territory, and their numerical superiority would start showing tangible results if they allowed many more soldiers to cross.
’Containment within the bridge would have been easier, but that plan has failed thanks to our slow reaction,’ he admitted mentally while his Golden Eagle executed an evasive maneuver to avoid a spear of purple energy that crackled through the air where they had been moments before. ’I’ll have to retrain the soldiers to react twice as fast when this is over...’
From his privileged aerial position, he could see exactly how the situation was developing. About 100 Yino ground soldiers had crossed, sufficient numbers to establish their own defensive formations, and now they were pressing toward the city.
The sight was troubling. These weren’t desperate raiders or undisciplined militia. These were trained soldiers executing a coordinated assault with the kind of precision that came from extensive planning and practice.
’If this continues like this, I won’t be able to hold the bridge for all the time I promised.’
But not everything was lost. In fact, this was just the beginning...
Victor saw how the last troops from the rear guard arrived to close the half-moon formation.
When he realized that most of the soldiers from the earth elementals squadron had already gone underground, he gave the order, his voice cutting through the chaos of combat with the authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed in life-or-death situations.
"Sector commanders! Implement Earth Containment "Silver Platter" Protocol, now!"
The response was immediate and coordinated. There was a reason why Victor had maintained calm...
He had his Gold 3 Qilin (the strongest besides his father’s) to control the ground, but he ended up just containing the flying tamers with his elite squadron, and the reason was about to manifest.
The Yano soldiers had managed to create a perimeter just outside the bridge support. It was a solid defensive position that allowed them to control the flow of enemy combatants, preventing the few who arrived from being able to completely cross into the territory.
But what the enemy didn’t know was that this position had been deliberately allowed. Victor had been drawing them into exactly the position he wanted them to occupy.
"Underground units, proceed with Visible Excavation!" Victor ordered, observing how specialists in underground combat emerged from hidden positions beneath the earth...
No, they weren’t emerging...
The earth was sinking.
What followed was a demonstration of military-grade elemental control from Yano that would have been pleasant to witness if it hadn’t been taking place in the middle of a deadly battle.
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