Midnight Shadows, Blade of Fear! (5,000 Words)

War?

No, this is not a war at all!

Rather... it was a one-sided crushing defeat!

The spaceships anchored high in the sky were crushing the Decepticons' lines with extremely dense firepower!

Anyone familiar with the situation of war understands one principle: whoever occupies the "high ground" can launch a devastating attack on the enemy at the lower ground!

Airplanes are based on this principle.

The spaceship overhead became a persistent nightmare for the Decepticons!

The endless barrage of artillery fire seemed intent on completely engulfing them, without the slightest pause, like a raging torrent, turning the entire sky red!

Shells are being fired one after another, as if they're free!

The Soundwave and Shockwave had originally intended to try transforming and flying high into the sky to intercept the bombardment of that spaceship, but before they could put it into action, the idea was completely extinguished in an instant!

From the spaceship, countless flying vehicles emerged, carrying heavy firepower, forming a deadly fire blockade against any Decepticons attempting to approach!

Oh, right, the Fallen!

Soundwave's eyes lit up. They still had the Fallen, the Progenitor of the Fallen King Kong. They must have a way!

However, even the Fallen, on whom they placed such high hopes, was powerless to change the current situation.

It can control gravity, but the problem is... how does it control a warship that's thousands of meters above the ground?

Forget about controlling it, you can't even touch it!

What's more... those damned, lowly creatures seem to have known all along that it was the only being capable of threatening a spaceship, and they've diverted a large number of their forces to contain it!

The Fallen fell silent.

It looked somewhat bewildered, gazing around at the Bioroid and tyrants forming the vanguard, followed by Space Marine Marines clad in armor, and the menacing Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime, and Jetfire.

Its former pride as the Progenitor of Transformers was shattered at this moment, and a sense of sorrow and desolation filled its heart.

"Useless! Useless! All of you are useless!!"

The Fallen filled with impotent rage, yet utterly helpless!

What can it do? Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime, and Jetfire are all leader-level Transformers. If they were at their peak, it would naturally have no fear.

But it lacks energy!

The Fallen, nearly exhausted, was facing Optimus Prime, who was in his prime, the experienced and cunning Sentinel Prime, Jetfire, who had just replenished his energy. It was already quite an achievement that he could barely hold on!

"Don't rush, Optimus Prime." Sentinel Prime, taking a sneak attack on the Fallen while keeping an eye on the others, reminded them, "Its energy won't last long. We don't need to take risks. Just hold it off here... this guy will soon run out of energy and die!"

Grass!

Enraged, the Fallen turned to deal with Sentinel Prime, but Jetfire intervened, wielding a massive battle blade and forcing it back!

"That's right, just like Sentinel Prime said." Jetfire lowered his stance, his pupils cold. "I know this guy well. He's been cornered. We absolutely cannot take any risks, Optimus Prime."

"Quick, come help me!"

The Fallen roared furiously. If it continued to be worn down like this, it would truly be worn down to death, just as Sentinel Prime had said!

However, when it saw the Decepticons being suppressed by spaceships and tons of human firepower, suffering agonizingly, it immediately despaired!

No, that won't work!

They're all unreliable, a complete bunch of incompetent teammates!!!

At this moment, Soundwave and Shockwave finally truly understood what... war was!

Suppressive fire and construct defensive lines.

Then the cycle repeats until the target area is completely destroyed, and then they advance forward, repeating the actions of suppressing the enemy with artillery fire and building defensive lines, gradually compressing their living space!

The oppressive feeling was like suffocation, like the scythe of death slowly tightening!

Tactics that are devoid of any skill, purely and extremely tedious, yet utterly despairing!

"Those guys... aren't they afraid of dying?!"

The Soundwave roared in despair and collapse.

It witnessed firsthand how the Earth-Drilling Tiger attempted to break free, only to be stopped by the Bioroid and bio-engineered monsters through self-destruction. What awaited it then was... an orbital bombardment by a spaceship!

Clearly, those clad in pure white armor didn't care about the losses of these vanguards at all; their every move was as precise as clockwork, without a single mistake!

This is the "style" of the Iron Warriors Legion!

Of course, the premise is that you don't run into "Imperial Fists," otherwise even if the opponent is guarding a pile of shit, the Iron Warriors will still have to snatch it to take a look.

The one-sided situation on the battlefield made Megatron extremely anxious, but it was also bogged down.

Megatron abruptly turned his gaze to Alvin, his crimson pupils revealing a chilling, sinister killing intent. "As long as we can deal with you here, all the problems will naturally disappear, right?"

"Well, you could think that way."

Alvin tilted his head, seemingly seriously considering the feasibility of Megatron's plan, then smiled and nodded, "Not bad, as long as you can eliminate me, this 'target,' you'll have won."

After saying that, he even gave Megatron an approving look. "So, what are you waiting for? Just obey the Fallen's orders and kill me... and everything will be over, won't it?"

However, the calmer and more composed Alvin appeared, the more Megatron felt something was amiss.

It was as if the other party was encouraging it!

But is it really that simple?

Not to mention that with "Nightblade" guarding him, "Alvin" himself is also quite capable in combat. Even if it could kill "Alvin" by itself, it would probably have to pay the price with its own life!

So the question is, is it worth it?

Megatron's gaze was gloomy as he calculated the gains and losses in his mind. It was clearly impossible for him to sacrifice his life for "The Fallen." He was not Optimus Prime, nor did he have such a great belief.

The situation immediately reached a stalemate.

The atmosphere seemed to freeze, an invisible pressure spreading out, putting Megatron in a difficult dilemma.

Should we take the risk and try it?

Just then, Alvin took the initiative to walk towards it, closing the distance between them.

"Stop! Don't come near me!"

Megatron was really unsure what this guy was up to this time. When he saw Alvin dare to approach him, he subconsciously took a half step back.

"Interesting."

Alvin looked up, but didn't stop walking forward because of Megatron's rebuke. "Why? You should be the one with the advantage between us, but... you're backing down."

Megatron's pupils constricted sharply as he watched Alvin approach, as if sensing some kind of pressure. "No, don't come near me again! What do you want? What are you planning?!"

It's not that it's overthinking; it's just that... being repeatedly outmaneuvered and perfectly controlled at every turn has left Megatron with a deep-seated fear of Alvin.

"Don't be so tense. As you can see, I don't intend to do anything to you." Alvin found it somewhat amusing, but maintained a calm demeanor, a faint chuckle as if he were completely confident in the current situation, "To be precise, I'm here to discuss a... deal, Megatron."

Trade?!

Megatron was stunned for a good ten seconds, a little slow to catch up, wondering about the other's bizarre thought process, "You... you're sure you're not mistaken? We're enemies!"

"What's wrong with the enemy?" Alvin looked at it strangely. "Can't we even negotiate with the enemy?"

That makes sense!

Megatron's eyes darted around, and he thought it might not be a bad idea, so he stared at him suspiciously. "What exactly do you mean by this deal?"

"It's very simple."

Alvin snapped his fingers and said, "You and all your Decepticons shall, from this day forward, submit to me and, when necessary... fight for me to seize glory and victory."

"Of course, I'm not some heartless capitalist. In return, I promise you, I will rebuild your lost homeland... Cybertron, how about it?"

"You... you really think this is a 'deal'?!"

After hearing Alvin's proposed "deal," Megatron almost couldn't resist blasting the guy in the face. He glared at Alvin and said, "You actually want the great Decepticons to submit to you?"

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

Alvin pretended to think, then said thoughtfully, "I understand. If it's about compensation, I can raise it a bit more based on your performance. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Isn't this just a slave?!"

Megatron gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with rage. "We don't need your help at all. We can rebuild Cybertron in no time!"

"Megatron, you seem to have misunderstood something." Alvin's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, indifferent expression. His eyes were half-closed as he casually stated, "I'm not asking for your opinion, but rather... informing you of my conclusion regarding the Decepticons."

"What? The conclusion regarding the processing?"

Megatron was stunned, seemingly not yet having reacted.

But it quickly grasped the meaning. Alvin, as if revealing his true intentions, curled his lips into a smile, revealing his white teeth. "Defeated prisoners... have no right to offer opinions!"

While it's true that Rogue Trader and Rogue Trader acknowledge and respect.

Just as when the Anglo-Saxons entered the Americas, when did they ever consult the opinions of the indigenous peoples?

No, because there's no need to ask!

If one truly believes that the "transactions" spoken of by Rogue Trader are based on fairness, then one can only say that... one is overestimating the flexible moral bottom line of these Rogue Trader.

"Just as I said, Megatron." Alvin smiled, but his eyes held a chilling, even terrifying, light. "You Decepticons are defeated slaves. Unfortunately... in my world, there are no treaties for the humane treatment of prisoners. So from this moment on, you... are all my slaves, Megatron!"

"Don't kill it."

Alvin casually waved his hand and said indifferently, "These are precious slaves; just break their limbs."

To whom was he giving orders?!

Megatron's pupils contracted, but in an instant, he noticed that something seemed to be moving in the surrounding desert.

No, that's not an illusion!

In an instant, Megatron's years of combat experience told it that a great danger lurked beneath the sand!

Bang!

Suddenly, a sandstorm erupted!

Ten even more robust and tall warriors, dressed in exquisite black armor, moved silently like ghosts, infiltrating and approaching the area, surrounding it.

How did it manage to get close to it without it noticing at all? And the scanning program didn't detect it either!

"Be thankful, Megatron."

Alvin stood on the yellow sand, his eyelids slightly lowered. "This is my 'Honor Guard,' using it against you... is a complete waste of its potential. However, as a first opponent, you're barely passable."

These ten Space Marine, all offspring of the Night Lords' Legion who had received Primaris organs, are currently included in his "Honor Guard."

The Power Armor worn by all members is based on the Primaris, with some modules even incorporating the biotechnology of the Engineers from the Xenomorph Universe!

At Alvin's request, all members of the Honor Guard underwent an additional surgery on top of their existing Black Carapace and tendon coils, resulting in the implantation of a Bio-armor core skin!

"Now, it's time to show me." Alvin turned to the captain of the Honor Guard: "Vesa Ribot, prove to me... the strength of the Honor Guard."

"In the name of Valshius, I will not fail your expectations!" Vesa Ripper's somber voice emanated from his black Power Armor. He then drew his Power sword and strode across the yellow sand, closing in on Megatron.

The next moment, a sandstorm erupted!

With his feet firmly planted on the ground and aided by the jetpack on his back, Vesa Ripper's seemingly clumsy and bulky body unleashed astonishing speed!

Wow, so fast!

The thought flashed through Megatron's mind, but his years of experience in fierce battles allowed him to react quickly, extending his arms to extend battle blades and holding them horizontally in front of him!

When!

The heavy blade cleaved into the arm blade!

Megatron was shocked to discover that his power... was being suppressed. The black-clad warrior, the Auspex in his helmet, exuded a chilling aura.

Having missed his first strike, Vesa Rippert did not linger in the fight but immediately disappeared into the desert sands!

Megatron then noticed that the other warriors clad in black armor were constantly kicking up yellow sand, creating a blind spot, while those strange creatures seemed to have truly vanished without a trace!

Disappeared again?!

Its heart tightened, and it suddenly felt the pressure mounting!

This kind of invisible "enemy," yet you can feel the sounds emanating from the yellow sand all the time, is like someone trapped in a swamp, watching helplessly as they are slowly swallowed up... It's awful!

You're afraid, aren't you?

From the swirling yellow sand, Vesa's voice echoed, like a cat toying with a mouse, slowly wearing down Megatron's patience and energy!

Suddenly, a bomb shot out from the yellow sand!

Megatron reacted extremely quickly, shattering the explosive bomb with his arm blade while simultaneously unleashing an energy cannon!

However... the location hit by the energy cannon was empty, with only a large crater scorched by the high temperature and now in a crystalline state!

While Megatron was still in a daze, a precise bomb, as if it had anticipated his location, embedded itself in his eye!

Bang!!!

With one eye damaged, Megatron lost part of his vision, and his already panicked heart was suddenly swallowed by some invisible shadow!

However, the offspring with the Night Lords's genes would not miss the opening Megatron revealed. When Megatron panicked due to losing sight of him, Vesa approached at an extremely fast speed like a ghost in the shadows!

His goal was... his legs!

Completely unprotected, Megatron was naturally unable to withstand the Power sword encased in the Disintegration field, and his right leg was instantly severed by a horizontal slash!

Having done all this, Vesa disappeared back into the yellow sand.

Bombs rained down from all directions, striking Megatron's body!

Even though the bombs are unlikely to pose a fatal threat to Transformers, the situation changes when their numbers increase!

The Night Lords's offspring had their sights set on Megatron's "wings," determined to completely eliminate any possibility of his escape!

No, no!

The relentless bombardment of its rear wings, the excruciating pain of shattering metal, plunged Megatron into terror; this was its only hope of escape!

Unfortunately, the Night Lords has everything except for the so-called "compassion."

"Aaaaaah!"

The constant, suffocating feeling that surrounded him, like being bound by ropes, drove Megatron to the brink of madness and collapse. "Get out here! You lowly human! Get out here!"

Unfortunately, the only response to Megatron came from a stretch of yellow sand, the sound of approaching footsteps!

How does it feel to lose hope?

From the yellow sand came Vesa's somber voice, like an invisible blade slicing through metal. "Next, we'll cut off your left leg."

Megatron had completely lost his mind and instinctively tried to protect his left leg, but... several shadows suddenly appeared in the yellow sand, seizing the opportunity to divert his attention!

Several Plasma cannon shattered its arm!

With the attack over, those shadowy figures vanished back into the yellow sand, as if they had never been there, leaving only fear...

"Aaaaaah..." Megatron screamed in agony, his face filled with resentment. "You... you actually lied to me!"

"This truly surprises me..." Vesa's voice echoed from all directions, "You actually believe... the enemy's words?"

"Next target, guess... where is it?"

"You still have one leg left, but you have many other parts. I'm curious... what would happen if you took all those parts apart?"

"It's okay, don't be nervous... We'll do our best, avoiding your vital points, little by little, slowly, very carefully... dismantle you into a form that is completely unable to resist!"

An invisible fear gripped Megatron's throat; that suffocating terror devoured his sanity like a shadow!

Ultimately, Megatron collapsed.

"No, no... I surrender!"

It didn't want to be dismantled into parts, and it couldn't bear the approaching invisible pressure and the fear of its life being taken away bit by bit.

The yellow sand has dispersed...

Vesa Rippert, along with the other nine sons of the Night Lords, stood like dark shadows around the crumbling Megatron.

"Mission complete."

They instill fear in their enemies!

They won!

They... are the Night Lords!

It's the enemy's nightmare!

It is the embodiment of fear!