The Alliance vanguard legion was personally commanded by Iota, the Ninth Creator. This force included three hundred elite Creators and the armies of countless affiliated civilizations. By its organization, it was a standard rapid assault force, possessing formidable mobility and striking power.
But when Victor observed these enemy forces through battlefield perception, he discovered an unsettling fact:
These former comrades had completely lost their individual characteristics. Their movements were as uniform as those of precision machines, without a single superfluous motion or trace of personal habit. Even more shocking, their eyes were hollow and identical, as though everyone were viewing the world through the same pair of eyes.
"The Consciousness Seed's control is more thorough than we imagined," Victor reported to the other commanders through the communications system. "They are no longer independent individuals, but extensions of some collective consciousness."
The Magic Federation's commander responded through the comms, "This degree of mental assimilation... is utterly abhorrent."
The Machine Empire's tactical coordinator also voiced his shock. "Even our artificial intelligence networks retain the independence of individual units. This complete uniformity violates the fundamental principles of intelligent existence."
The discovery pained everyone. Those companions who had once fought alongside them, those Creators with unique personalities and ideals, had now become enemies they had no choice but to face.
But Victor quickly steadied himself. He knew their task now was not to grieve, but to save these controlled beings through battle.
"All units, attention," Victor issued his combat orders. "Given the targets' special condition, we need to adjust our tactical approach. The priority is not to eliminate the enemy, but to create opportunities for purification."
The first contact began.
The Alliance Legion attacked in flawless formation. Three hundred Creators arranged themselves into precise geometric patterns, every unit occupying the optimal position and serving