Disaster Strikes

Everyone in the Anomalies Bureau knew how to read a situation. By now, it was clear that High Priest Sonic of the Nature Church had outplayed them. The forces assembled at Faerun City had lost more than half their number in the opening clash. Although the Mana Cannons had breached the False Absolute Divine Domain, a far bloodier battle lay ahead. Falling back might look cowardly, but it would preserve their fighting strength. At the very least, the Anomalies Bureau's elite fighters should not be spent in the first suicidal charge.

Sure enough, as soon as the False Absolute Divine Domain shattered, the Space-Time Gate at the site of the collapse fully activated.

Sonic stood alone before the Space-Time Gate, an inscrutable smile on his face and green flames burning in his eyes. He had Devoured every surviving elite of the Nature Church, turning them into fuel for his path to godhood. The destruction of the False Absolute Divine Domain did not trouble him. He had foreseen it. It had even been part of his plan.

"Hiddink, my old friend, did you think you could stop me?" Sonic said suddenly. "You're far too sure of yourself. You think everything is under your control, but you've overestimated both yourself and the Anomalies Bureau. For all your cunning, this time you're nothing more than a pawn in my plan."

As Sonic spoke, Director Hiddink of the Northwest Province Anomalies Bureau tore open a spatial rift and stumbled out of it. A thick, thorn-covered vine followed close behind, attacking relentlessly. The moment it neared Hiddink, countless invisible blades sliced it into thin strips.

Director Hiddink ignored the strips of vine falling to the ground and fixed Sonic with a dark stare. He spoke one word at a time. "Sonic! Quite a move. A