Sanctuary

Dex awoke in the rubble of the control tower, to hear digging, he saw a black gloved hand reaching through the rubble, the rescuer removed the debris that was holding Dex down, and Dex could finally see the blinding light shining down on the city.

He shielded his eyes as he stood up, he looked around and saw the others sitting nearby. He counted to make sure they all made it. A medic approached and put a foil blanket around him, for a moment, it seemed like the worst was finally over. Dex sat down beside Syl, and watched the rescuers pull Marin from the rubble.

Instead of handing her over to the medic, the rescuer, with their face hidden by a black mask, dragged Marin into the road. He threw her to the ground.

"Get up onto your knees" The rescuer ordered, Marin reluctantly complied with his demands.

"What is this?" Marin asked, her face was cut from the collapse of the tower.

"An execution" The rescue answered, before pulling a pistol out and shooting Marin in the back of the head. The shot rang out across the street, everyone gasped in shock.

"What are you doing! Why didn't you just arrest her?!" Syl shouted.

"Silence citizen, this city is now under the Command of the New Varlan Empire, comply with our directives, and we promise salvation from the darkness" The rescuer replied, as he put his pistol back in its holster.

Across the city, Imperial Airships were putting up the new flag of the Empire. Citizens were behind herded into the most damaged part of the city, and suspected cultists were being executed in the streets.

Imperial Vehicles rolled into the city, armed with machine guns and cannons. Checkpoints were set up at various points of the city.

Guards approached the main lab, where Roisin and Keegan stood at the door. A woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes stepped forward, she was dressed in a black leather coat with the New Empire's sigil on the pocket.

"Greetings, we are here to take over operations at the Sanctuary Laboratory" The woman smiled, her lips covered in bright red lipstick.

"Yeah, that ain't happening, love" Roisin said, with folded arms.

"Do not think we will refrain from breaking this down this door, girl" The woman frowned.

"Try it, girl" Roisin retorted. The woman did seem to be the same age as Roisin herself.

"Who even are you?" Keegan asked.

"We are the New Varlan Empire, saviours of Crystalla" The woman said as she raised her arms theatrically.

"Self proclaimed saviours" Roisin smirked.

"Just who do you think you are speaking to, girl?" The woman roared as she punched the wall.

"Another stuck up Araneian wannabe Emperor, I'm guessing" Roisin shrugged. "You don't scare, me. I've faced much worse than you" She winked.

"Who... are you?" The woman asked.

"Roisin Luna, your new worst enemy. This city is not yours, and I will reclaim it" Roisin threatened. "But, may I ask for your name?" She grinned.

"I am Empress Varla Reins, of the New Varlan Empire" Varla announced.

"Now I know what to tell them to inscribe on your tombstone" Roisin chuckled. Varla growled angrily and shot at the door, the bullet vaporized as it touched the energy field that surrounded the labs.

"Well that was dumb" Roisin laughed. Varla looked angrily at Roisin, before turning and walking away. The large airship loomed over the city, as the bright white light saturated the streets, with the most unnatural glow. Keegan turned to Roisin and laughed.

"You're pretty badass" Keegan laughed.

"It was mostly an act, even though I could deck her if I wanted to" Roisin shrugged. The two walked back into the main foyer.

"So, what is the plan?" Keegan wondered.

"That part I was legitimate about, we will be retaking Sanctuary, by any means necessary. We cannot let fear win" Roisin replied, as the two walked deeper into the lab.

Aboard the Valkyrie, Atlas awoke to find himself in handcuffs surround by Imperial Guards.

"What... what is this?!" Atlas said as he rolled off the bed.

"You're under arrest, you are far too dangerous of an individual to be allowed to roam free" A trooper said, as they pulled him up from the floor. "The brig is your new home" He smiled.

In the city, Ashe, Syl, Dex, Wes and Anya had fled into the sewers, after witnessing the execution, several troopers had given chase, but the party had managed to lose them.

Ariel had managed to sneak aboard the Valkyrie amidst the chaos, and had stolen a uniform, due to her Araneian looks, she blended in perfectly. She approached a cell in the brig, in which Atlas was located.

Atlas looked at Ariel, not noticing it was her.

"I will get out of here, you know" Atlas threatened.

Ariel turned to Atlas and smirked.

"I'm counting on it 'Uncle' Atlas" She winked, and walked ahead. Atlas took a few seconds to realise that he'd seen Ariel, and that he did indeed have a chance of freedom.

The city of hope had now become the city of fear, safe from the dark, but controlled by an iron fist.