"Ugh. This week has been absolutely exhausting, hasn't it?”
"We're all tired, but we have to focus on the mission, Black Hound. The Wild Cards are on their way. Hound Two, report."

Hound Two's voice rang out over the wireless receiver.

"The minefield is primed and ready. Secondary explosive charges under the front gate and within the entrance to the building are in the process of being installed now. We'll have everything ready to blow within five minutes."
"Excellent. Keep an eye on the situation. Hound Five, report."

"As of ten minutes ago, all the materiel is back home safe. The Wild Cards are still sniffing around in the Old District. We're keeping a sharp watch."
"We were a little behind schedule, but it all worked out. Nice job, Hound Five."

"Report! Wild Cards inbound! At least two hundred... they're walking straight towards the blast zone."
"They split up their forces? Cut Throat One, we've got company! Hound Two, Hound Three, Hound Four, pull back to the staging area! We're out of time."

"Affirmative."
"On my way, Hound Zero."

"We'll regroup and lead the charge. The Spirit Hunters are coming to help us."
"Copy that. Out."

"Black Hound, are you fit for combat?"
"Yes, sir. I'm in top form."

"Watch our backs. Hound Two, you're taking point. "
"I can sense them. Here they come."

Black Wolf winced. Luminous spots jerkingly lit the horizon, followed by the dull noise of distant explosions. The Hounds grit their teeth and prepared for the worst.

"They're here," crackled the receiver. "Team Four is in contact with the enemy.”
"Stay put and keep your heads down. We're going in as soon as they make it to the front gate!"

The first wave of Wild Cards hit the front line. A swarm of mud-clad monsters crawled across the battlefield, shrugging off the detonations of the Chosen Ones' mines with ease. They all came together at once towards the gates, and then...

BOOM! BOOM BOOM!

A deafening noise and a blinding flash of light. The ground under the monster's feet suddenly erupted in an explosion of dirt, smoke, and shrapnel. Another explosion, then another. The first wave of invaders was torn to pieces. A sickening smell of burnt waste filled the air.

"The front gate has been breached! Cut Throat One, it's go time!"

"There's more of them! Whoa! They're huge!"
"We're going to be overrun. There's too many of them."
"Don't panic. Just follow the plan. Let's do this."

A regiment of crawling sludge monsters accompanied by squads of men in white armor pushed their way into the courtyard. The beast's inhuman wails echoed through the darkness, punctuated by the shouts and cries of Chosen Ones and Cut Throats fighting for their very lives. But the Hounds' battle cry rose above the fray, and their determined advance drove the enemy back.

"Tear them apart! No mercy!"
"You damn monsters! Die!"
"Hold the line! Don't let them inside the compound! Cut Throat One, cut the wire, we're pulling out! Move!"
"Stay in formation!"

Hound Four, blinded by noxious smoke, was tackled by one of the sludge monsters. His body was thrown backwards and his head collided with a low stone wall. He felt like he'd just swallowed broken glass, and saw stars. His vision blurred. The pain in his neck grew unbearable. The next thing he knew, there were hands on him, lifting him up.

"Are you alright, Hound Four?"
"Yeah... Black Hound... is that you? I can't see."

"Yeah. It's me. I'm taking you back to the staging area. The rest of the team will be fine without us. Our backup's here."
"Thanks..."

Hound Four groaned and coughed helplessly.

"Grab onto my shoulder. Here. Keep your hand here."
"Ah. Understood."

Hound Four pulled himself together, bracing against the pain in his neck. He could barely make out the silhouettes of the people around him.

"How long was I out? Are the others okay?"
"About ten minutes, I think. You got pretty banged up. Hound Two is dead, but everyone else is alright. Oh, about twenty acolytes died too, I guess. Probably more by now."

"I think I have a concussion... I can't see."
"You're fine. Just hang on. Ugh. You're heavy. Take it slow."

Hound Four groaned and sputtered helplessly. Black Wolf had a surprisingly gentle look on his face as he guided his comrade to safety.

"I feel dizzy. My head feels... it hurts."
"That's not surprising, considering how hard you hit your head."

"I can walk."
"Just shut up and hold on. We're almost there."

"Thanks."
"Damn it. You're lucky. You get to retreat with the rest of the wounded. I have to go back in there."

Even as their numbers began to dwindle, the Chosen Ones and Cut Throats didn't give in. They continued their valiant defense until the very end. The fighting continued until morning. The front face of the Cut Throats' headquarters had crumbled and collapsed. The courtyard was filled with corpses and smoking rubble. A lake of brown filth covered the ground, putting off a horrible stench. The hellish sight would haunt the survivor's nightmares for the rest of their lives.