Chapter 604 - Flayed

*BOOOOOOOOOM!*

A huge explosion rocks the city, killing hundreds of flayed men that were unable to escape the nuclear explosion. Tamia puts away the laser detonator that she'd found earlier while scavenging and drops the 'Red Glare' rocket launcher back onto her shoulder.​​

She'd been stuck in this city for a day now, almost constantly fighting the never-ending forces of flayed men that continually crawled out of the word work. The desolate city looked even more devasted after the constant fighting, especially considering the fact she'd set off a number of undetonated nuclear bombs that'd been liberally scattered around the place...

Apparently, this place had held many nuclear bombs before the war, most of which hadn't actually been launched of detonated until Tamia came. It was fortunate she found the laser detonator, which seemed to be the only weapon actually capable of activating them.

The fighting had definitely left a toll though, she'd lost two Cyberdogs from a rather vicious ambush a couple hours ago, and one of her remaining three Ultimo-Bots was missing an arm from a close call.

Her previously pristine armour was thoroughly scarred and scorched, it having taken the impact of multiple missiles, plasma shots, laser shots, high-calibre bullets, and even projectiles of pure radiation.

She was very lucky that Afton had taken high level of radiation into account when designing the armour as if she was equipped with any regular Power armour she'd have most certainly died of radiation poisoning by now.

She'd barely slept, but couldn't even consider resting as she and her group were almost constantly under attack. She leans over the rooftop balcony and fires a volley of missiles from her rocket launcher, causing a line of smoke clouds along where the flayed men had been hiding.

The only indication given that she'd hit something were the limbs that flew away in various directions.

*Bang!*

A sniper shot rings out, and Tamia brings her arm up just in time to catch it with her wrist shield. Growling to herself, she turns and points the rocket launcher at the building where the bullet had come from, easily spotting the scared-shitless flayed man who was trying to run away.

*Peeeeuchhh!*

*BOOM!*

The missiles land just under the man's feet, instantly killing him and rendering them a fine red mist. Once that's done, Tamia hops off of the building while her troops follow her... Only for a ferocious scream to draw her attention... A Legion soldier was charging her with a bumper sword, a weapon considerably smaller than her own.

Giving a small snort, she drops her rocket launcher and draws her energy blade from her back, swinging it at the enemy who tries to parry it...

*ZWUNG!*

The energy blade cuts through their sword, and then their arm, shoulder, and torso. Their eyes bulge in shock as their upper body slowly slides from their other half.

Tamia stretches her arms out in a taunting gesture, "ANY ONE ELSE!?" she shouts, daring any survivors to try attack her.

...

The silence is deafening, but reassuring as Tamia didn't think the flayed men capable of resisting such provocating. From what she'd observed during her time here, while they possessed some intelligence, they were far too quick to anger, allowing most taunts to work on them... She'd even spray-painted a wall with various insults, and they'd destroyed in a fit of rage, not noticing her standing behind them with sword drawn.

Fortunately, that seemed to be all the flayed men in the area, allowing her to finally progress through this hellscape.

"*Bzztch!* "Good work, you've committed genocide against those that used to call you friend, had to come back and finish the job... I do not blame you, their suffering can not be measured by pain alone, though, I wonder if you regret it."

Tamia scoffs, "Regret defending myself and killing them?" she retorts as if asked a stupid question.

"No." the man states but doesn't elucidate. "You've fought through this trial, but the next will be far darker... Remember, watch your step.*Bzztch!*" the call ends, leaving Tamia just standing there in thought.

She's still confused and in thought of the conversation as she and her group traverse the city, eventually finding the only path forward to be some sort of cave. It was unnatural though, formed from any collapsed buildings. The debris was so thick that the sun couldn't breach through to the lower levels, and Tamia was pretty sure she knew what she'd find down there.

The man's warning obviously meant Tunnelers. Tamia was slightly wary of walking straight into their territory but didn't have a choice in the end. If she wanted to reach her destination, and find out how she was related to this place, as well as the man, she'd need to keep walking.

She leads the group down the tunnel, activating her helmets night vision as the light from outside slowly dimmed.

Thirty minutes pass uneventfully, and the group walk out into a large cavern-like area... The peace is broken once Tamia spots the many small eyes staring at them. The Tunnelers were here, and it looked as if they'd stumbled into the entire hive.

"Flame throwers!" she shouts, and the three Ultimo-Bots immediately step forth and begin incinerating everything around them. The Tunnelers skitter around the floor, walls, and ceiling, attempting to get to them, but the group retreat back into the enclosed tunnel, allowing them to funnel most of the Tunnelers through it.

A few attempt to dig their way through the walls, but the Cyberdogs tear them to pieces as soon as they emerge. The only real problem is the fact Tamia isn't able to use her greatsword, instead, having to rely on her old Ultra Chainsword due to the tight space.

"Just die you lizard fucks!" she shouts after cutting the twentieth apart after it just blindly charges at her. She hoped they weren't as numerous as the last hive she fought, otherwise this might just be the end of her.