Zero to Peak: Ascension Online

"It doesn't make sense that you can't help. You have angels stationed at the cathedrals and sanctuaries. Popular stories project angels as kind beings who come to the rescue. You could mobilise more angels from… I don't know… your goddess's heavenly kingdom to fight those things. Surely her host of angels must number over ten thousand," Ivan tried to persuade Saint Angouleme.

The saint just stared back at him, maintaining his calm demeanour. Ivan felt agitated by how placid the saint was; it felt as if he was never going to yield to his pleas.

Mission Triggered!

Info: Your pleas have yielded fruit. The Goddess has been moved to do something to help the innocent masses.

Description: You will be deployed into the active war in Section 1. Your mission is to survive the battle and save more than 10 million people. Help vanquish over ten thousand alien soldiers while killing at least one leader of an alien platoon.

<<<<

In the Pope's eyes, Ivan seemed to have temporarily zoned out. He also sensed a brief absence of life from Saint Angouleme's body and adjusted himself in his dining seat, ready for action should the situation turn against him. But his worries were for nothing.

In his usual calm tone, Saint Angouleme said to Ivan, "The Goddess has agreed to help. She has accepted your proposal. Know that your survival is up to you. She will bless you with powers tailored for battle. Do not betray her trust. Do not disappoint her."

Ivan sighed in relief. A strange confidence surged within him; he felt he would survive this battle. Saint Angouleme snapped his fingers, and a holographic map of Section 1 appeared on the surface of the long dining table.

Section 1 was divided into three zones. The northern zone, close to Section 3, was named Zone Alpha. This zone was the hottest at the moment, as the alien forces had concentrated their power in this region. There were two active powers battling the aliens here: the Tohzzembe mafia and the government military.

The Tohzzembe mafia mostly controlled Zone Alpha; it was widely known to be their turf. This was despite the fact that Section 1's government had its biggest and most-equipped military base located in this zone. The mafia boasted a private army that could be argued to be better equipped than the official military. Their influence in the region was deep; even officials in the military were controlled by them. Section 1's governor was powerless against the mafia in this region.

The middle region, named the Hero Zone, was the heart of Section 1. It was the main place of residence for most of the population. In comparison to Zone Alpha, the Hero Zone was well-planned and effectively controlled by the government. The Cathedral of Serenity was located here. The Tohzzembe mafia's influence was significantly lower, but they could still pull strings whenever it mattered. The Congregation of Serenity also had a massive sway on the region, as most of their followers dwelled here. So, it was a power tussle between the government, the church, and the mafia.

Currently, the Hero Zone had been overrun by alien forces. A good number of the government's powerful soldiers were nowhere to be seen, and hence they couldn't support the ordinary forces of the military resistance. The aliens had seized most of the Hero Zone. People had been displaced, but most of them were still trapped within the seized areas. The governor was on the run, fleeing towards the western border with Section 2.

The third and southern zone of Section 1, the Industrial Zone, was barely surviving. It mostly suffered from air raids. It went without saying that the Industrial Zone was the manufacturing hub of the region, producing everything that sustained the entire Section—from food to various tools. The air raids were a strategic attack, targeting vast farms and factories with the intent of crippling the region as the war raged on.

Fortunately, the resistance force in this zone was capable of repelling the air raids. The alien attacks had not caused as much damage as the aliens intended.

Ivan studied the map, and with Saint Angouleme explaining the different situations in the three zones, he began to understand the situation better. The Pope had gotten up from his seat, standing beside the table to also view the map.

The pontiff advised Ivan to go to the Industrial Zone first; he thought it was wise to start from there. But Ivan didn't agree. He prioritised the most unstable region, where the most lives would be lost if something was not done as soon as possible. The most unstable region was Zone Alpha, and that was where Ivan intended to start.

The Pope understood Ivan's reasoning and didn't try to persuade him to change his mind.

"We have thirteen sanctuaries across the region—five in Zone Alpha, five here in the Hero Zone, and three in the Industrial Zone. Our biggest sanctuary is in Zone Alpha. It can house up to seventy million people conveniently, and the place won't feel crammed. It is so big that you can't fathom it. It is the most secure sanctuary in the region. Its integrity can hold for months without anyone standing guard outside, but we don't like to do that for reasons best known to us. That's why we have put one of the best guards outside to defend it."

"Do you know Lady Flux?"

Ivan was starting to wonder why the pontiff was giving him details about their biggest sanctuary. It all clicked together when the pontiff asked the question. He understood that the pontiff was trying to tip him off that he could get help from Lady Flux. Also, he could lead the rescued people to the biggest sanctuary, but that was a daunting task that he wasn't sure how to go about. People tend to scatter in various directions during a bloody conflict, and drawing them to a single point was a very demanding task. He would have to defend them and lead them across a distance if they weren't close to the sanctuary.

Ivan speculated that the saint had a solution for this problem, so he worried less. He resisted the temptation to ask about the blessings the Goddess intended to bestow upon him.