Queen Myrrah, after years of planning, waited until the end of the Pendulum Wars to strike at the humans. After delivering a final speech to her troops - Queen Myrrah unleashed her horde six weeks after the end of the Pendulum Wars. Uzil RAAM and Kantus Skorge led a large army to the city of Jannermont, while Zamil Karn led dozens of Blights into the Republic of Gorasnaya. Vold Sraak was lost during the First Battle of Jannermont - executed by Uzil RAAM for treason - losing one of the best warriors of the Horde. Every major city on Sera was attacked except for key cities located on the Jacinto Plateau due to its granite bedrock. Other cities located on island chains such as the South Islands and Lesser Islands Chain were also spared due to oceanic trenches. Queen Myrrah was successful in the surprise invasion on Sera's surface. After twenty-six hours, 25% of the human race was killed and millions more were captured by the Horde. The Locust continued to emerge and occupy Seran cities, butcher humans indiscriminately, and scrap for resources.
Flying over the ruins of Ephyra city, the former capital of the COG and now a Locust stronghold, Kim informed Marcus that they were going to land on Embry Square. Kim told Marcus that Hoffman was leading the operation, which worried Marcus since Hoffman had left him to die. While Carmine took potshots at any Locust down below, he asked if Marcus was THE Marcus Fenix, hero of Aspho Fields. Carmine's reaction to the Pendulum Wars hero was a "Wow! Cool!" and was given a negative reaction from Marcus while Carmine went back to taking potshots. The King Raven soon landed in the square and Hoffman greeted Kim, but reminded Marcus that he is still a traitor and unworthy of the armor of a Gear. While Hoffman explained to Kim that he has a way to win the war and wipe out the Locust, Marcus sees Anya for the first time in years but only gives her a fixed look. However, he is relieved as he realizes that she didn't forget him and move on as he'd told her to.[27] But the Locust interrupted the reunion, forcing the Gears to hit the sandbags while Anya retreated to the landed King Raven. Marcus and Delta engaged the Drones while Hoffman gives him the details of the Lightmass Offensive and how they need to find Alpha Squad and the Sonic Resonator which is more important than the Gears. Marcus and the Gears defeated the Drones and Hoffman left the square before telling Marcus that he needs 110% of him.
