Rolling out of the large alleyway on the left side of the grayish building. The General with his hands on the wheels of the dark green convertible 1972 Ford Mustang takes to the empty streets. Now on the open road, he then starts putting the pedal down. Making the machine’s engine roar. “Now watch this.” Pushing a button, the roof folds on itself and the cold air is felt in its fullest.
With the gust of the wind running through the air, the long hair of the three women was in full bloom as he drove the old vintage car on the street. With the towering gray buildings full of glass and steel, now abandoned and empty. The road was lonesome but the group made it lively with their smiles and relaxation as the General drove them through the now vacant asphalt. The only traces of the once lively atmosphere of it was the litter that’d occasionally blow to there path and the tire markings on the intersections before the lights.
A black cat could be seen in an unattended alleyway and the feline hissing as the Dragon in return growled loudly and made it scram into the darkness of the city’s towering figure.
Bahamut was in the passenger seat with Elizabeth and Alana on the back. All of them taking in the sights of the city. With calm and collected breathing, they all smiled inside the car. Driving through the now empty two lane road. The only thing they encountered was the loose newspaper page being flown by the early year air. The powerful gust made the A/C of the car useless as they approached the heart of the city where the military was most active. With no traffic, stop lights only blinking yellow, and the sound of the engine and the rush of air, the moment of solemnity made the group silent for a moment.
As he made a turn that leads to the Park near the Commercial District, Jackson looks at the internal rear view mirror
“Hahahahaha, nice isn’t it?”
“M’Lord, I can see the appeal of this now.”
“What about you Elizabeth?”
“Hm, it feels nice having the wind hit my face like this. It’s as if I am flying but without my wings.”
“Exactly! What about you Bahamut?”
The sailor uniformed lady had her head out on the passenger side, without her crown and veil. She was letting the air fully hit her pale face as the General sped up even more and let them all enjoy the feel of the car.
“This is the life. I actually do this a lot back on Earth. Just driving around on my vacation. Enjoying the sights of the world and its way better now.”
“Because you have three women to accompany you, M’Lord?”
“You got that right! Ahahahaha, wanna drive Alana?”
“I’d rather not, M’Lord. It took me a long time to master the horse. A machine… I would need to learn it from inside and out.”
“It's so easy, just put it in drive and use your feet to press onto the accelerator. Don’t mind the mechanics stuff, you can just think it away.”
“And when you break down, M’Lord?”
“You either try to fix it or call a tow! Happened to me two times and twice I got it to work again!”
“Maybe after, M’Lord. When we could leisurely spend our time.”
“Okay then. Just remember that one day, Threa will also have its own brand of cars and types of it! Be ready when it comes!”
“My Lord, may I ask something?”
“Hm?”
“Do all humans on Earth have their own automobile?”
“Many do. But not everyone, most take public transport. I take public transport more than I drive since I am a lazy guy and I’d rather take the chance to sleep on the bus on the way to work.”
“Interesting. My experience here could truly be close to what you live with.”
“It is. Except all the Players from all sorts of species and magic. It's just humans and technology. It's beautiful though, driving through the city like this. No exhaust fumes, no stupid drivers, and no morons crossing the road!”
Soon, they hit a checkpoint on a junction with Main Battle Tanks and IFVs emplaced with sandbags surrounding them. The soldier immediately notices the man on the driver seat and the uniform he was wearing. He stood at parade and saluted.
“Sir!”
“Sergeant.”
The player then waves his hand and the General makes a lazy return salute. The skeletons put the barrier up as he drives past them going ninety eight and not letting go as the V8 Windsor engine echoes through the empty city streets. “Maaan… only if I was a General too.” as the Sergeant placed his head on the post. “So what? You can drive around in a fancy car with super hot non-human women? Get back to work Sergeant. I need those trucks here now.” He saluted. “Sir yes sir Sergeant Major!” as he walked back to his post. He makes a long sigh and returns to the tent that hid behind large boxy barriers filled with sand.
Driving through the quiet city, General Paul takes it to the next step and takes them to the North of the city where the middle highway was. Before getting on the ramp, he takes them to the underpass and it takes them down to the artificial river that’s fully void of water except in the middle.
Ramming through the weak chain link gate fence stopping anyone from entering it. The Mustang drives on without care and they reach the open concrete river. There was no water, and all that was was a concrete river bed that spanned sixty meters of width with a small trench in the middle where cold water was trickling through from the sewage pipes that had fully stopped functioning as the city was deathly empty.
The concrete slab that’s on top of what was formerly a river was full of dust and grime, with spray paints on the outer walls and the foundations of the major bridges that head towards the city. Ontop were some players and their skeleton soldiers. Looking over down to hear the old vintage car roaring past underneath them.
“Woah! M’Lord, what is this place?”
“It’s supposed to be for flood control and also water. But Zavalda got teleported without the river that used to flow through it so this is what remained.”
“But why the concrete, M’Lord? This seems like it’d be better off as a natural river.”
“It would be if players could stop using high level magic to manipulate the water. So many high level Mages tend to use the river that runs through the entirety of Gad Continent to do crazy stuff and fight armies.”
“Ohhh, the Human Ministries of Magic has actually put some rules for that. I think it was in the Adventurer Rulebook that was on Dragovh, M’Lord.”
“You seriously read that? I couldn’t bother.”
“Explains alot, M’Lord.”
“Ahahahaha. Don’t worry, this is done to control the water. There’s some dams further up. But they didn’t teleport with the city, so the river is like plopped by the game master and just dropped in together with the city.”
“How long did it take? The museum I went through only mentioned this briefly. I think some special concrete was used here right, M’Lord?”
“Mhm. The Zavaldians tend to be more on the science and industrial side. Sir Ervtes, their leader is more on the war and fighting, hence why HE ISN’T HERE AND IT'S FAR AWAY FIGHTING IN SOME STUPID CONTINENT THAN HELPING ME.”
“My Lord, you all are truly planning on going as far as you could in this war.”
“Well, War makes men forget. It's like a drug, it can make what could be a boring day into something to look forward to. Maybe things are different here, but in the world we came from. War in the news is always a headline. You look out for it and you watch out for it.”
“Seeing all the devices and technology you have, I am sure you could do far more greater things than following the butchery of your fellow men. Right, My Lord?”
“Ohhhh man. You are giving us way too much credit Elizabeth. Maybe some, but many, give them a singular reason and they’ll vote for war without a hitch. I saw Asia turned from what were mostly peaceful regions with some insurgencies here and there getting riled up at the idea of toppling the Wests’ influence and power over us.”
“Though I guess your Governments would also use it as well to forward their goals. I am surprised you joined the war, My Lord. Even after knowing all of this.”
“Well… when the Summons came to my apartment. I actually didn’t know how to react. Since I was a four year graduate in the STEM field, I was posed to go to an Officer School then Tank Academy where I learned Combined Arms. We never fought a modern war before like so many other Asian countries. So we were winging it most of the time.”
“But My Lord, I am sure you could’ve seen the war looming? You said this was the Third one of your world, correct? Then I am sure the signs were there for you to see.”
“They were… I was busy in the business world but I was noticing it. When the newly formed coalition of Asian countries just started buying up rights to produce Leopards from Germany to the T-Series tanks from Russia, including their prototypes. I knew something was bound to happen. I just didn’t know our leaders would be crazy enough to do it.”
“A world war… we never experienced such things here in Threa. Maybe between the Dragons and the Demons? But that was even before my time. When everyone was but Tribes.”
“You know, I keep forgetting to ask. But how did Humans and Dragons became so close with each other? In Tur, it happened because we Humans kept fighting Dragons and a mutual respect just grew out of the two species.”
“Hmmmm… If I could summarize it, My Lord. It was due to the Humans constantly trying to talk to the Dragons.”
“That’s… pretty easy.”
“Oh My Lord, I am simplifying a few hundred years of diplomacy. But this is only exclusive to the Humans of Dragovh.”
“I see. Well Zavalda was actually named by a Dragon. I think it meant Crossing or something?”
“No Master, Zavalda is the language of the Lizards. Those ones with snake-like heads and scales. It came from their language which was ours.”
“Oh, we got Bahamut here.”
“Mhm. Zavalda was actually named Zavh’alda. It meant Marshy Crossing.”
“Take it from her, Bahamut kept her Dragon form till the end.”
“And why did the Humans settle here?”
“Oh! I know, Your Majesty.” Alana smiles and she looms over the center of the car.
“Sir Ervtes was ambushed here. He was with his group of Knight-errants and they got attacked by a Necromancer that could control Werewolves.”
“Sheesh. Yeah, I’ve fought those before with Bahamut. There a pain in the ass, Werewolf claws are one of the only types of gauntlet weapons that could ignore enchantments.”
“And after so, they established a small village which then grew to this in a staggering time. Less than five years, Your Majesty.”
“Huh. To get this far in such a short amount of time. My Lord, is this everywhere in Tur?”
“I tend to avoid all this modern stuff in Dark World. But from what I know, it's only a few Guilds doing this. It’s not like this stuff is actually worth it for most of the time. It’s just really people who want to bring our world to the full dive world… or so I feel.”
“Eh? But why is that? If your cities are these vast and the convenience within your palms, why would one go through the pain of rebuilding and rediscovering all that?”
“I guess people just want to live there life on Earth but they have powers and are stronger and more beautiful than they are in real life. Believe me, when I return to Earth. My beauty standards on women will be so skewered I might never find another woman as truly the epitome of attractive thanks to you three. Most of all you, Elizabeth.”
“Ohhh, is this a signal, mayhaps?”
“Wha-what? No.”
“Ahahaha, I jest, I jest. But in the end, you are here now, My Lord. Fate truly loves to play with you.”
“I wanted to avoid all this modernity stuff till Hassan bought it up as our group was in danger of being overtaken by Breznicks’ way larger forces. I just wanted to roleplay as an edgy Death Knight with a Black Dragon. Man, I was only able to do it for a year and it was the best. Right, Bahamut?”
“Master really gets his ego boosted when I turn into my larger form back then. Though it wasn’t as large as I can go now, the presence of a Black Dragon was something to be feared for the Chosen Ones.”
“Oh, why is that?”
“Because Black Dragons, if they reach the level of Elder or higher can breathe Void flames and it nullifies the seconds of Invincibility the Demigod Chosen Ones could do. They try to use True Magic on me, but they do not know that I’ve fought the ones that made some of the spells they use so much.”
“But look at this. Bahamut when she was with me? The best she could do was Blackfire. A shadowy flame that debuffs speed and limits vision and performs burns. BUT that’s all. It’s not even good, it has like a three to five second prong so the damage output is slow and I’d be dead the moment it takes effect.”
“I told you Master, we should’ve destroyed the remaining Seven Pillars.”
“Didn’t you tell me the Twelve Pillars would just get repaired?”
“Yes, but Master. If you could’ve given me even a second of my full power in Dark World. I could do so much.”
“Bahamut, planning a terrorist attack on the Pillars that literally holds time and space together would not be very good.”
“But M’Lord, there’s only Seven left, correct? So it has been done before.”
“Only because of the occasional ancient power rising from the depths and the community going haywire and utilizing everything under the sun to kill it.”
“M’Lord, just what were you all up to before going here?”
“Oh man… It would put Elizabeth’s plans to shame.”
“Oh? Is that so, My Lord?”
“You think you're the only one capable of world domination plans? Man, back in Tur. The Humans, the Lizards, the Elves, the Slimes, the Dwarves, the- Basically every species has that one strangely powerful Guild that has influence and has one or two plans for taking over the world.”
As they talked and chatted, the foreign star above them slowly loomed in the horizon.
“Having met your Vampires, I get the idea that they aren’t as efficient as me when it comes to planning?”
“It's a hit or miss. Out of all the species, the ones that either play as the Vampires, Werewolves, or… the Lizards cause the most noise in the forums and the interwebs. The takes I’ve seen from them… ugh…”
Jackson shivers as he puts the pedal down even more. The rays of light were flowing out of the Industrial Sector of the city way behind them. The tall exhaust stacks of the factories still in full work mode, pumping out weapons for the war far away, dividing the touch of light of the afternoon like a knife slicing the paths of the rays into the nooks and cranny of the metal and steel structures that stood towering in the horizon.
“Wow… this is beautiful in its own way, M’Lord.”
“Isn’t it? Ahahahaha, we also have one in City Zero One, remember? But it's a lot shorter since our artificial river goes underground. It’s also where we were supposed to pile up captured items from dead players of Breznick and Libertus… ah simpler days!”
“But M’Lord, we shouldn’t waste much time. A lot still has to be done.”
“I know, but what’s a bit of fun gonna do? We’ve been working so hard and nonstop for the past few days. I barely got any sleep and this is a good refresher from all that military stuff. After this, I really wanna get back to just adventuring.”
“But M’Lord, what about the-”
“We’ll deal with that when it comes. You could say, this is our test phase, a demo of the End Times. I’ll be closely investigating everything that will happen. Bahamut will tell me anyway. She can detect anomalies in the air like its nothing.”
“It’s the handy use of the perimeters around my pupils, Master. I have three so I can see not only ghosts, but also those using magic to hide themselves and creatures far beyond the realm of man.”
“See?”
“I guess so, M’Lord. Then, shall we?”
“Say no more.”
He then takes up to the floor and Bahamut was absolutely loving it, being in the front seat. Raising her arms as she stood up. Elizabeth who was behind her merely put her arms on top of the door and placed her head on her palm. Enjoying the cold breeze as she closed her eyes while Alana constantly looked at the scenery around them. As they passed the bridge dividing the suburban and apartment complex section of the city to the Industrial area. The overworn fence that was slowly being taken by leaves stood to protect the houses from vagrants coming from Downtown.
The factories have all but gone silenced except a few that they could see. The usual overwhelming sounds of the city were no longer present and it was only the air and the V8 engine of the Mustang. The General just put his left arm up to the door and with a smile on his face, drove the car down to the very end of the Canal where they stopped and met with a forest and a small tiny river flowing straight into the middle of the artificial river.
Exiting out the car. The General stretches his arms as Bahamut walks to the edge of the concrete jungle and into the lush forestry of Geraldia. Alana looked up to the crowns of the trees and Elizabeth just put her legs on the backseat and rested her entire body on its leather seats.
“Did you have fun Bahamut?”
“OHHHH! Master! You are so cool!”
“Don’t feed his ego now, Bahamut. Our Lord gets compliments on his head fast.”
“Ahahahahaha, but you also loved it didn’t you Alana?”
“Hm. It felt nice to see the city and to go on… what would you call this. M’Lord?”
“A joyride.”
“A joyride, yes. I’ve also never ridden a vehicle that went that fast.”
“It's a whole different beast from what we’ve been riding so far isn’t it?”
“I can see why you’d want to go back, M’Lord. Your world has progressed far more than we had. To enjoy such luxuries and experience things like that, I wouldn’t want to stay either.”
“Hah, as if that’s all that matters. I also have a Mother and a Father and a Brother waiting for me. A Grandma and Grandpa, Uncles and Aunties… and most of all… my best friends who are now left with running the company we built without me. Materialistic things can only take you so far. When you grow up, you’ll learn how lonely life is without someone by your side.”
Alana sighs and walks in front of him. Staring at his eyes, she buttons up his collar and rearranges his necktie. Removing it and then throwing it around his neck and then fixing it up and just as quickly, tightening it. She then pats his wide shoulders and looks at his clean shirt with his nameplate and ribbons. “Just be fast alright? I’ll miss you so much, M’Lord.” she could hear him scoff as he put his arm on her shoulders. “If I am given a chance. I’ll be back. Just let me finish my first life.” she merely smiled as Bahamut pops out of the bushes in front of them. “Master! Me too!”
“Hah?”
The tall woman then jumps both of them. Making them hit the floor. This made Elizabeth momentarily stand up to peek around and see that the three were gone. She merely shrugs and returns to resting in the backseat peacefully.
“Be sure to come for me too, Master!”
“What do you mean? We’ll both return to Tur and I’ll be stuck with you again.”
“Ehehehehe, you’ll never know what the future holds, Master. That might happen or something else.”
“Either way, I’ll drag your ass back to Tur whether you like it or not. By the tail if you want.”
“Ohhhh, are you putting me in heat, Master?”
“N-NO! Bahamut! Again with this?”
“Bahahahahahah! That Bloodsucker is truly a Master of this art. But I get it now!”
“Grrrrrrr… seriously? Geez, just keep it to a minimum.”
“Bahamut, you seem to have gathered more confidence in your human form. Could it be that Mars had given you some tips?”
“You are correct bloodsucker! She indeed has!”
“Haaaaaa… alright. Let’s get back before Elizabeth fully sleeps.”
They look at the back of the car to see the blonde beauty sleeping so elegantly, like a princess. The strands of her blonde hair seem to sparkle a golden hue as the foreign star hid behind the factories far off in the distance.
Returning to the hotel, the Manager was there with the other tenants talking to the player soldiers. Neatly parking the car, he hops out and gives the key back.
“Phew! That was an experience!”
“Glad you liked it, General. I’m guessing you won’t be bothering us any longer?”
“Well, you did have everyone sign a contract of legality and that they're fully aware of what is going to happen to them.”
“Wait, what do you mean by this?”
“Oh, just be sure to go and board up all your windows and don’t open it till we give the order. Alright?”
“Wa-wait, what is going to happen? Isn’t this just a practice evacuation for when the Portal is up and running?!”
“It is… and something a bit more. Do you think we’d just build a trenchline for a practice? Pfft. But since you're here, and you didn’t heave my warnings and the hints I gave you, feel free to stay. It is your right afterall.”
Jackson then takes his cap and puts it on. Sliding two of his fingers on the shiny visor and checking his cuffs and the collar of his shirt. Looking as professional as ever.
“So… I’ll leave you be. Lieutenant Rose, let’s get out of this place.”
“Sir yes sir!”
Back in the MRAP, the convoy takes them back to the main evacuation area.
“Master, I already miss the car.”
“Me too, Bahamut. Me too.”
“My Lord, I can see what you meant by your rear being broken. Now that I’ve experienced a normal car, I already want to be back in its seats.”
“Yea, get it now? This is the difference between Military grade and Civilian grade. Not much in comfort, but it sometimes protects you from death… sometimes… when it works. Alright, everyone back to your duties. Alana, with me.”
“Of course M’Lord.”
As they rode back to the main area. The General looks at the updated map inside the command tent, he notices that the Downtown Area was almost fully fortified, with most of the intersections and alleyways all marked with sandbags and barriers. “Ah, looks like my second in command has done most of the job already.” He then dials up the volume of the radio and listens in. After a few minutes of just observing the calls, he changes the frequency of the long range radio.
“This is General Jackson, prepare the trench lines for an inspection.”
“Sir yes sir!”
He then stands up and faces the Major inside the tent.
“Get me and Alana some transport to the trenches.”
“Uhm… we got a tin can just about to leave sir and it's gonna pass by the center trenchline. Should I tell them to stop?”
“Yeah. Alana, let’s go.”
“Of course, M’Lord.”
After the quick reply, he and Alana took a ride with an APC that was heading back to the airbase. The cramped interior of the M113 made it hard for the woman to stay in place even with her petite body. With the General having to scoot over and make some space, hugging the ramp as the lifeless skeleton soldiers inside were in an absolute frozen pose. The only thing making them move was the sway of the thinly armored battle taxi they rode in.
Crossing the main bridge that was constantly being used by trucks, it was guarded by concrete barriers and on the other side, a massive three layer defensive line complete with tank fighting positions and mortar holes. Arriving, the APC stops and he exits out with the Countess. Both of them looked around at the small clearing made by the engineering machines. Both civilian and military construction vehicles were hard at work clearing the logs and repurposing them as hardened walls for the larger trenches meant for the higher caliber cannons and ATGM positions.
On the trenches themselves, the soldiers were mostly posted by players with two to three skeletons to command each. With one of them having epaulets on his Multicam uniform. Jackson then started walking to his direction, going down the side of the higher elevated road that exited out the main bridge as dust was kicked off by the military vehicles ignoring the speed limit and going as fast as their vehicles could allow. It was so frequent Alana couldn’t get her gown to completely remain and had to use her hand to prevent it from swaying.
Jackson reaches out his hand and elegantly aided her to the trenches. The soldiers noticed the two and immediately stood at ease. With the man bearing the rectangles on his shoulders being the first to greet the high ranking officer.
“Good afternoon sir. Lieutenant Jiang of the Third Volunteer Corps.”
“At ease Lieutenant. I just came here for a quick inspection of the trenches.”
“Of course sir. Please, this way.”
The two exchanged snappy salutes and Jackson followed the man through the trenches, its height reached there necks with the occasional window on the mound to help them see what was directly below them. Separated by fifty meters was pillboxes, protected by a roof filled by sandbags and the front having repurposed police concrete barriers was an extra layer of protection and inside them were either a 50 caliber or a 14.5mm heavy machine gun.
“This is the left side of the main trench. We made sure to use aluminum sheets to protect the walls and give it some integrity.”
The Elven player with his long sharp ears knocked on the sheets of metal they used to hold up the wall of the trench. It was built properly with much of the ground having cut wood to help the soldiers to move around. Even with his Oxford shoes, Jackson was able to walk around without much problem.
“This trench is about a kilometer long with the second layer being five hundred meters behind it. They can see us and we have proper comms with them alongside the city.”
“And what about provisions?”
“Supplies are good so far sir. We just need a bit more of those ATGM rounds to stockpile on the leftmost side. Approximately five klicks from here.”
“Alana.”
“No can’t do, M’Lord. All of the Anti tank rockets are heading straight to Downtown.”
“You heard the woman, Lieutenant.”
“Affirmative on that sir, we’ll work with what we got.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t even know if you’ll have much use on those unless Hell got main battle tanks of itself.”
“I don’t know sir but something tells me this battle is going to be a woozy.”
“Aw, you don’t have to tell me. I am getting the tummy feeling that this is going to be a bad week for me.”
They then made a sharp turn into the forestline where the trenches continue to. “Uhm Miss, would you like to wait here? The flooring becomes dirt. Your heels might get dirty if you follow us to the barracks.”
“Don’t mind me Lieutenant. This is a frivolous matter for a Noble.”
“Alrighty then. So sir, here is trenchline forty six which leads to Barracks One to Three. It's all underground with sandbags on the roof and then buried by a few inches of dirt.”
“Anyone inside?”
“Just some of the newbies taking a sleep.”
“Can I enter?”
“Of course sir.”
He then leads them into the cramped path that led to an underground barracks. With a mere woodland camoflauge tarp serving as its door. They are greeted with a makeshift sleeping room. With rusting sheets of aluminum on the walls and a wooden ceiling. Its only source of light was the singular lightbulb. The players were all sleeping in double bunk beds and sexy fanart and anime girls were posted on the walls as some bought metal cabinets for themselves.
Everyone was dozing off, loudly snoring or just comfy in there sleeping position.
“Been a long day?”
“Yes sir. We’ve been helping refine the trenches. The boys need a bit of sleep.
“Mhm, mhm.”
Jackson immediately started inspecting the place, with his hands behind his back as the soldiers in the beds slept with ease. Unknowingly to them that a high ranking officer was present within their midst. He peered over to the framed pictures on some of the tables and the playing cards left over on the empty beds. Rather than having your usual Ace of Spades and Kings and Queens, the art was different and it was the Dragons and the Ancient Leaders of Tur. The art of the number cards were also changed to the most famed weapons of Dark World.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Alana on the other hand was so silent the two men had forgotten her presence entirely. Even though she was right behind them, she wasn’t making even her breath become apparent and was completely inaudible. She’d inspect the kevlar vest and rucksacks of the soldiers with the magazines and equipment left in them. Hanging on the frame of the double beds they slept on. She even took a circular Mortar Calculator. The odd ruler has multiple azimuths of directions and a table of fire printed on it.
Tilting her head, she returns it and continues on. Looking down, the Vampire felt a strange sensation watching the men sleep so soundly in their beds.
“Lieutenant. Over here.”
“Yes sir?”
Hearing the two, her train of thought was broken and the player immediately ran to the General and pointed his finger at the three radios being charged.
“Why are there three of those?”
“Oh. Must be the personal effects of the soldiers.”
“Remove them. Only keep one.”
With the butt of his FAL, the NCO tugs the feet of the soldier below them sleeping soundly. He rolls over to the other side, kicking the NCO. “One more minute… zzzz…” the Lieutenant then starts slapping his leg and the man awakens. Seeing the beautiful Vampire, he drools at the sight of her whilst wearing only a tanned tank top and his G3 pants with its inbuilt ankle pads. “Woah….”
“Ahem.”
With a smile on his face he turns to his right and sees someone wearing a General’s uniform. The polished nameplate above his ribbon rack is named “General P. Jackson - Knights of Eldwood. Joint Army Forces”. His face sunk and with his white socks, he stood up from his bed, his blanket still rolled over his waist.
“PLAYER NAME BUSTYWAIFULOVER NINE-NINE-NINE, CORPORAL HENRY JAMIOQUAI! THIRD VOLUNTEER CORPS!”
“At ease, soldier.”
“SIR.”
“I just wanna know about the three radios on the shelf there.”
“Oh, those sir are mine, StaliniumBias and BulletProofGrass sir.”
“Remove the two. Only keep one.”
“SIR YES SIR.”
Almost tripping over his combat boots, the man quickly hops over to remove the extra radios as the rest of the sleeping players awaken. Seeing Alana first and her long straight black hair. “Ahem.” looking at their General, they all immediately stood up. Some buck naked while others wear only their undies as they stood at parade.
“Jesus, AT EASE. Return to your rest.”
“Ahahahaha, National Guard and Volunteer Corps from Guilds from God knows what. Can never go wrong sir. Zavalda only has one National Guard Corps and they’re all inside the city.”
“I can’t believe this. Are these people really ready for what’s about to come?”
“Well sir, they might not seem much. But I can vouch for their skills. I’ve been training and watching over them since the Anti Rebellion Operation started.”
“You better be, Lieutenant. I know we can fail upwards with how much equipment and power is backing us. But not this time, if we fail here. We might be seeing an early doomsday scenario.”
The Lieutenant was silent as the General walked out with Alana in tow.
“Alana, what do you think?”
“Well M’Lord, at least they have some training.”
“Argh… should we give them more attention? Can we do it?”
“No M’Lord. I think it's best to leave experience to teach them about survival. If we hand them more ammo and materials, it would lessen the protection of other places inside the city. Which we need to bring the most attention to.”
“Hm. Maybe send them an extra tank or two?”
“We can do that, M'Lord. Let me remind you though, we need to have enough for a possible retreat to the Industrial Area.”
“I can see why the Elves are willing to put up with the Vampires. Sometimes you sound awfully alike.”
“It could be just the age, M’Lord. Though Elves don’t live for an eternity, they do experience an extremely long lifespan compared to a human. I prefer the term relatable. But not alike. The Elves are far more prideful than we could ever hope to be.”
“Really? Seeing the High Elves, they seem to just be as luxurious as the Vampires but more arrogant and projecting.”
“Ahaahahah, M’Lord. The relationships between Vampires and Elves can be summarized by one human word. It’s Complicated.”
“Oh yeah, Elizabeth did do the entire take over the world thing.”
“Exactly M’Lord. I personally have also dealt with them, and they scrutinized my Wine for being of lesser quality than theirs. Hmph. Such lies.”
“Have you tasted Elven wine?”
“I have and it's not even close, M’Lord. I also saw it in their faces. They knew our Wine was better but they’d rather lie to themselves than admit it.”
“Phew, I have no idea how you deal with people like that. I would’ve just stormed out and called it a day.”
“That is not the motto of the Minuits, M’Lord. I merely did some bribing. Not even the High Elves are immune to the power of money and influence.”
“I can see why. You are really something. You need to teach me some of those Vampire Business ways. Might be able to use some of that back on Earth when I return.”
“Oh, but I could talk for days on end, M’Lord.”
“Ahem. Sir?”
“Oh, Lieutenant. Sorry, shall we continue?”
“We can wait sir. You two seem to be having a pretty good chat. I also have to wake up and alert the others, sir.”
“No need, Lieutenant. Let’s keep walking.”
“Of course sir.”
Jackson then winked at Alana who winked back with a smile. They continued the inspection. Going through all of the positions, Jackson always repeated one line. To keep the electronics as low as possible, limiting it as much as he can. He’d then give advices on how to properly hide the tanks, guiding the soldiers and tankers in positioning there armored vehicles and where to put the extra sets of logs, in which he had them put in the sides and having them buried by soil. It took them a good two hours as they went through the entire line.
“Alright Lieutenent. Make sure to keep watching over them.”
“Sir yes sir.”
“When’s our transport going to arrive?”
“Thirty minutes sir.”
“Dismissed.”
With a quick snappy salute between the two. Alana and Jackson were back in the road waiting for transport. Standing on the sides as transport trucks continually passed them using all four lanes on the road, the General made sure to stand to the left of her. Taking in all of the dust being billowed by the 6X6 military vehicles running back to the city at high speed.
“M’Lord, may I ask?”
“Hm?”
“Why did you restrict them from using phones and television? They should have enough fuel to keep them going.”
“Ah, well back on Earth. After our campaign for Syria. We had an operational pause. The Vietnamese and Chinese had dug a long trenchline on the border to Turkey. We had to wait since Logistics was still building up in Iraq.”
“So you lived in these trenches too? I could not imagine being in those, at times of war.”
“It’s an experience. I was posted in the trenchline that runs along Jarabulus and Kobani in Syria. The Indonesians and Filipinos called it the Quiet Line as most of the NATO forces were concentrated on the city of Azaz to punch through and reach Aleppo. Desert and trenches… it wasn’t a good memory.”
“Hm. You’ve lived a full life on Earth, haven’t you, M’Lord?”
“I guess so. Though I don’t really feel like I’ve done much. I joined because I had to, and I was happy seeing in the letter that I was to be in a tank unit. At least if I was to go out, it’d be fast and no trenches for me… Yet there I was, two long months I had to stay in those. With so much dust and the heat.”
“Why two months, M’Lord?”
“We had an Operational Pause. We were advancing so fast logistics never managed to properly stockpile and prepare. Whatever brain cells remained in our Commanders from being so high in our victories knew Turkey wasn’t going to be so easy.”
“I’ve never experienced war till this past year, M’Lord. Though we Nobles are trained in the ways of the Knight, to be a warrior to be called up by the Kingdom in times of need. I never knew I’d have to use my skills with the sword against foes that would be on par or better than me. The people of Geraldia, Dragovh and Meridia never truly stood a chance against the perfected Sword art of the Vampires.”
“Same could be said with me. I was happy being a Businessman. But when I got my summons, I just had to go. Country calls and I had no choice. Elizabeth was right, you know, I saw the signs and I didn’t do anything about it.”
“It stayed the same even in your world. Here, many wouldn’t even get the chance of thinking it's a choice, M’Lord. Like the Kingdom of James or Avaria. If their Lords were to call you, it was a duty.”
“Funnily enough, I could’ve easily dodged it. Said I was mentally ill. It wasn’t uncommon for many people in my era to be diagnosed with something in the head. But I don’t know, something deep inside me told me if I were to lie. I would never be able to live through it.”
He then felt a pat on his back.
“Because you are a warrior, M’Lord. You aren’t a coward. It’s as easy as that. Hearing you say that, that you knew it was coming, and yet you just waited for it and when the call came, you went? That was pretty manly of you, M’Lord.”
“You make it sound like I am a valiant man. In the end, I hid behind a plate of composite armor because I’d rather die instantly than bleed out in a ditch somewhere.”
“But yet you went ahead and fought. Even for something you knew was just another ploy of your world leaders in shifting the geopolitics of Earth. I could say that you are a Hero, maybe not for your enemies. But to your family and friends.”
“I guess so… returning back home. I could never really say I was a Hero. If I was, I probably would’ve done more. But even I don't have clean hands. Though not directly, I’ve done things in that war that caused a lot of pain and suffering to others. Not just soldiers, keeping Benedict in line became my biggest hurdle. Prisoners for soldiers, who thought that was a good idea?”
Alana stepped closer to him and looked at the trenches in front and behind them.
“How did you live in those trenches anyways, M’Lord?”
“Lots of Movies, Porn, and Dark Humor. When it rains, water or shells, stay inside and pray.”
“Oddly few, M’Lord.”
“Because that’s all you can really get. Even though the UAA touts our magnificently mechanized army, logistics was a pain in the ass. Sometimes Killer Drones would somehow find that tiny hole in our Electronics Warfare Jamming and wreak havoc on the guys in the back. Most of them were Indians and Chinese. Those guys had nerves of steel, they just kept delivering even after taking losses in their convoys.”
Jackson's eyes didn’t close and stayed open. Even with the trucks passing by and the dust being blown wildly. Alana was quick with her feet, moving close to him and lifting her hand to cover the left of his view. Her other hand grasped his hand.
“I think that is enough, M’Lord.”
“Sorry. Was just recalling. It oddly feels nice.”
“That you got it off your chest?”
“Hm. Back on Earth, I never had a woman to talk to. The friends I had could never relate truly to what I experienced, but I don’t know. This might be the superpower of a Vampire woman. But talking to you makes it seem like I could forget about it or even just tell my story without you judging me for my actions and the things I’ve done.”
“I could also never relate to what you are saying, M’Lord. I never came from your world nor do I have any true knowledge of how devastating a World War was to your planet. But know this, I am right by your side always. After all, you had impressed my Father and Mother. I don’t think they’d forgive me if I was to let you go. Heh-heh.”
With his free hand, he scratches his forehead as the transport trucks pass by in front of him. His eyes then went dim once again as he seemed to start breathing heavily and more often.
“I can see it, still. The bodies.”
Alana tilts her head and faces the road as large transport trucks carrying tanks pass them alongside the flatbeds hauling crates of ammo and food.
“It was my first combat mission. Thailand. My tank unit was sent there to guard the supply lines as US airpower was being depleted and attrited. The jungles had no place for a tank, being transported on a train to the front. So many blown up Black Eagles. The station we were delivered to had its medical tent placed on the platforms. That was the first time I saw people bleeding and their limbs cut off.”
His hand then grasps her gloved hand more firmly as in his eyes, he could see himself back in Asia, wearing the honeycomb camouflage of the United Asian Armies. With a light exoskeleton underneath it, riding once again on top of the advanced Main Battle Tank of the newly formed army.
It was low in its profile with a hull like a T-80BVM and powered by a turbine engine, but sporting the turret of a T-90M with an ammo storage located in it. It was an entirely different beast, a combination of two MBTs into one, and on the Commander seat. Multiple tablets and touchscreens, connected to the Drones and the SatNav. It could assure the crew of its quality and technology as the ride to the ambush point on the road destroyed by the threads of the heavy tanks was smooth and clean. With even the larger bumps not being felt by the crew.
The last T-95 Black Eagle on there column sported twin autocannons attached to its turrets bustle. One on each side.
“Four, keep looking up. If we encounter infantry, use your thirty-fives.”
“Copy One. We’ll keep you posted.”
“Switch on Thermals, it's been raining a lot recently so the land shouldn’t be as hot. Remember what was given to you in training. In the event of an ambush, it's the last vehicle in the column that’s going to get hit first. We should expect Javelins and even the newly made H variants that could pass through our Monolith Hard Kill System.”
“Sir, how could it do that anyways?”
“It fires a dummy warhead. Our APS would fire at it instead of the actual penetrator. Some scary stuff, I even heard in Guam, they were using Drone Helicopters with Hellfires.”
“Sheesh. Good thing we got Air Superiority.”
“Not yet, don’t get cocky. It’s been a back and forth between the two, sometimes the air is ours and sometimes it's there. So don’t get too competent. Four should be able to scare any Apaches or Super Vipers that’d try to get close.”
“Copy sir.”
They soon got closer to the area and many of their MBTs were being towed and some blown open like a tin can as bits and pieces of enemy aircraft lay burnt out in fields. In one of the junctions, a flipped BMPT Terminator was on its side as a Leopard 2R had its tow cables out. The bearded brown skinned crewmen of both the vehicles watched as the driver of the recovery tank pulled it back on its feet.
“We were sent to recover an ambushed supply convoy. A platoon of tanks with me leading them.”
The four main battle tanks rolled into the tropical countryside where a kilometer from the convoy, they could hear the crackle of gunshots. As if a string of fireworks was being set off, it wasn’t stopping. Explosions could be heard alongside helicopters veering into the jungle. Tilting its nose downwards as it lets out a hail of rockets.
“Historian, Historian. Do you copy?”
“THIS IS HISTORIAN, WE GOT AMBUSHED BY A DEVGRU GROUP!”
“I know, I know. Their air support was just shot down a few minutes ago. We are sent to reinforce you and recover the supplies.”
“THERE IS NO SUPPLIES! THEY HAD DISPOSABLE LAUNCHERS! THE AIR SUPPORT WAS FOR YOU!”
“Copy. We’ll still be going to you. Sit tight, armor is coming.”
“Khàawp Khun, Wolfram! The Indians are fighting alongside us and are watching our right flank, watch you fire!”
“Good Copy on all Historian.”
Arriving at the convoy, the trucks were completely blown up. With only three frames remaining. On the road, bodies were being dragged into the side to prevent the threads of the tanks from crushing their corpses. The road was covered with blood and gore, torn limbs and bones exposed on the soil. “DRIVER, TURN RIGHT. GUNNER LOAD HE. TWO AND THREE, LINE FORMATION AND KEEP CLOSE." The turbine engines of the tanks rev and whirled as they drove into the tall leaves.
Paul immediately ducked in. Closing his hatch as his tank rolled over a small mound, surprising both friends and foe alike. “GUNNER, FIRE AT WILL.” The 125mm cannon fires, blowing up the swamp as the two other tanks near them open in an orchestra of shells. On his screen, “Preloading” was turned on its mechanical conveyor belt autoloader. Beside the Commander, another shell is ready to go in. Decreasing the reload time to a mere second but preventing the gunner from switching rounds.
Soon, Number Four rolled into the scene, its twin 30mm autocannons with its huge muzzle brake opened fire in full auto. The spent casing was as large as a beer bottle. The sound was so deafening that even inside the hardened shell of his tank, with his Crew helmet and balaclava on, Captain Paul could visibly and audibly hear it. Through his view ports, it was like someone was setting off firecrackers right before the glass.
“Keep firing Four, I want those tall grass to be shaved clean. Two and Three forward, they can easily identify the Command tank with a few extra antennas, I can’t risk it.”
“Copy One. Two and Three rolling forwards!”
Just as they arrived, the battle finished. He looked dazed and confused as silence fell over the combat zone. The smoke of their barrels and the autocannons made it hard to see as things of metals being stepped on the mud made it seem like the ground was made of metal. Banging then came to his hatch and he opened it. “WE’RE GOING TO COLLECT OUR WOUNDED. GET YOUR TANKS ON THE ROAD!” the Captain even with his bleeding arm went back down to the swamp and started dragging his wounded to the road.
Perfectly lined up on the main road, his tank was being loaded with the wounded. The grills of the deck of his tank had to suck in the blood from the tourniquet limbs and bare opened wounds where you could see the very bones of the person stuck inside.
“Good work sir! That was a victory!”
“Seems like Officer academy paid off! Ahahaha!”
He didn’t move, he only stayed in his hatch. Watching as his fellow soldiers dragged whomever was still alive or barely kicking to his tank while others were already hard at work in removing the equipment of the dead. Piling their rifles and vests and taking off the power packs of their light exoskeletons. It was a rancid sight for anyone, but none of them seemed to mind it. Before he knew it, his tank’s rear was full of wounded soldiers to the top of his turret to even the frontal glacis. With the soldiers having to hold onto dear life as they drove back to base.
Coming back, he was given praises and salutes from the Thai soldiers. But he only saluted at them. He then helped them get off, putting them into gurney as Chinese military nurses collected them to a bloody medical tent. Even though he could only take a sneak inside, he could already see the blood and gore on the wooden flooring of the tent. As soon as they arrived, they were only left with four tanks full of blood. With small bits of flesh hanging on the deck.
“That was my first combat mission. It was like we ran through a blood and flesh rain coming back home. I spent the next three hours cleaning our tank. But the reactions of others from that bloodbath. I guess some thrive in war while some are just like me. Trying to do our job and get back home.”
Coming from the opposing lane heading outwards of the city was a Marder IFV. It made a U-Turn, flattening the center guardrail.
“Tell me, M’Lord.”
The Marder then stops in front of them. Its rear ramp is going down.
“Hm?”
“How long can you keep going?”
“I don’t know… but it feels different now. I can still feel the dread. But not as much. This must be the magic of being with beautiful women. Ahahahahaha.”
“Still… M’Lord. What we are about to embark on, it's not going to be pretty at all.”
“I know. I kept saying that to others but hearing you say it to me just makes me go haywire. I guess… we’ll see. Your hands touching me is calming too.”
“Haaaaa… here we go again with that.”
“Well, what else can I say? I’ve been through worse. As long as I know you three are by my side. I feel like I can take on the world.”
“If you say so, M’Lord. Just remember that your past may be hunting you. But do not let it affect the present.”
“I told Elizabeth the same thing. Ahhhh… come on.” He then looks at her and smiles. “We got a job to do.”
“Hmph. Yes we do, M’Lord. Do you want me to touch your cheeks more?”
“Ahhhh… when we're both alone, alright? But thanks though. This is the first time I’ve ever told anyone of my first Op. Kinda feels… soothing. Like I can go and experience new things now.”
“Ahahaha, best we make sure the new thing that’ll replace it is better.”
“I don’t want to say it. So here is to that thought.”
Returning back to the Evacuation Site. Most of the buses have left, and the line was minimized to only the sidewalk. With Elizabeth busy walking around, ordering soldiers like her mere minions as she spoke to them with a high and mighty tone in old English.
Back in the command tent, he listens on the radio as Alana skimmed through the papers that were piled on his desk.
“Yeah, there’s some trespassers on the Warehouse near East Tail. I’ll send a patrol. No need to send a chopper, Command.”
“Crocodile One, What’s the ETA on that pick up?”
“Harbringer, we’ll be there in about five mikes. Currently a bit lost in the city.”
“There’s some people hiding in a basement in the Eastern part of the city in uhhhhh… What street is this again? Wait one Command. But prepare a LMTV or a Ural.”
“Beatles to Command, patrol completed. We found nothing.”
“Command, Berlin actual. one of my skeletons opened a manhole and we could hear audible shots coming from it. Requesting back up. General Yamaoka just returned an hour ago with Mars, they cleared some Water Sprites that were growing from it. I think we may have Water Goblins now.”
“Command, this is Duke. We have set up the refueling area as instructed. Returning to base with the Engineers.”
“Wait wait, M’Lord!”
“I heard. Uhm… wait.” taking the Mic, the man then clears his throat. “This is General Jackson. What’s your location, Berlin?”
“We’re currently on the Eastern side of the National Park of Ervtes sir. We’re heading in right now to investigate.”
“Good copy on that. Command, I want you to give priority to this one. Copy?”
“Command copies sir. We’ll be sending a helicopter and some IFVs and APCs to the area.”
He then faces one of the soldiers busy on the radio inside the command tent.
“Take us there.”
A BTR-82A then swerves and the armored convoy does a U-Turn on the four lane road. Returning to the center of the city to pick up its VIP cargo once again.
Driving for a few minutes, they reach the park and turn right and then left. They could see the skeletons guarding the access to the manhole as another one went in. Arriving, the General then puts his ear down on the manhole and nods as he could hear sporadic shotgun fire and pistol shots. “Everyone, inside.” The skeletons quickly exit and the players onsite orders everyone to go in. Down to the tight concrete sewers. He could fully hear it and got confused as the sounds were coming from multiple different canals.
“Ugh…. M’Lord, can’t we get a vehicle or something? I’d rather be in the trench than this.”
“Ahahahaha, frivolous huh?”
“This M’Lord is far different from dirt. Ohhh… my gown.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t be here for long. What do you feel?”
“Hmmmm…” she closes her eyes and listens in. “The Mana here is awfully strong. I think Sir Yamaoka was onto something when he mentioned something about this.”
“I thought it might be just the soil. Since it's one of the best conduits of Mana. Is it really abnormal?”
“Yes, M’Lord. It's very abnormal. You could say that this place is crowded by Mana Absorption Crystals yet all I see is concrete and a bit of soil mixed with water.”
“Okay then. Soldier, give me a helmet.”
The skeleton soldier proudly removed its ACH and gave it to him.
“Everyone got their ear defenders?”
The players all responded with a yes sir and they walked onto the audible sounds of shots. The Countess lifts her skirt a bit. Just enough for the dirty sewer water to not touch it while Elizabeth sneaks into a manhole not far away from them, she was already walking around splashing water as she checked around the corners.
Bahamut on the other hand awakens alongside Mars.
“Do you smell that?”
“Hm. Bahamut, it has already begun.”
“I’ll go with Master. Stay here.”
“Be careful. I’ll roar if a portal is opened.”
“Okay.”
The Black Dragon then transforms into her smaller size and starts flying to the manhole across the park.
Down below, Alana was flying but only a few inches off the ground.
“Why don’t you do that more? It's also super stealthy.”
“But it would be taxing M’Lord without my wings. I am using a mixture of wind and air magic and it really requires a lot of concentration.”
“If you want, you can drink my blood right here so that you could fly even more.”
“I’d rather save that for later, M’Lord.”
“I guess so. Alright, take the lead Sergeant.”
“Yes sir! My skeletons are pointing West so we’ll check there first sir.”
Following him, the loud constant splashing of water can be heard on top of the gunshot.
“Do you have contact with Berlin?”
“Yes sir. They’ve told me they are a few hundred meters in front of us.”
“Alright.”
Bahamut, who was flying a meter off the ground, flies in front of the General and stops him.
“Master… there’s something different with the air here.”
“WOAH, WHAT THE FUCK!”
“Hm?”
The Dragon then turns around and then back to him. The players and even Alana just ask shocked as he was from the sudden appearance of the woman in such a scary Gothic gown.
“What do you mean, Master?”
“Just… just don’t appear like that! Jesus, my heart. Phew. What is it?”
“It smells…”
“My Lord, I can also smell it.”
“WOAH!”
Everyone then suddenly shifted their rifles to their six, where Elizabeth was standing. With one hand on her hip, she nonchalantly walks through the crowd of heavily armed soldiers and to him.
“I guess the Dragon’s nose was far sharper than I expected.”
“Ahahahaha, of course Bloodsucker.”
“Though that was odd. This much concentration of Mana would set anyone off. How could it have flown under us?”
The Sergeant who was taking the lead then raises his hand.
“Speak Human.”
“I am a Zavalda citizen. The city used concrete that traps Mana since the Core also blows steam into here and that was our way to prevent Mana Creatures from spawning.”
“A classic Spawn Trapper. Then that means… Sergeant. The Mana has already spread everywhere.”
“Yes sir.”
“Don’t worry Master, we can still pinpoint where it's exactly coming from.”
Bahamut then points towards where the gunfire is being emitted.
“Okay. Since everyone is already here, we might as well.”
Soon, Bahamut begins to act strangely. She was sniffing the air more than usual and would occasionally taste test the walls of the sewers. Alana then sniffs the air more and her eyes widen. “M’Lord. I think it's better for us to leave this to the grunts. The concentration is becoming deadly.”
“No, I won’t. I wanna see this for myself. What is here, Bahamut?”
“It might be just from the things thrown by the citizens of the city above. But I could smell sulfur and… how can I word this… it's like leather being burned over a flame.”
“Huh? All I can smell is stink. But if you know where it's coming from. Lead the way, Bahamut.”
“Yes Master. But sulfur is a good indication that the Mana has gone from normal to above it.”
“I can attest to this, My Lord. The Dragon is correct. We may encounter creatures spawned from its powers soon.”
“That’s impossible though. Didn’t Yamaoka just come through here?”
“I was there sir, he sent us to recheck the sewers and the Water Sprites never returned.”
“Geez, what about Mages? Got any Mages in your Company?”
“We do sir, should I call for one?”
“Yes, have one that has a Marble orb on its staff. It usually shines when it's being given Mana.”
“Copy on that sir. Rezdin, go call for SexyLadiesFourty-One and have him bring his staff.”
“Bahamut, should I call it?”
“Not for now, Master. This process right now could take hundreds of years. It's like a kettle being boiled. It's not there yet, but it's starting to get hot. For now, we just need to investigate the center point of this.”
“Okay. Everyone, heads up. We’re walking.”
Taking the lead, the platoon of soldiers follow the floating gothic woman as she takes them through a maze of canals and pathways and soon, the sounds of the gunshots get truly close and the General could feel the air has gotten far far heavier than normal. The water down below them has also gotten lesser and soon, there was no water on the canals they were walking inside of. Flashes could then be seen and the group stops.
They all looked in the direction as flashes continued to illuminate from that section of the sewers and along with them were rattling and groaning sounds. One after the other, the gunshots got closer and closer and closer and the splashing of boots on the ground too. The skeletons and the players with them put their guns up as the General takes his group with him and hides behind intersections. With only one eye peeking through and a floating Bahamut above him. The flashes got close enough that he had to put his hands up his ears from how ear blisteringly loud it was even with his ear defenders.
Walking backward was a man wearing a long black trench coat with a clerical collar on his neck and a Mossberg 500 on one hand and a Single Action Revolver.
“Oh! Hendrix!”
The rugged bulky man then looks to his right and sees Bahamut peeking out of the canal. “If it isn’t the Dragon.” Even with his low and crass voice, the General heard every word he said as it echoed through to him. He then puts a hand out and his fingers open. “I’M A GENERAL! DON’T SHOOT!” He merely ignores the man as he faces forward and shoots at something as it collapses in the ground in multiple pieces. The Squad Leader was the first with his unit of skeletons and he immediately opened fire with his assault rifle into the canal. The skeletons follow forward and they take the helm. Three soldiers side by side and they constantly kept fire trained in the direction.
General Paul curiously peeks over and could see it was medieval skeleton grunts with swords. His eyes widened seeing them taking cover and not jumping out to assault. The ones they’ve been shooting had shields up and none of the shields completely broke up. Merely having small holes instead of completely breaking up like usual. “Some Water Sprites, those look like high level skeletons.” Bahamut and the Vampires also trained their attention to the undead enemies in front and started aiding the soldiers. Before he knew it, he was left alone as fighting started to audibly echo around him. Coming from three different directions.
But before he could help out, Hendrix pushes him into the wall and pushes his bulky muscled arm onto his neck.
“Tell me, General, how much does the UN know?”
“Wha-what?!”
“Don’t you think we don’t know? Those not involved with your little military campaign? Why did you even go to Schon when you won’t finish the job? You have some balls to walk around with those stars on your shoulders. I’ve been adventuring around since last year and not once did I find your good deeds to be from a position of actually wanting to help.”
“L-look man! Just let me go. I don’t want to do anything rash. I’m just a General! They don’t tell me much either!”
“I never knew Bahamut was friends with someone like you. Absolute snakes, what’s the grand plan of the UN here? How can they save everyone? Can you save everyone? Why are you people tampering with a Portal leftover from the last Reset? Do you want to accelerate the End Times?”
“Don’t ask me! Even I am not given much!”
As the two argued, the shots continually drowned out their train of thoughts. With the Vampires and Bahamut having to go haywire on the seemingly endless amount of medieval skeletons attacking them from all directions.
“Then why are you here? Does the UN not care? How come no one is coming? Does the UN not give a damn about its people? Shouldn’t everyone and their mothers be going here now? Your precious city is about to be attacked. I even forgo a previous contract in capturing a psychotic telepath from Avaria just to be here.”
“Look, I know we are stretched thin! I am sent here to command Volunteers and National Guardsmen even though I have proper armies under my command. All of them got sent to Schon. I have no way of sending people here, the window they gave me was far too small. I wasn’t even supposed to be here! I just volunteered! My main plan was to take a leave once again after the whole Vampire Kingdom truce thing!”
“And what? Gonna go to the capital of Vitas and end there Demon King before it even starts? What’s your endgame here Mister Five Star? People are dying, and people are anxious.”
Jackson then calms down as the hulking of a man seemingly relaxed before him.
“We can’t even do that. That’d stretch our logistics far too much. This planet is way bigger than Earth and our Northern pincer didn’t work. It stalled just like the other assaults. I told you, I have no idea what they want to do. My superiors do all the thinking, I just translate that into the military. You are barking up the wrong tree.”
“And you? What’s up with you? You have five stars on your shoulders and you are scraping the barrel here. Your either the dumbest General known to mankind or the bravest of them all, up with Alexander the Great.”
“I want to help. No one wanted to do anything, the Suits just wanted to call a Martial Law and let StateSec to do everything. I already knew it was going nowhere the moment they didn’t even send anyone to go here. I had to pull some people deeper from Geraldia and my plan is to delay the hordes of Hell long enough till they arrive.”
After a good thirty seconds of just hearing shooting and the splashing of water. Hendrix pulls his arm from him.
“And? What do you plan to do after that?”
“Do I seem like the guy who plans that far ahead?”
A smirk appears on the burly man's usually stoic face.
“Here take this. How can a General wield nothing but his hands? Hendrix's the name, General Jackson. I hope your noggin’ can back up that dumb bravery of yours.”
Paul looks to his left and the girthy man with a Clerical Collar hands him his Mossberg 500. He then looks down and sees the shotgun he was given is well maintained and taken care of, and right after. He was given a sling with buckshots on it.
“Eh? EH? Wa-WAIT!”
“Hm?”
“Your Hendrix? Bahamut told me you are a Priest.”
“I am. But not that kind of Priest." He then rolls his SAA revolver and holsters it stylishly.
“Then… What the heck are you doing here?”
“I smell it, you know?”
“You mean… the skeletons?”
“No… Hell.”
“Hell? Wait, no, I wanted to ask you. Bahamut told me something and that she smelled the Divine off you, that’s why she went and agreed with your terms. Are you also a Hero or an Ally of them?”
“Me? A Hero? Don’t make me laugh. Are you also a comedian apart from being a commander of an army? The only Heroic thing I do is shoot zombies and bonefucks. I give the blessing to the Priests as I am not one.”
His long black coat swirls as he peeks over again to the sewer as the gunshots have stopped. The skeleton grunts were staying in cover as they had nothing to shoot at. “Hmm?” The curious players peek out just to get arrowed while the other medieval skeletons keep the Vampires and Bahamut at bay within their flanks. Gunshots once again erupt as the olden warriors of before started to bound from cover to cover. Baiting the players to show themselves as they got nearer and nearer.
“Sh.”
Silenced, the General looks down and pumps the shotgun slowly. Ejecting a shell. He takes it and inspects the bright red color of it and looks at its flat tip and his eyes widen as the icon of a Dragon. “Are you sure this is an ideal ammo? Wouldn’t slugs work better?!”
“Not against this. I’ve personally made that shell. I opened it and put Blessed Pellets inside it.”
“Huh?! Didn’t you tell me you weren’t a Priest?”
He then peeks over and something seems to materialize before them. He tries shooting at it, but the Incendiary shell merely darkens the part of the sewer walls. The Priest puts his hand on his arms as whatever it was completely materialized before them. Now with hits physical form fully seen by the naked eye.
“RAAAAAHHHHH! RAH! RAH! BRAAAAHHH!”
The screams were interminable as it was scratchy and full of pain as a skeleton with what seems to be a combat helmet infused to its skull appeared. An MG3 on his left hand and an M249 SAW on the right. The grips mended into its fingers. “Skeletons! Retreat!” The skeletons stand up but it blocks his view of the new enemy as it fires a barrage of bullets. Forcing him to retreat into cover as his skeleton soldiers completely get destroyed. The barrage soon stops.
He then pops out with the Priest and both of them open fire on the skeleton as it was panting. The Dragons Breath absolutely melts the skeleton as the Single Action Revolver of the Priest precisely takes down the grunts in chainmail. He then could hear more gunshots from their flanks and he walked back and could see the skeleton soldiers and the players opening fire as the unknown force was planning on taking them from multiple directions. Bahamut, Elizabeth, and Alana were already gone and fighting further away.
He could hear the bones dropping on the ground from areas the Platoon couldn’t fully cover. In one area, a huge fire appears. Clearing a section of the sewer.
With the opening, the General puts his gun up. Breathing in, he screams so loudly everyone in the canals could hear his cry. “EVERYONE! PUSH!” The soldiers follow his orders and push forward onto the enemy. Going out of cover, assault rifles march forward as the Vampires constantly weave from Right and Left Flanks. Covering them. Elizabeth, who was running through the sewer has a Gunner Skeleton materialize right in front of her and she tries to dodge the bullets. But the hail of lead from such an enclosed area made it impossible. “Over here.” The skeleton screaming from the bottom of its nonexistent throat turns its head around just to see the Vampire in purple gown already behind it. “Boo.”
She kicks its head and the skeleton collapses into the ground still firing its guns. Alana on the right flank was taking on multiple skeleton grunts. The organized Legion had their shielders up on the front as they tried to take her attention constantly to completely surround the Vampire. The skeletons were then throwing potions that would blind her but the Countess could see all of their attempts and she just sped around every attempt they put up. But even then, more appears and just as organized and trained. “Hah… hah… this is interesting.”
In the spearhead, the General could see the lights of the sewers were gone in front of them as he shot through hordes and hordes of skeleton soldiers with his Dragon's Breath shells. Walking into the darkness, he could feel that the concrete ground had gone from hard to soft flesh like. Firing into the abyss, it lit up and his face went dim.
“Hell.”
“I see what you mean Father… Skeletons! Open your flashlights!”
Doing as ordered, they open their flashlights mounted on the picatinny rails of their assault rifles. Shining into the darkened sewer tunnel. Like inside the throat of a massive beast, the walls of the sewers have become enthomed with a strange pulsating flesh. They could hear the stretching of it, the sound made the players skin crawl as the flesh got pushed out and a skeletal hand popped out of it and soon, a Medieval grunt, this time in full plate armor came out.
With a heavy shield, the skeletons open fire immediately but it's shield didn’t even flinch and more and more Medieval grunts start to march out from the flesh. Wearing a chainmail with a bright orange garb on top, the shielder kept his head low and slowly started pushing. The General pushes forward and with his Dragon's Breath, fires at the shielded skeleton in point blank. The incendiary shell burns the flesh. “EVERYONE! RETREAT AND THROW A GRENADE!” They immediately return to the intersection and the last skeleton throws a frag grenade behind the shield.
They in return throw flasks full of a strange purple liquid and it bursts open. The strange liquid melts the combat boots of the skeletons and down to their bones. Disabling their movement completely. “WE NEED A NECROMANCER!”
“Negative sir! The only Necromancer we have is topside!”
“What’s the ETA on the back up and that Mage?!”
“One Mike sir! General Yamaoka with Mars is also headed here!”
“Good! I’ll need all the hands I can get!”
On the National Park of Ervtes, Blackhawks and Hips have landed and have started unloading all of the skeleton soldiers onboard. The small outpost on the Park has all but met with a huge convoy of army trucks and vehicles. With the skeletons opening manholes and rushing in with all they got. High above the clouds, a woman with long red hair, holding a General by the collar of his uniform lands on the junction.
Hundreds of skeletons wielding differing uniforms and guns all storm the manholes. Jumping in to dash to the combat zone happening underneath the city.
Bahamut then arrives at the section of the Sewer with flesh riving at the walls. She stops floating and kneels down to touch it. “Hmmmmm…” she then burns it. The tip of her finger was all that was needed to set the entire section alight. As it burns, a dark shadowy creature appears from the burning flesh. Its harrowing scream could be heard down to the souls of the players nearby as it charges at the Dragon.
The woman merely stepped aside and touched it. Making the dark leatherlike floating humanoid turn into a white color and suddenly vanish. She then looks back at the sewer and her fire has burned bright and cleaned the section completely.
In the middle of the sewer system. The General with Father Hendrix are shooting at all aisles. Their backs against one another as they opened fire and fought with everything they got on hand “Do you have ammo?!”
“Green or Blue?”
“Green!”
The Father then opens his long trench coat and reveals he has multiple ammo slings underneath it. Ranging from normal buckshots to slugs and flechette. He takes the one full of green shells and throws it to the General who then quickly flips the shotgun on its back and with two shells inside his hands. He quickly reloads the Mossberg and pumps it once again. “Reinforcements will be here in ONE minute! Hold on!” He then jumps out of cover and with the shotgun, blasts the Medieval skeleton with a shield and longsword in point blank and onto the other one. Clearing a pathway back to friendly lines.
With the shotgun on his two hands, the High Ranking Officer walks past his men and swiftly turns into the intersecting aisles from left and right. The speed of the man with a gun was unparalleled, he dodges an arrow from the rear and as his body was slanted, fires one shell and then quickly does a 180 and shoots at the skeleton that was about to slash him from behind. It was one against many but he didn’t nudge a bit and the General used the shotgun as his own club. Blocking their weapons as he kicked their feet and fired dead at their heads.
He constantly alternated from front and back. Taking on so many of the skeletons whilst dodging burning and fire arrows. Seeing the bloodlust of the human, the skeletons back off and he takes the chance to reload his shotgun. Having spent all 10 shells.
Next to him on the flank was Father Hendrix, flinging his Single Action Revolver like a cowboy and hip firing the pistol with precision. All he had to do was make a single eye contact and the muzzle of the big iron on his hip was already trained to the head of the medieval skeleton. A grunt then appears with a crossbow. Without even looking, the man catches the bolt from it and puts a bullet in between its empty eye holes.
“Alright! Good progress everyone! Keep them he-”
Rushing past the General was a red figure who ran into the fleshed part of the sewer and a bright crimson fire overtook him. Making the man retreat into cover.
“General Jackson!”
Looking at the rear, he sees a familiar hair. The short pomade of the taller man was definitely his second in command.
“Yamaoka! Good ass timing!”
“I’ve come as requested!”
“Looks like your job here isn’t done!”
“Seems to be! I was just here a few hours ago. Already, it's a mess!”
“You have no idea! I’d rather fight those cute little Water Sprites than those. They were trained and had intellect, not your usual dumb skeleton.”
“Oh Jackson, the Water Sprites here are way different. But they're still weak to fire.”
Behind him was a long line of skeleton soldiers armed to the teeth. They continued sprinting into the heart of the fight as the two high ranking officers conversed on the aisle.
“So what now? And we have a civilian priest fighting alongside us?”
“Yeah, I’ll leave Hendrix here. He seems to be good at CQC. I need for us to check the base right now. Ammo, vehicle, parts, everything. One last look. It’s happening I think.”
“Mars has told me. She felt the air get heavy and smelled sulfur the moment she entered the sewers.”
“Funnily enough. Bahamut said the same to me. We have to boogey in out of here and get everything sorted out. The two Dragons have said the same thing.”
“Alright Jackson. Let’s get to it.”
“Elizabeth! Alana! Bahamut!”
Quickly, the women came from three different axis. Yamaoka instinctively peered backward seeing Bahamut, in her Gothic Funeral Dress floating like a ghostly figure towards them.
“Yes, M’Lord?”
“I want all of you to stay within the city. Yamaoka, since you got the radio, what’s the progress on the evacuation?”
“It's Eighty percent, Jackson. Elizabeth has done a good job in getting everyone out in an orderly and timely manner.”
“Still not good enough but it’ll do. Elizabeth, help out on the top and make sure no one is left behind. But those who want to stay, let them be. I’ll assign you the convoy I have on top. The platoon and armored vehicles are now at your disposal.”
“As ordered, My Lord.”
She quickly lifts her skirt and runs into the backlines.
“Alana, take charge of the evacuation point. All of the troops, choppers, armor there, and the Colonel will be at your discretion. Do as you will with them. Get the civilians out of here as quickly as you can.”
“Mm. It shall be done, M’Lord.”
Alana throws a Bloodrose into the air and it quickly flies down and then up into the surface. The Countess then disappeared right before their eyes.
“Yamaoka, can you call Mars?”
“Sure. Mars!”
Mars Infernus quickly appears from the sewer that was just removed and the two Dragon Gods stare at each other. Bahamut then proceeds to tilt her head and smile underneath her veil.
“Did you two make up or something?”
“Master.”
“Oh, uhm. Can the both of you tell me what the heck that was?”
“I’ll explain Bahamut.” The General then turns to face Mars. His arms crossed and his face steeled. “What that was General is the walls of Hell. It’s overtaking the physical world and slowly, the entire city will be turned into a Hellscape.”
“What?!”
“We can keep burning it, but our efforts are ultimately futile in this body. This is the materialization of the other realm into here, they need it as it has the environment they thrive in. The more it grows, the more we can expect our enemies to become stronger.”
“Jesus… Fuck. The entire city?”
“Yes. But that’s only a hunch. It might reach into the outer regions. Bahamut, do you agree with my assessment?”
“Hm. She’s correct, Master. But I might also add, we cannot truly point out when the bubble will burst if I was to word it in a way you’ll understand. Right now, you may imagine the corruption of the Mana Core to be the pin that pricked the bubble. It didn’t explode but air is getting in till it becomes so big and soon… it will pop. We’re right now, just large enough for it to pop.”
“We need to get the ball rolling…”
“But we should be able to tell you ten minutes in advance before the Hellgate Portal opens. The disturbance in the Spatial air will become far too hard for us to ignore and we’ll feel it down to our very souls. If it's more powerful than a million Mana Cores exploding at once, me and Bahamut won’t be needed as you’ll be able to see it with your very eyes. They won’t be appearing like this, ghosts of the past coming out of thin air to have physical forms.”
“That won’t hurt Bahamut, right? I’ve tried to sense Mana before and it felt like all of my five senses were being torn apart. I have no idea how Mages do it.”
“Ahahahaha, even right now Master. You still worry about me. It will only be like getting a sudden headache and then poof. It's gone.”
“Alright. Well, Yamaoka, what do you think?”
“Excuse Miss Bahamut. Is what you're doing right now slowing it down?”
“Yes. But with how large and expansive this city’s sewer system is. We cannot be everywhere at once unless we were to expand the Mana in the area.”
“That means we won’t be able to use our magic right?”
“You should still be able to. But it will be slower to cast things.”
“And the flesh? Will it only reach here?”
“No. The Flesh is like cancer. You cannot truly stop it. It will continue to grow and multiply. If not here, it might grow in the city itself. But slowly and methodically. Like a beast with its fangs on the neck of its prey. Draining it of its blood.”
“Then, Mars. Can you work with her and stop the flesh just enough for us to get everything sorted?”
“Hah! That won’t be a problem Tommy!”
“Tommy?”
“Oh, Mars usually gets my name wrong. I don’t know if she’s doing it intentionally or this is just that Dragon personality quirk.”
“Pfft. So that’s your nicknames.”
“Master! We should do that too!”
“Fuck off Bahamut. Just call me Master or Paul as usual.”
“Hmmmm… Paulie? Will that work?”
“NO. NO NO NO. Both of you, just get into action! Yamaoka! With me now on the airbase! We’ll need to sort out the pathways for the three armies.”
Jackson wipes his face with his hands. Removing his helmet.
“Bahamut, Mars. How bad are things going to get? I need one definite answer here.”
“Very bad.”
“Super bad, Master.”
“That’s more than enough. Yamaoka, we need to get everyone to their positions. I’m calling it now. It's coming.”
“Hm. I think that is for the best. We’ve done everything we can anyways.”
“I just hope it's enough for what’s about to come. C’mon, let's get to the Airbase.”