I've made sure surprises are in store for the rest of the chapters if ever they will actually attract any more attention... But this is on my original storyline... so mark this as the very reason why I've made this story: Seeing the bigger picture and drawing a better future for everyone out of the things that happened to our heroes and villains of the story. AND I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE SEASON 2 OF STRIKE WITCHES WHICH ROCKED THE HOUSE! YEAH!

For the meantime, this chapter will not include Mr. Motown's characters... However... Be prepared. Unspeakable things will be on the chapter... so please have an open mind. HEY! It doesn't mean lemons are here. Just have an open mind!

So here it is: Chapter 20... "The dead tell tales"

Chapter 20

CHAPTER PROLOGUE

The 501st base in West Gallia was under the light of the full moon in the darkness of the night. Just as everything was supposed to be secured, a guest would be around, but he would not be there to wreck havoc, but actually observe a someone.

The black hooded figure remained to be unseen. He went to the dorms of the personnel sector for the base and observed on the window from where he stood seeing a very young blonde in her teens. 'So this is the girl who grew to be a witch, huh?' He then smiled and muttered. "Soon, you'll find yourself in an interesting ride. If your friend Minna nor you want to turn… I may as well get you to come to me." He chuckled silently before he left. Soon, as he left the base perimeter, he looked back at it one last time. 'It's grand. I cannot lay this one to waste. But if they continue to keep going… then I'll be forced to kill them. Erica, my beautiful niece… I hope you change sides quickly when I show signs that I'm around for you.' He then turned his head back to where he's going and didn't come back.

Erica Hartmann, the unlikely Karlslander who would be passed with a power she has never known for a long time, was actually going to have a weird dream. Or is it really weird?

She opened her eyes and found herself at a white space. She looked around and she saw nothing but white. She only remembered that she was sleeping on her bed until this happened. 'Where… am I?' "Hello?" She called out before she looked at herself. Erica was in her usual uniform she wears at a casual day in any Karlsland military wing.

*2 minutes later…*

She was walking around after a while and she was starting to worry. 'How do I get home? I don't know where the heck this is.' "What is this place? Why am I here?"

"Frau…" Barkhorn's voice echoed around her and Erica was shocked before she looked around.

"Erica… over here…" Wilma's voice sounded from a distance, but Erica still couldn't find her, or Barkhorn for that matter.

"Erica…!" Eila's voice was heard and Erica kept looking for her and the other two.

Soon, their voices were starting to echo with one another before it intensified each other. Erica started to panic and she shook her head before she closed her eyes… trying to keep the voices out. "Get out of my head! Please!" She shouted but the echoes keep getting louder and louder. Then she covered her ears, but the echoes keep coming. She bent and sat on the floor trying to keep the voices out… but couldn't. 'What do you I do?! Why are you all here?!'

"It's because you can talk to us, Frau." Barkhorn said.

"Please… don't be afraid." Eila said.

"We don't mean you harm. Don't be afraid." Wilma said.

All Erica could do is listen to them. She started to focus and the voices are starting to fade. She took off her hands from her ears and slowly opened her eyes, in which its vision was first in a blur. It took several seconds before it could clear out and she could clearly see three girls standing in front of each other. And Erica stood up in shock just to see the three girls who have died during the war: Gertrud Barkhorn, Wilma Bishop, and Eila Juutilainen.

"No… you're all dead… No, no… NO!"

*Erica's quarters… West Gallia, Old 501st base… 0228 hours…*

She almost screamed as she sat up and was panting on her bed when she woke up from what she seemed to know as a nightmare. She looked at her hands for a while, then her clothing. She realized that she was indeed in her uniform from the time she heard that Eila died, which was 2 days ago.

"You don't need to fear us." Trude said and Erica saw Barkhorn in her brown Karlsland uniform… the very last clothing she wore before she died.

Erica was shocked and she covered herself in her own blanket. "You're not real!"

"Are you sure? Pinch yourself and you'll see."

"You're lying!"

"Would I lie if I didn't tell you to try something to prove my theory?"

Erica knew Barkhorn was thinking that the blonde was dreaming. 'Should I trust her?'

"Of course you should! I'm your friend! Mein Gott…"

The young blonde had to try and listen. She then pinched her wrist with her other hand and it indeed hurt. "Ow…" 'Oh my!' Her expression of shock led her to get herself out of her own blanket. This time, Trude was between Wilma and Eila with their arms crossed. "Wilma? Eila? Wait… I'm confused! What are you all doing here?! You're all dead!"

Eila cleared her throat. "You know, we should ask you the same question. What are WE doing here?"

"Huh?" Erica seemed to find herself confused but also found the three confused. "Wait a minute… Trude… Eila… you don't know why you're here?"

Wilma shrugged. "How should we know?"

"I have a theory." Eila said to the other two. "You know the kinds of witches who would read auras?"

"Aura?" Trude repeated. "What does that have to do with everything?"

"Think about it! Aura absorbers tend to see the people of their past… but as long as the person is dead for over a year only. I have a cousin who could actually see her mother almost everytime and she tends to act like her too."

"W-What?! Your cousin can act like her mother?!"

"N-no… sorry. Wrong choice of words. Rather… their own auras can make up as a completely different person. It's a possession. I've been reading about supernatural stuff recently and according to myths, it can be a witch ability." Eila explained.

"Oh." Wilma answered. "So you're saying we can possess Erica?"

"NOT without her consent, of course!" Eila quickly replied. "Let's just agree that Erica can absorb and mimick aura!"

"Can we try it now?" Erica spoke out of the blue with her fists clenched. "If I can use this to my advantage… I can be one of a kind like the others are! Mio, Yoshika, and Tyler can do awesome stuff… but it's unfair now that I think of it."

"Frau…" Trude groaned. "It's not about testing yourself if you're better than them, but finding out if you can do it. The kind of pressure you'll get after going through a possession can be quite nervewracking if you don't accept it."

"Oh, okay. So how are we gonna do this?"

Trude smiled at this. "I know just how we can make this interesting."

*Hangar… 4 minutes later…*

"No… way." Erica was in shock when she saw Barkhorn's old striker cradle and some machine guns that was still there. There were two MG 42's that are indeed loaded. "Trude… you're not thinking of…"

"Using my strength augmentation when I possess you? Yes." Trude said with a grin.

"It's not that bad, if you ask me." Wilma said with a chuckle."I mean… possession may bring you through a cold trance, but we can let you see what we're seeing, you know!"

"I'm a little scared…" Erica said. "How do I know I can do this?"

"Well we DID show ourselves to you, right?" Eila said. "And I promise you something. If you do this with Trude… I'll show you my memories before I died."

"You're kidding. You can do that?"

"Of course!" Eila replied. "You can guarantee it."

Erica knew that she was going to do this in exchange of knowing what happened to Eila. "Wilma? Trudy? What about you guys?"

Gertrud and Wilma looked at each other and nodded before looking back at Erica. "Us too." Both said before Erica smiled.

"Okay then! Trude… let's do it." Erica said and Gertrud nodded before she got in front of Erica. "I hope it goes well!"

"We'll see." Trude said before she neared her forehead to Erica's. "Ready?" Erica nodded and Trude smiled. "Wish me luck." Then, her forehead got in contact with Erica's and she glowed white. "HERE WE GO!" Trude split into white particles before she spread all over Erica.

Finally… Erica moaned with a little headache she received and her body glowed blue. Then, she finally got her familiar features out… only it was Barkhorn's German Pointer familiar. She slowly opened her eyes and the pain in her head was gone. 'Wow… I'm in Erica's body!'

"You've done it!" Erica said while she was beside Eila. Then she was shocked. "Eila?! Am I really… seeing you?!"

"What do you think? Duh." Eila said before she laughed. In the place of Erica's own body, she can see Barkhorn.

"Whoa… I can see the real you!" Erica said and Trude winked. "So… are you doing it?"

Trude nodded and she looked at the MG 42's on the ground. 'I should grab two of them, of course. Knowing Frau's body, it may not take it, but I have to try to see how much I can lift.' Then she decided to start it. She bent and held the first MG 42 at her left arm and the other MG 42 at her right. She then stood up and held it upright, carefully considering aiming the weapon up front. It seemed that Strength Augmentation ability is working well. "I did it!"

"What are you doing?!" Minna shouted from afar and behind and Erica was forced to turn around to see the Lieutenant Colonel wearing her nightgown. When Minna looked carefully at Erica… she knew something wasn't right. The familiar ears and tail were different… and it reminded her of Gertrud. This got her to be shocked. 'Oh my… That's… not possible!'

'Uh-oh.' Trude thought. 'Erica, I have to…'

"No! It's okay! Not yet!" Erica shouted. "Let Minna see you like that."

"H-how?" Minna said as she approached. "Frau… is that you?" But when she asked that question, for a brief moment, she saw Barkhorn through Erica. "Wait… am I seeing this right?"

"Yeah." Barkhorn said. "You're not dreaming. You're seeing it right. But… how are you able to see me?"

Minna was partly seeing Barkhorn, but seeing more of Erica. Still, she believed Barkhorn was in Erica's body. "How are you in Erica's body?"

"Would you believe me if Erica knows how to absorb and mimick aura?"

"Tsk. I thought so." The two witches turned to see Tyler at the entrance of the hangar. "So Ivanov was right." He said as she approached the two witches, and he eventually looked at Minna. "Sorry if I didn't tell you yet, and I wasn't sure about it. But… Ivanov talked to me after he told us about this… 'Seed of Destruction' vision that he told us about. He told me that one of us will manifest an ability. He knows I'm a witch… so I don't think anyone of us is counted out. Anyway… he described that this ability is a rare ability, and describes that a witch who sees death for the first time will have this power. But it's not really that case. Erica's rather special when she saw someone die. For that ability to be possible along with seeing death just recently…"

"How recent?" Minna asked.

"A year."

"A year?!" Trude said. "No wonder! I already know who cursed Erica."

Minna was then getting what Barkhorn means. "Trude, what do you mean?"

"Eila was able to speak to me about this."

"Eila?!"

"I'll talk to you about that later. Anyway, I was told that the ability to absorb and mimick aura can be unlocked by two conditions: One is that the user must have seen death for over under a year. The other is…"

Tyler stopped Barkhorn and he continued. "Someone who's an expert in witchcraft will declare an ability like that, and it's called a curse if it was given to her for a long time. Ivanov told me that fourth full moon of this year is the trigger. And hell yeah… he's right. Still… we don't know who the caster of the curse is."

"But Barkhorn and Erica know." Minna then looked at Barkhorn. "Trude, who is it?"

Then Erica moaned as her familiar features were gone. 'I've gone back to my body.' She shook her head and looked at Minna. "It's me, Erica. To answer that… it's my uncle from my father's side. He's a male witch but he's sometimes nasty in the spells he uses. His name is Heinz Hartmann. Mom always knew that Heinz always has schemes against my family before. I just didn't know he would really do this to me."

"And the question would be why." Tyler groaned. "Where is he?"

"I wouldn't know that." Erica said when she remembered what recently forgot. She looked at her arms and she was still carrying the two MG 42's. She then put the two down before chuckled. "Sorry. First time."

"Not a problem." Tyler said before she patted the young Karlslander's shoulders. "Look, you had a long day."

"More like a long night." Minna commented. "Look… Frau, we need to know what happened to Eila. If you can call her again, we have to know the details."

Erica smiled and nodded. "She says she'll be glad to help! Eila died protecting Sanya, so she'll do what she can for us."

"I see. Get your rest first. You'll need some of that energy in you." Minna said and Erica nodded before she lead all of them out of the hangar…

*Erica's quarters…*

Erica sighed as she lied down on her bed. "I hope you're happy Eila."

"Thank you." Eila said while she was standing up beside the Karlslander. "I would never be able to speak to Sanya, so the best I can do is help you all out."

Wilma sighed as she appeared beside her. "Eila… maybe you should say hi to Sanya one time."

"What the? No! I'm not freaking out Sanya!"

"It's not about freaking her out. It's about making her see that you're still around and in her heart." Wilma explained and patted Eila's head. "It's not easy to get into your thoughts even as Erica's aura now."

"Hey. I know your life too thanks to that same thing. Hmph." Eila snorted and they still saw Erica annoyingly awake.

"Goodnight!" Erica said with a groan before she closed her eyes. 'Now I'm really believing everything's happening for a reason. And for this one, just a little annoyance.'

*White world…*

"Hey." Trude said as she looked at Erica in that white world with her arms crossed again. "I'm sorry for disturbing you again… but how did Minna find a man?"

Erica got Trude's meaning. "Ah. But… Minna and Tyler were together since late February, I think."

"A 'But?' Is that supposed to mean what I'm supposed to think of?"

"Yeah. They're a couple."

Barkhorn then face palmed. "I knew it."

"What's wrong?"

"They shouldn't have… and…" Barkhorn then looked at Erica with a worried look. "Do you know just how many rules Minna broke just by having a relationship with this man?"

"Sure. I don't care!" Erica giggled. "And I know what's in your mind, silly! You don't like Tyler one bit!"

"I don't care what the hell his name is! He's got to go! It's a good thing that I got here just in time." Barkhorn said this with disapproval to Tyler's presence. Gertrud is more of the girl who would just get into business to being just a soldier for war, and she's just concerned for Minna who should just do the same. 'Damn you, Minna. What brought you to do this?'

"The real question is… what brought you to think like this more?" Eila just got in the conversation and walked in front of Trude. "Last time I checked with your thoughts, you were having a relationship with Minna… and you chose to break it up because it was interfering with your duties as a soldier."

"Don't mock me. I know what you're gonna say." Trude said this as she neared her face to the Suomus witch's. "You think I'm jealous?"

"Exactly."

"Fick dich!"

"Hey, hey!" Wilma came in and physically separated them. She noticed that Trude was angry at Eila. "Cap… if that's what they call you… you should calm down."

"You've seen insubordination before."

"Well excuse me?! I'm dead, remember?!" Eila said and Wilma immediately eyed her. "What?"

"It doesn't matter either, Eila." Wilma replied then looked back at Trude. "And YOU shouldn't be jealous. Eila's got a point. You broke up. You move on. As for the rules for having a couple… you should keep those thoughts to yourself and just talk to Minna personally about it."

Gertrud blinked in disbelief. "You're not serious."

"I am." Wilma eyed her and she sensed Eila walked to Erica. The Brit then turned her head to see both Erica and Eila sitting… trying not to get into the conversation. 'Alright, maybe it has to be this way.' "Eila, you stay with Erica until this cools down. Trude and I are gonna have a word to ourselves." After Erica nodded, Wilma and Trude glowed bright until sparks replaced where they stood until it was gone.

Erica and Eila were sitting next to each other, not sparing a glance. What Eila said to Trude was partly right, but she's only saying what she believes, and she doesn't have the right to state the facts she hasn't fully seen. The respect for Barkhorn being the captain still must remain. Then Erica decided to break the silence and glanced at Eila. "You know… it's not needed."

Eila sighed. "I'm just thinking that Barkhorn's had it with men. Sure… she's a soldier… but what if love in a battlefield is really possible?"

"Maybe." Erica said and groaned. "Damn… I don't even know this kind of subject was getting too serious. Minna didn't do anything wrong even if she was getting together with him! To tell you the truth, they're both doing their duties. Tyler was once a soldier but remains to be as a witch and an elite for the Deep Science Division."

"And Trude really doesn't care. Rules must apply. So fuck her for being too uptight."

"Eila!"

"I'm serious about it!" Eila said before she glanced at Erica. "If you're gonna stick up to her…!"

"I'm not! I don't know why Trude didn't change… but she should be happy. I get that… but she isn't that kind of person. If something always goes wrong… it would split us all apart and we lose effectiveness in that. And you know how it went for her. Things were disorganized. Things become vulnerable, even people like us… and it even scarred her to the point of almost losing…"

"…Chris." Erica's sentence was finished by Eila. "This is so wrong. You're pinning it with what happened in her past."

"But what if it's true?"

"Then I'll have to see if it is." The two flight lieutenants looked at Trude and Wilma come back. Trude seemed to feel down, but she's still feeling confident for a reason. "I'll have to talk to Minna about this. I gotta know her view about this."

Erica knew that Barkhorn couldn't figure that out especially with relationships she couldn't fully understand especially when she never had a relationship with a man, but Wilma had that experience. For that, she smiled. "Okay. I'll get to her office first thing in the morning."

"Thanks."

"I told you my advice would work." Wilma said to Trude before winking at Erica.

*Commander's office… 0700 hours…*

Minna just got in the office with her uniform on when she saw there were papers that she needed to take care of at her table. She breathed deeply at this. These were the after-action reports of whoever stayed in this base which she needed to still view and approve to be submitted to the higher-ups. 'This day just keeps getting better and better.' She chuckled and decided to shake some negative vibes off her and just took her seat behind her desk when she heard three knocks. "Herein."

The door opened and Erica's head peaked through the opening. "Commander? Mind if we talk? This is rather… personal, but important."

"Of course." Minna before she gestured her hand for Erica to come in. Soon, Erica closed the door behind her. "So what is it you want to open up?"

Erica approached Minna's desk. "Actually, it's not me who's gonna open up. It's Barkhorn."

Minna was caught off-guard if Trude were to talk to her suddenly like this. She had mixed feelings of nervousness and confusion, but Minna entertained them and nodded at Erica. "Go ahead."

Erica nodded and she closed her eyes. 'Alright, Trudy. Go ahead.' Her body glowed light blue before she moaned a little. It took a while before a brief amount of breath was released.

Trude opened her eyes and breathed in deeply before exhaling. "It's been a while, Minna."

Minna then pretended to see it was really Barkhorn and she slowly stood up before she felt a sense of longing with the captain. "You don't know how long."

"Too long." Trude smiled and a tear was released from her eye and flowed down her cheek. Then that smile faded. "Minna… what exactly did you accomplish when you got out from Berlin?"

"Putting the 501st back on the map seemed to be difficult under some circumstances, but I was able to do just that and we maintained our place here for quite a while, before we were chosen to divide and conquer our war efforts. A hive has appeared at the south pole for some reason. What doesn't make sense is that it traveled from Greater Orussia just for us to lose sight, then for us to regain it after confirming it with a source."

Trude snorted and crossed her arms. "The source was Eila and Sanya, wasn't it?"

"That… and another witness who took pictures. Without their intervention to look at this carefully, we would never have known about this. We all owe them a great debt for giving us this info." Minna replied with this answer. But somehow, she saw from Barkhorn that there was another subject besides this. "Are you trying to get to talk about something else?"

"Yes. What happened to you?" Barkhorn's question got Minna to think negatively.

She narrowed her eyes to Trude's sudden question. "You think it's something not good?"

"Yes. You've loosened up. You let a man into your life. I've talked to Erica and she even told me that the two of you have a relationship. Ever since we broke up… do you know what we've promised to each other? We promised each other that we would finish this war before we live our lives to the fullest."

Minna didn't see it coming and realized that she was really talking to the real Gertrud after hearing their own secret. Minna never told Erica about that specific promise she made with Barkhorn. Deciding to see it was safe, Minna let something out. "I don't know if that promise would be kept after all. If Erica's hearing this… she should know something, because she felt the sorrow of your death. I'VE FELT the sorrow of your death. And the only thing we needed to do for ourselves was move on. It was easy for her… but for me… it wasn't."

Trude turned to one side. "You're just saying it because I was gone."

"I'm not just saying it, I MEANT IT. You don't understand, do you? I had to find the love that could sustain my sanity. I didn't just choose Tyler, but he chose me too. We had each other for it and…"

"I can't believe you're telling me an excuse."

"An excuse is something to not let me do my duties once, but finish them no matter what."

"But WAR is different! You never know how one of us could be lost again like Eila and Wilma! I've talked to them and they told me their experiences before they died. They had regrets they wished wasn't there, and so did I. And you know what my biggest regret is right now? LEAVING YOU TO BE VULNERABLE WITH THIS MAN YOU BARELY KNEW. You're gonna die without knowing… so you may as well give this illusion and live for everyone else!"

"But he saved my life."

"It was by chance."

"He lost a loved one too with the neuroi and I had the same thing. But after I lost you… my heart was broken even if it wasn't US anymore. I thought I'd stay negative and everything wouldn't change. But now I'm seeing that I am in the right mind thanks to him. I don't' want that feeling to run out on me again. It's the only thing left with everyone in this world." Minna said as she walked away from her desk and approached Trude.

"Are you going to reason with me?"

"No. Whatever are your thoughts about him, think about it yourself. Right now, he's someone who holds my heart and sanity intact. And…" Minna explained before revealing something else. "…I'm mated for life with the man I love."

A short pause passed as Trude thought of that last sentence Minna said. She clenched her fists and her anger rose. "You… you're… pregnant?"

Minna nodded. "And I'm proud to have our baby, Gertrud."

Trude gently shook her head in denial and held Minna's collar. Minna could see that anger in Trude's eyes. "You're not saying it, Minna. You're ruining yourself. You are…" Trude attempted to shake Minna but then felt a sharp pain in her forehead that made her let go of herself. "Uhhn! Get out of my head, Erica!"

[No! YOU get out of my head!] Erica's voice echoed as Trude suddenly felt like she was pulled away. Erica was back and she almost lost her balance before she re-adjusted her footing. Finally, she was able to clear her mind and was able to see herself back in her body and shook her head. "Ow… Sorry, Minna. I didn't really see it coming that Trude could do that to you."

Minna was surprised of what happened but deeply breathed in and exhaled. "It's okay. She's angry right now."

"Hell yeah, I am." Trude said who was beside then beside Erica. "Let me at her."

"Please, Trude. Don't be like this." Erica begged the strict captain.

Minna was seeing Erica talk to an empty space. 'So the conversation was real. Barkhorn was really here. But now she's angry that she knows.' "Erica… walk with me."

Erica then looked at Minna. "Of course."

"I know she'll be listening. Eila and Wilma need to hear this as well. I guess the story of my life goes without Trude interrupting. But I'll talk to her again. She just needs to calm down and think first."

Barkhorn narrowed her eyes the moment she heard the words 'calm' and 'think.' 'Alright, Minna. If you say I can calm down, fine. But I don't think I want to.'

As soon as Erica walked out with Minna from the office, she had to blame Barkhorn for opening this and letting this be an issue for the day that even the commander had to consider clearing this up for the day. 'Did you actually have to make this too big?'

"What if I did?"

'Then you're supposed to be giving her consideration instead of pressuring her.'

"Sound like you want to go against what I think."

'Wanna bet? If you listen to her… I promise you'll have your time while flying. I can tell you want to be in combat. Otherwise… don't talk to me.'

"What?! That's so mean of you, Frau! I've never this side of you!"

'Well since you're inside me, I suggest you try getting into my terms for once. Gosh, give yourself and Minna a chance to cut yourself some slack. Don't be uptight for once.'

"What… I'M uptight?"

"Frau!" Minna stopped walking and Erica was dumbfounded. "You're talking to her again, were you?"

Erica had a little temper but calmed down. "Trude's really persistent in her thoughts."

"Then maybe you should listen to me so she can as well."

"Well… we both made a deal. She should try listen to your view better and she can fly as much as she likes while she's still around."

That made Minna smile. "Good choice. But it will still depend on her if she wants to listen, which I know she still must try to do. What else she must know is that I make choices that could not always come out with my expectations. I thought that we would actually just be staying this way… but we're talking about what I want in life. Love's the first and last thing every individual has in life."

"Perhaps Frau was right." Trude said and Minna stopped to analyze the young Erica's tone was familiar.

Minna then looked at Erica… who was now Trude again. "I see you decided to listen."

"Look… it's somehow difficult. I really want to understand why… but I needed to ask: How much did you really love Tyler? Did you have a choice to make?"

She shook her head in response to the captain. "It's not a choice but a fated opportunity I couldn't refuse. I helped him over his problems, and he did the same for me. He told me that what I needed to do was accept that both Kurt and you were gone… but it got us both together because for the first time… we felt both our hearts were like vases when we lose each other's loved ones. We were able to accept that once we loved each other… the past won't matter. We want to make our future for both our loved ones and ourselves. They'd want more people not to grieve but to try being happy in what they are in now."

"It easily drawn the two of you, huh?"

"What's more is… he's with the good guys the whole time. I'm sure you wanted to find that out… so I suggest you talk more with Frau."

Trude blinked in disbelief. "W-wait… so he isn't a rogue or a rebel or…"

Minna laughed at it. "You should get a little more info from Frau about him! Now, come on. I don't care if the day's a busy one." Then she put her arm over the other girl's shoulders and they started walking together. "I wanna make sure I tell you everything!" And somehow… Gertrud thought that this day would get better. After Erica's deal, she made sure she try understanding Minna better.

*Allied General Conference Room… Makeshift conference room, Army Special Forces Unit HQ…*

Patton was in conference with the other leaders of different nations, who were currently at their head branches set in different parts of the world. Because of this, they had to rely on a special method for communicating. The Deep Science Division made this recently possible so that they can communicate and effectively discuss tactics that are needed to form an effective strategy.

[Let me guess this straight.] General Sasha Vladimir Stalin made her statement representing the Orussian 67th Paramilitary Infantry unit. [You're saying that Old Moscow… an old remnant city in Greater Orussia is actually a staging cover which in fact contains dangerous warheads that could count on many casualties if not handled carefully BY ANYONE?! Then how the hell is this going to make me feel any better?! Patton, I understand that you want this done, but scientists cannot easily separate the nuclear material in those warheads.]

Patton groaned and made his statement. "I understand, but you don't know the scientists of the DSD if they're really up for it. You've already seen some of our achievements like the jet that can travel only for several hours after travelling a thousand and a half miles. You've seen the Ion Shields that covered most of the military hardware we've got. Most of them may be experimental but they're battle-tested against the neuroi and YOU KNOW the results. And trust me when I say it. All our hardware will be useless against a hive. Our scientists have already been trained to handling nuclear material because we once made them, but we made sure we try NOT to use them thanks to the creation of the striker unit all witches are using, either in the air, on ground or underwater.

"If you really don't want to see the next nuclear fallout from either side… or from any nation at ours… YOU MUST TRY AT LEAST USING WHAT WE'VE GOT ON OPEN SEA! The Chief Marshal made his approvement with this next to knowing the Blue Neuroi cannot easily handle a hive thanks to the rising technology of the Red Neuroi. They've got their own reasons… and they've told us that we need to do this together. That's how I ended up telling Dowding about the plan to use warheads. That way, if the usual way of using witches and Blue Neuroi to take on the hive has failed, we can have the warheads primed against the hive. They're the only ones useable… and the only thing we could do is upgrade their propulsion systems to improve its top speed for effectiveness to be better. So what else is there to talk about? Is it with the leaders' choices to preserve a nuclear strike? What is it?! This may be sudden, but it's our only way out." Patton explained this… and this turned into a debate for several more minutes…

*Several minutes later…*

"That's enough." Air Chief Marshal Dowding said to the other dignitaries and generals. "We must consider that the hive may hit either Australis, Liberion, or Africa and Europe. Either of these nations will be hit if there's no physical intervention to stop the hive. Now… let's put this up for facts right now: What choice we make right now will have its own fruit… or consequences. Second, a nuclear spreading will not be made possible over the sea, as the waters will immediately extinguish what would be left from the nuclear material from the warheads used. Now… with that, I approve this decision automatically, but the rest would still need to make that vote. All in favor… say Aye." Dowding said and the others have mixed feelings of confidence and doubt. Other leaders who are logically tested would have more faith on those who handle nuclear material better. But all the same, this is a backup contingency and everybody agrees with it. With that fact, the others have agreed and will officially be in motion…

*Patton's office…*

Patton himself was somehow exhausted after that meaning when Kenzie came in. "Sir… how did it go?"

The general sighed at this. "It's finally going to happen. The Deep Science Division has been allowed to do this and other nations will back us up. It's also followed with the other branches and it seems that we're finally gonna be in motion. I just got word from the higher-ups that this will finally be going according to plan. How the heck is this going to be easy?" He laughed afterwards and took his flask then opened it before taking a sip of his whiskey.

"Sir… with all due respect… why aren't we believing enough on what the witches can do? According to my sources, the last witch who attempted to defeat it is now more than active in service but has her power restored."

"Mio Sakamoto? I got no doubt of that… That thing she's done with her sword was quite the stuff… but still, it wasn't her who had made that strike. It was a younger girl than she is."

"Miyafuji."

"Ichiro's daughter may be one powerful witch according to what others say after her 'transformation' that she went through from divine intervention, but God knows she's doing her best, so why keep giving that power?"

"Maybe there's more to what she can do, and that she's unique? You told me that yourself, sir."

"Ah… you never know it might change too suddenly." He said as he waved his hand before he took a seat near a window. "What's the use of having warheads when you have witches? Hell… they've gone through too much. The Counter-Striker Unit was officially disavowed thanks to their disobedience and insubordination… and their belief that one of the arms of the Red Neuroi were to be used for a grand plan. Yes, they've extinguished that arm… but they've also killed other people, even if they were influenced by the neuroi, without our permission. Simple to say… the simple belief of witches that the neuroi are the enemy and evil incarnate are simply just thoughts. All we need to do is figure out what we're supposed to be depending on, and we depend on them. What about us? We've got our own problems and…"

"Sir…"

"There's no argument here, Kenzie." Patton stood up from his seat. But then Kenzie was suspicious she heard beeps from behind him and a wall beside the window. "The truth is… witches are only the contingency to our…"

"EXPLOSIVES!" Kenzie's warning came too late as the wall exploded. She was able to deploy her personnel Ion shields in time before she was pushed back by the explosion. Hitting the wall with her head and back, she was easily knocked out, not aware of what was happening with the general.

It took her quite a while to stir and she heard the raid siren was echoing through the whole HQ. Soon, she found her face was on the floor and decided to open one eye. Her left eye was somehow injured, so she let that remain closed. Gently, used her arms to get herself standing before she turned her head to see the horror in front of her while she coughed with some smoke in the. Patton was being lifted by his collar by a black-suited humanoid android-like ninja with red spots all over it. His eyes grew crimson red thanks to its own preference, which was obvious to which side it was on: The Red Neuroi. Then she widened her eyes to realize Patton was in danger. "What… are you doing?!"

"I am… Blitz-Saber. Lord Rosaimus… sends his regards. Tell them what you see." The ninja-type neuroi said with a distorted male voice before he drew a saber which protruded from its free arm then past its hand. "This is our message." Saber said before he clenched his fist and the saber grew brighter before he struck the saber in Patton's chest.

"NOOOO!" Kenzie shouted as she was almost helpless thanks to her being hurt, as she saw Patton being struck with the saber going past his back. Blitz-Saber sliced his weapon upwards and even Patton's head cut to half as blood sprayed around the room and on Kenzie. 'Oh… my… god!' She thought as a cold chill brush up on her skin on the horror Blitz-Saber did. She then saw soldiers outside the damaged wall and fired at him before at lightning speed was able to deflect with his beam saber melee weapon. With a split second he did a forward strike to one of the soldiers before throwing him to the others and then slicing them up as well. Kenzie was more than scared. She was seeing the horror of what the Red Neuroi are able to do with their enhanced technology than the Blue Neuroi and what humanity could combine. Blitz-Saber walked back in casually just to see Kenzie still on the floor. He forced her to get up and pinned her to the wall.

"You will tell them what you saw. Keep resisting us, and you will eventually find yourself in a grave." Blitz-Saber threatened Kenzie.

"And what if I say I will tell but I'll keep going anyway?"

"Then I won't touch you. But mark my words more will die in your hands if you replace him." Blitz-Saber said before he forced her shoulder on to the wall by force, dislocating some bones and making her scream loudly. He lets go off her as she collapsed while seated with her back on the floor and her hands at her dislocated shoulder. "I will take my leave. You have… my warning." He said before he turned his back on her as he walked out through the damaged wall.

As Blitz-Saber ran through the base… he avoided tanks, infantry and other laser-fire coming from experimental weapons the DSD has made, all thanks to his speed. With his ruthlessness, anyone who stood in his way were killed. Before he left the base, he was able to kill 46 more people after Patton's death. After he left the base, he stayed hidden at an abandoned building in the nearby city and contacted his brute friend.

Greater Goliath… can you hear me?

[This is Lord Rosaimus. Unforunately, news was grave from the South Pole. He's now declared dead thanks to the works of a singularity grenade made by the Deep Science Division. We can't consider his help any longer, and our post at the South Pole is no longer necessary. The hive is on the move… but slow because of unit deployment and production. It will reach at less than four months to Australis. You are to proceed as planned, Blitz-Saber. Do not forget your code.]

I understand, Lord Rosaimus. What of the woman?

[The woman will not be harmed further no matter what action is taken. You and the rest of the humanoid neuroi militarized unit are to move in to hiding while the general forces will defend Greater Orussia. When the humans find what they're looking for… they don't know what they'll expect next.] Rosaimus chuckled in the background. [I can assure that our success will bring your worth as both a leader and a ruthless warrior. It will not push forward completely, but it's a start as to how we'll achieve victory in this. Do what you have to do. Lead them. Guide them. Then we'll see what happens.]

Yes, Lord.

[Then I end this conversation.] Rosaimus said before the transmission was cut.

*Red Neuroi Command and Control Center…*

The black-hooded figure came in while he was chuckling after his conversation with Blitz-Saber. Then Helena looked at the hooded figure. "Lord Rosaimus?" Helena was then a little confused as she raised her eyebrow.

Rosaimus revealed himself after taking off his hood. "Helena, I just got off communication from our asset. It seems he delivered after all. Blitz-Saber is officially one of us. A hybrid such as he is will make an outstanding addition to our team. Unfortunately, with Greater Goliath gone… we must try setting new grounds. The hive may be able to handle itself, but we can assume that we can also start making other ways to cripple the allied forces. How goes the Purgemaker's progress to power up?"

"It's now at 87 percent. It recently increased its rate a little after you brought in our Hulghete deity to power it up… but for now… it's still not enough. The Blue Neuroi are also aware of the Purgemaker…"

"…but not the Aura Forge." Rosaimus chuckled evilly. "Excellent."

"And what of your trip?"

"It seems the spell finally got into effect. Soon, my dear niece will be able to see what her power can bring. However… without my help, she cannot bring back anyone unless she sacrifices herself to bring all of them back… which I do not desire. Forcing the Lieutenant Colonel and my niece to be in the Red Neuroi's side should not be the case after all. One of them… is enough. If Erica does not join… then I must kill her in a way that may seem fit."

"In battle?"

"In battle." Rosaimus replied before he frowned. "It shouldn't be this way. From her birth, I've always watched her. But ever since… I never wanted to see her sad. I knew in the future she will be destined for greatness… so I made sure I gave her that strength to talk to the circle of friends she always has even after their deaths. The Aura Forge has done its part because it was one of the key ingredients to making my spell. I played my part as Heinz. But I hope she finds out where my 'current residence' is. Hopefully, she'll find a way to ask me to bring her dead friends back to life without taking hers."

"This world is big."

"But I'm already in the obvious spot where she should start looking first."

"Which is where?"

Rosaimus just chuckled in response. "You know I can't tell you yet."

Helena then sighed. "Oh well."

Rosaimus then smiled at Helena… still not knowing his intentions after all his planning. 'From the time I'm still a half-Hispanian and Karlslander… they never even knew I was already making progress in knowing what humanity is in and out. Soon, they will fall. They'll see what true power is. And soon… the hive will not be a problem.' "You… will all… be… ours." He chuckled with an evil grin.

CHAPTER EPILOGUE

"Rise… Savior Serena…" Amaterasu's voice echoed…

An old mausoleum in Nagasaki one night had graves… but one was especially made for a person who recently died. Inside the coffin was the unwithered body of a young 23 year old Fusoan woman who had been in battle secretly for the Hulghete. A necklace was on her neck as it glowed brightly. She opened her eyes… then she opened the coffin. As she rose, she let her long lower-back lengthened brown hair down as she coughed with the dust that aggravated itself around the small room she was in. 'Damn, Amaterasu! You should have warned me about the ruthlessness of the Red Neuroi!'

"You were given no other choice but to save your family, Serena. Do not blame yourself." Amaterasu's voice echoed in her head.

She stood on the floor while looking around the small room, which was especially made via the Shinto Religion as a small chapel set for her. "Did they have to set me here just to get the attention of the other Fusoan clans?"

"No. You were buried here because Sakamoto requested it. You deserved the honor as she had stated to those around you."

"But what about you? How can you communicate?"

"I've just discovered one of my other associates arrived, and he boosted my ability to communicate with other species of mine. He'll walk you through, but like you, he is weakened when he's here in Earth because of the difference of the core of this planet. But do not forget that you are different as you are the only hybrid Hulghete there is. The Red Neuroi may have done this in the wake of our destruction we've made, but the past cannot be made responsible. We must stop them from doing the same thing we've made."

"It'll be difficult considering they have the Aura Forge to hide their presence."

"True. But they've made their most obvious move to cover their next set of plans. A neuroi hive is finally making its move from the south, and will reach Australis in four months. When you're in range… you must do what Mio could not have done."

"Strike it down, and take it to the enemy."

"You know what you must do. Do it for us. Do it for humanity. Do it for the Blue Neuroi. Only he will guide you in for the meantime. We must finish this quickly before they make their fatal move on humanity's forces."

"I understand."

"Go forth… Serena Sakamoto." Amaterasu's voice faded before Serena's necklace glowed again.

'It's time I make it permanent. This is for everyone!' She thought before the necklace glowed brighter and inserted into her chest. Soon her body glowed with a gold color and she hovered off the ground. Her clothing changed as it then turned up bright. The brightness then enveloped her before it faded. Her white Fusoan navy uniform that appeared on her was almost identical to the uniform Mio has. A patch on her left shoulder symbolized that she was once in Greater Orussia. She looked around the room and saw a long casing, good enough for a katana. She opened it and finally saw blade she truly recognized as her own. "Gold Lightning… You're finally within my grasp." She smiled as she picked the sheath up and placed the sword in. Shouldering it, she tried to think where she would go first. She then thought of getting to the Nagasaki military branch of the military and start to see what else was going on around the area… then outside Fuso.

Serena then walked out of the room and got to the open area and looked around. The darkness of the night was then disturbed by a lightning bolt coming down at Serena. She immediately drew her sword and raised it up before the bolt of lightning was hit her sword and it glowed gold again. "THE GOLD LIGHTNING HAS ARISEN!" 'Mio… I will make sure I help you this time. This is for my family… my home… for you.'

Mio was suddenly awakened at her bed and she looked up to see that she had a vision. A sigh of relief came to her as Amaterasu was still alive… but weak. And that vision was not by chance. She smiled at this. 'I knew you were still around, Amaterasu. Thank you… for getting Serena to be around again… I don't know why… but you've given me a clue. Let's see the future unfold for all of us now that she's around.' She then looked at her right where the bed Yoshika was on was a little farther from Mio's. 'Yoshika… the three blades are going to unite… and you're gonna have to meet her as well. Tyler… I hope you've seen what I've seen on the harshest parts you are on with Minna. Because your trials are just going to begin when you push in Greater Orussia.'

Mio then looked back up to the ceiling and felt her eyes heavy again. 'This is… our true counter… offensive.' She thought before she fell back to sleep that night…