AN: So, it has been a week since I last posted something. I will apologize, but I had little to no inspiration for what to write and rather than writing something stupid, I preferred to wait until I had the best ideas and here it is! Chapter 25! Sorry for grammar mistakes, not a lot of reading to fix small grammar issues but I hope you can forgive me for that.
The Tundra Fox: I hope I will get that done right :p the diplomacy part is one of the arcs I have thought out for the story. And by thought out I mean major events, with the smaller details I come up as I write. There will still be the extra fantasy the anime and manga didn't give and the supernatural as regarding to the realistic approach. I will do my best to stay as close to reality and common sense but I might force something here and there and add fantasy and supernatural.
Kamzil118: Indeed. I hope you really enjoyed the last part and that you will enjoy this one too :D
Ferduran: the sniper was taken out when the Imperials got closer. He kind of had nowhere to run and decided to start shooting the mages and officers and risk his life.
Recordman: 'Cause I forgot :'(
Newbie: The 1st Armored was busy pushing along the road. The Italians were more to the south, securing the flank, as I said in the PM. War means casualties on either sides. My story will not be that kind of story where Earth just roflstomps everything and the Empire lacks any tactical and strategic thinking. I used the map of the Special Region from the GATE Wikia. It only made sense for the Empire to attempt to defend the Dumas.
Urza: Will try not to keep you all waiting.
ATP: You do have the right ideas.
It'sCalibra: I imagined them just like a regular ogre, twice as tall than a man and with much more muscular mass which gives them their brute strength.
KriegSoldaten: They already have and we will see them more in the future.
Chapter 25: She Is My Sin
'Entry XII:
So much more I wanted to give to the ones who love me. I'm sorry… Time will tell, this bitter farewell. I will live no more to shame nor you, nor me.'
Duma Mountains, Italian positions
D-Day + 45 days, 1900 hours
The beast was about to smash the Italian major with its huge mace. The ogre was almost twice the human's size. Dante stood there knowing he had no escape and was accepting his death. 'Well… at least I've lived a good life up to this moment. I'm content with it.' He said as his entire life flashed before his eyes.
In the very last moment, the ogre just disappeared with a smoke trail where he initially was. Somebody fired a SMAW (yes, I chose the SMAW as the standard issue AT weapon for Japan's allies in the SR) at the monster, the warhead hitting it and flying a few meters more with the ogre staggering before exploding. Pieces of its armor went flying in the air with body parts. Others were taken down by rifle launched grenades and other AT infantry portable weapons (SMAW).
Dante blinked for a moment. Then rised up on its feet to take a look around. And he noticed his former opponent was no more. He thanked in his mind to whoever it was that fired the AT weapon and saved his life. He reached for his sidearm, the M1911 and started firing. The first line was compromised again, overrun by enemy infantry. The officer was then knocked out by a blow to his head from a legionnaire who did not bother to finish him off in his rush to rescue the Imperial general.
"Shift fire just in front of the second line!"
"That's danger close!"
"DO IT!"
And so, mortar rounds started to fall right between the first and second line. Ogres and humans alike were sent flying through the air by the explosions, their bodies missing a leg or an arms or simply shattered. The first line was a bloody mess once more with Imperials, Italians and beasts fighting each other, the latter being prioritized by AT infantry and heavy machinegun operators. The heavier 12,7mm rounds tore through their thicker armor with impunity and, with enough bullets hitting their target, bloody ogres were coming down to stain the soil a dark red with their blood too.
It was not long until the 42nd came on their right flank and opened fire on the advancing silhouettes. They cleared the right flank and started an encirclement maneuver to cut off their enemy. Slowly, the attackers who were coming from behind were shifting their attention to the 42nd Alpini Company, in the confusion and lack of efficient coordination by their officer due to the rushed charge they diverted from their objective and engaged the 42nd instead of proceeding on their initial course and reaching the positions of the 41st. Thus, no more forces of the Empire were condescending on the already thin lines of the 41st.
"Prepare for close quarters!" yelled an Italian lieutenant.
"Alpini! Give them no quarter!"
"NOBODY PASSES HERE!"
And every other living soul followed with the battle cry: "Nobody passes here!" and unleashed a rain of bullets on the charging Imperials and the few mages they had with them.
"Grenade out!" was the warning given by a private before his grenade detonated before touching down and killing a whole bunch of infantry and an armored beast whose head was blown off clean due to the proximity to the explosion.
"Use something heavier on those damn armored beasts!"
".50 cal coming right up!"
"Take them down, dammit! Take them down before they get close!"
"Where the hell are the AT troops!?"
"Right here!"
"Shoot!"
"Call in the Cobras!"
Meanwhile, where the Alpini were taking the grunt of the enemy attack, the 43rd arrived to reinforce the positions of the 41st. They immediately entered action and their vigorous response stopped the enemy attack at the second line. The barrels of the machineguns were hot as hell from the continuous fire with very short breaks. The mortars were silent for a minute, sign that they expended all their ordnance.
But that was not such a big issue because two AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters of the JSDF flew overhead and began unloading rockets and 20mm rounds into the ogres and legionnaires. The soil will be fertile for a long time where the 41st took defensive positions, so many dead and blood stained the soil that it provided nutrients with their decomposition for the not so reclusive animals and plants to take advantage of it.
With their reinforcements busy with fighting the 42nd and taking terrible casualties, with their morale declining fast and the piling up of bodies, the Imperials were slowly pushed back over the ridge line and hit harder in the flank until they retreated and ran for their lives, the flying monsters of the JSDF hot on their tails.
Special Region, 1st EAA HQ
D-Day + 46 days, 0400 hours
TASIUS' POV
In a small tent, under heavy guard, I, General Tasius of the Empire, stood handcuffed with my hands to my back and forced onto a metal chair. I was not allowed to rest at all. Every time I was about to fall asleep one of the guards would wake me up with what they called a horn. Damn thing makes a terrible sound that would crack your ears. I haven't had any decent sleep in the last few days with all the fighting going on.
I took my time to study them. The two guards before me were in the same similar green clothing. Most certainly they use it to blend in with the surrounding flora. Similar to those who captured me… Those black things must be weapons. They look way more imposing than what I was expecting of them.
And I take it that that thing on their left arms is their flag. White and red stripes with stars in a blue corner. I have to wonder how our blades and bolts can't effectively pierce their armor, it looks a lot like clothing. Heh… they are a different people, what do I know?
With me captured, Caius is left in charge. I don't even think he knows since my mage was killed in that ambush and the rest were fighting the other enemy forces. Dammit, their numbers plummeted fast. I hope Titus is doing better than me. I couldn't think of a way of escaping my situation. My thought train was interrupted when a man came in. He was definitely someone important judging by his uniform. His eyes didn't see much sleep, just like me. He spoke to me in a foreign accent, he was decent in speaking the common tongue.
"Good morning. How are you?" he asked.
I looked up at him from my seat. I wanted to get up but my hands were cuffed behind the chair and my armor felt pretty heavy for my body, a body tired due to my age and deprivation of rest. "I've seen better days…"
"Of course you've seen better days, General. Maybe you're not used to being a prisoner and have heard what happens to prisoners in your world. I assure you that you will be treated well here, just like the other prisoners." he said.
"Pardon me if I do not take your word for it. So… what is your name…General?" I asked. His eyes went a bit wide.
"How did you know I am a general?"
"I recognize a commander when I see him. Your uniform was a dead giveaway. Definitely different than the common soldier. The rank… I guessed it."
"Brigadier General Karl Dietrich. I belong to the Bundeswehr, armed forces of Germany, and commanding officer of the 1st Earth Allied Army." he introduced himself. "Your name?"
"General Tasius Lucius of the Empire. Commander of the 7th Legion Legacy of Godasen." I introduced myself and my legion with pride in my voice.
"What kind of person are you, General?"
"The kind who wants to do what is right.". But what is the right thing to do?
"Then tell me, how many troops are there in the mountains?"
"And why would I give you that kind of information?"
"Because you want to do the right thing. Listen General Tasius, we captured you on the southern flank. And our aircraft noticed that your soldiers are in a state of disarray already. Many are retreating to the east, towards your capital. And then some stay back to fight but are no match without their leader to efficiently coordinate them. Obviously your officers are doing a terrible job."
What? My soldiers are retreating so soon? No, that can't be! We are the Legacy of Godasen after all, for Gods' sake! The legion bearing the name of the Battle of Godasen cannot retreat…
My adversary resumed his speaking. "My men have breached now in the southern flank and are advancing almost unopposed. In a day at best we have control of the pass through the Duma Mountains you fiercely tried to defend. I will give you that, General, you put sticks in our wheels big time. You and your friends just north of here who we are dealing with as we speak right now. So why don't you want to cooperate and tell your troops to stand down and return home after this mess is over? Tell your friends on the northern flank of the pass in the mountains to stand down too before I order them to be burned alive with air strikes. Definitely someone good they have in command there since they are still holding up. Maybe another general or one of your best officers?" he said.
Damn this guy! He's good. Damn good. "Do you honestly believe that I'd help you invade our lands…General…Karl?"
He sighed. "Do you need me to remind you who attacked who first? Several months ago, an expeditionary force through the gate…?"
"And yet you invade us in return. Any person true to his oath to the Empire will take up arms to throw you back through the gate."
The man turned around and said something to the two guards. They then proceeded to help me on my feet and let my hands free of the metal contraption which held them captive. Gods, it felt good to feel my hands again. "Come with me, General Tasius." he almost ordered. The two escorted us, making sure I am not trying anything funny.
I couldn't make out a lot in the night but their strange carts produced light just enough for me to see bits of their camp. They had mostly tents and what looked like two buildings. The walls seemed thin and looked like they were built in a haste. Later I would learn that there I will spend a fair amount of time, in a prison.
We came to a large green tent with a red cross in a white square. There was a lot of activity going on there. Once we went in, I knew why. It was filled with wounded and people tending to them. They had many women in white coats with blood stains on them. The cries of the wounded… reminded me of my days as a young legionnaire and when I had to tend to the wounded.
But what left me dumbfounded was the presence of someone important. The general lead me to a bed on which Tullius was sleeping and recovering from his wounds. And right to him was Princess Pina with three of her knights.
"Princess Pina…" I let out a loud whisper. She was looking down on a young enemy soldier near Tullius. She raised her eyes to meet my questioning look. She frowned as she looked at me. She didn't recognize me but she was able to tell my rank from my armor.
"General…" she said. I bowed before her.
"General Tasius?" the older knight asked. The other two girls, a blonde who I guessed to be Palesti's daughter, Bozes, and a brown haired younger one looked at the aging knight.
"That is me, good sir. Who am I heaving the pleasure to meet besides her Imperial Princess and the knight Bozes Co Palesti?" I asked.
The man saluted me as he stated his name. "Grey Co Aldo! We've met before but I doubt you remember me, my lord. It was on formal occasions in my late years as a knight of the Rose Order of Knights."
"May I ask what Princess Pina and her knights are doing here, in an enemy camp?"
The princess cleared her throat before speaking. "I came to see how one of Italica's defenders is doing." and looked down to the man in green. The lad was a young one. Probably around his twenties.
I was again confused. One of the enemy soldiers a defender of Italica? Nah! "What do you mean, Princess? That young soldier is part of the army we are fighting right now. Why would he defend Italica from his own comrades?"
Princess Pina smiled at my questions before clarifying it for me. "This man and 19 other of his friends saved Italica from the soldiers of the Empire and of the vassal nations who turned to banditry after their defeat at Alnus. If it wasn't for them, General… I would be a slave or dead. Me and the whole population of the town. This one's name is Kurata if I remember well… Then…" she looked at Dietrich who was standing to my right now "…General, or former Colonel, Dietrich came with reinforcements to secure Italica." she ended with a smile on her lips.
I turned to this Dietrich to my right. "Why would you save a city of ours?" I asked.
"You forget we are not you, General Tasius. We do not plunder and burn towns, we protect the people. We even take care of the bandits in the countryside. We are the exact opposite of your armies as far as I've seen from them." Dietrich said.
I shifted my eyes to Tullius and walked near him. The man was wounded big time. Dietrich came near me and spoke with a low voice. "My men brought him 30 minutes ago. The doctor doesn't know if he will survive. Nasty shrapnel wounds he got to himself after he charged a tank formation. Probably came face to face with them unwillingly in his attempt to flank an infantry unit. You know him?"
"Yes, Legate Tullius… good man… It pains me to see him like this." I replied.
"General Tasius, if you know what is best for you, for the Empire and its people… heed her words." Dietrich said to me before leaving us alone. I think he signaled the two guards to keep an eye on us.
Her Highness came to me. "General, let us walk." she commanded and went ahead. Of course I followed her. We walked outside the tent. I followed her somewhere more quiet. Her two knights and the two guards were behind us.
She initiated dialogue, her eyes looking up at the moon. "I will answer your questions, General. I know what you have on your mind. And I'll try to be as concise as possible. We have no time, people on either sides are losing their lives. They have been dying for the past few days. I've met the Earth soldiers at Italica."
"Earth..?"
"Yes, that is how their world is called. They are a world divided in more than 200 countries. But they are very close to each other. They have worldwide organizations composed of many nations. They might even be on the road to a government who will unify all nations under one banner. And not through war." she continued.
Was she a traitor? Did she defect to the enemy? I must ask her… "How do you know so much of them, Princess?"
"I have visited their world. Italica was besieged by our former soldiers and vassals. After their defeat at Alnus, they resorted to banditry and insanity. They came to Italica and saved us. Right now we are dealing with Japan – the country we attacked and the country I visited – and their friends: United States of America, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Canada. They have all sent soldiers and are aiding Japan in this conflict."
"I thought they were vassals for a brief moment."
"No. There is no such thing as vassalage in their world. They eliminated the concept, there are no nobles… it really is a different world, full of wonders and horrors at the same time. They have a longer history than any civilization we know on Falmart. After Italica, I went to their world and agreed with their representatives on a preliminary peace treaty."
"WHAT!?". She looked up in my eyes a bit annoyed by my outburst. "My apologies, Princess. That I did not expect to hear. Do you realize what the Senate and what your father would think of you?"
"General, that is of little concern to me. They have been very good in terms of peace. They want concessions from us and a certain autonomy to the lands around Alnus and Italica and mining rights for certain resources. Every prisoner will be released almost for free. And I've seen them, they are well fed and taken care of. Their soldiers and doctors tend even to our wounded. Hear me. I want to bring this senseless war to an end as soon as possible. They want peace. And they want to bring to justice those who orchestrated the attack through the gate. They demand justice." she said much more bitterly and with sorrow too. I could feel it in her voice.
"You would have to give them many key figures within the Senate and your father and eldest brother."
"We can work around that later on. Will you help me, General Tasius? Will you help me in convincing our dear senators to sue for peace?"
"Princess Pina…"
"Their kindness is plentiful for their friends, for the helpless, defenseless and for those who surrender. And their wrath… let us just say that you would see hell unleash before your eyes should you cross them and anger them."
What is she doing? "Princess Pina… do you actually want what is best for the Empire and its people?"
She looked at me again. Right into my dark eyes with her ruby red ones when she gave an answer I could not argue with. "You know what happened at Alnus. You know what happened at Italica… You see it before your eyes… We can't stand against such a force. They have the power to send the Empire back into the age when we didn't know how to build a single house. And every day we spend doing nothing, they receive reinforcements through the gate. They are making ready to take the capital by force and take it upon themselves to bring to justice the ones who ordered the attack on their world.
We can't hold out, General. I just want to save our country before it comes crushing down on us. The JSDF and its allies know it is more than detrimental for the entire continent to take out the largest stability factor – the Empire. But they have the means to defend themselves from anything. They can provide for the people too, should they seek refuge with the JSDF. Alnus already has some refugees. They can kill a fire dragon! General, how many more facts do I have to present you to see that it is better to make peace than chase a delusional dream of conquering!?"
I was left speechless for a few seconds. Did they? Our legionnaires were more than able to inflict casualties upon them. But we were losing many more men than they did. Alright… I will go with her now. But should she betray her words, I will see it myself to have her head. I cleared my throat before giving my answer.
"Then I shall aid you in your quest of persuading the leadership of the Empire to sue for peace, Princess Pina. But I will not hesitate to take action if you are not true to your words."
She smiled. "Good. For I am not Zorzal. Tell me, how are things back home?"
"Not the best. The Senate is arguing as always. There are the doves, those who want peace. And then there is the pro war faction. Your father, Emperor Molt, is leaving things to me, Titus and Adranos when it comes to the army affairs. And your brother… you know him all too well, Your Highness."
"Heh… Is General Titus with your legion? I remember hearing a report that his command, the 4th Legion Dragons of Sadera, was destroyed at Alnus."
"Lord Adranos assigned General Titus as the commanding officer of his legion while he stays back in the capital and makes sure we get reinforcements and equipment. He is leading the 6th Legion The Sixth of Adranos."
"Didn't know the 6th was named after the former leader itself." Pina said with a smile.
"The old man was the one to rebuild the legion and see it restored to its former glory. He is the one who lead them in the fights against the orcs of the Knappnai mountains to the west when the orcs descended upon the local population. Nasty creatures if you ask me, milady. If not for the then General Adranos, Bellnahgo who is just north of the magic city of Rondel would have been sacked by the damn cave dwelling filthy monsters. And it is he who put down the rather rebellious tribes of the forests around Seth Lake." I praised the old man.
"I am quite familiar with General Adranos' deeds, now Lord Adranos. Is General Titus north of Bravil?"
"Yes. But I see things are going bad for him too."
She stiffened and gave me her first order. "General Tasius, my first order to you as Princess Pina of the Empire is to get your men to stand down. Talk to General Titus and get him to stand down. Right now the JSDF is slowly but surely destroying his forces just north of our location, in the fields. Save as many lives as you can. And have Lord Adranos stop sending troops westwards. We must stop the fighting."
"It might take some time to reach those who are in combat areas. And those who are isolated might keep fighting and causing trouble…"
"They have captured a mage and are holding him prisoner. Somehow they have the means to keep him sleeping for the best part of the day and he is too weakened to cast any dangerous spell. I will talk to General Dietrich, we can use the mage and his telepathic magic to send the orders as soon as possible. I will see to it right now. Many are already surrendering after tasting a first engagement with Earth Allied Armies. The power they possess scares too many, but it is better for them to surrender now and be treated well than have to bury more. Get going, General. We have a lot to do."
"As you command, Princess!"
END OF POV
Duma Mountains, Appia highway east of Bravil
D-Day + 46 days, 1100 hours
Atop an M113 APC were Arlette and Jun, the two war correspondents tasked with documenting the more military side of Japan's campaign in the Special Region. They were escorted by a Bradley and a Type 74 tank. In the convoy were more APCs and trucks ready to evacuate wounded and dead back to Bravil and from there to field hospitals or morgues.
Both of them were required to wear a bulletproof vest and a helmet. They had set up a live wireless broadcasting station with the assistance of three technicians borrowed from Dietrich, the few he could spare. They were now broadcasting live back home through the station and through the gate. Every major news channel on Earth was now broadcasting what Jun was filming and what Arlette was speaking.
Arlette: "Hello ladies and gentlemen who are following as in front of your TVs or listening to us on radio. It's been some days since we first arrived in the Special Region to document the ongoing hostilities between the nation of Japan and its allies and the hegemonic state known as the Empire who months ago launched a surprise attack on Tokyo, Ginza district, and massacred many civilians. Their failed attempt of conquering Japan saw the intervention of an expeditionary force who is right now engaged in brutal combat against the Imperial forces.
Me and my colleague Jun here are on our way to the front lines, to where the Italian troops, the Alpini, fought hours ago a desperate fight against more numerous Imperial forces. We are with a convoy of trucks, light and heavy armor who is on its way to evacuate more wounded or dead Italian troops.
Yes, you have heard me right, dead Italian troops. According to Brigadier General Karl Dietrich, the commanding officer of the 1st Earth Allied Army who was tasked with securing a vital route through a mountain range and secure an FOB for our forces to be in striking range of the Empire's capital, informed me that his estimates of sustained casualties is around the number 1,000 soldiers."
Jun raised the camera to record the flag of Combat Unit Europa, component unit of the 1st EAA. The dark blue font with the three yellow stars in the upper right and lower left, with the Canadian red maple leaf in the other corners, planet Earth sketched in the middle in white lines like the U.N.'s emblem and with the writing in golden letters of Combat Unit Europa. He then moved the camera just a bit lower and focused on the APC commander's face who smiled and waved to the camera before focusing again on the road ahead.
"The 1st EAA has been literally fighting for the past three days on every front – in the mountains and in the northern plains against a flanking army of the Empire. Their forces have been broken and many of their troops are surrendering to our own or are fighting desperate resistance battles in small resistance pockets which are slowly and steadily eliminated by ground forces with the assist of the AH-1 Cobra and Huey helicopters or F-4 and A-10 CAS.
Again, the hero of Ginza and his team had a role to play in defending a strategic position against superior enemy numbers who charged their positions in the opening moments of the battle. First Lieutenant Itami Youji, commanding officer of the Third Recon Team, successfully held his ground with his troops until reinforcements arrived and put an end to the Empire's attempt of flanking our boys in Bravil."
Now a wrecked Type 74 tank came into view as the convoy passed by it. The tank was incapacitated and was abandoned by the roadside.
"The tank you just saw was incapacitated by what we believe to be enemy battle mages. They have proven themselves to be more than effective in fighting our armored vehicles and infantry. Ultimately, they were just a small obstacle in the path for victory. According to rumors circulated by the soldiers, one Huey helicopter was shot down by an enemy mage who was able to cast a fire magic attack on the aircraft.
Also, the Alpini managed to capture an enemy general who was later on identified as General Tasius Lucius, commanding officer of the 7th Legion Legacy of Godasen. The legion who attempted to defend the mountain pass but only delayed our troops. Right now we are on our way to the sector in which the Alpini captured the general and dug in for at least two days of terrible fighting."
Duma Mountains, Italian sector
D-Day + 46 days, 1200 hours
After not too long, they reached the Italian positions. Jun and Arlette dismounted the APC and went ahead, escorted by soldiers, to see the Alpini. The camera captured wounded soldiers being carried to the APCs and trucks to be evacuated, soldiers with dirt on their faces and blood stains on their clothes.
One of the wounded evacuated had a knife stuck in his left arm. A small group had severe burn marks, probably from a fire attack spell cast by a mage. Others were evacuated on a stretcher. They then came to what looked like a graveyard. She was moving just in front of Jun.
Every person on Earth who was following them through Jun's camera has seen Arlette coming to a sudden halt in the clearing. She gasped and brought her right hand to her mouth, covering it. The French reporter had a shock at the sight of soldiers being buried before her eyes.
There were at least a hundred graves and more were being prepared. To the right of every grave was the body of a fallen Alpini. Jun came closer and snapped her back to reality. They then approached the men. Their woodland camo clothing was full of dirt and blood. One of the soldiers who was digging noticed them in their dark-blue vests with PRESS written on their chests and back. The man left his shovel in the ground and approached them.
"What are civilians doing here?" he asked breathing heavily.
Jun fixed the camera on the soldier who approached them. He had dirt all over his face, mixed with sweat. Arlette took the word. "We are war correspondents. My name is Arlette, the cameraman is Jun."
"Yes, I see you are war correspondents. My question is what are you doing here? We are not in the clear yet, not until reinforcements arrive."
Just before Arlette had the chance to speak again, the Italian's radio kicked in. "Major, Japanese troops are here, they are disembarking from the trucks and APCs and are headed your way. Their CO says there are 800 of them."
Arlette straightened her back. It was Major Dante she was speaking to, the commanding officer of the Italian contingent. Dante then replied through the radio: "Copy that, send them where they are needed."
Same voice on his radio: "Yes, sir. We are also ordered to take a break after they arrive here, General's orders."
"Alright, soldier. Thanks."
"Major Dante?" Arlette asked.
"Yes, that is me, miss. Now you can be here, knowing we have reinforcements we can fend off any other attack, especially when we consider how unorganized they are since we took their general prisoner. Now if you'll excuse me, miss Arlette…" Dante says and looks towards his men who were lowering the bodies into the fresh dug graves, "I must attend the funerals… You are more than welcome to join us."
The Major returned to his men and stood at attention with the others. Arlette and Jun were with them. Major Dante spoke for everyone, he knew he was being recorded and made his best.
"Alpini! The past two days were sad indeed. We have lost friends, fellow comrades. Families back home have lost brothers, sons and fathers. But they know they fell on the field of battle, true to their words. All 157 Italian soldiers died knowing they did not disappoint their predecessors. 'Nobody passes here!' was their war cry. And so was ours! I feel the weight of their deaths harder than anyone else since I was the one who was honored with the command of our unit. And I understand you all too well. Salute!" and they all saluted their fallen comrades.
Jun recorded the rows of graves marked by their rifles, helmets and dogtags. The Italian flag was flying in the wind, on a pole set up by the Alpini; the green, white and red flag wes to let everyone know that here 157 Italian soldiers were laid to eternal rest. After the soldiers broke the ranks, Arlette asked Dante: "Major, how did so many die?"
Dante was now struggling to fight off his tears before the camera. "They fought bravely against overwhelming enemy numbers and in difficult terrain. They stood true to their words as Alpini. I just hope that they will get better graves. I want to give them the cross at their heads."
"We had superior technology. Were you not able to shoot the enemy from afar?"
"We did our best. The trees provided damn good cover. Thank God for the artillery and air support or we'd all be dead otherwise. Those damn ogres, the foul beasts… they claimed half of our fallen in the last attack. I was about to get smashed by one if not for a brave young lad."
Arlette looked over Dante's shoulder at two young soldiers who were kneeling before a grave and were crying. She also noticed a blue – yellow – red ribbon tied to the M4's stock, just below the helmet. Dante looked at them. All around were soldiers who were attending to their friends' graves.
"That grave... belongs to the one who saved my life. He was killed by an ogre, every bone and organ in his body was shattered. He was Private Felix Teodoroiu." Dante said as he walked to the two remaining Romanian ethnics in his unit, the Morun brothers.
Soon, the two started singing a song and caught everyone's attention. Everybody listened and shed tears to the lyrics. Only Jun and Arlette were unable to understand exactly what they were singing since it was in Italian. The Italian adaptation for a Romanian song dedicated to those fallen in battle
Sprinkle on their graves, the words of praise
For the fortunate heroes' sleep to be sweeter,
Raise on the pyramid of immortality their fame,
The song of immortality, written in the golden books.
The children you should fondle them with this melody,
Tell them with glory about the heroes' ascension.
Unveil the whole truth and spread it to everyone,
How your brothers died for the nation and their country.
And on the sacred graves lay down tears and flowers,
For the thousands of soldiers to have a sweet sleep.
Raise on the pyramid of immortality their fame,
The song of immortality, written in the golden books.
The children you should fondle with this melody,
Tell them with glory about the heroes' ascension.
Unveil the whole truth and spread it to everyone,
How your brothers died for the nation and their country.
Special Region, Fel'kren, Mountain Range of Ice and Snow
Meanwhile
Alistair was in his winter woodland camo clothing and equipped for combat. He sat down on his knees on the wooden floor in his room. His black helmet on his head, black knee and elbow pads on. He was checking his rifle and pistol one more time. He had enough food in his backpack for a while. Mack's notebook was still there, he really wanted to get that one to his family.
He closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. He was pained by something. Was it the last time Emroy visited him in his sleep? He told him that he will fight again and it will be soon. And every damn day with no action makes him more and more uncomfortable. The words the god of war and darkness said to him… that he will fight again, that he will entertain him, that the darkness will be there for him…
The sound of the opening door woke him up from his thoughts. Alia's voice spoke with some resignation: "Al… it's time to leave…". He then heard her heavy footsteps walking along the hallway. She had her armor on. Alistair closed his backpack and got up on his feet. He turned around and walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
He walked downstairs and joined Alia on the staircase. He looked at her shorter frame, took in her dark blue hair as it danced a little bit at her every step. He held his rifle in his left hand. Downstairs they met with Vigor who had a questioning expression on his face.
Vigor: "Where are you two going?"
Alia: "Vigor, old man… I thank you for your hospitality. But we must get going. We need to reach Alnus or Italica at least."
Vigor: "Why?"
Alistair: "We cannot leave you people like this. The army I'm with is more than likely to be fighting the Empire right now. And I don't see the commanders to authorize an expeditionary force so far up north too soon. I intend to return and change their mind. We have no idea how long this standoff with Hardy will be up. She might create more of her hellish spawn, monsters and who knows what else… and come for everyone."
Alia: "We have to leave, Vigor. We can't spend an eternity here just because we have a break. Take care, old man!"
She hugged him and the innkeeper returned the hug. "Take care out there child! I do have a feeling you'll be back."
Alistair simply gave a military salute and left the inn. He was shortly followed by Alia. Her blue colors were not matching at all Alistair's green and black. They made their way to the southern gate from where they wanted to make their way south. Probably reach the Row stream and buy or build a boat to travel by water just like Titus did when he took his men from the capital to the Row and used the river as a means of transportation to the Romaria Mountains.
Alistair: "You're awfully quiet, girl."
She gave him a fake smile. "There is nothing I have on my mind right now, that's why. Don't worry."
Alistair: "You're not particularly good at telling lies, you know?"
Alia: "Bah! I'm just thinking of what Emroy told you. Nothing interesting happened these past few days… Nothing interesting for him."
Alistair: "Yeah… Man, I'm so looking forward to see my team and that lazy ass Itami. Even if for a short time… I want to see them."
Alia: "Maybe I'll meet them too. What kind of people are they?"
Alistair smiled as he remembered their few adventures through the Special Region after their deployment. "Good people. They like to help. They are good soldiers. When you meet them, you'll see for yourself."
They arrived at the southern gate. The guards bid them farewell. They were well known in town for their assistance in defending the town. Some locals were gathering to see them. Once they were passed the gates, they felt the cold win blowing against their faces.
The gates did not close behind them because of those who wanted to watch them leave. The two companions smiled at each other when they noticed it. But just as they turned their attention on the road ahead, they came to a sudden halt.
Before them stood a woman. Moments ago she wasn't there. But now, she was in the middle of the road with a scythe in her hand and white showing clothing. Her skin was an ocean blue and her hair white. She even had dragon wings and her feet resembled that of a dragon's.
Alistair narrowed his eyes and put his finger on the trigger but didn't point the M4 at her. Alia put her left hand on the sword's hilt, gently moving her fingers on it, ready to strike her down if she was hostile.
"My, my… you don't have to be so tense. It's not like it will be of any good, you know…" she said.
Alistair asked with a demanding tone: "Who are you!?"
"Does it really matter for someone who is about to die?"
Alistair: "So, you don't care about you name, girl?"
Alia spoke with anger: "She is Giselle, Hardy's apostle."
Giselle: "Ooh, someone not that stupid."
Alia: "The only stupid around here is you, you monster!"
Giselle gave a crazy laugh at Alia's words. "So, were these your last words?"
Alia was about to draw her blade when Alistair's left hand fell on her right arm. She gave him a questioning look. His eyes were pretty calm for the situation at hand. He nodded, dropped his backpack and took a few steps forward.
Alistair: "What makes you so sure you can… kill us?"
Giselle: "You fool! Don't you know who I am?"
Alistair: "Hardy's bitch, obviously."
Giselle got angry. "Big mouth for a dead worm! Don't mess with an apostle!" she shouted as she charged forward.
Alistair just raised his rifle and fired at her. Giselle felt the bullets tore through her cloth and flesh and collapsed in pain, staining the snowy road red. Alistair reloaded his gun, he fired an entire clip. He then spoke softly as he walked towards her: "You're not even half of what Rory is. She radiates danger. You make me laugh!"
He was startled when Giselle moved her hand just a second after she collapsed. She helped herself up with a grin. Alistair noticed the bullets on the ground. 'What!? She regenerated? And so fast!? Damn, can't imagine what Rory can do…' his mind spoke to itself.
She used her scythe to knock Alistair off his feet and to the ground. She got up and knocked the rifle off Alistair's hands when he was still disoriented from the fall. She then raised her scythe to kill Alistair. Just when he was about to roll over, Alia's blade came from Giselle's right and stabbed her where the liver would be. She let out a cry of pain as she staggered back. Alia pulled her blade out of Giselle and helped Alistair get up on his feet.
"Thanks!"
"Don't mention it. She seems to leave herself open far too much."
"Don't get cocky, the two of you!" Giselle taunted as she recovered from her wound and charged ahead. Alia blocked her scythe from swinging further on with her katana. Giselle, being an apostle, possesses the strength of several well built men. She was overpowering Alia. Alistair delivered a roundhouse kick to Giselle's left temple and threw her back, freeing Alia from her impossible duel.
'Where the bloody hell is my rifle!?' he kept asking himself while looking around. His gun was nowhere to be seen and there was no time to search for it with an apostle who made her life goal to kill the two of them.
"I must admit that you have Rory's smell on you, you damn bastard." Giselle said as she prepared another attack. She sprinted towards Alia and knocked her on her back with a knee hit to her stomach. Alistair could swear he saw a small steel plate bend from the hit. Alia fell flat on her back and gasped for air. Her armor did a good job in absorbing most of the blow's force. The Frost Guard had one of the best armor sets.
Giselle continued racing towards Alistair. He ducked in the last moment and grabbed her by the legs. Giselle stumbled and missed her slicing attack with the massive scythe. Alistair got on top of her and punched her a few times in the jaws and even ears to disorient her. He then immediately pulled his knife and went for a stab but his opponent caught his arm by the wrist and threw him off.
Alistair rolled over two times from the force he was thrown with, knife still in hand. He got back up and started dodging blows and slashes from Giselle. His hand to hand combat was something he could brag about. At one moment he held the knife in his left hand and, as he dodged yet another scythe attack, he dodged to his right side and was able to cut Giselle's throat open with the knife and his momentum.
Blood gushed once more. She wasn't able to breathe and was chocking on her own blood. But due to her regenerative powers it wasn't for long. Each time she suffered injuries she was getting more and more upset. Alistair rushed over at Alia and helped her get on her feet. But Giselle's blow brought both of them down again. She grabbed the British officer from his neck and punched him in the chest, shattering several ribs.
He was then thrown against a tree. His entire torso hurt like hell. Alia attempted another slash and Giselle. She cut her arm but Giselle didn't mind it. She, in return, cut Alia's right hand from elbow to shoulder with the tip of her scythe. The young blue haired warrior fell crying in pain, her blue clothing soaking with blood. Giselle was walking towards Alistair.
When he saw Alia's condition it was like something had awaken in him. He was filled with rage and anger against Hardy's apostle. "You god damn whore!" he screamed in anger.
"I will enjoy myself with your girlfriend's dead body afterwards!" Giselle spat an insult as she was closing the distance with an evil smile, her teeth showing. Alistair showed an unbreakable will and, leaning against the tree, got up on his feet.
"I see you still have some strength left. Other humans would have come to a halt by now.. but you…" BANG! The apostle felt a sharp pain in her back. She turned around only to see Alia forcing herself to fire the M1911 Alistair gave her. This first shot was the only one that counted because she wasn't accurate with her left hand and the other six just missed. Giselle just growled at her. Alia couldn't do anything in her condition right now.
Giselle then turned around and saw Alistair pointing the same pistol model at her. At first she as dumbfounded. She glanced back at Alia. 'No! She still has that weapon in her hand!' she thought before blacking out from a .45 ACP round in the head.
"No way she survived that…" Alistair said and slowly tried to make his way towards Alia. He was very weakened from the injuries and blood was slowly coming out of his mouth. "No, Al! Don't get close to her!" Alia warned.
"What..? She's de…" but he was so wrong. 'Then I have to gut you open like a fish and cut every limb of yours.' he thought to himself. Giselle's bloodshot red eyes met his. He was unable to move when he stared into her eyes. She immediately grabbed him from his neck once more.
"Die, you human weakling! And watch me kill your woman as you suffocate when I crush your wind pipe!" she grimly said and applied a lot of pressure to his neck before letting him down. Alistair's head fell with his eyes towards Alia, his life force was slowly diminishing from his body with every failed attempt to breathe.
'NO! NO NO NO!' he shouted in his mind. Giselle let out a crazy laugh before walking towards Alia. "Watch me as I do the same to her.". These words infuriated him to the extreme. 'ALIAAA! GET OUT OF HERE!' his mind screamed again. 'You bitch… Hardy… I'm sorry girl… AAAA!'. In his dying moments, Lieutenant Alistair was nothing more than the embodiment of anger and wrath.
The world went dark just when Giselle reached Alia. The last thing he saw was blurry and it was the image of Giselle reaching with her right hand for a grounded Alia.
The next thing he knew was darkness. He felt only anger in a very dark place with no light at all. He was too busy with worrying for Alia to start asking himself where he was now. For all he cared, he could be in hell.
"I'll kill you, you damn bitch! You and your lesbian master, Hardy!" he screamed.
Then he heard a deep grave voice laughing. It was familiar. Was it Emroy?
"Who is there!?" he asked. "I have no time for these games!"
"Indeed, you don't. In a few moments the person you hold dear will die."
"Let me out of here! Let me get back there!"
"Uh!? I must admit, you are stupid. While you three entertained me… you are dead now, soldier."
"What? Dead!?"
"What else? I see that you died angry, with grudge in your soul. You will be a restless one and cause me trouble if I take you in right now…"
"Dammit! ALIAA!"
"Do you want to return back?"
"Huh?"
"That girl will be your sin… soldier. She is the reason you died without peace in your soul. She is the reason I cannot take you in right now. And she is the reason for your curse. She will be… no, she already is. She is your sin!"
"SEND ME BACK TO HER ALREADY! I MUST SAVE HER!"
"Yes! Yes! Yes! AHAHAHAA! Yeees, feel the rage burn you, fuel you! Are you sure you want to go back? I ask you more as a formality because the answer is clear to me. Do you really wish to?"
"YES!"
"You will not be the same, remember that. I will grant you the means to entertain me more. But you will never be the same once you return. They will not see a human anymore, for you will not be a human once you go back."
"SHUT IT AND SEND ME BACK THERE ALREADY!"
"As you wish. Here, touch that dark flame…" and, indeed, a dark flame appeared before his eyes in the darkness. It shed an unnatural dark light. "It will give you everything you need to know. Remember that in your quest for life you will only find death. And remember, when you touch it… remember how your companion will die! Then imagine Giselle pleasuring herself with her corpse! Hahahahaha!"
Emroy's last words pumped every last bit of rage into Alistair's now dead soul. He reached his ethereal hand and grabbed the flame. As soon as he did that, a white flash blinded him. The next thing he saw… was Giselle slowly grabbing Alia by her chin.
AN: So… wow, finally finished writing. Please, leave a full review on this chapter :D everything you thought about it. About the Italians, Tasius and Pina and Dietrich and the last part with Alistair and Alia. Review and 'till the next time!