Second Chances: Chapter 1

Author's note: This is a fanfic I made few years ago, and I just found it now. So a fact that you should know is that this thing story is probably flawed and most likely isn't as good. But I just didn't want it go to waste. So if you think this story is interesting, go and support me for it.

XXXXX

October 3, 2041

A huge portal opened up in North America and military like forces came pouring out, attacking any humans they see. The US military quickly reacted and managed to halt the strange forces from advancing any further and made the world aware of this. These strange forces were automated machines that imitates the current military technology. They dispersed into dust once they are considered destroyed.

December 8, 2041

After months of bloody stalemates, the Americans have pushed the hostile forces to destruction and destroyed the portal and achieved their hard earned victory. Unfortunately, two portals opened up in Europe. This time, the enemy units were imitating European forces, from tanks to infantry, and to the extension, air forces. The numbers was doubled, and Europe was thrown to bloodshed again.

March 3, 2042

The hostiles were officially dubbed as 'Teras', meaning monster in Greek. Europe still struggles to hold the line, while other untouched nations either sent some reinforcements, or prepare themselves for possible Teras attacks. The US is still fixing itself and can only send limited number of units to assist Europe. Unfortunately for them, three portals opened up again in North America. One in Arizona, California, and Texas.

August 28, 2042

The Americans are once again on the struggle to hold of the Teras. The damage from the first opening portal was devastating, but three portals at the same time was even more destructive that they had to get their retired weapons back to service to replace their losses. To make things a little worse, two new portals popped in Europe, this time, In France, and Germany.

September 9, 2042

Both Americans and Europeans were forced to use nukes to destroy the portal that keeps churning out the hostile Teras machines. The portals were destroyed easing the pressure significantly. But after an hour it was nuked, each nations had a portal appearing in their doorsteps. And to make things worse, the portals had nuke intercepting systems, making it difficult or simply outright impossible for underdeveloped military to take it down.

November 1, 2042

Things gets worse for humanity when portals are appearing everywhere. Many little nations are falling and the rest are just holding on. Scientists tried to understand the Teras some more to find a way to end them. Unfortunately, they only discovered terrifying facts. When humans sent out a rather advanced weaponry, the Teras retaliates with the same weapons as well, but in higher numbers. A notable example is when the US was forced to deploy a prototype fighter from Area 51 as a desperate measure. The next day, the Teras portals churned out hundreds of the same advanced fighters. This means that the Teras aren't just some mindless killing machines.

February 19, 2043

At this point, many nations have fallen, and its remaining forces and refugees decided to either make a last stand, or evacuate to other nations that are still standing. 50% percent of the human population has been wiped out already. Russia manages to get through the nuclear defense systems of the Teras, and nuke the largest portal. Three slightly smaller portals opened up after a day. Many concluded that nuking a portal will mean more will take its place, so everyone was rather reluctant to destroy the portals.

July 20, 2043

With manpower getting low, humanity is struggling to keep holding the line. To the point that Germany used an AI on their crew served combat vehicles so it will only require one person to operate it, decreasing the manpower needed. Other nations started adopting to this idea as well.

April 4, 2044

America, China, Japan, France, England, and other nations have fallen. Their people fought hard and made a last stand so others can evacuate, with the hope that they can kill off the Teras and restore their nations one day.

January 12, 2045

Humanity as a whole is now holding out in a small patch of ground, or the capital of Russia, Moscow. The city was the last stand for humanity, and it was a miracle that they survived so long. Many people from other nations have now evacuated to this heavily fortified city. AA systems everywhere, tanks and other combat vehicles rolled in every streets, sky was full of aircrafts doing patrols, and every person living in the place had a gun of any kind in hand, ready to fight at any moment.

Many wonder why they are still fighting even though they'll eventually die sooner or later… guess no one wants to die quiet it seems.

May 14, 2045 – Present Day

"How are ya doing mate?" A rather young soldier approaches an unmoving person who has his back turned at him and had a shovel in his hands, staring blankly on a makeshift grave.

"I'm fine…" There was a long pause, before sighing heavily. "Actually, no… I'm not fine. Physically, I'm okay, no injuries, but mentall-"

"You don't have to be specific Alexander. I know what you feel." The young British soldier interrupts his friend known as Alexander and puts a hand in his shoulder as a way to comfort him.

"Justin, I-I just… I wish I could've done better…" Alexander turns to his British friend Justin, and looks at him with a regretful gaze. "If I just didn't hesitate, and ran quickly I could've saved Alice…"

Justin gave his friend a light punch to his shoulder. "And you getting shredded by bullets? You're not in a tank Alex. And I'm pretty sure Alice would be pissed if you stupidly join her to the other side. Hell, your father is going to kill me as well if you die stupidly! Come on man… I know we're both hormone addled 18-year olds but come on man…"

Alexander just looks at him with his red eyes unamusingly. "You… you're terrible at comforting you know."

"Yeah… I guess I am. You know what, come here." Justin pulls his friend for a tight hug. "A hug always is the best way to comfort someone, just like my mother always does."

"Fuck you man…" Alexander says, but accepted the hug for few seconds. "And let me go. Hugging is gay."

"This is a bro hug, so it's not gay. Don't worry." And Justin emphasizes it, by hugging him a little more tightly.

"Ugh…" Alexander reluctantly kept hugging his friend, and sighs in relief after a minute when Justin finally lets him go.

"Feeling better?"

"Yeah… a bit." Alexander looks back at the makeshift grave and then glances further, seeing thousands of similar graves as well. Many people are either burying their comrades, or just visiting a fallen friend. Alex felt gloomy at the sight, what's used to be an open field, is now nothing more than graveyard for his friends, countrymen, and fellow humans that died to the Teras.

"Come on Alex, its cold out here. Pretty sure Alice wouldn't want you to spend your time out here in the snow. She'd be dragging you inside to get some tea." Justin signals him to follow to which Alexander replies by sighing and brushing his white hair with his palm, giving one last look to Alice's grave before leaving.

"By the way, Alice makes coffee. And I prefer coffee over tea."

"Fuck coffee." Justin raises his voice and makes a somewhat dramatic 'hating' expression.

Alexander can only chuckle at Justin's theatrics. 'I guess this is what they meant about smile before your possible death.'

"Let me guess, somewhere around a hundred or two died in the last Teras raid?" His deep voice echoed throughout the room as he faced the young officer carrying news.

"Almost three hundred casualties' sir. Specifically, about 289 soldiers died in the last raid along with 9 SAM sites getting knocked out, 6 aircrafts shot down, and 7 of the tanks totally destroyed and unsalvageable. That includes your two Abrams." The officer reported professionally, but his tone was rather upset and his eyes were empty but had rage in it.

The USMC Commander sighs heavily and slumps down to his seat. "This… at this point we can probably stand for three or four months. Faster if more men loses morale and commit suicide knowing there's no way to go."

"I'd rather die fighting sir. The fuckers took many things from us." The officer replies, this time in a less professional tone.

"I agree on that Lieutenant Carlos. I agree. But I highly doubt our fighting spirits and hate won't bring us too far against the Teras." The commander frustratingly says as he rubbed his forehead in annoyance. "You can drop the formalities for now soldier. I'm not in the mood of being a professional moment in these short times of peace."

"As much as I want to take a break and have a little chat, I am needed elsewhere. I just came here to send a report and to let you know that there's a meeting." The young lieutenant answers.

"Alright, you can go." The USMC Commander, Michael Heller, sighs again as he leans down his chair. "Fought for my homeland, and now I'm on the other side of the world fighting alongside the Ruskies… such a strange fate…"

Heller then stood up, and walked outside of his damaged command bunker. His tall, imposing figure made him quite intimidating, but the soldiers saluting him are more on the respecting side of things as he was known to be a hero as he saved a squad from getting annihilated during the first Teras portal opening in America.

Michael Heller was proud of himself of the fact he made a name for himself. Being bullied for having a dark-skin during his childhood gave him the motivation to make a name of himself and be respected by many people around him. Needless to say the dream was accomplished. Unfortunately, that dream is a little pointless now with the current situation the world is in. Fought the first Teras invasion, get sent to Europe as reinforcements, and hear news that his homeland died.

And here he is, in Russia. Fighting to defend the remaining population of humanity. From 15 Billion, to a mere 10 million. It was clear that they have lost, but just like many people, if they are going to die, they'll die standing. And he can heavily agree to that as much as pointless it seems. Maybe there's hope if they really try to hold their ground as much as it's unlikely.

Reaching the meeting place in a nearby building, the high-ranked Marine enters the building as the two soldiers guarding its doors saluted and opened the doors for him. He reaches the meeting room five minutes early, and unsurprisingly, many commanders were in there, ready to make plans to continue their last stand with their remaining resources.

'Here we go again.'

"Ma'am, the factory has been repaired and will continue the steady flow of nanomachines." A female sergeant reported to another woman who was older than her.

"That tone Sergeant Kuribayashi. I know there's bad news in there." Shino flinched as the woman in her lab coat guessed it right.

No point in hiding things from Ms. Zherdeva it seems. "Unfortunately, the factory on the west can't be saved… we don't have enough. We're going to get a shortage soon enough."

The woman in her late 30's simply sighs at the great inconvenience. Nanomachines can do great things, but they really shine when it comes to healing most organic creatures especially humans, or repairing materials like damaged armor of tanks. With a shortage, things will be going to be a little harder for everyone.

Damned Teras.

Natasha Zherdeva can thank the Teras for uniting mankind to the point they can share highly classified technology like the said nanomachines, the idea of humanity being wiped out sooner or later is just a terrible thought to think about. All her dreams, achievements would be forgotten. Even her fellow scientists too. Actually, the rest of humanity feels this way. All of the things they want to achieve is pretty much impossible, all the history they made and humanity as a whole, erased.

To make things worse? People have families out there, loved ones dying to those merciless machines from whatever place they came from, and messed up purpose they follow. It's hard standing from afar, watching the people you cared for leaving to fight, worrying that they might not come back. Her brother and sister already died along with her other friends, what's next? Her husband and children dying a pointless death?

"Ma'am? Are you okay?" The young sergeant asked in concern seeing the well-respected scientist almost in tears.

"Da… I'm fine." She wipes off her tears, removing the gloomy thoughts. "Call the other higher-ups for me. A discussion about supplies is needed to be done."

"Yes ma'am." Shino saluted the woman, even though Ms. Natasha was no soldier. It was more of a general respect than formalities.

"Oh and Kuribayashi?"

"Yes ma'am?" Shino paused at the door as the scientist called for her.

"Is your right arm feeling fine?"

Shino pulls up her right sleeve and looks at her right arm. It was normal, save for the slightly darker veins that occasionally bulges. "My arm is feeling fine ma'am. The nanomachines did its job as intended."

"Fucking hell! Another one?! In a single day?! Those damned Teras are really making more aggressive moves as time goes!" Justin's question wasn't answered by his squad as the air raid sirens and nearby SAM sites launched their missiles, making lots of noise for anyone to hear. On the other hand, his squad leader doesn't need to order them as they all ran to their APC so they can be sent in and defend to sectors that needs reinforcements.

Moments of running, they finally reached their APC, a modified BTR-90, they didn't hesitate and simply mount up. In front of the APC, was a tank, specifically a modified T-90MS, both speeding up in the streets to rush to the location they are needed. Didn't take too long before they link up with other units as well, notably, all vehicles were just recently repaired, hence they were far off from the frontlines.

"Alexander here. Finally got my tank fixed." Alexander says in his radio and he receives a relieved feeling from his squad especially when they saw a modified T-80UK joining the convoy.

"Finally, our heavy armor and firepower is back and watching our backs. Thank god." Justin exclaims happily, along with his fellow squad members.

"Enough with the chit-chat boys. Remain in focus." The old squad leader orders out and silencing the squad mostly consisting of young soldiers. "Reconnaissance units reported a Teras mechanized battalion advancing in the southeast, and I'm pretty sure you all know the defenders have suffered some heavy pounding yesterday, so it's our turn to be mainline defenders for now."

"Mechanized forces? Well isn't that great…" A random squad member mutters in annoyance, which was heavily understandable. Because mechanized forces often has armored vehicles supporting the infantry, meaning they have to deal with the pressure of armored boxes while they're supposed to deal with the robotic horde.

"Well, platoon 2 and 6 already have their tanks fixed, and the US Army offered to assist with a tank platoon, so we don't have to worry much of getting pounded by Teras armor. So yes, as usual, we're dealing with the infantry and support our armor." The old squad leader assures his squad.

"Don't worry comrades, I'll do what I can to protect you all. Kalina might be old, but she can still fight." The voice of Alexander came through the squad's radio.

"Heh. You really love your tank don't you?"

"Of course Sergeant Matthew. Kalina here is a great representation of a fighting woman."

"Oh god…" Some of the squad member groans in annoyance, while others just laugh it off.

*BOOM*

"Alright! We're in the frontlines! Get your asses to your defensive positions! The Teras can come here at any moment! Go, go, go!" Squad leader Matthew ordered the squad and exits the cramped APC. He looks around and saw the defensive structures damaged, but still useable. There were many crater holes and many spent casings everywhere along with the rumbling noise of armored vehicles going in hull down positions in some dug-outs to get ready for the incoming onslaught.

In the distance, he can barely see a dark, purple blob of merciless machines going towards their general location. Behind him, he can hear both self-propelled artillery fire of rounds towards the horde, hoping to weaken them enough for the rest to handle. Even aircrafts have joined the fray, in the skies, he can see all of them firing off their missiles to the distance before breaking off and dumping flares when to avoid missiles from hitting them.

"Good luck out there." He mutters to the brave pilots in the skies.

"Sergeant Matthew." A voice from his side called out.

"Lieutenant." He salutes the Japanese man in of him. "My squad are already in their defensive positions. We're now waiting for the Teras to come in range."

"Good to hear that sergeant. But I didn't ask for a report." Itami sighs sorrowfully and pulls out a dog-tag from his jacket. "Your sister… she was shot down. She ejected successfully but…"

The Japanese lieutenant sighs again, trying to have the guts to tell the bad news. He wasn't going to get used to being the bearer of bad news. "While parachuting, she was shot by a Teras fighter… I'm sorry Matthew…"

The Sergeant just quietly took the dog-tags staring at it for a bit before muttering a small, yet empty 'thanks' to Itami, before he walked off to his squad.

"All units. The Teras are getting close. Get ready."

"Range set, adjusting elevation." Alexander mutters, as he stares at the gun sight of the 125mm cannon, gently pushing the trigger and watching a Teras Leopard 2 copy getting immobilized and open to the next finishing shot.

It was rather odd to operate a tank by yourself, usually he heard stories of his grandfather operating tanks by commanding the crew and doing their respective roles. But with humanity with low manpower, they had to make many crew served vehicles mostly AI operated to decrease the number of men needed to operate it. Just like a videogame, you only require on person to operate the war machine. While there are overall 10 million people, those people are not fit for combat, or are required to operate the factories, and other important non-combat roles, especially logistics.

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

A warning of an enemy missile locking in and flying towards his tank. By reflex, Alexander immediately activated the Point Defense Laser or PDL to shoot down the incoming missile which barely reached him and the missiles remains ended up harmlessly bouncing off his beloved tank. The whir of the auto-loader loading an explosive shell to the breach was heard, as Alexander intends to blow up the bastard that attempted to launch a missile at him.

After a seconds of working with the AI's sensor systems, he finally found it. It was Teras BMP-2 copy that launched an ATGM at him. The Teras light armor backed off to the tree line, knowing that it was spotted, but it was too late as the HE shell landed to its side and tearing it to half from the explosion and unintentionally, killing the nearby hostile infantry.

With the annoyance gone, he continued his original job and eliminate enemy armor-

"All forces! Fall back to the second line! The enemy just launched their rocket artillery before our flyboys can destroy them! Fall back! Fall back!" The radio shouted in panic. Alexander immediately pulls the joystick back and the AI moving the tank backwards, while also automatically correcting minor movements.

Other tanks fall back from their dug-outs but not before covering the infantry that was going to their assigned transports. With people doing what they can to survive, the evac was quick, but it felt like hours in such environments like a warzone. After the transports had moved, the tanks follow, only for the said rocket artillery to pound their positions.

Alexander was lucky that none landed close, but he felt the shockwave either way. Although two fellow tankers were less fortunate, as he barely saw a T-90 getting directly hit, and a Challenger 2 getting de-tracked from the explosions. Alex just sighs, he can't do much to help, as their old position was still getting pounded by artillery.

"Just another day in Moscow…"

Meanwhile in another Dimension…

He stood there, watching as his army prepared itself to voyage and conquer the unknown. Brave men stood in disciplined formation ready to lead the way, beastmen on the side, ready to support and throw their live for the empire, wyverns flew nearby, ready to scout ahead and provide death from above, and mages, making their final preparations to open the Gate to the unknown.

It gave a smile to Amadeus, the commander of the Imperial Expeditionary Army. He was finally going to make a name for himself and bring glory to his Empire. Being a patriot from a family with a huge military tradition, Amadeus was rather enthusiastic to finally achieve something big. Sure, he is a well experienced commander and fighter, but fighting lowly tribes and hunting bandits pales in comparison to the achievements of his ancestors where they fought and lead their army against other kingdoms.

Crossing to new different world is a rare opportunity, and being assigned to be in-charge of the said expeditionary army was a blessing from both the emperor and the gods themselves! He was proud of himself that the royal family have noticed his achievements, especially Prince Zorzal. The son of the emperor have noticed his competency during the invasion of the Warrior Bunny Tribe.

He grabs his necklace and gives its family sigil a proud gaze. "Don't worry father, grandfather, great grandfather, all my ancestors out there, I will make you all proud." Amadeus says to the clear skies before putting his necklace behind his ornate armor.

"My liege. The Mages are ready to open the Gate."

Amadeus confidently walks to the stage. With his mages ready to start the other world expansion, it was time to rile up the troops.

"Warriors of the Empire!" Amadeus paused as the men shouted with high spirits cheering for new adventure and conquest. "For Centuries, the Empire has stood as the most powerful nation! We have conquered many surrounding savages and made them civilized! We stopped invaders from the sea and even made new discoveries from beyond! But why stop there?! The gods have sent us a message that there's a new land out there! Ready for us to conquer it and expand the empires lands! Today is a great day to make a name for ourselves, and we will be part of history!"

The many Imperial units cheered, but the less willing beast men and enslaved warriors were less so, being the same victims of the Empires rapid and greedy expansion.

"Mages! Open the gates!" Amadeus unsheathes his sword and points at the Gate. "The time is now for a new generation!"

"I think you need this coffee, general." Michael gave a cup of coffee to the Old Russian general.

"485 men lost. Along with at least 19 combat vehicles and 14 aircraft completely destroyed…" General Zhukov sighs and took a sip of the coffee. "If this continues on a daily basis, it's safe to say we're dead in few months."

"As much as I'm ready to die… I don't want the children to end like this..." A German general says, joining the rather gloomy atmosphere.

Michael can't help but to agree. He might be in the age of 40 but having lost so many things important to him like loved ones, and his country meant that he was ready to die. But the younger generation? As much as they are often foolish, he doesn't want them to end in a tragedy like this.

Before he can make any replies, the radio suddenly came to life. "This is Aegir 3! There's a breach! There's a portal that appeared in the industrial zone!"

"A what?!" General Zhukov stood up in alert, same goes for other superiors in the command room.

"Hold on…" The man on the other side of the radio had some hesitation in his voice. "What the… are you seeing this…?"

"What is it Aegir 3? Can you give us a visual?" One of the commanders interrupts.

"O-okay sir." Few moments later, the screen in the command room opens up and shows a rather odd sight. Instead of the usual dark purple portal with unknown materials that holds it together, the portal on the screen was built around a medieval style building that reeks with ancient roman aesthetics. And the other odd thing is… the figures that was coming out of it.

It wasn't some robotic infantry along with armored war machines rushing out of the portal like what the Teras often do, but what they see were medieval roman soldiers along with…

"What the hell is that? Aegir 3, if this is some prank you're pulling off, then cut it off!" Michael immediately commanded. But before he can say more, a figure in ornate armor riding a horse stepped in front of the fantasy army, and give out a shouting order in a strange language.

Chaos followed after.

"Gentlemen…" A French Gentleman called them out as he looked out from the reinforced door, looking at the distance. "I don't think it's some prank…"

The high-ranking men and women looked at one another in an awkward silence before immediately scrambling to start the alarm and give out orders.

"Turn on the turrets! Get the civilians in! Go! Go!" Natasha Zherdeva watched the civilians rushing to the bunkers. Thankfully, the people were used to rushed evacuations for good reason and a stampede was less likely when the said civilians were used to it.

Natasha didn't know, but she heard about strange things like Orcs, Wyverns, and some other creatures that you hear in fiction. But no matter, she needs to follow orders. As the last civilians in the sector have entered the bunker, the blast doors slowly closes. But in a glimpse, she saw a group of medieval soldiers in horsebacks.

"What the…?"

"What the fuck is that…?" Justin asked the same question that got into everyone's mind. The defense in the south eastern sector was done, and they did the usual clean-up, restocking of ammunition, and heal or fix things. But despite their depressing losses, they all paused when they saw several wyverns in the distant sky.

At first, one of them thought it was their sanity finally dying, but after everyone got a look at it. No one even knows what they are seeing. Alexander has the same feeling. Seriously, what is that thing? Did someone just created some replica of a Wyvern to enjoy their last days?

And then Alexander noticed the operator of a Tunguska parked besides his tank. The man got a call on his radio and then goes inside the turret before the whole AA system was alive and the guns immediately pointed itself to the wyverns.

*BRRT*

After a short burst, the Wyvern and its rider was immediately shredded and blood sprayed everywhere. The remains of the creature simply splattered to one of the abandoned buildings.

"All units! This is not a joke despite how ridiculous it sounds! A portal opened up in the industrial zone! We have a breach! We're being attacked by some strange fantasy army or something!" Their radio's shouted at them, prompting them to have an awkward silence, as they look at one another.

"Stop standing around! Those are direct orders from the general! Everyone, get to the industrial zone and reinforce it! Go! Go! Go!" Sergeant Matthew finally broke the silence and get everyone back to their feet, all scrambling to their vehicles and equipment.

And to hammer that the situation is serious, the air raid sirens blared out and nearby AA emplacements fired of their shots towards the targets in the industrial area.

"I don't know if this is a dream, and why we're sharing it Justin, but I want to know on where and how this dream would end." Alexander utters in disbelief as he slowly got back to his tank.

"Me too… me too…" Justin agrees, not sure where on what he just heard on the radio.

The engines of their BTR-90, and the whine of the turbine engine of Alexander's modified T-80UK immediately follows as a convoy formed up, all rushing to the sector in need of support.

"What a strange day…"

And that's that. So just like what I said, tell me if you're interested in this story so I can continue it, because I have doubts on this one. And yeah, I agree, the settings is rather crazy but hey, worth a shot sharing this. Review and make a proper constructive criticism on the flaws you have found, I would prefer to improve my writing skills as time goes.