1914, June 28th
It was a normal day for the world. The Kaiser dealt with minor incidents with the Russian Tsardom. France stared with longing hate at Alsace-Lorraine. Austria-Hungary dealt with its minorities, and the Ottoman's kept a fragile grip on its empire, and Japan continued to eye China. Little did they know, that that day, everything was going to change forever
Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary.
Three men stood within a cheering crowd. They carried pistols, Molotov cocktails, and other guerilla weapons. They communicated via hand signals, it was perfect timing, the Archduke's car drove down the road, the first man prepared to throw,
Screech!
"Everyone! look!" The men turned their sights a massive Gate appeared in the Archduke's path, Soldiers took aim inside, Scrawww! Dragons emerged from the gate, Followed by inhuman soldiers and human calvary. "Fire!" The officer in front lashed his sword. Machine guns mowed down horses. The infantry marched up. Clack! Clang! "(Fire!)" The bullets ricocheted off shields. Some shooting the slits in helmets. Then the machine guns finished reloading. The infantry fell in droves, some managed to make it to the Austrian soldiers and engaged in hand to hand combat. Bayonets rang against swords of iron. "Archers!" Arrows rained on the Austrians, the crowd had long scattered, then the Austrian Calvary came, holding rifles they rode down the infantry, but the enemy had calvary of their own, swords clashed, men were thrown out of saddles and shot or stabbed. It was bloody, but the invaders were being driven back.
Berlin, German Empire
"(There's no end to them!)" Dragon's and infantry poured through the gate. "(We are NOT gassing Berlin!)" An officer shouted. An armored car rolled up. The German soldiers relaxed, they had reinforcements
Istanbul, Ottoman Empire.
A Turkish officer slashed at an oncoming infantryman. Rifles discharged, and bayonets clashed against swords. A soldier butted a swordsman in the head, then shot him. A machine gun fired from a building. Rat-tat-tat-tat! An Ottoman Fighter strafed the enemy, finally, their lines broke, and the enemy was on the run.
Ginza, the Japanese Empire
"Tennoheika banzai!" Japanese soldiers stormed the imperial lines. The invading army had never made it beyond the gate. While they didn't have the air support of European nations, they still had superior firepower and morale. No one could simply invade Tokyo, ever!
Days later, Vienna
Mehmed V, Emperor Franz Joseph, Kaiser Wilhelm the Second, and Emperor Taisho of Japan sat discussing the appearance of the gates in their nations. "(This could be incredible! The armies we were attacked by were medieval barbarians! Imagine the wealth! Our empires could see rapid industrialization! Those pesky Westerners will never think to challenge us again!" Mehmed V said. It was no surprise that everyone here loathed Britain. "(The problem is where do we get the manpower to secure the Unexplored Region?)" Wilhelm II questioned. "(The Ottomans have a spare army doing nothing in Anatolia. 100,000 men or so.)" The other leaders nodded. They had similar cases in various colonies. "(Still, even Medieval barbarians can give us trouble. Their shields are a mix of metal and wood, and their breastplates are completely metal.)" Wilhelm II said. "(Do we even know if it's the same army attacking all of us?)" The Ottoman Sultan pulled out a tattered flag. "(This is their flag.)" He brandished a Saderan Flag.
Saderan Empire, Sadera, Imperial Year 687
"Tch! Our invading army was wiped out!" Emperor Molt Sol Augustus sat on his throne placidly. "That is correct." The senator bowed. "Send our reserves! Now!"
Gate, Berlin
30,000 German soldiers stood at rigid attention. Leading them was Germany's 7th Prince Vernier Wilhelm. He as Germany's 7th Prince had next to no claim to the throne. He realized that his only chance to prove his worth was in this expedition. "(Men! Proud soldiers of Germany! Beyond this gate lies a land waiting for our shining eagle! Beyond this gate lies a land of opulence and hope! Standing in our way is a mere army of medieval soldiers! We are not going to be swayed! We are the German Empire!)" He shouted. The soldiers cheered and marched into the gate
Outside the 4 Gates, Alnus Hill
Erik Vernier surveyed the situation. He was surprised to see the Japanese, Ottomans, and Austrians all here. But the more the better. He surveyed the army that approached them and estimated their numbers. An elderly general walked up to him. "(Prince Vernier, what is your course of action?)" he asked. "(We brought around 30,000 men. The Ottomans and Austrians about 40,000. The Japanese have the most, with 50,000 men, our combined total is around 120,000 men, as well as 10 artillery units and 20 armored cars, more or less counting Auxillary units. Our best course is to hold out against the enemy army until we either A, Get more troops, or B, Establish an airfield, and subsequent air superiority.)" Vernier explained. The General nodded. Vernier turned to him and smiled the General was Erik Von Grenichen. He practically raised Vernier in the absence of his father. "(You show far more military intellect than your father.)" Erik joked. "(That's treason)" Vernier laughed. "(I'm an old man! If I don't die in a cell I'll die of a stroke!)" Erik laughed. In reality, he had just turned 48 when Vernier was born he was 29. So he was still rather youthful. He turned serious. "(That's a lot of men.)" He said quietly. Vernier nodded. "(That's why we should hold. Our best advantage right now is our technological superiority. Even then it's not much.)"
Imperial Army Later
Ogres, goblins, and other beasts breathed heavily. Their moist breath fouling the air around them. Sardean soldiers stood readily at attention. Finally, an order came. "Archers!" 2,000 archers raised their bows all carrying flaming arrows. "Fire!" The arrows soared toward the defenses of the enemy.
Central Powers
Flaming arrows rained down. The Central Powers held firm. The arrows either fell short of the trench or ended up sailing over the trench, barely. It was no secret that if the sappers hadn't worked fast the armies would be exposed with only medium natural cover. However, the armies weren't worried about the arrows, it was the shields and armor. Trench warfare was a mix of ranged and melee combat. While they had the advantage in ranged combat. The other side would smash them when it came to close quarters. The only way to stop them was to make sure they didn't get close, and that fell down to the Maxim's and artillery.
The other side charged at last. Rifle's cracked, artillery rained on the approaching army. The Sardeans screamed and died in droves. Maxims rained hell on the enemy. The finally some Sardeans managed to make it to the first trench. Bayonet versus Gladius. The bloody melee ended as fast as it began, that is to say, very slowly. But the Sarderans eventually broke and retreated. Chased by artillery shells, rifles, and Maxim guns.
1st Battle of Alnus Hill
Combatants; Central Powers
German Empire: 30,000 soldiers, 1 armored car, 7 artillery pieces
Ottoman Empire: 20,000 soldiers
Austro-Hungarian Empire: 20,000 soldiers, 4 armored cars, 1 artillery
Japanese Empire: 50,000 soldiers, 2 artillery
Combatants; Sarderan Empire and Vassals
Sarderan Empire; 70,000 Swordsmen, 10,000 Calvary, 2,000 archers
Demihuman vassals; 17,000 goblins, 1,000 trolls, 1,000 Ogres
Leaders: Central Powers
German Empire; 7th Prince Vernier Wilhelm, Erik Von Grenichen
Ottoman Empire: General Dehal Ihumad,
Japanese Empire; General Toniko Hamana,
Austro-Hungarian Empire: General Otto Rajez, General Karl Von Gustave
Leaders: Sarderan Empire and Vassals
Sarderan Empire: General Godasen
Casualties; Central Powers
German Empire: 134 soldiers
Ottoman Empire: 196 soldiers
Austro-Hungarian Empire: 154 soldiers
Japanese Empire: 204 soldiers
Casualties; Sarderan Empire and Vassals
Sarderan Empire: 65,354 Swordsmen, 7,234 calvary,
Demihuman Vassals: 16,789 goblins, 879 trolls, 689 ogres
Result
Overwhelming Central Powers Victory
Outcome
-Central Powers held Alnus.
-Destruction of 60% of all Sarderan military power