Chapter 41 - Who Dares Wins Part 2

"See you later, Kingsley."

"Good luck," Kingsley nodded. "Keep an eye out for any Death Eater activity."

Tonks gave a quick nod before dashing out of the room, following the Auror down the hallways of the DMLE. Tables and cubicles gave way to armouries and preparation rooms where Aurors were running about to and fro, most of them just returning from their attempts to track the perpetrators of the breaches throughout the National Ward Grid.

Prep Room Five was a medium-sized room, shelves stocked with various potions and magical equipment were flushed to one side of the wall while a row of lockers occupied the other side. A large blackboard and a table took up the middle of the room, currently filled with maps and notes. The rest of the team was already inside, pulling out their gear from the lockers. Tonks fell into the rhythm, opening her designated locker. Out came the dragonhide vest which fit snugly under the khaki combat robes and Tonk gave her potions sash a quick check.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen," said the section leader, Auror Lieutenant Hill. "I'm sure you've all heard, at about one-six-three-zero hours, two Obliviators deployed themselves to the Scottish border. It's been thirty minutes since then, they haven't reported back and we haven't heard a whiff from the Russian Aurors. We're sent in for search and rescue, and we're going in blind. The National Ward Grid has been picking up a lot, but none of them makes sense. Orders from Madam Bones cuts us from getting an idea of the situation. Worst case scenario, we'll be facing the Black Mark the moment we apparate in."

"Let's be honest, sir," said one of the Aurors. "This is just Scrimgeour's excuse to get involved and find out what's going on."

"I didn't say that," Hill coughed. "Nonetheless, Scrimgeour has requested that we adopt a reconnaissance formation rather than a search formation."

Chuckles broke out across the prep room, the order from Scrimgeour was enough evidence that the Head Auror was trying to force his way into being involved in the crisis. Hill waved off the chuckles, pointing to the map and giving quick instructions. The brief was done in five minutes and the section stood by for the signal to apparate.

Tonks had been through formation drills long enough to know her role. A British Auror section consisted of six Aurors, split into three teams of two. In a reconnaissance formation, one team stayed in the rear with long range sensory equipment while the other two established forward observation.

"All teams, disapparate."

Tonks spun on the spot and disapparated, she was immediately hit with a stifling sensation, a telltale sign her Apparition destination was blocked.

"Anti-Disapparition wards are placed at our destination. Disapparate to second bound instead."

Tonks concentrated on the new destination and disapparated. This time she went through, though forced to appear further away from their original destination. Upon landing, Tonks looked around and saw Hill apparate next to her. Being the most junior Auror in the section, she was naturally paired up with the highest ranking Auror.

"Eyes open, Tonks," Hill said crisply. "And don't bloody trip on stupid things this time."

"Understood," Tonks grimaced first at the comment then at the distant plumes of black. "Smoke columns, ten o'clock. Quite a distance away."

"Aye, we'll scout that," Hill nodded, taking a quick glance at the copper plate attached to the sleeves of his robes. "Team Three's picking up high magical signals towards three o'clock."

The copper plate was a standard issue to the Aurors, enchanted with a Protean Charm as means of communication aside from the Patronus Charm.

"Team Two will be heading to three o'clock," said Hill, pulling out a broomstick from one of his magically extended pouches. "Follow me, we'll take the ten o'clock."

Mirroring Hill's actions, the two of them flew into the skies in order to get a better view. From the maps laid out in the prep room, Tonks knew there was a Muggle village coming up ahead. It made matters messier, a Muggle population near them meant more attention had to be paid to the Statute of Secrecy. The village came into view and she could see burning buildings, parts of the road which cut through the village were also in flames. It looked like a textbook Death Eater raid from the 70s that the instructors loved to show back in Basic Auror Training. At least there were no Dark Marks in the sky this time, but that was neither good nor bad.

They approached closer to the scene, Tonks had yet to see any dead Muggles on the streets, hopefully they wised up and hid from danger. However, she had yet to see any Russian Aurors or Hit Wizards around the village, the place was quiet. Did Madam Bones not pass this situation into Russian hands? Finally, a body caught her eye, lying in a pool of blood on the front lawn of a house.

"Body," Tonks reported tersely. "Row of yellow houses, the lawn at the front end of the street. Looks- wait, movement near the body. Around the corner."

A figure peeked around the corner of a house for several seconds before ducking back. A taller figure reappeared and, despite the distance, Tonk could see a wand in the figure's hand. The clothing was unfamiliar, unlike both the ragged Black Mark people or the midnight blue robes of the Russian Aurors.

"Doesn't look like Russian Aurors to me," Hill muttered, pulling out his omnioculars.

Tonks did the same to get a better look at the mysterious figure. Correction: figures. A second one appeared behind the first, followed by a third. Peering through her omnioculars, Tonks could see them dressed in drab grey jackets and vests. They had strange masks: glass lenses and wide, stocky tubes attached to each side of the checks. The lead figure looked up and stared at her, causing Tonks to flinch slightly.

"Sir, I think we're being spotted," said Tonks.

"Unlikely, we have the sun behind us and we're at least five hundred metres away," Hill replied, still looking through his omnioculars. "Cast a Disillusionment Charm as a precaution and maintain observation."

The figure raised an arm and began waving, not in manner akin to greeting but in a threatening manner, as though demanding them to leave.

"Is that cunt waving us off?" Hill exclaimed in disbelief.

"What are the chances those are a specialised unit of Russian Aurors?" Tonks asked. "Madam Bones did say this whole incident is under Russian control."

"Russians waving us off on British soil?" Hill snorted. "I'll shove Merlin's pants up their arses. Wands at the ready, Tonks."

Tonks tailed behind her commander as the two of them began descending, releasing their Disillusionment Charms. The three masked figures showed no signs of hostility, rather they moved over to check on the lifeless body. One of them still kept watch on the two Aurors as they landed. Tonks' gaze went over to the lifeless body, it was dressed in the same way as the three suspicious people.

"Halt, I'm an Auror from the British Ministry of Magic," Hill declared. "State your purpose."

The two of the unknowns simply stared back in silence, the third crouched over the body waving her wand. Well, Tonks assumed it was a female based on the black ponytail. She looked short too, all three of them did. They looked slightly eerie with those strange masks too, definitely not Death Eaters, she had seen their masks during Basic Auror Training.

"If you do not identify yourselves," said Hill, clearly vexed by their silence. "I'll have to apprehend the three of you."

"Why are you here, British?" the tallest of the three finally spoke. Tonks immediately took note of the slight Russian accent.

What were the chances they were related to Voldemort? Tonk gave a mental shake of the head, they were more likely under the Russian Ministry.

"I'm the one asking the questions here," Hill snarled, the grip on his wand tightening.

"We're looking for two British Obliviators," Tonks stepped forward, hoping to prevent any possible fight. She and Hill were Aurors, but they were still outnumbered with no gauge of the unknowns' abilities. Judging by the fact none of the unknowns have fired a single spell, there was a high possibility they were under the Russian Ministry. "Did you see any?"

Two of the unknowns looked at each other before one of them reached into a pouch and threw out two guinea pigs. A quick wave of the wand from the same unknown transfigured the guinea pigs into humans, both of them in Obliviator uniforms. One was clearly dead, a gaping hole in his chest, the other was shivering madly, his eyeballs rolled into the back of his head. Tonks flinched back in surprise, suppressing the rising bile in the back of her throat.

"Found them five minutes ago," one of them grunted. "At the edge of the village."

"What happened here?" Hill asked wearily, staring at the lifeless body as he slowly copied Tonks' line of thought regarding the identities of these people. "Why is one of your men dead?"

"We respectfully refuse to answer that question."

The female unknown who had been crouched over the body stood up, transfiguring the body into a guinea pig and stowing it in a pouch. She made her way to the other two and muttered something in hushed Russian. One of them nodded and flicked his wand, summoning broomsticks from behind a nearby house.

"Hold it, you still haven't answered my question," said Hill, aiming his wand at the unknowns. "Who are you people?"

"Sir, if they are who we think they are, we shouldn't start an international incident," Tonks whispered.

"And if they're not who we think they are and they're taking advantage of that," Hill replied in his own whisper. "Then we'll have allowed a potential lead to slip away. Hey! I said hold it!"

The unknowns paid Hill no heed, mounting their broomsticks.

"Stupefy!"

The jet of red flew from the tip of Hill's wand and Tonks moved on instinct, following up on Hill's attack and casting a wide-area Freezing Charm.

The unknowns reacted with unprecedented speed, the female casting a Shield Charm so fast Tonks could have sworn the female acted on premonition. Blocking the rebounding magic, Tonks ducked as a wave of fire flew over her head. Smoke erupted between them and to her left, Hill waved his wand.

"Oh no you don't," Hill growled, casting a jinx in the unknowns' direction. "Their broomsticks should be disabled, move up."

Hill flicked his wand and vanished the smoke, cursing as he saw the three unknowns sprinting on foot, disabled broomsticks slung over their shoulders. "Fuck, after them."

Tonks mounted her broomstick, firing spells as she accelerated. A curse from Hill rushed towards the unknowns and the female reacted instantly, casting a Shield Charm. Tonks hid a grin, Hill was known for brute forcing through Shield Charms. Hill's curse shattered the charm and the spell connected with the back of one of the male unknowns. A vicious tear emerged from his vest and he fell onto the ground, but Tonk saw no blood and the unknown recovered quickly, clambering off the ground and resuming his sprint.

The unknowns were well equipped, the fact that one of them took a curse from Hill and could still recover at the pace meant clothing enchanted with more than just the standard Shield Charms or dragonhide gear. They were fast too, being able to maintain a diminishing gap on foot despite Tonks and Hill flying on brooms. Tonks thought only werewolves and vampires moved with such speed. She felt herself getting stumped as the capabilities of these unknowns were slowly revealed.

"Hit them with something hard if you need to!" Hill yelled, casting another curse, this one missing. "Because they can sure take a hit."

Tonks nodded and took aim. "Expulso!"

Once more the female reacted instantly, twirling around and swiping her wand, using a Locomotion Charm to move a car into the path of the spell. The car took the spell and sent chunks of metal flying. The car was reduced to scrap but it did its job as a makeshift barrier. The other two unknowns turned around and this time, the Locomotion Charm sent the car hurling straight towards Tonks. Tonks yanked her broom left.

"Immobulus!"

Her spell stopped the car in its tracks, but two spells - one blue and one red - collided against the car and blew it to pieces, shards of metal and a plume of fire flying towards Tonks.

"Protego!"

The Shield Charm from Hill defected the shards and flames, which he transfigured into knives and banished towards the unknowns. The three unknowns threw themselves out of harm's way, the knives instead stabbing deep into the concrete pavement, and ducked into one of the burning houses.

"Tonks, tracking spells, they're magical signatures should be easily tracked by now," Hill yelled, hopping out from his broom and running after them into the building. "Back me up."

Tonks nodded and dismounted, casting the spell as she followed Hill. It was standard procedure to circle around the house to cut off any exits but Tonks respected Hill's order. Even an Auror like Hill would have problems facing the three unknowns on his own. They could easily pick them off one by one if separated.

A cold sensation hit her in the gut and she swore loudly. "Bloody hell, they picked it up and dispelled it."

"They're good. Take off the kid gloves, we're not catching them unless we're striking to kill," Hill grunted, blowing the door of the house away. The two Aurors dashed down the hallway, Hill leading the chase as he turned around a corner where they last saw the unknowns.

The explosion caught Tonks off guard, a deafening thump which sent her stumbling onto the wall as her ears rang. Dust billowed from the corner Hill just entered, Tonks got onto her feet and slowly turned the corner, her wand raised in preparation for the worst.

"Merlin," Tonks gasped, the unknowns were gone but the bloody body of her commander lay on the floor. His mangled body was nearly unrecognisable as bits of bone and sinew were splattered across the walls.

"Homenum Revelio."

Upstairs. Another glance at the body, Scrimgeour would not be pleased.

Grimacing, she ran for the stairs after casting a Supersensory Charm on herself. She was not keen on meeting the same fate as her commander. Casting another Homenum Revelio, she jabbed her wand and tore the door at the end of the corridor apart. The female unknown had her back facing Tonks, the other two were gone. The female unknown broke into a sprint, heading for the open window.

"REDUCTO!"

The female unknown leapt and placed a foot on the window ledge, propelling herself out of the window. The Reductor Curse zipped past where the unknown's right leg was just moments ago. Tonks ran to the window and looked outside. Her jaw dropped.

Firstly, the female unknown had jumped from a second floor window across the alleyway and onto the roof of the opposite house. It was not a possible feat from a normal human. Secondly, Tonks was staring at the glowing wandtips of the other two unknowns.

Tonks threw herself back, casting a Shield Charm as the Blasting Curses from the unknowns sent debris and dust everywhere. Coughing from the excessive dust in the air, Tonks took cover behind the remains of a wall and peeked. The unknowns were gone, Tonks pointed her wand at the copper plate on her wrist, relaying the bad news to the other teams and requesting for backup.

XXXXX

"Jinxes are dispelled," said Jen, throwing Anya her broomstick. "Concealment spells and mount up. Crow, take point."

Anya caught the Nimbus as they ran, layering herself and her broomstick with concealment spells. She leapt off the rooftop and slid onto the Nimbus, shooting off into the streets as she flew close to the ground, no doubt the Aurors would be scanning the skies.

"Where are we heading?" Anya asked.

"Cross the Scottish border first," Jen replied. "I'll ask for instructions... Indigo to Oracle, Asphodel scouted. Confirmation on-"

Anya swerved at a T-junction, speeding down the road and leaving the village. Lifting her hand, she absentmindedly shook off the grenade pin latched on her finger, the piece of metal disappeared into the blur of asphalt. There was no need to worry over it being found, leftovers such as bullet casings and grenade pins had runes or charms to vanish them.

"Not sure if you should have done that," Anya heard Dimitri's disembodied voice. "We hid our rifles for a reason."

"Odds are they'll think it was a spell," Anya replied defensively. "It worked anyway, threw them off for long enough."

It was a simple trick, dropping a fragmentation grenade as they turned a corner.

"The male Auror was missing," Dimitri noted. "Pretty sure you killed or injured that one."

"Pretty sure I don't need a lecture from you," Anya snorted.

"Kak dolgo ty menya znayesh?(How long have you known me?)" Dimitri chuckled. "There's already a dead Obliviator and a cracked Obliviator, one dead Auror wouldn't make much of a difference."

The three of them sped past the border, likely triggering more alarms in the Ministry. British Aurors were not supposed to show up, but the scuffle which took place poked holes into that statement. Anya could only guess that the British Obliviators they found as they were sweeping the village was the cause of this fight.

Another team of Spooks was initially positioned in the village, but it had stopped responding on the radio for too long. Fearing the worst, Aleks had given them the order to assess the situation. The entire team was killed, the burning houses had been clear evidence of a fight which had taken place. Anya, with her right eye, was able to sieve out traces of leftover magic. Much of the magic used involved decoys and screens, a staple among Spooks. It was a surprise when they found the British Obliviators, one dead and one mentally unhinged by spells. Nonetheless, Jen had welcomed a source of much needed information and ravaged the Obliviator's mind for information.

As suspected, everything pointed to the SAS being successfully smuggled into Scotland. Anya was sorely vexed, they still had little idea as to who they were fighting.

"Oracle to Indigo, proceed to Bismuth," Aleks' voice buzzed in Anya's headset. "Evergreen will be present. Take instructions from Angel."

Bismuth. That meant Edinburgh. Evergreen. That meant Edinburgh was extensively warded. Aleks and Nathaniel had likely made use of the fact that the British were unlikely to intervene, ordering wards to be established without holding back.

"Edinburgh," Jen sighed. "That's not good."

He was not wrong, Edinburgh lay along the coast. It was one short hop from exiting the entire National Ward Grid which was another short hop from activating an international portkey. Edinburgh was the last shot at stopping the abducted SAS from leaving British soil.

XXXXX

The hallway echoed with footsteps as Vergilius made his way to the building exit. A fellow member of the Pervoro walked beside him.

"The selected personnel?" Vergilius asked.

"All assembled," the wizard replied.

"Trotsky gave no issue?"

"None, the Muggle seemed willing to help. It seems suspicious."

"It's not. I already had words with him, an agreement was reached."

There was one indisputable advantage Muggles had over the Wizarding World, it was raw manpower. The plan Vergilius had did not require every man to be a wizard, inserting Muggles into certain auxiliary combat elements freed up wizards - and even Squibs - for other roles requiring magic.

Muggle Russia was also embroiled in a civil war, the Bolshevik Reds against the counter-revolutionary Whites. It was obvious to Vergilius which side he should reach out, the Pervoro and the Bolsheviks were technically fighting against the same enemy and both were revolutionaries, albeit differing ideologies. Just as importantly, the Reds had the heartlands of Russia, with greater industry and population under them. Vergilius had apparated to Trotsky's personal study for a lengthy discussion, it was yet another breach in the Statute of Secrecy, not that Vergilius cared.

Leon Trotsky, who headed the Red Army as People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs, accepted the concept of magic and the Wizarding World surprisingly well. It was hard not to when Vergilius blatantly demonstrated spells in front of Trotsky. Initially, Trotsky wanted the Pervoro integrated under Bolshevik control. Vergilius flatly refused the demand. After much back and forth, a consensus was made. Both the Pervoro and the Bolsheviks had no conflicting goals, and cooperation was mutually beneficial. Trotsky would maintain secrecy of the Wizarding World, not because of the Statute but because of its strategic value in secrecy.

Additionally, as many Ministers of Magic around the world have told their Muggle counterparts: who in the world would believe a tall tale such as magic. Vergilius doubted that Trotsky's superior and friend Lenin would believe in him if he ever spoke of this encounter.

Nonetheless, Vergilius had got what he wanted. Among the Red Army Trotsky had raised, a number of the most capable and discrete men were handed over to Vergilius. Additionally, whatever supplies that Vergilius required and the Muggle industry could provide were sent to aid the Pervoro. In return, this force Vergilius was raising would aid the Bolsheviks when possible.

"The Muggle instructors?" Vergilius asked, those men had been exceedingly useful in teaching Muggle weapons and tactics to the Hit Wizards and Aurors who Vergilius had specially selected for this force.

"Redaction Charms applied where necessary, they have been seen off at the Muggle train station."

They had served their usefulness, Vergilius knew full well the tactics and strategies he had in mind would likely require extensive modifications once his force met real combat. By then, the seasoned men under him would serve as better instructors.

Stepping out of the building, Vergilius saw the people assembled. They stood in their contingents, each individual with their equipment laid out in front of them. It had been a challenge, but with the aid of the Squibs - who were still able to perform limited amounts of magic - he had managed to equip every man with magically enhanced rifles. The charms and runic work of an actual witch or wizard was far superior than a Squib, those were reserved for specialised equipment. It was a combination of Aurors, Hit Wizards and Muggles from the Red Army, made from six months of training. Vergilius was glad that the Aurors, Hit Wizards and Muggles were already trained for combat, allowing for a shorter training period.

Many in the Pervoro did not know of this secret force he had assembled, Wizarding Russia and the Wizarding World even further from knowing. A select few in the Bolshevik Reds would know of them, but only one knew its true nature. As for the very men in this force, Vergilius' previous occupation as an Unspeakable from the most capable Department of Mysteries in Europe meant that it was not too difficult to find a magical method of ensuring silence. Every British Unspeakable had a mark tattooed onto their necks, ensuring certain degrees of confidentiality. Vergilius had long cracked the spell sequence of the mark, undoing his own when he left Britain. The spell was modified and placed on every man in this force.

In preparation of this force having to work with the Red Army, Trotsky had assigned them a name for use within Muggle communications. 531st Corps Aviation Detachment. Given the speed in which wizards could travel via Apparition or Portkey, Trotsky deemed it fitting to disguise Vergilius' force on paper as an air force formation.

Vergilius had no names planned, and as a result, it was unofficially adopted by his subordinate officers. The 531st, the name stuck and Vergilius deemed the name obscure enough to be safely used. Those three numbers could have meant anything to an eavesdropper.

Vergilius inspected their equipment and bearing, satisfied with the standards. He strode over to one particular section and checked the radio. It was satisfactory. With the wizarding aristocracy still holding on to control, the Floo network was not an option for communication. Conventionally, owls, flare spells and runners using Apparition were used for communication in wizarding wars. It was far too slow for Vergilius, runners using Apparition may work for a small country but when facing the vast Russian lands, innovation was called for.

He had seen the Muggle invention called radio, using invisible waves to deliver messages instantaneously across long distances. The Muggles had yet to fully utilise it, still partially in the experimentation waters. Given the effects of magic on electronics, Vergilius modified the radio to run on magic instead of electricity. He improved the audio quantity the best he could and had one issued to each section. Faster communications meant a more flexible force. In due future, Vergilius could envision wizarding radio networks for the Wizarding World.

However, the current range of a radio was not far enough, Vergilius had a plan around that. Since Trotsky had designated his force with a Muggle unit name within the Red Army, Vergilius planned to use the Red Army communication lines for long distance communications. The telegraph line the Muggles used was essentially a bastardised Floo network hidden from the eyes of the Wizarding World. It also had the added advantage of not requiring a fireplace, the reason Floo was not used in wartime.

All in all, he was very satisfied with the months he had spent on this. He was itching to see how much he could turn the conventional upside down.

XXXXX

The Hit Wizards loyal to the aristocracy had surrounded the stronghold; it had been a two month siege so far, the revolutionaries were holding onto the fort. The captain of the northern siege forces inspected the ground, the wards his men had laid down were firm. He was not expecting any counterattack; news of successful raids throughout the Volga River had likely stretched the resources of the revolutionaries, but it was safe to be cautious.

The civil war had lasted for ten months, it was unbelievable how far it had escalated. When a group of revolutionaries called the Pervoro denounced the wizarding aristocracy and the Seven who led the wizarding aristocracy, everyone had thought it was a small conflict which would be snuffed out in days. Days turned to weeks and then into months. The Wizarding World had their eyes on Russia.

Here, the captain could give a sigh of relief, the fresh supply of healing potions from Wizarding Britain a clue as to which side the Wizarding World chose. Additionally they had support from the Muggle White movement of the Muggle civil war. Despite the Statute of Secrecy, wizarding aristocracies around the world still rubbed shoulders with their Muggle counterparts. Since a portion of this Muggle White movement still had those very same Muggle counterparts, an alliance was reached.

Despite the alliance, there was not much in terms of working together. Healers from the magical side did render medical aid. Men from the Muggle side provided some supplies and information. Aside from those, each side kept mostly to their own world.

The captain had heard that the revolutionaries were mimicking them, seeking an alliance from the Muggle Bolshevik Reds. It first led to the Muggleborns in Russian community calling the wizarding aristocracy's side the Whites and the Pervoro the Reds. Journalists from the rest of the Wizarding World followed suit. The captain could stand by the name, white stood for purity while red was bloodshed. That meant his side, the Whites, had the moral high ground

A shiver ran down the captain's spine, he looked around. His men were milling about, several detachments heading to the siege line to wear down the stronghold's wards. He checked the detection spells, nothing turned up. The scouts had yet to report, they were the ones who ensured the siege camp was not caught off guard by an outside force. Maybe a runner should be sent to check in the scouts.

Suddenly, bright explosions slammed against the wards of the siege camp. Cries of shock and panic spread through the besiegers. The captain turned his head to the fort, he could see no Red wizards emerging from the stronghold in a counterattack.

A large crack appeared above the camp, the captain gulped, dashing for the ward stones. He failed to reach it as the wards broke, the explosions descending down on his men.

"Sonorus."

The captain cast the spell on himself and bellowed his orders, rallying his men. Fighting through the explosions and propping up Shield Charms as they ran, his men assembled. If it was not an enemy counterattack from the fort, it could only mean an enemy relief force. The captain led the charge, sprinting up the ridge. As they reached the top of the ridge, the captain faltered.

He could not see a single soul. It was impossible, the explosions which were pounding on them had to be the work of a siege spell. Siege spells were bright and obvious, even from its maximum range of five hundred metres. The captain grabbed his omnioculars and surveyed the open plains and the empty skies. He could see no foe to fight.

His men were just as confused. With no direction and enemy, yet all the destruction around them, panic spread through like wildfire as his men attempted to disapparate. Their failed attempts meant that Anti-Disapparition wards had been placed. More explosions ripped through the camp.

"Shield Charms!" the captain yelled. "Buy time for new wards to be made! Viktor, bring four men with you and try to dispel their Anti-Disapparition wards!"

His lieutenant nodded, yelling out his own commands. Around him, Shield Charms were cast at the skies as his best wizards began erecting new wards, blue streams of magic pouring forth into the skies. The situation was still under control, their initial wards had bought them time to react. Now if he could just find where the enemy was.

More screams, the captain cursed under his breath, turning around to see the new problem, his jaw dropped. One of his top Hit Wizards, responsible for erecting the wards, was toppling onto the ground. A blossom of blood flowing from the Hit Wizard's chest as the people nearby stared into horror. The ward, which had not completely solidified, dissolved into thin air. Nobody knew how the man died.

Yells. The captain turned and saw Viktor with his detachment, his lieutenant lay dead on the ground, killed by an unseen force.

An unseen force armed with lethal precision, it was the straw which broke the camel's back. Morale collapsed and his men ran for lives, all discipline lost as explosions continued to rain upon them, killing them.

He felt a hot pressure pushed hard against his chest. The captain fell back as time seemed to slow down. He could see blood flying in front of him. It took seconds to realise it was his own. All he could think was: how?

XXXXX

The beleaguered wizards within the stronghold stared out in surprise. Explosions were tearing apart the besiegers. Cheers travelled along the battlements at the arrival of a relief force. It was about time help arrived.

The leader of the stronghold rallied his men for a counterattack. The morale which had been rock bottom suddenly soared sky high, every man eager to pay back their besiegers the suffering they had endured. Charging out from the north exit where explosions had torn apart the northern siege camp, the Red wizards fanned out pushing the routing White wizards to the western and eastern siege camps.

Their routing foes had spread more panic to the western and eastern siege camps. Soon, the besiegers were in full retreat, failing to disapparate due to Anti-Disapparition wards and forced to run. The men of the stronghold cheered as the siege was broken. The leader of the stronghold went out to seek their relief force, eager to thank them and celebrate together.

To his confusion, he could not see any relief force. Had they left just as fast as they arrived? Thankful as he was, the leader still grumbled slightly, it had been poor sport to not shake hands at the very least. Confusion turned to shock as reports came in, every straggler of the Whites who had been killed before his men could catch up, apparently hunted down by their unknown relief force. Now the leader was curious, which unit within the Pervoro could be so ruthlessly efficient?

XXXXX

March 1920

It was such a momentous change. A civil war which the leading Pervoro figures had anticipated would require a guerilla war of at least five years and up to ten years was cut down brutally to two years. Vergilius' previous occupation as an Unspeakable was a priceless boon, his knowledge of the inner workings of National Ward Grids had allowed the Whites greatest advantage to be neutered. Classified spells originally restricted to the Unspeakables of the British Department of Mysteries were taught to select teams within the 531st. These teams then opened holes all over the Russian National Ward Grid for the Red wizards and the 531st to act with efficient speed. Not that the Russian National Ward Grid was strong, it was one of the greatest disadvantages of having a large landmass, wards were spread more thinly.

The 531st became an unseen terror, the conventional rules of the wizarding art of war flipped on its head. The minor actions of raiding and skrimshing became a dangerous risk to the Whites, and as the war progressed and Vergilius improved on the tactics used by the 531st, it became a death wish to any White wizards daring enough to enact a minor action.

With such ruthless efficiency, international attention on the wizarding civil war increased. Cries of outrage rose from many of the European wizarding communities, wizarding newspapers reported the countless bloodshed and massacres. The ICW denounced the Reds with its leading Pervoro, and as news trickled in that the wizarding Reds had cooperated with the Muggle Reds - thereby breaking the Statute of Secrecy - denunciation turned to condemnation and calls for intervention.

Just as the ICW had called for an expedition into Wizarding Russia for an intervention, Vergilius and his 531st surrounded Serebro Citadel in Yakutia, the final White stronghold. He had experimented heavily on the capabilities of Muggle ordnance, finding ways to magically improve their accuracy, range and lethality. Breaking into White strongholds had been an uphill challenge, but when overcome, the newly developed methods exceeded all normal conventions, leading the Whites to believe new siege spells had been invented. With each successful assault and each improvement to the arsenal of the 531st, undertaking a major action of capturing strongholds became easier.

Vergilius looked at Serebro Citadel, the last bastion of the Russian wizarding aristocracy. His spells had indicated powerful wards, but much like how Muggle advancements in the cannon rendered castles obsolete, his advancements in magically enhanced Muggle ordnance would render the traditional wizarding stronghold obsolete.

Field howitzers were placed around the citadel, hidden via distance and a myriad of concealment spells. The distance of the field howitzers itself was further than most detection spells.

"There you are," a voice called out behind Vergilius. "Is the assault starting?"

Vergilius turned around to see familiar faces. The monocled man who was the leader of the Pervoro looked at him in anticipation, beside him stood Pyotr, the giant of a man who had first invited Vergilius.

"One more minute," Vergilius responded curtly.

"You must be proud, August, to have the honour of assaulting the final stronghold," said the monocled man. "I must say this secret army of yours is most exceptional, every report I read never fails to amaze me. I am most eager to see their prowess in action."

Vergilius had kept the 531st under tight wraps. So far, only those within the 531st were fully privy of their operations. This was the first time outsiders had acted as observers.

"Serebro Citadel, that's one behemoth of a stronghold," Pyotr commented. "Where are your men?"

"Hidden." said Vergilius, looking at his watch.

"Reports say you and your men have claimed strongholds overnight. There are some who have said you spread false rumours. Not surprising, given how difficult it is to break well prepared wards."

"Good, rumours spread and cause misinformation, my unit benefits from misinformed enemies. Besides, you are here, and you can see what happens for yourself."

Explosions rocked the wards of Serebro Citadel, black balls of fire seeping into the cracks on the wards. It had taken a year of experimentation, but Vergilius had finally found a reliable method to break through wards using Muggle weapons. There was much trial and error developing the correct runic formulas, exponentially converting energy from the explosion into magical energy and channeling the magical energy to destroy wards. Once Vergilius discovered the effects of a Strengthening Solution - the chances of a breakthrough lying on Potions of all subjects - on explosive chemicals, the fate of static magical defence was sealed. The moment Vergilius had gotten the less combat-oriented wizards to establish a production line, engraving runes and imbuing Strengthening Solutions into heavy munitions from howitzer shells to mortar bombs, White strongholds began falling left and right.

One minute into the barrage and the wards fell, Vergilius placed his headphones over his ear and listened to the radio reports of his men. The forward observers had just told the howitzers to cease fire, the wing commander had told all teams to standby for assault. Vergilius allowed himself a smug smile as he glanced at Pyotr and the monocled man, seeing their awestruck faces.

The radio crackled to life.

"All sections commence assault."

There was no doubt, an entire new dimension to war was added.