Chapter 1
12th of May 1944, the war is already lost, even with the German offensive into Poland there's no chance to retake all that we've lost. Dearest mother, I only hope you are safe and that you'll get this journal following my demise. I hope you're alright back home in Mitau, even with the Russian occupation.
Don't worry about me, I'm safe where I am right now and Riga is still holding the Russian's back but I only fear that won't last for long.
Keep me in your prayers.
Helmut sighed putting his journal away "Any word from Riga?" He asked a fellow soldier sitting in the trench besides him
"No, but from what we're hearing it's hell out there." the man replied shaking his head
Indeed it was, the Russian assault was in full swing trying to take the old city and cross the Daugava river. If that were to happen order was to retreat to the Tartu line that was being set up by the remains of the Ruthenian army. Helmut could only pray to god that the Ruthenians were quick but he knew they couldn't set the line up in time. Even with the Baltic sea secured by the Kriegsmarine the port in Tallinn wasn't big enough for the transport ships required as all that could be brought was sent to the front lines of the now so called "Baltic pocket"
Helmut grabbed his MP 28 and got up "I'll go see the captain, maybe he know more about the situation."
He started slowly making his way through the trench to the command center. Out in the distance the sound of Russian artillery that was shooting at the city was louder then the sounds of battle from the city itself which was only 5 kilometers away. Thankfully their aviation was too busy with the German offensive dubbed "Citadel" so air raids were one or two per day. He could see the fear on everyone's faces, hell he himself was fearing what was to come. If the Russians broke through there was a chance they wouldn't make it back even with all the vehicles they were granted. One months ago all the divisions stationed on the Daugava river had been motorized and mechanized in chase a breakthrough was achieved by the Russians so they could quickly escape. The rest on the front closer to the Estonian border with Russia and the Narva river were left as they were on foot.
Entering the command center he saw chaos, soldiers running everywhere and officers barking orders left and right. He spotted his captain at a table looking at some papers and made his way to him.
"Captain Wilhelm?" he said saluting his officer
"What is it corporal?" He asked with tired eyes
"The men are starting to get nervous, any word from Riga sir?"
"We lost contact with them two hours ago, the Russians are trying very hard to take the city. I've sent 3rd company to reinforce the city and I've gotten word the two fresh German divisions that were shipped here are on their way.
Greenhorns... Those boys don't know what waits them Helmut thought to himself "Any new orders from Tallinn in case things go south?"
The captain sighed "None so far but give the word around to prepare to withdraw in case the city falls."
"Yes sir." with that Helmut went to spread the word to prepare for the inevitable, hoping to god that it won't happen.
Five days later it happened, word was the Russian's broke through by the coast and were pushing further to cut the Germans and the Baltic Landswehr off. Order to withdraw was given from Tallinn on the same day and all units managed to withdraw from the Daugava river without much problems, managing to outrun the Russian army. The same couldn't be said for the infantry divisions stationed in the eastern front close to Pskov. It was as if the Russians knew from before the Reichspakt were retreating and sprung into action attacking with armoured spearheads breaking through and pushing quick managing to encircle four divisions. Almost 50 thousand men encircled and lost. That's when all hell broke loose with the motorized divisions from the south that were still a ways away abandoning all coordonation and making a mad dash to the Tartu line abandoning all vehicles that broke down in the process and the wounded alongside with them.
By the time most units made it the Russians encircled yet another infantry division. It was both a miracle and a disaster in the eyes of the generals. On one hand they lost around 56 thousand men in the retreat but managed to preserve they're most elite units which were able to repel the Russian assault. The Tartu line was far from complete but it shrunk the frontline considerable which was easier to defend.
One week after their retreat they got word the Germans were 30 kilometers from Warsaw and the Austrians managed to push the Romanians and Serbians out of the Carpathian line and were slowly pushing. It was a small and brief set of good news as one month later of fighting and slowly losing ground the Baltic pocket heard that a stalemate had been reached across the front as the German army was stopped at the gates of Warsaw by the Russians and the news that the members of the Belgrade pact essentially joined the Moscow accord, welcoming the Russian army into the Balkan and essentially reversed the Austrians efforts.
The situation became even worse 2 months later when the Russians launched their own offensive across the entire front. Operation Bagration as they called it lasted well into early 1945 pushing everywhere inflicting and taking massive casualties in the process. It ended only when the Germans managed to stabilize the front on the Oder river and the Austrians winning the battle of Budapest pushing the Russo-Romanian army out of the city. During this time the Baltic pocket became the Tallinn pocket as the city and its surrounding were the last thing left in the hands of the Reichspakt.
The war was lost, the Kaiser of Germany, Wilhelm III knew this. The German army as well as the Austrian army were exhausted. Even if they won the western front against the French communards and British and Italian syndicalists with the Entente exiles they couldn't win in the east against the Russian bear. And so on 24th February 1945 after weeks of secret negotiations with the Vozhd the second Weltkrieg was over.
The most destructive war in human history so far was over resulting in the defeat of Germany and her allies and the combined death toll of almost 50 million people, of which around 18 millions for Russia and her allies, 7.2 millions for the Germans, 4 millions for the Austrians, 4.6 millions French communards with another 700 thousand for French exiles, 3 million British syndicalists and another million for the British exiles alongside their allies in the commonwealth, 5 million Italians with the rest spread among Germany's puppets of which Ukraine suffering the most with 1.5 million dead . The peace treaty dictating that all German territories beyond the Oder river were to be annexed by the Russian state while the Romanians and Serbs took their own pieces of the pie with the former achieving its dreams of Greater Romania and the latter reforming into the newborn Yugoslavia.
Despite their defeat, the Germans and Austrians gained something in return. Allies in the west in the form of the Entente which they helped to purge the syndicalist resistance from their countries. They were the newest members of Mitteleuropa of which only a few countries were part of now, that of which were Germany, Austria, the Ottoman Empire, Sweden, Denmark, the Dutch and Belgium and now England, France and Italy.
After everything Germany and her allies still had something to look forward to.
For Helmut on the other hand, all he had to look forward to was seeing if his parents survived. After the war was over the Tallinn pocket surrendered and were forced to march to the German border. Everywhere he looked the Russians were celebrating their victory, the Great Patriotic war was won. Boris Savinkov delivered them their dreams of revenge for the first Weltkrieg but he couldn't fault them for their victory. They fought tooth and nail for 5 years from the Volga to the Oder.
He was ecstatic to learn they were being marched through Mitras, his hometown. There he could see if his parents were okay.
Alas, faith had not been on his side as while they were being marched through the streets he saw one of his neighbours that was friends with his mother. A young women whose name he didn't know but recognized. He all but latched to her begging her for his parents whereabouts.
At first the girl was stunned but when she realised who he was she all but broke down. That was all he needed to know as he was forcefully dragged back into the line of prisoners by an angry Russian. His parents were gone and there was nothing he could do about it.
And so Helmut Siegfried, a mere 23 year old man of which the past 5 were spent at war had nothing left to look forward to as he marched to Germany with his fellow prisoners.
5th of March 1945 Frankfurt
"Berlin, Frankfurt here, we got confirmation that approximately 30 minutes ago something that could only be described as a lighting tornado manifested in the forests to the east of the city. This phenomenon is strange as the weather is clear outside, no clouds to indicate anything. We've cordoned the area off and we have men on standby in case something happens."
"Frankfurt, Berlin here, give the order to investigate and report back in an hour."
"Understood."
The officer stood up from the radio and signaled to the squads of grenadiers on standby to start marching into the forest. They covered ground quick weapons ready in case they came under attack but that did not come. What did come was a deep confusion of why a giant temple like gateway appeared in the deepest reaches of the forest. The inside completely obscured by a darkness that left nothing for the eye.
"What in gods name is that?" one of the soldiers pondered
"I don't know son." one of the older men replied before turning to the radioman "Give word to the general, we found something."
Word was sent and not long after the order to expand the military cordon came in. Whatever they found must've sent the military high command into a frenzy as not even half an hour after the cordon was expanded the order of total secrecy came in. The boots on the ground could only wonder what they found as they stared into the darkness of the gate.
7th of March 1945
In Berlin the situation could only be described as chaotic. Following the end of the war and the loss of its territories Germany and its remaining allies have been forced to pay reparations to the Russian State. In the Reichstag officials were butting heads about what to prioritize, ranging from rebuilding the damages done to their cities during the war and reorganizing their armed forces considering the many shattered units from their puppets to the east now being part of their army.
In the past 2 weeks since the war ended Kaiser Wilhelm III has watched as the Reichsbund cabinet clashed again and again on the topic of what to do next, resulting in disagreements constantly and bickering among themselves. It was an image he detested and wanted to put an end to it.
And so earlier in the morning he summoned the cabinet for an emergency meeting to put an end to the pointless squabbles. He watched as the room slowly filled and everyone got to their seats before addressing them
"Gentlemen, you already know why I've summoned you today so we'll skip the greetings. For the last two weeks since the end of the war I've watched from the sidelines hoping you would reach an agreement but all I've been met with was disappointment. Again and again I've seen debates that could help our people fall through and never reaching a single agreement!" the Kaiser said looking at everyone. It did not matter who anyone was or which party they belonged to, from the fiercest liberal to the staunchest national populist no one dared look him in the eye.
"How long the population has to endure until they start to ask themselves 'What is the government doing? Why aren't they helping us? We've given all for this nation and yet they are doing nothing but pointlessly fight among themselves!'. How long until they will turn to dangerous ideas much like the French and British syndicalists in the 20's?
Wilhelm III straightened up before continuing "That comes to an end today, I'm enacting Kaiser Directive 23 and I am taking direct control of this government. From today onward all efforts are to be directed at rebuilding the damages brought about by the war. I'm also giving the effective order to disband all exile units and all the other units unfit for duty and send them as a worker force to help the civilian population."
If anyone wanted to argue they said nothing, preferring to keep their desires and ideas to themselves. It was a rare sight to see the Kaiser take direct autocratic control of the government. The only other time in recent history was when Kaiser Wilhelm II, his father took control when black monday hit the German sphere, guiding the economy back on track while also reforming the Reichsbund of then into a more efficient government body. It was time to do it again it seemed.
The meeting went on for another hour and half discussing the procedures needed to be taken and other reforms that were needed to be implemented in the government. No one was happy with the decisions that were taken but none voiced their opinions. Despite everything the Kaiser was right, something needed to be done and so the cabinet fell in line with the Kaiser
With a headache the Kaiser retreated to his office and poured himself a glass of wine. Looking out the window he could only thank god that the German capital had been spared the true horrors of war. Despite constant bombing raids during the war the capital was thankfully spared from urban combat. Unfortunately the city's monuments had not been spared as he gazed at the Brandenburg gate, or what was left of it. The Russians had made it a goal to destroy as many monuments to Germany's heritage as they could.
He was interrupted from his own thoughts as he heard a knock on the door
"Come on in." He said not bothering to turn around
"My Kaiser." one of his generals said saluting from behind "I know you've been busy this past days but I have a message that needs to remain secret."
Wilhelm turned to look at the general that looked like he aged 20 years in just 5 before lazily looking around the room "Well its just the two of us in this room so go on ahead." He said sitting down at his desk and taking a sip of his fine wine.
The general straightened "We've gotten word from Frankfurt that a strange event has occurred two days ago. They describe the event as a tornado of lightning materializing in a surrounding forest and a strange temple like structure appearing out of nowhere in the forest. They claim the inside leads to a void in which no light can be seen besides a single dot of light that they spotted."
The Kaiser mulled over what he was told before he downed the glass in one go "Rundstedt, can you tell me what you see when you look outside this window?" he began pointing to the window
The general remained silent for a moment before replying "I see a city damaged but not destroyed my Kaiser."
"Indeed my friend, the same can be said about our people. We've been defeated but not destroyed." Wilhelm said pouring another glass handing it to the general
Rundstedt took the glass with a nod "I fail to see what this has to do with the situation in Frankfurt."
Wilhelm chuckled "What I mean is that I don't care if some freak event happened or magic or even a sign of god himself. What I care is that the people of my country are delivered some semblance of normalcy and stability. I don't have time for a holy grail chase general, I only have time for solutions for what is to come. The Russians are breathing down our neck still as is."
The general nodded "I understand my Kaiser but I have to ask how to proceed with that anomaly thing."
Kaiser Wilhelm frowned "You've said this must remain a secret right? How many people besides the units that intervened know of what is there?"
"Not many, we were able to keep a lid on it. Only me and Erich von Manstein are aware of that anomaly."
"Good, keep it a secret from the public for the time being."
"But what are we going to do with the anomaly my Kaiser?"
Wilhelm groaned "Is it causing troubles?" the general shook his head "No? then leave it be. We'll look into it when we have the time, we've got our hands full as it is."
With that the general saluted and took his leave, leaving the Kaiser alone to relax as much as he could. He was already scheduled at a few meetings in various cities and visits around the cities most affected. But one thing caught his attention, how could there be no light in that anomaly?
1st of May 1945 01:25 AM
Almost two months of efforts had finally brought some semblance of normality to the German population. Germany as a whole had to suffer a little to reach stability. The economic budget had to be reworked resulting in Germany's colonies in Africa and Asia to tighten their belts and endure with very little help from their fatherland. This rework also came with the temporary closing of the Mitteleuropa organization as Germany's economy couldn't keep up with paying reparations to Russia, sending economic aid to their colonies and managing the economy at home. It was a decision all member nations fully understood.
As for the temple anomaly the military cordon was expanded and a strict policy of silence regarding the anomaly was enforced onto its guards. All of them knowing that disobeying would result in execution for treason. The troops had been stationed in a small base they built at the entrance of the forest and just patrolled the surrounding areas close to the edges of the forest.
"Man, of all the times we've had to be stuck on patrol it had to be now of all times!" a soldier said while he was peeing behind a tree
"I know what you mean Paul. Do you think the boys will save some schnapps for us when we get back?" his friend replied waiting for his friend to finish his business
"No way! After two months of guarding this shithole in the middle of nowhere? They probably devoured the bottles whole!" Paul joined his friend smiling "Come on, lets finish our rounds so we can go back."
"How long do you think we'll be stuck here?" his friend asked
Paul pondered for a second "I don't know Friedhelm, but the lack of any new orders is telling me to get comfortable. At least the food they bring is alright."
Friedhelm chuckled "That's all there is to you ehh? Food and drinks until the end?" he asked with a smile
"Main reason to join the army. See the they said, taste new food and try exotic drinks in beautiful landscapes..." Paul replied with a sad expression "What a dumbass I was, should've stayed at home."
"Me too mate." Friedhelm nodded
"Heh! No point in going back now buddy! Come along, we've got two more clearings to pass through."
The duo walked for a short while before they reached the first clearing. There Paul stopped as he gazed at the sky. "At least the weather's pretty nice... Hey Friedhelm I gotta ask you something." he turned to his friend who went ahead
"What is it?" Friedhelm asked turning around
"Do you wonder if there are other worlds out there?" he asked pointing to the sky "Do you think there are other planets out there that are like ours of if there's life out there?"
Friedhelm snorted "Never thought you the philosopher, but I do understand what you mean. It'd be nice if there is something out there but you gotta be honest with yourself. We won't be alive by the time man invents something to take us to space."
Paul chuckled "You never know, we're young and look at the progress of the Luftwaffe. 6 years ago we had piston engine planes and now we're replacing them with jets."
"Man I'd kill to get a look at a 262 up close." Friedhelm said smiling before turning to look around in confusion "Did you feel that?" he asked
"Just an earthquake mate." his friend replied "Nothing to wo-" he stopped as he felt it again "What the fuck?"
They waited and they felt it again. It felt like a rhythm but what unnerved them was that after a few earthquakes they could hear something in the forest. Something that sounded like something big was coming towards them.
"What the hell is that? An elephant?" Paul half jokingly asked "Ready your weapon Friedhelm and grab your flashlight."
They readied their Stg's and shone their flashlights in every direction in search of the cause of those quakes. Despite it being a almost clear night they couldn't see very far
"Do you see anything?" Friedhelm asked
"No and I don't know what could possi- wuhh what?" his friend replied
Friedhelm quickly turned and pointed his flashlight where his friend was looking. At first he didn't see it but after a moment of concentration it dawned on him. What they were looking at wasn't a tree trunk at the edge of the clearing but what appeared to be a very large hairless human leg. Friedhelm nervously started pointing his flashlight upwards up the giants body, thanking god that the nether region had nothing hanging from it but freezing in terror when he gazed at its face.
Paul had the misfortune to follow his friend's steps and was filled with the same terror. The creature's... No, the giant's face was gazing at them with such an inhuman sneer and those eyes... oh god those eyes. They belonged on a corpse that suffered the worst death imaginable.
"Uhh... Uhhh hello..." Friedhelm nervously greeted. In response the giant took a single step into the clearing. It must've been at least 5 meters tall with a pretty lanky build
In response to the giant taking a step forward the soldiers took a collective step back. Paul loudly gulped as he slowly brought his assault rifle to bear, Friedhelm doing the same.
Almost in an instant the giant broke into an all out sprint towards the soldiers as they opened fire on it. It crossed the distance in a second and grabbed Paul and lifted him up
"HOLY SHIT! SHOOT IT! SHOOT THE BASTAR-AAAAAARGHHHHHHHH!" Paul screamed as the giant bit into his right shoulder literally ripping his whole arm off.
Friedhelm responded by emptying the entire mag into the giant's chest. The monster let out a painful moan as it brought the still screaming man up to take a bite out of his head. Friedhelm was still in the process of reloading his gun when he spotted Paul with an armed grenade brought to his face as he was brought to the mouth of the giant. The explosion tore off the giants jaw clean off and threw Paul away
"Paul!" Friedhelm rushed to his friend only to be horrified at his friend's state. His right arm had been ripped right off alongside his shoulder and his face was an unrecognizable mess of meat, bone and what remained of his helmet. Anger took over Friedhelm as he fired his entire magazine into the now kneeling giant that was facing away from him.
"This is for Paul you monster!" he screamed reloading and firing yet another mag into the giants back
The giant moaned yet again in a painful manner before standing up again. Slowly its face turned to Friedhelm and all the anger he felt was replaced with horror. The giant's jaw that had been blown off had somehow regenerated. The monster took a step in Friedhelms direction with that inhuman sneer and fear took over the young man
"Don't... Don't come close!" He screamed as tears were flooding from his eyes. The giant in turn sprinted towards him
"NOO! DON'T, PLEASE! GOD! GOD HELP MEE! PLEASE! MOTHER, MOTHER HELP MEEE- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
The cacophony of gunfire and the explosion that followed sent the garrison into action almost immediately. The drunk upon hearing the commotion sobered up on the spot and with a speed that bordered on fanatical desire for some action readied them for battle. Everyone was thinking they were being attacked by infiltrators or maybe partisans fed up with Germany's current government. The garrison quickly split into search parties and fanned out into the forest in search for the intruders.
One such group managed to stumble on the clearing in which the tragedy occurred after some time.
"Guys, I see something!" One soldier, Gunther whispered loudly to his squadmates. The group slowly joined him at the edge of the clearing and looked in the center where they saw one corpse laying in a pool of blood.
"I don't like this." The squad leader whispered "Gunther, take Hermann and Albert and take the right flank. Stick to the tree line while the rest of you come with me on the left. I don't like this one bit." The men nodded and split flanking the clearing from both sides, scanning both the clearing and the tree lines they clung to as they slowly made they way up.
When they decided they weren't going to get shot at they slowly entered the clearing from both sides and made they way to the corpse.
"Holy shit that's Paul..." One soldier, Dietrich said looking at the remains
"Form a perimeter, fan out!" the squad leader ordered as he knelt by the corpse "Albert, on me. What do you think?"
"I don't know Franz, it looks like something ate him..." Albert said looking around "It doesn't make sense, there's a tone of bullet casings but the only blood here is his own. What attacked them and where is Friedhelm?"
"GUY! You gotta see this!" Gunther called out from the opposite edge of the clearing.
The squad quickly made their way to the soldier and looked at where he was pointing his flashlight. There in the woods they could clearly see a pair of legs sitting in a pool of blood and gore much like Paul
"Jesus Christ what happened here." Franz said turning to Hermann "Contact the other groups and tell them we've got a beast in this forest."
The radioman got to work and the squad was ready to leave. All except Albert who was stuck staring at Friedhelm's remains. Franz saw this and patted the man on the shoulder.
"We can't bring them back from the dead Albert but we can avenge them." Franz reassured the man
Albert shook his head "It's not that sergeant, I know we'll avenge them but I can't stop looking at those bite mark... Don't they remind you of something?" he asked nervously
At first the sergeant didn't understand but after taking a closer look realization dawned on him. Those bite marks looked awfully like a... oh god...
"Hermann! Change of orders! Tell everyone to regroup and contact high command in Frankfurt! There's something wicked in this forest! Everyone double time back to the rally point!"
The squad then made a coordinated dash back to the rally point which was only short of 200 meters from their camp. Their squad was the second to arrive as the members of the 3rd were already waiting for them.
"It's 2nd squad!" one of the soldiers said when they were spotted
"What the hell is going on sergeant?" the 3rd's squad leader asked as he made his way to Franz
"We've found the patrol." Franz replied
"Dead?"
"Worse... Eaten by something."
"God."
"Even more disturbing were the bite marks on their corpses. They looked like giant human teeth."
As they were talking more groups arrived and listened to their conversation. All of them disturbed but emboldened to seek revenge for their comrades brutal deaths. It was the 5th squad that arrived last and were the ones that looked like they saw something out there
"Sergeant, what the hell is going on here? We found giant foot prints on the eastern fringe." the 5th squad leader said
"Foot prints you say? That's good, we'll know where to search for the damned bastard." Franz replied before loudly clapping his hands, grabbing everyones attention "Alright people listen up! The reinforcements are still some distance away. They're sending a whole damned battalion with armoured cars to boot but we can't afford to sit here with out thumbs up our asses. God knows what will happen if that thing wanders off into a nearby village or hell even the city! We gotta hunt that thing down before its too late! Stock up on as much ammo, grenades and grab as many panzerfausts as you can carry!"
They ransacked their little base's armory for everything they could carry and went back into the forest, following the same paths as before but unlike last time they wouldn't turn back until they found the monster. They were going to turn the whole forest upside down until they found it.
Each squad member were always within earshot and disciplined to shoot first, ask for backup later. Franz's squad had searched for a good 30 minutes on the western side of the forest and were almost running out of ground to cover when they heard the cacophony of assault rifle fire.
Hermann's radio screamed into his ear that the 1st squad spotted the giant leaving the forest by the little creek on the east and that they needed backup.
"Double time! Move it!"
He didn't need to order his men as they automatically turned and sprinted to the east. The journey was a blur to all of them, the only thing they could see were their own flashlights lighting the forest around them. Even in the distance they could see the lights from the other squads, moving just as quick.
When they arrived the first thing Franz saw was a machine gunner firing from behind a tree before jumping out of the way just in time to avoid the giant monstrosity that slammed head first into the tree ripping it apart, no doubt trying to take a bite out of the poor man. The giant was a hideous abomination standing at around 5 meters tall with a build that screamed malnutrition and a face not even a mother would love. It was enough to give him nightmares.
"Holy shit... You're fast and ugly." Franz muttered "Spread out! Don't bunch up people!" he ordered as he opened fire with his MP 40. Around him the various groups joined him from every direction but it seemed to have little effect on the giant as it lunged at the closest people it could find. A hidden blessing everyone realized quick was that the beast could easily be disoriented by their flashlights when he made to bite them, giving enough time to dodge and run away.
"Panzerfausts!" Franz screamed to his men as Gunther and another squad's soldier grabbed their own and quickly closed the distance with the giant. They simultaneously fired they shots before retreating. One missed but the other hit the giant square in the leg. The explosion severing the appendage making the giant fall to the ground.
"It's immobile! Everyone! Use your grenades!"
Everyone threw a volley of m24 hand grenades at the downed giant and took cover from the blast. A total of 25 grenades fell around the creature and exploded sending blood, dirt and wood splinters everywhere
"Is it dead!?" One of the men exclaimed
The soldiers slowly crept close to the giants prone body which was steaming from various spots. Namely the severed leg and the head which was hidden in the cloud of dirt that was kicked up. The men allowed themselves a moment of respite when the giant remained unmoving
"We got it bo-" Franz froze alongside his men when the giant twitched. Terror filled their hearts as the giant pulled itself up and stood on two legs and stared back at them. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. The giant's destroyed head was regenerating right before their eyes
"Oh god we're dead meat..." one of the men whispered in fear
Franz stared at the creature as terror seeped into his bones. This wasn't normal, that thing wasn't normal! Even with all the bullets, grenades and panzerfaust they put into the thing it was still standing! This couldn't be the end, out of everyone present 24 out of 25 were veterans of the war for Christ sake! They didn't deserve to die like this! Not on his watch!
"Everyone spread out and frank the bastard from both sides! Machine gunners, focus on the bastards legs! We gotta keep it pinned until reinforcements arrive! Move, move, move!"
Everyone stared at the sergeant for a second registering what he ordered. In a split second the men sprung into action with a discipline that was born in the fires of war. The riflemen prioritized the head and upper chest while the machine gunners set their sights on the abomination's legs. 2 MG 42's were more then enough to rip its legs clean off bringing the monster down once more
"Hey! Watch your fire god damnit!" one of the men screamed across the battlefield
"Fire the panzerfausts!"
Another volley was aimed at the creatures chest, blowing a good chunk of it in the air. "Holy shit that's hot!" one of the soldiers screamed after he was coated with some of the blood from the creature. The situation was devolving rapidly and if they didn't do something quick to kill this thing they would be its next meal. Then, as if by a sign of god Hermann brought the good news.
"Sir! The reinforcements contacted me! They hear everything and are on their way! 2 Puma's are coming from the plains to the east!"
This is it! Thought Franz "Everyone!" he screamed at the top of his lungs "Reinforcements are moving from the east! We gotta go! Move, move! Run like hell and don't look back!"
He didn't need to tell them twice. Everyone took the chance while the giant was regenerating and followed the sergeant into the open plains. Some of them abandoning their weapons and equipment so they could run faster.
"Holy shit run!" Gunther screamed in fear
No one dared to look back but they all could feel the tremors of that beast that was giving chase. They were growing ever louder before suddenly stopping. They didn't know nor cared what happened as they kept running. It was only a moment later that Franz realized what happened. The Puma armoured cars had made their appearance and fired their 50mm anti-tank cannons into the giant sending it sprawling on its back.
They then opened fire with their coaxial machine guns pouring down volleys of lead into the creature. Despite being hit with two 50mm armor piercing high explosive shells the giant still tried to get up.
The armoured cars fired another volley ripping off the creature's right arm and putting a third hole in its chest and yet it was still trying to get up. It was only at the third volley that the creature fell with one shot taking off the top part of the head and the other shot slamming into the base of its neck. Everyone stood still as the creature crumbled apart, steam starting to emanate from its corpse.
Only one person understood how it died
"The neck..." Franz whispered "That's the only part we didn't hit..."
Around him his men fell apart in exhaustion. They were all alive somehow, they made it. With a smile Franz fell unconscious besides his men
"Wow... this fight really took it out of him." Gunther said crouching by the sergeant unconscious form "Was the war like this guys?" He asked the rest of the group
"No, Gunther. It was worse." Dietrich replied as he came next to him
Gunther frowned looking at him "You're head's bleeding, better get that checked up."
Dietrich touched the side of his head and smiled "Damn, with all this action I didn't even realized I got slapped around by that thing." he said laughing. They continued chatting among themselves as more and more troops started appearing by the forest's edge patrolling the area. The danger had passed but they all knew this was the easy part. They didn't wanna know what the hard part was going to be.
They were woken up from their stupor when a car pulled up to them and a person exited. They all recognize the man and immediately stood at attention. All except Franz which was out cold.
"Herr General!" The men said in unison saluting the man
"At ease men." The legendary general Hasso von Manteuffel had joined them in the field! "You boys and I have a lot of things to talk about. The primary thing being what the hell is that thing." He said pointing to the now disintegrating carcass of the giant. The fact that it was decaying at such speed, it wasn't even 10 minutes since it died.
"I don't know sir but I have a bad feeling it came from the anomaly temple." One of the men replied
"The anomaly what?" the general asked curiously
At that moment everyone realized that the general wasn't in on it like the rest of the men. "Sir we can explain. We're under orders straight from the top in Berlin to keep the existence of the anomaly temple a secret. They told up if we told anyone we'd be executed for treason." Albert explained "I believe most of the men around here are also informed about the anomaly."
"Hmm" the general began "That explains a few things at least."
"Can you tell us please? If you don't mind of course." one of the men asked
The general nodded "For starters the garrison of Frankfurt maintained a combat readiness that looked like they were still at war. Nowhere else in Germany did I see any demobilized military units actively preparing for combat. The other thing is the attitude of field marshal Erich von Manstein when I met him a couple days ago. I had a feeling he was hiding something." He said smirking "I'm relieved you know." He said looking at the men
"Wh-why sir?"
"I'm relieved I'm standing here right now and I'm nowhere near Berlin. When word gets out and trust me, it will get out the hornets nest in Berlin will go into a frenzy. I just hope the hornets don't fly too close."
Hello everyone, Just some random plebeian author here. Been thinking about this crossover for a while and I said ehh why not. I know not a lot of people have much knowledge about the world of Kaiserreich but I'm a big fan of the setting and also Attack on Titan. I read many stories of the AoT cast reacting to our world and ww2 and all its crimes and thought to myself. 'Why not meet the cynical fucks that fought in that war'
I'm rambling, i'm sorry. I hope i'm gonna commit to writing this story to its end though.
P.S The anomaly gate is my shameless idea steal from the manga gate. That's the only thing I'm not proud of. I couldn't come up with something original to connect the two worlds. Oh well