Raeren, Belgium; July 24, 2025:

After the chaos of the past few days, Annett Haas sought for some semblance of normalcy in this troubled country. She took her dog on a walk along the street Hauptstraße. The temporary bliss of the walk easing her stress until her dog kept yanking her leash in the other direction with a determination completely unheard of for the dog. She conceded to her dog's demands and allowed him to satisfy his curiosity. Her dog guided her through the path between the houses with his nose glued to the ground. The dog finally found the source of its curiosity behind one of the houses. Annett screamed at the sight and the leash was dropped in shock.

A body sprawled on the dirt, laying in a pool of dried blood that clearly originated from his chest wound, and the mouth and eyes wide open in perpetual shock. What perplexed her most was his attire. He wore this sort of ancient cloth tunic and femoralia trousers along with straw sandals strapped to his feet. When she regained her senses, she called the police and immediately informed them of what she discovered.

Namur, Belgium; July 24, 2025:

Eŕic De Vos, a corporal in the 2nd Commando Battalion of the Special Operations Regiment, sat on his couch browsing through channels for something or anything that interested him. Thanks to the chaos of The National Day Event, he'd been allowed several days off from duty, which he had been thankful for. Suffice to say, he wished French or Dutch media networks were still accessible for something fresh and current to watch. Eŕic had some paprika-flavored chips right beside him to eat off the stress, but with the prices soaring at unprecedented rates as well as rumors of the government implementing ration cards in the future made him more reluctant to eat them.

He stopped switching channels when an unusual report by RTBF discussed an unknown person who was discovered dead in a small German speaking town. Images of a cordoned area by the town's local police dominate the screen before it transitioned to display the clothes that the victim wore. Eŕic immediately noticed how antiquated it looked. The attire was something that could only be worn by someone in the Middle Ages. 'The fuck?' Eŕic thought as he observed the clothes' details, 'who wears this shit?' He didn't know what was going on as things just kept getting weirder and weirder as time went on.

The footage cuts to a middle-aged woman standing in the street of Raeren with that generic smile every reporter had. "Here in Raeren we have someone who first witnessed the body of a man from an unknown culture." The camera panned over to an older gray-haired woman. "Miss Haas," the reporter asked inquisitively, "can you inform us on how and when you encountered the body?" Eŕic noticed how "Miss Haas" suddenly changed her demeanor although it was subtle. She was looking away from the camera with her eyes' attention being driven to other directions.

"Well… i was walking my dog down the street and…," she paused to gather herself, "and he kept tugging like– and i gave up resisting him and he took over there and…" Tears began welling up in her eyes. "that's when I saw it- that thing that.." She stopped answering and began to wipe her tears away. The reporter stopped pressing her and looked at the camera. Eŕic could only wonder just what happened to his country and what kind of place they were stuck in.

Pharagia, Border Kingdom; July 25, 2025:

King Brutux was known by many names that he did not care for. Graciously referred to as a usurper, despot, conqueror and other names just as flattering. He rules over a province known now as Pharagia, that was once a humble city-state like many within the Border Kingdom before his loyalist servants executed the Duke on false charges. He bitterly remembered how adored the Duke was before he was killed and how he himself was viewed with derision by his subjects. Many of those same subjects who spat vile words at him have already been "dealt with". Since his rule as king, he's annexed other weaker states through either invasion or infiltration along with the occasional bribe.

The king was indulging himself in the attention of his women that kneaded the muscles on his body with their delicate fingers and the taste of well-aged red wine that sat in his gold chalice. "Your Majesty," Brutux heard the voice knocking at his door, and his mood immediately soured when he realized the voice belonged to his butler. "There is a guest who must speak to you!" Brutux growled silently as he did not enjoy his servant's interruption of his personal time with drink and women, but he decided not to give in to his anger this time. "Come in," Brutux invited his servant and whoever was with him.

Barcleos stepped in his private chambers with a proud gait. Brutux was pleased to see his loyal captain back from his trip and into his palace. "Barcleos," Brutux shouted boisterously, "I take it that your expedition bore fruit?" Barcleos kneeled in front of King Brutux. "Indeed your majesty, I have brought news of the new lands that are within our borders." The king listened intently on Barcleos's words. "I have seen many frightening marvels in my time there," he continued. "For I have witnessed carriages that move on their own accord without a horse, paintings so detailed that they are indistinguishable from reality and so much more." "From what I've seen so far– that place is nothing but a threat that must be quelled before it is too late," he stood up and faced the king, " it is why I ask you to gather a few thousand mercenaries for an expedition into this land."

King Brutux pondered his request for a good while before settling on an answer. "All right Barcleos," Brutux submitted to his request. "You shall have four thousand men with 900 of them being the tip of the spear for the offensive." "I assume this will be enough," Brutux asked Barcleos. Barcleos beamed at the complete acceptance of the fulfillment of his request. "You are most gracious my King!" "It is more than enough to satisfy my needs," Barcleos continued.

"Barcleos." Barcleos's attention grew fixed to him. A wicked grin stretched on the King's face. "Bring back some women here for me, would you?" "Indeed, I will sire," Barcleos nodded. "Good. Take care Barcleos," the King said to him. " Why of course your majesty!" Barcleos gave the King one final bow. "Thank you very much for your time, your majesty." Barcleos left Brutux's chambers content with what the King had lent to him. Barcleos is going to make Brutux very happy soon.