(Meanwhile at the HQ, France)
As John paced the war room, his mind filled with concern, the heavy wooden door banged open, startling him out of his reverie. A young messenger stumbled into the chamber, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. His eyes, wide with fear, met John's gaze, and the general's heart sank as he saw the grave news etched onto the messenger's face.
As John strategized their next move, his thoughts lingered on Vincent, a trusted comrade, and his fifty men who had ventured deep behind enemy lines in the treacherous Russian-Belarus Front. Their mission had gone dark, leaving John anxious and restless, fearing the worst.
Amidst the flurry of activity, the heavy oak door of the command room suddenly swung open, causing everyone to turn towards the unexpected intrusion. A lone figure stumbled in, panting heavily, his face contorted with grim news. He was a messenger, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the message he bore.
"Report," John said sharply, his gaze unwavering.
The messenger struggled to compose himself, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. Finally, he spoke, his words laden with sorrow. "Sir, the situation is dire".
After hearing that, John's stomach dropped..
*Meanwhile*
The air was thick with tension as the 3rd Army Group trudged through the chaotic landscapes of Ukraine, the valiant soldiers of the 3rd Army Group marched relentlessly towards Moldova, their boots crushing the undergrowth as they navigated the treacherous paths. the sound of marching boots echoing amid the eerie silence of nature that had once thrived in these lands. In the distance, the sun began to dip behind a curtain of smoke, casting an ominous glow over the horizon, a chilling omen of the war that had consumed their world.
Their ultimate destination? Lies wait in the capital city of Bucharest, Romania. Their journey, fraught with danger and uncertainty, bore the weight of a mission crucial to the war effort.
As they regrouped in the capital city of Bucharest, the soldiers scrambled to set up camps and fortify their position, knowing that they were far from the safety of friendly lines.
In the midst of a turbulent conflict that engulfed the lands of Ukraine, Moldova, and Bucharest, the 3rd Army Group led by Vincent, along with his trusted officers Dave and Augustus, found themselves surrounded deep behind enemy lines. As they regrouped in the capital city of Bucharest, the soldiers scrambled to set up camps and fortify their position, knowing that they were far from the safety of friendly lines.
"Set up the perimeter; we need to be ready for anything," Vincent barked, his voice betraying no sign of fatigue. The soldiers sprang into action, their training kicking in as they erected makeshift shelters and fortified their defenses against the lurking threats of the night.
In the dim light cast by their flickering lanterns, the officers gathered around a large map spread across a battered table. The tension was palpable as they traced their route back to friendly.
Vincent gathered his officers for a strategy meeting, feeling the weight of their precarious situation pressing down on him. They needed a way out, a path back to their allies, but the radio communications were limited, and their options were running thin. Desperation crept into their hearts as they realized the direness of their circumstances.
"Vincent," Augustus said, squinting at the unfolding chaos on the map, "our path to Moldova is riddled with peril. We need a solid plan."
Dave. "We can't linger. Every moment spent here is a moment the enemy seizes to close in on us. We need communication with HQ. We must get John to pinpoint our location and guide us."
"We need to find a route back to the friendly lines," Vincent urged, his fingers tracing paths on the map. "If we can reach the 1st and 2nd Army Groups, we could regroup and make a strong push forward."
Dave frowned, reluctantly shaking his head. "But Vincent… We all knew that our enemy. The Drengrs are savages, they leave none of us alive, even the wounded have no chance to fight back. We have no idea how to stop their relentless attacks."
A chill ran through the room. The Drengrs were not just soldiers; they were feral, their loyalty binding them to a darkness that seemed to breathe life into the chaos surrounding them. Before Vincent could respond, he turned his gaze to the radio operator, a wiry man named Tarek.
"Tarek, contact HQ in France," Vincent commanded, urgency threading through his voice. "We need guidance. Reach out to John!"
As the radio crackled to life, Vincent felt a knot of dread twisting in his chest. When Tarek finally made contact, "John, can you hear me? We're deep behind enemy lines, and we need navigation support." The line crackled, and the voice of John, their communications officer back at HQ in France, filled the air. "Vincent, the 1st and 2nd Army Groups are facing intense engagements with the Drengrs. They've suffered heavy losses. I can't send anyone, not now."
Silence enveloped the room when they heard the news from the HQ, Vincent's heart sank.. How could he lead his men back into battle when their compatriots were already falling? Anguish clawed at him like wolves at the door, desperate to tear him apart. It was a bitter revelation — they were building a new army while their fellow soldiers bled and fought in a desperate struggle. "We're stuck behind enemy lines, John! We can't wait here indefinitely."
Vincent felt his heart plummet. The burden of responsibility weighed heavy on his shoulders. The thought of moving forward, of trying to help, ignited a fire of determination within him. "We can't abandon them. We need to rally the spirits of our brothers," he thought fiercely.
This even hit Vincent like a physical blow; the thought of losing both armies left him seething. "What do you expect us to do then?" he shot back, his voice laced with frustration. "We can't just wait to be wiped out! We need to regroup and fightback!"
"I'm afraid there's nothing I can do right now," John replied, his tone heavy with defeat. "You need to conserve your strength and find a way into safer territory. Support will have to wait."
"I know," John replied, a hint of grim resignation laced with his words. "But any move you make might expose you further. You need to build whatever strength you can. Find a way to navigate."
Frustration ignited within Vincent, setting ablaze his desire to charge into the fray. Yet, amid the anger, a seed of reason began to germinate. The decision to send a division toward the enemy would mean sacrificing lives unnecessarily.
Dave, Augustus and other officers were waiting for Vincent's next move as they were all looking at him, not knowing what kind a state of mind that Vincent was having right now.
Looking back, he was grateful since him and John were trained by their closest and most powerful friend, Eron K. Arisato. But the news John brought was grim – the 1st and 2nd Army Groups were engaged in fierce battles against the Drengrs, suffering heavy losses. The situation seemed bleak, and the prospect of finding a way back to their comrades grew dimmer.
"I am out of options, I don't know when or how am I going to save the plan, commit the entire 3rd Army Group yet…" He thought to himself not knowing what the best of option to him, Vincent knew he needs to play the cards right.
Unbeknownst to Vincent, the 15th Division is where Rudolf Ritter and his friends were assigned. Not knowing that this changes the war forever. He looks around the officers before him, to see if they have an idea on how to solve this problem.
Vincent, fueled by a mix of anger and determination, contemplated their next move. Building a new army seemed like an insurmountable task, but as he weighed his options, a spark of hope flickered in his mind. With a heavy heart, he decided to enlist the 15th Division, unaware of the surprise that awaited him within its ranks.
Augustus studied Vincent, noticing the flicker of anger within him; it was a dangerous glint. "Commander, we can't risk everything. We're scattered and fragile, we build a new army here, not charge uninvited into the jaws of death."
Vincent's fists tightened, his face a mask of rage and desperation. The fire of his resolve burned brilliantly, yet he knew all too well that leaping into battle recklessly would threaten all those who remained in the field.
He remembered the 15th Division, stationed nearby. "I'll lead the 15th Division with Augustus," he declared, trying to counter the desperation surging through his veins. "Dave, you and the rest of the 3rd will navigate towards Serbia. From there, we can reach Bosnia, then Croatia, and finally Slovenia. We'll try to meet up later."
Dave hesitated, concern creasing his forehead. "That is a perilous route, Vincent. We won't last long without supplies."
"We don't have a choice," Augustus interjected, steel in his voice. "We need to try and regroup. We can't afford to wait any longer."
Frustration coursed through Vincent's veins. "No, we can't just sit here! I won't abandon our brothers in arms," he insisted.
"I know, it's just" Vincent releases a heavy sigh from his lips then continued " I hate how we easily got ourselves back on the wall" he pinched his nose trying to stay calm and control his emotions before he chooses something stupid.
"Your anger is justified, but reckless action could cost us everything," Augustus warned, sensing the tide of fury within Vincent.
"I've made up my mind", Vincent announced decisively. "We'll take the 15th Division. Augustus, you'll accompany me. Dave, you and the rest of the 3rd Army Group will plot a course through Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and continue to Croatia and Slovenia. You'll gather strength along the way".
Everyone in the room erupted in gasps and hushed words, trying to sink in the situation unfold to them. Dave and Augustus look at each other, knowing that this decision outweighs the outcome of the war.
Vincent stare at his hands, not knowing how to counter or even stop the enemy advance. The 1st and 2nd Army Group's survival rate were dwindling fast. He needs to act quickly before something he and John will never recover.
Vincent looked around to see if he has other options expect leading the 15th Division, no matter ideas or plans that was forming in his mind, nothing came out of it. Release a heavy sigh and stare at the night sky, not knowing what the outcome of the decision will be. He called of the night and began to retreat his own tent and sleep throughout the night.
Next Day, Vincent and Dave, awoke under a dim, hazy dawn. The sun struggled to break through a blanket of thick, gray clouds, casting an eerie glow across the barren landscape.
With a sense of urgency, Vincent strapped his katana, Grarmr, to his left waist, its blade shining faintly in the half-light. Dave stretches his body as he strapped his Zweihander, Nyx to his back. Today, they had an important meeting with Major General Will of the 15th Division, a man respected not only for his tactical genius but also for his powerful skills. He held the keys to a potential strategy that could turn the tide in favor of the beleaguered 1st and 2nd Army Groups.
As they made their way through the crumbling remnants of a once-bustling town to reach the 15th Division outpost, the air crackled with tension. The ominous howls of ghouls echoed faintly in the distance, reminding them of the threat lurking just beyond their line of sight. These creatures, birthed from dark sorcery and manifesting as hollow shells of their former selves, had relentlessly attacked the frontline troops stationed in Germany. The 1st and 2nd Army Groups were in dire straits, suffering losses day by day, hope dwindling as the ghouls continued their unholy siege.
Arriving at the 15th Division's command center, Vincent and Dave were greeted by the sight of Major General Will, clad in his dark, flowing robes that shimmered with archaic runes. His stern expression softened upon seeing the two of them approaching.
"Welcome, Vincent and Dave," Major General Will boomed, his voice echoing through the courtyard. "We have much to discuss regarding the plight of the 1st and 2nd Army Groups."
The three men retreated to a war room adorned with ancient maps and flickering torches, the tension palpable in the air. Vincent and Dave listened intently as Major General Will outlined the dire situation facing the two Army Groups stationed in Germany.
The trio gathered around a massive table etched with glowing sigils and maps, their ornate surfaces alive with animated illustrations of battlefield formations. Major General Will pointed at the sections where the 1st and 2nd Army Groups were entrenched.
"Reports indicate the ghouls are exploiting weaknesses in our defenses. We need to create gaps where they can take advantage. Our best course of action is to rally additional forces and employ magic to bolster the Army Groups."
Dave interjected, "But we must also consider the ghouls' nature. They are not merely mindless beasts. Their swarming tactics are strategic, driven by a malevolence that exploits fear and confusion. Shouldn't we focus on counteracting their movements?"
"Disrupt?" Will cut him off, his stern gaze piercing. "Dave, this is not just disruption; these are not ordinary foes. They're relentless, driven by something beyond our comprehension. We need a different plan."
The two men exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. The Restless Ghouls were not merely an enemy; they were nightmarish entities, haunting the ruins with their grotesque forms and insatiable hunger for blood. Each attack they launched drained morale and resources from the already beleaguered forces.
"What's the latest intel?" Vincent inquired; his brow furrowed with concern. He had been trained as a strategist, but the unpredictable nature of the ghouls made military tactics all the more critical.
Major General Will tap a finger against the table laden with maps and scrolls. "Recon reports indicate that the Ghouls are exploiting the gaps in our defenses. There are whispers of a dark magic empowering them, something that gives them the ability to slip through our ranks unnoticed".
Vincent hummed deeply as he digests the information that was given to him. "That's not good, is there any idea on how to stop this Ghouls?" As he looked at Vincent and Will to see if they have any ideas to counter this threat.
Yet, none of them came up an idea as they were brainstormed the whole situation before them.
"We have gaps, yes" Dave interjected boldly, leaning closer to study the map's intricate details tracing routes too familiar yet riddled with perilous terrain. "Our forces are stretched thin; what if we flank them from both sides? Divide their attention?"
Will stroked his chin thoughtfully while Dave weighed heavily on words unsaid—his heart aching for comrades caught between life and death across enemy lines.
"What if we send the artillery both land and sky?" this surprised the two,
Major General Will scrutinize the sketches, brow furrowed. "I see potential here. But we must also fortify the remaining positions. The Ghouls are not just mindless creatures they hunt and adapt. We need defenses that can withstand their onslaught".
"I know, the question is how much time do we have to stall the Ghouls before the artillery and the aircrafts-" Vincent was about to finish his sentence as Dave immediately asked.
"What kind of Artillery? Vincent? Magic? Guns or what?" As Dave looked at Vincent, trying to see if there's any hope to end this conflict.
Vincent stare at Dave to General Will then back to Dave as he noticed the doubts and fear in Dave's eyes gazing right through his eyes. Vincent knew that he was facing something he cannot identify. Silence weighs the room, as the two were waiting for Vincent's response.
Releasing a heavy sigh from his lips, staring at the map before him. Not knowing what he was going to do, a sudden memory flashed before his eyes, clutching his head sharply as he begins to see the memories engulf his mind. He suddenly felt weaker as Vincent grab the chair to support himself from falling.
Dave and Major General Will sprang into action to support Vincent however, he managed to stable himself "It's okay, it's okay I just" the two step back as Vincent sat down to compose himself.
"What was that? My body goes numb" then everything went blank as his head hit the table and falls into an unconsciousness, earning the two stunned as they begin to check Vincent if he was okay.
"Sir! You okay?!"
"Vincent, boy! Hey do you hear us?
Dave and Major General Will exchanged a look, and the Major inquired, "Dave, what happened to him?"
"That I do not know Sir, it happened so fast". Dave answered solemnly as he looked at the unconscious state of Vincent whose still lying on the table, he begin to lift Vincent back to his room, Will went to the other side to support Dave. The two of them looked at each other and nodded, then they begin to lift Vincent back to his tent to rest.
Not knowing that air of change is slowly revealing itself, Inside of Vincent's mind he was standing face to face with the person who he was so familiar with earning him stunned and lost of words as he saw the person right next to him.
"Hey Vincent, how's my dearest friend?" the figure asked smiling as he wave his hand to the air.
Vincent muttered one word that his heart fill of nostalgia and longing.
Eron?