Fantasy Hunter's Moon: Ascendancy [IC] [CLOSED]

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou prepared himself as the group followed Reese's, as the sounds of war echoed above. The hermit considered potential healing distances as they rushed over the front, and even what he might do if caught under fire. Soon, they arrived at the forward line and he listened attentively. Losing his sense of direction wasn't a concern, so that's another thing he would have to make sure to keep in mind for the others. He nodded in response, as Veronica made her way over. He kept his pokerface as she rallied up the troops.

And then, it was time. The whistles were blown.

The oni used his mysticism and skill to smoothly get out of the trenches and keep a low profile as he rushed for cover. He kept the qi of the group and platoon in his mind, prepared to aid them in whatever way he could. He took a deep breath, for now was time to traverse yet another hell.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille kept herself somewhat reserved on their journey to the front, a certain anxiety welling up within her as they drew closer and closer. The huntress had experience with all manner of horrors and facing them, and though she was not necessarily fearless she was brave enough to contend with them. Yet when she thought of being on the battlefield, it only brought her back to the shelling her estate experienced. In those moments she felt truly powerless, unable to think tactfully and figure out a way to see her family to safety. It was only with Sebastian's intervention that she managed to survive the ordeal.

Somehow, actually being amidst the soldiers and trenches made her home getting ruined seem picturesque by comparison. Naturally when offered a firearm to defend herself with, Camille vehemently refused. Not only did she lack proper training with such weapons of war, she had reservations about bringing them and considered them something of an insult to her martial prowess. The huntress managed to catch up to the group just when their magical escort abrasively informed them of what role they were to play. In turn Camille simply stared through her and kept silent, her gaze soon looking to Sebastian as he made a his exclamation. He was a man in his element, and she would once more look to him to get through this.

As they maneuvered through the trenches, all Camille could hear were her increasingly ragged breaths as the screams and explosions grew muffled. At some point as they waited for the call to charge, she took one final breath and balled her fists. It was as she said, to face Sazak and force him to pay for his crimes she would face mortal artillery and hellfire if it would bring him closer to justice. Instead of fixing bayonets, she drew her sabers. Their enemy was using long rifles - once they were in their trench she could make herself more useful.

When the whistle blew, Camille leapt up and charged behind their allies.

 

[K0mori]

Trench warfare was something that Sebastian hadn't truly experienced at the war's outbreak, since his unit had blasted its way through the Escarian line early on before plunging deeply into the countryside almost unopposed, but nonetheless the cacophony of sound and fury on the air was familiar to those opening moments. Sebastian had made quick friends with a fellow in his squad, a man named Connor Klimt, who died on the Giguere's property before Sebastian received his summons. How strange that the lancer that took his friend's life as they were both pressed helplessly into a thick hedge had missed him by only inches. Had it been Ackermann who died, and Klimt who lived, then the course of destiny for the entire continent would have been altered.

Had Adona truly predicted all of this? Or had it been a series of fortunate coincidences and near-misses? For a moment, pity tolled in his heart for the man he watched die in Escaria those months prior, that Adona had not chosen him and spared him that fate. But then again, if Adona could see it all clearly, he would have prevented this disaster entirely. Sebastian could only conclude that Adona had done the best he could, and that was all that any of them could do for themselves. That was how he had been wounded, after all; when he had seen a mother and children caught in the path of his unit's bombardment, he had been taken by a frenzy to save something far more important than flags or country.

Whatever plan, or lack thereof, that had brought Sebastian back to the frontline of this war, had done so with a sense of humor. In Escaria, the Tsavanians were his brothers-in-arms. Now, he was cutting a path through the Tsavanians so he could return to his homeland with that very same woman at his side. Wenn sie jetzt stirbt... He wanted to smoke a cigarette, but there wasn't enough time now. He chuckled; if he missed out now, he could have his smoke in the afterlife, and he'd share them with the Atracans, Tsavanians, and the Escarians, if they'd begrudge him their company.

The whistle sounded. It was time to move again, and Sebastian pulled himself together as he had done before, the same and yet different.

 

[Infab]

As the platoon and the members of Rebecca's group scaled the ladders, they'd soon get a clearer view of No-Man's-Land and the hell that was being created across it. Artillery shells sounded off, whistling through the air and hitting the ground. Exploding and sending tall spires of mud and dirt into the air. Men running along, attempting to make it to the other trenches before being cut down mid-stride by machine-gun or rifle fire. Bodies laying in the mud and murky water in the craters. Having either died hours prior or during this new battle. The deafening sounds of artillery, gunfire, and screaming drowned everthing else out. Including men and women right next to you.

This was madness.

The platoon darted across the muddy landscape, slipping into craters and ditches half filled with either bodies, broken trees, or dirty water. The group stayed with them, taking note of their tactics. Can't get shot if you aren't visible. If an artillery shell detonated nearby, Xiaòzhou used his abilities to deflect the incoming shrapnel and debris. Where he sent it, he hoped nobody was standing or laying.

What surprised most of the group was Cassandra's efforts. She was using her inhuman speed and strength to carry men and women to safety, getting them out of the line of fire and moving wounded so that medics could quickly tend to them. She even helped any of their platoon along if they got bogged down by machine-gun fire and left behind.

The platoon pushed ahead, the group following closely, as they inched further and further into No-Man's-Land. And when they were close enough to start seeing enemy troops, gunshots began to ring out. And the riflemen assigned to Rebecca's group really began to prove why they were called Roxlem's Finest. If a Tsavanian head was spotted, a bullet was put through it a few seconds later. If a grenade was spotted flying through the air towards them, a shotgun blast detonated it long before it arrived. These troops were thoroughly seasoned by the battles on the Daristein border, and were leading the way.

And then, they finally saw it. The edge of the trench. Just about fifteen yards away. However, a machine-gun was sweeping over them with gunfire. Preventing them from moving any further forwards.

Then came Veronica's moment. As the machine-gun paused to reload, two soldiers stood up with her and opened fire to give her cover. She gripped her mace tightly at her side as she stood, before pointing the open palm of her other hand at the machine-gun nest. And suddenly, a twenty yard jet of bright blue fire bathed the entire end of the trench where the nest sat.

Some of the others in the platoon commented on how it reminded them of Daristeinian flammenwerfer devices. These large circular tanks soldiers wore on their backs, connected via hose to a long device that shot a several yard long flame from the end when you squeezed the weapon's trigger mechanism. Weaponized gas wasn't the only horrifying invention to have been put forth in this war.

Tsavanian soldiers attempted to get away from the flames, running deeper into their trench or attempting to simply climb out of it into No-Man's-Land. Those that climbed out were cut down immediately by rifle fire from the Atracans. Once Veronica's flames stopped, she pointed her mace towards the trench. Time to move.

The platoon quickly scrambled from their hiding spots, the group following suit and chasing after them as they rushed over and into the Tsavanian trench. Once inside, a few rifle shots rang out as the Tsavanians that remained tried to shoot the Reese's platoon. A few were hit and went down, but the Tsavanians that were still there were put down quickly. Some via gunshot, some via bayonet.

They secured their position, and quickly tended to the wounded. Through-and-throughs. They could keep fighting for now, but needed medical attention when they weren't in the middle of a warzone. That's where Rebecca and Xiaòzhou came into their element. Both provided the needed medical assistance, healing the wounds of the injured troops as quickly as they could.

"Alright. Careful, ladies and gents. Tsavanians are everywhere in these trenches. Around every corner. Watch yourselves, and don't wander off alone." called out Reese, over the sounds outside the trench. He then looked to Veronica, whom had re-equipped her lever-action Winchester shotgun.

One of the sergeants, by the name of Clark, spoke up. "Gods, these Tsavanians are going down faster than any of the Daristeinians did." he said, nudging one of the bodies at his feet.

A corporal, Robinson, followed suit. "Tsavania sends anyone and everyone to fight. With or without training. Daristein actually takes the time to train all of their troops." he said, nudging the Sergeant. "Not as well as us, but still."

 

[Breadman]

Constantine hurried behind the soldiers once the signal was given. The cacaphony of death and destruction almost made him feel at home, save for the creeping barrages. Thats something he'd have to get used to. The shield protecting them wouldn't last forever and he wondered how long before it would crack under direct fire. He was surprised to see Cassandra help the soldiers. The way some talked about her, made it out for her to be a heartless monster. Then again, she was in the same Abyss he came from, so who knows?

He noticed the soldiers picking off grenades with shotguns and wondered why he never tried that with some of the flaming orbs of pain the Abyssal mages would throw at them during the war. He materialized a shotgun in his arms and tried out his luck with the few others he saw flying their way. Bursts of fell energy left the barell and colided with the hand-held death dealers coming over their way. Good for now, but how about the new pistols?

As they pushed forward, the wraith took the chaos caused by his former countrymen as opportunity to get a handle on things. Each pull of the trigger felt just right. Every bold of energy found its way to someone unlucky enough to be in the way. Now would these guys be waiting for him down bellow or will they accept it as a reality of war and move on? His wraith senses that he relied on to seek the wicket and those who had a mountain of sins on them was being suffocated. The auras of those around him and on the other side of the trenches both eminated with the desire for payback or something calling for their death. He couldn't tell if he had actually done a service to someone already down there or put down someone undeserving. That was a gamble he'd have to play out when he eventually would return to the Abyss. If he returned.

'Gods damn it, is this what did Royland in?' he thought to himself as the advance slowed down to tend to the wounded. 'You're not meant to be exposing yourself to the sins of the living for centuries on end you tin can idiot. Now you got me doing it.' He went on to curse himself, but it was far too late to turn back.

 

[Damian0358]

The atmosphere and energy of the battlefield was immensely overwhelming, as Xiaòzhou rushed through with the others. The environment prompted him to attempt concentrating on the task, focusing on aiding and protecting the group. Whether it be by shielding them, deflecting or tossing aside incoming attacks, and healing once everything was said and done, he attempted his best without getting in the line of fire himself, figuratively and literally.

The hermit seemed incredibly serious, as he healed the injured - even upset to an extent.

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor had charged along with the others over the trenches and into no man's land, heading straight for the Tsavanian lines. The violence on display was nothing short of astounding, even to a demon like him as he couldn't help but imagine just how much worse things would be in the Abyss if they had even a fraction of these capabilities. Securing a new position, Azathor stayed quiet for a bit as the wounded were tended to, but then - suddenly - felt a spike in auras in the near distance. His head shot towards the direction they were coming from, further down the Tsavanian front, and grimaced. "And it looks like we will have company from that 'everyone'." Azathor commented, "We have incoming."

---

Artem had watched this new wave of fighting envelop the region from the relative safety of his current leave, but he could not help but wonder if Atraca had in fact managed to breach the line. With the flurry of activity both on the ground and in the air, he could surmise that this was a particularly dangerous situation for the highlands command. A hammer had struck the anvil, and hard. Now, it seemed as though the Tsavanian army was ready to retreat as it had already on the Escarian front. It was then that one of his fellows shouted at a new development.

["They've sent the werebeasts!"] one of the older men said, pointing over towards the near distance. Artem, in turn, squinted as he observed men as wolves and bears charge into battle in whole battalions. Their presence on the battlefield stirred nationalistic emotions among Artem's battalion, as they cheered for them and cursed the Atracans with a deluge of insults. Mighty as there were in the past, when swords and shields were the main tools of a warrior, the werebeasts now had to contend with the modern contraptions of war. For the young soldier, he could only wonder if there was any chance for them.

["Poor bastards."] Artem muttered, ["They're going to be sent straight into the grinder."]

 

[K0mori]

Running as fast as his legs could carry him without risking a fall that would practically guarantee his death, Sebastian crossed No-man's-land with little interest in actually fighting the enemy. Although he carried his Mauser with bayonet affixed, it was the Atracans that wanted blood; they can get it without his help, or so he reasoned for the moment. Should he need to defend himself, he would be ready, but until that point he would not allow himself to be drawn into the battle any more than their Royal Mage would allow herself to be drawn out of it.

His boots hit the soil of the Tsavanian trench, not far behind the corporal, who seemed to be ranking Atraca's opponents to his superior. Rather than argue the merits of his own training, he forced himself to grin. "Really?" he replied, "just about everyone back home says the Escarian front is where the real fight is."

 

[Infab]

"Really?" he replied, "just about everyone back home says the Escarian front is where the real fight is."

Both the corporal and sergeant glanced back, cutting Sebastian a look. Another soldier chimed in next to him. A simple private, from the looks of things. And he didn't look too thrilled at Sebastian speaking up again, like he had before the operation began.

"What, your lot havin' trouble with a bunch of wine makers?" he said. He cut the corporal a glance, before continuing. "Don't seem like they train your boys all too well if a bunch of haughty, self-absorbed baguette munchers were causing so much trouble for ya."

Another private spoke up afterward. "They must've sent all their best ta fight us. And they're gettin' their ass handed to 'em down south." he said, "Shows how good they are in a proper fight."

Then another of the corporals spoke up. "Have you even fired a shot from that thing?" he asked, pointing to Sebastian's Mauser. "Or you savin' your ammo till later, so you can pick us off when our backs are turned? Daristeinian POW back south did that. Managed to get his hands on a rifle when some of our boys weren't looking, and took out half a squad before he was cut down by rifle fire."

Veronica shifted her head around, and muttered something under her breath as she glared at Sebastian, which earned a narrow-eyed look from Cassandra.

But Rebecca, on the other hand, noticed the same thing Azathor had. Distant auras approaching. She whispered to the Demon Prince afterwards. "Keep an eye on those aura. We might have to fight werebeasts soon."

 

[K0mori]

"What, your lot havin' trouble with a bunch of wine makers?" he said. He cut the corporal a glance, before continuing. "Don't seem like they train your boys all too well if a bunch of haughty, self-absorbed baguette munchers were causing so much trouble for ya."

"Tsh. I'm sure you'd brag about your country, too, if there was anything to brag about. 'Oh, you Escarian scoundrels with your beautiful country, your fine cuisine and world-renowned wine.' I'm sure they'd be very offended by that."

Then another of the corporals spoke up. "Have you even fired a shot from that thing?" he asked, pointing to Sebastian's Mauser. "Or you savin' your ammo till later, so you can pick us off when our backs are turned? Daristeinian POW back south did that. Managed to get his hands on a rifle when some of our boys weren't looking, and took out half a squad before he was cut down by rifle fire."

"Well, you know we Daristinians are efficient."

 

[Dmaster]

Camille kept pace with the platoon through the chaos, eyes forward as she did her best to not allow the horrible sights and sounds to break her focus. Surprisingly she had to move a bit slower than she would have liked, as she was able to sprint ahead of those in front of her without too much added strain. Restraint won out though, as the last thing she needed was to take a bullet by stepping even closer into the line of fire.

Behind Sebastian and Azathor she drops into the trench, staying alert for any enemy soldiers lying in wait as they had this momentary reprieve. Or it would have been were it not for the boasting of the infantrymen around her. Hearing her people so brazenly insulted by these oafs was enough to strike a nerve, Camille's neutral expression twitching with slightly contained anger. "There is nothing so sickening than to put down your fellow man simply for their relation to your precious border," the huntress spat, her accent thick and clear. "This war you fight in is meaningless, orchestrated by forces you cannot ever understand. Had you only the sense to see that there is no winning a conflict this bloody..."

While it was nice that Sebastian was willing to prop up Escaria for the sake of putting the Atracans down, she did not approve of this conversation equating to making war something of a sport. Before she could say more, Azathor spoke up about incoming foes. Given how he seemed to be staring straight at a trench wall with some intent, Camille could be certain that the foes were supernatural in nature. "Then we best make ready," she replied.

 

[Breadman]

Constnatine looked at the soldiers as they started to bicker. Having been separated from the mortal realm for long enough made him uninterested over border disputes and nationalist chestbeating as a whole. But he's far from someone to stay out of a fight.

"I'd listen to her. Every young soul thought he was fighting for a great cause."He chimed in "Besides, I've seen Tsavarians and Darsteniens who would make you shit yourselves. Get off his back. He's the only soldier here making the right decision." Constantine looked to the Attracan soliders bickering with Sebastian and removed his hat to better show his damned features. Visual aid to show he wasn't lying. His face twisted by his cynicism. "You know how many guys like you I saw down in the Abyss? Too fucking many."

His attention was drawn away as he sensed more auras coming their way and the others confirmed of approaching enemies. His face twisted again as he sensed something different about these ones. Something worse.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

As they charged with the platoon through the frenetic chaos, Rajko could not help but look at it all to take in the terrible carnage, to drink in those sounds of warfare. It was a harrowing experience, except it served to somber him for the tumultuous things that'll be done in the coming minutes. Mercifully, the pacing of the platoon had been to Rajko's liking, a small blessing. The sooner they'd get into cover, the better.

He dropped into the trench behind Camille, ready for unwelcomed surprises in these dirt grooves. Until the banter of the Atracan soldiery rebounded amidst the dirt walls around them. Whatever light there was barely picked out the man's taut, scarred features. If only his allies did not rise to meet the Atracan boasting, to ignore his countrymen's ignoble mouths as they spewed venom, fishing for reactions from them. A flicker of exasperation crossed Rajko's face as he looked over the platoon. "Infantry banter, how quaint." The man snapped, letting his half-Atracan accent seep through, before continuing. "I'll personally mail all of your ashes to your next of kin, until then all of you muzzle that attitude." He swept the gaze over his compatriots as well. It was hard enough to hear as is, Rajko didn't need the yapping, from both sides, in his ears too.

There was something foul in the air, distinct from the corpses and smokey aftermath of gunfire. He could not smell or hear exactly what his companions were sensing, but he could guess if nothing else, something is coming, whether Rajko's senses were on point or not.

 

[Infab]

Cassandra continued to watch Veronica, as she glared at Sebastian. The son of Daristein exchanging words with the Atracan soldiers assigned to escort them. It was clear she saw Sebastian about the same as she did Gribov. Another foreign soldier, an alien on Atracan soil that needed to be put away or put down. And she didn't care which happened, as long as it happened.

But Camille's words, of all things, were what brought change to Veronica's face. She tuned the world out, ignoring what Constantine and Rajko said afterwards.

"There is nothing so sickening than to put down your fellow man simply for their relation to your precious border," the huntress spat, her accent thick and clear. "This war you fight in is meaningless, orchestrated by forces you cannot ever understand. Had you only the sense to see that there is no winning a conflict this bloody..."

She looked briefly shocked, before a sudden and intense rage washed over what they could see of Veronica's face beneath her Royal Mage hood.

"Meaningless!?"

The Royal Mage practically spat the word out. Almost the whole platoon went quiet, their attention shifting quickly to the mage as she spoke. Uh oh.

"Do you know how long I've been on this gods forsaken front!? To fight, and fight, and fight again, watching men and women alike fall around me to those fucking heathens to the northeast?! This is is over far more than a few lines on a gods-damned map!!"

"This is about far-fucking-more! This is about RETRIBUTION. This is about making those Tsavanian and Daristeinian bastards pay for every gods damned inch of dirt they took from us! From US!! This is for every family they have shattered with their guns, their swords, their shells, their flamethrowers, EVERYTHING! THIS IS FOR EVERY SINGLE LIFE THEY HAVE TAKEN THAT MATTERED TO SOMEONE ELSE!"

Cassandra could just faintly notice the moisture rolling down the Royal Mage's face as she yelled her words out. Maybe it was sweat. All this chaos and gunfire wasn't exactly making things very comfortable.

Veronica pointed her sawn-off shotgun at Gribov, then Sebastian, then Camille, then finally Constantine and Rajko. "If you get in the way of my... OUR... vengeance, you will be my enemy. I will blow a hole through you, burn what's left, and send your ashes to back to Eternis. Back to your coward gods." she growled, her voice seething with hatred and rage.

A moment later, they heard a whistle. Followed by yelling, coming from up the trench. Tsavanian troops, rushing in to drive them back. Veronica spun about, leveled her shotgun towards the opening at the rear of the trench, and fired a shot the moment she saw movement.

A Tsavanian soldier's head exploded into a fine red mist.

She spun the sawn-off around her fingers, the lever cycling the shell out and a new one in as it came to rest firmly in her grip once more. Then, her mace came up and pointed directly at the opening like her shotgun had. A jet of blue fire erupted from the tip, as she muttered the words needed to cast the spell she had used before they entered the trench. She walked along, spraying fire into the trench opening and motioning for the platoon to follow.

Reese's voice was heard once more. "Weapons ready! Put survivors out of their misery! If you see a werebeast, shoot on sight! Don't let it bite you!" shouted the lieutenant, as he directed his men to follow the mage with hand gestures.

Rebecca looked to the others before motioning them forwards. As the Saint followed after her, Cassandra glanced back to Sebastian and Gribov. "I think our mage might be looking for a proper battlefield death." she whispered.

Gribov cut her a look. "...You think she's that suicidal?"

Cassandra shrugged. "I'm probably not the best judge of character, I know, but... i just have a gut feeling."

Gribov shifted his gaze to Sebastian and Camille. "...Well, her wish might have the rest of us following after her. We need to watch her, and be careful."

 

[Worthlessplebian]

The outcome that Rajko hoped to avoid had come to pass. The fuse lit by Camille's inflammatory words lead to an explosive outburst in the war-mage, galled by the audacity to suggest that the war was meaningless, in the mage's eyes that meant their lives were spent meaninglessly.

He respects the Raven a lot, but by the Stars above and the Dirt below, she chose her words poorly. This is why he hoped the troops or they would shut their mouths.

Now he's staring down the barrel of a sawed-off as the mage maddeningly swung that gun around; pairing threats with excuses. Fear in the back of his throat, but there was no Amulet to stoke it this time. The man's pallid features twisted with disgust. He debated whether he was fast enough to clear leather and shoot her through the heart. Only the thought that killing an asset in the middle of combat, subsequently killing them all, would be the stupidest thing he could do stayed his hand.

He would've chuckled when she mentioned Gods, self-preservation said otherwise.

How many of them here actually cared for the Gods?

The whistle redirected Veronica's bloodlust towards the approaching Tsavanians. Splattering one's head with a single blast.

Rajko followed their lead, hearing what Cassandra whispered. He looked at them both before replying.

"Deathwish? Don't be simple, she doesn't want her death, she wants theirs. Too much blood, too many lives. A warhound." Rajko whispered back.

He shifted his gaze to Gribov. "... You're right though, that makes her dangerous. For everyone."

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian didn't shrink back the way the Atracans did when their mage lost her temper. If he was a known quantity in her eyes, then the reverse was true, and happily, Sebastian managed to establish the fact without making a fool of himself.

As always, Sebastian couldn't be frightened with shouting and idle threats, at least from a human being like himself. Except, this time, it wasn't resignation that carried him through the exchange, like the many, many times he had endured his father's anger by sinking into himself and falling silent. This time, Sebastian was self-assured. He wanted to piss this woman and her stooges off, and when she leveled her gun at him, their guide, and the mother of two next to him, he simply remembered the burning bodies of two Abyssal Icons in his recent past and shrugged off the display.


"What a piece of work," he said quietly with a sneer. With the focus changing to the werebeasts incoming, he put his mind on the fight. "Right. Silver it is," he said, pulling his special bullets out and loading his Mauser up. For anyone watching, it was immediately clear that Sebastian had charged the Tsavanian trench with an empty rifle.

 

[Dmaster]

At the mage's outburst, Camille turned her head from the possible threat closing in on them to listen to those screaming ravings. Other than a slight canting of her brow to face the shouting head on, the huntress was silent before the shotgun was pointed at her. Almost imperceptibly she tensed and seemed ready to move in the next instant, a reaction she's built up from having been staring through gun barrels many times before. Regardless of Veronica's bravado or magical prowess, Camille was either ready to disarm her or run her through in that moment. Even when the barrel was swept to another target she still remained prepared for a violent contingency.

Of all things, however, the insinuation that Camille cared for the gods earned a small smirk that very quickly faded. "And so you choose to doll out that misery on other people and their families for their crime of being different than you?" she answers. "Where does retribution end and senseless slaughter begin?"

The whistle sounding got her to turn toward the approaching foes as her stance spread for combat, but their narrow confines meant that she could not be of much use from her position. Not that it mattered, given how the mage went right back into killing scores of soldiers without a second thought.

Listening to Gribov, Rajko, and Sebastian, she shook her head and began to stride forward with the rest of the group. "In some ways it is like looking in a mirror. Dehumanizing a foe can make killing them seem justified. A simplistic mindset for simpler times, yet even then it served me no better."

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou largely kept out of the conversation, concentrating on what little healing had to be done. As he finished up, just as those few others had noticed, distant auras approached. He patted the last soldier on the back and gave him a smile, as he approached his group once more... only to find metaphorical barbed wire strewn between them and Veronica.

Those Atracan soldiers next to him would've noticed his serious expression, and his stance, which looked as if he would've jumped in had things escalated. Thankfully, or however thankful one could be here, the whistles were heard. Whomever was approaching had arrived.

The hermit listened in on what the others were talking about, as he tried to think what he'll do next, especially given the werebeasts. The hermit listened in on what the others were talking about, as he tried to think what he'll do next, especially given the werebeasts. Remembering his past experience with them, he had to consider all the new factors at play here: unlike the werebeasts he had fought years ago, these were likely to be skilled combatants, likely in tune with their abilities; more akin to Riberta. The close-quarters environment of the trenches has the capacity to both aid and hinder the werebeasts, and they needed to make sure the latter occurred, not the former. They need to be constricted... just as Veronica if she proves to be detrimental. He kept his silence as the group strode forward.

 

[Breadman]

"Well then." Constantine put his hat back at the sight of the shotgun levied against his face. "If its vengance you crave..." The suffocation made more sense as the frenzied emotions of the mage left Her lips. her aura alone was overpowering in that regard. What possible gods she meant, made no sense to him given the current state of things. "...don't let us hold you ma'am" The wraith let her get back to her business as the counter attack had started. He looked again to Sebastian to see if young man was ready and to his surprise, that Mauser in the soldier's hands was in fact empty. "Clever."

He would join the others in their stride forward after the battle mage and invited or not, would offer his own input for their guide.

"She's too far gone. Only thing going on in that head of hers is the desire to see burning corpses and heads on spikes. If she's among the living when this war ends, she's not going to find peace. The Abyss will welcome her all the same."

 

[Infab]

The group proceeded through the narrow trenches, engaging whatever targets presented themselves as they moved. The platoon did most of the work, putting rounds through Tsavanian troops that appeared. Not without taking some themselves, however. A few members of the platoon went down, hit by enemy gunfire. Some of them could be saved, but occasionally one would take a fatal gunshot. Casualties of a brutal war being waged cross the continent. With every loss, Veronica's ferocity in combat seemed to increase. She carved her own path through masses of troops, with blasts from her shotgun and viciously violent beatings with her mace.

Eventually, however, the group would arrive at a fork in the trenches. Veronica looked down both, wiping blood from her face. "REESE!" she shouted, glancing behind her. The Lieutenant quickly moved up next to her. "LEFT OR RIGHT?!" she soon demanded, looking to the Lieutenant.

The answer would be chosen for them a moment later, when the roar of a werebeast's charge was heard from down the left trench. A massive werewolf was running on all fours towards them. There were strips of cloth wrapped around their arms, legs, and neck which signified their Tsavanian allegiance. As he neared, Veronica readied herself. A look of rage and determination washing over her face. She wasn't afraid. Not in the slightest.

The swipe of the werewolf's massive claw narrowly missed Veronica's side, and the werewolf slid to a stop as Reese and other soldiers quickly got out of the way of the beast. Veronica's mace didn't miss, however, as it came crashing down on the top of the werewolf's skull. It sent the creature's head into the mud, and as it tried to rise quickly to attack, another swing collided with the side of the beast's head. It stumbled against the trench's wooden wall, stunned by the pair of mace strikes.

Then, Veronica finished it off. The sawn-off shotgun's muzzle pointed at the creature's head, and the trigger was pulled. Half the beast's face evaporated in a flash of fire, blood, and gore. Its body slumped back to the ground, lifeless.

She cycled the lever again, before pointing her mace in the direction of the right trench. "FUCKING MOVE!" she spat. The platoon quickly complied, darting down the right trench with the group following quickly. The werebeasts had arrived. This was going to get even more bloody very quickly.

The followed the trench for several meters, approaching the rear trench line. All the while, they could hear the roars of werebeasts all about. As well as the sounds of gunfire and screams. Something else they would notice, however, were bright red flares being shot into the sky. "Flares?" asked Cassandra, glancing up as they moved.

One of the soldiers spoke up, glancing up himself. "Command ordered us to launch flares if we encountered large groups of werebeasts. You'll see why in a moment." he said, cutting the pureblood and the others in the group a glance.

In the distance, they heard the loud thump of several powerful artillery guns. The railway cannons, which had been moved so they could fire anywhere across the front. And a few moments later, they saw the detonations of the shells over the Tsavanian trenches. Three puffs of black over different sections of the trench, where each of the flares had been launched from.

"Air burst ordinance." muttered Gribov, "Those shells detonate in midair, and pepper an area with shrapnel. Let me guess... they're full of silver shards."

"Right." said the same soldier, "We can take out swathes of them in one go. Collateral damage is high, though."

Gribov winced at the thought, looking to the others.

 

[K0mori]

"Right." said the same soldier, "We can take out swathes of them in one go. Collateral damage is high, though."

"Scheiße."

Sebastian stepped up to near the front of the group, glaring at the incoming salvo. Clearly, the Atracans would be aiming for wherever the flairs were launched, so if one were to find one's self under the flair, it was time to hide. That time hadn't come yet, and so he pressed on, hoping the others wouldn't lose their nerve. He remembered the advancing fire drill he had practiced with his unit back in Daristein, and realized this was a good time to employ it- fire at anything that comes around the next corner, and whatever you do, don't stop unless you're sheltering from artillery.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou's eyes visibly shot up as the werebeast's presence, only for Veronica to finish off the beast in a few swoops. No matter how little info the encounter provided, it did reveal one thing - the movement was more deliberate. They were not to be underestimated.

Later down in the trenches, the hermit frowned at the explanation of the silver-based air burst ordinance. The artillery fire has likely taken the lives of many at this point through collateral alone. The ends seemed to only justify the means here. If they could not get to cover fast enough, he could hope to provide shelter in some fashion... or if not shelter, control the spread himself.

 

[Infab]

Eventually, the group would emerge into a rather open section of the trench. A large rectangular shaped section, several meters wide in length. At either end of the area were two exits to other parts of the trench, and across from them were two more exits leading further back into the rear of the trenches. Potentially out into the hills behind it, where Rebecca's group needed to get.

Scattered about the area seemed to be tables, battered and worn from the months of use here in the trenches. Benches sat in the place of chairs, allowing soldiers to sit and talk, or eat rations. Standing over the tables, held up by several wooden posts, was a sort of pavilion covered with metal shingles. That would make for excellent cover should any of those air burst rounds detonate overhead.

There were small, makeshift tents set up for privacy. Likely used by officers discussing battle tactics and orders with their subordinates, or for soldiers trying to get baths when they could. A stack of crates sat in one corner, marked with Tsavanian lettering. Gribov could easily read it, pointing them out as ammunition crates for the troops. Other parts of the area had cots and sleeping areas, with scattered trinkets and items. Personal items. They could see journals, pocket watches, letters from home, and so on.

"This must be where those soldiers came from earlier." said Rebecca, looking about quickly before glancing to Veronica and Reese.

"Highly likely." responded Reese, his rifle shouldered and watching one of the exits on the far side of the area. "We need to keep going. We can't stay here."

Veronica pointed towards the right exit on the far side with her mace. "Right seems to be favoring us, so we go that way." she stated.

But as the group moved into the rectangular space, the sounds of howls and roars began to fill their ears. As well as the sounds of boots and clacking rifles. Soon enough, they spotted Tsavanian troops coming from the exit they were approaching. Some more appeared from the left exit. To the left, right, and even behind, the creatures they were trying their best to avoid. Werebeasts, a mixture of werewolves and werebears. The werebears were the more intimidating of the two, resembling large grizzly bears with plates of metal strapped to their arms, legs, and torso to protect against bullets. They even wore makeshift metal helmets, with slits to allow them to see and openings for their mouths. Some of the werewolves also wore armor, but not to the extent of the werebears. Likely because they were smaller and faster targets.

"Well, looks like we're making our stand here." muttered Cassandra, lifting her rifle to her shoulder as she aimed towards the werebeasts coming from their rear. They were vastly outnumbered, but they did have flares at their disposal. One which Reese quickly employed. "EVERYONE, UNDER THE PAVILION!" he barked, pointing his flare gun upwards and firing. A red missile launched upwards into the sky, before popping loudly. A red fireball replaced it, drifting lazily above.

Everyone knew what was coming next. The platoon of soldiers darted towards the pavilion, firing off a symphony of shots at both the Tsavanian troops coming in from the other side as well as at the werebeasts rapidly approaching. Rebecca's group followed quickly, bolting for the area under the pavilion. Cassandra even grabbed the people closest to her, slinging her arms around them, and used her inhuman speed to move into cover.

Loud thumps sounded in the distance, and it was only a few moments before they heard three loud bursts overhead. Thousands upon thousands of small silver shards and balls soon rained down, peppering the entire area and hitting anything left out in the open. They watched as Tsavanian soldier and werebeast alike were hit numerous times by the bits of silver. Bodies were pummeled and pierced, limbs were ripped off. Some of the plates of metal the werebeasts were wearing was even punched through. The cots, crates, and other furniture and items were ripped apart in the rain of silver. In the end, their enemies lay on the muddy ground. Either bleeding out, or completely lifeless.

However, they were replaced quite quickly. More werebeasts moved through the trenches around them, though far fewer in number than before. Tsavanian soldiers also continued their push in from the rear of the trench. Determined to stop the Atracans from breaking through.

"There's a lot less of them now! We might can survive this!" shouted Reese. He then pointed to Rebecca's group. "We'll handle the Tsavanians! You lot, kill the werebeasts!"

"I'll provide support! If it moves, kill it!" Veronica spat.

As she finished, a dozen werebeasts pushed through the trench to their exits, emerging into the rectangular space behind them. Werewolves, enraged and seeking blood.

 

[Breadman]

"Ah fuck." Constantine let out as he prepared to shoot at the werebeasts that began to encircle them. Then Reese did something he didn't expect and shot the flair up into the sky. The small gentle flame began its slow descend. "Abyss' maw, whats that for?" He squinted at it, before he noticed everyone else scatter under the pavillion. He didn't hesitate. They were the ones who knew what they were doing here. He made it just in time as the artilerry started to pound the werebeasts into nothing. When they emerged from their cover, he looked at the carnage and was impressed how quickly it was done, but it wasn't over. More of them would come and attack them.

"Come on you mutts!" He aimed at the coming werebears and werewolves "The Abyss awaits!"

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor followed the lead of the Atracans along with the others, making sure to stay in cover as airburst mortars did their work against what appeared to be a horde of werebeasts. The number of them, even after bombardment, that he could see on the battlefield was astonishing. Just how many of these things did Tsavania have? He laid the question for another time as the action began, with werewolves baring down onto their position. He felt guilty in taking lives of those being thrown in this senseless conflict but he knew that - in the end - the needs of everyone outweighed the lives of these few.

And so, the demon prince unholstered his pistols and fired at the nearest werewolf with a quick flurry of bullets.