GWOTC: The New Order/The Last War (Parts 1 and 2; IC)

[Dyllonia]

SARVOS

Sarvos nearly asked why, but he had an idea of what the plan was: to force the Knight of Ashes into opening the door to a theological statement, allowing Crimson Ghost to show weakness in Sarvos by japing about Horizonism. Or perhaps he was just making a brooding statement regarding his past. Either way, Sarvos had to think carefully about what to say next or to say anything. "Yes of course. My kindest ancestor," he spat, "was always too paranoid to eat or drink if it had not been tasted first by one of his light elf slaves. And in Dyllonia cremation is dominant, but King Lindir did not give Dam 'The Dread' that right when he slew him in battle. He buried him deep beneath the fiery mountains he lived in and put a charm over his body to slow the decay to make things long an painful."

[South Raznakova]

"I like him already.", he said to Sarvos. "Now, let us continue the investigation.", said the ghost.

[Oppermenia]

Jon felt the awkwardness of Sarvos and the Ghost's interaction. He decided to break it. "Yes, we have to get back to the investigation. It was good seeing you, Sarvos," he said. But then, he had an idea. "Why don't you help with the investigation? I mean, you are Harpy Man after all."

[Draos]

Tethys Indonisía 2:30 pm (local time) 5 days after the assassination of Vasílissa Rebecca of Draos
Draosian hoplites move through the city as the ascendancy had quickly established martial law but cloaked figures stood in the shadows watching the patrols. Approximately 4 hours later at 6:30 shots rang out as the figures who supported the Deposed Father of Basileus Daniel Sainz opened fire on the Draosian army troopers. The time had come the Ascendancy long an isolationist and Hermit state had come undone and was in a state of mass chaos and civil war. The war of the False heir had begun.

[Dyllonia]

SARVOS

Harpy Man. The words struck Sarvos like a whip, his amethyst eyes flashing for just a moment. It was Dominik who have him that name, his old friend. Then he realized he was being played for a pawn. In truth, Sarvos was weary for all the fighting. He just wanted to settle down in the Ash Fortress and help rebuild Shadowlight. But his nephews were not safe, and this was Jon Neddard asking for his help. As ridiculous as the idea of the New Order sounded, Sarvos trusted Jon's views. "Alright Jon, I will join your ghost hunt. But don't expect me to fall on my knees and swear my loyalty to your brother like my brothers and sisters did. And I think you can count Arvel and Taimon in as well."

"That he can." Taimon Black smiled, Arvel was not too far behind him, the polar bear of his house was small on his armor, just to the right of the heart. And at that moment, Veronica soared through the skies cawing and chirping.

RHAEGO

Oppermanor was slowly warming up to him after all, but it was never really home. Sajaar suggested that he read Oppermenian literature to grow better antiquated with the culture here. A Dance Of Crowns was legendary in Dyllonia, but his father argued the books were better. When he opened the first book he began to agree with him. He learned the houses of Oppermenia and their sigils and histories. Looking out into Oppermanson Rhaego spotted a fiery pheonix on a yellow canvas. Stab a phoenix, and expect to be burned warned the Stein words; yet when Stein the Deceitful tried to slay Opperman the Conqueror it was Stein who got burned. Yet now it seemed the two houses were inseparable.

He had noticed plenty of crowned wolves, shaggy wolves, three-headed wolves, elk, phoenixes, spoons, and sword and hearts rather then the black swords and goblets he was used to. Rhaego began comparing the houses with the Dyllonic ones and noticed how similar a lot of them were. Vezeetes and Opperman, Stein and Buluru, Stein and Rose, Almor and Lysandos.

In the city chapels and churches, he seldom noticed any of the Horizon gods. He noticed the Nagy Farkas, Quaker God, and even a collection of gods who Sajaar deemed the gods of the Outer Islands. When ever he did notice any of the gods he was familiar with it was older chapels and only Sollis and Luna stood. Polaris Felisten was often omitted as a god he noticed, and here it was true. Most of his monuments here were just recognizing his conquest rather then his apotheosis.

In his reading, he heard a knock at the door. Sajaar already made it half way in the room before Rhaego discovered him. The Spider was always hard to notice. "Your Grace, my Friendly Ghosts whisper to me again."

"What do they say?" Rhaego said.

"The kryat dragon is having an awful stomach ache."

"Draos?"

"Precisely." Sajaar gave a sad smile. "The dragon grew two heads....and they are tearing each other apart..."

[Dyllonia]

RUTHELA

In the small hall built in what was now being called Halal's Nest Ruthela Vezeetes waited as the great lords came piling in. Lords Noah Blacktree, Lucas Morningstar, Damon Buluru, Mathias Pyre, ex-Prime Minister Andrew Rose, and Alvantus Stag. Not far behind came the new Prime Minister Edgar Dusk and sitting as far away from him as possible as his house's sword rivals, the Dawns presented by Hilary Dawn.

The table was not even a shadow of the great dinner table in Oppermanor but this was sufficient for the destroyed capital of Dyllonia. Talon-Queen Ruth sat in the center on to her left was PM Dusk, then Pyre, Buluru, and Rose. To her right sat Blacktree, Morningstar, Stag, and Dawn. Edgar Dusk looked like his name. He had short black hair with hints of his natural red hair color. He was lean and short but much like TSAR's boss he had something chilling about him. Mathias Pyre held natural dark hair and he looked like a brooding vampire. He had a hooked nose and a sharp face about him. Damon Buluru was the oldest but least respected man at the table. He was brother to Dominik and the excuse Vodovenko brought with him for burning Dyllonia to the ground made him even more hated.

Andy Rose looked more tired then Ruth had ever seen him. His lively enthusiastic self was drowned by a darkness inside him. When she first met him it was when the two leaders of the Dyllonic Rebellion met. Her husband and Andy became fast friends and were even closer when they won the war. His homburg hat rested on the table as expressionless as its owner. Noah Blacktree was an older man like his first borne son, John, he wore a cloak of black hawk feathers. But the one John wore was easily dwarfed by his father's; Noah looked like the sigil for house Omulus in his gigantic coat. Lucas Morningstar was easily the largest and loudest man in the room, his brown beard was was enormous as the rest of him. Unlike his distant cousin, Arvel, Alvan Stag was an older man of 40. He was dressed in a white cloak to mimic the sigil of his house. Finally Hilary Dawn was the liveliest one in the room. She had auburn that if her rival Edgar Dusk would have had if he had not dyed it.

Across the hall she spotted all the sigils. The black sword of Vezeetes, the orange fox of Blacktree, the flail of Morningstar, the jeweled goblet of Buluru, the great dragon of Pyre, the thorny red flower of Rose, the polar bear of Stag, the crescent moon of Dusk and the rising sun of Dawn. Unsurprisingly she did not see the twin volcanoes of Lysandos. Sarvos had forfeited his claim as lord of the Darklands when he swore himself into the Ferrum.

Each house held a lordship over a city in Dyllonia. Vezeetes historically held Dyllongrad, even when they were not the ruling body; Blacktree held Bastrict, Morningstar held Katonai; Pyre Dragonheart in the protectorate of Sunstone; Buluru had Harvel and Nos Wogan; Stag held Ancborough; Dusk had the similarly named Duskcome; Dawn held Hinnitum; Rose held the Green Gardens, or often called Avocado Garden; and Lysandos Shadowlight.

Ruth took a small sip of wine before she spoke. "Lords and ladies of Dyllonia, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to this conference."

"A pleasure to be here Your Grace." Andy Rose had not lost his courtesies but he did lose the color in his voice.

"This is the first time we have met when he had our new Prime Minister. I wish to congratulate Edgar Dusk on his victory in the last few weeks." there was a gentle applause and Edgar simply nodded his head.

"And I wish to thank my predecessor Andy Rose for serving Dyllonia so fatefully. I can only hope to serve half so well as you had, sir." if there was sarcasm in Edgar's voice it was unnoticeable.

"Now, most of the death and rubble the sick bastards left for us has been cleared and reconstruction has begun. Many of our cities have had name changes I am aware and if I say the wrong name please forgive me and do not hesitate to correct me. Now, as you have noticed Halal's Nest is recovering greatly thanks to our friends and hard workers. What of your own cities? Alvantus, what of Bastrict?"

"Poetic Sorrow, Your Grace." Alvan Blacktree corrected. "The rubble is being cleared and homes are being constructed. Rollo's Spider sent his ghosts out to collect the old stories of the famed bards and poets." It was no surprise, Sajaar had a habit of collecting old artifacts before they were stolen.

The rest of the lords said similar things about reconstruction. Ruth had received a message from Sarvos asking her to ask if any of the lords knew anything about a lost Magnum Ferrum Knight, Celine of Moons which none of them did. But things tenses when talks of trade came about. Blacktree suggested that trade be opened with South Raznakova as they held a large quantity of death as well as production. Morningstar was having no part in it. "I will never pay those arrogant strutting roosters for killing my son!" he roared and that was the end of that suggestion. Whatever Dawn proposed, Edgar Dusk protested. Andy Rose suggested Rakdai and Oppermenia definitely be partners. Buluru was appalled at the thought. Damon seemed to still be holding a grudge over Demitri's death centuries ago but he insisted that they stood idly by while Dyllonia was being destroyed. "They saved your golden ass, Buluru!" Morningstar boomed. Mathias Pyre suggested Draos, but Alvan Stag reminded him that they were in civil war. Hilary Dawn joked that they should open trade with South Acren which left the court howling in laughter.

After tiring hours of arguments they finally came to agree that Oppermenia and Rakdai be the trade partners. Ruth took a sip of her wine, only to find it was empty. It had been a tiresome day.

[South Raznakova]

It was a clear night in Moscow. It was a full moon and there was a cool breeze. Vodovenko sat in a chair on the balcony. His home was 8 km outside of Moscow and he had a good view of the lights being emitted by the city. As usual, he held a cigarette in his hand. He hadn't always smoked, he only picked it up after his wife Tatiana and his daughter Sasha had been killed. It calmed him down. He took another puff from his cigarette, put it out and walked back inside. He walked through the halls of the estate until he got to his study. On the wall behind his desk was a portrait of Nikolai Vodovenko the second, the founder of Raznakova. Obviously he had never met the man, but from the stories he seemed to have been an honourable man, the complete opposite of Vladimir. "At least I tried.", he thought to himself. He then walked over to his dry bar and poured himself a glass of vodka. As he sat down at his desk and lit another cigarette, the phone rang.

"Who is it?"

"This is the Minister of Foreign Intelligence."

Minister of Foreign Intelligence, Natasha Makarov, the sister of Yuri Makarov, the head of Unit 46.

"What is the situation?"

"Bad news sir, civil war has erupted in Draos. It is unclear exactly how it started, however, it seems supporters of Deposed Father of Basileus Daniel Sainz have begun to wage war on the Draosian military. Information is still coming in, and I will have a full report on your desk tomorrow morning."

"Excellent, keep the situation under surveillance. Good work Natasha."

"Thank you General Secretary.", the minister then hung up the phone. Vodovenko drank his vodka and took another puff from his cigarette. "With the end of one war comes the beginning of another.", he thought to himself. He was born into a world of war, and at this rate it seemed like he would die in one. It wasn't a life he would wish on anyone.

[South Acren]

Eagles Nest, Somewhere in South Acren
The helicopter landed and the doors were flung open. The agents quickly escorted the two leaders, on stretchers, to the bases med bay. Agent Russia, aka Commander Laubach takes temporary command until they recover. He stands in the middle of the computer room and looks through the countless reports from generals and other informants. "What the hell?" He picks it up a paper and reads it. "A secret society?" He has memories of the time of the Illuminati. "Oh god." He reads further. "We need to shut down all worldly activity." The few aids in the room go silent. One speaks up. "Uh...W-what?" Erik glares at the aid. "You heard me. Isolationism." The aid stutters. "B-But sir you cant autho-" Erik grabs the man by his collar, showing him the report. "YOU SEE THAT? THIS IS NO JOKE. WE CANNOT TRUST ANYONE. CUT THE TIES." The aid nods reluctantly and sits down at a desk. They all begin typing. Across the nation, embassies are closed and its residents are sent to airports with no explanation. Calls out of the country cease as they are intercepted. All immigrants are turned away, all "political prisioners" (AKA jailed diplomats) are released but deported back home. Trade is slowed eventually stopped. All military forces are pulled back. South Acren fully falls back into isolationism.

(OOC: This is my catching up post. Timeline is from the day of the attempt on rommels/ arcsons life to the latest post)

[Dyllonia]

ALLANDOR

A strange silence fell over the fortress between the mountains. Yet in the small throne room grey and purple skinned elves stood idly by in their armor of midnight. Before them all on the ebony throne jeweled with amethysts and charoite was the rightful king of the Darklands. Beneath his dark crown and the neat flowing of white hair behind his head had the honor to be King Dam Lysandos. His face was fare and sharp, a near menacing gaze rested within. Then interrupting the song of solitude came a distant sounding of footsteps.

They grew louder as armored boot met the stone, the sound bouncing throughout the halls. Then he was there. His armor was as cold and black as the men before him. He was fully armored head to toe, the visor in his helmet lowered at his eyes. He marched down towards the throne between the elves in black. As he drew nearer they drew their swords and fell to their knees. Until he reached the throne. The tall man in armor knelt before the throne, towering over him King Dam. "Remove your helm." the king commanded. He did as he was bid, he took his helmet off and laid it beside him at the feet of the king. He looked up, Tarmis Lysandos wore his father's purple eyes yet he betrayed him with a dark, dark purple hair.

Dam looked down over him for a while then spoke again. "Tarmis Lysandos, Prince to the Darklands, Prince of Darkness, and Prince of Midnight I Dam Lysandos the King of the Darklands and the dark Elves hereby bestow to you the title Knight of Ashes." The King produced a dark scabbard and offered it below. Tarmis accepted. "Rise." he commanded. And so he did. He reached for the hilt of the blade and slowly drew it. Like the scabbard, the blade was long and blacker then coal. It was beautiful, in a strange unusual way the blade shined.

Tarmis removed his right gauntlet and stroked the blade with his hand. As he traced a flame grew, building on a his hand ascended to the tip then fell back to the guard. He graciously returned the blade to his king. Dam took the blade hilt first and used his own hand to trace the flaming blade. However as he touched the flames they turned into a magnificent purple fire as if the night sky was set ablaze. Soon the entire sword was shrouded in the dark flames and the king returned the blade to the Knight of Ashes. Tarmis admired the blade, his purple eyes never squinting at the eryie brightness of dark. "All good blades deserve a name." his father said. "What might this one be?"

Tarmis studied the blade more and finally gave an answer. "NIghtfire," he said, "Nightfire" Dam smiled at the answer. The pounding of drums rang around, the booms of the twin volcanoes reaping through the fortress.

[Oppermenia]

Nova Enterprises Building, Oppermenia

Francis was tired, as usual. His eyelids heavy, falling with every pulse. His body exhausted, weakening with every breath. Such was the toll that came with being the founder of a million dollar enterprise... Soon, his limo came to a stop. Finally, he thought. He hated that limo, the seats just made his back fall apart.

The door to his limo opened. “Hello, Mr. Nova,” his guard said outside the limo. “It’s time to head up.”

Francis stepped out of his limo. “Thank you, Martin,” he said. “Say, I just be giving someone a raise sometime soon.” He winked at him.

He walked down the dark, cold garage, catching an eerie feeling. He couldn’t help but feel eyes piercing into his back. He quickly looked behind him. Nothing. Reassured, he continued on.

Finally he made it to the elevator and pressed the top floor button. However, as soon as the doors closed, all lights in the elevator suddenly went off, submerging Francis in an ocean of shadows. A single light turned on, barely offering light to faintly illuminate the room.

“Hello, Francis,” a voice behind him whispered. Francis jumped.

“What the hell?!” he said.

There, he saw a familiar figure. A figure in all black, a concealed face, blending in with the dark of the room. He was a Shadow.

“What do you want?” Francis asked.

“I don’t want anything,” the Shadow answered.

“What about the cameras?” Francis looked up at the elevator security cameras to see the light wasn’t on. It had been turned off.

“Don’t worry, no one will know about this. As always.”

“Why are you here?”

“To warn you. I have a feeling something’s lurking.” For a few seconds, the lights went off again. When they came back on, the Shadow was gone.

The elevator reached the top floor, bringing a ding with it. Cautiously, he stepped out into the hall. As usual, it was dark. Dark enough for someone to sneak up on him... Click. A light turned on after he flipped a switch. Nothing was there. He went on, still skeptical of his surroundings.

He slowly creeped into the room, his office, trying not to be noticeable if someone was in there. He went into the middle. He reached his left hand out to a light switch on his desk, and there was no one there in front of him. He was safe.

He let out a sigh of relief. He turned around to his desk to get to his studies - “Ah!” He flinched. There at the desk, in the part of the room still dark, he found an ominous figure sitting there, a gun pointing at him.

[South Raznakova]

"Take that chair next to you and sit down. We have much to discuss.", said the Ghost.

[Oppermenia]

Nova Enterprises

Francis reluctantly sat down. He was very nervous. That figure lurking, the gun pointed at him... what was this about? Yes, he had many shady dealings, as a businessman always does, but why was this specific assassin after him?

“Listen, I don’t have all night. I’m very tired. Please, let’s get to the point with this and get this done as soon as possible. What do you wanna discuss, might I ask?”

[South Raznakova]

"What were your children doing last night Francis?", asked the Ghost. "Also, please do not lie, I will be able to tell if you are."

[Dyllonia]

YEARS EARLIER

They say that the Drell's Tower near Shadowlight was hard to escape, even impossible. It had never been done before. It was a massive black tower that rose above the clouds, it could be seen easily from the surface of Shadowlight and it sent dreary chills up a viewers spine. They said that Drell Lysandos took after his father in his ruthless methods, they say he was fond of torture. Yet in Dyllonia he was never tried as guilty. In the tower was Syrman Trout. He peered out beyond the black bars in the darkness and heard footsteps. "Hello Syrman." he heard. Judging by the dark clothes and the arms he wore Syrman knew he was a guard.

"Oh, looks like your master sent you out to torment me!" he sneered. "Jokes on you. I am getting out of here alive. And you will still be stuck in this miserable Pokol of a tower."

The guard chuckled. "Nah I don't think so Trout. You'll be stuck here until you die, maybe I will be the one to take your pitiful life."

"Filthy cur! You forget my sentence in nearly over, thanks to your corrupt warden's love of forint. I am getting out of here, and there is nothing you can do about it!"

"Yes, yes, don't remind me. But where will go, Trout? You'll be back in here I am sure. Your kind always come back. You are an animal, you belong in a cage."

Syrman inched closer, grabbing one of the bars. "I'll remember that when I'm lying on the beeches of Draos with your wife, Dyllonic filth!"

"Yeah right," the guard chuckled, "and let me guess you'll become Lord Reaper of the Darklands too."

"Mock me all you wish, but one day all of Kegyeleem will know my name. Syrman Trout! Syrman Trout!"

"Keep talking, Trout. But mark my words you will be back." the guard walked away. In the quiet another shadow emerged. This one was not in the guards clothes.

"Who in Lopakidos's name are you?" Trout demanded.

"Call me...Dracula!" he laughed.

"Haha! Yes! Paying me a visit, Alf?"

"Thought I might make your sentence end here. Welcome to the organization "

PRESENT

Hugo came rushing through the Bloody Nest. Lucien, Alf, and Syrmon awaited the message. Hugo caught his breath and spoke, "They have come." he said.

"Who?" Lucien Lachance asked.

"Them. The New Order. They stopped by the Bloody Eagle..."

"And?"

"Went down in flames. They almost answered correctly on their third try, but the Eagle does not believe in fourth chances."

"What was on the body? What did they want?"

Hugo pulled out a letter, it seemed to suffer some burns. He placed it before the three and while most of the letter was incomprehensible they noticed the last part of the message escaped.

Join us, Lucien. Or feel our fury.

"Burn the rest of it. TSAR bends the knee to no one." the Messenger of Lopakidas ordered.

[Oppermenia]

Nova Enterprises Building

Francis began, calm and composed, while still knowing what the Ghost could do to him. He knew what this man was capable of, it would be foolish to lie. "Well, I'd be a buffoon to challenge a Ghost such as yourself," he said playfully. "I'm a businessman, you see. As with all men like myself, day-today dealings can be shady. My company provides many technologies to the Oppermenian populace, even has some military dealings with the government. Behind the scenes, more deals go on than simply that. I sent my son and daughter to the docks last night to have them negotiate a deal, as I'm sure you know. Every year, they come to my company asking for more weapons and technologies and supplies... And every year, I raise the prices. I don't care what they use them for, its just business. I give them a few military-grade products here and there, and they give me profits. Franc and Felis were there last night to negotiate the new dealing, before it went sideways. That's what I get, I suppose, for sending in children to do a man's job."

[South Raznakova]

"You do realize that some of your weapons you sold to them was used in an assassination attempt on the Oppermenian royalty, as well as other very prominent world leaders. I would suggest that you tell us everything you know, starting with who your contact is with the organization. If you don't, you will be renditioned to South Raznakova for interrogation. As you are well aware the Raznakovans are not to fond of having people try and assassinate them. So talk. Now."

[Rakdai]

Taipan walked through the starkly-lit halls of Nova Enterprises, irritated by the harsh white lights and the cumbersome armor of the dead man over their own lightweight tactical bodysuit. Taipan, completely unnoticed by the guards, made their way downstairs from the back vent that had been so painfully easy to just through, and finally exited to a floor several stories down into the ground, to be greeted by around a dozen guards and two vaults, as well as a few offices here and there. Even though Taipan knew that Francis would likely be occupied by Ghost, just to make sure, they quickly typed into a tablet a command that would lead the cameras on that level to repeat the footage of the previous hour. Now on a timer, Taipan walked up to the guards in front of the vaults. "I require access to weapon and munitions storage B, please". One of the guards, the apparent leader of the group, replied "and for what purpose?" Taipan stated matter-of-factly "To burn".

Before anyone could react to what was said, Taipan swung their arm up, revealing the small but sturdy dagger in their grip, and drove it into the nearest man's temple, crunching through metal, skin and bones to find its place in the brain of the collapsing guard. As Taipan did this, a grenade dropped from their belt which Taipan swiftly caught and activated, kicking the leader out of the way while doing so. The explosion broke Taipan's arm, but it did far worse to the guards, as most of them died instantly, their armor protecting them from shrapnel, but not the force of the shockwave. There were only two left alive, the leader and a young man, no more than twenty-three. The leader was badly broken, and was twitching on the ground, and Taipan regarded him only long enough to stomp on his neck and kill him.

Taipan knew that even a relatively small explosion like that of the grenade would invite some attention, so they started to work fast. The door was thankfully not damaged by the explosion, but the security measures were. Using their unbroken arm, Taipan's managed to gain enough leverage to open the vault's door just wide enough to squeeze past. In the endless racks of guns, munitions, and explosives, Taipan hid half a dozen plastic explosives that would activate upon their command. Taipan walked back into the hallway, and looked at the one survivor. He was obviously in pain, his arms and legs were bent in off directions, and a steady drop of blood leaked from the cracks in the armor. Taipan dragged him over to the site of the explosion, and took his somehow still undamaged phone out of his pocket. The background was of a happy young man and a woman, obviously him and his girlfriend, surrounded by what appeared to be family. Taipan set the phone up in front of the broken man, and after several seconds, dropped the pin from the grenade into his lap and swiftly shot him in the head, then many times in his body. Taipan took the phone and walked upstairs and out of an air duct, blessed by the relatively lax security and slipped into the night.

[Draos]

12:00 hours local time Hyperion Indos (New Dehli India)
Loyalist Troops stood at their positions the time had come for the first major battle of the War of the False heir had come the Ascendany's Forces numbered about 160,000 with 150 tanks and 300 artillery pieces set up throughout the area of engagement. General Cristopher Harrington the commander of the Loyalist forces could sense clear hesitation in his men they were fighting their own brothers and sisters in arms they had gone to hell and back with. He sighed looking at the Tactical map of the battlefield the Terrorists numbered of 300,000 including Indian rebels seeking freedom unaware of the rebels plans to turn back on their promises after the war the enemies tanks and artillery piece numbers were unknown but projected higher than those of his own his thoughts were broken as the roar of heavy guns broke the silence War had come though hell and high water.

[South Raznakova]

Moscow, 2 years into Gorbachev's Rule over Raznakova

It was 2:16AM in Moscow as a truck carrying troops from the Moscow Guard pulled up outside of an apartment building on Volga Street. As the troops got out of the truck gunfire could be heard along the street and troops could be seen herding people out of buildings and into trucks. Raids like this happened nightly, hunting for suspected "dissidents". As the troops from the truck entered a building, two other soldiers could be seen beating a man in the entrance of an apartment. The soldiers moved quickly up the stairs, AK-12's in hand. The troops finally arrived at their destination on the third floor, apartment C36.

"BREACHING!", shouted one of the soldiers, as he kicked in the door. The 12 soldiers burst into the room. The soldiers split up and dragged a man and woman from a bedroom into the living room. The other soldiers dragged two children into the living room as well.

"ALL CLEAR!", shouted one of the troops. The commander of the raid walked in, and nodded to two of the troops. Without skipping a beat, they picked up the two children and dragged them outside. Seconds later, automatic gunfire resonated from the hallway.

"Nikolai Gurov, you are hereby placed under arrest for conspiring against the state and espionage by order of our glorious leader Josef Gorbachev." He then nodded at one of the soldiers who then placed the man in cuffs and began to lead him out of the room. The man's wife then got up and charged the soldier, screaming as she did it. However, the commander grabbed her before she could reach her husband and threw her on the ground. He then pointed to one of the soldiers.

"Kill her. Now."

"But sir..."

"Now.", said the commander. The private pulled out his sidearm and pointed it at the woman. However, he hesitated.

"NOW! OR I WILL KILL HER AND THEN YOU!"

The private closed his eyes, and pulled the trigger.

"Good work Private Vodovenko. Seems like you are not a coward after all. Alright, lets move out!" As the soldiers left the room, Vodovenko stood in the living room, looking at the pool of blood forming on the floor, tears swelling up in his eyes. He quickly wiped them away, holstered his weapon and left the room. He never hesitated after that.

8 years later, Moscow, The End of Gorbachev's Rule

Admiral Vladimir Vodovenko sat quietly in the back of a car on his way to the Kremlin. His coup, which had begun 72 hours ago, had gone according to plan. He now controlled Raznakova. He thought back to that night, his first mission with the Moscow Guard. He was never the same man after that night. The car pulled up in front of the Kremlin, and Vodovenko stepped out, where he was greeted by a soldier wearing the new black and red BDU of the army.

"Where is he?, asked the Admiral. "He is in the courtyard sir, the mothers are with him."

"Good." The Admiral then made his way inside the Kremlin. When he arrived at the back courtyard, he was greeted by two MP's. There, a few feet in front of him, was Josef Gorbachev. He had been severely beaten, and was close to death. The Admiral walked forward and pulled out a gun.

"Gorbachev, today, your reign of terror over Raznakova ends. You raped 50 children, and killed hundreds more. You condemned thousands of innocents to your camps, and killed ten times that number, both here and abroad. As I speak the South Raznakovan Military is dismantling your camps, freeing all the innocents you sent there and bringing peace to the country. All those loyal to you have either been arrested and are awaiting execution, or were killed while trying to escape. If you have any last words, say them now."

"Please, you do not need to do this. I will leave the country, never come back, just please don't kill me.", he sobbed.

"Very well.", said Vodovenko. He then pointed his gun at Gorbachev and pulled the trigger.

"Deal with him.", said Vodovenko. The two MP's walked over, picked up the body and threw it into an unmarked van. As they did this, Vodovenko walked out of the courtyard and lit a cigarette. He looked up at the sky. "What a beautiful day.", he said.

[South Acren]

Eagles Nest, South Acren
Erik looked at the giant monitor and watched the glowing red spots on the map of South Acren. He points to them. "What are these?" An adviser stands up. "Areas with martial law in effect sir. We've been getting problems with anti-government activities. Mainly small crimes like protests but the dark red spots has something else there. The attacks are more professional." Erik mutes his helmet. "Delta run through the database on the areas in question. That world terror group is obviously behind it. Give me a list of possible terrorists." Deltas figure appears in the bottom left of the display. "This will take a minute sir, theres millions of people in the area." Erik sighs. "Yeah i know." He unmutes his helmet. "We are taking them out of our homeland." The advisers go quiet. "Get me Commander Whilhem." A few minutes later the old commander is in the room. "Yes sir?" Erik brings him to the meeting room. "Still have the Shadow Squadron in operation?" The old man nods. "Yes, they are training as we speak" Erik nods. "Great. Get them here. ASAP." The commander nods and picks up his cell. "Hello, Sergeant, bring the team to Overlord. We got a mission." He hangs up and the two begin making a plan.
3 hours later
The Shadow Squadron arrives at the base, in a convoy of black humvees with their windows tinted and the logo spray painted in the hood and doors. Their exo-suits are completely black with a skull on the helmet. They all are escorted through the base, taken to the war room. When the group arrives, they fill the room waiting for Erik to breif them. He stands in front of the group and starts speaking. "Men, we have a war approaching. Not against a nation but against a group. Terrorists. The type you were trained to fight. As of today South Acren has established Martial Law. Dont expect help from our previous allies. The Fatherland is doing this alone. You will do your best, no exceptions. Our first operation is to provide security at the protest. We got word someone os going to use it as a jumping point for a rebellion. Keep the protesters in check, but no shooting unless needed. Now go prepare, we leave at 0900." The group all file out of the room

[Oppermenia]

Nova Enterprises Building

“Oh, have they, now?” he wondered, curious. “Interesting, you see, they don’t tell me what they use them for. Surely, if they had told me they were going to use it on my King, I wouldn’t have made the deal. Listen, I can’t give you much. I talk about them, but I don’t even know who ‘them’ is when I refer to them. That’s why I stomach these deals, just no questions asked on either side. I was just in contact with thugs, and I don’t have any names of them. One of them stands out, a dark figure that’s always lurking... Listen, I know less than you do about them. They’re lurking at every corner, and hold some sort of power. But that’s where my knowledge stops. And, I know I need to fear them. Tracking my technology is the only suggestion I can give. I’ll even help track it with protection-“

Jon watched from outside the room. It was boring, just standing there, not involved in this. And, this man wasn’t even giving any new info or leads. Why were they here, if they weren’t getting anything new? This investigation wasn’t moving forward at all.

BEEP. BEEP. Francis jumped at the sound. Jon saw a red flash from the walls. It was most definitely an alarm, Jon figured. But what was it? Had something happened? Was it because they were here, possibly? Or, was it just some misalarm?

“Intruder,” Francis said.

Jon looked to Crimson Ghost, nothing but that cold, metallic, expressionless face staring back. Jon gave a slight nod to the Ghost to tell him he had it.

Jon, in the black suit, marched to the elevator. He got the elevator open without it on that floor. Getting out some gear to attach to the elevator cable, he descended. He was wasting no time here. Time was of the essence.

He was halfway down to the detected level. And then, BOOM. He felt vibrations all throughout the shaft. An explosion. Three quarters of the way there. He continued.

Eventually, he made it down to the right level. He jimmied open the elevator doors and went through to find destruction. An explosion clearly happened here, however big or small. There was some rubble and splats of red on the floor and walls. It didn’t compare to the grotesque image he saw of a pool of singed blood and guts. He knew what a blown up body looked like. An anger built up inside of him. Innocent people, innocent people, Jon thought. Who could do this? But then, Jon remembered. Taipan had been nowhere to be seen around the scene of the interrogation. Taipan had done this, without a doubt.

“Goddamn you, Taipan! By God and Great Wolf’s name, I hope you burn in Hell, I hope you experience all suffering you’ve done unto others! Hell, I’ll put you there myself, goddammit!” Jon got on his knees. This was preventable, and yet it happened, under his watch. This man could’ve still been alive....


Federal Investigation Division, Helnenburg

There, Jefferson Korte sat in the white, plain room. He was now an enemy of his country. A member of the grand organization that had been dubbed a terrorist group, the New Order. Just because he was a member of a globalist organization that just wanted a united world, he was an enemy of His Majesty’s government, the government of the Crowned Democratic Union, an enemy of Oppermenia. Locked up in a plain room, chained to a table all day and night. Although, it could be worse. At least he had good food, and wasn’t kept in a real cell. At least he wasn’t officially tried for treason yet.

He watched the security camera mounted on the wall. “Having fun there, feds?” he teased. “If ya want to try me for real, come on in! I’m all yours!” He screamed into his hands. “I hate this place!” He calmed down. He looked up at the camera, staring at the light on it. It was almost entrancing, this dotted glow capturing his mind. It was the only interesting thing in the world, after all. Then, it blinked off. The camera, the security camera, it was off. It was off!

Jefferson got nervous. He knew what was happening now. The lights flickered and flickered, until turning off. After five seconds, they blinked back on, and a man was standing in the corner now. It wasn’t the Shadow, Jefferson knew, this man hadn’t had the typical black suit and cowl, just a trench coat and sunglasses. “Hello, Mr. Korte,” the man said in his gravelly voice. “I’ve been waiting a long time to see you.”

“All I ask,” Korte requested, “is that you make it quick. I knew this was going to happen the moment I slipped up.”

“Don’t fret,” the man urged. “It’s all in the greater good. Your death will be just a small price to pay in the end, when all our grand plans are achieved.”

“Yes, I suppose,” Korte said. “Though, I gotta say, I’m routing for Jon Neddard. He’s a good man.”

“Yes, they all are,” the man agreed. “But it’s hard for a good man to be a ruler.”

“Yes, yes, of course.”

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

“Good.” The man held up his gun, aimed at Korte’s forehead.

“Goodbye, Kegyeleem, and God and the Great Wolf have mercy-“ Just like that, it was done. Korte’s brains had been blown out, painting the once white back wall with red. Jefferson Korte was dead.

[Rakdai]

Taipan was outside the Nova Enterprises building, preparing for their escape, when they realized that they had forgotten a crucial part of the plan. "Shit", Taipan said quietly. The plan was for Taipan to pull the fire alarm on the way out, so that not only would there be a crowd fleeing the building that Taipan could blend into, but the building would be all but empty when their explosive leveled it. Even though Taipan didn't give two shits about the guards or Francis, there were too many people that wouldn't be willing to die for their company. Taipan walked back towards the shaft, entered it, and came out to the burnt and bloodied hallway that they exited just minutes before, only to come face to face with Jon.

[South Raznakova]

"Ah well, I am sure after 72 hours in a raznakovan interrogation room, you will be much more cooperative. Come on, let's go.", the Ghost got up and walked towards Francis.

[Oppermenia]

Taipan was outside the Nova Enterprises building, preparing for their escape, when they realized that they had forgotten a crucial part of the plan. "Shit", Taipan said quietly. The plan was for Taipan to pull the fire alarm on the way out, so that not only would there be a crowd fleeing the building that Taipan could blend into, but the building would be all but empty when their explosive leveled it. Even though Taipan didn't give two shits about the guards or Francis, there were too many people that wouldn't be willing to die for their company. Taipan walked back towards the shaft, entered it, and came out to the burnt and bloodied hallway that they exited just minutes before, only to come face to face with Jon.

Nova Enterprises Building

Once Jon saw Taipan, he went for it. He just swore an oath by his gods to send them to hell, he wasn't about to forsake that. He lifted his darkened shield from his back and hurtled it at Taipan. He took out his bayonet and fired two shots at them, then charged them, pointing the blade of his bayonet at Taipan. "YOU TRAITOR, BURN IN HELL WHERE YOU BELONG!"

[Oppermenia]

"Ah well, I am sure after 72 hours in a raznakovan interrogation room, you will be much more cooperative. Come on, let's go.", the Ghost got up and walked towards Francis.

"No, no, please no!" Francis pleaded. "I'm telling the truth, I'm telling the truth! That's as much as I know, now please don't hand me over to those commie torturers!"