My head dammit, my ears are ringing. I think I took too much of my luck it seems. I see nothing, why do I see nothing? Oh no, I just have my eyes closed.
-Zell ... Zell, wake up, we're surrounded.
I opened my eyes little by little and saw my cousin. Serious Lancell you have nothing to do here. You should have stayed at the castle sipping wine and eating caviar. Dust on your face do not suit you.
-Zeeell.
I gave him a dry slap on the face. My hand brushed her cheek quickly and I glanced around quickly.
- Calm down brother. I'm not dead yet. *I said*.
On the other hand, I couldn't move anymore for crying out loud. Surely the shock or that strange feeling in the stomach. Besides, I had blood flowing from my head. My left eye was probably affected. Lancell carried me over his shoulder and started running towards the blockaus in the back.
-Give me a gun shit
-Stay calm.
As he rushed towards the blockaus a shell fell right on it. Two more fell just ahead. He put me near a tree stump and pulled out his gun. Enemies were rising from the smoke and he shot each of them in the head with lethal precision. At the time I hadn't realized it but Lancell was by far the one who had synchronized the best with me. Crisp, sharp shots. He checked his charger.
-More than two shots.
He gave me the gun and pulled another out of his coat.
- Don't waste them.
He put me back on his shoulder and ran towards another blockaus. Damn since when is he this strong? A bullet grazed his leg but he descended into the trench. The soldier who had fired came to check to finish the job, but he was shot in the jaw. Lancell picked up his rifle and emptied the cartridges on random enemies before dragging me like a bag of potatoes to another rally point.
-Don't die Zell.
To die? What next ? I will not die for so little. Still I pushed my luck to want to save him. As we approached another trench an asshole emerged from a barracks and pinned Lancell to the wall. He kicked the guy's knee with his boot forcing him to kneel. He withdrew the bayonet from the top of the gun and stuck it in his throat. Another guy from the next intersection and aim him. By reflex Lancell protected himself with the body of the guy and retaliated by firing 3 bullets in the abdomen of the guy. He then turned to me.
-Come on, I'll help you ...
He dragged me to an intersection where I finally got back on my feet. I felt the presence of two guys in the back so we both turned around at the same time shooting them each. Enemies, enemies everywhere, my head hurt too much to think about the state of the battle. It was then that one of my men appeared.
- Over here lieutenant over here. *He said*.
He took us into a machine-gun nest serving as a blockaus. The guys had established a defensive perimeter where they were pushing back the enemies who were only coming in number.
-It's the end we're all going to die. Said a soldier.
-Don't say bullshit. We're still alive. Said Streiss.
- Stop moving Lieutenant.
Sabine withdrew a piece of shell from me above the cornea and then made a bandage around my left eye. My condition being fixed I raised it and seized me with two guns.
-Where are you going ? She asked.
-Do my fucking job and get you out of here.
-Stay seated. *Lancell said*.
I saw a rider rush at a redhead nearby. The guy charged with his rifle bayonet. But at the moment of impact he bent down, slashing the animal's legs. Once the rider was on the ground he planted him and then picked up his revolver. His way of shooting which looked exactly like the cowboy of the wild west. I recognized him.
-Troy, damn it's Troy. *I said*. Lancell ...
One hand on the hammer and another on the trigger, he emptied his magazine very quickly then threw the weapon. I saw him open his coat and saw that he was wearing colt 45 on his chest.
-Fucking....
It looked like a western by Clint Eastwood. Troy was walking in our direction, cooling his enemies one by one. No one could surprise him, front and rear he just had crazy reflexes. His eyes moved in all directions and covered all areas. He too had awakened his gifts through synchronization. He arrived at the blockaus casually and stared at me smugly.
-You are fine ? What happened to you? *He asked me*.
-Babysitting that messed up ...
- Come on, let's break.
We set off with Troy up front. Seeing him with a vest full of guns made me laugh but the good side it cushioned the bullets.
- By the way, why do you have so many Colt Staff Sergeant?
An enemy appeared out of nowhere and he shot him in the throat. He also gunned down the others with precise shots, kneeling on the ground. Once out of ammo he threw his guns and pick new ones.
-Because real men don't reload.
It is especially faster to change guns yes. But hey we are not there. We make our way to the last trench. I could barely walk. But as we were about to release a bullet grazed Decken's face, which fell back into the trench.
- Damn Troy.
I bounced in the trench and Lancell helped me up.
-Let me go. *Troy said, struggling*. I can walk on my own.
The others joined us in the trench, but one of them got caught by the sniper. The bullet had grazed Troy's nose but left a mark on him.
-Damn is really nonsense all that. What went wrong? *Asked Troy who had his hand on his nose*.
- Let me examine you. *Said Sabine*.
-I'm fine. Instead, grab your gun. Rifles are useless in close combat.
-In what ?
-Drop it. *He said with a sigh*.
-We will really die here ? Said Streiss.
- Do you hear that noise? Said Troy.
Well, it's not too early. No, I want to say it's too late. Planes from North HQ finally joined the party. I heard the sound of their engine as well as the sound of machine guns. The biplanes skimmed the ground and liquidated any enemy presence. I finally looked up, assuming the shooter had scampered away. I had seen right there was no one left. I got out of the trench as armored vehicles started to march behind me. The soldiers made small bridges to facilitate the movement of troops over the trenches. One of the vehicles pulled up right next to us and a man got out. It was Swan and damn I was on the verge of shedding a tear.
-Zell. *He said, hugging me very hard*. Damn I thought you were dead.
He also turned to Lancell, who he hugged hard before giving us a delighted smile.
- I'm fine too. Don't worry. *Said Troy ironically*
-Pretty nose. *He said amused*. Sorry guys it took me a while to convince the colonel and the division.
- I also thought that the artillery fire had stopped too soon. *I said giving him a pat on the shoulder*.
The invasion device was finally in place. The 10th division, 1st and 4th broke through the enemy line or at least what remains of it and occupied one of the 5 major strategic points. The enemy general was captured. In the same day the Elysian army took 3 more of the 5 big points forcing the army of the Yukon to retreat further inland. After a month the whole region was ours. But that's another story. After the assault I was again brought back to the rear where I was greeted as a hero by my men. Most had succeeded but others were not so lucky. In the end, 566 men died during this mission but 3000 others and more will have survived. If we count the wounded of course. The exploits of the 8th battalion went back to high places. I was officially appointed Lieutenant and Chief of the Regiment. Followed by another medal. That day will be known as the day when the Elysian army will forever change its way of waging war. One day while we were cleaning the battlefield we were approached by a brow man of about 1m75. He wore a kepit and had a camera.
- Can we do something for you? Troy asked.
-A photo please. My name is Justin Malloy. I work for the Aether war story.
- Get lost sissy, I haven't ....
- Calm down, Troy. Justin is it ? Habib. *I screamed*. Gathering.
-What are you playing at ?
A photo of all the officers and NCOs who participated. Then a photo of the officers. We were only 5 in the picture. Then a photo with my 4 brothers. In the middle Lancell sat who smiled. He had made the V for victory with his fingers. Me despite the band on my eye I looked rather handsome. I put my arm around his neck and hugged him. Fried next door put his hand on her hair. Troy kept his evil gaze and looked away slightly. Swan was the only one standing with his hands resting on my and Lancell's heads.
-Say band of brother.
-Brothers.
Justin took quite a few pictures and some of them ended up in Aether's journal. After that it took less than 5 days to recover from our injuries. The division assigned us to the rear of the facility in a firm attempt to take a well-deserved rest. The battle will have caused fewer deaths in our camp than it seems. On the other hand, in the enemy camp.
-26 miles. We killed 26,000 people in 4 hours of intensive combat. *Bryce said shocked*
-But history will remember it as faith or an Elysian battalion pushed back two divisions of the Yukonite army. *Said Streiss*. In this it is a feat.
-And then it's not like we didn't deserve our medals. *Finsh said.*
I disembarked in the room where the non-commissioned officers were and they stood at attention. There were quite a few soldiers there too. I was holding a piece of paper in my hand that wasn't going to please everyone.
-Guys. Friends, General Tandsen read my book. The staff read my book. And you tell yourself we don't care what this famous book is talking about. Well, it's simple.
I pulled the book out of my pocket and showed the title in bold to everyone. McRaven would be a little jealous of this plagiarism, but he's in another world. Or worse, Halsey's ghost will come and hunt me down. Especially since the title was; Blitzkreig, Hit Strong, Hit Hard, Hit Fast.
-A much smaller armed force is able to defeat an army 10 times larger with the right tactics and the right equipment.
-I do not believe. *Bryce said in shock.*
-What we did there is what happens when we use the right tactics. We didn't have the right equipment. You've rushed 9 weeks of training. But look at the result.
- You mean ... that we could have done even better? *Habib asked*.
-Much better. The general, not the general staff, approved the creation of a new army corps which will respond to the name of Task Force Beowölf. And you guys are the pioneers.
- Concretely what does that mean? *Sabine asked.*
-New training, new gear, new tactics, new vehicles. The good news is that we will be home for Christmas.
-Does that mean that we are some kind of elite unit? *Danny asked*.
- Sort of. *Decken replied*.
-But in the meantime you have a week off. You guys deserve it.
The guys let out a huge cry of joy as I gave them a smirk. The Beowölf Task Force, a project that I have had in mind since my birth. These guys probably didn't know it but they were going to be part of something big and iconic. It is thanks to this body that I could realize the drawings of Ares and the links. As I watched the guys having fun I saw the time stop as my locket glowed. A flame then appeared to me.
- You almost stayed there. Kid...
-But I'm still alive.
-The structure of your soul is always the same which means that you have as many chances as in your previous life. That said, do not abuse this chance. I'm not going to reshape you indefinitely.
-I know. And I apologize for that.
-Well. I validate the creation of this corps. They remind me of the Spartans somewhere.
-They will be more than that.
-From now all the members of the Schwarzen Beowölf have my blessing. Made in good use.
-Do not worry. The war I want is still far away.
Time resumed and Ares disappeared. I'm talking about war but without an opponent it would be folded in two minutes.
-Lieutenant Join us.
I was proud of what I had accomplished so far. What these guys had accomplished. We represent the new generation of Duchy soldiers. However, for Beowölf to function, we already had to receive the long-awaited equipment. Some of us therefore received permission to return to Aether during the break. I admit I was excited to see Arianne again. It is thanks to her that I was able to put this plan in place, published the book and paufined the details related to the creation of my unit. Definitely I owe everything to this woman. Once back I will invite her to the restaurant. I mean that was the plan. Once back our families were waiting for us at the station. Baron and Baroness Der Linde would hold their prodigal son in their arms while he himself look for Marie. Having lost his mother, Troy did not expect many people that said his father and his mother-in-law still came in a black sedan. That did not prevent him from pulling the face. No matter how loving the good lady was, all of Decken's hearts were empty.
-I'm so happy that you are doing well. *She said hugging him.*
- Yeah.
-So ? *Said the Baron*. We're going and you will tell us everything on the way.
I had my mother, my sister and ... Bellamy. I had almost forgotten him. Having said that, the absence of my father hardly surprised me. And it was the same for Lancell I could not imagine his brothers and sisters welcoming him with their busy schedule.
-So it's you Bell ... Nice to meet you. *Lancell said smiling at him*.
The boy blushed when he saw him and immediately fell into his arms. I almost laughed at it, but I hold back.
-Welcome home children. *Said my mother, pating our heads.*
-Thank you Aunt Gilda.
-It's provisional we are only here for 3 weeks.
-Stop always wanting to ruin everything. pout Mell.
However the most unfortunate here was none other than Friedich. The absence of his father did not even shock him and his mother having died in childbirth there was no risk of seeing her tumble. He didn't have a stepmother like Troy either. Having said that, he had to take it rather well. But my mother came over and pulled him towards us.
-L .... Lady Cailum.
-You weren't left alone either. *She said hugging this tall guy to her chest.* Even if you think you don't have a family tell yourself that I have always seen you as a second son. Don't doubt that we love you too.
-I know. *He whispered as she stroked his hair.*
Seeing him so tender gave me chills down my spine
-Welcome back son.
I'm starting to understand why father married her. She is perfect. And I abuse nothing. That said the one I wanted to see was absent and it is there that I asked the question which I did not want to know the answer.
-Where is Arianne? I thought she wanted us to spend Christmas together. It's okay to crash your fiancée like that.
-Just about Arianne .... *Mell said sadly.*
This sudden change of atmosphere already left me perplexed. Alas my heart was not ready for this kind of news.
-She went to do an inspection in the North in your factory. But the rebels attacked and ... Arianne is missing. She said lowering her head. At best they captured him but ...
-Seb does not take prisoner. *Remembered I heard*.
I dropped my suitcase and my gaze plunged into space. I heard nothing more. Between the disappearance of my fiancée and the destruction of my factory. No calm down. One problem at a time. The factory can be rebuilt but Arianne is irreplaceable.
-Zell ... Zell? Big brother you scare.
-These bastards of rebels. *I said as my gaze grew dark*. I will never forgive them.
-B ... Big brother?
My eyes sparkled showing the flow of electricity flowing between my nerves.
- They'll pay.
To be continued