A tall wooden pendulum clock stood in the corner of the apartment, left behind by the previous owners. Both the clock's hands had been moving nonstop, as each second a tick would be heard.
It had been left there ticking for hours end until the two hands met in the middle. A loud noise of the bell had been unveiled to the whole apartments for no one to hear. It was now noon.
It had been an hour since the storm had begun.
Dark clouds had covered most of the skies. Loud and flashing bolts of blinding light had swarmed in every direction above.
It had poured heavy rain in the green fields of grass, with the branches of the trees swinging towards the direction of where the strong wind had led them, some even started to crack and fall to the ground to how strong the winds were.
No other place other than the humans camping in the last fortified trench of Adrian were the victims of this unexpected storm.
The horses that had just arrived yelled in terror as loud noises of thunder had brought to them, with their leashes the only thing keeping them in one place.
The artillery that had also arrived were left above, standing in the weakened and soft soil of the previous battlefield, as its wheels were slowly being consumed by mud.
Most of the soldiers staying in the trenches had evacuated to the tunnels where they would stay and keep shelter. However, some were left to guard even in the pours of heavy rain. Their health being the main danger, as some of the pests' feces, mostly coming from rats, can be seen afloat from the water.
It smelled horrible and was beyond a normal condition for a human person to stay alive. However, they persisted, with their minds only focused on one thing, and that's their job as soldiers.
In the meeting room. Both General Braun and General Rhine are sitting on both their respective chairs. Both having to wait patiently.
Each second they could hear the leak in the corner of the room. Falling down to the floor, as each drop General Rhine's eyebrows would furrow closer to his eyes, and his expression hardens. His patience was limited, and now it's slowly being torn apart.
Finally, for the long hours they've waited, the door of the meeting room let out a small creak. A man in his forties entered the room, with a smirk on his face that looked unforgettable, at least for them.
He was wearing a field visor hat, darkened nearly the same color as his uniform. A black eagle sewed in the middle of the hat, while a blood-like sphere sewed inside of the eagle, representing its heart.
In his collar hanged an iron medal in a shape of a cross, shining brightly as it was polished. The color of his uniform was colored in grey. On his right chest was a golden cross made of complete iron, polished as well, unlike the two generals whose right chests' were sewed with golden eagles. On his left chest were the name and rank written, just like the rest of the uniforms.
"Greetings, Gentlemen," He said, with a face full of confidence and pride, with a smirk that can lead to one's anger.
It was irritating, yet they couldn't do anything as one single mistake could lead them to getting fired, or worst, getting executed.
"You're late to come here despite you reaching your location for more than an hour or two." General Rhine said with his eyes glaring towards General Dhurke.
"It doesn't matter why I'm late or not. What matters right now are both of your resounding achievements this morning," General Dhurke complemented the two, with a smile still irritating to gaze at.
General Braun replied with a small smile, however, the smile never lasted that long. While General Rhine gave him a nasty eye, not even appreciative to the complement.
"The field Marshals back home would never think you fine men would capture this specific trench. Knowing that this last trench is heavily fortified and armed," General Dhurke said to them with a smile. However, his entire mood shifted when he asked a question.
His smile faded away, and his appreciative eyes turn bitter to the extent of being solemn.
"How did you do it?" He asked.
General Braun, who had been listening and persevering his dying respect for the past minute had enough of this. He soon stands from his chair and slams his right hand to the desk, demanding Lieutenant General Dhurke's full attention.
"That's beyond the point to why we called a meeting right here and now General Dhurke. We aren't here to waste time and boast about our successes, I'm sure you still know the dire situation of our country!" General Braun said with his expression finally shifted into solemnity the same as General Rhine.
General Dhurke gave out a small chuckle as he gazes back towards General Braun.
"I see your pride still didn't consume your ever almighty wish of glory, General Braun."
General Braun was left confused, yet his expression was never unfazed. He was still serious and is still waiting for a proper response from General Dhurke.
"So. Why did you call a meeting as soon as I arrived at my position here?" General Dhurke asked.
"We called a meeting here to ask you a proposal," General Braun replied, lightening his stern expression a bit, removing his hand away from the table.
"A proposal?" General Dhurke asked, with eyes wandering to the ceiling as he thought for a moment. "Let's hear this proposal of yours then?" He continued.
General Braun closed his eyes and nodded, as he opened them back again. It was now his chance to pursue his, and General Rhine's ideas inside of General Dhurke's head.
He soon led his finger towards the map placed it on the table, while General Dhurke grinned gazing towards it.
The green fields of action can be seen on the map, as the city of Mettis can be seen near the end of it, with four major roads connecting it with the rest.
The western road, connecting the other cities behind it and its Capital. The southern road, connecting the two cities of both Villie and Colmere. The northern road connecting the bloodiest war zone of the war. And the northeastern road connecting a small village and the muddy and bloody fields of no man's land.
General Braun took a deep, and soon he started to speak, pointing his finger towards the new trenches they've conquered.
"In the dawn of four o'clock, the plan would commence. Artillery would be fired from here to the city, destroying any chances of defenses, while as well supporting the cavalry Battalion and the Infantry Battalion which would be charging forward to their advance,"
He slithered his finger in a straightforward line away from the dash Private Hanz once drew, and into the city of Mettis.
"Isn't that suicidal, just charging your troop in a singular straight line?" General Dhurke asked, rubbing his chin.
"It would seem to be a suicidal approach. However, because of a certain source from one of our soldiers in our previous meeting, the city could not use artillery due to the lack of shell ammunition. Thus, it's more likely that there would be no artillery retaliation against the charging soldiers," General Braun answered.
General Dhurke nodded, while General Braun gazes back to the map and continued what he was saying.
"Two squads would charge to the dense forest to the left and invade the small village, placing the rest of the artillery there and firing it to the main gate of the city. Thus creating a much more easier passageway to enter the city," General Braun continued. Again, slithering his finger away from the dash Private Hanz once drew and into the small village in the northeastern road.
General Dhurke could only nod and listen, as General Braun still wasn't finished.
"We should also cut their supply line to prevent any reinforcements. Isolating it and encircling it. We shall move the second cavalry brigade and third cavalry brigade to flank the southern road and into the western wall and might as well conquer their three small forts placed behind the city," General Braun continued even further, pointing his finger towards the forts only a mile away from the western road and a little bit farther away from the southern road and the city of Mettis.
"In just ten or eleven hours, the city should surrender and the battle would be over. We call it, Operation Mettis," General Braun said, ending the plan and staring towards General Dhurke's eyes which are wandering to the map.
General Dhurke clapped slowly and quietly, until his clap became loud and quick, while he gave out a small chuckle. After clapping, he soon took a tear of laughter away from his right eye and his expression lightened down.
"Interesting plan General Braun. However, how do I play a major role in this?" He asked, gazing towards Both General Braun and General Rhine.
"General Dhurke, we lack the only thing we need for this operation. And that's men. We need your men to cooperate with our plan so the operation will be a success," General Braun asked of him.
"You need my men, huh? Let me think..." General Dhurke replied as he closed his eyes and rubbing his chin, thinking for a moment.
He soon opened them back five seconds later and was now ready to answer the question.
"I decline your proposal," He said confidently, as if he didn't think about it for a second, as if he was already prepared to say it to them from the very beginning he was invited.
General Braun's faithful eyes shattered, and his small hopeful smile became nonexistent.
"B-but why!!?" General Braun asked, begging for him to reconsider.
"Isn't it obvious General Braun? I was sent here to defend! Not to partake in your so-called master of a plan to defeat the elves," General Dhurke said, taking his seat back and relaxing his hunched back.
"Unless, of course." He muttered.
General Braun had heard the words even if it was vague, as he strengthens his expression and hid his vulnerability even if it was little.
"Unless, of course, what!!?" General Braun asked quickly.
"I'll let you command my army. The cavalry, the artillery, the infantry, all of it, all yours in your little chess game against the elves. However, I'm not giving my men without a price of course," He informed him.
"What condition do you want from us!? I'm sure will give it." General Braun said in confidence, hiding the bluff that was hidden behind his throat.
"The credit of victory in your campaign to take the city of Mettis, including this newly born victory here in the trenches. All of it. The fame, the glory. All mine! And nothing left for you two! Is it a deal, my fine pawns of success?" General Dhurke scoffed as he grinned, waiting for an answer from General Braun.
General Braun felt hesitant, as a single bead of sweat started forming up in his forehead as he gazes down. He clenched his jaw thinking, and his hands slowly turning into fists.
General Rhine who had been listening from the background, not even saying a single word from the start to finish had enough of this. He stood from his chair and slammed his hands to the table, as the cracks that he'd made before widened even more.
His blood burning eyes glared towards the soul of General Dhurke, as he opened his mouth and say the only words that had been caged inside of his head.
"YOU BASTARD—"
General Braun raised his right hand, stopping General Rhine to continue even further, as he gazes back towards General Dhurke with a firm expression.
"We'll agree to your terms and conditions." He said.
"Excellent! Preform this offensive well and I might share a little of my salary to both of you," General Dhurke replied, standing from his chair and walking towards the door, with his hand reaching the doorknob.
"Oh, and one more thing. Remember that the confederation's faith lies from both your hands."
The door shut closed, leaving a loud bang of the noise ringing to the room. The Generals who were left, gaze their eyes to the last place they saw that man who is full of greed.
"Why did you do that?" General Rhine asked, sitting back into his chair and crossing his arm close to his chest.
"We got nothing to lose. Besides, our fame in victory doesn't matter if the war is lost against us." General Braun replied calmly.
"Stand up. The Sergeants and Lieutenants would be here shortly. Prepare the plans, we will soon give them their respected roles," He continued, as he gathered the papers that were left on the table.