[Y/N] - Your Name
[M/N] - Middle Name
[L/N] - Last Name
[H/C] - Hair Color
[E/C] - Eye Color
<<<O>>>

Rhine Theater. A place of chaos, destruction, an always-living hell. There, the No Man's Land knows no limits. The soldiers know no mercy. The guns are ablaze 24/7. Explosions back and forth, be it on land or in the sky. The sky is grey all the time. The heavy clouds cover its beauty. Not like the soldiers would appreciate it in the middle of war anyways.

Tanya: ["Clear, with a chance of artillery spells. Visibility is excellent again today, and so a bloody war is taking place"]

Be The Entente Alliance or The Empire. Both fight nonstop for their countries. Either you die in the trenches or outside them. Be from multiple gunfires from the enemy or an explosion at your feet.

Tanya: ["Just when you thought we'd finally taken out the Entente Alliance, you find yourself back in the front lines, dealing with shells the whole day"]

Multiple Empire soldiers go down. They receive shots on their hearts or other organs. They either die a quick death by a fatal shot in their head or slowly by a blood loss. Their bodies give in to the explosions, and their pieces fly everywhere. Their bodies get wired to posts using barbed wire. Their body slowly gives in with time, being left to the vultures. Stepped by their own comrades or enemies, that's how their bodies usually end.

Tanya: ["And sometimes when you wake up, you can find that comrade who went to sleep next to you, dead. Gladly, I don't have to worry about that"] She glances at Y/N. The boy kept firing his signature MG 34 back and forth. ["That's how life is on the Rhine Front"]

[Unified year 1925 - April]
->[Rhine Front]<-

Tanya: ["Battalion, we'll provide support for this mission"] She said, holding her binoculars in hand ["Get in there as low as possible and take out enemy artillery at once. Deal with enemy air units and mages as you see fit!"] As usual, the 203rd Mage Battalion disperse into four different companies. ["Also, our allies won't cease artillery fire even after we begin the mission. I doubt anyone in my battalion is stupid enough to get hit by one of our shells, and you surely know better than to anger L/N, but keep in mind"]

A blonde soldier with messy hair and green eyes flies through the sky, aiming his gun at artillery and quickly pulling the trigger. This same soldier was the one who Y/N brought back to life by kicking his corpse around like a ragdoll.

[Imperial Army. 203rd Air Mage Battalion. Company 2]
->[Second Lieutenant Warren Grantz]<-

Warren smirks proudly at how good he is doing. The distant sound of the unmistakable artillery caught his attention. He quickly flies next to his company leader, Matheus.

Warren: ["They're as extravagant as ever"] He comments with a smirk while Matheus keeps firing his gun. ["Artillery shells aren't free, you know?"] He jokes, but Matheus quickly glances at him over his shoulder.

Matheus: ["Stay sharp"] He advises, quickly going back to aiming his gun. ["Those are airburst shells with timers. Once they explode, their fragments will rain down on us"]

Warren: ["I know that!"] He simply replied.

Viktoriya: ["This is 05!"] Visha's voice rang on the comms. ["I've sighted two enemy mage companies approaching!"] She said. Y/N simply smirked.

Tanya: ["Company 1, begin anti-mage combat! Show those idiots we won't seem them without an appointment! The rest of you take out artillery!"] She orders. Y/N quickly changes the belt of his gun to a new one. ["Do it fast, and rendezvous with us!"]

A lonely soldier from the Entente Alliance watches in horror as the explosions approach him. His eyes tremble, his hands are shaking, his knees are buckling. He is scared. He won't go back home as he promised. He won't ever see the beautiful face of his girlfriend ever again. He doesn't get time to fear anymore as an artillery spell hit him dead on, sealing his fate.

Tanya watches from far away, using her binoculars. He quickly puts them down and straps them back to her waist, and smirk with her eyes closed. Her blue eyes open once again. She reaches a hand up to her neck, activates her comms, and speaks.

Tanya: ["Battalion, it's getting lively here"] She said, watching the entire place. Its black grounds, stripped from any life, the beautiful symphony of explosions, gunshots, and screams. ["Fun, ain't it?"] She asked with a small giggle.

Y/N: ["Very fun indeed"] He said over the comms. Along with his voice, a scream echoes. ["SILENCE!"] After that, the shouting is gone. Tanya sweatdrops with an unamused face.

.
[Imperial Soldier Camp]
->[Dining Room]<-

Warren slowly lifts a spoon filled with food. However, due to his bandaged and hurt hand, he accidentally drops it.

Warren: ["Tsc. Damn it!"] He exclaims in frustration. He slowly bends down to grab the spoon.

Matheus: ["That's why I told you to stay sharp"] He said, approaching Warren.

Warren: ["First Lieutenant Weiss..."] He said as Weiss sits down with a plate of food and a glass of water ["But I managed to score a fair few points"] He argues, taking his spoon from the ground ["Count on me next time, too"]

Matheus: ["Don't blame me if the last point you score is when you get blown up"] He said with a straight face, pouring himself a bit more water ["Haven't you had enough of the commander and Captain up your ass?"]

Warren: ["I know..."] He said, looking down to the side

Matheus: ["Take a lesson from Second Lieutenant Serebryakov"] He said, nodding towards Viktoriya, who's eating ["She became a veteran just by flying next to the Battalion Commander and Vice-Commander"] After noticing that they were talking about her, Viktoriya looks toward Matheus and Warren.

Viktoriya: ["Huatdis bout me?"] She asked with her mouth full, still munching on her food after.

Matheus: ["You, the Commander, and the Captain have been a trio for a long time, right?"] He asked, looking at Visha, who gags on her food. She gently punches her chest to help swallow the bread easier.

Viktoriya: ["I suppose so, but..."] She looks hesitant at Matheus, holding the piece of bread with both hands.

Matheus: ["But what?"] He asked with a polite smile.

Y/N: ["Visha's scared you're gonna take her place"] Y/N said, walking into the scene. He sits down with a tray of food, sitting at Viktoriya's side.

Matheus: ["Military regulations won't allow that, I'm sorry, but we can't"] He said, putting both elbows on the table and putting his hands together ["Nice of you to join us, Captain"]

Y/N: ["Aye. Heard what you guys were talkin' about"] Y/N glares at Warren, who flinches under his harsh stare ["Get your shit together, Second Lieutenant Grantz. I remember the only reason I haven't shot you yet is that Tanya held me back"] He said, continuing to eat.

Matheus: ["You've also been with Commander for a long time, no?"] He asked Y/N. Warren sweats nervously while looking at Y/N.

Y/N: ["Yesh"] He said with a mouth-full. The boy with [E/C] eyes soon swallows what he had in his mouth and continues ["Ever since we were newborns, to be exact"] He looks up, tapping his chin in thought ["We went through the military school when we were 10 if I'm not wrong"]

Matheus: ["Something like this is only capable of being done by you two"] He says with a sweatdrop. Y/N simply laughs and takes a sip from his glass of water.

Y/N: ["You should've seen her back in the day. When we were five, she broke the arm of a boy in the nunnery"] He said with a small giggle ["Well, I was the one who taught her how to do it, but that's just details"] Viktoriya lowers her head and sweatdrops with a small smile. Matheus laughs, also sweatdropping.

Soldier: ["Major Degurechaff!"] A soldier loudly exclaimed, walking through the cloths that served as a door ["Is Major Degurechaff here?!"] He asked in panic.

Y/N: His humorous-self from seconds ago vanished. Y/N quickly stood up, looking at the soldier ["I'm Captain L/N, her second-in-command. Is this an emergency?"] The soldier grunts and looks down at the paper with his eyes trembling. Y/N narrows his eyes at him.

<------------------------------->

<------------------------------->

.
[Imperial Soldier Camp]
->[Major's Degurechaff and Captain's L/N private quarters]<-

Tanya: ["A rear area got cut off?"] She asked, holding a book in her hand while she sat down. She had both elbows on top of the table. She had her right hand gently pressing its thumb against her chin.

Soldier: ["Y - Yes!"] The same soldier from before said. Y/N sat in front of Tanya, arms crossed ["The partisans have started a rebellion in Arene City"]

Y/N: ["Arene City? That was formerly a Republican Territory..."] He said with a sigh, lowering his cheek against his left fist ["We failed to extinguish the opposition completely, and now they're back for more, huh?"] He said with another sigh.

Soldier: ["Local garrison MPs failed to quell it. They already control the railroad and are straining our supply lines"] He said, causing Y/N to grunt and sigh again.

Tanya: ["That's bad"] She simply said, closing her eyes and bringing the book a bit closer ["We have to fight without food or shells?"]

Y/N: ["So much for a day going so well..."] He complains, slamming his face against the desk. Tanya simply sweatdrops and sighs.

.
[Imperial Territory]
->[Arene City]<-

Between all the chaos of the destroyed city, many civilians had their hands on guns. They held their position. They were fierce, fearless. A single Empire soldier peaks from his cover, only to be instantly shot. He falls to the ground, dead. Meanwhile, another Empire soldier fell to the ground, surrounded by civilians who held shovels. They raised their make-shift weapons and brought it down upon the soldier, over and over.

Civilian: ["Take this!"] In a blind rage, he brought his shovel down unto the soldier.

Civilian 2: ["Die! Dog of the Empire!"] They continued to bring their weapons down on the dead soldier.

Other civilians also planted bombs on the bridges. With the push of a switch, everything blew up. A group of civilians watched and cheered on as the bridge exploded. Not only that but also multiple planes from the Republic kept dropping Republican mages. They rode down on their metallic horses powered by magic. Countless of them floated in the air. Guns ready. Determination burning. Fury in their eyes.

Soldier: ["A - An aerial in - insertion!"] A soldier from the Empire said, scared ["The Republic's begun an airship mission!"] He said on a cellphone connected to a metal box on another soldier's back ["Enemy mages are trying to hook up with the rebels-"]

He didn't get to finish as he and the other soldier got shot by none other than Lieutenant Colonel Severin Bientot. The man with medium blondish-grey hair quickly turned around.

Severin: ["Secure defensive points and prepare for a long battle!"] He ordered all the other mages, readying his gun ["Every day that we can, we'll draw out the war and strangle the enemy!"]

.
->[Imperial Army Western Theater Command]<-

Mortiz: ["Rejoice, Major Degurechaff, Captain L/N"] A man with short blonde hair said. Inside a room was him, Tanya, and Y/N.

[Commander Mortiz Paul Von Han]

Mortiz: ["As of 1423 today, you have a special mission from Theater Command"] He informed. Tanya gently moved forward and grabbed a few papers on top of a table.

Tanya: ["The 203rd is to eliminate enemy mages who have joined forces with Arene rebels. Afterward, work with allies to recapture the city"] Tanya reads, Y/N still sits at her side, taking a sip from a cup of coffee while glancing at the papers.

Mortiz: ["The situation requires quick action"] He said, keeping his hands behind his back ["We're counting on you two"]

Tanya: ["With pleasure, if those are your orders"] She said with eyes closed, a slightly tired tone in her voice ["But combat in a city will be difficult"] She said, keeping a hand on her mouth.

Mortiz: ["No need to worry about that"] He said, much to the confusion of Tanya and Y/N ["Strategic Command gave us a plan to eliminate enemy units in the city"] He said, walking and stopping in front of a window.

Y/N: ["And that is?"] He asked, taking another sip from his cup of coffee.

Mortiz: ["We'll issue an evacuation order for Arene"] He said, his eyes became sharp ["Under international law, anyone who remains in the city after that order will be considered a Republican soldier!"]

Tanya and Y/N remain quiet, glaring at Mortiz, who's still in front of the window. Unlike Tanya and Y/N, who sat on a sofa deep into the darkness.

Mortiz: ["Orders from above are to eliminate all hostiles in the city"] He continues. Y/N and Tanya keep themselves quiet ["Once you wipe out the enemy mages, our artillery will begin a barrage"]

Tanya and Y/N continue glaring at Mortiz. Their eyes are sharp. Ferocious. About five seconds of silence breaks by Y/N laughing along with Tanya smirking and speaking.

Tanya: ["I see"] She said, Y/N continued laughing. Mortiz looks over his shoulder at Tanya and Y/N still sitting there, glaring at him ["So we've got hell ahead of us, and hell behind us"]

She said while leaning forward. Eyes slightly wide and a crazed smile. Y/N slowly looks up at Mortiz, who recoils and lightly sweats under Y/N's glare.

Y/N: ["This may be a very foolish question. But, our enemy is only the Republican Army, yes?"]

Mortiz: ["Of course"] He replied. One could notice how nervous he was. Y/N simply giggled. His giggle was enough to send shivers down Mortiz's spine.

Y/N: ["If possible, I would like to know the nature of those enemy combatants"] He spoke. He kept his head down, smirking.

Mortiz: ["All of them, except a small number of Republicans mages, are militiamen"] He spoke. Y/N's smirk grew wider ["They captured many Imperial civilians"]

Tanya: ["How sad..."] She said while she and Y/N slowly stood up. In perfect synch, both put on their hats ["We must get to work immediately, then!"] She said, giving a few steps forward.

Mortiz: ["Yes"] He simply replied after a moment of hesitation.

Y/N: ["The presence of civilians may be an issue. But I can't see regular soldiers using civilians as human shields~..."] This time, Mortiz didn't respond.

Tanya slowly raised her arm, and Y/N held her raised hand.

Tanya: ["We're merely taking an enemy base..."] She said as Y/N spun her around before pulling her close ["Since we'll be following the rules and issuing an evacuation order-"] Tanya's voice was slowly getting higher. At this point, Y/N pulled her closer. He had an arm around her waist and held her raised hand. As if they were dancing.

Mortiz: ["Major?"] He simply asked, snapping both from their daydreaming. Tanya and Y/N stood in the same position for a second before saluting in perfect synch.

Y/N/Tanya: ["I'm sorry, sir"]

Mortiz: ["It is a sad thing, though"] He said. Y/N smirked once again while he and Tanya slowly lowered their hands.

Y/N: ["Yes. Remarkably sad indeed..."] He said while looking at a nearby map. His smirk getting bigger ["But we are soldiers, and if orders say we must burn beautiful Arene to the ground, that is what we must do"] He said.

Mortiz: ["Who would want to be a soldier, huh?"] He asked without turning to face Tanya and Y/N. Y/N's smirk grew, and he slowly raised a finger gun towards Mordiz's back with a creepy giggle.

.
[Imperial Territory]
->[Arene City]<-

The civilians looked in confusion at multiple pink-colored flyers falling from the sky. They picked them up but were easily disgusted by what they read.

Civilian: ["An evacuation order?!"] He crumbles the paper in his hand and throws it away ["Ha!"]

.
[Imperial Territory]
->[Soldier Camp]<-

Tanya: ["Battalion members!"] She called, standing on top of a wooden structure. As always, Vish and Y/N were at her side ["It's time for a sightseeing trip. The enemy sent airships. Their mages joined up with Arene Militia! The city fell into Republican hands"] She said with her head held high. Y/N had a smirk on the face ["Of course, we're going to take it back! ... But there's a problem"] She said and went quiet. Tanya held her chin in thought while looking down to the side, thinking about how to say it ["We must eliminate all republican forces in the city!"] She said, raising her head. After she said that, the whole battalion exploded into whispers and mutters ["Well, firing on non-combatants is strictly forbidden"] Tanya continues. Grabbing the soldier's attention ["But since we're fighting in a city, they permitted us to destroy property"] She said.

Y/N: ["Additionally, we'll issue declarations before and after combat, if they accept it, good. If they don't, wipe them out! Dismissed"] He finishes, walking away with Tanya.

Soldier: ["Wipe them out, in a city? Eliminate all of them? They can't mean..."] The whole battalion explodes with whispers. Everyone was at least a bit apprehensive, namely Warren.

.
[Soldier Camp]
->[Changing Room]<-

Warren: ["Is this really okay? Wiping out all enemies in the city means..."] He said, at his side sat Matheus, equipping his metal boot ["It means... I can't imagine them surrendering just because of a declaration. And I've heard we're even going to use an artillery barrage!"] Matheus slowly stood up ["Besides, differentiating between militia and non-combatants is impossible! We might end up-"] He doesn't get a chance to finish as he something sends him flying face-first against a locker.

Y/N: ["Don't say a single world..."] He said, glaring down at Warren ["If we have to shoot civilians, shoot them"] Warren slowly turns around, noticing Y/N approaching him. The blonde boy held his broken nose in pain ["If we have to burn them alive, burn them alive!"] Warren tried to stand up but got kicked back-first against the lockers again ["You are a soldier of the Empire! If you can't handle blood, you shouldn't even be here!"] At this point, everyone in the place watched. Matheus kept his head down and looking to the side. Wilibald looked at the scene with his always calm expression. Warren was terrified at the monster in front of him. Y/N raised his leg and stomped his chest, hitting the back of his head against the lockers and keeping him down ["You failed me too much already! Do it again, and what will kill you won't be an avalanche! It will be me! And this time..."] He reached on his waist and pulled a revolver from there, aiming it down at Warren ["There is no coming back..."] Warren, terrified, raised his hand and turned his head away. He harshly flinched when he heard the click of an empty gun having its trigger pulled ["This is not a threat, this is a warning. Just like anyone here, Degurechaff and I trained you. So, don't be weak!"] He slowly removed his foot from Warren's chest ["Being weak is a sin. Commit this sin, and you'll have to worry about much more than just a broken nose!"] He finished before turning his back, grabbing his MG 34, and walking away. Warren was still in the ground, shaking and crying. He never witnessed such ferocity as Y/N M/N L/N. He will never experience so much fear like he just experienced.

<------------------------------->

[Youjo Senki]
[08]
<------------------------------->

.
[Imperial Territory]
->[Arene City]<-

Civilian: ["Get in here and stay put!"] A civilian said while tossing a barely-alive Imperial Soldier inside a church. Along with the newest addition, there were another five tied up soldiers in there.

Severin: ["I didn't expect them to be here in just a few hours"] He said while looking at the 203rd Mage Battalion quickly approaching ["It seems they're taking this very seriously"]

B.L: ["Bravo Leader to Combat Area Control!"] A voice said over Severin's comms. He put his binoculars away and took his gun in hand ["Sending data on enemy mage unit! Confirm"]

Severin: ["The Twin Devils of the Rhine?"] He asked after a pink and yellow screen appeared next to him. It displayed various analysis of different things ["They brought out the big guns, huh?"] He asked in amusement.

B.L: ["Enemy vanguard has passed the IFF boundary"] The same voice from before said ["Approaching airspace above the city at high speed!"]

Severin: ["They're coming!"] He informed his battalion ["Prepare for a long-distance ambush!"] He warned his comrades. Multiple Republican soldiers stood inside buildings, guns ready.

Back in the air, the 203rd flew into the city's territory at high speeds in their usual formation. As always, Tanya led the group with Y/N not far behind. The [H/C]-haired boy looked down at the destruction in pure amusement.

Warren: ["No one's here, huh?"] He asked while looking down at the remains of the city.

Matheus: ["They issued an evacuation order. So, of course not"] He replied.

Inside a building, a Republican soldier aimed his rifle and shot. The artillery-magic shot hit dead-on against a mage from the 203rd. On cue, the whole battalion started to take fire from everywhere. Y/N did a barrel roll to avoid a volley of shots.

Viktoriya: ["Ambushers! They're snipping us!"]

Tanya: She scoffs ["Engaging!"] She ordered, and on cue, the whole battalion split into four different companies as usual. ["Everyone, split up!"] They separate once again, this time, into three. Tanya and Y/N both led the other four soldiers, consisting of a group of four soldiers each.

Viktoriya: ["Enemy locations confirmed! Four o'clock and seven o'clock!"] She said, and Tanya instantly opens fire.

The group of Republic mages in front of her come to a stop, dodging her barrage of shots. They quickly turn on another street, avoid more of her barrage of fire. Tanya, who's flying upside down, clicks her tongue in annoyance.

Tanya: ["They're fast"] She complains and quickly fly towards the enemy mages ["You won't get away!"] Tanya screams as she chases them.

Matheus: ["Damn it, where are they?!"] He exclaimed, flying while keeping his gun ready. Thankfully, his magic barrier protected him from an incoming volley of shots.

Back with Tanya, she was the one getting pursued now. She used various maneuvers to dodge shots from the Republican mages. She used buildings to her advantage, flying behind them to stay in their blind spot. She notices the explosions getting closer and closer. She quickly speeds forward. When she was about to hit a tall building, she flew up as fast as possible. The soldiers tried to follow her with their vision, but the sun was in the way. Tanya took the opportunity to fly back towards them. Behind them, Tanya aimed her submachine-gun and shot. Five shots pierced one of them. The other soldier was about to attack her back when Y/N appeared out of nowhere and delivered a kick to his face using his metal boot. When the soldier was still falling, Y/N raised his leg and kicked down the steel horse powered by magic. Tanya took the opportunity and shot it right after the horse slammed against the Republican soldier. Y/N and Tanya quickly flew up, standing side to side.

Tanya: ["Everyone! Prepare for close-range combat!"] She said. Y/N smirked and put his MG 34 on his back, pulling both his revolvers from his waist ["Their goal is to buy time! Don't get scared!"]

Company 1: ["Yes, ma'am!"] All of them, including Y/N, replied. They quickly flew forward along with their Commander.

Matheus: ["Lieutenant Grantz..."] He called for the blonde soldier, who looked at him ["Sorry, but I'm feeling strangely tired. Can I get a stimulant?"]

Warren: ["Yes, sir!"] He said and was about to take the stimulant and give it to Matheus, but noticed his shoulder bleeding ["First Lieutenant Weiss! You got shot!"]

Matheus: ["What?!"] He asked in confusion as Warren quickly approached him.

Warren: ["You didn't notice? I'll use a coagulant"] He said, reaching into his back-pocket ["Hurry!"] He continues, dragging Matheus to the ground with him.

Y/N: ["How bad is it, Second-Lieutenant?"] He asked, landing near them. Warren and Matheus landed between two buildings that were surrounded by debris.

Warren: ["His life isn't in danger, but I don't think he can keep fighting"] He informed, and Y/N hummed.

Y/N: ["Right"] He said, turning his back ["First Lieutenant Weiss, get out of here"] He ordered, still holding both revolvers in hand

Matheus: ["But, Battalion Vice-Commander-"] He tried to argue, taking a weak step forward.

Y/N: ["Your leaving won't create problems"] He said, turning back slightly ["It's better to take all the wounded out of here than to slow us down"] Matheus lowers his head at Y/N's words

Matheus: ["Yes, sir..."]

Y/N: ["First Lieutenant Koenig will take over the Company 2"] He informed while looking around

Matheus: ["Understood"] He said while lowering his head a bit more and closing his eyes ["Good luck"]

Y/N: ["Matheus"] Y/N called. His voice was a bit rougher now ["You're a soldier, but you debate too much. You hesitated"] He said, his voice getting a bit softer ["If it were up to me, you'd leave with a slap on the face and a punch to the gut, but I'm not the Commander. Major Degurechaff will determine proper punishment on a later date. Knowing her, be prepared for the worst"] He said, before speeding away.

Matheus: ["I'm sorry..."] He mutters after a few seconds of silence. Warren looks at Matheus with worry.

Back in the battle, the soldiers from the Republic kept trying to hit the Empire mages, but it was useless. They kept dodging. Another company of mages, from afar, they quickly took down three other Republic soldiers. The rebel civilians barely had enough cover to protect them from the enemy fire. They were surprised to yet another Imperial company approaching from behind.

Soldier: ["Enemy mages scattered!"] A soldier from the Republic said ["They're charging us!"]

Severin: ["Fall back!"] He said, throwing his arm back after grunting in annoyance ["Stay at range and keep firing-!"] He got cut when suddenly a purple-colored shot nearly hit his head.

Viktoriya: ["Enemy mages are dispersing! They're hiding inside a building"] Visha informed. Y/N giggled and blew the smoke coming from his revolver.

Tanya: ["Fine, hold fire!"] Tanya orders. Y/N shrugs and puts both revolvers back in their straps on his waist ["Let them go inside"]

Viktoriya: ["Are you sure?"] She asked, lowering her binoculars and looking at Tanya.

Tanya: ["If we ensure that they can't touch the artillery units outside the city, we've basically achieved our objective"] She said with her eyes closed. Y/N simply shrugs and nods ["What happens later isn't our problem"]

Viktoriya: ["Roger that"] She replied, putting her binoculars back in her waist.

Tanya: ["Let's send our message"] She said and turned to a soldier at her side. The soldier carried a metal box on his back ["Connect me to artillery too"] She said. Warren, watching from far away, sweats nervously. Tanya looks to Y/N and nods ["You know what to do"] She said, and Y/N smirked before speeding off ["A message to the irregulars engaged in armed rebellion. In accordance with Article 26, Clause 3 of the Wartime Combat Treaty, we request the release of all Imperial civilians under your custody. Release the people of Arene that you awfully imprisoned"] Tanya's voice rang over the comms. All radios, to the city.

Soldier: ["Shut up!"] A soldier inside a house, along with other soldiers, screamed at the radio, even if Tanya couldn't hear him ["We are the people of Arene! There are no unlawful prisoners!"]

Tanya: ["We cannot allow your massacre to continue. In accordance with Article 8, Clause 5 of the Wartime Combat Treaty, send us your commanding officer. If you fail to heed this warning, you force us to consider you combatants"]

Severin: ["Tsc. It's way too late for that"] He said in annoyance, hiding inside the building along with the other Republic mages.

Civilian: ["Damn those imperial shits!"] A civilian inside a building exclaimed before turning to their leader ["What do we do? What do we do?!"]

Civilian: ["Damn it... Damn it all!"] Another civilian exclaimed with rage.

Seeing his opportunity, one of the captured Imperial Soldiers stood up and rushed to the door. The civilians were confused by his actions. But that soldier was determined to live. But, as soon as he left the building, he was shot down by the civilians. Three armed men quickly went out to check his corpse. But, from far away, someone else watched this scene unfold.

Tanya: ["Did you get that?"] The girl asked. Y/N was at her side, as always, keeping his gun leaned on his shoulder.

Viktoriya: ["Yes"] The girl replied ["I recorded it with my computation jewel"] She had her jewel pointing forward. It was glowing while also displaying a green screen of the events.

Tanya: ["Send it to commando"] She orders and looks at Y/N, nodding.

Y/N: He smirks and stretches, cracking a few bones ["Sheesh~... That's the problem with militias that don't have a chain of command"] He said, strapping his rifle to his back.

Command: ["Command to all units involved with the operation. We will move to wipe out the enemy. Eliminate Republican forces in Arene"] They said through the radio. Tanya lowered her head and closed her eyes.

Tanya: ["Okay, we've fulfilled our duty by demanding their surrender"] She said before turning to Y/N ["You know what to do, Captain"]

Y/N: ["Aye aye~..."] He purred with a small giggle before flying forward.

Y/N lands in front of the building from before, landing right behind the three civilians who turned their back. Y/N's landing caused them to turn around and aim their rifles.

Y/N: ["Good day, gentleman~!"] Y/N greets with a smile that quickly turns into a smirk ["And goodnight..."]

Civilians: ["YOU IMPERIAL DOG!"] He said, with anger. Y/N simply chuckles and pulls two knives from his waist ["DIE!"]. The three of them quickly opened fire against Y/N.

His veins once again glowed purple. First, he went to the left, dodging a shot, then right, left, right. With a single knife, he dashed forward, slicing faster than the civilians could see. The blood on his blade drips to the floor, and behind him, pained screams echoed through the city.

Y/N giggles and walks inside the place, cleaning his blade on his sleeve. Inside the building,

.
->[Inside]<-

Y/N saw a variety of people of all ages. The sound of his metal boot against the ground caught their attention. The three other alive soldiers' eyes widened in hope and surprise.

Soldier: ["I - It's him! He's one of the Twin Devils of the Rhine!"] He exclaimed in hope. Y/N smirked at him while still walking forward.

Civilian: ["YOU'RE DEAD!"] One of the civilians said while rushing Y/N, holding a bat. He swung it forward and hit Y/N's cheek. His smirk quickly turned into a surprised face after seeing Y/N's head not even moving ["W - What the-"] Before he could finish his sentence, one of Y/N's knives went through his head. From his chin all the way to the top of his head. Y/N pulled the knife back and kicked his body away.

Woman: ["NO!"] A woman said, looking at the corpse of Y/N supposed to be her lover. Outside, many explosions and screams rang in the air. Y/N looked out the window, seeing everything burning ["W - What is happening?!"]

Y/N: ["It's simple! You refused to surrender, refused our orders. So there is only one thing to do now"] He states as if the most obvious thing. His face quickly turns dark with a sadistic smirk present on his lips ["Kill all of you..."]

Woman: Her face of shock and sadness shifts into anger. She takes a gun from a nearby soldier and aims at Y/N ["I WILL KILL YOU, YOU IMPERIAL SHIT!"] She shot, and Y/N's head jerks backward ["H - H - Huh?!"] She asks in surprise after Y/N raises his head, showing the bullet between his teeth.

Y/N: ["You seem surprised..."] He comments with a small giggle.

Civilians: ["DIE, IMPERIAL PIG!"] After he said that, every single soldier aimed their guns at Y/N. He snickers and pulls his other knife. As the shots got closer, his eyes and veins once again glowed purple.

Y/N: ["IS THIS REALLY ALL YOU CAN DO?!"] He exclaimed with a loud laugh, still deflecting the shots that headed his way.

Imperial Soldier: ["I - Incredible!"] He gasps, seeing Y/N's display of power ["So this is the power of one of the Empire's Aces! W - With him here, there's no way we could lose!"]

As Y/N deflects the shots, he aims for every single light source in the room, using the enemy bullets to destroy everything that could produce light. Soon enough, everything was dark, with only the explosions and the fire outside to provide enough light on the inside. The soldiers stop their barrage of shots and look around.

Civilians: ["Don't think we're scared by your- WHAT THE?!"] After he aimed back at Y/N, he noticed that the young boy was missing ["W - WHERE IS HE?!"] He exclaimed with fear. ["F - Find hi-"] Just like it happened many times before, before he could finish his sentence, two knives went all the way through his chest. His body slowly falls forward, revealing Y/N behind him, with his usual crazy smirk.

A nearby explosion occurs. It breaks all the glass inside the building. The civilians shield their faces, and the Imperial soldiers lower their heads to protect themselves. As they raise their head again, Y/N was, once again, missing. At this point, every civilian in the room was breathing heavily, sweating, and trembling with fear. A pained scream echoes through the place, causing everyone to look as a soldier slowly falls back with two knives stabbed into his head by his mouth. After that, another scream. This time, a soldier had both of his own hands cut off, holding knives and stabbing his right eye and the side of his head.

Civilians: ["W - WHAT IS THIS?!"] He exclaims, horrified ["D - DEMON! THERE'S NO WAY THAT KID IS NORMAL!"] He looks around frantically.

Civilian: ["N - No! Thing logically! There's no way that kid alone is doing that!"] A woman said. Y/N sat in the dark, on top of many wooden supports in the place. A smirk present on his face ["Which means... There's a traitor among us!"] She said, and everyone gasped.

Y/N: ["First you plant the seed of doubt, and then"] Y/N watches in amusement as everything unfolds ["Watch the chaos happen"] He thought, gently laying down ["The human mind is weak. Those who can't cooperate have their destiny set to destruction"] As everyone blames everyone, Y/N smiles ["Everyone blames everyone, and none of them agree on anything. And then..."] Y/N raises three fingers, lowering one of them after each second. When the last finger came down, a shot rang in the place ["Humanity shows its true nature"]. Y/N watches one of the civilians falling dead on the ground after being shot by the same woman from before ["The best way to destroy a society is sparking a war between them"]. His [E/C] eyes watch in silence, seeing everyone fight for their life, fear, beggings, and blood. All of that continued until there were only two remainings. The woman, and what Y/N assumed to be her child, a young boy around his age ["And after humanity shows their true nature..."]. Y/N gently reels an arm back, holding one of his knives by its blade ["You crush them like bugs!"]

He throws his arm forward, throwing the knife that stabs itself on the kid's forehead. The woman watches in shock, seeing the kid fall motionless, lifeless. She gasps, but Y/N doesn't give her much breathing time. Quickly flying forward, he uses his other knife to stab it on her neck. She shouts in pain while Y/N wraps both legs around her body. He keeps piercing her neck and chest-region over and over again. Soon, she falls motionless to the ground. Y/N slowly stands up and giggles. He looks over his shoulder, noticing the three soldiers missing, but three ropes on where they were before. His smirk grows a bit.

Y/N: ["I wonder how they're doing outside..."] He said out-loud, looking out the window.
.

->[Outside]<-

Severin: ["Wha... What is this?!"] He thought, seeing everything burning, corpses everywhere, city burning, hell on earth ["WHAT THELL IS THIS?!"] He clenches his teeth and narrows his eyes. After that, he looks behind himself at another soldier ["Protect the Republican citizens and withdraw from combat zone! Hurry!"]

.
->[Cliff]<-

On top of a cliff stood two Imperial Soldiers, one of them was operating a mortar. He looks behind himself, towards his superior.

Soldier: ["Loading complete, sir!"] He said, ready to fire.

Soldier 2: ["...Fire"] He ordered after a moment of hesitation, sweat running down his cheek.

.
->[Arene City]<-

Back in the city, everything was pure chaos. Explosions left and right, death at every single corner. The Empire spared nothing, its rage and fury burning like the fire from hell itself. They spare nothing.

Nothing...

As the hour passes and the day went on, the fire slowly came to a stop. The smoke, however, still reigns supreme inside what used to be a city.

Soldier: ["This way! Hang in there!"] A soldier said. The soldiers from the Empire went left and right to recover their fellow soldiers hurt in the rebellion.

Warren carried a fellow soldier by having its arm around his neck. He dragged the soldier while keeping his eyes forward. But something caught his attention. Looking over, Warren saw a burned arm of a corpse. His eyes widen in horror, and he quickly looks to the side and starts to throw up.

Warren: ["I'm just saving the prisoners..."] He mutters to himself, cleaning his mouth with his gloved hand after he recovers from vomiting ["I'm just helping people"] He mutters once again, forcing himself to continue.

Back in the Soldier's camp, many were hurt and resting. The soldiers had multiple parts of their body damaged, wrapped, and treated. Warren sat down with his rifle nearby. Arms resting on his knees and head down.

Viktoriya: ["Anyone else?"] She asked a soldier, a member of her company.

Soldier: ["I think this is everyone"] He said, keeping his arms crossed.

Command: ["Attention, Pixie Battalion"] The male voice said, getting the attention of everyone ["Remaining enemy mages are at pot B4, serving as rear guards"] Everyone had their guard up, except for Warren, who kept his head down while sitting down ["They're interfering with our spotters and preventing our artillery from fire. Can you take them out?"]

Tanya: ["I have visual"] She said. The blonde girl had her submachine-gun in hand, Y/N was at her side, MG 34 in hand too ["No problem. It's possible"]

Command: ["As soon as the rearguard is down, we'll resume the artillery attack. Try to finish within five minutes"] They said. Tanya kept her straight face while Y/N had his eyes closed. Warren stood up, looking up at the nearby building Y/N, and Tanya stood on.

Tanya: ["Roger that. We'll do our best"] Warren clenches his fists and eyes. After that, he flies up towards Tanya and Y/N. Mid-air, he sees the despair on people's faces, women, elders, and kids, all of them suffering.

Warren: ["Battalion Commander! Captain!"] He said after he landed. Tanya, who had her eyes closed, opened them ["Please reconsider... They don't know how to escape an artillery barrage!"] He begged, stepping forward. Warren thought about the kids. About all the people and families. Y/N clenched his fist, but Tanya held her hand on his chest ["If... If we take out those mages-"]

Tanya: ["The Empire's enemies will be wiped out by artillery. Fine with us"] She said with a calm and almost soothing voice, surprising Warren.

Y/N: ["Second Lieutenant Grantz!"] He called. Warren recoiled. Due to how menacing and dark Y/N's voice was ["The enemy you let go now will take up his gun again"] He said, nodding forward. Warren looked where Y/N nodded at ["To shoot us"]

What Warren saw between all the people walking was a kid. The kid stopped and looked at the remains of the city. But for Warren, it was almost as if the kid was staring at him instead.

Tanya: ["If we let them go, some will become new soldiers who hate the Empire"] She said, looking over at the multitude of people.

Warren: ["So... You want us to kill them just for that reason?!"] He asked. Tanya instantly pulls her hand away from Y/N's chest. He instantly punches Warren in the mid-section, forcing him to bend forward. After that, he raises his leg with a powerful knee to the face, sending him back against the floor.

Tanya: ["This is an order from our superiors"] She said while Y/N stood there, keeping his arms crossed ["We shoot the enemy, or they'll shoot us. If nothing else, we must shoot until we're told not to anymore"] She continues and drops her gun in front of Warren, crossing her arms ["I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said. But I'll say this once more. This is the order from our superiors. Take up your gun"] She orders.

Without even looking at him, Tanya crosses her arms. Warren slowly reaches forward with his hands shaking. His eyes start to water. He remembers everything. The soldier that he blew up back in Rhine Theater. He remembers how much hate the kid had on his face. He grasps the rifle tightly and pulls it closer. With a loud war-cry, his memories flash on all the people walking forward. And with an even louder war-cry, he aims the gun forward, tears still streaming down his face.

And fires...

[A/N - This scene was pretty great. The voice-actor was amazing]

.
->[Strategic HQ]<-

Hans: ["What did you want to discuss?"] The man asked Erich, who's in front of him.

Erich: ["This paper, which was submitted last summer to the Army Academy's 17th lab"] He said, giving Hans a large number of papers. Hans takes them and hums ["The paper deals with ways to legalize combat in cities. It contains a way to interpret wartime law, to avoid the restrictions o artillery bombardment of cities"] He said while Hans was reading through the stuff with his usually stoic face ["Did you use this when you planned this operation?"] He asked.

Hans: ["If I did?"] He asked back, still reading.

Hans: ["Nothing"] He said in surprise, lowering his head with sweat running down his face ["I just wanted to know for certain," He said, a few seconds of silence went by before Erich spoke again ["The authors of this paper were Major Degurechaff and Captain L/N, wasn't it?"] He asked.

Hans: ["You said it yourself, they're extremely talented soldiers. It would be a waste not use all that talent"] He said, causing Erich's eyes to widen slightly ["I'm going to give them a extremely important job..."]

["To end the war with The Republic!"]

.

.

.

.

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[Allied Kingdom Humanitarian Aid Group]
->[Peace World Hospital]<-

Soldier: ["You're finally awake"] A soldier with black hair said, stepping in front of Anson Sioux, who opens his eye and stares at the ceiling ["I'm told you were found in a fjord, critically wounded. You've been unconscious for months"] He said while Anson reaches up, holding the bandages that covered one of his eyes ["They only identified you a few days ago"] He said, starting to walk away.

Anson: ["I saw a light"] He said, causing the man to stop and look around ["The Light of God..."] Anson continues, reaching up. He remembers the day that Y/N stabbed him and pushed him down. The day that the cold and wet embrace of the ocean took him.

Soldier: ["Very interesting"] He said, looking down and away from Anson ["And what did God tell you?"] He said, now looking at Anson once again.

Anson: He tightly closes his fist ["To destroy..."]

["Those Devils..."] 

https://youtu.be/OgXZn_H_QAI

<<<O>>>

[A/N - Yes. Normally we would have the second ending now. But Los! Los! Los! is better so I'm sticking with it.]

[A/N - Gifs are working again. Yay]

[Published in - 10/25/2020]
[Word Count - 7.626]