The fog was as thick as usual and damp. A chill is noticeable. The zone’s mental effects began as well. Business as usual then. The new suit was keeping me dry and surprisingly warm. The pathway I was on led me to the gateway to the graveyard. I looked to the left and began to follow the barriers that the Crawford estate was nearest to.

The barriers were numbered this allows me to report on anything I might find and its location. I was doing my best to be aware of any threats in the fog as I checked each section. Eventually, I discovered something disturbing.

Barrier G-18 was what I was looking for. The barrier had damage across its surface. Claw marks of different depths were all over the barrier. The claw marks were running the length of the barrier vertically meaning something had been scaling it. Small amounts of what I thought were bloodstains were also present on the barrier.

I checked the remaining barriers running along the estate but the barriers. I found some more evidence of damage on some barriers but nothing like G-18. I doubled back and made my way to the gate entrance. I unlocked the gate padlock with a supplied key and pulled open the gate.

SCCCREEEEE.

The gate’s metallic screech as it opened was not expected and scared the shit out of me. I stopped opening the gate dropping to my waiting and weapons ready crouch. I stayed there checking the area for threats. Even the sound dampening effects of the fog would have done little to that noise.

Nothing appeared after a few minutes and I brought my breathing under control from the adrenaline rush. I decided not to open the gate further as I could easily get through.

Stepping through my head, as usual, was on a swivel checking my limited view for threats or dangers. The fog was getting thicker which was hampering my sight more. This was recognised from the reports of others. When breaches expand the fog gets thicker and the threat type gets worse. Normally I can see six meters well around me, now it was down to about four.

I began following the barriers back to G-18. The anti-vapour coating of my faceplate was preventing it from fogging up from my breath. The temperature drop was clear and not just from the normal effects on me.

I moved as quickly as I could to the barrier stopping regularly to check for threats. I reached the barrier without encountering anything. Normally I would be jubilant at this but here, now this was worrying me big time. Expanding zones have expanded the number of hostiles.

Inspecting the barrier, I quickly identified the same damage as the other side. Whatever had crossed here was not worried about anyone finding where it had. This was not skeletons or zombies as they had the intelligence to do this in packs. None had been reported. This made them easy to spot and whatever was doing this was at least a lot more dangerous. With claws, evasion tactics and intelligent picking of targets only a higher type of threat was able to do this.

There was only one recorded type of Grave class monster and that was a Ghoul.

“Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit” was my quiet mantra.

This was bad if I was right. So far, I had not encountered a Ghoul and no Operative had in mainland Brittan had. I had however seen the reports from Europe and Canada when they had appeared and it was never pleasant reading. I was tempted to go back to hell I was ready just to get the fuck out of there but I knew that I had to confirm the evidence or some other poor sod would be sent in.

I was crouched down next to the barrier scanning the area when I spotted my first lurcher in the fog. I began the hunt.

As I moved closer and around behind the target it was a skeleton. I gripped my axe tighter and after scanning what I could see for other threats I attacked. I rose from crouching quickly moving forward and drought my axe down on the back of the skeleton’s head. The axe’s weight and the force I put into the blow smashed the back of the skull in and knocked the Skeleton forward onto the ground. Rage began rising in my chest. I pulled the axe back and continued the assault until the skull was completely smashed.

Grave Chill

As normal the effects assert themselves as soon as the fight was over. The freezing cold feeling sweeps through my body as soon as I was close to the Skeleton. My anger helps against it in the beginning. Trying to slow my movements and reactions as always. This was the main reason when I attack, I ambush and go all in.

Thankfully Skeletons are slightly easier to take out than a Zombie and I don’t get covered in gore. The Grave Chill was causing me to shiver even with my new suit and the exertion I had just gone through.

“Just great!” I bemoaned to myself quietly.

The colour drained a little from the world and the black clouds of depression were hovering at the corners of my mind.

I started scanning the area again. I was expected to go to the breach and visually inspect it. So, I am going that way deeper into the graveyard.

I progress slowly as a headed towards the breach. I wanted to get out of here but Lou and my own experiences had taught me the value of taking it steady. A mad dash would get me killed.

After only a few meters I spotted another lurcher. To my right and I turned to engage. The Zombie was taken down quickly as the first Skeleton. The gore splatter was thankfully not as bad as it could have been. I paused to drink as hydration was important. I was not leaving any time soon.

I put the water container back on my belt and continued forward. Stop, scan and then advance that was all I did for the next about thirty meters. I was on one of the pathways running through the graveyard. When a smell stopped me.

The smell was rank to an extreme. I look around trying to identify the source. Out of the corner of my eye to my left, a saw a blur of movement. I turned swinging my shield around at the blur.

Something collided with me. The force of the blow combined with me not being braced for it knocked me down. I hit the ground on my back the armour absorbs a lot of the blow but it hurt. The shock from the impact almost winded me. My shield was between me which had hit me as it was now on top of me.

Grave chill effects hit me again and harder. I pushed through it with my rage roaring to life. The threat of death is a great motivator.

The smell had become a horrific stench. The thing on top of me is attacking me trying to get through my shield. Parts were flying off it.

I dropped my axe and pushed with all my strength against what was on top of me. The movement was easier I feared it was. The thing was flung off. I scrambled to my feet.

In front of me was a humanoid female figure in shredded clothing and matted long dark hair. I could not see more as it was quickly back onto its feet and attacking again. Bracing with my shoulder shield high. This caused the creature to collied with my shield but its frenzied attack continued.

I reached down and pulled out my gladius from its sheath. My axe was useless in close quarters like this. The creature’s taloned hands were raking my shield as well as me. Its stench was making me want to throw up. I was able to keep my anger focused.

My shield is not just used to protect me but is also a means of opponent control as well as a weapon. I used it to push forward. Because of the lack of distance between us the creature was forced back.

My Hail Mary of a plan paid divided ends by pinning the creature between a gravestone and me. With my shield high blocking the attacks I thrust under it with my gladius. The sword plunged into the creature’s guts as I pushed it forward. Then after a few seconds, I violently twisted the blade both left then right. The creature screamed in pain increasing the sheer frenzied pace of its attacks. Black gore spilled forth from the wound covering my arm and lower body.

I withdrew the blade and then struck forward again. The scream came again but the attack was weakening. For good measure, I stab forward again but no scream came this time and the attacks on my shield fell off.

I waited still pinning the creature. When I was sure it was “dead” I backed off and let its body drop.

To be safe I put my gladius back into its sheath and quickly pick up my axe. I had kept the creature in my line of sight. With my axe, I went over and I keep hitting until I destroyed its skull. More black gore and brain matter went flying in all directions.

The stench became too much and I was forced to back away. The creature was down in the grass. I ripped open my faceplate and puked. I did not stop until my stomach was empty and was just dry heaving.

The acid burn in my throat and bile taste in my mouth was relieved by my drinking from my flask. The grave chill came then sitting on my mind and body like a heavy stone. I focus on breathing through my mouth.

This was bad looking at the wrecked form in front of me I am convinced that it was a Ghoul. The grave chill was far worse because as a “higher tier” creature its effects were more pronounced. The cloud of depression and physical fatigue were things I could not ignore easily. The cold was causing me to shiver badly even sweating in my insulated new armoured suit.

My instincts were screaming at me to get out of here. I forced myself to breathe and think. I had to focus remain in control and work towards goals to hold back the depression to complete the mission.

First, secure the area. I did, inspecting the area around me to see if the fight had attracted anything else. Thankfully nothing moved near me but I remained vigilant for several more minutes.

When I was satisfied, I closed to the creature’s remains as the stench would allow. I was sure it was dead but checked again to make sure. Come on how many horror films have you seen as a character thinks they have killed the monster and aren’t looking it gets back up and kills them. Well not me that’s for sure even after smashing its head in.

The figure was humanoid and female. The shredded clothes were a summer dress of some sort. The body was thin as in starving thin. The ghoul’s skin was an ashen grey coloured. The hands were normal looking but the fingers ended in nails that were thicker and a lot longer than normal and could only be called claws.

Yea it’s not going to attack me again now gear and body inspection. I started with me. Well, my legs are covered in black gore and I stink bad because of it. My left arm armour had several gouges from the Ghoul’s claws that had raked me. The armour was still intact but several of the claw marks were pretty deep. My left shoulder armour was also damaged with a deep claw gouge in it. The rest of me is fine. These new plates are really good.

My shield has been mauled. The front has dozens of individual impact strikes. Even the metal sections of the shield centre and outer rim are damaged. My shield is two inches thick oak I would not have survived the attack without it.

With my inspection done the big question do I go on?

Looking back at the Ghoul I was sure it had got Morgan as she was investigating the breach. But I had to be sure. I got my bearings once again and moved deeper into the zone.