“Lieutenant, give me a SITREP on what’s happening out there.”

“Copy, uh… We’re fine here, OPSEC is being maintained. Anything wrong?”

“Simon reported in; he and Malkovich found another group of dead travelers. We’re possibly looking some of the people we pissed of by attacking the camp not long ago”

“Any survivors? This can’t be good.”

“No. Get to our position ASAP. Don’t want you and the precious cargo to get stuck in a firefight.”

Sand, dirt, and water were bathed in the sunlight. The godlike rays were blocked by long weathered walls and vegetation, yet it was the same no matter where one could go in the frontier. From the sensations of heat and cold blanketing the vast swathes of fields, forests, and deserts in the late days of the fall and the beginning of winter, such things would always remain a constant and would last forever more within memory.

Warmth flooded from a small crack in the roof above. The light coated three people sitting on the ground, two waiting, one now waking up from the sudden disturbance. The other two watched as the final person scrunch his face, the pulling sensation in his eyes eventually forced him to tug them open as he took in his new environment. His brown eyes darted around the room the three sat in, what looked to be ruined furniture and a cluttered floor was coated in a light layer of dust, while vegetation had grown through the roof where the sunlight had once entered.

Apprehension covered his tired eyes. It was almost as If he were waiting for a moment to clear his mind and tell what occupied his mind, yet his attempt faded, his mouth closing before he even had a chance to open it, and with a look of concern being wiped from his face, he settled against the wall he had formerly slept on not two hours ago.

“I hope you don’t mind me not waking you up, Mike.” Patterson said in a low voice. “You almost coughed up a lung last night, so we had to call it a day before we got any further. Besides, you look like shit, you could use some sleep.”

The sergeant chuckled a little at the kind expression the Lieutenant he was so familiar with wore. “Lecca here was worried shitless about you.” Patterson mentioned gaining a sudden questioning glare from the princess in question, “Don’t go dying on us yet, don’t want you to see Green anytime soon.”

Mentioning the now-deceased Private First Class’s name made Mike’s heart sting lightly. His once newfound teammate’s voice was already beginning to fade in his mind as the beautiful world around him tried to drown out his voice with the myriad of songs it had.

“Seems like the captain and others came across another patrol.” Patterson droned on as he recounted the discussion, he had no two minutes earlier over the radio. “We’ve walked around thirty-two miles and we keep coming across more of these groups.” Before he could finish his thoughts, a light tremor shook the ground shaking dust from the scattered items around the room. “We should keep our eyes peeled.” He said standing from the ground grabbing his rifle.

Following the junior officer’s lead, Lecca assisted Mike as they both rose from the ground in a hunched position.

“We need to check around before we make the link up.” Patterson said in the kneeling position as he looked over his shoulder. “Grab your gear, we need to go.”

Grabbing the weapon slinged over his chest, Mike held it in the low-ready as Patterson took point with Lecca in the center wielding a small dagger, she had manifested with her nullification magic.

“Team two, how far are you from the building?” Walking out into a small hallway, the three slowly walked around loose objects on the ground ranging from wooden boxes to shards of glass as Patterson spoke in a hushed voice over the radio.

Mike looked upon the weathered stone bricks pillars that were lined against the wooden walls within the building. No matter where he looked, pockets of dust and vegetation were to be seen everywhere as the distorted voice of Staff Sergeant Baker played over the radio. “We’re not far out. Less than quarter klick, you guys found something?”

“Could be something that the light tremor caused, we’ll check it out.” Patterson said as he and the other two rounded a corner coming across a destroyed door with only the lower half being open.

“We’ll run a pass by the entrances, then secure the southwest exit. Two-Six out.”

With Patterson lowering his head and passing first, Lecca and Mike followed as they passed through what looked to be a large, destroyed foyer or entrance. Mike looked around curiously as he moved with the two to a set of wooden doors, their boots making clear audible noises on the dust-covered wood.

Attempting to open the door but then finding that it was jammed, Patterson withdrew his knife as he broke of the hinge making a decently loud noise. “Though here.” He said opening the door aware of his surroundings as he let Lecca pass through first with the sergeant following behind at a slow pace. Disturbing a small flock of birds that had landed for the previous night, birds similar to that of Ravens flew up in a spiral pattern through a large dome window in the roof where a large piece had been broken off due to the elements and age.

“Still trying to figure out if this was some school or governmental building.” Mike said in a pained voice as he struggled to move around the cluttered desks, chairs, and wooden cabinets that had formed a large pile in the center of the room.

“Yeah-yeah. C’mon it’s clear.” Patterson said slightly disinterested.

Further walking throughout the building, now stepping on red-velvet carpets that had chunks of rock, dust, and wood scattered about, the sergeant ignored the searing pain in his chest as they descended a small flight of stairs and through a set of double doors which led to a cafeteria styled room with large wooden table strung about.

“Suppose we don’t have time for chow?” Patterson joked as they passed through swiftly.

“Don’t think you would want to eat anything out here.” Mike responded cheerfully. “If we ever find a true diner, I’ll treat you to some meatloaf and a few beers.”

Passing through several more halls and what appeared to be a small shopping mall, the three checked their surrounding thoroughly as they passed through the large foyers that spanned the large complex, they took shelter in.

“Team one, we’ll meet you at RP Rose, get over here quick.” Baker said over the radio making their footsteps grow louder as they sped walk to the exit.

Finding a large set of stone stairs, the three quickly ascended towards the side entrance, quickly avoiding the main entrance by taking a small set of hallways adjacent from the foyer. Upon slowing at a door and opening it slowly, a flood of sunlight lit up the darkness.

Stepping on scattered patches of dead grass, Patterson slowed to a halt. Dying trees were scattered in what was a broken city. Large vines hanged from the walls and the passage above. The grey muted colors of the walls of each building and the gravel streets drained all sense of life from the area, yet the air was crisp and clean, nature had once returned in full force.

Above puffy white dots drifted from the sky down towards the ground. Mike held out his hand allowing the milky-white powdered substance to land in his hand. He momentarily studied the intricate and unique design of the crystal before it eventually melted in the warmth of his hand.

“This place looks like hell, but I suppose it’s still standing.” Patterson murmured as he and the other two continued down the gravel streets filled with overturned wooden carts and skeletons of horses and human bodies.

From an adjacent street, several more footsteps grew louder as the other members of the squadron jogged over. “Yo!” Simon called out as the three picked up their pace to complete the rendezvous.

“Lieutenant, Princess.” Thompson said in a strained voice as he cleared his throat. “How was your sector sweep? Find anything troublesome?” He asked in a semi-nervous voice.

“Almost captain.” Lecca responded in a professional manner. “We still need to check the adjacent building from the main atrium.” She said while shifting her feet to the direction she was speaking of.

“We’ll move across from you and check out the opposite side.” Thompson said hopping on his feet. “Check back in at the center of town. Shouldn’t be too far ahead.” His estimation ran with his confident tone as he, Malkovich, Richard, Simon, and Baker moved swiftly with their weapons in hand.

“Yes.” Lecca said taking lead of her two soldiers. “Please keep watch out for those tremors captain.”

“Rog!”

Mike let out a light chuckle at his captain’s response before taking himself into a nearby destroyed building alongside the lieutenant and the princess. The wood he stepped on seemed quite damp, looking up he saw the answer to his question as the entire side of the building was gone allowing the spectrums of light to flood into the dusty environment.

“Whoa, hold up!” Patterson whispered making them take cover behind the stone wall that was still intact. “We’ve got some unknowns, shoot to kill if they are hostile.” He warned aiming his rifle down at a gathering of unknown soldiers lining up what appeared to be members of the camp they attacked three days earlier.

In the elevated position he was in, Mike adjusted his magnified sight as he looked down below at the unknown soldiers. They all stood in what could be the equivalent of mid-evil tactical gear; form fitting clothes and metal body armor plates, shaped helmets with metal visor covers, and worn combat muskets.

“Who are these men?” Lecca questioned as a now mutely colored lever-action rifle materialized in her hands. She aligned the blocky sights on the one closest to her and the other two Rangers.

“No idea.” Mike said, his voice now being drowned out by the loud roar of five muskets being fired at the captive soldiers. Pools of blood and body matter spread on the ground, the now identified hostile soldiers lowered their weapons with the smoke of whatever gunpowder they used exiting from the barrel of their muskets. “Thompson, an enemy patrol just executed what looked to be POWs possible civies, permission to engage?” Keeping his hand on the radio, Mike waited anxiously waited for a response.

“You have permission to engage.” Thompson replied.

With those words said his gloved fingers slid over the trigger of his rifle. “Take them out!” He ordered firing the first four bullets killing one of the six in the patrol instantly.

Puffs of black smoke emerged from the barrels of the muskets; large swathes of dust were kicked up by the impact of the ammunition used by the enemy. With the confidence that he wouldn’t be hit, Patterson slowly breathed out as he aligned the red shoe-horse reticle on his optical sight over one of the targets. With a firm trigger pull, he let his weapon fire three bullets downing the second enemy, and completely desecrating the seemingly flimsy body armor with the now limited supply of “magical black powder” 6.5 APC bullets.

As he fired away at the now remaining four enemies, Mike noticed how none of the enemy fighters paused to reload their muskets. It was so bizarre that he had to do a double take as the remaining hostiles were quickly dispatched by the superior weapons in the hands of the Rangers and Lecca.

“Team one, we spotted a medium sized element moving to your location now.” Thompson’s voice came over the radio as he dispatched orders, “We need to regroup now, meet us at the end of the street.”

“Copy, we’ll meet you there.” Patterson responded as he Mike and Lecca rose from their positions of fire. “C’mon we need to move!” He said kicking down a small portion of the remaining stone wall making a pathway through. “These fuckers were using modern tactics with those muskets, shame their weapons suck ass.” He said hopping down from the elevated position.

“Could be a false flag operation…” Mike wondered aloud gaining assistance from Lecca while lowering himself onto the ground.

“I’m afraid we will meet our untimely deaths by then, Sergeant.” Lecca said with a quarter-inch tall smirk with a distinct, yet light sarcastic note in her voice. She gently brushed her hand on her dirtied combat skirt to rid herself of any dirt.

Each time he blinked, he could see the same picture over and over. The image was clear in his mind as he, Patterson, and the Princess walked along the abandoned and cluttered streets, the forest-green and dead-brown foliage concealing the death that surrounded them. He could recall each smell that entered his nostrils, each vibration that emanated from his firearm, each burning pain that shouted from his chest.

No, those pains persisted.

Amidst the echoing roars of rifle fire being exchange, and the seemingly endless shout that came from both his own squadron and the enemies, he figured that pushing further into unknown territory alone and without support would be the end. Such a decision was unanimously decided, it was believed to be the right choice.

He had second thoughts now. It had only been eleven days since their initial departure form the capital city and towards the frontier. They drifted away from the Kingdom’s borders, and now they stood isolated with no way to establish any connection with their “field officers” including Knight Captain Orwell. They had the chance to turn around, double back to their origin point, yet, pushing through hostile lines into the great unknown seemed to be the only option both Chieftain Arish and Captain Thompson was willing to consider.

There was no going back this far out. Everyone knew it. They had already paid the entry fee with Green’s death.

Being so far away from “friendly” borders, any rudimentary way of identifying friend or foe had become a problem. Other than reconnaissance pickets of hostile squadrons from the unknown military they had come across, it was near impossible to distinguish between targets and non-combative targets, getting close would only spell death, the opposite would possibly ignite conflict.

Everything seemed backwards in this world when it came to protocol, though, he supposed such rules wouldn’t be enforced by the US Army due to their lack of occupation. It was just him and his team, Lecca included, they’d just have to keep moving and march on in the face of death.

Their ammo was low. The rations and MREs they had packed away were dwindling if not depleted a while ago. Foraging and hunting would have to become a constant, yet he wasn’t sure if he himself and seven others would find enough food before they would starve to death.

Speaking over the radio, Patterson notified the other Rangers of their immediate position for the linkup mid-firefight. Hurriedly turning the corner to the shouts of his teammates and the firing of weapons on both sides, Mike saw only three hostile “musket men” standing while Sergeant Malkovich pushed the advantage with Simon. The sudden call of musket fire brought his attention back to reality, with Lecca taking cover next to Thompson, he quickly stepped over and knelt behind the overturned wooden cart.

“Captain!” Mike said with frankness as he kept his head down as another volley of musket balls impacted several walls far ahead.

“You would’ve made the right call, Sergeant!” Thompson chuckled, “We should have waited in the building till tomorrow morning, tried to get you some proper medical help from that group of travelers that were killed!”

“You made the right call!” Mike forced out. “If we’re going to die, better to do it now rather than later!” He stated bluntly.

“If we waited, our deaths would be postponed for another two weeks!” Lecca interjected making the two laugh as the gunfire suddenly stopped bringing silence to the street.

“Either way I did enjoy the nice walk.” Patterson’s tired voice suddenly cut over the radio making the aforementioned princess jump. “I’d rather die in the middle of nowhere than let the kingdom have our bodies.”

Chuckling at the morbid joke, Thompson went silent as he took in the destroyed city around, he and his squadron. The air seemed damp, the sun’s light providing a slightly humid environment amongst the destroyed ruins of the great stone city they occupied.

Soon the sounds of boots slamming against the gravel roads came to a halt and faded away. Beautiful sounds from nature; birds chirping, bugs singing, the wind whistling, each was a sound that settled on the great beyond as the sun gently grasped the otherworldly soldiers in its grasp.

Beside the captain, Lieutenant Patterson knelt as his eyes darted around then finally setting on a large group in the distance. He hesitated to raise his voice, and such apprehension was laced in his words as he opened his mouth to speak, “We’re looking at around thirty heavily armored hostiles heading to our position right this moment.”

Eyeing him at the corner of his eye, the captain cursed to himself as he lowered his head instantly dropping morale, “Shit.” He said quietly clearing trying to decide whether or not to send his men to their deaths in one last stand, or to last another to weeks then die of starvation. “How armored?”

“Same guys we attacked at the camp; bolt action guns, vests, helmets, and a few looked to have some sort of automatic rifle or machine gun. Either way it was a large weapon. The officers had swords or sabers and they all look like they can use magic.” Patterson explained. “We were compromised as we finished killing the three on the street, they know where we are.” He warned.

After a short moment of silence, Lecca stood up. “We need to do something, Captain.” She boldly said withdrawing the knife she had sheathed in her belt rather than materializing it with her magic.

“Where the fuck did all these people come from!?” Richard complained as he let out a loud groan. “We’ve been walking for fucking three days, and now all these shitheads suddenly show up!”

“It would be too convenient otherwise, Corporal.” Malkovich said assisting Mike in standing up.

“Then we fight!” Lecca interrupted. “I: First Born Princess, Chieftain of the Royal Army, Leccamaradel Emma Arish will lead all of you Reclaimers into one last stand against the unknown armies that march here this very moment!”

Her voice shut everyone up.

“We will not be remembered! We will not have any legacy to be retold! Yet, I stand here with you to stand and rise above the Demon Lord and any and all adversaries that threaten the throne!”

“Transcend and rise above Reclaimers!”

A fiery blue haze surrounded the Princess. The blue light shined in all of the Ranger’s eyes as they let out one loud shout that garnered the attention of the hostiles now approaching.

Standing at the forefront, Lecca stood bright with magic making this once simple dream, truth…

Publicly Available Information: Unknown Territories:

Beyond any territories controlled by a sovereign nation are lands known as the ‘Unknown Territories’. These lands contain hundreds of both documented and undocumented biomes and serves as the main interest of many sciences and mathematical persons.

Under King Arish, the first scouting expedition to lands beyond the Kingdom of Yondel have proved unsuccessful and many claim each expedition to be a waste of money and resources.