THE RISE OF THE FOURTH REICH

Chapters

Prologue
THE BEGINNING
First Contact
A Delay
The start of a Base

Prologue

The sound of the howling wind graced the walls, blowing the trees, swaying in the ever steadily snowfall. As I looked out the window, I see men straying to their posts. They moved to their designated stations or walked the lines of our borders of the tall walls around. We claimed these mighty castles of our enemies. I looked away from the window to sit on the chair, the fire crackling in the fire pit. The couch across the room was long and wide enough to be called a small bed. There was a small round lump in the center. You can mistake it as a pillow at first glance, but upon a careful observation it slowly rose up and down. I got up and walked over to the pit and carefully grabbed a candlestick on a plate and lite the small flame. As I walked down the hall, with a limp in my step, I stopped to grab my cane to help me with my journey. Slowly stumbling down the hall, I saw the burgundy red walls and the tall ceiling was painted in a hazel brown eye colour, a spectacular colour scheme. Although the small flame lit the way, it was not strong enough to show the photos that are held by the frames to show what they reveal. Stopping to an open hall, the left side of the room bore no door or sliding door. I slowly made my way in the room, where the small candle was shining off the glass case, to see my own uniform. A light grey officer uniform was displayed in the case along with general clippings from past experiences such as medals and ribbons earned from the war, most importantly, the Grand Iron Cross with diamond oak leaves. I unlocked the case reaching for the right arm of the uniform held that once held the banner of the nation that I was born into. I once called this nation home and the Fatherland. I held the red arm banner of the swastika whispering as if it was a prayer to the new life I had adopted that changed when I stepped foot in here.

I left the room walking through the dark halls that seemed long and high to me. The last ruler that held this castle had compensated for his small stature, having a castle that was quite large and filled with hidden passages in some areas. The small candle that flickered in my grasp lit my way through the dark halls but the paintings on the wall were covered in darkness. My light was not strong enough to chase away the shadows that prevented me from clearly seeing. I looked towards the distant light that led to my study like a beacon in a sea of water.

“Commander?” opening the door to my personal library, I turned to see one of the generals emerging from the shadows. His jacket was one of a light blue uniform the golden clippings on his arm, the iron eagle above his heart. The cap on his head held the Fallschirmjäger eagle with wreaths around it, just above his chest was the silver wounded badge. Walking towards me with a limp in his step lifting his hand out to me, I could see the metal casings connecting to his leg allowing for him to walk, but is ageing was younger than me.

“Ja Herr Commandant what brings you to this night?” I asked to him. The light of my candle was the only source emitting from the dark halls.

“The reports came in, from the citizens and their needs; there isn't much to go around from the war this past year. We are still rebuilding the homes from our assault on this kingdom to over throw the tyrant; our guns had made a dent to the small villages.” His accent was strong yet firm under the ranking Commanders, walking into my study he came along with me.

“Take any homeless and give them a place to stay in the keep, for the cold nights and make sure they are well fed properly. I know this is a hard time for all of us, we need to keep the weak, the old and the young alive.” I said towards him. He saluted towards me clicking his boots together then spoke.

“Jahvol”, he turned walking into the shadows as they engulfed him. A large book stood open, as I made my way over to the large hard cover, taking a small match and lighting it from my candle. I lit the candles on the left side from my book near the edge of the counter. Flickering with my steady breaths placing the other on the right, taking a feather and ink well I smiled to myself of how such of advancements that we made, I’m using a medieval method to right my journal of my book. Dipping in the ink and letting some drip off into the cup from my tool, flipping to the pages of 1930 to a new year of 1934 placing the pen to write.

My name is Friedhelm Stein; I am nineteen years old, of the year of the rise of the third Reich. The Fuhrer a great man and the new hope of the great land that was, but she was in great despair. Until he came into power, taking the workless and homeless into a working power horse once again. The land that I had a hard time to live and earn pay was impossible! if it weren’t for him. Germany would have been going into anarchy, thus creating a new empire of true industrialization and power, with the nation exploding with work and military entries I have joined in.

The door creaking open to reveal a pony or a unicorn, her fur was a dark grey shade and her hair the shade of the gloomy grey thunderclouds and a long strip of a light yellow with the shape of a thunderbolt reminding me of the stormy night that I first met her. Her first cutie mark was of a map with arrows placed out strategically, the second one was one of an iron cross with the crest of one of the Fuhrer’s political leaders. She walked in and a sheepish tone I could hear her say, “father?” She called out in my mother’s accent. I stood up from my desk and walked the distance to meet her. She heard me coming as I saw her stood on her hind legs reaching her front hooves up to me. I chuckled to myself as I lift her in my arms cradling her in my embrace.

“What are you doing up so late Gewitter?” I asked her then walked through the door. I knew she was tired as we walked through the doors out of my study, and into the hallway, the darkness was covering my vision then a light came before me. In a soft golden glow emitting from her horn I gently squeezed her holding my daughter close to me. My light and my hope she is all I have left and I will not lose her again.

“Father the last one to rule this kingdom had a big ego did he.” I chuckled softly to myself at her question, a good one that deserves an answer.

“Yes he quite did have a rather large ego”, I said, walking to my room with the heavy wooded oak doors engraved with the pride nation of the fatherland, the insignias of past old. Opening the doors to my room, lifting the covers, I placed her in my bed she looked up to me. Looking in her eyes, those eyes when I first saw her, was a dark gold in the dark but in the light it shone like rings. I lifted my hand rubbing her head but careful around her horn. She was gifted with great power and magic and a great commanders mind. I went behind her ear, she leaned into my hand but pulled away she looked back up to me again.

“Can you sing that song when I was small Father?” I smiled to her but got up, standing up I smiled down to her giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“Not tonight my flower I have things to do” tucking her in bed I walked over to the door closing it leaving a crack to let the light shine in.

Outside, I turned when my leg gave me a sharp pain and my chest burned, but I never felt the ground but one holding me up in his arms. “You should take it easy with that leg of yours and that infection.” A thick accent sounded to my left.

Helping me up from my state, I looked over to a full black and smoke grey clad armored trooper “Mael Radec” I said, as we walked on but stopped. “You can return to your posts” I said out loud, with a trained ear you could hear the soft clanks and shuffling on the marble floor as I walked with the Colonel military field officer. “Was your stay exceptional I presume.” he chuckled as we walked side by side.

“You presume too much my friend; the troops you have trained were primitive, but effective on the battle field... But it was a waste of time.” I looked over to him as we both stopped.

“Yes, but it was my time that I wasted on them.” as I stared at the full clad Colonel Officer as he stood at attention.

“Of course it was” he said “but I must bid farewell” he walked into the shadows watching it engulfed him. Opening the doors to my study, walking through the doors, to see both of the candles flames dancing away without a care and with grace. As I sat down in the chair and lifting the feather once again looking to my book, flipping through the pages to a fresh blank page.

THE BEGINNING

I remember when I was a grenadier officer watching over the facility which was a top-secret base located in the mountains west of Germany. My guards were standing outside doing idle work and occasionally rock paper and scissors. The sight of a dirt cloud got my men and me the attention to get up, making sure our uniforms were presentable. The rows of supply trucks and the main Volkswagen were coming to a stop. One of their troops opened the door as two men and one little girl got out. I reached out my hand, “Doctor Maxis and Edward Richtofen, it is an honor to come back once again on your project” I said towards them. Walking into the mountain, there was a heavy, solid, steal door big enough for a hanger bay to store the HE111 bomber. There was the sound of grinding gears as she opened up.

The interior was somewhat nice for a bunker, with the feel of a standard military base, walking through the hallways of the bunker. Next in front of me, was the General, bearing the grand cross of the iron cross and my friend next to his left doing the regular salute. Continuing onwards in this mass of a base, walking through the bright halls stopping at the bulkheads, it slowly opened towards a sight to behold. An entire underground facility, the generators whirling and whining and the banners hanging high above giving life to all the workers here and there. Then one thing stood out. Their power cables working their way across towards a ring where everyone was standing at attention with arms held out, closing towards the ring.

One scientist turned around, “Hail the Fuhrer” he said saluting.

“Hail the Fuhrer” the General said standing with his arms behind his back and yet a hint of irritation. “Is it ready?” the General said in a calm voice looking at the machine.

“No sir, we need to test it on a human for it to work. We managed to send boxes and one dog and a vehicle panzer cycle and a motorcycle. The dog came back unhurt but different. We need someone to go through the portal to see what is on the other side.” He looked behind us to see the two doctors.

“Maxis, you old hound dog” he said walking past the general doctor. Maxis and Richtofen returned the gesture with friendly faces. Maxis looked over to him as they finished their greetings.

“How is she working, Verger?” he said enthusiastically looking at the marvelous machine from German engineering.

“Most excellent.” There was a sound of someone clearing his throat to catch the attention of the three doctors to see the general standing next to me.

“I have one right here,” he said pointing at me for the first to travel a new land or teleportation.

“Yes sir, I’ll do it by your orders” I said in depression. The doctors quickly came over to me and Maxis and Edward walked me towards the heavy doors.

“Don’t worry. We have taken all precautions to get you back when we open the portal” he said, walking to the stand.

Taking me towards the left side of the facility not too far away from the portal, both of the doctors and the steal casing that they brought was with them. I undress my rank and put on the bulky set of unusual armor and my steel breathing mask and heating/cooling system.

“Your armor can stand sixty below and the max is sixty seven below, and can survive heat up to nine hundred degrees. The max is nine hundred twenty degrees. You have your own oxygen supplies when your suit detects danger, you can thank Doctor Edward for the attachment. When you are ready you can give us a thumbs up.” he said standing in front of me, he walked around towards my back “your suit will give us data as soon as you cross. And fire this through you have twenty-four hours to report before we close.” He gave me a canister while walking through the walkway towards the portal. “Shoot this through the portal, we will retrieve and send pioneers immediately through to start on an outpost for future operations.”

I looked to my left and nodded, the portal sparked to life, humming low then increased in sound. I walked up to the green wall, placing my hand on; it rippled like water, walking slowly through exiting out. I looked around to see snow and trees all around me, taking out a radiation reader not ticking out with any worries. Walking through the snowy tundra the winds howling out, as my mind wondering out if I’m in the cold lands of Siberia or the Canadian snowy tundra. Placing flags down to find my way back, but not too far away, I found the boxes and the panzer cycle in the snow looking around myself watching the snow fall calmly.

Reaching towards the back of my head, flipping a switch I could feel the entire mask-shifting opening up to the bitter cold howling wind. The wind was all I could hear, walking back towards the portal. I loaded a canister and lunched it through then I played the wait game, gathering the equipment at the boxes opening to revile guns, Karabiner 98 Kurz, Mauser C96, and MP18 and stick grenades. I walked through the deep snow every step was a loud crunch, opening the case were flags and then the last were food supplies.

“Friedhelm. Where are you?” I heard walking swiftly through the deep snow see two pioneers walking out of the portal in winter clothing.

“Is this all of us that they are sending?” I said out loud.

“No” one of them said “we are here to examining if we can build here. I see we are at a tundra state of Russia or the Canadian Rockies.” the engineer said standing in front of me.

“Don’t know which part of the world we are in, the lands of Russia or Canada?” The other said looking out the howling winds, blowing against his armor he turned and started to go through the portal.

“Where is he going?” I said out of curiosity watching the green liquid wall engulfing him

“We have the data to start building. We have a panzer MK III outfitted for construction work and a convoy of ammo and fuel. The troops will soon come after.” he said watching the portal flickering and sparking out. Then the land started to rumble and I could feel the ground shake. The portal sparked out with a blinding flash as tanks rolled out with plows pushing the snows outwards and behind them were grenadiers.

“Sir. We were told that they are closing the portal but we have enough supplies to finish the land for the trucks, and the base ground,” the trooper said in his winter camouflage.

“How long is the portal closed for?” I yelled out towards the men in front of me exiting the portal. I looked to my left to see the armored beast plowing the snow away from the portal.

“Two months sir. The batteries and generators have to recharge” called out a grenadier under his mask as he saluted “and you are the one in charge and are to protect us from anything out here.” Holding his rifle behind his back he turned and walked away.

The howling winds blew out creating a storm. The panzer moved the snow out of the way then the second laying tracks down “Alright clear this snow away, so we can construct the bunkhouse so have a place to stay for the nights to come.” We continued to work away, shoveling snow away, tanks pushing onward. Once we moved the piles of snow it felt strange as the grass was green, the more snow we removed, the greener the grass was. My crew did not pay any attention to our surroundings, but we had made a 2-mile ring around us. The sun was climbing the stairs of its path to the highest point of high noon. The day moved slowly and the time felt long. I worried about the night, but my watch told me that the day was correct, but it felt like hours had passed by so quickly. Placing down the tracks for the floor we left a patch for farming when we needed it the most.

“Sir?” a grenadier came up to me his mask protecting him from the harsh winter breeze.

“Yes” I said towards him as I placed the shovel down and turned towards his direction, the winter breeze blowing his scarf around in the breeze his mask was a shadow black seal around his mouth, the clear lens of his goggles having the snow sticking to his cloths and uniform.

“We are placing down the base work of the outpost.” I looked to the sky the sun moved towards the horizon and towards the vast land of the tundra, seeing nothing but snow, but when I faced the North East I could make out a small mountain.

“Good but set up the bunk house first” I instructed him. Watching him go into the construction yard of the base the towering walls and towers, I could see the sparks from pioneers using there welding torch

“Right away” he turned around beginning to walk but I caught his attention again by grabbing him by the shoulder.

“I’ll look deeper in the tundra to find anything out there” he stopped and looked around.

“Sir what about an attack?” I looked around to see a vast valley of snow and more snow and small dead trees nothing seems to be a threat out here and if something dose pop up they have to get through some lead

“No need to worry I’m going for another five miles North East from here I’ll be back with whatever I have and if I’m gone too long follow the flags.” he looked at me and nodded as he traveled back into the construction yards.

I walked through the frigged tundra snow the sound of it crunching under my feet. A lake was spotted and traveling it, a large body of water that was frozen far as I could see just a mile long. Turning around to see a mountain and a faint from line of something was in that direction as I walked towards it. I noticed a village covered by the snow and ice. Covering most of the homes when I stepped foot inside the town it felt… dark cold to my spine pulling back cocking my MP18, walking around with caution carefully watching the shadows I could see the ice that had formed for who knows how long, but another feeling I can’t shake off. Traveling deeper inside this village but then I saw something that was lost since time. It was a well preserved castle.

When I entered the large double doors it felt warmer inside. I pulled out the portable radar the needlepointing towards the South West but something was pulling my mind towards the northwest tower and so I traveled on. Upon stopping in front of a heavy oak wooden double door the insignia was something to see but most were worn out and hard to know what used to be there. Opening the heavy doors the loud creaking of the hinges shown of rust walking into a throne room. My mind was amazed by the architectural design a magnificent look even over the harsh winters or years I was at a loss walking up the short stairs to find the thrones chair sitting down. To my surprise it was small and low but supported my over weighted armor and looking in a king’s view. The feel and the view of all the stained glass covered in dust? Dust the only reason dust can happen was from a sentient being getting up a sudden sound drawn my attention towards another part of the castle’s interior a library. A place that I needed to know the history looking to the books there were no words but grabbing one of pure curiosity to see a picture of a small horse or a pony but no title. Opening the book was a writing I could not see what it was just some type of writing that I could not put my hand on or know the origin. Then I saw a shadow.

It ran and I gave chase to the next room. Something jumped In front of me. Five bipedal dogs holding shields swords and spears lifting my MP18 at the five of them. Suddenly I felt someone hit me from my side the sound of metal clashing with the marble floor. My machine gun fired off when I was going down firing the bullets ricocheted off the floor or the walls. One was not lucky. Some of the stray rounds hit him. My machine gun rolled away from my grasp focusing on the jaws above me tilting to the left the sound of his jaw snapping. Grabbing the head of the beast pulling it down I lifted my knee cape hitting it the sound of flesh and metal a loud yelp sounded out. Getting up for only to duck under a blade clashed with the marble pillar lifting my arm up and swinging down with the weight of the armor shattering the blade. Stumbling around from the impacted force the sound of my boots made the very ground shook beneath me with loud thundering clanks.

Pulling my arm back and thrusting forward only to put his shield up creating a deafening loud clanking sound. Flying back from the force due to the weight of me the shield was stuck in my fist pulling the plate of armor off my fist. He looked up at me then looked to the left I turned to see another tackle me down pulling his blade up grabbing before it came down on me. Reaching over to the shattered remains of the sword grasping for the shard only to be thrust in the beast’s neck, I could hear him gargle from the blood entering his lungs as he held his wound. Reaching for my C96 Mauser pistol cocking back letting three rounds enter my opponent the look in his eyes was some amusement to see the creature holding his gunshot wounds. Turning to see the rest dragging the wounded and running out the doors I gave chase after my suit of iron was well bolted as I ran giving me a slow pace. Reaching out only to get one on my back grabbing him with a toss he ended in the ground. Lifting my heavy iron gantlet I felt my suit burning me. The suit hissed out through the exhaust piece above my mouth. The steam was blasting through the visor. Under my nose the steam blew out towards the dog yelling in pain and as I was feeling the heat radiating from the armor burning my skin until the pain subsided.

Looking for my targets to find a blood trail leading outside jumping into the snow, but I was met with the dirt. My armored suit was radiating so much heat that the snow melted away fast. The blood trail that lead into a cave I stopped to grinding my hand across the stone cave to show the swastika engraved into the wall but out of sight walking away from the cave and out of the gardens towards the flags left behind from me.

Soon I was in the snowy tundra but the snow melted away from the heat radiating off clearing a meter radios revealing more grass? As I made my way to base I found a lone grenadier walking along the rope line. “Sir you were gone for four hours what happen?”

I looked at him “I was gone for an hour!” he nodded his head as he made his way to me lifting his rifle behind his back the wind dying down

“It has been four hours since you left. What did you find?” I looked at him shocked at what he said. Walking back towards the base seeing the bunkhouse constructed and some of our walls built and one lookout tower.

“Life and a civilization but different. We are not on the lands we know any more and a new creature that I have never seen” I said the feel of the heat from my suit died down. The construction of our outpost was coming along nicely.

“Shall we finish the wall first sir?” I nodded my head looking at our unfinished wall of barbwire and high walls, the watchtowers high and tall. When I looked in the middle was our pride of my land swaying in the cold wind, ever so lightly flapping with the grace of the wind blowing the red flag and the black insignia of the swastika.

“Yes and a kill zone.” When I finished two grenadiers ran up the tower to set the MG 08 machine gun looking out where we came from walking into the unfinished base I could see the roaring fires crackling in the night. Looking around this great fire seeing thirty faces and the eight-tank crew gathered with us. Around the fire the howling winds blowing around us. My men huddled around this fire keeping us warm. The clear night sky but the moon hidden from view. When I looked at all the men under my supervision one of them started to sing and as we sang the fire grew brighter and the warmth emitting was felt across my face as I too joined them.

First Contact

Day 24 in the new land

Name Friedhelm

1 week until portal reopens

The preparations on the wall was exceeding to substantial successes, the snow had not fallen since last week. The more snow we shoveled and plowed away, the cold nights felt less cold and warmer days started to come, we could finally feel the sun’s rays as she started to shine upon us once again. At a great cost of good work there is always some disasters we will come across, the Panzer Mark three had an oil filter gasket blown out again this is the fourth time since it was here two weeks prior time, Spilling all that precious black gold. The repairs are short on this day; we had to improvise what we had and what we could use, plus another problem had shown up. Now we needed more steel and iron to completely finish our outpost before the next shipment came in. I cannot be behind schedule we must find another way to finish on time.

“Sir we can’t repair the panzer Mk three anymore” a pioneer came towards me covered in oil, his goggles on top of his helmet, I could see his back pack repair kit his welding torch holstered on his right, the C96 Mauser pistol holstered on his left. His uniform was a gentle light blue his chest plate snow white with some Dark black oil splattered across his chest.

“I knew this day was coming and the pressing matters, with the beasts that I saw at the castle that I saw the past two weeks from before.” I said watching our work force grinding to a halt, our food sources slowly disappearing with a week left of rations. I could see him standing next to me, looking with me towards the North East.

“What are you looking at if you don’t mind telling me Commander?” he said looking at the mountains. I smiled as I kept my eyes trained on those tall shadows in the background the thoughts of what to do buzzing in my mind. Turning around and walking down the stairs from the lookout tower the pioneer followed me close “Sir what do you have in mind?” he said again.

I stopped as we reached the bottom and onto our new flooring, covered in concrete and asphalt it’s a small base of operations. Soon I have my sights set at a new target in the distance.“ Gather the men I need to brief them on a new operation, it’s about the wild dogs we need to take care of. I’ll be waiting at the armoury.” I said towards him.

He clipped his boots together walking out, but gathering some men on his way out. Walking out of the base, I could see the large bunkhouse standing tall with the steel bars holding up the walls, the wooden walls standing tall by my side until the corner. The open yard is the heart of the base, a giant concrete bunker standing out more, half-finished she was, but soon it will be done. The flags of our nation with the bright red banners hanged on the concrete wall with the small flags swaying now in the gentle breeze. I was proud that this entire operation was moving smoothly as planned, but at such a cost of oil, recourses and food. The feel of accomplishment was far from my grasp of how the loss of oil and repairs for one tank, but stills amazes me that such a beast it can be, I still fear it whenever it passes me.

“Sir I have gathered the troops near the supply depot and they are awaiting your orders sir” the same pioneer saluted in front of me, it is hard to get use to the saluting from my men, as I was once a soldier under the ranks of an officer and commander. With the pioneer by my side walking through the unfinished side of the base of operations, I could see tools lying there and the empty barrels of oil cans, the last of the oil is kept at the depot.

“Sir?” One grenadier came from the left side from the workings from the garage walking along side me.

“Yes comrade” I said calmly nearing our objective I could see him fidgeting with his tools.

“What is this meeting about and what do you mean about a dog problem?” as he spoke out looking in my direction, I looked ahead of us to see my end of the line stopping just before the crowd of infantry patting him on the shoulder.

“I will explain the situation soon. Go join your brothers.” I watched him turning while entering the crowd of soldiers. I took a deep breath, as I walked up the stairs on an unfinished wall. hearing the men chatter slowly died down. “Men the Father Land will be proud at our successes of the finishing of our base of operations, but I know some of you doubting the success rate that we have made.” I could see some of the worried expressions of my troops, “but the resources that we have are in short. Until another shipment of food and supplies are coming in the next seven days.” Some of the men had fear and anger, that achievement was out of their reach “But another problem has arisen” I saw the heads snapping towards me, “my travel to the mountains in the North East was a threat to the Father Land a creature with the body of a human but the parts of a dog.” This was when my men started to chatter among themselves, “I need ten troops willing to have first contact with this new species to ELIMINATE THE THREAT.” as I yelled out the last words, the men stumbled back a bit.

I stood on top the stand watching my men, as I saw some moving out of the way to see the same pioneer wearing his scarf around his neck, walking up the stairs to stand in front of me smiling. Then more started to climb the stair well, gathering in front of me I was surprised to see a Volksgrenadier with them.

We were in the armoury gathering our weapons from the racks, I looked around that there was no shortage of supplies of arms and bullets. Two of the grenadiers both had the MP18 and a stick grenade’s in their holsters, the pioneer grabbed his C96 holstering it, and a bag of equipment to take note of the minerals of the castle. The Volks reached for his Kar98K rifle with a magnification scope, the newest rifle made to replace the Gewehr 98 rifle that the rest had out all loading the five rounds into the built in magazine.

Wearing our gear and our uniforms, protected us from the cold air, our rifles slung to our backs. The base was long behind us, making our way through the snow, the sound of crunching beneath our boots, following the placed out flags towards our objective. Seeing the frozen village once again, still the same from fourteen days ago never disturbed. “Sir what happen here?”

One called out behind me, “it was like this when I got here but it is what’s next to the castle.” I yelled out, never bothering to look behind me. I could see the garden gates that lay ahead of us. Pushing the rusted iron bars open they let out a groaning sound, until I felt the entire weight shifted on me letting go to see the tall gate fall off its hinges towards the snow but the sound was the metal twisting and screeching during its fall until it slammed into the snow.

“Well that is something I have not seen in my life” one of the grenadiers said out loud walking past me and the fallen gate, towards something I have not seen too. We walked towards a statue of a pony or a small horse, with a crown and a robe the face was worn off the chipped statue.

“Over there men.” as I pointed towards the marker of the entrance of the cave, gathering around looking deep into its jaws, I had a sense of fear and dread as I looked deep into the entrance one of my men took out the TL-122 flashlight that was made in America. Soon we will have our own models to improve the TL-122 flashlight, the cave lit up as we moved further in the caves throat, but I could not believe the tunnels moving through this vast built, and it almost feels like an underground bunker. The time was at a lost for me wandering aimlessly through here, my men keeping their guns close to their chest, until I could see light up ahead of us moving swiftly through the tunnel towards something magnificent, I stood there my mouth agape my mind processing of pure architectural design an entire city no, civilization built into the vast mountain we are in.

“What is this?” I snapped out of my dazing and wonderment to see the rest of my men doing the same, I looked to my left to see the Volks standing next to me holding his rifle close to his eye “Sir I… I think you know sir… I can’t place it now” as he looked through that scope “I think you should have a look.”

He gently handed his rifle over to me, the scope to my eye seeing some of the dogs that walked around, and then I saw pups and females caring their young. Moving around to find the needed targets until I spotted four armoured dogs gathered around one that was a bit large, the head piece resembled a crown. Pulling the scope away from my eye I looked over to my men, “stay here comrade we may need you to help us on our way down, you stay here and protect him and our exit” Standing up turning around “the rest of you are with me” they all nodded towards my direction.

Climbing down from our entrance towards this civilization, then we were on the ground hugging ourselves to the walls, slowly making our way to the entrance I stopped before we could enter. Leaning behind the wall to see one of the armoured dogs walking towards us pulling my knife out I looked behind for the other’s to be doing the same, we waited until he was close enough, I could hear the soft clanking of his armour getting louder as he approached us. Standing up I leaned once more to see his back against me, I reached over as I quickly grabbed him puling with all my might around the corner, all three blades came down on him digging our knifes into his flesh, he thrashed and kicked around trying to attack his assaulters he made a noise but all that was heard was a muffled howl. Slowly he started to struggle less and less, until every inch of life was gone from him.

Pulling the body away and out of sight, we made our way in, I stopped and looked at my troops “men we need to get to the heart of this nation, find the leader and kill it” I said quietly to the rest. Moving through this maze of a city to see pups play around and the females keeping a close eye on the pups as they play the guards are not much of a problem but they are dogs, the scent from us occasionally catches their attention. Stopping just in front of what looked like a heavily fortified fortress guard station, in front of what looks like a solid stone door, the rumbling of the ground shaking beneath us to see multiple guards walking out. My eyes was then drawn to the other group of dogs walking to the other group armed with swords and shields, the spears held high, the small group stopped just a yard away.

“King Grell I challenge you for power of this nation and the riches you hold for yourself.” I was shocked at the language he used was almost english I was absolutely at a loss my mind buzzing for the answer and the possibilities of this outcome. The clashing of swords and yelling snapped me out of my idiotic state of not paying attention to my surroundings, I was watching the battle raged on, the possibilities of who will win or lose was at its peak, as the challengers troops fell in rapid succession, for only the leader to have his blade in his opponents stomach I was amazed at this outcome. The one who challenges the leader for power and control, I may use this to my advantage or another possibility to spread fear among this nation showing off our power of the Fatherland.

“Who dares to challenge me again step up and challenge me.” yelling in my rough English accent I looked around to see a large crowd among our surroundings, I looked behind me to see my men, holding their rifles close, I nodded my head walking into the opening.

“I challenge you beast.” saying in a rough English language, I could almost feel everyone turning their eyes on me but, I shook off the feeling from them.

“You are not diamond dog, you are just a creature not belonging here, guards take them!” he barked out. My men took up defensive positions behind me, as the large group of dogs charging at us, raising my hand I could hear behind me the sounds of guns cocking. Pulling my fist down, I could feel the force of all the weapons blazing with thunderous cracks, as I stood there watching them fall one by one armour torn off from the force of bullet entry. Looking behind me to see the smoking barrels the sight of burnt powder escaping, the smell was wonders to my nose, and then my troops were reloading there weapons empty brass casings scatted across the stone carved floor.

As I walked over the dead, my hands behind my back, until stopping just a meter away kneeling down to grab a sword and shield, clashing the shield against my suit of steel rang with a steady clang “I said I challenge you for power and control” I could see the anger in him, as he thinks a pup like me could beat him, but being wrong in this case will cost him dearly.

Pulling his two handed sword from his opponent and staring daggers at me, my men standing on the side line with rifles raised, to anyone who dares to intervene our battle. He screamed charging with his blade over his head; lifting my shield up tilting it to the side, the force of his impact staggered me, but his blade cut deep into a fallen dog. Thrusting the shield into his chest plate sounded with a clank, as he jumped back leaving his sword behind “well this is an unfair advantage” I said out loud. “I’ll make it even for the both of us” I tossed my shield away and my sword hearing them clash to the ground.

He yelled again as he charged to me swinging wildly as I lifted my arms to counter his onslaught, I could feel the force of impact from his fists, he lifted his leg thrusting it into my chest knocking the wind from me, I could feel the force transfer through the armour, I could feel the true weight of the armour that I wore slowing me down. Coughing as I was down on my stomach, his feet contacting with my back I was defenceless against his assault, lifting my head to the left the sight of his right foot was not too far from me, I reached over to his foot, grasping swiftly as I pulled him down.

Rolling on my stomach and getting up with a heavy load, I got on top of him pinning him beneath me, with a heave smashing his thick skull to my helm, yelping in pain and seeing him squirm under the weight of the armour. Lifting my heavy gantlets above my head bringing them down like a war hammer making full contact with his chest, the sound of him screaming with a heavy blow to his rib cage. I started to swing with my left into his chest and my right contacting to his right side of his chest.

The force of his kick was enough to send me tumbling head over heels. I was groaning in pain while looking over to my left there was a spear. At the sound of him yelling I looked towards him with his sword over his head charging towards me. Reaching for the spear grasping the handle and lifting it up, I could hear the flesh rip from the impact, he made. He was able to swing his sword down cutting into the armour. His body laid on top of me with his jaws on my shoulder thrashing his head trying to rip off the armour. Reaching for my knife in my hip pocket and grasping the handle I yelled out, thrust my steel blade into his neck twisting and jerking the blade around.

His moment had ceased with the blood oozing slowly from his wounds. I pulled the warm crimson coated blade from my enemy and felt weak, tired and heavy. I was heaving in and out lifting the dead weight off of me, but I was too tired too weak. The fire in my chest burned greatly as a son of the father land. I will not give up so easily with all the training I went through. I will not show weakness in front of my troops, a weak leader means no courage for his men.

Getting up slowly the weight of the armour pulled me down as deaths chains pulled me away. The wound from my shoulder was deep and I could feel the bleeding begging me to stay down while standing fully up. I saw around me my men standing with proud smiles. Clearing my head to see the dogs standing, staring up at me as I stand on top of their leader “who dares to challenge the Fatherland stand up and come forth”. My voice carried out a bit of anger.

As one of the dogs started to come up to me I sighed to myself for opening my mouth saying a dry bluff, hoping no one would take the fake bait. He stopped in front, kneeling before me “What should we do my leader” he said kneeling before me others followed his stance.

I looked down to him standing wearily “you will address me as Commander” I said with a strong accent of my mother’s he looked up at me “but for now you will do nothing until I return. Be warned I will not take kindly to anyone taking my position when I return” I saw his tail curl deeper against his body. Taking my turn to walk down the way I came from with my men close behind me. The crossing through the main street of this civilization, the large crowd of these beasts made way from me, putting their backs against the walls, as If my men and I were some kind of monster. I felt a soft thump against my right leg looking down, to my amusement there was a small ball made from hide, with the weight of the armour I wore, I kneeled down to grasp this small ball closely examining this… toy.

Looking to my left and right to see shocked expressions from them, as they thought I was insulted a number of them moved out of the way to show me a small pup, they were shoving him to the front thinking that I was going to punish him. Child abuse is something I stay away from. I have no reason to strike them for no reason, they are young and naïve. But there is something wrong with him it’s almost like… he didn’t care of what punishment that would come to him.

I slowly kneeled down once more to be eye leveled with him. The look in his eyes was not fear but something of rage. His tall stance and unrelenting gaze made him seem bigger then he was. Never have I seen such defiance as I gazed through the faceless mask. He has never shown any unease or the feel of intimidation from me. I felt the hand of one of my troops grasp my arm, shaking my head to rid of our contest. I looked around my surrounding it was an unease quiet, you could hear a pin dropping to the stone cold floor, standing fully looking back at this pup looking at his dark brown fur his snout and around his eyes was a darker shade of brown almost as a mask hiding what lie beneath him.

“Can you speak” I said in my rough English accent, watching him stand before me just barely above my knee cap I stood there waiting for his reply.

“Yes” he said with trouble I smiled beneath my mask, as I started to walk around him. He stood his ground his amber eyes following my every movement.

“Do you like it here?” I said as I stopped in front of him he slowly swayed his head side to side “do you wish to fight me?” He said nothing but his eyes was filled with fire, I let and audible sigh kneeling down before him “Or would you like to train in my ranks” this was something I did not foresee as he clipped his feet together nodding his head with a firm jerk. I was speechless with surprise for such a young pup like him “do you have a family?” this caught me off guard to finally see his head hanging low as if he… he is an orphan or was abandoned from the litter. I took close examination to his clothes, they were torn scraped up from anything he could find, and his shirt looked like nothing more than worn out sack.

“If that is your decision you may follow us, which if you could make the long journey.” I stood up walking down the clear path, my men taking a close distance of following behind me. The main gate that we entered, I stopped to see a mine cart I looked to the pioneer “Bartholomäus go grab a few samples from that cart and see what types of elements are here. There has to be some iron ore deposits around here.” I saw him running towards the cart grabbing a hefty amount of samples; we climbed our way up the side wall towards our exit. The weight of my armour on the heavy wound I sustained on my arm was strong against my body, the pain was sharp and suddenly making me wince in pain.

As we ascend from this pit, I saw a hand in front of my face grabbing his to pull me up, looking towards the volks and his body guard. “I saw the entire event from here” he said patting my left shoulder “now to get you back to base so we could really patch you up” I smiled under my mask standing tall once more.

The travel through this cave was proving a hard time of getting out of this labyrinth; time went by as we could feel the cold winter breeze blow through us. It felt nice to feel mother’s cold embrace, it almost feels better then deaths’ freezing embrace knowing that your life is at an end. Upon exiting the cave to be greeted by the snow and wind, I could feel the wind licking my wound sending a surge through my spine.

The move through the snow with audible crunches beneath our feet, we were in a standard marching formation single line. When I stopped, all was quiet until the same sound of snow being stomped on, in a rhythm; I looked behind us my men doing the same. To see a young diamond dog pup, the same one that I spoke to, I could not believe that he followed us through the 30 mile hike to our base. I looked ahead of us to see our base another 2 miles away from our distance, the bitter freezing cold was long behind us, but that did not mean the howling winds carried the cold with it.

“Men keep going. You with me,” I pointed to the Volks which startled him then gained his composure nodding in agreement. We both made our way towards the young pup stopping just a mere meter away, he stopped before my iron boot. His head following of what it connected to, slowly he looked up to me then to my left to see the Volksgrenadier staring back at him. “Take him and bring him back with us.”

He looked at me wide eyes his expression was something of surprise and shock “b-Bu-But Sir… what is this a-a dog why bring it with us?” he stumbled over his words looking back at it and towards my direction.

“That is an order Volks,” I said walking towards our base ignoring any of his complaints or his questions. My journey was a short one, seeing the barb wire and our high walls accompany by guard towers, the once hard work force is now at a standstill. The first thought that came to me was our medic a graduate from medical school everyone calls him patch “Dagmar,” I said as he stopped in front of me motioning his hand to the medical wing of our base of operations.

“Friedhelm” he said when the door closed behind us “I can see that your operation ended good with a few losses I presume,” as he looked through the cabinets taking medical supplies. He removed his helmet showing his short dirt brown hair. He reached into his front pocket jacket taking out glasses reminding me that he was a middle aged man with high medical training under his family name.

“ja we have made our mark and the only one that was injured in battle was me. I was making a point to the superiority of the iron fist of Germany,” I said laughing only to end up wincing in pain as he quickly tapped my wound.

“Remember Friedhelm you are the body guard to protect us from threats, which dares to come within our kill zones” he said in a strict tone of a father “now can you remove the armour as I gather more tools. It seems you suffered more than you think” he said as I removed the arm plates and gauntlets from me, the chest plate was the one that suffered the most from my battle, taking the dam thing off was hard. I noticed that the wires were cut; I removed the thin sheet of metal off as it sparked out. As if it was in pain, the sheet I opened with fell off its hinges. Sighing as I have lost the armour that made me hard to kill.

“Scheiße” I yelled in frustration, taking my armoured pant legs off, the chest plate was mashed in a certain area of the lock that connected it to the back plate was in no condition to be removed. “Go get Bartholomäus and tell him to get his tools” patch looked at me, as he too looked at the armour that it has sustained.

“Of course Commander.” he said putting his tools on the table, heading towards the door, only to be opened to show the Volks and the pup. The doctor let out an audible gasp as he dropped down and closely examined the pup, taking his paws, grabbing him to examine this marvellous creation this being. “Where did you find this great being? The bone structure is a replica to ours except for the mass and bone works… a bit skinny and a bit of a runt of the litter too,” he said never taking his eyes or his hands off the poor pup.

“I think you should take it easy on him Patch,” the volks said swaying his head side to side seeing how the pup was being treated. Pushing the doctor away from his new find and examination, he looked up at him then me; he nodded his head then walked out of the medical wing.

After my medical procedures on my arm, the armour was in no condition to be repaired until the portal reopens. The cool night breeze was no longer frozen nor a pain to our faces. The base is nearly complete with all our resources spent on building or repairing that god dam Panzer Mark III. When I held my canteen water bottle, drinking the cool liquid I looked to the now clear moonlit sky, I nearly choked on my drink seeing the moon for the first time. Having a coughing fit one of my men came over to me.

“Sir are you all right Sir?” I nodded my head no as I pointed to the clear blue night I started to settle down as he looked at the moon “is that a unicorn embedded in that moon?”

“I don’t know comrade but I do know that this is not our world anymore,” I said watching the star night sky and the moon that held the image of a unicorn.

A Delay

Three days after the delayed portal

Status: In dire need of supplies

“They should have been here three days ago. Our food supplies are almost gone!” a soldier yelled out from the large crowd of troops gathered around the center of the base. The sound of anger and desperation was heard and felt throughout the ranks.

“Calm down. Calm down,” I yelled over the sound of my men, but I was drowned out from them. I pulled my C96 Mauser firing three rounds silencing the crowd before me. “Comrades, do not worry. I know for sure that they are experiencing something difficult that we cannot see or hear from them. If we do not act now we may starve or die from dehydration. WE ARE SOLDIERS and are NOT IN SOME GOD DAM KINDERPARTYTJIES,” I yelled out making my men stay silent. “Now we need to expand our territory outwards. We need to set up Jäger parties and a fishing hut near the lake not far from here. We have enough munitions to last us a small civil war that goes for a month’s worth.” Now my men looked around as if they are trying to figure out the scenario.

“Now, if you don’t have anything to do get your rifles and meet me at our front door!” I said walking down the stairs, crossing my men, walking through the partly finished base of operations. Now is the time for border patrol and the expansion of the needed lands we must claim for the iron war machine. A bigger land means a bigger base, a bigger base means training new blood or the construction of new weapons to slaughter our enemies. Walking through the many routs in the base itself, the dirt road was the only main route that was used only by tanks and trucks. The mechanic’s wing was a bit of a space around the garage. The two trucks that were once filled with supplies and troops now laid in slumber. The Panzer Mark III with its parts torn out only to look like a skeletal body was used as nothing more than spare parts. Opening the door, walking into the shop as I gazed around my new surroundings, I could see tools that hang on the walls, wrenches, screwdrivers and blowtorches. Finally I looked at our flag above the workshops, and saw Bartholomäus hard at work with my armour that was given to him for repairs.

“Friedhelm,” he said not bothering to look behind himself. “If you must know I cannot repair what Doctor Maxis has done towards this armour,” he got up looking at me. “This metal is nothing like I have seen nor does it exist,” he said walking around the workshop, moving through the open boxes and drawers.

“If it is broken it is broken,” I said walking to the table, examining this mysterious piece of gift from both doctors. “Now I want you and the tower guards to stay behind in the base,” I walked to the doors stopping before I left. “If you are asking we are going to see the diamond dogs once more. If they survived out here then they must have hunting parties.” I closed the door behind me, walking through our delayed production facility.

Upon my arrival I spotted most of my men standing in a two group line awaiting me. Passing through the ranks of my men, seeing their heads until the gap between the two men, I stopped to look down to see the pup again. “I think you should stay here little one,” I said kneeling down in front of him.

He shook his head side to side, and then pointed towards the volks “Lutz,” he said. Following his finger to see the marksmen standing behind me, I started to chuckle to myself standing up.

“Well it looks like he is no longer my problem, isn’t that right Lutz?” I got up and patted him on the shoulder. He looked at me with confusion. “I guess he is your hunting dog or companion for that matter,” I said walking to the front of our lines. “Alright men, our food supplies are low but we are going for help from a tribe.” My men did not show any sign of disgust but a sign of curiosity. “They know these lands better than us and we will need their help in order to survive. We cannot rely on the Father Land too much. Now it’s time to fetch our feast.” I heard my men yell out, marching along the green grass towards the castle where the slush of snow splashed beneath our boots, until entering the once iced village. As the snow slowly melted all over the town, slush and snow littered the streets. Our men came towards the entrance of this civilization once again returning a week later.

As we made our way through the vast tunnelling network, stopping once again at the exit and entrance, seeing the grand civilization once again, it’s almost like nothing had changed or so I thought. Once we stopped in front of the main gate only to be met with a battalion of dogs at arms, stopping, my men took up positions behind me.

Reaching for my Gewehr 98 rifle on my back, pulling the bolt to load a fresh bullet in, sliding the bolt back with a satisfying sound looking to the wall of shields I spoke out, “why do you challenge your old leader?” I said out loud, they all looked around seeing my troops taking up arms, rifles held strong, and sub machine guns held low.

“You aren’t our leader any more, since you left. A new one took your place after the day you left,” the one in front said gritting his teeth followed by a growl holding his spear closer as if he was expecting something.

Sighing audibly I turned to one of my men behind me, “Comrade, will you go get Patch for me, and bring the Opel Blitz truck full of medical supplies.” As he nodded, he quickly left running up the small hill and then one took his place. “The doctor is going to have one good field day today.” Pulling the rifle close to my eye lining the iron sights towards my first target, “last chance, lay you’re weapons down and I may consider to let you live,” holding the rifle my finger resting on the guard ring, “If not you will face death swift and quick. We cannot tolerate another civil war.”

They all laughed at my words of choice. “We do not need to listen to you. There are hundreds of us and only a small amount of you.” One yelled out laughing, he shook his head. “Now that is too funny. What makes you think you can beat us!” he said with more pride than doubt sliding my finger off the ring guard and onto the trigger.

“Then your body won’t go to waste, I assure you,” pulling the trigger time felt slow for me, watching the smoke emit from my rifle followed by the clashing thunderous roar from behind. Feeling the wave of force hitting my back, seeing all of them hit the ground their chest armours filled with holes and crimson blood gently flowing down.

Turning around to see my men with barrels smoking, discharged shell casings on the ground, the smell of spent black powder lingered. “Men, it seems we have our first rebellion. That threatens the iron gantlet that holds our shield to protect the fatherland. It is our mission to stop this rebellion before it can expand.” Looking at the faces of my troops, showing that they are willing to do this, they held their guns to their chest. “Then let’s get to the heart of this mess and clean it up,”

We were moving in small groups of three. Each had a sub machine gunner for close combat. Moving through the stone city towards the main center, only to be met by a long wall of shields and bows we all took cover as soon as possible, flipping tables on their sides and hiding behind rocks and walls.

Walking into the opening I yelled out “surrender now or face the iron fist of the Father Land. I gave a warning to any one trying to take my place that I will not be kind this time. Instead I will not allow anyone to stand higher than the Father Land,” as I retook my position from cover. My men, taking aim rifles raised to the wall of shields. I felt someone tap my shoulder to see one of the grenadiers holding the Model 24 in his hand while taking the grenade from him.

“We will not listen to you demon.” I heard one yelled out from my cover and I hung my head down. Sighing that they throw away their only chance to live and cease the blood from spilling even more than stopping it before it had the chance. Then I heard them all cheer.

“Then may God rest your soul. Men throw out,” pulling the cap at the bottom of the stick, hearing a satisfying hiss, and tossing it as a large club. I did not bother poking out from my cover for I knew what they can cause. It lacked in shrapnel but it made up for a bang and concussion. The sound of metal bouncing and startled yelps reminded me of the Model 24 which had a delayed fuse time of about 4 to 5 seconds. It was only a matter of time before the sound of destruction and death.

Multiple blasts sounded out with an echoing roar. The shock wave was heavily felt against my cover. Rocks, stones and pebbles were bouncing across the stone floor followed by the clouding smoke covering us. Pulling my rifle onto my cover and using it as a support while taking aim, my eyes were trained onto the iron sights through the dissipating dust and smoke. My finger was on the trigger waiting to see what awaited us. Once cleared from the settling dust and smoke I truly witnessed my first horror. To finally witness my first time of action and true horror of war, the sight pulled at my stomach, seeing torn limbs, blood splashed all over the place and the blood scent that hung heavily in the air invading my nostrils. I heard one of my men vomit on the ground. The first time I had experienced the sheer force of the model24 was a training exercise. I walked over the torn limbs and bones only to burn the images in my mind, stopping in front of the heavy solid stone doors was the image of the torn bodies and the smell of blood.

“How are we going to break this Comrade?” one of the grenadiers walked up to the solid heavy doors sliding his hand across, then rubbing his fingers together.

“What do you have in mind?” I said standing next to him placing my hand on the smooth stone wall. “That is if you have a plan,” It almost feels like a fresh piece of wood work sanded down to a fine surface.

“How thick is this wall? Three inches, two feet or three?” he said knocking on the wall. He then takes out his stethoscope placing it against the wall, while knocking as if trying to listen through or find something that I could not see. I turned around looking at my troops loading their rifles.

“Does anyone have any cigs?” I asked, my hand shaking slightly. One of the men came up to me, handing it towards me, my hand shaking as I took the roll, and placed it in my mouth. He took out his matches, striking one and giving a small burst of flame. Smoke filled my lungs while inhaling the tobacco flame, letting it out slowly and calming my nerves.

“Are you alright sir?” he said taking a drift from his cigarette. Pulling the roll away from my mouth, exhaling the calming smoke, I looked at the way we came from waiting for a new plan of action.

“No,” I said as we both took a long drift, then exhaling and seeing the smoke travel behind me I stopped turning around taking a soft drift. I exhaled as I watched the smoke travel along the wall, then into a crack in the wall. Then I saw the soldier next to me doing the same exhaling at the wall for only to be sucked through the crack. “Actually I may be fine for now,” I said.

Walking next to the trooper watching him knock against the wall as if he was trying something, or to find what lay within. “Comrade what is your name?” I said standing next to him.

“The name is Heiner. Heiner Bergmann,” he said still knocking against the wall.

“Well Heiner, we may have a breach in the wall not too far from here.” He stopped knocking, and then looked at me with his stethoscope wrapped around his neck. I could see his expression as I lead him to the crack in the wall.

He pulled out a hammer and chisel placing them inside the small crack in the wall then with a mighty blow a large piece of stone chipped off. Then he looked at us with a grin in his smile “grab any and all of the Model 24’s you can bring them here,” as he started to hammer away.

I walked in front of the troops “men we need all the grenades you have, take them to Heiner. He will handle the rest.” My troops reached for their holsters as they drawn out there model 24’s. Following the sound of chipping, once I returned at the wall to see the grenades tied together and shoved into the wall, I raised my eye brow as to see what he is doing, they were not as far apart, but wide enough and the height. “I think we should take cover,” I said out loud walking towards the homes of the diamond dogs.

“All right get to cover, get clear and take cover” as they quickly rushed to us one of them tripped as he slid across the ground. I got out from my cover running towards him. But I was too late as I felt the blast and force of the explosion. The last thing I saw was his expression of realization and fear in his eyes and face. I landed hard against the cold stone floor my vision blurring trying to stay awake but no.

“Sir… Commander?” as I felt someone shaking me, groaning in pain I felt like my stomach was hit pretty hard and my legs felt empty and numb. Getting up, my ears rang out a high pitch ring. It was in my left, but my right ear was fine. I placed my hand on my right ear, making sure that I did not lose it or the feeling that I still have it.

“Never mind me, kill the beast that will run out from there!” I yelled out as my sight was still blurred.

“We did sir. They fought without mercy and savagely but we manage to hold them off,” one of them said pulling me up. “But at a cost, we lost two of our men we…we could not save them in time.” My heart dropped at that word I lost two of my men that I was in charge of… no three that I have lost. I felt lost and failure in my rank.

Limping through the hole in the wall, holding an MP 18 taken from my dead I felt angry, vengeful and hate. We made our way through the fortress. We no longer met any resistance through this maze but we stopped into a hallway seeing the women and children huddled in the corner of a hall. “you four stay here and watch them make sure no one gets out do not shoot any of them.” my words were laced in anger “we may still need their help.” they nodded their heads taking up in a line guard stance with the rest as they followed me into what I assumed to be the throne room.

“Demon kill him. He must have killed our children on his way here as he slaughtered our brothers,” he said in desperation seeing me covered in my own blood taking it as a way to fuel his troop’s anger. They rushed us and my men raised their rifles.

“HALT,” as I yelled they stopped just shy of a yard.

“Listen to me; I gave your brothers a choice to lay their arms down. So they can live and see their families and their children. They all have orders but only you can chose to follow,” they all looked at me then back to their leader “listen to me I will not kill you unless you show threats to us, we are not your enemies we are your friends and allies.” I could see them lower their weapons staring at me. “This is the Demon that threw your lives away as some pawn in a game. He is the one taking your life and your family away from you.” When I looked up at the leader I could see fear spreading throughout his body “now it is your choice to follow or live another day to see the face of your loved ones.” I pulled the gun cocking it and discharging a round, holding it by the hip.

The sound of metal clattering to the ground as one of them moved towards us as he stopped in front of me, I could see his dark brown fur as he stared into my eyes as we watched him speak in a broken tone “y-you will not kill my family if I join your tribe?” his voice and his hands were shaking.

I smiled as I placed my hand on his shoulder to my surprise his fur is a bit rough “no comrade not a tribe but a nation of a scared land of loyalty and those who dares to test our old strength,” as I patted his shoulder “and your family is safe. I assure you no harm will come to them. The strength of our nation’s power is within the bravery of our troops.” I said holding his shoulder then let him pass by me “the Fatherland is not your enemy we are your friends not foes.”

“What are you doing KILL HIM,” the leader yelled out but the sight of his troops was in disarray. A struggle within them fighting what is right and wrong “I am you leader obey and KILL HIM we are diamond dogs not slaves,” then the room sounded out with metal clashing to the floors, as they made their way behind me. I felt like I was accomplishing something.

“You all may leave,” my troops clipped their boots together then left with the diamond dogs behind them, when the sound of doors closed behind me echoing throughout the small room. Hanging up my uniform and my sub machine gun, my expression changed into an evil glare as I made my way towards their leader. Pulling my C98 out loading a fresh clip fed ammunition cocking the pistol. Shooting two burst of bullets contacting with his knee he let out a howl as I made my way towards him hate, revenge and betrayal. Stomping on his right leg, as he tried to crawl way from me, without the weight of the armour I once wore it was no doubt that I did not crush his foot, which was fine for me.

“I surrender I surrender,” he pleaded to me as my fist contacted with his snout and chest; blood littered my clothes from my ‘treatment’. He was wining scared and tried to defend himself, but to no avail.

“You had the chance but you did not heed my warning of taking my place… worm,” I was fueled by such rage as I beat this creature with all my might, time was at a lost for me standing up to see a bloody mess my lungs were short of breath as I watched him squirm. The sound of him whimpering, I reached down to my holster, taking the handle of my pistol drawing towards his head “a traitor of the Fatherland is not welcome in our ranks,” pulling the trigger feeling the recoil shifting my wrist up, the puff of smoke the echoing roar thundering around me. All I could smell was spent powder filling my nostrils.

The door smashed open to see Bartholomäus and patch “what happen in here?” patch said as he ventured through the blood towards me.

Getting up as I led them into the hall, sitting down to the closest bench, patch came up to me examining my wounds “had to handle a problem in this rebellious act,” they looked at them towards the disbursing crowd, small groups of parties “I see they agreed to help us,” I said not bothering to look at patch.

“yes they have agreed to our aid in this time,” as Bartholomäus stood up “and before you question my arrival I have found traces of iron and the needed ingredients for steel…and also,” he reached in his pocket to see an emerald gem. Tacking the gem it was the size of my palm! I was amazed by the sheer amount, holding this gem in my hands.

“Patch do you have enough resources to quell your curiosity,” I said his face was motionless at first but shook his head.

“We need to get back soon the portal had reopened. I and Bartholomäus had made the needed request and a mining operation to fuel the Father Land. They are sending supplies as we speak,” my heart froze at that getting up as I rushed towards the entrance of the tunnels, exiting out of the cave as Bartholomäus was close behind me, then ran past me.

“Sir get in,” he hollered over the starting engine of the cycle, I jumped in ridding out of the small town towards our objective. The ride was short from walking; I could see the base up ahead stopping in front of the main gate.

As I rushed towards the portal “FriedHelm, they are waiting for you!” a pioneer came up to me, walking through the rippling green water coming out to see the underground facility. I froze at the sight of a man dressed in brown clothing and the noticeable black leather coat around him, the arm banner on his right was our nation’s glory. His hat covering most of his slick black hair and his tooth brush styled mustache under his nose.

“Hail the Fuhrer” I said out of breath they all nodded towards me. “The operation is moving smoothly and I request some recon units to help expand our observation on our lands,” I said standing tall, the Fuhrer and his generals stood as they watched me, then I looked to my plain white shirt covered in blood. “Took care of a threat sir it is handled with three losses sir.”

“And how did you lose three troops If you don’t mind asking?” one asked watching me.

“The beast uses swords and shields, they took us by the numbers, but we have showed them the might of the Father Land.” I said placing my hand above my chest bowing before him, “can I have recon units for the better benefit of collecting iron and deposits around this world,” as I spoke.

“Very well but I will grant you two divisions one mechanized and finally a light armoured division to assist you. I have a fresh commander that you are to supervise and help him with his mistakes,” he said as he turned to walk down the hall with his generals in tow “I am needed somewhere else, keep up with the operation.”

“Jhavol my Fuhrer,” as I bowed, walking through the watery portal, exiting to see plenty more tucks and support panzer Mark I’s, II’s and three stubby panzers. The line of trucks exiting the construction yards to unload their cargo as sparks flashed out. The sound of men shouting and gears turning once again, the work force is steadily climbing; I stood there smiling as our war machine was given a jumpstart.

“Commander FriedHelm,” I turned around to see a young man dressed in a light grey field uniform and golden clippings, he held his hat on his side. His hair colour was a light brown. He stood near the entrance of the command center; I took him inside “we shall discuss the events that have transpired over the past month.” He looked at me with a confused and strange look.

“A month?” he said surprised. Then I went into thought as I tried to grasp what he said and what happen the past few days, then he spoke again “it was only two weeks,” he said then it hit me hard as I started to put the pieces together.

“Time is at a faster pace than our world or the time lines are different here I can’t fully grasp this comrade,” as he too looked to be in thought trying to grasp this place, we may know nothing of this world but in due time we will fully understand this land and beyond.

The start of a Base

I sat above the command centers solid concrete roof, watching our work force thrive once again, as I observe this now completed base. I could feel the cool autumn breeze gently blowing from the north, the roll of paper in my mouth with a small dim burning flame at the end. I took a long slow drag from my cig feeling the calming effects, and I finally felt… That I have finally completed my mission, a small victory for me, but now the pieces are in place in this game. The needed expansion of our new land is in the shop for mines, farms, metal works, lumber, and finally the last expansion we need room for. An experimental war factory, by the request of our glorious Leader himself, now that I have new orders, we will do whatever it takes to finish on time. Pulling the small roll of paper from my mouth, extinguishing it into the cold roof, jumping down to the side onto the balcony I moved my hand on my shoulder as I brushed myself off before entering.

Walking inside the main command centre, I took notice of the tempter switch, the cool breeze replaced by the embracing warmth of the interior structure, the thick concrete walls that surround me in a confined home. I felt trapped in a stone tomb but safe at the same time though. Grabbing the handle attached to the solid oak doors opening to my temporary work room I looked at the placement of the paintings and a photo of A man the name under Neath in plated gold of Adalwolf Bäcker. The man that has more experience than me, he was in his late twenties and always wore his glasses never taking them off, he had a good build of an infantry, but his short grey hair made him look like he is in his late thirties. But that’s what I heard but I’ll believe them if I saw him myself. Sitting down once again I found myself admiring the work and art, of how a commanders or generals seat and feel of the power and control but that and it won’t last that long. Pulling the drawer of the handmade oak desk, I was cirrus to find a book, nothing was out of the ordinary, nor was the hard cover. It held no title cirrus I pulled the book out, flipped through the pages noticing that it held no words. I smiled to myself as I was shifting through the bottom drawer hoping to find what I needed. Grasping a jar to find an ink well I looked on more, this time to find a pen. Dipping the pen in the dark blue sludge weighting through the pages from the day I joined the Wehrmacht till the day, I had the privilege to do something for our fuhrer and the Father Land if only Kaiser Wilhelm II was still alive he would have been proud.

Entry 40 year 1937 September 20th

Over the past few days our men have made contact of this culture of dogs that they claim to be diamond dogs. Their height is four to five feet tall and seems to know how to mine ore and hunt in packs like wolves. With the help of the diamond dogs and pure German engineering, the iron mine near the civilization of their kind, had no disagreements on both sides in fact, they adopted our technology! Doubling their gold and gem production for their treasury trove, of course at a price for their use, with the raw iron ore and gold nuggets which are quiet the hefty amount of gold to be given to us, we refused after 48 pounds! Saying that they paid over the given amount of maintenance, tools and mine carts, the collected raw ore and gold where gathered for the father land. Our supplies once again fuelling the war machine back at home. We were granted two divisions the mechanized infantry, and the engineers accompanied by the 28th light armour division. It seems it has been almost three months since I was here but in actual time it was only a month and a half. Now is the time to expand or borders and find more iron ore vans or tunnels that hold much more raw materials for the Father Land.

A sudden knock at my door to see an Oberfähnrich, he was barley in his mid-twenties. He wore a light grey uniform, his black pants in top shape as he stood there, his cap by his right thigh holding his stance as I looked up to see him standing still. But he was one of our first Student Officer's in our ranks "Commander" he said as I put my book away getting up from my chair

"Ja Herr Commandant, there is no need to call me that rank it won’t be long until someone, with a more understanding will come along." I said towards him, he was fumbling with his hat, and then putting his hand in his jacket pulling out a piece of folded paper. I reached out taking the paper setting it on a table to see a drawn out map, of how far we traveled and the two surrounding castles from our base of operations, looking at the map the black line was our borders he dotted line are places that some scout’s claimed to be dangerous and grim they say they feel unwelcome.

"I see we made a map for our self’s but we need to expand more I was thinking an air field here", as I taped the area I felt that was needed to be. It was closer to the hills and the second castle, which is only twenty clicks from the air field and about 30 clicks southeast from us, looking over to see the student next to me watching and studding the map carefully.

Then he pointed to another area "we could use this land for training maybe. we need to stay sharp if there is any more of the diamond dogs or any other beings that could bring us trouble." he said putting his cap on the table, as we both focused on the map in front of us.

"That should suffice for future operations. Right now we need air support, recon units to help guide us or alert us from any far away tribes. And zeppelins for transferring cargo from any ware from here, a good air cover can go a long ways then our normal recon units. By the way do we have any pilots?” I asked examining the map in front of us again looking at the distance and placement layout in my mind.

“I may have to check around the base to find out, if not we can wait till next week and ask for one,” the Oberfähnrich said as I made my way to the door.

“Good. It seems you don’t need my help that often but you will make a fine general in future operations,” as I said but stopped just outside “I need to check on someone and I will be back in due time,” he saluted then bowed his head. I left the room walking through the concrete building stopping in front of the double steel doors. Swinging the door open it was almost like a busy day on the streets of Berlin. I made my way through without a hitch stopping near the guard post at the west end, I looked up to see the lookout guard tower above me at the bottom was the guards bunkhouse or snipers nest that everyone calls it now.

Walking towards the door opening as I knock at the same time “Lutz,” I yelled out walking through the room checking the doors and extra rooms spotting the ascending stairs walking the spiraling ascension opening the trapdoor to see Lutz and the pup.

“FriedHelm what are you doing here?” as he turn around placing his rifle against the railing, the pup turned around to see me with a smile as I retuned the gesture.

“Goedemorgen meneer” he said in another language without struggling or stumbling over his words, I was beyond shock and surprised then I looked over to Lutz to see him grinning ear to ear

“Dutch, I thought you were German?” I said smiling at him then fully got out of the trap door.

“I am my mother and father is Dutch but we moved to Germany during a civil war that broke out”

We both looked over to the pup he was looking between us then spoke “What is there something wrong Father?”

I heard him sigh as he looked over to the pup, “I am not you father pup I’m just here to watch what you do so you can’t get in trouble.” he said sternly

“I have never seen the day until now. Lutz he is looking up to you as a role model show him how to be discipline, show him how to be us. And how did you do it Lutz?” I asked him with a large amount of questions and explanations but he simply spoke.

“You could teach a young pup many tricks at this age he just picked it up just like that over the past month,” as he snapped his fingers then I looked over to the pup I put out my hand.

“Then what is your name?” he took my hand as we shake.

“My name is Oreach sir,” he said shaking my hand in return.

“Well Oreach,” as I stood up “Lutz, I need you to come with me,” as I turned towards him then looked out into the vast land.

“Is there something going on?” he said in a hush tone.

“No… Nothing like that,” I said as I took up looking out into the clear blue sky.

“Then what is it?” he asked trying to quell his curiosity.

“We are expanding our fields of operations. As of now we are gathering the needed tools and equipment for an air base.” I said looking over to him then pointed towards the west of our base. “About ten kilometres west from here we will set up and start preparations. From there we wait the next seven days.” As I leaned off the railings heading for the trap door to prep my troops and needed vehicles for the operation to begin.

With the convoy of trucks and tanks out fitted with plows. The motorcycle that I was in weaved in and out or around them to keep count or track of the line front. My driver was wearing his helmet and goggles, keeping the dust out of his eyes, and I was in the cab as I held on to the MG 18, they were going to take it off but I disagreed as this land was still neutral to us. My grip on the machine gun never let off since we past our kill zones never have I held on dearly to the gun and the feel of the googles tight around my head. Alongside of the convoy and tanks as we kept watch out there, I could not admire the surrounding due to my paranoia, I could never shake the feel that we are being watched. Heading for the grounds that needed to be constructed, as our line came across the vast land of grass and trees the land was the size of an excellent air base “stop here,” I yelled over the roaring engines. Stopping near a tree, soon trucks followed stopping behind us, unloading troops and supplies. I got out of the small wagon as I stretched out my legs and arms. I soon took in the air around me, smelling a nice crisp air fresh and never disturbed from coal, burning fuel or untouched by any man… until now. The tanks stopped near a clearing the billowing black smoke emitting form the steal beasts soon cease, to see the tank crew clambering out.

“Pioneers find out where the air strip needs to be,” I yelled out “the rest of you unload the crates and start setting up camp here. We need to build an air tower and hanger over there.” Pointing towards the small hill near us just a few yards away the troops got up from there place. Unloading the crates one by one, caring the cargo to our designated objectives. I took the crates that were filled with munitions and Granate’s to our destructive use. Gently placing down the munitions and the rifles that where slung to my back, placing them against the fallen tree in a neat line. I held on to the last rifle in my hands, as I examined the fine wood and steel taking aim and gently pulled the trigger letting a soft click. I took a striper clip from the munition box. Of seven point ninety-five times fifty-seven millimetre rifle rounds. Pulling the bolt back with a smooth feel, I pushed all five rounds into the clip bed. With as stratifying click as the bolt loaded a fresh round.

Standing where I was I could see a distant rock just on top of a fallen tree about forty meters away. kneeling down as I rested my right arm on my right knee the butt of the gun resting against me I could hear Lutz lecturing me for stance I chuckled at the memory of me and him at the academy in our time. Taking slow steady breaths, I tensed when I pulled the trigger. The shattering clash of the sound emitting from the rifle to see the impact on the tree just below, pulling the bolt back to discharge the empty brass casing the slide clicked back as I tried again. Pressing my cheek onto the butt stock as I lined up the sights to the target taking steady breathes pulling again with another shattering sound but I listed to the echoing beat and crack as the thundering storm. Seeing as my target unfazed trying again to hold my line of sight and my breathing once more my ears rang out to see a cloud of white and dust fly in the air.

“Good shot sir,” I looked behind me to see a young man in his early twenty’s his cap covered his brown hair as he, stood above me pulling the bolt back and forth loading a fresh round. As I handed him the rifle as he looked at me, as I gestured to the down range target. I could see him smiling as he took position as I kept watch down range a puff of smoke and the shattering clack the rock burst open I felt jealous at his first try “now that is how you fire a rifle FriedHelm” he said with a cocky grin. I walked towards our camp as I heard the last and final round echo off in the distance, looking around to find the men setting up tents and a construction room for the pioneers.

“We have the placement for the first strip; we are waiting for the second team to finish up theirs.” One of them yelled out. I nodded towards his direction, waving his hands the two steal beasts billowed out the black smoke as if they were slumbering dragons. The two heavy plows started to scrape the tall grass and wild flowers from beneath the earth as they continued on never going out of the flags markers. My heart raced at the sight of the tank. There models are still too new for me. But the air machines or planes they called them, was much more fascinating when I first saw the Fokker D.VIII during the Great War when I was still young. Now that the newer models are faster and better than the old fathers built.

Shaking my head as to stop dwelling in the past, we worked away on the air strip with shovels and pickaxes to roughen the dirt. Time passed as minutes turned into hours the panzer smoothed out the land. Then the hours became the night. we slaved away at this construction for two moons. But in the midst of the dawning morning hours past the suns horizon, I could hear yelling and shouting as my men ran around waking up from the yelling as I stumbled my way to the flap opening up to a sight of grey smoke in the distance, shaking my head as I looked to myself in my shirt, rushing to put my boots and uniform on taking leave as I did not bother straighten up my uniform. Once I looked towards the west to have a clear view of the Billowing black smoke, flowing into the sky in the far distant reach.

“Get your rifles,” I yelled out, running towards our rifles leaning against the tree. My troops rushed over grabbing the rifles then raiding the ammunition box grabbing what they can, as they piled into the Opel trucks. I joined with a group of them the shifting movement I could feel the tires spinning beneath us while dirt and mud shot into the air as we rushed forward. Seeing the billowing black smoke my mind was rushed with excitement thinking that it’s another tribe or something different that will surprise me in this world. With so much undiscovered land we do not know what is beyond our borders.

After about twenty minutes of waiting and anticipation, a foul smell that chocked me and my troops a smell all too familiar, I caught one grabbing a crate underneath him as we opened the wooden box to reveal gas masks. Everyone in the truck grabbed a pair reaching or handing out filters. Once our rubber masks were on pulling the four straps tightening them to our skulls sealing them tight pulling my watch out “thirty minutes we have twenty until we need to head back,” I yelled out.

Once I felt the truck stopped all exited out and ran the rest of the way there, I never bothered to look around my new surroundings. The black clouds were my soul objective, we drew near to the point, until the sound of clashing and screaming was heard. With every step it grew louder and louder we were well hidden inside the over growth. Until we stumbled into what looked like a convoy but what I saw was more bazar then the diamond dogs there were little horses or ponies battling it out. I shook my head getting out of this dumfounded look I had, pulling my rifle taking the iron sights lining up with the targets, my men did the same… but the problem was who was on who’s side so… we let the battle raged on.

They were slitting their throats cutting their enemies down my heart raced at the sight I was shocked and shaking my head as I saw a unicorn like from sort of fantasy and a Pegasus, of all Greek mythology flying in the air cutting their opponents down from the sky, with such grace and agility as I saw the ME 109’s fighting the spitfire. Diving, sharp turns with every pass, was the sparks of swords clashing with one another, their eyes glaring daggers with hate and fire, the fourth or fifth pass was the end of the air battle. One manages to spin under his opponent, cutting his stomach in an arc that dug into his right wing. Spiraling out from the sky landing hard into the ground with and audible thump near us, he stumbled to his feet or hooves in his case but fell to his side. The wound was a deep gash as I had an excellent sight of the battle wound. The battle was closing as their numbers was going down, I had a closer look at the fallen and the dead Pegasus until I realized they were not wearing armour as the others, and then it clicked in my head, the armoured ones are of military the ones they are killing may be refuges or resistance, I may use them to gather intelligence or use them to my advantage.

“Shoot the ones in amour,” I yelled out pulling the trigger of my rifle letting it thunder out with a crack the recoil pushing against my arm with the force of a punch. Soon after words my men followed suit shooting the troops in the Grey clade amour. They dropped down like a rock, blood spitting out with the bullet soring clean through. When the forest cracked as the thunderstorm the troops in clade grey ran into the forest only leaving behind of what was left of the Refugees and wounded troops. We all took hold as we searched for life but the damage was done…there were no survivors some of them died from their wounds but others that still kicked… but were executed due to our presence. We need to be kept a secret out of the light of these lands and away from prying eyes of this kingdom, that we could not risk our operations or the discovery of our nation. Exploring behind one of the wagons to find one huddled next to a basket. Curiosity got the better of me, I ventured closer to examine and reaching over towards the basket but that was a mistake, the body moved swiftly wrapping a hoof around my wrist then held my hand.

I pulled my C96 Mauser taking aim over towards its head when it looked at me to see it bleeding it was weaving, the breath short on pace “please ta-take…take th-the basket…please go…to the nearest…town,” the voice was famine as I looked more closely as I tilted my head to the side “if you can understand… take her… to the nearest… town” she fell limp against the wooden floor, her grip loosened dropping onto the floor board. Closely examining the basket lifting it from her broken body I moved her to see two arrows one pierced her lung the other was deep inside the arties the blood was fresh the smell lingered as the basket was in.

“Sir we need to move we got five minutes,” one trooper came behind me. Getting up from my position I took the basket with me as we left the skirmish battle grounds. We made our way back to the trucks getting up one at a time, I was the last one on, handing them the basket as I clambered on. With the steady ride back to base as we’d removed our gas masks placing them back into the crate. Letting a calming breath as I took the basket in my hands placing it on my lap to see the blue cloth in the middle

“What did you take their commander?” a grenadier called out

“I don’t know comrade. She said to take the basket to the nearest town,” I said watching the troops around me looking at me with confusion then I felt the basket moved around my leg. My troops took noticed of the movement as I slowly removed the cloth to find a small child; my heart skipped a few beats seeing such a young infant.

“Is that a horn?” one asked out of disbelief

“It’s a unicorn!”

“I thought they were mythology, legends or a child’s dream.” Another yelled out

“Calm down you will wake the little one” I said in a hush tone loud enough for my men to hear, then I felt it squirm in my hand I looked down at the small foal that I held in my hand. With a thunderous roar our surrounding’s flashed out and the heavy rain fall was herd patting against the tarp over our heads, the small filly cried out with the storm raging above us. The constant sound of rain as I rocked it back and forth “shh little one it’s only the rain” I spoke in a rough broken English the small filly calmed down as I hummed a small tune rocking it to sleep. It opened its eyes seeing a deep gold hue and the mane was of silver and a gold strip of the shape of a thunder bolt its fur was a dark grey shade of Columbus clouds reminded me of the thunderous nights and heavy rain. “Gewitter” I said quietly.

The ride felt long then short as I held this precious cargo, a life of new begging’s and postures and adventure. I looked deeply into this small filly as I unwrapped more of it she was so small to my hands and yet she looked very healthy I examined her closely taking notice of her horn more than her big eyes. Wrapping her into a cocoon but I saw something that struck me to see a small xylophone.

Placing her in the basket, keeping her close to me, the sudden stop shook me out of my thought process taking in my surroundings to see we were back at the air base. Taking my time getting down from the truck with her in my arms, the steady rain fall pouring around our base and over our heads was the sound of thunder clashing through the darken sky.

“Sir shall we continue with preparations?” someone called behind me I only nodded my head in response as I took the small basket into my tent.

I walked next to my make shift bed placing the basket next to me as I stared at her ‘why dose fate always mends with us mortals, am I the right man at the wrong places... Or the wrong man at the wrong time? Whatever it is, I must bear this burden, and she will come in handy in due time. Or future operations’ as I walked out helping with the placement of the air strip the mud help little with our placements, with the panzers leveling the dirt and plowing the grounds will get stuck from time to time in the soften mud. Once the grounds where placed we called it a day due to heavy or unforeseen rain. Waiting for dry days to come so all of us can take responsibility of the sandy ground to give it a sturdy flooring to help make the levelling of a concrete runway but I found myself checking on the young one often making Shure she was there.

As night fell upon us, I took to my bunk but I stopped to look back in the glisten grass that shown in the moons light giving me a sense of security and sanctuary that I never felt in a long time. Looking into the night sky to see shimmering stars but more important was the moon. In all my life I have never seen this type or celestial object hold the image of a unicorn, curios or how queer how it looked like in the night sky, just floating there. There is more to know in this world than ours, hmm never really missed home yet, but that was when I was in that bunker. Here I felt free and able to breath in such clean air. Shaking my head side to side as I pulled the tarp out of my way, only to feel something splash against my face, I looked around my area everything was at a lost; my mouth was agape to see water drops just floating in mid-air drifting freely where they carelessly float. Walking through this… this amazement I never saw anything like it in my life but this world still held many secrets that I could not know. My heart stopped to see the young filly standing in the middle, my attention was the soft golden hue shimmering around her horn. Kneeling down watching in awe I was speechless. The small filly looked into my eyes as she stood there watching me locked into my eyes my heart was washed over with ice, giving me a pained feel my breathing was swallowed as I remembered her mother dying with her wounds.

Reaching over to the small filly as she stood her ground, I crest her fur and scatted behind her ear. The shimmering glow around her horn, ceased until all the water splashed or dropped from their flight. I let out surprised yell, as I felt the cool water impacted my back, a mixture between a cold pain and relief for my back. The filly jumped as she heard me, backing away her eyes was on the verge of tears. Another pain shot through my heart seeing the sight of her tears and small shaking frame. I reached over patting her back and rubbing as I calmed her “Shh little one its ok.”

I scooped her into my arms cradling her, her big golden rings locked into mine my heart fluttered as I looked deep into the golden treasury. “meine Tochter” I said quietly to her she looked up at me with a stray tear I wiped it away from her eye. Sitting on the bed as I lay down, placing her down only to feel her come close to my chest, while nudging me.

“Mister?” she said barley above a whisper, I looked down to her, again dumfounded.

“Yes?” I said just containing a barrage of questions.

“Are you going to eat me? If you aren’t can you let me go?” she said her voice cracking

I let out a soft chuckle as I looked down to her again “no I promised your mother’s last words” I could feel her shake against my chest “but I would not eat you I don’t have the taste for ponies doesn’t have good taste and besides I work with them and they work for me. I only eat pig, cows, sheep, fish, beans and vegetables. You have nothing to worry you are in the care of the Fatherland nothing can overcome us.” I finished the last sentence with a prideful boast and mixed with my mother’s language, my arm in the air, she giggled at my jester.

“Do…Do you know… any bed time songs…my m-mother…always sings to me when I go to bed.” I could see here head and eyes trying to avoid mine letting out a small hum to catch her attention as I think

“There is one that my mother sang to me but it’s in my mother’s language, that you wouldn’t understand but I could try, and I’m sorry in advance it’s been a long time since I last snag, so don’t be excepting a good voice.” As I looked down to her and moved my index finger towards her emphasising my point.

She nodded to me “I wouldn’t mind” she said pressing against my chest

“Alright then it’s called LaLeLu” as I got up and walked to the basket to find the xylophone taking the small instrument and the percussion sticks as I stuck the small notes singing to her the best I can when I finished only to find her curled into a small ball on the cot lying next to her in this small bed as sleep took me over and the filly close to my chest.