This image is part of my Die Endkrieg tale featuring a short story below.

“You know Leonie, it feels like we’ve been running around out here for a while now.” Alwin remarked anxiously as he followed closely behind Leonie’s tail. A strong gust of wind brushed against his long hair and great coat. The forest they were in appeared menacing to the afghan hound whose gaze shifted frequently as if on the lookout for possible danger. Distorted shapes of the barren trees loomed over them like hungry beasts stalking their prey. Fortunately a full moon above provided a small glimmer of light down upon them, a slight comfort in addition to their flashlights.

“Tell me about it. Judy stays indoors playing general while we have to go out into a blizzard and find some darn schmucks who got lost.” Leoine responded with annoyance in her voice. The pair had been tasked by Judith to assist in the search for a missing supply convoy that had been scheduled to arrive at Neischwangu castle. Their arrival to this planet had been successful with the group managing to successfully mingle with the Ravalian survivors. Judith even earned a promotion to officer from the mad king Burchard II himself after helping him defend his castle from a band of aether cultists along with their infected fodder.

“I hope we find this convoy soon before the storm worsens.” Alwin muttered as his breath still formed a puff of condensation. He rubbed some particles of snow off his face as he spoke.

“Hold up. I smell something…blood.” Leonie paused in her tracks as she held up her paw for Alwin to notice. The grenadier sniffed the cold air, glancing to her sides while she did so.

“Do you smell something else too?” Alwin nervously asked as he also began sniffing the air. Upon looking towards the direction on his left, the hound’s eye caught a glimpse of a green glow emitting in the distance. Seemingly entranced by this, Alwin cautiously made his way over to investigate hoping it would be a clue that would lead them to the convoy.

“Hey, I found something!” he called out to Leonie who quickly rushed over. The object they stood over appeared to be a black box of some kind, partially covered in snow and more disturbingly traces of blood. Taking a glance around them revealed more worrying signs. Discarded weapons and gear littered the snow covered floor with some covered in blood. The pair could spot the shapes of abandoned vehicles parked in a clearing nearby. Even worse was the absence of any bodies which only increased the tension of the situation.

“Should we grab the box and make a run for it?” Alwin asked with great unease in his tone as he slowly approached to pick up the black box. Before he could grab it however, the thrashing of a nearby bush caught the attention of the two Lethians as a disfigured canid lunged itself in front of Alwin, lashing out at him. Alwin jumped back with fright before recomposing himself as he quickly went to stab the creature in the chest with his bayonet while it tried to slash him with its mutated arm turned claw nearly beheading him.

“BLAM!” blood and guts splattered everywhere as the now torsoless creature slumped onto the ground. Alwin breathed rapidly as he turned to face Leonie who lowered her blunderbuss which was emitting a trail of smoke from the barrel as she reloaded another energy cell into it.

“I…Thanks Leon.” Alwin weakly smiled as he stared at the corpse with relief. Leoine only grinned as she wiped away the blood off her face. However the sounds of groaning and bush rumbling caught their attention. It seemed they had attracted the horde.

“Ah Crap! They’re everywhere!” Alwin panicked as he tightened his grip on his rifle, looking around he noticed dozens of mutated canids emerging out from the woods or beneath the cover of snow. They were dressed in the uniforms of the 8th Pallantion Line Infantry Regiment, the regiment of the Royal Army of Ravalia that is also guarding the king’s castle. Many among the infected horde had grown biomass on their bodies, some of which sprouted dangerous appendages while a few still held onto their weapons they used in life. The infected hastily shambled towards them from all directions intent on devouring their mortal bodies.

“Woah yeah. We’ll be having fun tonight. Isn’t that right Alwin?” Leonie sarcastically barked as she prepared herself for the upcoming fight for their survival. “Remember how you got brutally mauled in our last mission?”

“Please Leon, I don’t want to die again. It’s really painful.” Alwin cried out in frustration as the memories of his last death flowed back into his thoughts. He really hoped he’d live this time.

“That’s why you’ve got me to protect you Alwie” Leonie chuckled as he drew first blood once more with a shot to the head on the nearest infected, completely obliterating it. This was going to be a long night for the two Lethians.

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