Hello and welcome to my story! First things, first. This story is set in an AU Fantasy WW1 setting, so if things don't seem totally 'realistic' that's why. Also, big thanks to 7ima and DragonManMax for helping with editing and idea bouncing.

(Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY)

The Soldier's Battleground

ザー・ソールジュズ・バタルフィールド

Chapter I: Strangers and Soldiers

A shrill whistle rang throughout the air as a young man dove into a nearby crater, narrowly missing the catastrophic explosion which followed. However, not everyone was as fortunate, as he was showered in more blood, viscera and bone fragments – the remains of his comrades, his squad. Spent ammo casings began to litter the ground as many returned fire, eager to avenge the fallen.

'This is not how things should have gone! The plan was simple; attack early in the morning under the cover of darkness and fog, and overrun the enemy trenches. But this…'

The young man raised his head and peered out of his precarious cover and into the embankment of dirt, only to see many of his fellow soldiers lying dead, bloody, and wounded across the expansion of mud and gore known as 'No Man's Land'. Still the battle raged on, as the sound of gunfire and the harrowing scream of men echoed throughout the battlefield.

"…is a living hell." He clenched his rifle tightly in his hands, his knuckles, slowly turning white under the pressure. "But it must be done."

Grimacing he quickly crawled out of the hole and charging towards the enemy lines with an anguished, yet determined battle-cry…

Luscious, a single word that was able to describe the tranquil land which Atlas ruled. Rolling hills and soft meadows were bordered by dense forests teeming with life and vitality. It was a wonderful haven to live and grow up in. You couldn't find a more tranquil and peaceful place to live, well... at least before the war began.

But now that image was no more, the hills were now home to miles of trenches and dugouts built to protect those taking refuge inside of them. The once soft meadows, were now stained with mud, blood and decay. Deep scars littered the ground, evidence of the battles fought and won. The wails of wounded souls echoed from both sides and could be heard day and night as they lay atop the desecrated ground, waiting to be found or to be lost and forgotten. With the raw material in high demand, forests had been completely deforested for use in buildings or trench work, leaving no evidence that they were once there. The wildlife was no longer thriving but scattered or killed in the fighting. If one wanted to know what turmoil and strife was, then they would not have to look any further to find out. Still, even with all these horrendous conditions, thousands of men and women took shelter in these trenches. These trenches were nothing less than home to them, and the war was their life.

A young man walked along the wooden boards that were lain on the trench floors and every so often slightly ducking when an incoming barrage of enemy fire tore up the ground above him. He paid little attention to these rounds as they were merely more for range gauging and keeping them appropriately suppressed. It was the same as usual for those who had been fighting for quite some time, however, it was the ones who had yet to see their first battle were the jittery ones. White knuckles and wide eyes belied their nervousness, while he on the other hand had fought in quite a few battles so he was not as jittery as those around him. Still didn't that mean he wasn't nervous, but he wasn't going to let that show, not around his men.

After making his way through a few more trench paths he paused and looked down at the map in his right hand. It held vital mission plans for the attack the following morning. Still no matter how fancy the plan could sound, the main goal was getting himself and his fellow soldier to the other side without getting killed. That would mean crossing a barren wasteland filled with mud, crater holes and barbed wire, all while incessant gunfire tried to stop them.

The young man walked over to where a periscope was set up and looked through it to survey the land that would once more, become a battlefield tomorrow. Muddy grounds and scarred, uneven terrain stretched on for what seemed forever in each direction, a statement not too far off when the combatant's trenches were longer than the human eye could see. Sporadic gunfire and the occasional shell exploding was what he could observe. However, it would be much more accurate to get a grasp if he stuck his head out above the trenches and peeked, although that would undoubtedly end with him being headless, so the periscope would have to do.

Still even with the limited view, he knew that the upcoming battle would decide something one way or the other, and it would be drenched in blood to prove it. The young man sighed deeply and leaned back from the periscope, before starting to make his way over to a small patch of mud which was relatively clean and unoccupied. One thing every soldier learned quickly, is that even with how long the trenches were, if you didn't find a spot to sit down then you would be standing, possible the entire day if you could find no openings.

After sitting down, he began to service his equipment. He inspected his standard issued rifle which was distributed among the ranks. Supposedly another rifle that was much better than this one was going to be issued soon, but due to the time constraint, it would first be equipped to soldiers moving up to the frontlines, and when time permitted, would completely replace the current model he and his fellow comrades possessed.

Feeling something cold touch his skin, his gaze fell to a long piece of pointed metal. Even with firearms a common sight in the military, sometimes it all came down to a weapon created some millennia ago – a knife. Or in this case a bayonet that could be affixed to the end of the rifle. Close quarter was bound to happen in the looming battle and the thought of getting that close to the enemy to have to use it, didn't make him happy. When the enemy also had the same feature on their rifles as well, one small mistake would cost you your life.

He shook his head, desperately willing the dark thoughts away, it wouldn't be good for his nerves to think too deeply on this subject. It would only serve to consume him after all. Before long, his thoughts began to drift to his naivety. After graduating from school and finally escaping his family and home town, he had made his way to the nearest city and hopped a ride that would lead him to a recruitment station, or so he hoped. With the onset of the war, the Atlas government issued a draft that every able bodied man and woman would have to join the military and defend the front lines. So regardless of him running away, he most likely would have been drafted to serve, seeing that a draft had to be issued showed how dire the situation was. He was pulled out of his musing when a soldier walked by, accidentally bumping one of his boots. A short, inaudible grumble was given before the soldier kept on his walk.

Sending over two brigades was something that had yet to be done so far in the war, as to why such a large amount of soldiers were needed for a rather insignificant target was above Lieutenant Jaune Arc's pay rank. But orders were orders and they had to be carried out by the glories ones known as grunts or by a more slang term 'gravel agitators'. Seeing as the sun was falling and night approaching, Jaune noticed to a certain degree, the amount of small talk increasing amongst the trench's occupants. Not one to judge as it was a way to help calm the nerves, Jaune busied himself with his own thoughts until a bright light shone above him. He looked up to see a flare had been fired and was now illuminating the area between the two sides. Further down the line another flare was fired off and so on as needed. If one were to look back on this war and add up the amount of currency was spent on the flares used alone, the total would make a dead man turn over in his grave. But any concern was quickly dismissed.

On the morning of the eve of battle, the clouds were charcoal grey whilst rain peppered the soldiers below. Most people found themselves inside sitting down to their morning meal, but the Atlesian trenches were one of bustle and slight chaos as orders were given by commanding officers to their men. A massive operation was about to commence and everyone's nerves were at an all-time high, as the death toll, was sure to be high in the coming fight.

Preparation continued and after the plan had been relayed, the soldiers found themselves lining both sides of the trench with officers walking down the middle, dreading the oncoming slaughter. Soon the order was given and the wall facing the enemy was soon also lined with wooden ladders. Afterwards an order was sent down the ranks.

"Fix bayonets!"

Everyone started to pull their bayonets out of their sheaths and affixed them to the end of their rifles, steeling themselves. A few tense moments later an officer looked down at his watch and raised the whistle to his lips, the tension spiked immediately.

Fweeee! Fweeee!

The shrill whistle could be heard throughout the trench, signaling the beginning of the battle. A battle cry erupted from the Atlesian soldiers as they started to climb the ladders. Jaune felt himself joining in the cry as he gripped his rifle tightly in his hands. Gunfire erupted from the enemy side and Jaune watched in slight horror as soldiers started falling back into the trench riddled with bullet holes. Some would find themselves still climbing the ladder before a bullet would strike them ending their life as they tumbled backwards. While others had only just gone a few feet before being struck down. But this was war and even though many died just getting out of the trench, the Atlesian soldiers pushed forward.

Even though the floor of the trench was now running with the blood of those who had been hit, Jaune forced himself to step over the casualties and grip the side of the ladder. The moment he started climbing the ladder he knew he would be leaving the safety and protection this trench offered. After climbing out of the trench, he ducked low and started to advance through the hail of bullets being sent by the enemy. A crater was just up ahead and he successfully was able to reach it without being hit by anything. That moment of relief was shattered when an explosion went off right beside him and a mangled body came flying into the crater, muddy water flying everywhere as the corpse hit the ground.

Jaune wiped his face to clear the mud that splashed his face when the body landed. He gripped his rifle before peering out of the crater and raising it to his shoulder. A target presented itself to him and he pulled the trigger. Time was not on his side and he did not have the time to check if he hit his target before looking down and raking back the cocking bolt to eject the spent round. He shoved the bolt forward and a new round was loaded and ready to fire. Crawling out of the crater Jaune gave a quick look around and couldn't see any of his squad, which either meant they had been separated or killed. The latter was more likely though, sadly.

As the Atlesian soldiers pushed towards the enemy, the land behind them was littered with the many bodies of the dead and wounded. The more ground they gained, the more casualties they suffered. If circumstances permitted it, then medics would be sent out to treat the wounded but things looked grim for those who lay crying in pain. Still even though this was happening all around, progress was being made and Jaune was able to see the enemy lines come more clearly into view. The rain obscured vision but by now both sides were upon each other and it didn't matter.

The time had come when Jaune fired off the last bullet in his rifle and the enemy trench was right in front of him, he raised his rifle to block a bayonet thrust his way before shoving his own bayonet into the enemy's throat, grimacing as blood splattered across his face. He wrenched the bayonet out before jumping down into the trench. Now it was all up to skill to see who could kill the other person first. Rifles were fired point blank at each other, bayonets clashed, and the screams of those being hit filled the air. Even though they had received training, many of the new soldiers fell to the enemy. Things looked grim, if they couldn't capture the trench then they would be forced to fall back, making all the sacrifices made for naught.

Jaune swung his rifle, which was followed by a sickening crunch as he clubbed the enemy in the face. He wasn't given a break as another one came charging at him, a cry upon their cracked lips. He side stepped at the last moment and threw an underhanded punch to the man's lower abdomen, tearing the air from their lungs. The man stumbled and Jaune used that time to slash him across the throat.

The struggling continued for quite some time but in the end the Atlesian soldiers had been victorious and the trench had been captured. A moment to relaxation was presented to Jaune and he took that time to load another clip into his rifle, raking the bolt forward. Sporadic gunfire could still be heard but the area around Jaune had been completely cleared. He looked around to see if he could spot any of his squad but couldn't recognize anyone, while on that matter, back in their trench the soldiers had been shoulder to shoulder lining both sides of the trench, but judging by the ones remaining, everyone could line up on one side of the trench with a comfortable space separating each of them. Almost half of the soldiers they started out with had been killed or wounded in the fight to take over the trench – a pyrrhic victory for the Atlesians.

Still the mission was not over yet. They still had to take over the city to complete the operation. More orders came from division headquarters, the 276th battalion would push forward into the city, while the other two remaining battalions would remain in the trenches and provide reinforcements if needed. Jaune saw that everyone around him was getting into a very loose sense of order and after a few moments the order to advance was given. This would be another difficult part, crossing no man's land was hard enough, but this time there were not nearly as many craters or things to hide behind, it would be up to how fast one could cover the open ground into the town. Once that was over they still needed to take the town itself. A dark thought flashed through Jaune's mind that no one would survive this battle due to all the danger involved. Another cry went up from the remaining 276th battalion Atlesian soldiers as they started to charge across the relatively open ground to the city, though this time the incoming fire was even more intense than when they were trying to take over the trench. They had lost many soldiers just to rifle fire and close quarter combat, but this time the enemy gunfire now consisted of artillery rounds exploding into the ranks of the advancing Atlesian forces, sending many a soldier to their very quick and often gruesome demise.

Jaune pumped his legs to move even faster, though his muscles screamed in pain from the strain he was putting on them. He ran for a little while longer before he came upon a small hill of dirt where he hid behind just in time before an artillery shell exploded right in front of him showering him with a cloud of dirt and mud. The sounds of wounded could be heard as shrapnel flew through the air penetrating many unfortunate souls. A small hope was found when they roughly crossed halfway across the open ground and were able to hide behind some cover. This of course brought its own problems as they were now being rained upon by rifle fire again, but a sound started to fill the air that truly made any soldier fear. That sound was the consistent crackle of gunfire as the Imperials used their machine guns. A weapon which could fire many times faster than a rifle and was capable of mowing down countless troops before having to reload. In a sense it was even more dangerous than artillery.

Even though there was some small dirt hills and debris to hide behind, it did little against the onslaught the Atlesian troops were facing. Jaune lifted his head long enough to locate where one of the machine guns was firing from before ducking back down behind cover. He may have lost his squad, but he still was a lieutenant and he gathered four others to follow him. Their objective was going to try and knock out that machine gun, and if possible create an opening for their forces to break through. A grenade was not supposed to be used in the way Jaune was about to use it, but it was the closest thing that available at hand. After giving a few simple hand motions, the four soldiers stood up to give Jaune some covering fire as he ran straight forward towards the machine gun.

When he got almost close enough to throw the grenade, he was met with blistering machine gun fire and he chucked the grenade at the position, although it fell short a few feet. While it didn't explode where he wanted it to which was the machine gun, it did make the crew handling the gun to duck for cover, and that was all he needed. An opening had presented itself and he used the few precious seconds he was granted to run forward the rest of the way and chuck another grenade right where he wanted it to go.

Kawoom!

The consistent crackle of gunfire had stopped and some of the Atlesian soldiers heaved a sigh of relief, at least one problem was out of the way. Jaune on the other hand was in a bit of a pinch, in order to run without a problem, he had left his rifle behind and was now pretty much defenseless. Well he did have his bayonet with him in its sheath, but that would only be effective if he was right in front of an enemy soldier. That left only one thing to do, run straight at the enemy and take a weapon from them. He pulled out his bayonet and scrambled the rest of the way to the machine gun nest, upon arriving there he found one of the gunners severely wounded but still alive. A quick slitting of the throat took care of that problem and the enemy soldier lay still.

'That's out of the way, now where is a weapon I can use?'

Jaune quickly looked around for something to use but found nothing of use.

"Great just my luck!" He ducked to avoid some enemy fire. A logical answer would be to use the machine gun as a weapon, but this weapon was meant to be operated by two people if not three, and the fact that it was damaged by the grenade he threw didn't help the cause. His predicament was answered in a roundabout way, when a fellow soldier dived into the machine gun pit and after firing off a round, got shot in the chest and fell down. Jaune reached over and gave basic first aid to the man before taking the rifle and ammo belt. The fighting had now become close quarter once again and soon the first line of enemy defense for the city had fallen. But at the rate the Atlesian soldiers were being killed, taking the city was becoming a major challenge.

This was war though and they had their orders, so Jaune along with the remaining friendly forces pushed into the city. While providing good cover to hide behind, taking the town brought about its own problems. Enemy snipers now joined the fray, alongside more enemy machine guns. The fighting had become gruesome and just trying to survive was a problem in of itself.

Jaune and a few other men had just successfully taken over another machine gun position, but this time the gun was undamaged and fully operational. With the help of the others, Jaune rolled the gun into a position that would be able to fire at the enemy. Once everything was set up, he opened fire on the enemy soldiers, making many of them dive for cover as to not get hit. With many casualties and wounded happening along the way, the Atlesian soldiers slowly pushed into the town and started to drive the enemy back. Things seemed to be going fairly well considering the circumstances. And soon over half the town had fallen under allied control. Enemy resistance had all but fallen and victory seemed close at hand. In all of the gore and bloodshed, Lieutenant Jaune Arc had successfully led and captured three machine gun positions and killed many enemy soldiers, but all that was all for not. Jaune was making his way to an enemy position alongside his fellow soldiers when an explosion went off. He felt his body become airborne for a few seconds before blacking out from the force of impact as his body slammed into a nearby building.

As the 276th battalion pushed the enemy back, with the losses they incurred, the other battalion was called to provide reinforcements. Despite the hardships and casualties along the way, after some time had passed the city of Ravenswood had finally been taken over by the Atlesian military. This would have marked the first time in the war that an Atlesian city had been taken back from the Imperial military, but the casualties involved in taking this town meant that it never quite made headline news. They had started the operation with over seven thousand soldiers participating, they had lost over half their numbers taking over the trenches, and the 276th which Jaune was a part of, lost over eighty percent of their forces trying to cross the open ground into the city. But the real shocker was after so many of their forces, the remaining soldiers were killed retaking the city. Almost all of them. If not for the other two battalions being called up the city would have fallen back under enemy control.

Of the two brigades that participated in the operation, only a few remained from the 276th, everyone else had been killed or mortally wounded. An Atlesian city may have been taken for the first time in the war, but this battle also marked the first time an entire battalion being wiped out in one operation. Before the war ended, many battalions would dissolve and combine with other battalions when losses occurred. But this time was not one them. Due to the delicacy of the situation and public moral, the Atlesian government manipulated the truth. The fact that an Atlesian city had been retaken was released, but it was said only one brigade participated and only a third of their forces had been killed. The knowledge of the 276th battalion participating in the battle was never released. Thinking that an amazing victory had been won by Atlas, the government thought they had made the right decision.

Still, even the dead had a way of surviving.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!