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Darkness. Darkness was all that existed. But then a light began to swirl generating an image. That image shown dozens of beings from different races in cuffs, in pain, in slavery. The painful wiping, the malnourished body's, and the tears of torment. All by the hands of humans.

But as that image faded, another came into view. A massive arch way stood with in the sea as massive ships made of metal came through, with it more humans. But these had a different image, had a different intention.

The image faded back to the slaves, but over the horizon, instead of the morning sun, a beautiful flag none have seen before of red and white stripes with dozens of stars surrounded by blue rose as it shined light and as the light touched the slaves, their binds broke, and their pain healed, and their torment gone.

The image faded as another one came into view, humans wielding the flag as it flapped gracefully in the wind, the other races not under them, but beside them.

The vision broke as a young elf girl let out a gasp at what she saw. The whole thing didn't make sense to her. She came back into reality as she noticed the solid stone wall that trapped her. The metal cuffs that bound her to the wall. The stings from the whip that slashed her back repeatedly. That image gave her the one thing she had almost lost, a spark of hope.

United States of America

New York City

November 2nd, 2021

The city streets were bustling as people walked to their destination, drivers beeping angrily at the heavy traffic of rush hour, and the small conversation between people as they looked around at the stores and businesses that littered the streets. Advertisements popped up all over the many billboards, screens, and new holographic image projectors of Time Square.

Ships came and went through the Hudson River as they passed the Statue of Liberty monument. One ship being a cruise ship as it sailed into the Atlantic. One individual being an off duty U.S. Marine. Second Lieutenant Josh Morgan stood by the railings as he looked at the beaches and ports, both civilian and navy. The beaches were almost empty as winter was starting to come around. He was almost called back on duty by threats from China. But it turned out to be a false alarm.

Typical of China acting as the big dog being all bark but no bite.

He had nothing to lose as he had his time off duty. "Better well spend it." He backed from the railing as he headed off to explore what the ship had to offer. He was very interested in the types of food that would be served.

He entered into a fancy seafood restaurant that caught his interest. He walked up to the receptionist. "Hello sir, how can I help you?" A women asked kindly. "A table for one please." He answered as he lifted a single finger. "Of course, right this way please." She said as she grabbed a menu.

He followed her to a double seated table next to a window that had a view of the ocean. People walked by once in a while on the floor deck. He sat down as the receptionist set the menu down and walked away. He looked at the menu as he surfed through the different selections.

This should be an interesting vacation. Little did he know it was about to get much more interesting, and very short.

The cruise ship sailed through a huge build up of mist as it left the coast. People were enjoying themselves with a variety of activities. But soon that enjoyment ended as the unexpected happened. A grappling hook shot up and snagged onto the side of the ship as another one followed after next to it. Latter following were men dressed in medieval armor as they piled on to the deck of the ship by a rope latter.

Everyone stopped what they were doing as they turned towards the armored people. More grappling hooks shot out and snagged onto the ship from different areas as more men piled on. Soon one shouted something in a foreign language as they drew swords out and charged.

Morgan played with his drink as he spun the paper made straw around like a spoon. He watched as the tiny vortex swirled in his cup as the ice cubes collided with one another.

Then he heard a scream that brought him out of his stupor. He looked out the window as people started running as if in a hurry. Screaming was usually normal on a cruise. But this wasn't in excitement, it was of fear. He got up from his chair as he made his way to the exit. "Um sir you need to pay!" The receptionist called out, but he ignored her as he made it outside.

Men, women, and children rushed past him as he forced his way through the crowd.

He knew something was not right. The flow of people lessened making it easier for him to pass through and see what's got em all spooked. He expected many things except for what came to be the problem.

The teenage girl in a bikini slipped as a man in medieval armor was chasing her wielding a sword. She cried out as he grabbed her by the wrist with his free hand and started dragging her away.

"HEY ASSHOLE!"

The man turned around but didn't get to see who was calling as a gunshot went off blowing a hole through his helmet and into his skull.

Morgan stood with his m9 Barrett's he brought in a concealed holster as he watched the man fell dead. Blood boiling with anger as the girl crouch down in fear. He ran to her and that made her cower even more, unaware of his true intentions.

"Are you alright?!" She looked up with tears in her eyes as the of duty marine crouched down to her level. She tried to make a response but couldn't form words as her brain wouldn't function properly. "Come on!" Morgan said as he reached his hand out. "It's not safe!"

True to his word more men in armor rounded a corner and saw them. The girl wasted no time and grabbed Morgan's hand as he lifted her and started running. The men gave chase but were ended as two bullets tore into their chest, and stomach.

Morgan ran the corner while he still held the girl. The ship security was already trying to calm everyone down and get a handle on the situation. "Stay with them, it's going to be ok!" He promised the girl as he released her hand. She looked back at the marine and towards the crowd as Morgan pulled out his phone to make a call.

"This is an emergency military channel, please end thi-," "Second Lieutenant Josh Morgan, United States Marine Corps, serial number 54268, patch me into the goddamn pentagon now!" He interrupted as he started to make his way to the bridge of the ship. There he got a good look as the mist started to clear off.

Dozens of wooden ships crowded the sea as they began boarding other ships as well. They were everywhere. What hell's going on here? None of this makes sense.

He reached the bridge as he entered through a side door while the captain was sending out an SOS. His appearance startled him. "Who are you, you shouldn't be he-,"

"I'm a member of the United States Marine Corps!" He interrupted again as he showed his ID card for proof. "Listen, you need to get those people somewhere secure!" He ordered as he pointed at the crowd outside on the lower deck. "Who the hell are you to be giving orders here?" The captain asked.

That had to be the most stupidest question in this current situation. "Do as I say if you want to keep these people from dying!" Morgan bellowed. The captain stuttered back at the marines outburst, but decided to listen this time. "Send those people into the engine room, make sure you lock it once every last one of them are inside." He instructed the staff who nodded and went to do as told.

Morgan's call finally reached the pentagon. About damn time. He rushed out to assist moving the civilians as he reported what was going on.

Washington D.C.

Pentagon

"Sir, we have a situation!" A staff member called out after he heard a very disturbing report. The Secretary of Defense walked towards the man who shouted.

"Sir, I have a report from an off duty marine. He says there is a cruise ship near the coast of New York City that is currently being boarded by aggressors." The staff reported. "Boarded, by who?" "He says he has no idea sir."

"Patch him through." The SoD ordered. The staff nodded as he patched the call through. "This is the Secretary of Defense who exactly am I speaking to?"

"No sir I don't know who it is!" Morgan fired off at another group of approaching enemies as he helped lead the civilians down to the engine room. He couldn't do much for those that couldn't make it. "Come again? WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK THIS IS A PIZZA DELIVERY!?" "No, just send the goddamn coast guard!" He hung up in frustration at how the secretary responded to his situation. "Fuck my life!"

He continued to lead the civilians as they reached the gnome room. More of those men were pursuing them, and he didn't have much ammo. He only brought three full clips as he was down to his last one. He fired off his bullet as it dropped another hostile. "Fucking hell close the door, close the door!"

He made it through after the last civilian rushed in. The staff shit the bulk head and locked the thing to keep them out. Banging could be heard as the men tried to force the door open with little to no success. Now the only thing they could do is wait or the military to respond.

"Look at the size of that statue!" The small wooden ship sailed into the Hudson River. As so, the men on board looked in wonder at the massive structures that crowded the land, the massive ships that stood in docks, but the one thing that got their attention was the giant green statue of a lady wearing a gown and a tiara with massive spikes. In one hand, she held a book close to her chest, and in the other, she rose a massive torch that held a motionless flame. And it would all belong to their empire in due time.

"Helm! Approach that ship! Today is ours, for the Glory of the Legionary Empire!" The men around cheered at the admiral's remark. However it was short lived as they approached the said ship.

It looked barren as not a single sole stood on the deck in terror at the fleets approach. However it was more active than they believed it to be.

"Bridge to CIC contacts confirmed prepare for ship to ship combat." Inside the CIC of the warship, crew men and women were active as they targeted the hostile vessels. "CIC to bridge targets acquired, ready to fire." The captain made a grin as he gave the order. "Fire."

The front of an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer erupted with fire and smoke as dozens of Surface to Surface missiles shot up to the sky then guiding themselves to their targets. The men looked up in shock at the events that unfolded, but soon turned into terror as the first missiles struck their target.

One of the ships disintegrated in a ball of fire as another followed after. Men screamed as they witnessed their final moments. "What is this?!" The admiral watched in horror as his fleet was being destroyed by an unknown force. "What kind of sorcery is this!?" The missiles stopped raining, but it wasn't over as the turret rotated at the closest ship and let out a thundering bang.

Five inch shells ravaged the wooden frames of the small ships as another followed suit after. The admiral watched as his mighty fleet was turned to splinters in a matter of seconds by one ship. Never had he seen sorcery used like this before.

A new roaring sounded as the Phalanx CIWS let loose with it's 20mm. The water erupted with hundreds of small splashes that trailed to the wooden ships and were ripped to pieces by nothing.

This wasn't a battle, it was a massacre. The admiral did the one thing he could think of. "RETREAT!"

The wooden vessels began to turn tail and run. But they weren't getting off so easily. A Ticonderoga-class cruiser flanked them from behind, cutting off their exit. Then watched the ship in fear as it too unleashed its deadly arsenal of mass destruction. The admiral watched as his fleet was finished off before he felt the heat of fire as he was thrown off the side of his ship from a powerful force.

These weren't people, they were gods. And now we've just angered them.

"All targets destroyed sir." The captain hummed in satisfaction. "Send our search and rescue for any survivors." Even if they were attacking, they don't deserve to be fish food.

The men rounded the people aboard to the front of the ship as some had their way with the women before they would be loaded onto their ships and sent back to their kingdom to become loyal servants, or food for the wolves. "Listen you lowly subjects and listen good!" And armored man with high rank stood on a large table as gained everyone's attention. "We the Legionary Empire, claim ownership of this here vessel as these lands. You either submit to us as loyal servants, or die and become food for the wild!"

Problem was the people didn't understand him and kept speaking nonsense. He grabbed the nearest woman by her hair and brought her to his face. "Speak up you bitch, or I'll make you speak my self!" He bellowed. She still spoke nonsense. "So be it you slut!" He began to drag her over to the edge of the ship with his other hand on the hilt of his sword. Before he could make it though, an odd sound stopped him in his tracks. The men looked around in confusion. "That's that noise?" The civilians however, knew it very well.

Above the ship, UH-60 Blackhawks and SH-60 Seahawks soared through the sky as they descended down to present themselves to the aggressors. The men looked at the things in disbelief before getting ripped to shreds by the door gunners' miniguns. Some of them flew above the cruise ship and dropped ropes so. U.S. Coast Guard and National Guard repelled down to the deck of the ship with M4s in hand. The medieval soldiers began to charge but were dropped by gun fire.

"Secure the ship!" The soldiers began eliminating the hostile presence onboard as the helicopters proved over watch and got any stragglers trying to run. With in seconds they secured the deck, taking any who gave up as POWs, and killing the rest. "Run a sweep through the rest of the ship! Assess the civilians!" Orders out as the soldiers began kicking open doors and rushing into every room.

The men outside the bulkhead kept battering on the door, determined to get it open. Only to stop and be replaced by gunfire and screaming. The people I the engine room backed up as it stopped and footsteps approached the door.

Knock! Knock! "United States National Guard, open up."

Everyone let out a sigh of relief at that an the staff member of the ship unlocked the door letting the soldiers in. They held their guns up one last time after making sure it was only the civilians. "You folks ok?"

Many individuals gave nods or words of acknowledgment. "Which one of you is Josh Morgan?" The crowd looked in confusion before one man stepped forward, and saluted. "Reporting sir."

The one who called one grinned and saluted back. "Good work here lieutenant." He lowered his hand, "Now let's get these folks back on land."

Morgan and the civilians made their way up to the deck of the ship were prisoners and civilians were being loaded onto helicopters to take them back home. In the distance, new UAAH-68 Dragonflies, unmanned attack helicopters, sunk the enemy vessels as they tried to retreat.

This wasn't the end of it all, that marked only the beginning of something bigger.

1 week later

"Mister president, your on in thirty seconds." Current president Killgareth finished fixing his tie as he was about to explain what has just transpired about a week ago. "Alright here we go." He took a deep breath as he stepped up to the podium where he was bombarded with camera flashes. Soon it quieted down so he could begin his announcement. "I know most of you are concerned about something, and I am here to address that today." He started as he cleared his throat. "September 11th, 2001, a great tragedy occurred on US soil by a foreign attack. I am sad to say that another such event has occurred last week." Cameras flashed as he was asked countless questions by reporters of different news stations. "I would be glad to answer all your questions." He interrupted, the whole room area fell to silence.

People all over America watched from their homes, or local bars. "On November 2nd, a fleet of foreign vessels boarded dozens of civilian boats, and a cruise ship near the coast of New York City. However this enemy is very primitive and does not seem to originate from anywhere we know of. You may be wondering how they got here, we'll here is the answer." A screen behind him showed a large structure sitting in the ocean, an archway with a glowing water like wall. "While pursuing the enemy force, we followed them here, what we see is what looks to be a gate of some sort, a portal that believe it or not, lead to another world."

The questions came back again at his declarement, but he studied the reports enough for viable answers. He continued, "we have sent small patrols through and have come back reporting undiscovered land. However we can not destroy it."

He sighed. "In the aftermath of the attack, hundreds of US citizens were missing, their bodies were not found. We believe they were taken, taken by the aggressors and brought through the gate into the other world. For if we are to destroy it, we would be abandoning them. And we will not abandon them!"

He began raising his voice. "In retaliation to this attack, a naval fleet will be sent through to establish a foothold in this new world. And mark my words, no matter what. We will search for our folks, we will find them, and we will bring them back home." The crowd cheered as he finished his statement. "Then after that, we will begin hunting down the mastermind of this attack, and bring him to court where he will face judgement against his or her crimes… May God have mercy." He finished.

Cameras flashed and reporters asked questions as he left the scene. Someone was about to have a really bad day now that they got the U.S. coming after them.

November 13th

The portal

Morgan watched as New York City became smaller. He stood at the side railings of the amphibious assault ship USS America. It would be taking him and a hundred other marines through this so called portal into god knows where. He was wearing his combat uniform, fully armed and ready for combat.

So much for a vacation. At least his actions earned him a promotion to first lieutenant, and has apparently made him a hero to the United States.

The memory of that girl he saved back on the cruise stayed stuck in his head. It was because of him that she's alive and well. He remembered when watching the news as she was interviewed, she mentioned him. It brought a little warmth into his heart, but he was just doing his duty, like every other marine.

"Lieutenant Morgan I presume?" A marine called out behind him. He turned and saluted to the man. "The one and only sir!" The man saluted back. "Captain Saen Fisher, I'm you CO for this op, copy?" Morgan lowered his hand. "Solid copy sir."

Fisher nodded in approval. "Come on, we're getting ready to deploy once we reach the other side."

Morgan didn't waste time as he started double timing it with Fisher to their post. "Come on move your ass jarhead!"

The America sailed along dozens of destroyers as it reached the portal, were another fleet with the USS Gerald. R. Ford aircraft carrier and other wasp class amphibious assault ships waited for it. Once it joined the fleet, they were ready to begin.

"All ships this admiral Hartman, we are go for entry, I say again, we are go for entry."

The ships all started moving forward as they approached the arch way. They sailed in a narrow line with the carrier and assault ship in the middle, while destroyers, frigates, cruisers, and supply ships surrounded them. One by one, the ships disappeared through the portal as made contact.

They sailed through an empty void of darkness, there only light being artificial from the ships. Morgan sat in the UH-1Y venom his unit was to use to land on shore. They learned from the captives during the attack that they speak a different language. A dictionary has been formed with the help of the captives so they could have a handle of any language barriers that could get in the way of things.

Morgan has one of those dictionaries and decided to keep studying it with nothing else to do as they waited to reach the other side.

Light appeared ahead as the fleet reached the end, and emerged into a whole new world.

Diamond bay

The ships emerged through another arch structure that connected their world to this world. Far ahead, an army gathered to fight back against the invading force, along with a massive fleet of hundreds of massive wooden ships. But what came made them feel fear. The ships that came through were bigger, and sailed without any sails. However, the big surprise came when the giant flat ship came through.

Morgan saw the coast and with it, a large enemy force just waiting for them. Soon as they were clear, the helicopters started taking off. This Legionary Empire was now about to learn something. How they done fucked up.