Several disappearances and unexplained events have been registered shorty after the commercialization of an ancient statue linked to some legends from a mysterious place called "Reich der Finsternis" in eastern Germany, there is no know route leadin...
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The invasion begins
It took hours of meticulous planning to approach what was believed to be the Holzmann family's lair. The risks were undeniable—not only could their lives be at stake, but there was also the possibility of the operation yielding no significant results. Still, the information provided by Sister Judith Melzer was too critical to ignore. Investigating was their duty.
The German officers arrived at the location marked on the map and, as expected, discovered small railroad tracks encircling the area. The landscape was both somber and hauntingly beautiful. Towering pines loomed over the hills, casting long shadows and painting the valley in deep green hues. The air carried the crisp scent of the forest. The sun hung low, descending steadily into the horizon and bathing the scene in the orange glow of twilight. Nearby, the murmur of the river echoed faintly, hidden behind the dense rows of fir trees lining its banks.
There were no signs of locomotives, and the tracks were in a severe state of decay—rust had corroded the rails to the point of crumbling under touch. The officers advanced cautiously, weapons raised, scanning the area for any hint of danger. Trailing closely behind them were Liz and Jake, both clad in uniform and mentally prepared for the worst. The rest of the American team had been stationed to monitor the perimeter from the air, mapping out possible escape routes; they would only intervene if called upon directly.
Andreas and Tobias led the team into the tunnel. Behind them walked Nick and Steffi, whom Liz hadn't seen in action since the attack on the camp. They trekked through the dense woodland for over ten minutes before arriving at a large, wood-framed opening at the base of a rocky outcrop. The tracks disappeared into the cavern's mouth, which yawned open like a void, swallowing the faint daylight behind an impenetrable shroud of darkness.
Liz felt her skin prickle as an eerie unease settled over her. In her mind, a thousand mocking whispers seemed to warn her to turn back. The icy air pouring from the tunnel entrance froze her in place momentarily, sending shivers down her spine.
"You okay?" Steffi's soft voice broke the spell. She had appeared beside her, her eyes filled with concern as the others focused on the forbidding entrance.
Liz nodded without meeting her gaze. Taking a steadying breath, she caught the faint, calming scent of Steffi's perfume. It helped her ground herself, and she gestured silently for her to follow as they both moved forward.
The world beyond the tunnel seemed unnaturally still. Not a bird or insect could be heard; only the soft rush of the Hausmännin River broke the ghostly silence. The absence of life only deepened the tension. Andreas, the senior German officer, pursed his lips as he deliberated over his next words. Jake stood at his side, ready to provide support in his usual irreverent manner.
"All right," Andreas began in a low but firm tone, drawing the group's attention. "I assume we all understand what we might be walking into here."
A few heads nodded, though the lingering silence spoke volumes.
