In the mainland of Asia, the conflict raged on, much like the rest of the world. Though it had somewhat decreased in Japan, the same could not be said elsewhere. Especially in places like the Cui Federation. Where two proto-humans began their attempts to achieve their own personal Goals. In the hot humid forests of the southern districts, it was mostly quiet save for the sounds of the wildlife.

That, and the crunching of leaves, under the feet of Yu Liang, and Bijan Lafeyah. They walked on a beaten stone path that looked like it hadn’t been traversed in decades, at the least. Or, enough for somebody to bother maintaining. Bijan put his hands behind his head as he walked, his gaze moving around, while Liang kept his forward.

“To think that they’d reveal themselves so suddenly…. Think us and those four had something to do with that?”

“I won’t doubt that… But as I see it, they wanted the war to begin on THEIR terms. It would only make sense. I’d want to make the first strike if I were them.”

Bijan thought back to their battle in Kingston, the firing of the main gun, the subsequent damages, the forces they showed without so much as a false flag?

“Yeah, after all that, they were basically past the point of no return, it was only a matter of time.”

Liang nodded, as he glanced at Bijan.

“In the end, it's only beneficial for us... Besides that, I have my own issues to worry about. Namely, finding Cuifen... The Shanghai fortress was a bust, and it looks to me like we’re gonna have to keep searching.”

That was the issue… There were too many fortresses, and with them changing their locations again, there was the question of how to find them.

“Maybe one of the bases in Tseng, Hard to attack, heavily fortified?”

Liang scoffed.

“Maybe before orbital Batteries were a thing. Heavily fortified, Likely, but hard to Attack, not likely.”

He couldn’t exactly deny what he was saying, nodding in agreement, Bijan began speaking once more.

“Alright, Good point. While they have the tech, we have more than enough ways to show how backward they are. Like the fact that they still have this Feudal system, despite the infighting we see between families all the time.”

“I have no qualms with it, it just makes them much easier to crush. But, that doesn't matter if we stand around doing nothing. But that brings up a new issue… We have no way of finding their new bases besides word of mouth.”

“We should take a car or something… Maybe just pose as normal people, it’s not as if all of the Kaemerge knows us- unless they spread the information.”

“Considering we were able to exit the city without much resistance- I’d think not, they probably weren't on the lookout for us, not yet at least.”

“I don’t think the Cui army is gonna be able to fight them off, though… They haven’t mobilized yet, and we both know there are many organizations that could be working with the Kaemerge, with how they run stuff…”

Liang shoved his hands in his pockets as he responded.

“The Cui have the advantage of size- the problem is, they don’t know where the kaemerge will strike from… Though, it's the same with us... We’ve carried on this conversation for long enough. “

The two continued walking on the path, the silence returning. Liang closed his eyes, as he kept his head forward. All the while, Bijan continued looking around. It was then that he took note of black tiles... As he focused his gaze, he got the glimpse of what looked like stone bricks. He glanced over at Liang, tapping his shoulder. Making the martial artist open his eyes, as he glanced over, Bijan pointed out the roof. Now, Liang turned his gaze over to it, taking notice as well.

“Looks like there’s a town over there… Think we can stop there? Don’t think they’ll go to some village in the middle of nowhere. If we don’t stay in the village itself- we can always just ask them if they’ve seen anything.”

“Perhaps… Let’s just hope they don’t speak Mandarin… We don't use that in Shanghai.”

The two were met with a fork in the road, and they headed left, the trees began to gradually become less and less dense, until they reached a clearing in the forest’s, a small village. The houses had sloped roofs, constructed with tiles. A mix of white and gray bricks. Along with the gravel roads that lined the town, beside many of the buildings were crop fields, large and small, many of which were lined with machines, likely to help in the farming that held its economy up. The two began walking toward the village.

Part B

Tseng, a nation created as a buffer state between The Zhuhong Dynasty, and Visagon. And for the most part, looked to be effective in its purpose. After all, a conflict hadn’t flared up between the two nations in centuries. Otherwise, the nation was of little note. Making it perfect for a certain group. Deep within a mountain valley, there sat a small concrete building that, outwardly, looked more than a bit aged. Seemingly, it had been abandoned a long time ago. Taken by overgrowth, and wildlife that began to roam around it. But, this was only a shell, something to keep the true building hidden. Within, was a large Kaeemrge fortress, one of the very largest, infact. Within the very center of the base, there sat a dimly lit room, which served as its command center.

Within, sat on a plush chair which resembled a throne, was an older man, with a small beard, which was dark brown, the same of what little remained on his head. His face had numerous small scars, likely a result of his many battles. The general of the _ Branch, as well as the Marquess of the region. The man known as Agni. His slanted yellow eyes moved across the room, mostly between the two men which stood in front of him. One with black hair, and red eyes, his head of spiky hair accompanied by a thick beard going down from his chin. The other with white and black irises. Both wore the uniform common for the Kaemerge’s Proto-humans, though unlike many of the others, they were covered in adornments, showing their rank. The one with white hair, Lieutenant General Kabir, his second in command, stepped forward.

“Sir… With the other branches, and their allies occupied with the world’s forces-- we may take power much easier than we could before… We can ensure that neither the Apostles-- nor that man, "Emperor" Selenium Ignatius stand in our way…”

This put a smile on Agni’s face.

“.. Good, Very Good. Soon enough- the Agni Empire shall rise-- but we are not there yet. Lung-- Continue observation of those who have not pledged loyalty… They could very well be infiltrators.”

Lieutenant General Donghai Lung, the raven-haired one, turned as he acknowledged his order, soon leaving the room, giving an acknowledging nod as he did so. As Donghai cleared the door, Agni got up from his throne, beginning to descend on the small staircase that led up to it. Before, he began exiting the room as well.

“I’m going out again. I must continue to observe this area as well…” He stated. Earning a salute from Kabir.

“Right!”

Agni exited the room, beginning to make his way through the considerably brighter hallways. As thoughts began flowing through his head, most of which being that of his grand plan.

“That so-called "God" Ardam… He is just a myth. I am the true divine here. I will make sure that is known... And I won't be stopped.”

Within the town, which they’d learned was named Sudong, Liang stood in one of the many roads, surrounded by the inhabitants of the town. Words and sentences in the Wu language flew out of their mouths. All the while, Bijan watched this take place. Taking note of those who glanced back at him. Both those in the crowd, and simply walking by. He scratched the back of his head.

“There’s a lot going over my head right now… I can’t pick anything up... And with how long He’s been talking over there, who knows what they’re talking about…”

As he said this, The conversations between the two groups soon stopped. Liang turned on his heel and began making his way back to Bijan. Sudong’s inhabitants moved out of the way. He stopped a few feet in front of him, as he began to speak.

“They’ve agreed to let us stay here, But they’d prefer that we leave by tomorrow morning… They don’t take outsiders too well out here. “

Bijan nodded.

“One night will be enough- I think.”

“Agreed-- Follow me, we’ll be staying at some shacks around here, the owners haven’t been here for a while from what i’ve heard.. Thankfully, they’ll be separate from one another.”

Bijan glanced at him, with an expression that almost looked slighted.

“Just what is that supposed to mean?”

“I already have to deal with your rattling off during the day. The last thing I need is for you to go on a tirade about some new song whatever Idol group you keep listening to releases every night…”

“That Idol group is called S-Grace, I’ll have you know!” Bijan responded.

Liang said nothing, simply staring at him with an unamused expression. Apparently, taking note of what he just said, Bijan turned on his heel.

“.We should strategize before we turn in.” He stated, changing the subject.

As the two turned, they began walking to the mentioned huts... Though, at the mention of the group, he began to hum a quick melody.

While the two made their way toward the house, and began their rest, the same could not be said for the rest of the country. Elsewhere in the region,one of the many forests strewn across the landscape was nearly pitch black, save for what little moonlight penetrated the tree cover, and the flashlights held by those currently Within. And with those lights, camethe distinct sounds of Gauss rifles firing slugs. The kaemerge’s troops took shots at a mass of enemy troops that moved through the forest like lightning. Though they wore full armor as well, it was comparatively, much lighter. Lined with false foliage, and painted to bend in with the surrounding area.

These troops began to drop into the brush, something that would lead to the Kaemerge troops regrouping, forming a perimeter, and watching their comrades backs, by standing in one circle, spread out enough to avoid being taken out by a grenade, or something of the like. This didn’t look good for them. Even though many of them were still green, they recognized the danger of fighting in a climate like this, especially with how good the enemy seemed to be at hiding. They stood ready for any attack, seemingly. One of them went down suddenly, his helmet smashed by the impact of the round that crashed into it.

“Nomura!”

One of them tsked.

“Sniper!”

Before they were even able to begin an escape, the enemy troops popped up from the foliage once again, firing upon the soldiers. Though their armor withstood the first few impacts from the shells. They were torn apart as what started as a few, turned into a storm. One of the many men, his weapon raised, stepped out of the Foliage, and into the small clearing, where the dead soldiers lay. A man known as Captain Zhang. He waved his hand, geasutring for his troops to keep going.

“Keep going, -The WFF(Wu Freedom Front) Must not Fall!!!”

Far away from the lines of trees, there was a small, concrete building. An outpost that served as command for the men on the outside. In a large room lined with terminals, three men sat in front of a 3d- holographic map of the surrounding forest. Strewn across it, were markers of their troops. Squads of infantry, HAUS, adn tanks alike moving across the map. One of the officers stepped toward the display. A man with long white hair, tied into a ponytail. His angular jaw covered in a thick beard of the same color.

“As you can see- Lord Tsunan, the militias in the area are giving us a large amount of resistance... They’ve managed to take some of our HAU’s. This is in addition to the armaments they already had. I don’t believe we can’t defeat them as easily as we thought. They know the land better than we do, and that’s by no small margin…”

“Is that so… Then what do you think our course of action should be?”

“Abandon this fortress, and take as much of our resources as possible. It would be foolish to stay any longer.”

As he made his statement, the other commander, one with a shaved bald head, stepped forward as well, as he shot him a glare.

“You Disrespect lord Tsunan, Dasel. To call his strategies foolish is a direct insult to him.”

The man in question, Tsunan, had straight dark green locks that reached his shoulders. Though, past his forehead, his hair did not reach his face. A baron within the Kaemerge, and the Major that remained in control of the Chongqing Outpost. He waved the comment off, as he glanced at his subordinate.

“No Lu, he’s correct. Call them back in, we won’t make any progress like this…”

Dasel leaned on the wall behind him, as his gaze fell upon the map once again.

“Those other branches are lucky enough to have mid-tiers, More troops… But here we are- stuck here, fighting local militias…”

Tsunan put his gaze on Dasel as he finished speaking.

“I’m guessing this isn’t your preferred choice of action?”

“I don’t… But I’ll do it anyway, Orders are Orders. We have to carry them out regardless.” Dasel responded.

Tsunan leaned back in his chair, going silent as he looked up to the room’s ceiling.

“I understand where you’re coming from. But it’s not like we have the luxury of picking and choosing where we’re stationed. Otherwise, I’d be back with my Family…”

It wasn’t a sentiment the two disagreed on, and it was undoubtedly the same with the troops. Even so, Ardam’s crusade had to continue. If that meant they had to stay out here, then that would be what they would do. Unaware of the combat that took place not too far away, in one of the huts, which looked to formerly be a storeroom, Liang and Bijan looked at maps projected from their holo-phones, showing the mainland. Plans began to run through their heads as they scrolled across, checking major cities, Distances, and whatever else may end up being important.

“If our GPS is accurate, we’re about 1,500 KM west of Nanjing, and just north of Chongqing… We can easily get to Tibet if we get up early tomorrow. I was initially against it- but it’s certainly possible.”

Bijan nodded.

“Well...Since we need to stay on target while we search-- I'd say that we travel to Lhasa- and check major cities along the way. Since they could have captured them- we could find information on Cuifen somehow.”

Liang paused as he considered the man’s words.

“That’s certainly possible… We know Chongqing hasn’t been captured- we passed through earlier… However, we're yet to check on Mianyang or Chengdu…”

“We’re going there next, I’m guessing.”

Liang sighed.

“It’s not ideal, but it’s all we can do.”

Liang tapped the thin slab of metal once again, with a click, the display went down. He got up, as he walked toward the door of the shack.

“That said, I'm turning in for the night. Be ready tomorrow.”

Liang soon exited, as he closed the door behind him. It was as he was sure the coast was clear, that he turned on his device once more, tapping one of many apps that had a single note as its icon. Excitedly tapping through his screen, before, an upbeat melody began to play from the device. Though Liang could hear it, he blocked it out, as he looked up at the moon above. His thoughts drifted once more, to the reason he started this quest.

“Cuifen… Wait for me-- we’ll get you out of there soon enough.”

He needed to find her, and that wouldn’t be an easy task, Regardless, he would not stop until he had.

The room was rather drab, with scant decoration, and scant privacy. Lining the concrete walls were glass panes that took up about half. The floor itself is made from solid steel. Which was nearly empty save for a bed that sat near the wall, and a small bathroom that was, thankfully, walled off. The harsh, and, rather outdated yellow lights hummed overhead. Though there was a door, It was locked from the outside, the door itself having a biohazard symbol on it, related to the person of interest themselves.… Within the room itself, there sat a young woman, her silky short hair, the strands of which covered her face was brown in color, as were her large orbs.

To Be Continued