If these sinister apparitions had been limited to Vader's base, the situation would not have caused such upheaval.
But a week later, similar cases were reported across all frontlines. The enemy still hadn't moved, yet soldiers vanishing only to reappear as grotesque, chimeric creatures had become routine.
Fear was etched on every face. Even the soldiers of the Cursed Serpent and Aurora's Awakened were not spared.
For a time, suspicions of betrayal festered in hearts already gripped by terror.
This wasn't the fear of death… They were soldiers; they'd long prepared for that. But this… this wasn't death. Not the kind they'd hoped for.
The Children of the Cursed Serpent and Aurora's authorities had launched an investigation weeks prior. Ten Scourges had been dispersed across their territory. Five had been found: some executed on sight, others detained for interrogation. But the remaining five were still at large, heavily suspected of orchestrating this horror.
