Deus Nos Ducit Ad Astra Per Aspera

-St.Petersburg-

-Anastasias Office-

Anastasia is currently sitting on her chair in her office as she reads reports about current matters. It's been a rough year for everyone.

The War against the Ottoman Empire which saw the deployment of 3 million troops from the Russian Army and the subsequent death that accompanied it. The death toll wasn't high, but the injury rate was. The Ottomans who deployed 6 million had 4 million of them return to the Lord's embrace.

The sudden Earthquake that destroyed the Entirety of the Middle East caused more deaths. Cities no longer standing as they got crushed under their own weight. Volcanic ash and magma that blanketed the region causing more death and destruction.

The population of the Ottoman Empire was 25 million before the War. Now, only 14 million remain. 4 million died from the war, 7 million from the Earthquake, much to the horror of everyone across the World.

Some Cities survived, much to the confusion of basically everyone expect the Church. Making many turn to Religion for answers, especially Christianity.

The Middle East was divided after the chaos.

The Arabian Peninsula, southern Levant renamed Palestina and Mesopotamia now renamed Iraq fell under British care.

Anatolia was divided between Russia and Greece.

Assyria is under joint Russian and British occupation.

The Earthquake caused damage to the lands of Persia that borders the former Ottoman Empire. With the Caucasus being rocked as well.

Millions are displaced with most of them living within the Russian Empire.

Under Anastasias order and coordination the lands of Anatolia under the Russian Empire are under reconstruction.

Cities that lay beneath rubble or under solidified lava are being reconstructed and rebuild. Many of the workers being the Refugees as they contribute to the rebuilding of their home.

The British have begun reopening the Suez as its currently blocked due to the Earthquake, causing World Wide economic damage.

The Region is still being plagued by afterquakes with the highest being 5 on the A-Scale.

Anastasia sighs, after this fiasco her workload overwhelmed and spilled out like the Niagara Falls. Thanks to her sister, Tatiana her workload was lightened.

"The reconstruction of the lands under our control are going smoothly, after two years it will be finished."

Anastasia said as she leans back with her eyes closed.

"That it may be, we must remain vigilant. This was caused due to Demonic meddling. I think we must invest more into this."

Anastasia looked at Constantine who is standing next to her.

"Talking about Demonic activity, wasn't there a Operation involving them in Japan?"

Constantine nodded.

"Yes your Highness, it's seems the work made you forget, but let me remind you. The Church has detected Demonic signs in Northern Japan and requested to send a Black Ops team to investigate. If Demonic activity is confirmed then the Harbingers of the Damned will be deployed to rid of their existence."

Anastasia though for a bit before her memories reconnected.

"Ah yes, I remember now. We got reports about that Operation. Let's see."

She said as she shuffled through countless documents and filles as she found it.

Anastasia then opens it and begins to read the report.

"Hehe, hahahaha!"

Constantine was confused, what made her Highness laugh so hard.

"What is wrong your Highness?"

Anastasia who was laughing regained her composure.

"Oh nothing Constantine. But do you remember the Squad that blew up the Korean city during the Russo-Japanese War?"

Constantine frowned. He tries to remember as the light turned on in his head.

"I do, quite the bunch I'd say."

Anastasia smirked.

"Indeed they are, it was them who got send to investigate the Demonic activity."

Hearing this Constantine sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Did they cause chaos again?"

Anastasia nodded.

The Squad that was send to investigate is a oddity among the Black Ops Forces.

Their service record speaks for themselves.

[Their first engagement, during the Russo-Japanese War.]

[They were send to eliminate the command post of the Japanese Forces that hid in the City.]

[Instead of just eliminating the command, they blew up the hole City.]

[Their second deployment was in Afghanistan to investigate the cause of cross-border incursions.]

[They found evidence that lead them to Persia but during escape they got spotted by the Afghans and got chased down. They stumbled upon a convoy that held multiple Ministers of Afghanistan. The Convoy Blew up]

[They got deployed to Persia to follow their lead, infiltrated the Summer Palace of the Shāh, the King of Persia. Found Ottoman involvement but got spotted and had to escape. All that remains of the Palace is nothing but burned rubble.]

[Third Deployment was during the War against the Ottoman Empire. During the war nothing unusual happened. Once the Quakes hit they got reassigned to rescue civilians. They found multiple civilians stuck in a building. They got ready to rescue them but their Demolishion expert accidentally caused the building to collapse, killing everyone. Investigation found out that the once inside weren't civilians but notorious war criminals. They got rewarded.]

[Recent deployment, to investigate Demonic activity in Northern Japan alongside another Black Ops Team. They found sufficient evidence but got spotted. Had to be rescued by the newly deployed Attack Cargo Plane. The Harbingers of the Damned completed the mission.]

The Squad is known as the Misfit Squad. Due to their record. While every mission they got send out to ends with it being completed. They always end up in a sticky situation and had to be rescued or end up causing large amounts of collateral damage.

After the Russo-Japanese War Anastasia picked them to join the newly formed Black Ops Forces. They only listen to her.

"They did a fine job I'd say."

Anastasia said while chuckling as Constantine sighed.

"But the Harbingers of the Damned. It's still fascinating how they got their powers. They are worthy to wield the Holy Relics making them giant and powerful. This makes them limited in number as the number of Holy Relics are limited."

They also found out that the men who wield the Holy Relics and end up becoming the Harbingers only listen to Anastasia.

Causing the Church to believe even more in Anastasias Sainthood and Authority.

"The Harbingers are proof of the Lords blessing but also a omen that the enemies are becoming more active."

Constantine said.

*Knock Knock*

Click

"Sister, the party is ready. Stop what you are doing and come, it's your birthday for goodness sake."

It was Tatiana that entered.

"Alright, I guess it's time to go. Lead the way sis."

Anastasia said as the stood up.

Tatiana smiled and lead Anastasia and Constantine who followed from behind to the ballroom.

They neared the door of the room and stopped. Tatiana them nodded to the Guards who stood next to the doors as they opened the doors.

"Presenting Anastasia Alena Romanova, Crown Princess of Russia and Queen of Korea!"

As Anastasia entered she was meet with a applause of countless people.

"Anastasia welcome and Happy Birthday, you are an adult now."

Nicolas came to his daughter and hugged her.

"Oh how time flies, it's been 18 years now since your birth."

Alexandra, her mother came and gave her kisses.

""Happy Birthday sister!""

Anastasia siblings hugged her in unison as she smiled.

"Thank you, all of you."

Other people came and congratulated her. Many being of Nobility that still remained in Russia that didn't get purged. Nobility from other nations and Ambassadors also congratulated her.

What made her eyes wide was two special guests.

"Happy Birthday Anastasia!"

Indeed, is was King George of Britain and Emperor Wilhelm of Germany.

They came to congratulate their cousins daughters coming of age.

As the party went on and Anastasia talked and danced with her family her vision suddenly turned white.

"Where am I?"

She wasn't in the Ballroom. No, this place is pure white.

*THUMP THUMP THUMP*

Anastasia turned to the around as saw two people approach her.

They were gaint, about 4 meters tall. One is a Woman that wears a dark dress that seems to absorb light. The Other a Man in a Royal clothing who seems to emit light.

They smiled at her before their images blurred and they combined into one being.

Anastasias eyes went wide. That was her infront of herself.

Her other self smiled tenderly as Anastasia heard large sounds of marching.

*THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP*

Giant men clad in golden armor marched from behind of her giant self. They wield giant swords and shields, some have spears and guns.

*THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP*

The Army of gold seems to never end as the giant men pass her and her giant self.

"Wake up."

Giant Anastasia said.

"Wha- Wake up."

A Bright flash of light came from her giant self. As she opened her eyes she was back in the Ballroom.

It's as if no time passed.

"Your Highness."

Anastasia turned to the voice.

"Hello, how may I help you?"

Anastasia said as she looked at the man.

"I Congratulate her Highness on her 18th birthday."

The man bowed as he said.

"Thank you, may I ask for your name?"

Anastasia thanked the man.

"You may your Highness, my name is

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Grigori Rasputin."