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Knight Commander Cade Williams and his elite Echo Team of modern-day Templars are thrust into a nightmare in the heart of Germany's Black Forest. When a routine mission to investigate supernatural reports goes wrong, the squad finds themselves stranded in the isolated village of Durbandorf during a brutal winter storm. They face a relentless horde of 'Protean' demons—grotesque, insectoid monstrosities born from warped villagers. As the team retreats to a local church to protect a group of terrified survivors, Cade must grapple with his own haunting psychic visions and the specter of his deceased wife. To save the remaining townsfolk, the Templars must execute a desperate offensive, leading Cade into the 'Beyond' for a final, reality-bending confrontation with an eldritch master demon. Blending high-octane tactical combat with atmospheric horror, this novella explores themes of trauma, faith, and the heavy price of duty. Comparable works include Monster Hunter International, Constantine, The Preacher, The S Squad