Fiction:The Red Crusade

Unknown to the team, the return of Tyraz breek ot the Onuris Universe set in motion a number of events that would put the to the test.

Maktanshatinaknatazán's Warning
Two large doors opened. Beyond them was a large courtyard, surrounded by a circular collonade. The central features of this strange place, illuminated by the midday sun, were twofold: Flowers of all kinds were decoratively arranged in orderly beds, colours of every possible spectrum from worlds thoughout Andromeda and far beyond. Their presence and their perfumes created a psychadelic aroma beyond description in its allure.

The other feature of this garden, stood all around: Statues and plinths, all surrounding a giant obsidian-coloured slab of some strange material. Carved into the glassy black rock was the amalgamation of Dracid and Zan'tai that was the script of the Draconizane. The words were organised into a list, with each one marked by a unique glyph to its right. Above them all the strange script read "In memoriam to our emperor's children. May each one live eternally by Zr'An'Kar's side for their valor in our physical realm.

Striding into this garden, the seven metre tall monster of the very emperor the memorial spoke of. Kordan Rex, his heart heavy from recent events had retreated here today to immerse himself in memory. Striding up to the slab he took a moment to study each name, before reaching a single, large hand to press his flesh against the cold material. He almost froze as his hand brushed the material, entranced in this activity he became momentarily oblivious to the smells of the garden and the gentle buzzing of insects, or perhaps in his trance he felt them even more, losing himself in the companion reality that was the realm of sound and smell.

Appearing from the distance, behind the descended emperor, was a figure of a similar size that walked quietly towards his right side. His appearance was intederminate - not like anything anyone had seen before - but it was slender in appearance, coloured in gloss of black and red, and a lengthy tail that curled around his legs as he walked. The aura surrounding the entity was peculiar - there was no aura there, though it felt like the energies of the garden was drawn towards it.

Spending a moment in his trance, Kordan then slowly opeed his eyes and returned his senses to the realm of vision. But he did not turn his head to accept the presence of the entity. Instead he stood as he was, his hand on the memorial, yet he was not pleased nor welcome of the entity's presence. Unaware of what it was, he wondered to himself, but the draining aura that he could feel helped him to form an opinion.


 * Kordan - You come to a place of life and memory spectre, yet your presence feels like something unwelcome in this place's purpose.
 * Spectre - My very existence was designed to bring destruction to all that exists. But I do not wish to.

Kordan removed his hand, but still focused his attention on the memorial.


 * Kordan - Then for what reason do you grace my garden of memories?
 * Spectre - To speak to you, of course.
 * Kordan - Of what, spectre.

The entity looked around the garden, walking further towards Kordan as he analysed the beauty of the surroundings.


 * Spectre - How many children have you lost, Kordan?
 * Kordan - I count forty-seven each time. But even if it were only one I would feel the same.
 * Spectre - I am not a father. Not in these years have I existed to father a child. Forty-seven children will not be the end of it if these conquests continue.

Kordan clenched his fists as the spectre spoke. As he did, the midday light that illuminated the garden was suddenly obscured by dark clouds, plunging the courtyard into a dim light.


 * Kordan - Zr'An'Kar told me of my destiny spectre. Are you suggesting I deny what he has promised me for the sake of my scions?
 * Spectre - What he promised you...what did he promise you? That the universe you invade will bow down to you?
 * Kordan - The universe you speak of is no special territory. If you msut know, every landmark step I have made in expanding further, Zr'An'Kar has come to me promising that I am destined for greater domains. And so far he has not been wrong.
 * Spectre - Zr'An'Kar may have been right, but has not been honest...I can feel a question growing in your mind. I would not ignore that.

Kordan now turned to look fully at the spectre that haunted his garden with its presence, his golden-white eyes flickering in the dim light of the cloudy day.


 * Kordan - You come to my gardens, you question my devotion to the Lord of All, and now you tell me I myself am doutful. Who are you. For what reason are you here besides to parlay?
 * Spectre - My name, to some, is Maktanshatinaknatazán. And my reason to be here is to persuade you to not continue with your conquests. There is nothing but bloodshed and genocide awaiting you in the universe you invade.
 * Kordan - "Blood shed and genocide?" You seem oblivious to the millennia I and my scions have already endured.
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - I am not oblivious. What awaits you there is a degree of bloodshed and genocide that has ended that universe many times over. In a flash of light.
 * Kordan - So they are resilient as well as defiant. However I simply cannot overlook the slights their inhabitants have comitted.
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - ...Not inhabitants, emperor. Tell me, what has Zr'An'Kar told you of that universe?

Kordan turned his head sideward, to look at the memorial, the statues and his garden.


 * Kordan - That it has proven an irritance to him. The Great Apostate, a Zazane filth named "Tyraz Breek" seems to be a hero of theirs despite his blasphemy towards the Lord of All. For when he was absconded for punishment, Draconis of all creatures were part of the host to reacquire him.
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - Tyraz Breek. I know of Tyraz Breek...and I have fought him and alongside him in the past.
 * Kordan - Then for what reason should I consider your words when you have fought by his side?
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - For the very reason that you and I, at a point in time, were very similar.

The entity known as Maktanshatinaknatazán turned away from the emperor, looking at the statues that filled the garden, and then to the skies of the world, dimmed by Kordan's anger.


 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - Many years ago, perhaps nearing four hundred and fifty thousand now, did I decide that the masters I served only had one purpose. I abandoned them and I realised that my decision was true. Since then I have existed among to those who live in that universe to protect it from a threat that has existed since before the universe even began.
 * Kordan - You think Zr'An'Kar is no different to your old masters?
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - I cannot say. Should he appear to you again, you should ask him of the name 'Xhodocto'. I can see now that there are things he has not told you, and that the doubt I believe that is in your mind is linked to Zr'An'Kar's anger. I once served the powers that Zr'An'Kar is a part of. I was once a part of that same power myself.

Kordan was momentarily silent, suddenly recalling Zr'An'Kar's mention of allies. He looked at Maktanshatinaknatazán furtiely, suspicious of his words. His hands opened however, but something else began to emerge, several smaller Draconizane spirits lingered in this place, but Maktanshatinaknatazán could see they were linked to Kordan himself.


 * Kordan - You may be mistaken. Zr'An'Kar did not promise me bloodshed or death with the destinies he gave me. He wanted me to control, to guide, not destroy.
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - What I say of destruction is not of your hand. The destruction will come to you. I came to you to convince you, because I know of your position. You would do much better in finding your own path in this place in time. But the destruction that awaits you there. It comes in two forms.
 * Kordan - ...The genocide you speak of...would be my kin? You see what my domain has created, spectre. If you know of the wars my kind have endured you would know that it would take much to topple it. However...I recall one of those Draconis-- they somehow displayed a power that could somehow match that of my Lord-Taskmaster.
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - There are powers in that universe that stretch far beyond the imagination. Any of those powers could prove to be your downfall. And yes, I know of the wars of your kind. The death of Zagdala Breek. That you drank his blood. Those same powers exist there as well.

Maktanshatinaknatazán turned to face Kordan, his face somewhat stern.


 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - There are two forms of destruction that may befall you if you continue that conquest. The destruction of your glory at the hands of Tyraz Breek and his allies, or the destruction of your will and power at the hands of Zr'An'Kar and the powers that he is a part of. I do not seek to plant suspicions in your mind. But you walk down a treacherous path that splits two ways. I would ask you to turn back.
 * Kordan - You assume Zr'An'Kar would betray me when the time comes?
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - Zr'An'Kar's faith in those who he watches over is limited. The faith of those who watch with Zr'An'Kar does not exist.
 * Kordan - After my failure to punish The Great Apostate...He informed me that he was no longer isnterested in what path I took.

Kordan looked back at the memorial, the skies began to clear and light returned to the garden once more.


 * Kordan - Perhaps...He has already forsaken us.
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - If he has forsaken you, then you are free of a chain around your neck. I do not frequent and convince others to turn away, but you would risk three universes if you wished to prove your worth to him once more. As one who protects, I could not allow that to happen.
 * Kordan - You considered my loyalty to him a slave's chain?
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - As I knew that my loyalty was exactly the same. I cannot and will not reveal what truly awaits you there. If you really wish to seek peace of mind, then you would find out for yourself. I know that what is there is not what you desire. There is no conquest there. No victory nor salvation. There is only a will to annihilate all that exists.
 * Kordan - And my greatest children would join the fallen...
 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - Everyone will join the fallen. My kind joined them. There is a blind loyalty there, but only because the truth is a horror beyond reckoning.
 * Kordan - You offer a dark truth, Maktanshatinaknatazán. However I shall consider it. I had previously spent hundreds of millennia watching as my realm was carved with blood and death. Two hundred years ago I had hoped that would all come to an end and that my domain could for once see prosperity and not war. You have my gratitude.

Maktanshatinaknatazán nodded as he stepped further away from the Draconizane Emperor, but before he disappeared completely, he said:


 * Maktanshatinaknatazán - I leave you with a question. If you believe Zr'An'Kar has forsaken you and you still live...what mercy will you find there should you provoke the powers that be?

And with that, Maktanshatinaknatazán vanished in a vacuum of blackness, dissipating from view.