Fiction:Second Great Cyrannus War/The New Shadow: Part III - The Spear of Ramielum



 Second Great Cyrannus War: The New Shadow - Part III: The Spear of Ramielum 

I · II · III · IV

 Chapter I: Phoenix of Starlight 

The sun was setting on the Aldárae Temple, the sound of songbirds and the trickling of distant waterfalls filling the twilight sky. In her quarters in the Temple, Aoirtae sat on her bed, absentmindedly gazing at the holographic display on the roof, depicting the heavens above Andustar, the planet where she spent much of her early life. Despite being glad she had the opportunity to travel the stars, in quiet moments—now all too rare with the outbreak of the war—she found safety and comfort in the projection of Andustar's crisp night sky.

The sound of the door buzzing snapped her out of her day dream.


 * Aoirtae: "On my way."

The young jumped from the bed, stretched, and walked over the door, which slid open to reveal, who sauntered past Aoirtae and planted herself on the sofa.


 * Kara: "We should get a move on. Apparently something big is about to go down."

Aoirtae sighed heavily.


 * Aoirtae: "We should retire from this Aldárae business. Spend our lives, you know, sleeping, chilling out... and not constantly dealing with people who want to kill us."

Kara grinned.


 * Kara: "There'd be no fun in that, you'd go mad within a day."

Aoirtae shrugged, and beckoned Kara to follow her out.


 * Aoirtae: "I feel as though you aren't wrong, but five minutes peace would be nice!"

Kara jumped to her feet, and began to follow her friend.


 * Kara: "Anyway, I don't think we're being sent back to the front just yet. has just returned from, so we're probably just part of the welcome committee."
 * Aoirtae: "Welcoming committee? Oh Ryen's going to love that."

As the two made their way through the temple's corridors, they finally arrived at the entrance to the Chambers of the Ethelnór Aldárae, the guilding council of the Order. Upon gaining entrance to the chambers, they were greeted by Master Ryen himself, who embraced his former pupils warmly.


 * Ryen: "Aoirtae and Kara, it's wonderful to see you both! How have you both been?"
 * Aoirtae: "We're both fine, but how are you? Last we heard, you were injured during the Battle of Achiliquin."
 * Kara: "It would take more than a Phaedric Lord to stop this guy!"
 * Ryen: "Yes, well, it's good to see your enthuasiasm hasn't changed, Kara, my girl."

As Aoirtae looked around the room, she saw that many of the most revered members of the Order had assembled, including Masters, and , as well as others such as  and Northarr.


 * Aenaró: "Indeed, indeed, welcome home, Master Ryen. You have arrived at an opportune time, yes. Master brings word that the power of the Light yet grows, in spite of the darkness, and that a new face may yet appear to our aid."

At this moment, through the windows of the temple, the light coming from the clear skies of Aldár appeared to grow more intense - far more than usual. The skies were illuminated and almost turned golden as a being, shining almost as much as a star, slowly emerged down into the atmosphere. Throughout the temple, the Aldárae made their way to the central courtyard, to greet the new arrival.

As the figure approached the ground, the light emitted from it slowly dimmed to reveal what it truly was; it resembled a massive bird with feathers made of flame, with three pairs of eyes as white as pearls. It did not beat its wings as it slowly descended to the ground, instead keeping them open, revealing to the Order its great span. As its clawed feet touched the ground, it spoke;


 * ???: "My time in hiding has come to an end. The Lord of Light has indeed cometh, as it was calculated so many thousands of years ago."
 * Ryen: "Welcome to Aldár. I am Master Ryen, and it is my honour to welcome you to the home of Light."
 * ???: "Greetings, mortal followers of the Lord of Light! I am named . I wish to speak to him at once."

To Aoirtae's surprise, did not appear in his Oikoumene form, but as as a group of firefly-like lights, which transformed into a  garbed in simple white-robes.


 * Apolithanatár: "Greetings, . What brings you to Aldár?"
 * Chaneonix: "Why, my purpose should be obvious! I have to come to pledge my support against the Dark Lord and whatever other forces would threaten the home galaxy."

, the ancient Nagith warrior, raised an eyebrow as he gazed upon Chaneonix.


 * Vanikaimar: "Who and what is this entity?"
 * Chaneonix: "I am of the Oikoumene. A Vosaus! To you younger beings, the title would translate to that of a high-ranking scientist. I was among the many who created the, among other things."
 * Kara: "Another Oikoumene would certainly be useful against the Empire. No doubt about it."
 * Chaneonix: "I was also appointed to be the head of the order of the Estëmentári after the fall from grace of the Warriors of Revelation... though I must admit that was not entirely my idea. I am a scientist, not a peace-keeper. I have spent the last thousands of years communing with the, awaiting for the return of my kin. I thank you for freeing them from the clutches of the Empire, by the way."

Aoirtae smiled.


 * Aoirtae: "Don't mention it. Although, we have Apolithanatár to thank for that particular endeavour."
 * Chaneonix: "Yes, indeed... By the time I was given life, he was but a legend. But then it turned out he was, in fact, real after all! It was a breakthrough of science in itself. Though I had not the chance to meet him in person during time my kin freely lived in the home galaxy... This form you assume is unfit for a being of your majesty."
 * Apolithanatár: "This form befits the times, Chaneonix, for the time of the Oikoumene is past, and often wisdom can be found from the hands of those deemed weak, when the Wise and Mighty have faltered."
 * Chaneonix: "Yes, perhaps so."
 * Vanikaimar: "I have never heard of Oikoumene taking the form of... birds."
 * Chaneonix: "I am no mere bird, Nagith! I model my form after the legendary ! Your race's existence is but a speck of sand in a beach compared to theirs... And speaking of which, this brings up one of the reasons for my arrival to this world."

Chaneonix turned his head to face Ryen.


 * Chaneonix: "Am I correct to say your Order has seen the new shadow arriving to contest both the Dark Lord and the Lord of Light? The shadow of nightmares?"
 * Ryen: "Yes, he is known as, a corrupted by the ancient knowledge and power of . My friends, Aoirtae and Kara, faced his thralls, such as the Fallen King Rambert, in the halls of the Rambo Capital, and his dark allies in the Borealis Galaxy, while Master Nanuq has uncovered his hand at work among the stars of the Plazith Rim."
 * Chaneonix: "I have spent the last 70 million years studying the Corruptus, and I refuse to allow its influence to damage Cyrannus more than it already has. I have also spent the last decades alienating the Dark Lord to the best of my abilities, in an attempt to hide my agenda, though I figure the Lord of Light's arrival has made him aware of my allegiances. I can no longer be on the run as I was before, and as such I request to take permanent residency in this world; if you would have me, I would tell you the means to deal with the Corruptus."

Apolithanatár looked to Ryen, who nodded happily.


 * Ryen: "It would be our honour to welcome you, Chaneonix. I daresay we cannot refuse such an offer."
 * Chaneonix: "It would be highly illogical indeed. Now, I know exactly what we are dealing with in regards of the Corruptus, to the very nature of this "Mar-Júun". He is a troublesome one, and leaving him unchecked could jeopardize the future of this entire cluster. Are you aware he has attempted against the life of your President once? I was forced to personally intervene; had he died that day, I dare say this Order wouldn't have even been founded."
 * Kara: "He's my father, he told me that he was attacked by Mar-Júun was I was a hatchling, but being saved by a big fiery Oikoumene must have slipped his mind."
 * Chaneonix: "I erased the memory of the incident from his mind. Myself and the Vida'Rranlora have calculated a course of action to take for eons, but his arrival was unexpected, and dangerous. Had your father died that day, you would've lost the key to the artifact that can destroy him for good."
 * Vanikaimar: "Artifact?"
 * Chaneonix: "Mar-Júun is a type of Nightmare called a "Vanguard". His life essence is directly linked to that of the abomination known as, and this link grants him resurrective immortality. Such Vanguards existed during the times of the Vida'Rra, and they happened to develop weapons made specifically to sever these links."

Master Nanuq scratched his chin.


 * Nanuq: "Ingenious. If we could locate one of these weapons, there may yet be hope for the resolution of this particular conflict."
 * Chaneonix: "As it happens, I know the location of one such artifact. Likely the only one of its kind in the universe, as the Vida'Rra have long died out and took their technology with them."
 * Kara: "You mentioned that if my dad died that day, we'd have lost the key to this weapon. What did you mean by that?"
 * Chaneonix: "The weapon cannot be accessed without the aid of a powerful, pureblooded Dream Essence-based organism... like that creature your father keeps with him."

Kara's eyes widened, and despite her best efforts, she failed to suppress the humour in her voice.


 * Kara: "? Seriously? He's the key to defeating Mar-Júun? He can't even remember to wear trousers!"
 * Chaneonix: "Indeed! "Gorf" is the key! Had your father died at Mar-Júun or the Dark Lord's hands, he would have wandered off and likely died in the wilds. The calculations cannot be mistaken!"
 * Vanikaimar: "Are you quite sure about this? I have seen the creature, and it is barely sentient to begin with."
 * Chaneonix: "I am! As a matter of fact, because it... ate the key. Sort of. The facility holding this weapon had a power supply and it was eaten by this "Gorf". So he is going to serve as your way in now."
 * Aoirtae: "I always wondered what exactly Gorf is, I suppose this explains it!"
 * Chaneonix: "Well, I have an answer to that question, but the science behind it would be beyond your three-dimensional comprehension."
 * Apolithanatár: "You must learn to speak to them as equals, Chaneonix, for they are our only hope for victory."
 * Chaneonix: "Believe me, Lord of Light. The answer to the question would literally not be understandable to them. It is best to leave it at that."

Chaneonix clapped his wings together, and using his power over the Light, he created what appeared to be a star map of the Unknown Regions in front of himself, using one feathred finger to point at one specific region of space.


 * Chaneonix: "It was another unexpected circumstance in our calculations. Tyrómairon's Empire has actually found this planet before, but because the one you call Gorf ran off with its sole power supply, they were never able to get anything useful out of it. The facility has long since been abandoned again."
 * Vanikaimar: "What exactly would you have us do?"
 * Chaneonix: "Your most able-bodied must take "Gorf" to this facility and retrieve the weapon so we may use it against Mar-Júun. According to the Vida'Rranlora, it takes the shape of a spear, and it was developed by an ancient scientist known as Ramielum, so it should be relatively easy to spot."

Ryen smiled, and indicated to Aoirtae and Kara.


 * Ryen: "Well now, that sounds like a job for the crew of the ."

Aoirtae placed her hand on her head.


 * Aoirtae: "I knew you were going to say that."
 * Chaneonix: "Fear not, small Ortella child. The chances of any resistance existing in the facility after the Empire's departure should be about 0.2%. Stray wildlife at the very most."
 * Aoirtae: "If you say so, big Oikoumene eagle, but all the same, we'd best be prepared for anything."
 * Vanikaimar: "Indeed. I know this world from the Children. Any world they have stepped in is not perfectly safe."
 * Arasah-Nui: "Mind if I tag along? If Master Ryen approves, of course."
 * Ryen: "Of course, young one, of course. Tread carefully, however, for there may be hidden dangers, even if the path ahead appears clear."
 * Chaneonix: "Whether it will be easy or difficult is irrelevant. You must bring this spear to Aldár at once, for it is the only means to permanent destroy Mar-Júun."

Kara scratched her head.


 * Kara: "We'll need to pick Gorf up on before we do anything. I can't wait to see the look on dad's face when we tell him!"
 * Chaneonix: "Once that is done, I would like to see this "Gorf" for myself. I have not had the chance to study dream-based lifeforms before... It could lead to fascinating experiments."
 * Kara: "I don't think he'll be okay with that, but hey, you never know. We should get ready to leave."

Trivia

 * Written by and.