Fiction:Tantummodo Mortem/Digital Citadel

Serpent Issues
The team all saw a bright flash, and, in a brief moment, they were taken from the ship and slammed into the cold hard ground of the stronghold planet. The surrounding area did not resemble anything from what they remembered; there was no flora, no, stronghold, nothing.


 * Mu - Hmm. This doesn't look good.
 * Hachi - Damn...the moving company acts fast!
 * Sarec - Where is everything?
 * Koluap - Whatever happened, I blame Kithworto.
 * Tau - Hm. According to these coordinates, we're meant to be right in front of the stronghold.
 * Koluap - Well there's nothing here!

Koluap waved his hand in front of himself. Nu examined the surroundings using his displays, and paused.


 * Arsac - Perhaps we were discovered. Or the stronghold is cloaked.
 * Kezoreg - Try not to give yourself a heart attack, I'm sure there's a rational explanation. Not that there ever is.

From the distance, a sound emerged. It was heavy, rumbling, and was somewhat familiar to Macin. Lemm looked arouned, suddenly conserned for his safety.


 * Macin - ...Oh no.
 * Eta - Please tell me that's Kithworto.
 * Kezoreg - Surprise; it isn't.
 * Macin - The snake is awake.
 * Arsac - ...Snake?
 * Nu - You mean...ah siná'in.
 * Kezoreg - Aaah shit.
 * Koluap - Snake...? You mean THAT Snake?!
 * Macin - Yes.
 * Koluap - Hmmmmmmm! Shit.

As the sound became louder, sight of the Ruin Serpent was caught. Lemmo ran from the group, seeking cover.


 * Arsac - I thought Kithworto was supposed to be keeping it dormant!
 * Arkarixus - Kithworto was supposed to slay it!
 * Hachi - Teehee, I think Kithworto wanted to play with it.

As the view became more clear, Kithworto stood on top of the Ruin Serpent's skull, beating it repeatedly. Kithworto laid a final punch to its head before it began to drop in elevation; heading for the team.


 * Hachi - See? Toooold yoooouuuu!
 * Sarec - Everyone get out of its way!

Koluap and Macin flew away, while Mu, Arkarixus and Tharaqím ran off. Zeta grabbed Hachi and ducked out of the way, whilst the Agents jetpacked to gain distance. Sarec telported away and Arsac flew into the air, Lemmo found himself running as the Ruin Serpent descended towards him Kezoreg ran off beneath the jetpacked Agents.


 * Macin - Beings like this attacked my home once, but nothing nowhere this large!

The Ruin Serpent flew in closer, before its skull slammed into the ground and skidded until it ceased movement. The impact launched Kithworto at an incredible speed off the skull and far off into the horizon. Lemmo hid behind a large rock some distance away.


 * Hachi - Is it a bird, is it a plane?

In the distance, a heavy thud could be heard followed by a colossal plume of smoke and dirt.


 * Mu - That's the first time I see Kithworto being launched this far away.
 * Koluap - That's the first time I see Kithworto being launched away at all.
 * Arsac - And so Shivarus was slain..It's body becoming like the very mountains it consumed.
 * Kezoreg - Are you going to prattle on or are you gonna go ask Kithworto what the hell happened?
 * Eta - Well let's find him first.
 * 'Hachi - Shouldn't be too hard. Just search for the biggest, meanest Kicath you can find! Aside from Nu, he's not really mean. He just displays love differently.''

Sarec nodded and flew in the direction Kithworto had flown. As hovered the scene, Kithworto made a huge crater in the in the landscape, but the dust partially obscured his view. Koluap flew up to the crater, followed by Macin.


 * Sarec - He's there. I can't see him but I can feel his presence.

Kezoreg rushed towards the crater and stood at its edge, glaring carefully. Before they made any attempt to get closer, the dusts were cleared by a massive shockwave, as Kithworto pulled himself out of the ground with force.


 * 'Sarec - Heh, you should have told us we were missing out on such a glorious battle.''

Kithworto stood up, stretching his shoulders as he felt sore from the impact.


 * Kithworto - Hardly glorious. I had to destroy half of the planet before I managed to get on its back.
 * Sarec - Kithworto...a battle like that would be popular for centuries in the Imperium.''
 * Kithworto - Well perhaps you can take credit for the battle. I've done enough fights like that for this lifetime.
 * Koluap - If you were going to wake the thing up, you should have called me. I wanted to ride it!
 * Macin - By the Avatar, silence.
 * Hachi - Avatar?
 * Arsac - A Klamb diety I presume.
 * Macin - The lord of Dreams.
 * Hachi - All I heard about an "Avatar" is some movie with pretty blue people.
 * Macin - The Avatar is the master of all Dream Energy. He lives in a world where everything is made of dreams.''
 * Hachi - ...I hope he can't see my dreams.
 * Macin - He sees all dreams of all men and women. And he likes to talk about "destinies" a lot.
 * Arsac - Hrmph. "Desitny"...
 * Hachi - I wish I could see what women dream about.
 * Kezoreg - Geez, how fucked up in the head are you?
 * Macin - I believe Thea'Nhirara claims she is his daughter.
 * Hachi - Daughter? So her dad's...

Hachi's ears proceeded to droop and a horrified look appeared on his face.


 * Arsac - With respect Macin. In my line of work "destiny" is the design of controlling gods who seek to control mortals liek puppets on strings.
 * Macin - Your definition has no meaning to me. I was chosen for a destiny and I will fulfill it...very soon...
 * Arsac - Of course it doesn't mean anything to you. Hrm. Pawn.
 * Sarec - Don't mind Arsac she's always been...touchy whenever the affairs of gods coems into play.
 * Macin - "With respect".

Macin scowled and walked off.


 * Kezoreg - I thought we were about to have a granny scuffle.
 * Arkarixus - Nevermind destinies and Klamb. Kithworto, what happened here?
 * Kithworto - Well, the Ruin Serpent didn't die.
 * Eta - Yeah, we got that.
 * Koluap - Well, there's no stronghold anymore. What now?
 * Arsac - The last construct.
 * Kithworto - Ardonia, yes. Considering it's now very dangerous to stay here, i'll have to join you on your journey there. I cannot and do not want to draw the fire from the Dominion.
 * Sarec - After the destruction of the others, no doubt Ardonia will be placed on high alert.
 * Koluap - Woo! Kithworto's joining us!
 * Hachi - Ah sweet!
 * Kezoreg - Hey, Uncle Kit, it's no problem I can handle this just fine.

Kithworto let out a small smile at Kezoreg before returning to his general stoic demeanour.


 * Kithworto - I better check on the Ruin Serpent. They are difficult to kill.
 * Tau - You're telling me. I'm expecting a 500-trillion strong militia just guarding the place.
 * Kezoreg - Hey, I have an idea. If it's still alive, we send it to Ardonia with us.
 * Koluap - I'd rather feed you to it.
 * Arsac - Riiight... and give the Dominion their breeder back. Stupid boy.
 * Tau - And do you see a ship around here with a hangar big enough to store it?
 * Kezoreg - It was only an idea, don't have to maul at me for it! I just thought that we could use it to wreck some extra damage.

Nature's Miracles
Kithworto went over to the corpse of the Ruin Serpent. He placed his hand on the corpse, trying to find vital signs. He trailed down the serpent's body, and then he stopped.


 * Tau - Well...is it dead or what?
 * Kithworto - Oh it's dead. But...
 * Mu - But?
 * Kezoreg - Don't tell me...
 * Arsac - Let me guess. Hatchlings?
 * Mu - Oh fuck no.

Kithworto took his hand off the Serpent, and turned to the group.


 * Kithworto - We should move. There are ships elsewhere on this planet. We have around a minute before this thing goes haywire.
 * Tharaqím - Let's not waste time then. I don't want to be here to see nature's miracles.
 * Hachi - I had plenty of nature's miracles on Ightosia.
 * Kithworto - No time to talk. Move!

Lemmo peeked form behind the rock and followed the group as they ran fro mthe site. Before Lemmo ran, he could see the stomach lining of the Ruin Serpent begin to distort.


 * Lemmo - Eww.
 * Nu - Dammit Lemmo get over here!
 * Lemmo - I'm moving as as fast as I can. I may have four legs but they are not augmented like yours.

Koluap flew away and Tharaqím ran. Arkarixus charged himself in energy and ran as well. Above the group, gold and blue beam blasted itself in the sky, quickly disappearing in the horizon.


 * Koluap - C'mon Macin, don't just go ahead like that!

Hachi looked back and saw the Serpent's skin malforming.


 * Hachi - I wanna keep one!
 * Sarec - Hachi I highly dowby a fully grown one could fit on the Arcadium.

As Hachi said that, the stomach burst, and Desolation Warriors swarmed out of its stomach.


 * Psi - Oh that is just nasty!
 * Hachi - THOSE AREN'T BABIES?!
 * Arsac - RUn run RUN!

As they were recently spawned, they were slow, but followed the team with incredible determination.


 * Mu - This is outright nasty.
 * Kithworto - Tau, scout ahead for any ships!

Sarec turned around as he flew and forced the ground to erupt upwards in front of and beneath the warriors. Tau ran faster than the group, making Nu almost trip up. She almost went out of sight.


 * Nu - Stupid fastest Agent!

As the group ran, they heard something that shrieked over the sound of the Desolation Warriors, something that sounded incredibly agitated and very, very angry; Kalcedia ran at blinding speed behind them, her breasts bouncing as she ran with an almost scary look on her face.


 * Kalcedia - I TAKE A NAP FOR FIVE MINUTES AND I WAKE UP TO THIS, YOU BASTARDS?!
 * Mu - Less whining and more running, stinky.

Kithworto's hands formed into a life-state, and he started hurling bolts of essence at the swarm.


 * Sarec - Damnation these creatures are tough.

Mu turned around and fired his anti-essence rifle at the Warriors while running backwards. Some of the Warriors were shot down, whilst others began to crawl faster.


 * Mu - Well, I think I made them angrier.

The team eventually caught sight of Tau again, who found a relatively large personal cruiser, originally one of the commander's ships. Hachi tried to fire Dream Energy spheres as he ran, although they did not apear to be doing much. Sarec teleported in front of the entrance and blasted shockwaves at the warriors.


 * Kithworto - There! In!
 * Arsac - That ship will have to do. Everyone on board now!
 * Mu - No need to say twice!
 * Koluap - Ngh, I can see why Macin hates these things.
 * Nu - What about the damn swarm behind us?!
 * Kithworto - I'm not gonna destroy the planet if that's what you're thinking!
 * Arsac - If they ever get out of Adniliho it'll be in the Inquisition's hands.
 * Nu - Just blow up the damn planet! You could start off a damn pandemic or something!
 * Kithworto - Actually, I have a better idea.
 * Tharaqím - Don't remind me about demon pandemics.
 * Kithworto - Just get on the ship.

Arkarixus extended his back limbs and used them to catapult himself into the ship's entrance. The Agents all ran on to the ship, with Psi going in last. Arsac and Lemmo climbed aboard, Sarec helped Hachi on board but stayed at the entrance. Koluap and Tharaqím entered right after.


 * Eta - I really wish Kithworto would stop doing the save the world thing. Guy's gonna burn himself out.
 * Sarec - Everyone aboard?

Kezoreg rushed forward while Kalcedia leaped over him. Tau went over to the controls of the ship, and the ship violently let itself off the surface. Macin was already inside, sitting down, holding on her own arms, and appeared to be shivering. The ship stabilized before it made course off the surface. Nu looked out of the front of the ship, looking at Kithworto. Sarec appeared inside the ship and walked over to Macin.


 * Sarec - Macin...once we are clear, would you like to join me in meditation?
 * Macin - ...P-please do...I've f-f-fought these things b-b-b-before...and now I've s-s-s-seen one g-g-g-give birth...
 * Nu - Come on, blow up the damn planet!

Hachi approached Macin and watched her shiver. Tilting his head, he leaped forward and hugged her warmly with a smile. Macin began emitting a sound similar to a dog's whining. Koluap watched in both surprise and confusion.


 * Sarec - It will calm your mind.

Kalcedia's body steamed with vapour as she sat at the rear of the ship to herself, her body struggling to keep solid as her anger made her skin and structure begin to degenerate.


 * Kalcedia - Last time I take a nap and trust you guys.

From the outside, a bright white explosion could be seen. As Nu looked at the surface, the surface began to freeze over as a harsh and powerful wind blew the ship aside. Kithworto reappeared on the ship, in a vastly golden appearance, with an icy aura surrounding the ship's interior. As his form returned to normal, the ice began to dissolve.


 * Arkarixus - What was that?
 * Kithworto - A little something I haven't used in a long time.
 * Arsac - If I were to guess...i'd say you discharged all the latent thermal energy in the air. One second nominal termperatures, the next absolute zero.
 * Kithworto - Correct, I suppose. Life Energy has the power to do that.
 * Tharaqím - Interesting.
 * Sarec - Looks like we have a living cryo bomb on our team.
 * Upsilon - Any more tricks you have up your sleeve?
 * Kezoreg - I sure hope so.
 * Kithworto - There's always more tricks.
 * Psi - Wait, so...what?
 * Mu - Giving you a zombie hand.
 * Kithworto - Hm. This ship is rather stately. Defensive systems ought to be pristine. Hm. This will be a good residence for the time being.
 * Koluap - Let us enjoy the calm before the inevitable shitstorm.
 * Sarec - In service to gods or not, it appears not even Dominion commanders are immune to the urge to have mroe stately property than theri subordinates.
 * Kithworto - Mortal nature is mortal nature. I suggest we take a look around the ship just in case a Nexus Grox is on it.
 * Arkarixus - Ugh. Don't remind us.
 * Sarec - I'd still say the Worldfather's Grace has more class.
 * Hachi - Last time we saw a Nexus Grox, these guys woke it up!

All of the Agents looked dauntingly at Hachi.


 * Hachi - ...What?
 * Sarec - Hachi do you rememebr the times I told you that it's sometimes nicer to withold stating the truth?
 * Hachi - Is it one of those times?

Sarec nodded.


 * Kithworto - We should find the quarters. A ship of this size must accommodate around 50.''
 * Arsac - I'd happily set up residence in a cargohold if needs be.
 * Psi - Dibs on the commander's cabin!

Kithworto looked at Psi with a raised brow.

Encyclopedia Problematic
Tharaqím checked through the ship's controls, until he found something.


 * Tharaqím - Wait. I found some logs. Three more. Tharaqím - Two of them are from Shu'wokerama. But the third one...I don't identify the name.
 * Kithworto - What is the name?
 * Tharaqím - "Zr'An'Kar".
 * Sarec - That would be .

Kithworto let out a slight growl.


 * Arkarixus - Kolossus? But we destroyed him.
 * Hachi - Probably outdated.
 * Kithworto - You do not destroy beings like Kolossus that easily.
 * Tharaqím - I'll just put these to play.

Tharaqím put the first log to play.

"We have come across this Hserelie who appears to follow the Corruptus' ways like a religion. We have proposed partnership, which he appeared delighted to accept. It confused us. Mortals usually fear us, but this one did not."

"This servant appears eager to serve our causes. It...pleases us. Our powers are returning, allowing us to create a small force of demons to serve as this servant's enforcers. However, rivalry between him and the Zanierton has been noticed. It is unacceptable. We shall not allow internal fighting when we wish to rise again."


 * Mu - Hserewhat now?
 * Eta - Dunno.
 * Hachi - ...Mordati.
 * Kithworto - The next one.

"We have watched this Inalton for some time and we have lured him into a wild planet. We have offered partnership, and he accepted, but desired to battle us. He actually managed to cause a minor blade wound on our tail, which did not matter much. He has guts to face us up-front like this, and we like that."

"The Inalton's prowness of Dark Chronoscopic powers pleases us. Kolossus failed his task with his army of mentally defective animals, and we have found a worthy replacement. His fighting skills shall be tested once our link with the master is recreated."


 * Arkarixus - Genrai Nal.
 * Nu - Yeah, these are quite outdated. About 8 years ago.
 * Arsac - This Kolossus sounds like an underperformer.
 * Koluap - By animals he must mean the original Loron'Kikra.
 * Arsac - Or his Loron worshippers.
 * Tharaqím - Now for Zr'An'Kar's log...

"Broken...defeated...cursed...I have been casted down, for the fourth time...Rhigeo Fuerq, Tuolog, Tyraz Breek...Mac. Curse you. Curse you all. You have ruined me. You have ruined me in the eyes of the Horsemen. You have ruined me in my own eyes. I am what I most despite: a sub-immortal. Cursed, lost my five dimensional power, unable to achieve my true potential. Curse you all."

"Zargoth...you have failed as a master. Following you brought me nothing but pain, suffering and disappointment. I hope you died at the end of the war, even though I cannot tell right now. You are past, I am future. I will follow no one but the Horsemen now. Draguros has given me another chance. I will make him proud. Curse you all."

"Tyraz Breek...I will haunt you and your descendants for all eternity. I will rip off your wings like you have done to mine. I will return, Onuris Universe. I will return, and I will not fail again. I will not. Curse you all."


 * Arkarixus - This is recent. Kolossus is still alive...
 * Kezoreg - Boy am I glad I'm not related to that Tyraz guy.
 * Arsac - Be mindful of your heritage boy.

Kithworto looked at Kezoreg with slight scepticism.


 * Kezoreg - I am. I am of Kicath heritage, you crow.
 * Arsac - Tyraz Breek has done much for Dranvamus. Iit disgusts me you cast him aside. In fact i've seen your file, you have no Kicath heritage.
 * Mu - You're an Asgord aberrant, that's what you are.

Kezoreg grunted and walked away from the group with disgust. Nu let out a sharp breath and almost laughed, whilst Tau looked at him angrily.


 * Tharaqím - Team...I found a fourth log...
 * Hachi - A fourth log?
 * Kithworto - Another Kolossus log?
 * Tharaqím - No...It goes by the name of "Aknatazán".

All of the Agents stood still and looked at Kithworto. Kezoreg looked towards Kithworto and froze.


 * Nu - What.
 * Arsac - Perhaps there is an explaination.

"Our master has been defeated. 47,803 years and nothing has since transpired in Shard nor this mortal plane. I believe that this does indeed mark an end to our race. We have since been stranded here, and we cannot leave this forsaken planet. Our only hope is to reincarnate ourselves through the ages until we are forgotten entirely...how long is that going to take? "

"To live among Kicath as a Kicath. To conceal my eternal self in a mortal form. If this takes me until the great masters' reawakening, then so be it...granted that with time, I will forget my existence as what I am... "

Kithworto stood silent as his voice was played back to him.


 * Tharaqím - This is dated March 15th, 444,444 BC.
 * Tau - Kithworto, is there something you're not telling us?
 * Kezoreg - I'm calling massive bullshit.
 * Arsac - ...Perhaps this explains Kithworto's heritage.
 * Koluap - You got some explaining to do.

Kithworto remained silent as he walked over to the terminal, and smashed it completely with his fist. He then stormed off, a trail of debris following him, to the Commander's cabin.


 * Sarec - I'd say he's upset.
 * Arkarixus - Hmm. He mentioned forgetting his own existence. I think it worked.

Kezoreg let out a pained grunt and walked off the scene, retreating to the back of the ship where nobody could find him. Hachi looked on with a concerned expression, but he kept to himself and looked down.


 * Mu - Well I'll not be the one asking him about it. I don't want my second body half to die.
 * Tau - Well we knew Kithworto was a Xi'Arazulha...but...
 * Zeta - Let him explain himself. Give him time.
 * Sarec - Immortal ancestor or not. We can all see that Kithworto is not a man who is our enemy.

Kalcedia walked into the room, a raised eyebrow on her face as she looked towards the terminal and the debris.


 * Kalcedia - I heard banging.
 * Koluap - Oh, shut up.
 * Macin - May we have that meditation session now?
 * Nu - Heck, I might even join you. An angry Kithworto is an apocalyptic one.
 * Mu - You? Meditating? C'mon.
 * Nu - Hachi can vouch.
 * Sarec - Of course Macin. Hachi you are free to join us if you wish.

Tau looked amazed at Nu, and walked off, in Kithworto's direction. Hachi smiled and hugged Nu's leg happily. Nu ignored at him as he walked around the ship, with Hachi still attached to him.