Fiction:Second Great Cyrannus War/The New Shadow: Part IV - The Crimson Nightmare



 Second Great Cyrannus War: The New Shadow - Part IV: The Crimson Nightmare 

I · II · III · IV

 Chapter I: The Dark Front 

It is a dark time for the. Preoccupied with engaging in a multi-front battle for control over the New Republic throughout the First Gigaquadrant, the Empire's territories within its own heartland were left increasingly vulnerable. Striking fast upon claiming the fabled Spear of Ramielum from the hands of the, the demon lord launched a savage attack on his homeplanet of , usurping command of Basileus space from Imperial Grand Mandator  and inaugurating the dawn of a new era—the era of the Glorious Crimson Imperium of Cyrandia.

On distant, the capital of the Empire, Grand Mandator overlooked a starmap of Basileus space, his cold eyes darting from star to star, as the crimson glow of the map's holographic representation of the spread of the Crimson Imperium's spread from system to system, threatening dozens of worlds in the Syvehil and Vasuband sectors. Ordering fleets presently engaged with the Republic in the Core Worlds to relocate to the southern Outer Rim, Caesarius nevertheless commanded his own armada to disperse along the ill-defined border between Imperial and New Republic-held space, preventing Apollo's forces from capitalising on their recent victories and launching new offensives into the Core.

Turning his head to the map, he turned to face several assembled Phaedric Lords, including, and , the latter having recently faced Mar-Júun during his initial conquests during the Borealis Front of the war.


 * Archaxys: "The beast implied his efforts in Borealis were but the first act of a larger play. But I did not expect him to act so boldly."
 * Meketanor: "It ends now. I will destroy him and all of this followers!"
 * Moranonúngur: "We must be cautious. The demon is more wily than even I anticipated."
 * Meketanor: "I will lead the offensive myself. I shall bring his severed head to the Dark Lord, and the Corruptus shall never return to taint our galaxy with their filth!"

Grand Mandator Caesarius placed his hands behind his back and turned to face them.


 * Caesarius: "The use of fleets and war machines may not be necessary. If a Phaedric Lord were to face this monstrosity, I am confident they would manage."
 * Moranonúngur: "Incorrect. The Order may confront Mar-Júun himself, but he still has a fleet scouring the space around Vasuband, enslaving what worlds they encounter. The might of the Imperial army and navy must be deployed at once."
 * Caesarius: "Perhaps, yes. And yet, remove the head from the snake and the body whithers and dies."

Meketanor turned to Caesarius, his teeth clenched as he grew irritated.


 * Meketanor: "This is not a request, "politician". It is an order! I demand an army to follow me in the retaking of Vasuband! The Corruptus must be crushed beyond salvation!"
 * Caesarius: "You have no authority over me, Lord Meketanor. You shall have my fleets, but you shall have them because the Emperor wills."
 * Meketanor: "Watch your mouth, mortal vermin! Unlike the Dark Lord, I need no reason to keep you breathing. Once I return from battle, you and I shall speak in private."

The massive Marinox begun walking away, his arms open.


 * Meketanor: "Watch as a true servant of the Dark Lord works!"

 Chapter II: The Republic Reacts 

In the halls of power on, panic gripped the New Republic—still struggling to impose order over the chaos unleashed upon it during the fiery Cataclysm. In the Presidential Pyramid, sat at his desk with his claws steepled. Around him had gathered several senators, as well as his own Presidential staff and military joint chiefs, to discuss the ramifications the fall of Vasuband would doubtlessly have on the war effort.

The Fleet Admiral  clenched his fist for emphasis.


 * Gialu Kaedar: "Now is the time to strike! Now is the time to launch an immediate attack on, besiege the interior, and rendezvous with the Alberensians for a joint strike on . With their forces pulled back to Vasuband, the Empire is more vulnerable now than it ever has been. We may not get another chance!"
 * : "Don't be too hasty, Admiral. If the Empire is victorious, they pull their forces back, and destroy us all. If the Corruptus win, they march forward, and destroy us all. We need to consider joining them in fighting these nightmares. Who knows, it could bring about lasting peace between us? A common enemy often makes for unusual friends."

Apollo furrowed his brow.


 * Apollo: "There will be no partnership with the Empire, Ambassador. Not while I sit in this office."

Cyrellon bowed his head sycophantically.


 * Apollo: "We can't sit idly by while the Corruptus pillage the galaxy. But there can be no peace with the Empire. Not even in the face of such a threat. Send word to the . And let us hope that they have what it takes to save us."

 Chapter III: The Cyborg Warrior and the Nightmare King 

Under the leadership - or perhaps more accurately, angered order-barking - of Lord Meketanor, an Imperial fleet made its way directly to Vasuband, the heart of the Crimson Imperium, in order to deal with the problem on its roots. In what was a contrast to most worlds attacked by the Corruptus, it seemed the Basileus homeworld was spared from being charred and warped, save for its atmosphere having grown dark and blackened, perhaps because Mar-Júun did not want to sully its image - or he was waiting for the right time. Upon arrival, the fleet was met with the sight of corrupted ships from Borealis and vessels of Cognatus origin, which immediately opened fire. As the battle over Vasuband ensued, forces begun deploying to the surface in order to open a path for Meketanor to reach Mar-Júun and deal with him himself.

Commanding the Imperial fleet under Meketanor's baleful glare was Admiral, chosen for her experience against the Corruptus during the Borealis Front. In the period since, Camarelur, obsessed with reclaiming her honour and prestige lost by the Imperial defeat in Borealis, prepared for this day—when she would unleash the power of her Judicator-class battlecruiser on the Empire's foes. Meeting the twisted husks of what were once Imperial and Cognatus vessels, Camarelur pushed hard against the Corruptus fleet, unleashing the full force of her armada's turbolaser batteries on the demon fleet.

On the surface, as the shuttles opened and allowed the army to advance, many were distraught over the state of Vasuband, those of Basileus descent the most; the darkness which enveloped the world had the very air heavy, and the skies were covered in such a way the sun did not shine through, leaving it in perpetual twilight. Opposing their attack, corrupted kidnapped from the Quadrants and undead  warriors emerged and at that moment, an onslaught begun to ensue. The slaves of the Corruptus were overcome with a frenzied rage unlike any they had ever witnessed, and fought with unmatched ferocity.

Meketanor cut through the ranks of nightmarish creatures, eventually resorting to rapidly climbing the walls of buildings in order to leap from one to another, quickly making his way to the Crimson Tower. Before he reached it, however, he was struck by a blast of vile energies, forcing him to stop atop a rooftop as Mar-Júun himself appeared before him, his two blades in hand as he appeared to wear regal, ornamented armor fit for an emperor.


 * Meketanor: "You! Have you lowered yourself to trying to copy the majesty of the Dark Lord?"
 * Mar-Júun: "Yes, I was hoping you would come. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist the chance to face me again, machine."
 * Meketanor: "Our schism as gone for far too long. Today, it ends! I will crush your skull beneath my foot!"
 * Mar-Júun: "I will enjoy this... Come, and let us be done with this!"

The two entities clashed, Meketanor swinging his energy blade and striking against Mar-Júun's own daggers, causing shocks of energy to flare around them as they unleashed their powers. Despite towering over Mar-Júun, the Marinox found himself unable to overpower him through force alone, the Vanguard easily being able to stand his ground as he delivered quick and merciless blows against him, chipping through his armored hide.

The two of them jumped back, creating distance between them as, from Meketanor's fingers, a blast of lightning was launched at Mar-Júun's direction, with the demon responding with a stream of blackened, purple flames from his own hand, the clashing energies exploding between them.


 * Meketanor: "You think yourself my equal? A rival? Bah! You are nothing! You and your filthy kind will be scoured from our universe! The Dark Lord will see your precious 'gods' erased from history!"
 * Mar-Júun: "Try as he might, the Corruptus will never stop returning. We rise again, and again, each time stronger than before... stronger than you, and any who would oppose us!"

Leaping through the dust created by the explosion, Mar-Júun struck at Meketanor, stabbing his blades into the Marinox's hide and causing its venomous energies to seep through his mechanical entrails, causing him immense agony. However, it seemed Meketanor was not programmed to feel pain, as he only retaliated with enhanced rage, swinging his blade vertically at Mar-Júun and slashed through his armor, creating a visible hole through it. He then thrust an arm forward at the demon, unleashing a blast of force which sent the Basileus reeling back, forcing him to dig his talons into the rooftop and slide through it in order to not get knocked off his feet.

Looking back at his ruined armor, Mar-Júun's eyes narrowed; he had now lost his patience. As Meketanor charged to strike once more, the Basileus' very form transformed into a mass of tendrils which struck back at the Marinox, immobilizing his arm and knocking the blade out of his hands. Quickly retaking his Basileus shape, the demonic lord then attacked again, thrusting his blades against Meketanor's torso and leaving them there as he shrieked in pain, falling to one knee. A fiendish growl came out of Mar-Júun as he used his own claws, enhanced by his power, to tear through the hide of Meketanor's head, piercing through his eyes and leaving him blind as he then clenched his hands into his head, his claws jabbing into him as nightmarish energy begun poring into him.


 * Mar-Júun: "Fall before the new lord of Cyrandia!"

Meketanor begun thrashing in agony, purple essence shining through cracks which formed over his hide as he was slowly - and very, very painfully - burned from the inside out. He had only the chance to do one plea;


 * Meketanor: "M-Master Tyrómairon!! H-Help me-"

Blasting his essence into Meketanor, Mar-Júun utterly destroyed the Marinox, causing him to explode into shining ashes which were quickly blown away into the wind. He looked at the damage sustained through the fight and frowned at having his newly ordered armor ruined, all while his forces savagey beat the Imperial army who quickly got wind that the Phaedric Lord leading the attack had been killed in action.

Ordering a retreat, the Imperial forces rushed back to their shuttles as fast as they could as the forces of the Glorious Imperium gave chase, killing any who was not quick enough. In the atmosphere above Vasuband, the mothership Dark Dream, now under the command of Warmaster, focused on taking down any shuttles trying to escape as he sought to not just back Jora Camarelur now that their offensive was shattered, but also humiliate the Empire as much as he could.


 * Xae Vandon: "How I missed the feeling of watching the Libertus and their precious allies be torn asunder as they deserve... Run back to your Emperor, infidels, and warn him he is next."

Trivia

 * Written by and.