Fiction:Second War of Black Fog/Part 1

"The Five come, and with them, doom sure follows!"

The Wrath of the Five is the first part of the, notable for being the time where the Dark Five attacked the First Gigaquadrant.

=Initial Invasion=

Coming of the Floral Menace
It was an usual quiet day at the. Men and women worked as usual with their normal routine, maintaining a colony localized far away from the core colonies. Their productivity had increased considerably the last month and they were been praised for how fast they were advancing. The advisors on the colony were more than proud of their work and the work of the colonists.

Children played in a park, some of them flying around eagerly. It was a beatiful day to play outside, and even though all of them had virtual reality games they could play, some time outside with their friends in flesh was good. One Dracogovaesis girl pointed up on the sky, and the entire group of children gasped in awe.

It's a shooting star!

Oh, it's so beautiful!

Quick, make a wish!

Pfff, you're so dumb, it's just a comet.

Who cares, it looks pretty!

Indeed, there was a shooting star on the sky, even though it was day, it was clearly visible. Many men and women looked up, to admire at it. It had an unique, purple glow, unusual for a shooting star. But the unusually had only started there. More shooting stars appeared...and the first star grew larger. And larger. And larger. It crashed in the middle of the city, created a gigantic crater. A blast of purple fire erupted out of it, and gigantic vines grew out of it. A huge, cyclopic visage emerged out of the smoke and let out a healthy, taunting laugher. The surviving guards around the city fired their weapons at it, but whatever it was, it felt nothing. The monster's vines wrapped the buildings around it and threw them away effortlessly, all while laughing hearthily. Its tentacles wrapped themselves on the population and lifted them into its five mouths, devouring them whole.

Feed me, mortals, feed me now!

The other shooting stars all crashed on the planet as well, revealing themselves to be smaller versions of the gigantic monsters. The things, these...plants...they overran the cities and completely wrecked the surprised military, caught totally by surprise. Among the chaos, portals formed, and emerged, to join in the carnage. The monstrous leader, Laidar, the Floral Menace, ate the planet whole with its tentacles and crushed the planet's core itself with its immense roots. Such extensive were his vines that the planet's crust had been completely overrun in a matter of three hours.

In a blast, Laidar forced its tentacles, breaking the planet's crust like if it was a mere rock. The demon plant had no fear of the immense heat of the planet's interior, and just kept feeding. Its diet of mortal blood would hardly be satisfied by a single world. More were needed. The Marinoxidiz retreated as the world crumbled, the children of the demon teleporting away as it erupted itself from the ground and blasted itself out of the planet into outer space, to join itself into a huge nebula of black fog. Behind it, only remained a crumbled, destroyed planet.

The Dark Five had arrived on the Milky Way.

Warrior Scholar
Following Laidar's invasion, news were spreading all over the Dracogonarious about the dark nebula that began advancing into its territory. The Supreme Advisors grew more and more worried as they saw images of the invaders. These "beasts" were unlike anything the Dracogonarious had ever seen, as they had never dealt with essence in the past, with a single exception which they still did not completely understand. They had to do something about it, and as such, the highest ranking commandant of the Empire was called for a meeting with the Supreme Advisors and the Emperor himself.

Commandant, son of the legendary , made his way through the halls of the Emperor's palace. The capital of the government, the palace had an almost ancient look, as the Emperors of the Dracogonarious had saw it as a good way of honouring the very first leaders. Despite this, it was by no means a rudimentary building, being plated in a shining silver look, with extensive flora as decorations around pillars and in the middle of large rooms.

Upon arriving into the throne room, Jerkon bowed to the Emperor and his advisors. The Emperor, named Garolei Kronk, was the original Great Science Lord's most recent ancestor.


 * Jerkon - Excuse me for being late.
 * Garolei - Worry not, commandant, you arrived just in time. We were just waiting for your arrival to resume the war plans.
 * Jerkon - I see.

Jerkon approached the desk where the Emperor and the Advisors were discussing. In it, there was a large holographic map of the Dracogonarious Empire, showing the movement of the dark nebula, which was advancing through its southern region.


 * Garolei - As you can see, this anomaly has advanced and destroyed a total of six colonies in a matter of five days.
 * Advisor 1 - By what we have identified, it appears to be made of similar material to what the famous warchief of the Klamb Tribe can capable of harnessing.
 * Jerkon - Have you come to conclusions about it?
 * Advisor 2 - Unfortunately, we have not yet discovered what her..."power"...is.
 * Advisor 3 - I would suggest requesting help from her. Relations with the Klamb are positive, and she has shown her battle prowness already during tests.
 * Garolei - Is using the leader of a pre-industrial a viable choice? I would rather not involve innocents. And again, she is a tribeswoman.
 * Jerkon - I am willing to seek her and request her aid. She may have knowledge of what is the invasion force. She will be presented the offer and will take it at her own risk.

Garolei nodded to Jerkon.


 * Garolei - So be it, then. But still, take caution. She is an unique specimen.
 * Jerkon - I will take note of it. Now, I must know exactly what the enemy is.
 * Advisor 2 - You were not yet presented?

The advisor changed the hologram, to show an image of a Marinoxidiz. Upon taking sight of it, Jerkon was paralyzed on the spot.


 * Jerkon - ...But they are extinct.
 * Advisor 1 - That was what we believed too, until five days ago.
 * Jerkon - Are the Grox with them?
 * Garolei - The Grox have not been encountered in any of the attacks, but we do not dismiss the possibility of their involvement. For now, we believe the best strategy is to gather allies and find wherever this "nebula" is originating from.
 * Advisor 3 - If the Marinox are back, they may be attacking more empires. I suggest seeking aid from the Spinkers.

Jerkon grinded his teeth.


 * Jerkon - Koluap...
 * Garolei - Any problems, commandant?
 * Jerkon - Their admiral. Probably the most unrealiable and unlikeable character I've come across.
 * Advisor 2 - I'm afraid you will have to put that behind you, for the good of the Empire. Seek allies and combat this invasion.
 * Garolei - The Marinox fell before us once, and they will fall before us again. No retreating, and no surrendering.
 * Jerkon - Hm. I will do so, for the Empire.
 * Advisor 1 - We will be waiting your reports, commandant. Good luck.

Wth this, Jerkon left the room and made his way back to the spaceport. He'd have to work with people he really didn't enjoy, but in times of crisis, it's better to have an annoying ally than no ally at all.

The Klamb Warchief
Jerkon's ship, the Legacy, made its way to Planet Klambah, homeworld of the. The planet was notable across the Empire for being the only planet where a Dracogonarious colony and a pre-industrial tribe co-existed peacefully. The Klamb tribe and the Dracogonarious, despite their technological differences, could live together by enchanging favours. The Dracogonarious showed the Klamb new forms of technology and news ways of using the land, while the Klamb provided the Dracogonarious with information about their culture and their criminals as test subjects.

Leading the Klamb was a mysterious and very ancient woman called. Unlike other Klamb, she was blue and golden, had wings and radiated an aura of power. The Dracogonarious had colonized Klambah around 1,340 years ago, and Macin had been the warchief of the Tribes since then. The scientists of the Empire were fascinated by her, but she refused to be studied.

Jerkon, following the roads created by the Klamb, until he arrived to the central tribal outpost of the Klamb. The citizens of the area were all friendly and waved at Jerkon, calling him "sky man". Jerkon looked around until he spotted the largest hut. One Klamb woman approached him and smiled.

At this moment, Macin Xermilin left the hut and walked up to Jerkon, helped by her warchief staff. Jerkon was surprised by the notable physical difference between her and all other Klambs, while Macin looked at Jerkon's eyes with interest.
 * Klamb - How can we help the sky man today?
 * Jerkon - I am looking for your warchief.
 * Klamb - Oh, I'm sorry. The warchief is busy right now.
 * ??? - I am here.


 * Klamb - Oh, warchief. You said you were not going to-
 * Macin - This one is different. Leave us.

The Klamb bowed and quickly left. Jerkon looked at the scene in confusion, but then turned to Macin again.


 * Macin - I expected your arrival.
 * Jerkon - Hmm? Well, I'll get to the subject. Our emp-
 * Macin - The nightmares have risen. I am aware.
 * Jerkon - Excuse me?

Macin paced left and right, with a worried look.


 * Macin - I was not allowed to comment on this, but they are here now.
 * Jerkon - Comment on what?
 * Macin - The nightmare folk. Evil beings with dark magic powers. They have come to end the world.
 * Jerkon - "Magic"? Please.
 * Macin - Magic is real, sky man. The nightmare folk have come to destroy everything! My teacher said so before she left!
 * Jerkon - Wait wait. Your teacher?
 * Macin - Yes. She is one of the dream folk. Thea'Nhirara, that's how she called herself. She brings destinies. Mine will come one day, but not for a few years.

Jerkon groaned and rolled his eyes, believing Macin was being delusional. However, once she noticed him doing so, she aimed her staff at him, and Jerkon was thrown up and locked in midair. He waved his limbs, startled.


 * Jerkon - What the?! How did you do this?!
 * Macin - Magic is real, sky man! I have it! The nightmare folk have it! But their magic is bad. It needs to be stopped, or the nightmares will end the world.
 * Jerkon - ...Telekinesis...but how...

Macin slowly put Jerkon down. The Dracogonarious shook his head, still startled from the incident. He then looked at Macin and adjusted his uniform.


 * Jerkon - Wel...magic or not, you really do have a power in you. My sources say your power is similar to that of the new Marinox.
 * Macin - I use dream magic. They use nightmare magic.
 * Jerkon - So you're saying your power and theirs are opposites?
 * Macin - Indeed.
 * Jerkon - Are there any more with this "power"?
 * Macin - Only my Teacher, and I have not seen her in over four thousand years.

Jerkon's eyes widened.


 * Jerkon - ...Macin, how old are you?
 * Macin - Five thousand years.
 * Jerkon - ...Right. Are you willing to leave this place and join me to stop the "nightmare folk"?
 * Macin - Of course. Just let me prepare myself and appoint a temporary warchief while I'm gone.

Jerkon nodded and left the area. He came to the planet for answers, but only got even more questions. Anyway, Macin was part of his crew now. The next step would be the Spinker Empire...

Attack at Eris
Eris, a colony of in the Milky Way, acting as there capital planet there was small and lush and green. Filled with happy citizens and hard working Rambo Nation people, though it was also defended by a small fleet and military force. During the 4th month of the year 04 AQF, during the Quadrantia Disorder.

The dreaded Marinoxidiz arrived at the planet, huge creatures and very powerful. They arrived just with 5 of them, but the arrival of such a huge creatures Eris sounded the alarm and immidate the militairy prepared to attack. Sadly, they were no match and the tanks, Argo Wagons and even the Morty's were falling from the skies and burned. The Marinoxidiz just smiled and looked happy. They nodded and left the planet. The Marinoxidiz arrived at Eris to investigate the defences of Rambo Nation and to hack the database there. The Marinoxodiz succeeded, if there would be an attack at the Milky Way or Earth, Eris was severly weakened and the date they stole didn't had anything classified or secret, but containted the basic information about Rambo Nation, the Cyrandia Alliance and there various ways of living and locations. Valuable information for a race which isn't familair with the Cyrannus nor the Quadrant Galaxies.

And ofcourse, the battle was just fun for the Marinoxidiz, defeating them also meant whispers and rumors would spread across the Quadrant Galaxies. Sending fear and caution, the Rambo would think twice before attacking the Marinoxidiz, even it there allies would aid them.

The Taking of Kaizox
Planet was the former homeworld of the Marinox. It was their place of creation and their capital when their empire still existed. It was also the closest planet to the former capital of the Milky Way Grox. Despite being quite close to the Galactic Core and as such, bathed daily by extreme amounts of radiation, the Grox had enveloped the planet in a protective layer which allowed the Marinox to live in a synthetic environment. When Kaizox fell 600 years in the past, all traces of its original inhabitants were replaced with science teams from both the Dracogonarious Empire and their allies. It had become a symbol of peace and a representation of the bond created by the races of the Milky Way when they joined forces to defeat the Grox. The nebula of the Corruptus arrived to the Galactic Core, unflinching by the radiation, and before any of the forces around the planet could do anything, the Marinoxidiz appeared in the surface. Leading this force was their leader himself,, who ordered all aliens in the planet to be decimated. Followed by demons and s, the Marinoxidiz annihilated the science teams. In the middle of the carnage, appeared and turned to Marigrax, whose blade was stained by Dracogonarious blood.


 * Arrtkar - I take you are having fun.
 * Marigrax - I will not allow these "vermin" to defile my throne.
 * Arrtkar - Your throne is to become a new Overworld. Finish your deed, while I arcanise your star. Let none survive.
 * Marigrax - These creatures are not deserving of the Devourer's blessing.

Arrtkar disappeared, while Marigrax returned to battle. In space, the humongous nebula launched blasts at the star which Kaizox orbited. The star became unstable and began pulsating, but they were not tryign to destroy it. Instead, the star began shining in a shade of purple and was eventually enveloped by a crust of pure entropic energy, which began growing in size. At the planet, what remained of the Dracogonarious forces watched as the sky mutated into a purple nightmare above their heads.


 * Dracogonarious soldier - Warn Mission Control! Kaizox is lost! Get help!
 * Marigrax - Help yourself in the grave!

Marigrax stomped the soldier into the ground and let out a roar as all Dracogonarious in the planet had been slaughtered. The mutated star shined above the Marinoxidiz, causing the land of the planet to slowly be corrupted. The new Overworld was being created.

Spinker Discussions
Arriving into orbit of the homeworld of Kingus, Jerkon contacted the Empress,  for a conference. The Spinkers were one of the many species bioengineered by the Dracogonarious, and because of the extensive list of similarities in their genetic codes, the species kind of considered each other as siblings. As Jerkon's hologram appeared to Empress Windey, he bowed to her in respect, even though there really was no need for that.


 * Jerkon - Greetings, Empress Windey.
 * Windey - It has been a while, Commandant.
 * Jerkon - I take you already know the reason I am here today.
 * Windey - Indeed...the same creature who attacked your planets is advancing through Spinker colonies, followed by these new Marinox.
 * Jerkon - So I believe your cooperation is already secured.

Windey smiled and crossed her arms.


 * Windey - You don't ahve to be so cold, Jerkon.
 * Jerkon - ...Oh....I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
 * Windey - It's okay. Now, I believe Admiral Koluap is still here at the government palace. I'll get him to join you.

As Windey left the screen, Jerkon groaned. Macin approached him by his side, looking confused.


 * Macin - What bothers you?
 * Jerkon - Koluap is a mentally defective liability.
 * Macin - What?
 * Jerkon - I am not exaggerating. He has been diagnosed with insanity. I've worked with him briefly in the past, and those were some of my worst missions
 * Macin - So you're saying...he's bonkers on the head?
 * Jerkon - Hm. Yes, you could say that.

It was then that a new face appeared on Jerkon's screen. It was quite unlike Windey. She was delicate, quiet, and kind of cute. This figure was gruff, ugly and already entered the discussion screaming. He looked at Jerkon and narrowed his eyes, while showing off his teeth at him.


 *  - Eh? You?
 * Jerkon - Admiral Koluap. It is a...pleasure.
 * Koluap - No it ain't! I ain't working with you for whatever reason!
 * Macin - You don't even know why we are here!
 * Koluap - I didn't ask your opinion, you whatever-the-hell-you-are!
 * Jerkon - Koluap, you are being illogical...again.
 * Koluap - Don't provoke me, you self-centered nerd!

Windey grabbed Koluap's shoulder and gave him a very stern look. Koluap stared at for several moments until he groaned and turned back to Jerkon and Macin.


 * Koluap - Uuugh. Fine. What do you want from me?
 * Jerkon - Did you not learn the news? The Marinox have returned, and they are attacking our empires.
 * Koluap - ...You mean that's not a joke?
 * Windey - Of course it's not a joke.
 * Koluap - ...Well. Right. Get your ship in here and I'll join you. But keep your blue dog pet away from me.
 * Macin - What did he just call me?!

Before the transmission could go any further, Jerkon closed it. The Spinkers were on his side, and as the ship made tis way to a dockbay to pick Koluap up, Macin prepared to give him a very good beating for what he said. Jerkon, noticing her intentions, did the most logical thing in this kind of situation: grabbed a snack and prepared to watch the show.

Herquie's Nightmare
It was another day at the Lokramin Space Station, located within the borders of the Bonio Republic. Home of some of the nastiest individuals of the region, it was a hub of crime and disorder. Greedy crimelords called this station home, though they all knew there was one individual they would never mess with. The Shadow Mercenary, they called him. A man of many battles, with a kill count higher than any other man in several light-years from Lokramin. His guild was well feared across the station, as anyone marked as a target by them was as well as dead. This Shadow Mercenary lived in the station as any other man, though he was well aware of his reputation, and made full use of it to get what he wanted.

Herquie Lhern, the one and only Shadow Mercenary, and master of the Lhern Guild. Entering a "men's club", he walked up to one of the various crimelords of the station, a businessman by the name of Fragrion. As he made his way to him, he watched the dancing females around the place. The guards of the club meanwhile glared at Herquie intensily, not as in anger, but as in they were terrified by his presence. Fragrion was drinking from a fine wive as Herquie approached him, taking the wine off his hand and drinking it himself.


 * Herquie - Hmpf. You call this a drink? You wuss.
 * Fragrion - You say that because you have no fine taste, my friend. Or it may be because of my saliva.
 * Herquie - You're a disgusting, fat, old bird, Fragrion.

The crimelord laughed and made room for Herquie to sit next to him. He had chosen a good location to sit on, at the upper floors of the club, giving them both a good views of the dancers below. One of the barmaids of the club walked up to the duo, taking more alcohol for them. Like the dancers, she wore mininal clothing, and as she saw Herquie, her expression changed to astonishment. Tall, musculous and scarred all over. As she served the drinks, she leaned up on him. The mercenary stared at her with a blank expression, moving his robotic eye at her direction.


 * Barmaid - Hey there, big boy. Would you like one of our "special massages"?
 * Herquie - Massage, eh? Well, I've not had one in a few days now. My shoulders are starting to tire.

The woman passed her hands through Herquie's chest, putting herself against his large, imposing chest. Fragrion smoke a cigar and watched the scene in amusement, as he put more wine on his glass.


 * Barmaid - We should do something about that, don't you think?
 * Herquie - Well, now I can't refuse. I don't wanna see such a pretty doll with a sad face. Give me some minutes, and I will join you.

The barmaid winked at Herquie and walked away. He looked at her with as she left, with a smirk on his face.


 * Herquie - She's got a tail for sure.
 * Fragrion - Popular with both the business and the ladies, eh, big guy?
 * Herquie - Tell me why you called me here, Fragrion.
 * Fragrion - I got you a target. Easy money. It's one man who's being a thorn in my side, and a small legion of guards. Nothing the "Shadow Mercenary" can't solve.
 * Herquie - I don't like that nickname. It's so cheesy.
 * Fragrion - Then, after you're done, let's scrap it. Instead of Shadow Mercenary, why not King of Lokramin? Claws of Death?
 * Herquie - Pff. You're terrible at names.

It was at this momen that something entered the club. It was not like the rest of the men, who had come for fun, money and pleasure. This being was completely emotionless, with a blank expression and a robotic pattern. Its brown and striped skin made it stand on the crowd, and as the guards noticed it, they immediately aimed their weapons at it. They knew what that was, but why was it here? They were supposed to live on the galactic core. Why was that here?


 * Marinox - Cull.

The Marinox let out an order in a strange, robotic tongue, and the club was swarmed by several more of them. They attacked everything and everyone, causing destruction along the way. Noticing the carnage, Herquie jumped off his seat and ran off through a window, before the Marinox got upstairs and massacred Fragrion and the rest of the barmaids. These creatures had no need for pleasure. Their only objective was to destroy. Herquie opened his wings and flew around the streets, where the population was being culled by the Marinox hordes. He had to get to his headquarters fast, to gather his men and fight off the invasion.

As he got there, however, all he saw was his Guild being destroyed. He was a good distance away, but could still hear their cries.

"What are these monsters?!" "They're murdering everyone!" "Where's Herquie?!" "They just gunned him down!" "HELP US HERQUIE!"

Usually cold and calculating, Herquie fell to one of his knees. He had the trust of these men, his subordinates, soldiers, friends. And now they were being attacked for who-knows-what reason. It was then that he saw a hooded figure, roughly three and a half meters in heigth, who appeared to be ordering the Marinox. He put out his bladed knuckles, the weapons he had used to kill so many men before, and leaped into the figure. He wanted to tear it apart, limb from limb.

However, as he got close, the figure turned and grabbed one of Herquie's hands, stopping him in midair. Taking down his cloak, all Herquie saw was a monster.
 * ??? - Child.
 * Herquie - W-w-what the...
 * ??? - Interference. Unnacceptable. Watch the fire.

The monster forcefully turned Herquie around, causing great pain on his neck and arm. He grabbed his head to keep it still, turning him into the city's direction. The Marinox had disappeared, and replaced with more monsters. The station which Herquie had called him since birth was now in flames. He fought to break the monster's grip, but found it impossible.


 * Herquie - I don't know who you are...but I will rip you apart.
 * ??? - Threats. The poor man's fighting style.
 * Herquie - You're playing with fire, you abomination. I am more powerful than I look.
 * ??? - More powerful than the fire? Then fight it.

The monster threw Herquie very high into the air, causing him to freefall into the burning inferno's direction. He tried to move his wings, to no success. The heat began catching up, and his skin started to burn, until he finally hit the floor.

Herquie woke up, at his personal spaceship. He held on his head, still having the terrible nightmare in mind. It was then that his transmittor began beeping, as if someone was calling him. He groaned and walked up to it, accepting the transmission. A masked figure appeared on his screen.


 * ??? - Greetings, mercenary.
 * Herquie - Who're you and how did you get into this frequency?
 * ??? - A man with tools and a job to be done. And I am interested in your services.

Attack on the Kicath Empire
A rainy day went as normal on the. A powerful and old empire of silicon-based, reptilian-insectoid beings known as the, nothing of really interesting was really going on. On-duty, watched the population moving around, doing their thing. He was close to a bar, and planned to give it a visit when off-duty. He also watched several of the Empire's protectorate races also walking around. Despite their xenophoby, the Kicath lived together with them, and they appeared to be content with their situation. Two more Agents with similar armor approached Mu, who nodded to them.


 * Agent 1 - Everything going well. No action as far as we could see.
 * Mu - Hm. It's been a while since we saw some action.
 * Agent 2 - Downsides of being the peace-keeper force. Eventually, you actually get some peace.
 * Mu - Don't talk too loud. You might attract something.

The second Agent let out a chuckle, and at that moment, the rain stopped. The third Agent looked up, and his eyes narrowed. The sky had gone...purple. Cloudly, stormy, and purple. But those were not rain clouds.


 * Agent 2 - The hell?
 * Mu - Eh? What's up wi-

A huge meteor hit the city, launching all three of them away with the impact. The meteor spawned tentacles and vines around itself, and out of it, Laidar's head emerged and roared. Mu watched dumbfounded as one vine wrapped itself around the leg of the third Agent and took him. Mu and the second Agent watched as one of Laidar's mouths ate the Agent whole.


 * Agent 1 - It...it just ate him!
 * Mu - Siná'in, get back!
 * Laidar - Hmmmm...is this...silicon-based chemistry I'm tasting?...Excellent! I've have not tasted such in a long time!
 * Mu - Shit, it speaks even. Regroup!

Mu and the surviving Agent both ran out of the way, to take distance from the monster. As they ran past the population, they watched as Laidar's vines extended through the city, and swarms of spherical beings began appearing. A Kicathian Drone began emitting sounds, warning the population to not panic, but all it did was make it worse by hurting the ears of the citizens. Laidar looked annoyed at the Drone, and with a tentacle, pummeled it down into the ground, causing a large explosion. One of the spheric beings gave chase to Mu and his subordinate, and as it got close, it unleashed a blast of purple energy at the subordinate's back, which caused him to fall down on the floor.


 * Agent 1 - Argh!
 * Mu - ...Essence?

Mu reached his hand to get the subordinate back up, but before he could, the spherical being approached and entered the Agent's body through his mouth. He began jittering and spazzing, spikes forming out of his limbs, and his skin slowly changed into black and white. Mu watched in confusion, but as the Agent got back up, Mu jumped on him and stomped on his head until it was flattened, killing him. The spherical creature left the Agent's body, hissing at Mu before flying away.


 * Mu - ...That was a demon. There's demons attacking the planet!

More Agents approached Mu, all of similar armor as his.


 * Mu - Just great. I expected bar brawls, not the damned apocalypse!
 * Agent 3 - Orders, sir?
 * Mu - Well, keep away from the ball thingies, for one. But, about that huge tentacled thing...
 * Agent 4 - Sir, we have also detected immense cyborg aliens attacking alongside these...monsters.
 * Mu - Aliens AND demons? C'mon. I better get a promotion after this...We need an advantage point. Follow me and keep your guns primed. I need a good view of that huge thing.

Mu and the Agent squad ran through the chaos, evading possesseds, demons and more spherical monsters. As they had told, the cyborg aliens also made their appearence: the Marinoxidiz. On their path, Agents were forced to stay behind to fight them, lowering their numbers. As Mu and his team got to a relatively safe distance, he could get a good glimpse of the huge demon. He watched with genuine worry as it was as big as the city's largest buildings, and it wrapped its tentacles around it.


 * Mu - ...Shit.
 * Agent 4 - It's kilometers tall...how is that even possible?
 * Agent 5 - Hell, how do we even hurt something that big?
 * Mu - Where's the space fleet when you need it?
 * Agent 6 - Apparently all dead because of this nebula which's eating the planet. Great way to go.

Mu looked at his surroundings, and upon close inspection, he finally located himself within the city. He and his team were in a building's ceiling, close to several anti-aircraft cannons, and watching Laidar, he could notice a massive, pulsating organ on his chest. Connecting the dots, Mu turned to the rest of the Agents.


 * Mu - Right, I got a plan. You'll go in two teams, and go get these AA guns working. Team A will aim their guns at that whatever-the-fuck-it-is' chest, where there's that huge pulsating thing. Team B will fire them at the mouths. Those appear to be the most likely to be weakspots on it.
 * Agent 4 - Acknowledged.
 * Agent 5 - Hell, this is like a huge nightmare.
 * ??? - Hm hm hm hm, you could say that...

In front of the Agents, a large creature, nearly twice Mu's size appeared. . Mu gestured at the others to leave as he stepped forward to confront him by himself.


 * Mu - You're in charge of all this?
 * Arrtkar - In charge? No. I am but an agent.
 * Mu - Funny you say that. I'm also an agent. Except I'm not an aberrant.
 * Arrtkar - I care not for your goals, mortal. Your planet will make a fine feast for Laidar.
 * Mu - Yeah, about that. Tell your demon friend to get the hell off my planet before I blow it up.

Arrtkar laughed loudly at Mu's remark.


 * Arrtkar - Your innocence amuses me! But I can see into your thoughts. You are terrified of all this.
 * Mu - Might be, but it won't mean I'm gonna stay with my arms crossed.
 * Arrtkar - I accept your challenge then, mortal. Fight me!

Mu charged at Arrtkar to deliver a punch to him, but the demon stopped him on his tracks by launching tentacles out of his back. He lifted Mu off the floor and then threw him against it. Mu got up, and angered, grabbed one of the tentacles close to him and twisted it. Arrtkar shrieked and then threw him Mu over his head, crashing him against the floor again. Aiming his energy, he fire it at the Kicath, who only barely managed to avoid the attacks. As he ran, Arrtkar suddenly tackled him, trapping his helmet on his insectoid jaw.


 * Mu - You're a disgusting Kiltaránkisiatékagazátazhatmanaí!

Mu grabbed Arrtkar's mandibles and pushed him back. His maw was large enough to devour the Kicath's entire torso if he allowed him to get any closer. Delivering a kick, Mu hit Arrtkar's chest, which caused him to stumble back. Taking the opportunity, Mu delivered several full strength punches at the demon's chest, which knocked him off the building they were on. At this time, the AA guns began firing, hitting Laidar's chest and his open mouths. Fortunate for Mu, his theory was correct, and the giant demon screamed in pain from the attacks.


 * Laidar - Aagh! My throat! My heart! You mortals must feed me, not fight me!

Mu watched the fireworks as Arrtkar jumped up and levitated in front of him. He turned to Laidar to see him being attacked and frowned.


 * Arrtkar - This is not worth the effort. Retreat.
 * Laidar - The feast will have to wait...but I will taste you again.

Laidar curled into a ball and blasted itself upwards, leaving the city. The demon forces and Arrtkar disappeared in a black fog, and the sky slowly turned back to normal. Mu stood with a knee on the ground, panting, as the rest of the Agents ran up to him.


 * Agent 5 - Commander. You alright?
 * Mu - I better...get a damn promotion.
 * Agent 6 - He's alright.
 * Agent 4 - The demons are gone and the city was mostly saved. Though the death toll was probably worthy of a prize.
 * Agent 5 - A demon invasion...what do we do now?
 * Mu - Humff...I gotta get in contact with Alpha about this.

Death to Leaders
Emperor Garolei of the Dracogonarious organized a meeting with Empress Windey of the Spinkers and the presidency of a close ally of both empires, the Bonio Republic, on the Dracogonarious homeworld of Draka-2. Garolei was the first to arrive, as well as his advisors. Soon after, Windey and her diplomats appeared and took their seats. Lastly arrived President Trokiun of the Bonio. As they all took their seats, Garolei spoke.


 * Garolei - Greetings, allies. I've called you all here for this emergency meeting to discuss our plans to deal with this "nebula".
 * Trokiun - It arrived at the border of Bonio Republic territory today. The citizens are starting to panic from all the news being spread around the region.
 * Windey - We have to do our best to keep everyone calm. Panicking will only make things worse. Garolei, any word from Jerkon and Koluap?
 * Garolei - Unfortunately not, but I've seen reports of the nebula advancing to other empires. Victims include two empires known as Kicath and Rambo Nation, if I remember correctly.
 * Trokiun - We should probably get them to join us then. Get more allies, and think of ways to fight this threat.

Garolei showed images of Dracogonarious fleets attempting to directly confront the nebula with no success, as well as spaceships directly attacking Laidar.


 * Garolei - A frontal assault on the nebula is useless. And this individual creature, who appears to be the leader, is impervious to spaceship-grade missiles, blasts and lasers.
 * Windey - What is that thing...
 * Trokiun - It looks like something out of a nightmare.
 * Garolei - Whatever it is, we have to deal with it before it spreads this nebula any further.

At this moment, the door to the meeting room was kicked and blasted away through the room. A massive entity entered it, glaring at the leaders of the empires with its deep red eyes. It was Arrtkar Crowart. The soldiers around the room immediately aimed their weapons at him.


 * Trokiun - What the hell?!
 * Garolei - Who are you? How did you get here?
 * Arrtkar - I bring you a message from the Marinoxidiz, Dracogonarious.
 * Windey - ...Marinoxidiz?
 * Gerolei - Men! Shoot to kill!

The soldiers all shot at Arrtkar in union. They were soldiers of the Royal Guard, the most elite of the elite in the Dracogonarious Empire's military, outfitted with the most advanced weaponry and armor available. Yet, Arrtkar resisted their shots, looking at the soldiers as if they were nothing but meddlesome flies who insisted in poking him.


 * Arrtkar - Do you always shoot the messager like this? You will hear my message, you wanting it or not. Dear Emperor of the Dracogonarious...

Arrtkar leaped into the Dracogonarious emperor's direction and smashed his forehead with one of his four fists. The massive strength of the impact caused Garolei's head to explode, breaking the table next to him and splatting his blood and brains over the ones next to him, most notably Windey, who screamed in horror.


 * Arrtkar - ...DIE. Love, Emperor Marigrax.

The soldiers kept firing at Arrtkar, enraged by the brutal death of their emperor. President Trokiun tried to escape, only for Arrtkar to grab him by his tail and throw him against a wall. The impact tore a hole through it and crushed all of the poor Bonio's skeleton like it was made of glass. As he was distracted, Windey took the opportunity to run away, crying in fear from the incident. Arrtkar did not even notice, and just laughed as he turned his attention to the soldiers and walked into their direction.

His message was delivered.

Father's Worst Enemy
A combined Dracogonarious, Spinker and Bonio fleet made their way to the Bonio planet of Jalar. A highly populated Bonio colony, it was the current target of Lardar and his demons. As the fleet arrived into the system, the Corruptus nebula had already arrived to Jalar's atmosphere and demons rained into the planet to attack it. It had appeared the nebula had changed direction completely and was now going into the Bnio homeworld's direction.

At the fleet, Jerkon, Koluap, Macin, and the commanding officer of the Bonio fleet, Captain Horakius, watched the nebula from a safe distance. Horakius in particular looked enraged from the attack.


 * Horakius - Those monsters are attacking my homeworld! My entire family lives in Jalar!
 * Macin - Worry not, for thye will be saved, star man.
 * Jerkon - All ships in position. Unleash fire into the nebula.
 * Koluap - Finally, some action!

The combined fleet flew closer to the nebula and unleashed hell upon it. Blasts, bombs, lasers, all into the direction of this infrenal enemy which appeared unstoppable. Many shots went straight through the nebula, but the fleet could see some of them were actually hitting something. Parts of the nebula dispersed when hit, but slowly returned to normal.


 * Jerkon - So you are in fact solid, hm? Fire the shipeaters.

Thunder-class Dracogonarious ships took the front and fired special canisters into the nebula. Those canisters contained shipeaters, special biological nanomachines created to consume ships. Jerkon watched a console on his screen which showed the status of the fired canisters, and as they hit the nebula, something puzzled him. The shipeaters were being destroyed.


 * Koluap - Your nanothingies are not working.
 * Jerkon - They were destroyed but...by what?
 * Macin - It's the nightmare magic!

From the nebula itself, then, emerged a spaceship. At what looked like 45,000km in leight, it slowly movde into the combined fleet's direction. Koluap, Jerkon and Horakius' jaws dropped at the sheer size of it. Jerkon himself was the most startled, as he could see the ship had clear Grox design. Except it appeared as if it had been tore apart then united again. It was then that Jerkon received a transmission, and on his screen, appeared a Marinoxidiz.


 * ??? - Well, well, well. You're challenging me to a fight, hm?
 * Koluap - Who's this fag?
 * Jerkon - Identify yourself, creature.
 * ??? - Hmmmm...you look a lot like an old friend of mine. A Dracogonarious, well known for killing a certain race of cyborgs off over 500 years ago. You know him?

Jekron clenched his fists and growled. He knew well who the Marinoxidiz was talking about. It was his father,, famous for slayig the Marinox in the Battle for Planet Kaizox.


 * Jerkon - What is your relation to Drakley, fiend?
 * ??? - Drakley was my best friend. We played together so many times. With stabbing, shooting, piercing, exploding...good times.
 * Jerkon - I said, identify yourself.
 * ??? - I'm , mortal! And you are Drakley's snotty little kid! I can see it in your face you look as repugnant as he was!

Jerkon's eyes widened. Karnak was the most infamous of all Marinox, responsable for the genocide of countless planets and races back during the Grox wars 500 years in the past. Was he really bad? Did Jerkon's father fail in killing him off after all?


 * Koluap - I thought this guy was dead or something!
 * Jerkon - And he was...the Grox must have brought him back.
 * Karnak - Grox? Bahahahaha! You're adorable! The Grox are nothing but small, bothersome gnats who need to die. We have a new, better master now. We follow a god!
 * Macin - Nightmare people! He follows them!
 * Koluap - Wow, the Marinox turned into zealots now. If you wanted to get me to hate you, you damn well succeeded.
 * Karnak - Yes...hate me. Show me how much you want me dead. How much you want me to bow before you. It pleases me.

Black purple tendrils erupted out of Karnak's dreadnought, giving it a horrible, loathsome appearence. Those tendrils wiggled unsettlingly around until they all aimed forward and fired tremendous blasts of energy at the combined fleet. The ships hit were completely obliterated, including the poor captain Horakius and his Bonio ships.


 * Karnak - Yes...die for me...burn for me...
 * Koluap - This is making me unconfortable.
 * Macin - There's too much power here. We have to leave!
 * Jerkon - Fall back. Fall back!

What remained of the defeated fleet ran away while they could. Karnak made no effort to chase them and simply laughed out loud. His ship slowly returned back to the nebula it had emerged from. Meanwhile, Laidar himself attacked the surface of Jalar, beginning the destruction of yet another planet in the Dark Five's hands.

The mystery invader
Titanozor had been awoken from asleep, alarm bells flashing in his dreams. Stood in his room was his secretary of planetary defense. Rarely did he have to speak to planetary defense, as most invaders do not get this far into DCP territory. Titanozor could feel his rage subsiding as he knew this was an important matter.

His secretary looked frightened, he should be. Titanozor was one of the biggest and strongest Grimbolsaurian who ever existed and wielded weapons heavier than armored vehicles. But not so imposing this time, as his secretary could not help but grin as the great warlord was in his pajamas. ''At 0568 Standard Time, we have lost contact with five colonies bordering routes the Ottzello Galaxy, in the Plazith Rim. We do not know the status of the planets in question.'' --Secretary of planetary defense. What is the nature of this? --Titanozor ''The planets are cloaked by a seemingly dense nebula which our sensors are unable to penetrate. We have no idea what is actually happening on the surface, or who the assailant is.'' --Secretary of planetary defense.

The two were instantly transported to a spacecraft ready to return to the Plazith Rim. Being a Warlord vessel, it could make intergalactic distances in a matter of hours. The ship reached the first colony to be affected by the strange impenetrable fog, joining a fleet of hundreds of scientific observatories, military oversight vessels and even medical facilities.

Gradually the fog lifted, revealing vast tendrils. Then suddenly, the planet exploded, destroying vessels which had not engaged in ghost phasing. Even Titanozor's face was in shock. Then he snapped What is the status of the other colonies? ''They have been destroyed as well sir. Three hundred million dead.'' --Secretary of planetary defense. Play back the sensor readings, what do they tell us of those structures embedded in the planet's surface before it was destroyed? --Titanozor Our first readings are bringing back... Marinoxidiz signatures. --Secretary of planetary defense. Titanozor was put in contact with the Minister of military justice for the Plazith Rim. We believe the Grox Meta-Empire does manufacture biological weapons related to the Conqrix drones, and the Marinoxidiz are a sure sign the Grox are the culprits for this weapon. Minister of military justice for the Plazith Rim ''That settles it. We must be on the war path! Increase defenses in the galaxy and dispatch task forces to retaliate a strike on Grox biological weapon factories in the Plazith Rim and Caesium Costran (Black Eye galaxy).'' --Titanozor Unfortunately, the DCP couldn't have been more wrong.

Coming of the Spider Lord
The is one of the greatest and most sucessful empires of the, there is no denying that. An old superpower located deep into the galaxy, it serves as a beacon of order in their space. In the farrther regions of Imperial space, where the so called frontier worlds were located, colonists lived on their usual lives, just like any normal day. Frontier lands are mostly composed of farmland, worked on by both organic and machine hands in unison, with an occasional transport from deeper in. In the cities, the colonists live in modern mid-rise buildings and walked on open streets to go where they wanted.

A fairly mundane day, most of them would consider. At least, until the nebula arrived. Imperial ships in the vicinity detected something interfering with their equipment. Their communications let out scrambled, strange sounds...hissing, screeching, gnarling...and upon looking back forward, the immense dark and purple nebula appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. It was no natural event, as it let out bright, thunder-like blasts inside of itself, and flaming comets appeared out of it into the colony's direction. A larger comet, followed by thousands of smaller ones. The Imperial ships attempted to retreat to get a better view of it, but swarms of...things...appeared in their ships. The things unleashed their tentacles and forced themselves into the crew's bodies, taking them over, ending their resistance.

The leading comet fell into one city, causing a huge blast which leveled great part of it. Out of the crater, an immense, arachnid-like monster appeared from the fire and let out a deafening screech which destroyed the windows of any remaining building in the area. The colonists found themselves swarmed by hordes and hordes of spiders which were way too numerous to be pushed back. The Draconis, well known for being very strong creatures, were stabbed by these spiders' stingers as if they were made by paper, expecially when they specifically aimed at weakspots such as eyes and joints.

Devourer consume you all!

The gigantic arachnid let out a warcry, and out of several portals, Marinoxidiz appeared and attacked the city alongside the demonic spiders. Eleielord, the Spider Lord, pummeled vehicles and infantry with its immense fists and blasted surviving spaceships out of the sky with Essence powers out of its mouth. As the cities and farms crumbled, Eleielord roared and started to create a huge web made out of entropic energy in his path, which was helped by its smaller spider minions. Survivors found themselves trapped on this web and corrupted by its energies. In a matter of hours, the spider horde had turned the entire planet into a web-infested breeder. Eleielord blasted itself back into his nebula, to move on to his next target, while his smaller counterparts remained on the planet, eating on survivors and cultivating more eggs.

The Dark Five had arrived on Andromeda.

Prima Arcana
However, there was a Draconis that survived the nightmarish apocalypse that the Spider Lord brought upon the Imperium world. As the arachnid monsters devoured city after city, corrupting the land itself, as her neighbours cried for salvation, she remained still, unmoving, unseen, unheard, as if a divine power of some sort protected her, watching. Despite the carnage around her, she remained calm, her face like a featureless mask. As much as she wanted to aid the colonists, it was against the Veil. Still, the attack concerned her - not the citizen, not the planet itself, but rather, the invading monsters. She had a message to bring. As the last of the Imperium world's inhabitants were devoured by the ravenous spider monstrosities, she vanished, dispersing into mist as if she was a desert mirage. Unseen, unheard.

However, this wasn't her end. Hundreds upon thousands of parsecs away, she reappeared from the mist, in amethyst robes, alongside her nineteen brothers and sisters: twenty cards in a deck. Where did they assemble? Andromeda? Borealis? Milky Way? A faraway galaxy outside the Gigaquadrant? Nobody knows for certain. What is relevant for the people of today is that there was an assembly. The Twenty Arcanae had arrived to discuss a matter of great urgency. The Draconis Arcana was the first to speak, her voice rumbling like a thunder and yet never losing its cool.

''Great Hierophants, I speak, Tria Arcana, whose eyes watch over the greater whole to protect it. The Infernal Ones have arrived, the Thrice-Cursed, the Doom of Prima; the delirious chains of Veiro'Thoi no longer hold them. Like a rising tide they pour into four grand constellations, with no end to their numbers or their strength. The Grand Design is at stake. What must we do?''

The very room that the Arcanae assembled in answered her; harmonious melody ringed in the ears of the high priests of the Anointed and the light that burned in the center of the room grew more radiant. The Hierophants listened to the melody for a while, listening to the subtle whispers that formed it; then the silence was broken again, by one of the robed figures. Its voice was young, masculine, and carried a tone of intelligence, curiousity and yet, fanaticism.

''It is time then. We'll have to break the Veil, to act against the Infernal Ones, lest the Grand Design will be undone forever. For a moment, our face has to be revealed.''

Penta Arcana's words are true, - another voice joined in, feminine and smooth - ''the darkness cannot be breached without light. For too long we have been in shadows, letting the universe fall to chaos. We have to intervene - directly - in order to stop the taint.''

The melody's sounds became disharmonious, as if they battled against each other in a mortal combat. The Arcanae started looking around and talking to each other, discussing Penta's radical proposition. Not all of the Hierophants were content with it; Tria Arcana, in particular. Raising her voice once more, she stood against the defiant Arcana, staring at him through her robes.

''The Veil always has to be maintained! We must defeat the Infernal threat through mortal hands alone, as we always had. The Grand Design shall not be compromised by any-''

Suddenly, the hall went silent. It was as if all Hierophants froze and lost their voices - all but one. The voice that was the strongest of them all, the one that carried power and wisdom more than anyone else in this room. Almost nstinctively, all Arcanae bowed in respect.

''I speak, Tessera Arcana, the lord of heart and eye. The Infernal Ones are an unusual foe, brothers and sisters, and this foe has to be dealt with unusual means. We do not have to compromise the Veil, but neither do we have to remain here and do nothing but talk as Tria desires. There is another way. Our goal for now is to bring the one from the age of the Infernal Ones. Yes, brothers and sisters, you heard me. Prima must incarnate.''

The Arcanae stood dumbstruck, unable to believe what they had just heard. Prima Arcana? Manifested in this plane of existence? This seemed unbelievable, but Tessera was a figure of great respect, and the other Arcanae listened to him.

''This will not be easy. The Infernal Ones will attempt to stop us - and we also need a host. Prima was a being of great wisdom and great power... he was a hero, in a sense. And thus we need a hero as well. There are many candidates... but will they prove worthy? This, brothers and sisters, is our mission. We shall find the wortthy Host, we shall make Prima return to this universe, and thus, we shall usher in the Infernal Ones' destruction. This exchange is over, Arcanae. We have to prepare.''

With these words, the Arcanae vanished, preparing for the brewing storm...

The Senate Responds
News spread quickly of an attack. Another further few colonies wiped from existence by, as reports put it, hordes of spiders. A collective of senators sat within a circular ampitheatre deep within Minos'Drakon. A large echoing room where close to over a hundred politicians had gathered.


 * Praetor Mardos - This is an absolute outrage! Fate is testing us I am sure as whatever attacked Trameli III and the other half-dozen colonies in that subsector must. be. punished!
 * Senator Semerion - And do what, praetor? You saw the reports, Imperial Talon warships were swarmed with creatures few of us can describe.
 * Senator Carlim - They're darkwisps i'm telling you, whatever that monster was--
 * Semerion - We're deliving into supersition now are we? Darkwisps indeed there msut be another explaination.
 * Mardos - Explaination? Downtown Mobis was destroyed by salamanders and a giant bloody tarantula. Whoever these sapient salamanders are they are bound to be repsonsible for the attacks I'm sure of it.
 * Semerion - And that gives you the conclusion it was a mythical counterpart to the gardeners of Paradise? Oh my what is this world coming to.
 * Mardos - Very well Semerion, what do you propose these attackers were?

As the senators bickered, chancellor stood in the middle of the room, his bellowing voice eachoing throughout as he made his presence known. It was his job to ensure that senate meetings kept orderly.


 * Vesperon - Can we have order please! Paretor Mardos I understand you areconcerned for your lost holdings, the Imperial Talon Navy will seek to restore waht has been lost.
 * Mardos - Restore? Restore!? Restore waht, it wil ltake months to repair the damage. Seven systems those things ravaged, do you think--
 * Vesperon - My take on whether or not the subsector can be saved is not priority .What is priority is halting this mysterious invasion.
 * Semerion - And how do you propose we do that? Throw more ships at it? Reports were the ships stationed in orbit around Tameli III were taken over by - as best as we can guess - something that loosk eagerly like a darkwisp.
 * Vesperon - ''Senator this chamber is a place of politics, not fairytales.'

As Vesperon spoke, his appearence appeared to glitch up, he flittered and eventualyl dematerialised, finding himself in his office. On the other side of the room was a shilouetted figure. Clad in fine armour and standing in the shadows. The figure positioned themselves, they looked Draconis in appearence.


 * ??? - Such things may be fairytales, but such tales are often grounded in fact.
 * Vesperon - Who are you and how in the void did you get into my office.
 * Kelsos - My name is Kelsos. All you need to know is I am aware of things beyond the common understanding.
 * Vesperon - And how does this invasion relate.
 * Kelsos - Dark days are coming, Chancellor. Dark days. Signalled by the arrival of these invaders of yours.
 * Vesperon - I am in little mood for cryptic musings, what in the black void's name attacked the colonies?
 * Kelsos - Demons. That is all I can really say.
 * Vesperon - Demons. If that is your answer you are barely better in the head than those senators.
 * Kelsos - Perhaps, but like I said, fairy tales are often grounded in truth.

Vesperon scoffed. Looking sternly at Kelsos wh owalked confidently out of the shadows.


 * Kelsos - Inform Lord-Admiral Vontarion to prepare the navy and I reccomend the mentalist corps for the counter-attack. Mortal weapons may be ineffective against the foe we shall all one day face.
 * Vesperon - And what authority do you have to give me orders?
 * Kelsos - The word of Mistress Irianos and the Archcleric.
 * Vesperon - Hrmph. Inquisition. Fine, I may as well bow to your demands so long as the Archcleric's authorisation is genuine.
 * Kelsos - You can always ask him but there's little point. Now, I have other matters to attend to.

Kelsos vanished as he seemed to be envoloped by a curtain of invisibility, leaving Vesperon standing in his office as the hologram of the senate chamber returned around him. Brushing himself up and regaining his posture he spoke confidently.


 * Vesperon - After an unexpected uplink outage. I have had time to contemplate our move and propose an en-masse attack on these invaders with support from the mentalist corps. All in favour?

The vast majority of the senate booths flashed bands of blue to indicate the senators occupying them had chosen to agree with Vesperon's suggestion. With a satisfied nod, Vesperon called for meeting ajourned and ocne again the reality of the senate chamber dissolved around him, returning hi mto his desk. He looked down at his desk to see Kelsos had left a token on his desk, which shimmered in the light as it contained a hologram imprint.

What Future Holds
While the Infernal Ones wrought havoc all over Segmentum Draco, destroying the colonies of the one by one, the neighbouring Segmentum Crepusculum was engulfed in a war of its own - a war that had continued for countless millenia already. For the belligerent clans, there was no end to conflict. In a sense, it was a fundamental part of their existence; they were born to the sounds of battle and died on the battlefield, bloodied but still willing to fight. When the Corruptus invaded Andromeda, the warlords of the Artharon Realms were simply too entrenched in their feudal squabbles and political intrigues to care. Why would they bother to think about some ethereal demons from the west while their neighbours plotted and schemed against them and their ancestral realms?

There was one young Artharon noble, however, who did realise the threat that loomerd over his species and indeed, all the Gigaquadrant. In the dark force that was engulfing Andromeda, he saw the fulfullment of the portents he had been seeing for a while, a prophecy coming true. In a sense, he even welcomed the Corruptus invaders. They were the harbingers of the goal that he had been working tirelessly to achieve for all his short life. Little did he know, however, that his endeavours had brought upon themselves the attention of forces beyond his understanding...

There was silence in the impregnable ceramite walls of Sai-shari. An ancient citadel built by the Artharons of the First Realm, back from the days when the warriors of Tharrus were one, it stood out proudly in the desolate landscape of Kashanar, the ancestral homeworld of Great Clan Sai. While other warlords seeked to flaunt their wealth by adorning their residences with lavish tapestries and grandiose statues, understanding that their power might vanish tomorrow, Kagu'sai, the current lord of the Great Clan, kept his citadel spartan and pure. As a member of an ancient bloodline that had always remained prominent in complex and opaque politics of the Artharon Realms, he had no need to show his status provocatively; nor did he want to.

Kagu'sai mind was captivated by something else; he was an idealist and, in his daydreams at least, thought of himself as of a messianic figure. His ultimate goal, his greatest aspiration, was to one day see the Artharon species unified under a single banner; one species, one empire, one leader. But how? How could hundreds of warring clans that had known only war and hatred since the beginning of time possibly become one? Kagu'sai didn't know, but he hoped, no, knew, that one day he would find out.


 * Commander - Lord Kagu'sai, I bring you a message.
 * Kagu'sai - What is it, Taku'zi?
 * Taku'zi - Our attack on Alkhuse has been a success, great kai'zu. Adherent machines now belong to Your Highness... Adherent slaves too, of course.
 * Kagu'sai - Is the resource among them?
 * Taku'zi - Yes, great kai'zu.

Taku'zi stepped back to reveal a young female which stood on her knees. Her body was exposed, delightfully revealing a wide extent of her physical form. Her overall figure was shaped into a curvacious hourglass, her hips wide and seemingly predetermined for children. These curvy formations were also applied to her generous rear, which was held tightly in place by a mere strap of material that reached below and across her waist. It was obvious, both to herself and the Artharons, what was she abducted for. However, despite losing her dignity, the defiant Radeon remained cool, staring at her captor with eyes filled with cold malevolence.


 * Slave - Do whatever you want to me. This body doesn't matter. The Faithful never die; our souls return to the Greater Whole, Dei'Nar. This shell is merely a vessel, a single teardrop in the great ocean. Its pain is irrelevant. Destroy it, and one hundred will replace it. You, at the other hand... cannot escape your destiny.
 * Taku'zi - She's feisty, yes. That's the way you like it, don't you, kai'zu?
 * Slave - Soon, our empire shall be reborn, and we shall have our vengeance. Our attacks will tear you apart. Our power is unmatched. We will end you.

Kagu'sai sighed. This wasn't exactly the purpose she needed her for... though that might have been a pleasant bonus.


 * Kagu'sai - ...What's your name, esteemed lady?

Both Taku'zi and the slave stared at the warlord in confusion.


 * Sheophatia - Sheophatia Theraim.
 * Kagu'sai - Very well, lady Theraim. Welcome to the Realm of Sai. I apologise for such an... unorthodox way to meet, but alas, our species are not at cordial relationships with each other. I ask you for one thing.

Sheophatia remained somewhat uncertain about her new acquaintance. Was the warlord trying to sweettalk her... or was he sincere in his cordiality?


 * Sheophatia - And what is it... lord?
 * Kagu'sai - You see, madam...

Kagu'sai stepped from his throne and activated the building's ancient holoprojectors - technology widespread in Segmentum Draco, but virtually unheard in technologically backward Artharon realms. The image was glitchy and blurred, but it was obvious what was depicted on it - Imperium citizens being decimated in thousands by strange demonic creatures. Taku'zi stepped back, disbelieving his eyes; was it a vid of some sort? Unfortunately, he was wrong. It was reality.


 * Kagu'sai - As of now, these things have destroyed a dozen or two of Imperium worlds - in a matter of days. And yesterday, they have also been sighted in the Federal Union's territory. Do you understand where this is going?
 * Taku'zi - Y-y-yes...
 * Kagu'sai - Indeed. That means that in a week or two, these demons will approach our borders... and alas, this might as well be the end of the Artharon species. - Kagu'sai appeared strangely upbeat, even happy - But where others see only death, I see an opportunity.
 * Taku'zi - An opportunity? For what?
 * Kagu'sai - I have dreamed of this moment for years, my loyal general. - Kagu'sai closed his eyes, reminiscing - Bloodshed. Warfare. Then, amidst the chaos, dark forms come. They devour everyone and everything, but people are deaf to each other, divided... and then, I come. The unifier. With you at my side, I shall create a single Great Artharon Realm, with myself at its head!
 * Sheophatia - And why exactly should I care about unifying your primitive species?
 * Kagu'sai - Because, madam, when these things end us, they shall came for you. And as far as I know, your species is weaker than ever at the moment. It is in your interest to aid me. I have heard of you. It is clear to me that you, lady, are an educated and lordly woman. If you aid me in reverse-engineering your empire's technology and provide your organisational talents for our cause... the unified Artharon Realm will be most grateful.
 * Sheophatia - ...Very well. But first, return my clothing to me. Lying around seductively isn't exactly my speciality...


 * Deutera Arcana - Hm. Definitely a viable choice... strong-willed, visionary, magisterial.
 * Penta Arcana - Nonsense! This Artharon is naught but a fanatic; his ego blinds him... much like my own kind in a sense. There is no way he can be a suitable host for Prima.
 * Deutera Arcana - If not him, then who?
 * Tessera Arcana - Silence. Such important decisions shall not be resolved by petty disputes. Let the events unravel on their own. After all, there is one more potential host in this universe, one that you, Deutera, might remember...

Uriel's Nightmare
Uriel found himself within a central plaza on Araveene. Here a crowd of peopel had gathered as well as his family wh osat behind him. He was performing a rallying speech, gathering forth support in these dark times. The crowd roared with applause as uriel gave inspiring words to them, giving them hope and cofidence. As they cheered, Uriel turned to Alensia who sat behind him. Holding out his hand, he signalled her to stand up and take his hand. She presented him with a knowing smile and stood up gracefully.


 * Uriel - We can do this Alensia my dear, I know it.
 * Alensia - All the people need is your dedication and you will have their trust.

Uriel pulled Alensia closer, the two embraced a loving nuzzle, which was followed by a roaring cheer from the crowd. Uriel closed his eyes, embracing the affection his wife was giving him. As he lifted his snout away his eyes lifted softly open, then jolted wide as that moment he closed his eyes, his wife's scales were now withered and chipped, her face was gaunt and her skin pressed against her skull. Her eyes were now shriveled and dep set inside her skull and her clothes had become frayed. She smiled again, baring rotted teeth set within receded and blackened gums.

Uriel turned his head slowly to see that those with him - Paronus, Alessa ans well as several others of his offspring had suffered the same. Their calming voices now hoarse and gutteral as they looked at Uriel with ungry.


 * Uriel - No...this isn't happening...the plague could not have spread!

Pushing his way through the decaying crowd was a red zombified Draconis. It let out a roar which disbanded the others around it. He pointed at Uriel with his decayed, skeletal finger.


 * Red Draconis - You...I want...what you stole!
 * Uriel - What-- What are you talking about?
 * Red Draconis - Don't act...as if you didn't know...false...thief...it is mine...give it to me!
 * Uriel - What did I steal. Tell me!
 * Red Draconis - The throne...you stole the throne...from me!

Uriel continued to struggle out of Alensia's grip as she opened her jaws. He gave another tug, freeing himself and falling off the platform.


 * Uriel - I never intended to, are you a relative?

The zombie slowly made its way to Uriel. As he looked around, the zombies' colourations began changing to a shade of purple.


 * Red Draconis - I am not...one of you...Ultanos dogs!
 * Uriel - Then the throne was not stolen...
 * Red Draconis - It was...from me...from my house...don't act...as if you didn't know!

Uriel slowly pulled himself up. Reaching for the sword stapped to his side.


 * Uriel - Who in the void do you think you are to make such a claim.
 * Red Draconis - I...am...Kha...Khax...Khaxvis...
 * Uriel - Then you have no claim, for you are a descendant of a usurper!

All the zombies shrieked together. The red zombie began shambling at Uriel's direction, with the intention of striking him with his claws. Uriel held his head as the zombies shrieked. Waiting for the right moment until the red zombie was close enough, he drew his sword to cut at the zombie as the blade left the sheath, a field of plasma enveloping it as it left its holding place.

The zombie was cut in half and its pieces fell on the ground. The zombies across the plaza began shieking harder. Uriel held his head again, baring his teeth as he helt tightly onto his sword. The halves of the red zombie suddenly flashed and exploded violently, with enough power to send Uriel flying. The exploded area was engulfed in an intense fog, and inside of it, a massive sillhoette was visible, with shining red eyes. Uriel was thrown backwards and at the feet of his zombified family. They lurched forward as corrupted saliva dripped from their maws. Uriel flailed the sword, hoping the glow of the plasma field would drive them away.

A monstrous roar was heard from the fog as fleshy tentacles erupted from it and began capturing the zombies and bringing them into the monster's maw. One tentacle swooped next to Uriel and grabbed all of its family, barely avoiding Uriel himself.
 * Uriel - NO!

Uriel reached forward his face in pain as he watched what remained of his family pulled into the monster's maw. He watched in horror as with every consumed body the monster swelled. The fog megan to dissipate, showing a massive, brown Draconis-like figure. It roared again and began moving outside of the fog very slowly, its red eyes aimed at Uriel.


 * Uriel - I'll kill you for what you have done. I'll...I'll tear out your heart and sever your head from your torso.

As the figure left the fog, it suddenly changed into a completely different being.


 * ??? - Death everywhere...that's what your future holds. Your race has overstayed its welcome.
 * Uriel - What...in...the Lifefather's...name?
 * ??? - Death calls your name. It calls for all. But yours...it calls your name intensily...it desires you.

Uriel pulled himself up, looking at the being and steeling himself. Gripping his longsword with both hands.


 * Uriel - I was spared being consumed before...And I will do so again.

The being turned to the fog behind it, then turned back to Uriel.


 * ??? - It ate everyone. Or not. One still lives.

Uriel's eyes widened and he rushed forward towards the creature, a bellowing roar escaping his jaws, his eyes narrow in fury. As Uriel approached the creature, it looked at him with disgust and jumped high into the air, falling into the platform where Uriel and his family were one standing. It began looking around it, as if it was searching for something.


 * ??? - The one I meant. It is here. Is it even alive? Not yet, actually.
 * Uriel - Take another life and I swear to destroy you so long as I breathe.
 * ??? - Take lifes? I don't take lifes. Death takes lifes.
 * Uriel - Death has no form. You do however.

The creature eventually found what it was looking for and on its fingers, Uriel could see it grabbing an egg. Uriel narrowed his eyes, his pupils contracted hand he bared his teeth visiously, he charged at the creature once again. As he did, a savage snarl escaped between his teeth. A tentacle erupted from the creature's back and grabbed Uriel, wrapping around him and bringing him close. The creature examinted the egg, with an air of interest.


 * ??? - Can we call it alive yet? He? She? We do not know.

Uriel writhed about savagely within the tentacle's grip.


 * ??? - Death calls you. But it does not actually call this little thing. We will do you a favour, and make sure you both meet up in the other side.

The creature tossed the egg upward and crushed it on its jaw. Uriel let out a sorrow-filled roar at the top of his lungs.


 * ??? - I am not death. I do not take lifes. I take order. I bring entropy. You should thank me. My original idea was making you eat it yourself. Now you will join it in the other side.

The creature enforced the tentacle's grip until Uriel could hear his bones cracking. Uriel jolted awake, panting and looking around. Gone was the decayed plaza of Araveene. Instead he woke up within an old apartment. Looking out the window was a Val'Kar - one of the members of his expedition who heard him wake up and looked over, giving him a friendly nod and an enduring smile.


 * Vrom - Rough dreams mate?
 * Uriel - You-- you could say that.
 * Vrom - Well, you can always take over the watch.
 * Uriel - I will, Thank you Vrom since I might not be able to sleep much more.

Lord of the Clans
Massive, gilded ships assembled above the geometrical surface of the ancient Artharon homeworld of, carrying on their hulls the banners of all colours and shapes; today was the House Convocation, an annual meeting of all Artharon houses and clans within the walls of their ancestral capital, Citadel Ordu-ed. Among these gargantuan vessels was a silvery, ornamented ship of House Sai. Like the noble family itself, it was a relic of the past, a luxurious starliner created by the hedonistic artisans of the First Realm thousands of years ago. Created in the time when there were no noble houses or warring fiefdoms, only the unified Artharon Realm.
 * The Fleets Assemble

Kagu'sai smirked when he saw his allies and rivals' starships flying around him. The original purpose of the Convocation was to discuss the ways the Artharon species could become one, unified, but as time passed, it had become a battleground for house politics. In Ordu-ed, alliances were made and broken, wars were declared, nobles were killed by assassins sent by rival houses, and poisonous rumours were spread by deceitful courtesans. It was a festival of deception and lies, hypocrisy and betrayal; that was the way of things everyone was used to. That is, everyone but Kagu'sai.

Kagu'sai - Come here, madam.

Sheophatia entered Kagu'sai's quarters, now dressed in a much less provocative Artharon noblewoman dress adorned with rare jewels and elegant Khastai hieroglyphic patterns. The Radeon still retained a cold, stoic expression on her face, but it was obvious that she warmed up a bit and more or less accepted her captivity. After all, house Sai gave her a room of her own, complete with a small Masaari altar, and she didn't need much more.

Sheophatia - ''I still find my clothing to be excessively revealing. Is there anything less sensual?'' Kagu'sai - ''We have more important problems right now, lady Theraim. How is the weapon project going?'' Sheophatia - ''Very well. In a month or two, your engineers will refit the entirety of your fleet with our technology... turns out you Artharons are much smarter than you look.'' Kagu'sai - ''The feeling is mutual, madam. I have to admit, I once considered you Adherents to be weak... cowardly. But now that I've seen you, I understand that I was wrong... - Kagu'sai stared into Sheophatia's eyes - Maybe our species aren't that different after all.'' Taku'zi - Ahem... - Kagu'sai's advisor entered the room - ''Sorry to interrupt, my liege... but the summit is about to begin.'' A gust of wind blew into Kagu'sai's face as his delegation entered the gates of the ancient Artharon fortress. The air of his species' sacred homeworld was refreshing, even pleasant to him, but at the same time, there was a taint in it, a stench of corruption and vice. He recognised that smell, which was indeed quite familiar to him, the very instant he stepped on the surface of Ordu-ed: the entire place reeked of Artharon poison. For all their honour, Artharon nobles weren't above using underhanded tactics in order to attain more power.
 * The Convocation

The other house leaders and dignitaries bowed to Kagu'sai in respect as he stepped through its ancient, rocky streets, but he knew full well that this social etiquette was nothing but a formality, a mask. Over a few failed assassination attempts, Kagu'sai learned to read his peers' body language, to understand who is sincere in his hospitality and friendly demeanour and who was ready to kill him and take his place given the chance. He saw the latter much more often the former.

Taku'zi - ''I hope you are certain in what you are doing, great kai'zu. Noone has ever approached the Warchief Plaza in centuries. Are you sure the nobles will listen to you?'' Kagu'sai - The reason noone has approached the Plaza, Taku, is because there there has never been anyone like me. - Kagu raised his head proudly in an arrogant manner - ''And they will listen. If not now, then when the demons arrive.'' Taku'zi - I hope so.

Kagu'sai passed through the pavilions filled with chattering nobles and headed straight to the largest hexagonal platform that stood in the center of the citadel: the Warchief Plaza. The legends said that in the ancient days, the High Overseers of the First Artharon Realm governed their subjects from this place, and even after its fall it remained to be a symbol of the greatness of the Artharon species, the greatness that had been lost. It was up to Kagu'sai to restore it.

Kagu'sai - ''Stay at my side, Taku. It is time.''

Determined to find his rightful place at the head of the New Artharon Realm, Kagu'sai stepped forth. His studded metallic boots touched the surface of the massive stone platform, making a loud "clang" sound, and the platform shook - and moved. With a loud, earth-shakin thud, the rock sprang to life and started to rise, ascending Kagu'sai high enough to satisfy his ego - and to let everyone see him. Both confused and surprised, the Artharon nobles turned to the upstart warlord, staring in disbelief, and then realised that his face was appearing all over Ordu-ed. Somehow, Kagu'sai had activated the citadel's ancient machinery, and one by one, his holographic images were activated, speaking in a chorus of voices.

Kagu'sai - People of the Artharon Realm, heed my word! Artharon 1 - Who is that? Artharon 2 - ''Kagu, of House Sai. Ancestors damn this kid...''

Kagu's voice, amplified by the holoprojectors, turned into a deep, booming crescendo that shook the very walls. It was undoubtedly quite impressive.

Kagu'sai - ''I am not a kid. I am a unifier. While you bicker and plot against each other, a threat looms against our species - a threat that will destroy us if we do not UNITE!'' 'Artharon 1 - And who in the Abyss do you think you are to make such demands? Kagu'sai - ''Have you not heard about it, people of the Realm? Of the demons that assailed the Dragon Stars? Of the demons that are moving towards our lands?'' Artharon 1 - Do you say we are weak? Do you say that we cannot defeat these demons you speak of? Kagu'sai - Divided, we CANNOT! Artharon 2 - ''Bah! With your petty ambitions, you spit on your father's name. You have always been a narcissist, Kagu, but... ruling the entire Artharon species? To fight demons?'' Kagu'sai - ''You think of them as of myths, don't you? THE IMPERIUM IS FIGHTING THEM RIGHT NOW! THESE DEMONS EXIST! WE HAVE TO UNITE!'' Artharon 1 - ''Blah. Demons. Deluded upstart...'' ??? - Demons do exist.

A lordly Artharon clad in golden armour entered the walls of Ordu-ed, ignoring the sights of his peers and glaring at Kagu'sai malevolently. The nobles recongised him: that was lord Khano'tan, one of the more influental Artharon house rulers known for his wealth and power. Yet, in his eyes there was something else - a dark, foreign influence that made his features beastial, his eyes dreadful, and his smirk diabolical.

Artharon 2 - Lord Khano'tan? Khano'tan - ''In the flesh. I have heard of the demon attacks on the Imperium and the Federal Union. But war is not the answer.'' Kagu'sai - What do you propose then? Khano'tan - ''We... SUBMIT.''

Suddenly, the Artharon lord's body turned black and white, becoming monstrous and demon-like with horrible bone-crushing noises. As he screamed and roared in pain, the sky around him darkened and became red as skull-like creatures fell from the sky, shrieking as they devoured the souls of Artharon dignitaries and nobles, turning them into corrupted monstrosities similar to Khano'tan himself. With feral fury, they turned on their former comrades with claws and teeth, roaring like beasts of prey they resembled; in a matter of seconds, Ordu-ed's festivity was gone, replaced by the agonising screams of dying Artharons.

??? - Now that was an ugly body... Kagu'sai jumped from the platform to see a monstrous insectoid creature emerging from Khano'tan's twisted corpse. His heart sank: that was the fulfillment of his prophetic dream. Will he become the hero that will save the Artharon species? It was up to him.
 * The Attack

Kagu'sai - ''Who... who are you?''  - ''The name's Arrtkar Crowart. Not that it matters... whether you know it or not, you and all of your mortal kind will die.''

With a wave of his clawed hand, Arrtkar made the walls of Ordu-ed break and crumble, burying more Artharons under their massive weight. Kagu'sai stood dumbstruck, unsure what to do. He had to save the others, but at the same time... this thing must have been stopped.

Realising that the demon was too strong for him to even have a chance of defeating, Kagu'sai decided to concentrate on the survivors. With a single power glove uppercut, the Artharon warlord disabled his opponent for a few split seconds, allowing him to run away and find the rest of the ambassadors. As he cleared out the rubble, the survivors of the attacked stared at their saviour in disbelief. Was it really happening? Were the demons really... real?

Kagu'sai - ''Quickly, get up and head to my shuttle! We have to escape!''

Although they did not trust Kagu fully, the survivors understood that this upstart was their only chance to survived, and simply followed him to survive. Running from the impending demon horde, the Artharon warlord led them through the labyrinthine pathways of Ordu-ed, all while chased by merciless Artharon Kikras.

Taku'zi - ''What is happening, my liege? What are these things?'' Kagu'sai - ''They are the enemy, Taku. That is all you need to know.'' Taku'zi - Acknowledged.

Taku'zi loaded his coilgun and unleashed a barrage of fire at the Kikras, illuminating the darkened sky of the Artharon homeworld. The zombies shrieked in pain and slowed down singificantly, but that was still not enough to kill them, and thus the Kikras continued to crawl while muttering something out of their past lives. Those who lived surrounded by lies now finally esembled their inner selves: wild, destructive and comprised of pure malevolence.

Kagu'sai - Go, go, go!

Free from the pursuit, the survivors rushed towards Kagu's ship, but the zombies were fast, and slowly but steadily the gap between them became shorter and shorter. Kagu'sai breathed heavily, firing at the Kikras to halt their unstoppable advance. That was the moment of truth. To die pointlessly or to live as a hero.

Arrtkar - You will not escape me!

Enraged, Arrtkar Crowart appeared in a flash of flame in front of Kagu'sai, roaring in anger. His body was engulfed in entropic fire which reflected his unbound, unrestructed fury and hatred: he was prepared to stomp Kagu'sai like an ant.

Kagu'sai - ''I am not afraid of you... demon!'' Arrtkar - ''Good. Good. It is more interesting that way.''

Arrtkar Crowart raised his hand and unleashed a wave of fire on the Artharon warlord, searing his flesh like it was firewood. Kagu'sai clenched his teeth. Agony permeated every part of his body, but he stood, prepared to meet his death, prepared to die in the flames...

Or did he?

Arrtkar - What?

Arrtkar pulled his hand back. The fire didn't hurt Kagu'sai. A strange aura of purple light surrounded him, giving him a supernatural look similar to Arrtkar himself, but more benevolent. The Artharon looked at his burned body and watched as it healed, not understanding what was happening to him... but he did not want to understand. All he wanted was to make that thing suffer.

Arrtkar - ...Them?.. Kagu'sai - FOR THE ANCESTORS!

With a brutal, feline roar, Kagu'sai drew his power sword and struck Arrtkar. He did not understand. What was the power that gave strength to the Artharon? Who was behind it? For a split second, he heard a faint voice, a voice that reminded him of his past that he had been trying so hard to forget. Of one person he once knew...

We are not brothers.

With a shriek, Arrtkar covered his gaping sword wound and flew into the sky. Kagu'sai did not understand what happened to him, but whatever it was, it allowed him to drive that thing away... and he was grateful to it for what it did to him.

Remaining Artharon leaders assembled in Kagu'sai's shuttle, staring at their saviour in a combination of disbelief and admiration.

Artharon 1 - ''Okay, we get it. You were right. Demons exist, and right now, they are attacking our homeworld. Half of the house leaders are dead, and now we are completely leaderless. What are we supposed to do?''

Kagu'sai sighed and smiled.

Kagu'sai - I shall lead you.

The Imperium Retaliates
Arriving in orbit above an inner frontier colony, Admiral Erius Verdonus observed the carnage unfolding below. Eleielord had attacked again, bringing Marinoxidz with her. Erius observed images from orbit, flicking though feeds and watching with disgust as demons rampaged through city streets and across country plains. As he flciked though Kelsos came pacing up from behind him. For a few days now the Imperium had been following the demons' rampage and Kelsos was determined to stop the invasion here and now.


 * Erius - This monster's killed millions already across nearly twenty-eight worlds. Every time we arrive at a location the invaders dissapear but now we have it.
 * Kelsos - The reports are it is in the middle of Termiria, a city on the northern continent.
 * Erius - Damnation. And here I was with the hopes of incinerating it from the sky.
 * Kelsos - Time will come, I have operatives working to cull offshoot invasions but...

Kelsos took over the feeds and showed Marinixidz enduring frontal volleys from Dragon MBT tanks, the energy burning their skin but the creatures themselves merely becoming angrier. Some footage displayed such creatures emerging from shadows to crush scout squadrens and patrol cars underfoot. Erius' eyes widened, he saw the creatures acting as elite soldiers while the spiders that had been seen since first sighting continued devouring soldiers.


 * Kelsos - Reports indicate the orbs that attacked Navy crewmen were immune to conventional weapons.
 * Erius - Then how are we supposed to eliminate them?
 * Kelsos - The creatures do appear to be affected by telekinetics.
 * Erius - So what, post inquisitors on every ship? Can the Order spare so many?
 * Kelsos - I have already sent a request to the Military Council to deploy what they can of the psionics corps.

Erius slowly turned his head to Kelsos and narrowed his eyes aggressively, furrowing his lips in frustration.


 * Erius - I am the commanding officer of this fleet.
 * Kelsos - "Was", admiral. So long as this crusade is in effect you answer to me.

Erius twitched and reached for the sword strapped to his side. As he grabbed the handle Kelsos grabbed his frearm and with a twitch, Erius let go and Kelsos moved his arm away, bringing the admiral close slightly and tilting his head with dissapointnment.


 * Kelsos - You telegraph your moves admiral. In fact I knew you would reach for that sword of yours.
 * Erius - I do not appreciate command being stolen from me, Inquisitor!
 * Kelsos - You will addresme as "Sir", or should I request someone more capable?
 * Erius - No. You don't.

Erius pulled his arm downwards, noticing his sincerity Kelsos allowed him to do so. Kelsos took a tep back and grunted.


 * Kelsos - Good. Now, prepare for a ground assault. As long as we blockade this planet the creature shall have nowhere to hide.
 * Erius - Inquisitor the last blockades we set upwere ineffective.
 * Kelsos - This time we have psionics corps and inquisitors. We have surrounded this creature and wewill end it.
 * Erius - And if we cannot contian it?
 * Kelsos - We shall chase it to the halo regions and beyond if we must.

Kelsos looked at another holographic screen. He watched as thousands of AO-8 dropships and heavier transports ferried troops, tanks and artilery to the surface, protected by thousands of drone starfighters.

This planet was one of the imperium's own worlds, but the vast array of soldiers and machines fo war being deployed would say otherwise. Erius wanted ot take no chances and had mustered an entire legion of soldiers. Such numbers rivalled the populations of developing planets, potentially more soldiers than this planet had people. Erius enjoyed such a sight, an indicator of the overwhelming firepower Erius posessed at his fingertips, the wrath he could deliver on any target he chose. But Erius was merely a cog in the machine. He was one of hundreds, perhaps thousands in the imperium who commanded such numbers and he was subordinate to more. A few hundred superiors who each commanded a dozen like him and above them, perhaps seventy of the so-called executive admirals, who each commanded a lesser empire's worth of military forces.

The mighty hammer the Imperium was prepared to drive Eleielord and his brood from Segmentum Draco with fire and sword, and the might of a thousand suns behind them.

Kelsos' shuttle touched down outside the ruins of a town on a terrestrial planet under attack by the demons of the Corruptus. He had arrived with a full squadron of talon ground legionnaires, a squadron of marines and four other inquisitors who were tasked with securing the village and surmising what had happened. Kelsos exchanged wordless order to the soldiers, two marines lifted a pair of heavy particle cannons fro mthe back of the AO-8 transport and placed it on a grav sled alongside extra munitions and explosives. With everyoe ready, the force made their way int othe ruined town. The ruins were littered with web-like substances.


 * Marine - Inquisitor look at this stuff. it's like silk only...well.
 * Inquisitor - Supernatural?

The marine shrugged. The soldiers continued, An air of uneasiness falling over all of them as they looked about, seeing devoured bodies and webbing everywhere. One of the marines aimed his fusion rifle and fired a burst at the webbing. They could hear sounds from a distance. It ranged from hissing to roaring. However, the sources didn't appear to be close.


 * Kelsos - Keep an eye out, I hear inhabitants.
 * Marine - Private set up that particle cannon to cover our flank.

A small spherical creature popped out of a window and flew over the distance, disappearing around the buildings. A marine nodded and lifted the bulky particle cannon from the grav-sled. Extending the tripod at the bottom he planted it firmly in the ground. Activating a sequence, a half-bubble enveloped the front of the cannon with the emitter pointing out from the bubble. Plugging in a power-pack the marine nodded to Kelsos and kept an eye on the streets behind the squad.

Steps were heard, as well as an angered rambling. The marine pulled the particle cannon around to the sounds of movvement. Slamming the side of the cannon and powering it up. From a street, a black and white Draconis appeared. Riding it was a large arachnid-like creature. The Draconis looked frantically around and growled loudly.


 * Marine - Identify yourself!--

The Draconis turned to the marine, roared and immediately charged into his direction. As the marine shouted, Kelsos grabbed his shoulder and drew a fusion pistol, firing several particle shots at the Draconis-like creature. The Draconis fell lifeless, while the arachnid creature on its back jumped into the air, trying to fall into the marine.

Panicking the marine pressed the trigger, firing particle blasts in an upward arc trying to hit the spider. Seeing the spider leaping several marines fired on it as well with their fusion rifles. The spider was hit and hit the ground, shrieking. Tentacles formed out of it and it launched them at the marines. The marine at the cannon was protected from the tentacles by the dome, a forcefield designed to protect the gunenry crew, one marine and two ground legionnaires were attacked by the flailing limbs. Kelsos himself fired a finishing shot on the spider.


 * Kelsos - No mercy. Anyone still alive in these ruins is either posessed or at risk. If you see anything like that shoot on sight, understood?
 * Marines - Sir. Understood sir.

As it died, the spider's body dissolved away. Roars were heard across the ruins, as if the fight had attracted the attention of the inhabitants. Kelsos shouted orders, the marines picked up the other particle cannon and set it up on the other side of the group. Other marines set up deployable forcefield barricades to bunker down. Red, humanoid demons with blades for arms jumped into the ceilings of the buildings still standing and moved around. Soldiers fired towards the rooftops and exploded upper floors in a panicked attempt to draw the new assailants out.

The explosions caused the buildings to collapse and the creatures to disappear in the rubble. More black and white Draconis-like creatures appeared, and like the first, showed no sight of conscience. The particle cannon gunners fired into the hordes of black and white Draconis, drowinging the streets their vision covered in a sea of rapid-fire particle pulses that would incinerate the flesh and bone of any normal creature. These particle cannons were designed for this, to take on armies of infantry. They served as equal-parts troop thinner and suppressior unit.

The creatures fell, appearing less resilient than normal Draconis even though they were more musculous. However, through all the gunfire, loud steps were heard as well as a voice.


 * ??? - Life persists in this place? All should be dead or blessed at this point.

Other soldiers joined the hellfire, pressing against barricades and firing into the swams of beastial Draconis, shredding and incinerating. Some primed grenades and threw them over, the grenades exploding and throwing forth high-pressure shockwaves, plasma or shrapnel to disorient the enemy. A nearby building fell, and through the dust, a Marinoxidiz appeared. It watched the battle between the soldiers and the possessed in amusement.


 * Marinoxidiz - You look too fresh. Too calm. You only got here. A most idiotic mistake.

One fire team, looekd up to see the demonic Marinox that looked towards them. Some of them backing up, unnerved by this alien sight. Kelsos noticed the hesitation and paced up, his very prescence instilling these soldiers to fight on.


 * Marinoxidiz - What brings you to one of Eleielord's nests, mortals? Do you want to join the rest of your people here as members of the Kikra Caste?

Kelsos turned to see the Marinoxidiz and widened his eyes in surprise.


 * Kelsos - Anti-material teams take that monster down!
 * Marinoxidiz - I will take that as a yes.

FOur soldiers armed with shoulder-resting particle cannons nodded and positioned themselves, priming the weapons they held and each firing a single beam, strong enough to melt the armour of all but the most resilient tanks, towards the Marinoxidiz. The demon grinned and launched itself out of the beam's way, taking cover behind the various buildings still standing. Meanwhile, more spherical creatures began appearing in the sky, flying over the battlefield. Kelsos put his pistol away and drew a battle rifle, priming it and firing at the spherical creatures.


 * Soldier - How in the void can something so big jump so high?
 * Marine - Inquisitor...what are those things in the sky?

The creatures avoided Kelsos' shots, and those hit didn't appear to feel much damage. The Marinoxidiz appeared out of a wall, holding on a Grox tech-based rifle, and began firing at the soldiers. Some soldiers fired back, the Marinoxidiz was clever enough to avoid the particle cannon fire that mowed the street. Panick began to swell in the ranks of the less ecperienced while others fired back, some getting caught in the Grox-tech rifle's blasts, not surviving. When they panicked, the spherical beings in the sky began descending. Their red eyes pierced the soldiers'. One of them tackled a marine and began forcing itself down his throat.

The marien struggled, trying to push the spherical being out, screaming as he fell to the floor. All but the inquisitors in the field were being reduced to panic. The Inquisition's stoic warriors proving ot be te most difficult to break. As the spherical demon entered the marine, he began growling and spazzing. His body mass increased, spikes and horns erupting out of his body and his skin slowly turned into black and white. One inquisitor saw the transformation and even she started to feel uneasy. Taking deep breaths she remembred her duty and drew her pistol, aiming and firing several shots towards the transforming marine, watching helplessly as his swelling mass dislodged armour plates and tore at the body glove he wore. The transformation siezed as the shots killed the victim. The spherical being left the body, frowning and hissing at the soldiers.

Kelsos looked around as his soldiers' ranks were reduced. Clenching his fist he lifted large chunks of rubble from behind him and threw them at the Marinoxidiz by throwing his arm forward. The rubble hit the Marinoxidiz, causing it to stumble back. It clamb one building until it arrived into the ceiling and opened one of his palms. Dark purple energy began gathering in it in the form of a sphere.


 * Marinoxidiz - Indeed, you are strong. Beginning the invasion in your empire was a most intelligent plan.
 * Kelsos - Fall back...FALL BACK!
 * Marinoxidiz - Your strength, however, means nothing for us, for we are stronger!
 * Marine sergeant - To the evac no--

Kelsos threw more rubble at the Marinoxidiz, while the demon launched the energy at the soldiers, causing a powerful explosion. Kelsos managed to find shelter and watch as his squad was decimated, he was launched away by the shockwave of an explosion, slamming against the floor. The Marinoxidiz was hit by the rubble and forced itself forward to not fall off the ceiling where he was standing. He let out a robotic-sounding roar, and more Marinoxidiz began appearing in a distance.

Kelsos saw what this meant. He decided there was little choice, there was not much of his unit left and he bolted for an escape out of the ruins. More black and white Draconis and spherical demons followed Kelsos, while the Marinoxidiz launched in a distance.


 * Marinoxidiz - I can see you running! But when the Devourer comes, there will be nowhere to run!

Kelsos threw as much rubble as he could at his chasers, tearing crumbling walls off and toppling buildings to save himself. With all the rubble in their path, the enemies finally stopped on their tracks. Turning a street he aimed his rifle, firing a blast from it targeted right in the Marinoxidiz' spokesman's eye.


 * Kelsos - [comm] This is Kelsos. Requesting emergency evac.

The shot hit the Marinoxidz, causing it to shout in surprise. It let out a roar and began running at Kelsos' direction, causing the ground to shake with each step. Seein the monster approching Kelsos ran for the roftop of a nearby building, He squinted to look up into the sky and looked back to the approaching Marinoxidiz, waiting for the dropship to arrive. The Marinoxidiz was not very fast, but it tore down any wall of rubble on its way just by tacking it. Kelsos fired more shots at it, his heartrate increasing when he saw a speck in the sky getting closer. Squinting he recognised the profile of an AO-8, pacing up towards it the shaking ground caused the building to give way and Kelsos opened his wings to slow his fall, hitting the broken ground on his feet but stumbling and landing on his stomach, shielding himself as the building gave way around him.

The Marinoxidiz arrived to his location, but the dust from the fallen building blocked his view of Kelsos. He looked around, growling, with purple energy forming on his hands. Kelsos was fortunate once the dust settled, most of the building had avoided him and the chunks that did come close were tossed aside by telekinesis. He stood up with dust coating his scales, the dropshi pnow in clear sight. Seeing the Marinoxidiz Kelsos opened his wings, kicking more dust into the air and attempted to launch himself off the ground and fly towards the approaching dropship. The Marinoxidiz, still having no sight of Kelsos, unleashing his energy into the dust, causing another explosion which cleared his vision. He looked until he saw Kelsos flying in a distance, and began walking into his direction.

A marine opened the dropship's side-door and reached for Kelsos as he flew close, grabbing the inquisitor by the arm. The dropship was a few dozen metres from the ground, flying low in order to help Kelsos up.


 * Kelsos - Get this thing back to the fleet. Now.

The Marinoxidiz suddenly opened his own wings and boosted himself forward, leaping into the dropshp's direction with his maw open. As the dropship turned around the marine widened his eyes and powered up the swivel-mounted particle repeater, swiveling it around and firing at the Marinoxidiz as it approached. The shots caused the Marinoxidiz to lose his balance and fall down into the ground, smashing a building in the process. The marine sighed with relief and shut the side door Kelsos slumped at the back, panting and with wings sagging as he gathered his strength.


 * Marine - Inquisitor...what in all things was that?
 * Kelsos - We need to find out.

Through one of the dropship's viewing ports, Kelsos and the marines could see Eleielord itself smashing the city by unleasing tentacles at the largest buildings. Kelsos looked out of the viewing port and clenched his fists with rage.


 * Kelsos - Pilot relay an order to all ships, gather forces in the former city of Luveiros.
 * Pilot - ''Inquisition orders?
 * Kelsos - Yes. Gather tanks, drones, artillery, whatever we have and dispatch it to those ruins.

Coming of the Sniper of Darkness
This was not her target. This was not her mission. Yet, the nebula arrived to the region known as the. Errr had not ordered her to go there. He had ordered her to go to the opposite direction, to deal with a real target. Yet, something compelled her to travel to this galaxy. There was something in there that captivated her. Something powerful...something that should be hers.

Surely punishment would follow suite, but it would be worth it. At the, the colonists lived on their usual lives. Well known for being friendly...too friendly, in fact...they did whatever Asgords did in their spare time. Chat, watch their equivalent of television, play games...but the nebula arrived. The Asgords, at first skeptical, eventually decided to not care for it. In fact, it was kinda beautiful. It had an intense, purple glow, and emitted what appeared to be elctric shocks. It was like a huge light show, right above their heads. They could get used to this.

But then, the comets arrived. As always, a larger comet, followed by several smaller ones. The large comet crashed right in the middle of a populous city, levelling it into rubble. The comet uncurled itself to reveal a beaked monster with an enormous bug-like jaw, unlike those you would find in large insectoid aliens. On its back, four cannons extended, except those were no regular weapons. They were limbs, coming out of its back. The monster let out a feral screech and fired its cannons, blasting the landscape unlike an artillery tank.

'Where is it? Where is the power!?'

From the smaller comets, what appeared to be smaller versions of the monster appeared. And just like the larger one, they had cannons on their backs which fired like artillery. Unlike other attacks, no Marinoxidiz were involved, mainly because Okastana, the Sniper of Darkness had gone off course. Not that they were needed. Okastana bashed the ground with one of her arms, causing a massive earthquake which completely destroyed what remained of the Asgords in the region. She was angered, she could not find what she was looking for.

'You shall not hide the power from me!'

Okastana's cannons pressed themselves against each other until all four of them had their "exits" fused together. She let out a roar and out of it, an immense blast of entropic energy was fired upwards. The shot could easily be mistaken for a moon due to its sheer size. Okastana and her minions left the planet back to the nebula before the shot fell down and hit it, causing it to be annihilated into a little more than an asteroid belt.

Whatever this "power" was, the Dark Five was searching for it.

Blood Emperor
Tyraz's rage was burning and writhing inside of him as he walked away from the ruined apartment building that housed the Asgord diplomat, Lezia Ipevreia, who was left devastated and emotionally beaten after Tyraz's display of anger. He had entrusted her with just one duty and she had failed him. Tyraz's gauntlets were freshly coated with black blood, spilled from the bruised and cut skin of Lezia. Those wounds were not inflicted by any enemy, but by himself in his anger. She needed to acknowledge the penalty of her failure, the extent of Tyraz's tolerance. Tyraz's mind was clouded with thoughts and wonders on where his precious spawn was residing, if it remained alive at all.

Meanwhile, a blast was heard from a distant city, where a huge meteor had just fallen. Above it, a dark purple nebula covered the sky. Tyraz's eyes focussed towards it, broken out of his trance.


 * Tyraz - What? I didn't notice that before.

A large shadow jumped out of the city's ruins and fell near Tyraz and Lezia's location. It revealed itself to be a large, beaked monstrosity, who glared at them both. Tyraz looked up towards the abomination that stood glaring down before him. Instead of expressing fear, he bared his teeth and took a step back in frustration and anger, black vapour escaping from his skin as he looked into the monster's eyes.

Okastana let out a roar which blew Tyraz back a little. He narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists, snarling in anger as his body shook from rage.
 * Okastana - ...The power. The source of the power. It comes...from this location.
 * Tyraz - Whoever you are, feel free to wreck havoc to this city! But I suggest it wise to not place your filthy claws upon my flesh.
 * Okastana - You...you have traces of the power. The egg-shaped power. It must be used for the Devourer's glory!
 * Tyraz - My power is none of your concern, creature! Stand aside! My patience has been tried enough already.
 * Okastana - I don't want you...I want the egg!


 * Tyraz - The egg...The egg isn't here! And even if it was, I'd never allow such vile cretin to lay its hands upon it!

Okastana extended two bony blades out of the stubs which made up her arms.


 * Okastana - Then die, mortal!
 * Tyraz - You are severely mistaken, witch!

Tyraz roared at Okastana and ran forward, his eyes blazing red in a demonic manner. The Corruptus demon cackled and slashed at Tyraz's direction with one of his blade hands. Tyraz felt the blade slash through his scales, but he grabbed ahold of it tightly. Baring his teeth, he bit down into Okastana's blade with immense force. Tyraz felt as if he was biting a huge crystal. Okastana lifted him up and shook her hand, trying to get him off.


 * Okastana - All mortals die instantly. How did you not?
 * Tyraz - Such a stupid creature! If I possess a trace of the egg's power, who do you think I am?!

Okastana hissed and threw her hand into the ground, trying to bash Tyraz against it. However, Tyraz leaped into the air as she threw her hand, launching himself high into the air. His wings spread, allowing him to suspend himself in the air with the assistance of his demonic powers. As she noticed it, Okastana aimed one of her back cannons at Tyraz and fired at him.

His black energy now engulfing his body, he launched his fist forward with immense ferocity. While initially thrown back by what Okastana had launched at him, he let out a roar and managed to push it back at her direction, although not without sustaining damage. Okastana was hit by her own blast, which exploded on contact with her. She let out a pained roar and was blown back, destroying several buildings she collided with. Upon stopping, she shook her head, as if she was stunned.


 * Okastana - Insolent child...

As she was distracted from the counter, she did not expect the next move; Tyraz's head slammed against hers at a speed and force that would destroy most materials. Despite the size difference, she could definitely feel Tyraz's crest push against her head. Okastana groaned and staggered back, but then lifted one of her hands and bashed Tyraz away into a wall. She let out a roar and approached to strike at him again. However, before she could, a masked, humanoid figure teleported between the two.


 * ??? - Enough.
 * Okastana - Huh? Master?
 * ??? - I commanded you to attack Cyrannus. Instead you've come to this galaxy.
 * Tyraz - Ngh...do not get in my way! Who are you, anyway?!

The figure turned to Tyraz, his shining red eyes being visible across his mask. It then turned back to Okastana.


 * ??? - Are you trying to jeopardize the invasion?
 * Okastana - I was searching a power sour-
 * ??? - Leave. Now.

Okastana roared in frustration and curled herself into a ball. Moments later, she was enveloped in energy and blasted herself into the sky. Tyraz pulled himself from the building he had been smashed into and launched himself forward towards the masked figure.


 * Tyraz - I asked you a question!

Before Tyraz could reach him, a muscular, dark being emerged out of the figure's back and grabbed Tyraz by the neck, stopping him on his tracks.


 * ??? - Easy, Avatar. This man is not of our concern. We are on our way, anyway.
 * Avatar - ...Hmpf. Hrrrg.
 * Tyraz - Ngh, agh! Answer my question, scum! Who are you, what was that...thing?!
 * ??? - If you want to know so much...I am a scientist, and that thing...was one of my assistants.

The entity threw Tyraz into the ground, grunting at his direction.


 * ??? - Such rudeness. Well, goodbye. We will not meet again.
 * Tyraz - You had better hope we don't!

The figure and the entity on its back both disappeared in a black fog. Tyraz slammed the ground in frustration, growling as blood dripped from his mouth. In his anger, he stood and grabbed a nearby Asgord who had arrived to check on him, almost snapping their neck in the process. Throwing the Asgord away, he also disappeared into his vapour, disappearing from the area.

Apollo's Nightmare
It was a festive day at Coruannia, the location of the senate of the. A big announcement was about to be revealed. arrived to the planet, and despite being the president, he was not actually aware of what this announcement was about or who had called it. What mattered to him is that the entire senate was in commotion over it and they refused to tell him what it was about if it wasn't in person. Upon arriving to the senate, Apollo looked around himself to see hundreds of people celebrating over something.

As he walked through the corridors of the senate, he eventually encountered Senator Fila. Upon getting sight of Apollo, Fila ran up to him and the two shook hands.


 * Fila - President, you've finally arrived!
 * Apollo - Yes, I arrived a few momen-
 * Fila - Nevermind your travel, we must go now!
 * Apollo - What is this all about? Everyone refuses to explain this entire celebration to me.
 * Fila - You'll find out when he speaks. Come on, he's nearly here?
 * Apollo - Fila, wait. "He"? Who is "he"?

Fila, however, ignored Apollo's words and pulled him with him. Fila's grip was much stronger than that of a normal D'annaío, leaving Apollo with no choice but to follow him. They eventually reached the room with the senate seats, where the senators were all celebrating, and looking over a corridor. Apollo sat down next to Fila, and watched the senators all clapping and commemorating. Despite his insistence, Fila would not reply to any of his questions.

Eventually, however, a figure enterde through the corridor. It was immense and completely covered in large, regal robes, though his figure appeared fairly Capricornian. Apollo was startled by the being's immense size, but the senators all cheered harder as he appeared. The figure lifted one of his hands, and all senators were silent. He moved to a pod, and began to speak.

And as Apollo turned around, Fila had been replaced by a beast. Apollo shouted and fell over. As he got back up, he turned around to Senator Mizio. She was also a beast. And so was senators Mirea, Agna, Ramthrace...they had all become beasts. The large figure in the pod left it and approached Apollo, grabbing him on his immense grasp and putting him down. In a swift move, he removed his robes...to reveal yet another beast. All the beats laughed in union. Apollo only watched the larger beast, paralyzed.
 * ??? - Brothers and sisters of Cyrannus! Today, a new Era will begin! The Era of the Republic, of the Confederacy, of all failed governments and states will end, and from their ashes...I will be born!
 * Apollo - What?...Fila, what is-


 * ??? - Your leadership is nigh. Your galaxy will be consumed by fire. It is time to vote.

All the "senators" then shouted in union: "''OUT WITH HS HEAD".


 * ??? - The majority has chosen. This is the world of democracy.
 * Apollo - Who are you? What are you doing?!
 * ??? - I am your future.

The beasts all roared, and from the larger one, a blade-sharp appendage formed form him and was alunched agianst Apollo. And as soon as it hit him, Apollo woke up on his bed at his home. His wife,, slept quietly next to him. Apollo held his head for a moment before going to back sleep. What a horrible nightmare.

Assault of Constantipolos
Concurrent with Apollo's nightmare, Okastana's dreaded nebula arrived into territory. The first planet on her path would be the fairly large planet of Constantipolos. During these times, the Republic was already busy fighting the as part of the, the largest war in the cluster's modern history. And now, Okastana and her demons decided to make things even harder for the poor diplomatic people of the URC.

Swarms of Okasthae appeared in the surface of the planet and with their artillery cannons, they destroyed the military of the planet, which was taken completely off-guard. Okastana herself arrived in her usual meteor fashion, and as the Republic ships retaliated against her, she smiled. Unlike the other galaxy she attacked, these ones could actually put up a fight. However, her essence blasts could bypass the ships' shields and obliterate them easily. The Republic was unprepared, the last time they had fought demons was during the.

As Okastana obliterated the cities and prepared to deal the final blow to the planet, the Republic had actually managed to evacuate great part of the population and only part of the defense fleet was destroyed. While the planet was lost, most of its inhabitants escaped alive. And as the planet was destroyed, Okastana moved on. However, she was not going to the Core Worlds' direction as one would expect.

She was going to the Inner Rim.

Senate in Session
A day after the destruction of Constantipolos, Apollo called an emergency meeting of the Republic Senate. From across Republic-held space, senators began to arrive at Corunnia, the third moon of and the seat of the legislative body. Though he didn't mention his nightmare to anyone, Apollo found himself unnerved while on Corunnia, but buried these feelings of unease in the hopes of resolving the current crysis and ascertain the reasons behind the destruction of such an influential planet. The Senate Chambers were abuzz with activity when the President walked in, prompting the senators, even those against Apollo's leadership to stand as a sign of respect.

Apollo held up his hand and the senators sat. Accompanied by two Presidential guards, Apollo made his way to the podium and began to speak.


 * Apollo - I assume you are all aware of the situation? The planet of Constantipolos, an ancient Caprican colony in the Mid Rim, was destroyed by an unknown assailant. We have no idea who is behind these attacks, but it is imperative that we prevent a repeat incident.

The senators murmured amonst themselves.


 * Senator  - Do we have any idea about the current location of this "unknown assailant"?
 * Apollo - More or less. According to the most recent data, it is not heading toward the Core Worlds as one would suspect. Instead, it is headed toward the far side of the Inner Rim.
 * Senator  - Then we simply must reinforce our worlds there and of course, warn neighbouring civilisations. What worlds are in the most immediate danger?
 * Apollo - Along its current trajectory, it is heading directly toward Puria, the homeworld of the .
 * Senator Dua'Tess - The Ermitant? I'm not familiar with them. 

Senator Chaciá, the young senator spoke up.


 * Chaciá - Ahem... They are a peaceful race of traders. As far as I'm aware, they are officially neutral in the Great War, though they have shown strong pro-Republic tendancies in recent months.
 * Guolivian - Nevertheless, we cannot rule out the possibility that this entity will not divert its course to attack another Republic world. As far as I'm aware, Nahdar, Atum-Natl and even are all located along the creatures' path. It would be foolish not to reinforce these colonies first and evacuate them if necessary.
 * Gianne - Surely you're not implying we simply leave the Ermitant to their fate if the creature does decide to attack them.
 * Guolivian - I'm not implying anything senator. I'm simply pointing out the facts. If you haven't already noticed, the Confederacy are advancing further into our territory everyday and we should weigh up the evidence before throwing a flotilla at the problem.

Senator Mizio of raised her hand, indicating her intention to speak.


 * Mizio - Cyroenia is still recovering from 's recent attack. However, the Ermitant have proven to be good friends to our planet in the past. They are strong trading partners and if they are in danger, I would be happy to send a fleet to reinforce their defenses. Just in case.
 * Apollo - ''That is most kind Senator. I will contact President Gharrrko and inform him of the situation. Meanwhile, I'm issuing a mandatory evacuation of colonies in the creature's path as well as a freeze on trading in the immediate area until this creature is subdued. This meeting is adjourned.

The senators continued to discuss the situation between themselves while Apollo watched the sun set over the sea. Was this decision too late?

Taking of Puria
It was indeed too late. The nebula had skipped Nahdar, Atum-Natl and Cyroenia, and went straight to the Ermitant homeworld of Puria. The fleet sent from Cyroenia had just arrived when the Corruptus force arrived. Inside the nebula, Okastana ordered the ships taken down, and swarms of demons began teleporting directly inside the ships. As they fought, the soldiers found themselves going into blind bloodlusts, which merely empowered the demons attacking them:, the most numerous demons after the spherical beings and the Marinoxidiz themselves. The rage of mortals was their fuel and their nourishment.

As the fleet was taken care of, the nebula engulfed the Ermitant homeworld. However, unlike with other planets, Okastana did not attack the surface, nor did any other demons. Instead, they just orbited around it, covering the sky. A single entity made teleported itself into the capital of Puria, its blood-red eyes looking down on the buildings and citizens. It had been over 600 years since he had last seen this planet. Errr himself.

The population ran away from the unindentified invader as he casually walked into the presidency palace's direction. His eyes watched through his mask, his expression unknown, completely covered. Soldiers appeared with their guns primed and unleashed fire on his direction. But before any of the shots could hit him, the Avatar of the Devourer manifested itself and shielded Errr, completely nullifying the weapons. Errr walked up to one soldier, who shivered at the sight of the demon coming out of Errr's back.


 * Errr - Is Gharrrko home? I want to pay him a visit.
 * Soldier - W-w-who the hell are you?!
 * Errr - That's not the answer I want. Take me to your president. Now.
 * Soldier - K-k-kill him!

And in a flick of a second, the Ermitant soldier's body was thrown upwards, and his body was bent diagonally, then folded itself horizontally, breaking all of his torso instantly. Errr had not moved a muscle, nor did the Avatar. The scientist continued walking on, the rest of the soldiers paralyzed in fear.

And some minutes later, received a call from Apollo.


 * Apollo - Greetings, President Gharrrko. Your planet is under threat, and we sent a fleet to help you-
 * Gharrrko - You don't need to tell me...I already know...

Errr was already in front of Gharrrko. With a wave of his hand, all equipment in the office stopped working. Errr glared at Gharrrko, who could not recognize him due to the mask and the scars.


 * Gharrrko - What in the world's name are you...
 * Errr - Hello again, Gharrrko. I see you've taken good care of my planet for me. A good job, indeed.
 * Gharrrko - Your planet? Eh?
 * Errr - I take my laboratory is untouched. None of you would know how to find it anyway.
 * Gharrrko - ...Wait...Errr?
 * Errr - Your services are no longer needed. I would kill you, but for old times' sake, I'll just have you arrested. Goodbye.

Errrbots entered the room, ordering Gharrrko out. Completely defenseless, the Ermitant president simply put his head down and left, being escorted away. Errr sat on his chair, turning it to the window's direction, giving him a full view of the Ermitant capital and the darkened sky. He put his hands up.


 * Errr - Your Vizier is back.

Coming of the Crystal Beast
The. A well known threat across the Gigaquadrant, famous for being present in nearly all galaxies at some point of their history. In some galaxies, for more time than others. Nonetheless, the Grox were among the most powerful forces in the known universe, sporting extremely advanced technology which made them in par with civilizations such as the. And at one point of the Grox's history, they possessed a secondary force. One that had striked fear and terror in the Milky Way Galaxy 600 years ago.

The. Synthetically enhanced beings of such elasticity and agility, they could dominate any battlefield they were deployed in. A race of absolutely devoted, merciless, emotionless abominations, create expecially to serve the Grox's will. The perfect slave race, until the caused their demise. The Grox had just given Marinox drones to other galaxies when it happened. And so they thought: servants who die out so easily? No longer useful. And so the Marinox were discarded, except for very specific exceptions.

And now, the Marinox were back, and had a new master.

Through unknown space, Grox colonies detected a nebula of purple and dark colouration advance at faster-than-light speed at their direction. From this nebula, comets surrounded by purple fire descended into the atmosphere of a Grox planet. Planetary defenses would usually deal with this kind of thing before it even approached the planet, but when they attacked, the comet just fell faster. It crashed, causing an earthquake which shattered the terrain kilometers around it. Uncurling itself, comet showed an eyeless visage, and spoke. Crystalize...

Grox spaceships immediately detected the huge monster and attacked it with their most potent weapons, but found out they could not even penetrate its skin. More comets fell through the planet, and out of them, massive icy beasts emerged and roared, causing blizzards which froze hordes of Dronox troopers in seconds. It was no mere monster, it was Gobongogon, the Crystal Beast. Lifting its fist, it hammered a Grox city, completely obliterating the landscape in an explosion. The monster's strength was unlike an antimatter bomb at each attack, and no matter how hard the Grox attack, it shrugged off their attacks as if they were nothing but flies.

Weak...

Portals emerged, and out of them, the old servants appeared with a vengeance. Marinoxidiz troopers swarmed the planet to loot the Grox's technology for themselves and to spit on the soon-to-be graves of these weak, small, pathetic imps who once served as their leaders. And as soon as they were ready, Gobongogon let out his ultimate strike, stomping on the ground with tremendous force. Entropic Energy-made, mountain-sized, blade-sharp crystals emerged out of the planet and literally impaled it. By the time Gogongogon returned to the nebula he had come from, the former Grox colony had been reduced to a gigantic, demonic crystal.

The Dark Five had come for the Grox.

The Avatar's Order
The Realm of Dreams is an alternate plane of existence located somewhere in the infinity where the subconscious of mortals and immortals alike connect into a single point. Their ideas, wishes and dreams manifest themselves in this abstract dimension, where they interact each other in a plane where the concept of time does not exist and everything is composed by an ancient power known as Dream Energy. This plane of existence was indeed alive and sentient, but inside of him, what could be compared to a cancerous cell was growing. Part of this infinite paradise was being corrupted by the vile power of the prisoner who had been trapped in there 9 billion years in the past.

Guarding the un-corrupted areas from this "cancer" were a race of small, wisp-like beings known as. Leading them was a majestic, avian-like being who was actually thousands of these small wisps who had united themselves in a single body. This being was known as the Alaromáryvaklarah in the Realm's tongue, "Thea'Nhirara" in the tongue of the ancient ones and "Destiny Bringer" by her students. As she led her Thoi'olerthae sisters into battle against the swarms, a call from above ordered her to leave the front lines. She teleported away to be face to face with a huge, abstract being. She bowed to him, causing the being to lift one of his arms in her direction. That was the god of dreams, Veiro'Bheranka, also known as "Carmetego" and he was growing weaker.


 * Thea'Nhirara - Father, your power dimishes more and more every day.
 * Carmetego - The nightmare regions consume us. Shu'wokerama and his agents have awakened, and Laminoula'Fuerq was slain.
 * Thea'Nhirara - The Body of Fuerq is dead?!
 * Carmetego - Slain, and broken into five pieces, currently under the guard of Shu'wokerama's minions.
 * Thea'Nhirara - Father...if Shu'wokerama managed to slay Laminoula'Fuerq...I fear for our future.

Carmetego lifted his fist and put a finger near his mouth, as if he was telling Thea'Nhirara to remain quiet. His movements were slow and jittery, as if he was an old man.


 * Carmetego - We will not fall to the Devourer, child. Like the ancients didn't, you must not lose hope.
 * Thea'Nhirara - What shall we do then, Father?
 * Carmetego - Go to the universe currently under attack. Take Laminoula's pieces and bring him back to life. To aid you I shall call one of your most trusted sisters. Avahlarómahlya!

Upon hearing the call, a Thoi'olerthae materialized near Thea'Nhirara. This particular Thoi'olerthae wore what appeared to be a headpiece.


 * Avahlarómahlya - I am here, Father!
 * Carmetego - Avahlarómahlya, you and Alaromáryvaklarah are to go to the threatened universe and reunited Laminoula'Fuer's broken body. Gather all the allies you can. We cannot allow the Devourer to grow any more powerful.
 * Avahlarómahlya - Oh, sister! We'll be in a mission together!
 * Thea'Nhirara - This is serious. Don't mistake it for play.
 * Avahlarómahlya - I'm sorry. I won't!
 * Carmetego - Now go. I will stall the monster...while I still can...

A portal formed near Thea'Nhirara and Avahlarómahlya both entered. Carmetego then closed it and looked forward. In the horizon, the red fiery corrupted advanced, and inside of it, a colossal dark figure with three red eyes stared at him, grinning. Carmetego made his way to it, so he could push it back...while he could...

The Birth Closes In
Gobongogon's relentless assault on Grox territories kept going. Far-away galaxies with Grox presence were completely consumed by the Crystal Beast and the Marinoxidiz. No matter how the mighty and advanced Grox attacked, they could not even harm the humongous, kilometer-tall monstrosity who single-handely turned their worlds into rubble. Right behind them, the Marinoxidiz looted the Grox's technology for themselves, to mock them even further.

During one of Gobongogon's attacks, oversaw the invasion. Telepathically, he received a message from his master creator. The burning image of Errr's mask and shining eyes invaded Karnak's mind.


 * Errr - Status report.
 * Karnak - Gobongogon feasts. We have obtained vast amounts of technology to be taken to the Nightmare Realm and the Overworlds.
 * Errr - Casualties?
 * Karnak - For us? Next to none. The Grox are pathetic. They have no anti-essence weaponry.
 * Errr - Good. Have Gobongogon devour them all and have the Errrbots take all the equipment. The birth should not take much longer now.
 * Karnak - I shall do so, master creator.

And as they talked, Grox scout drones flew around Gobongogon, trying their best to analyze the beast before it could hit them. And after much effort, they managed to detect something and send it to the Grox databases. Upon analyzing the data, the usually emotionless Grox grew uneasy. There was another beast, growing inside the one already attacking.

Gobongogon was pregnant.

Borealis' Defense
Gobongogon's Corruptus nebula travelled to the distant regions of the Gigaquadrant to take on another Grox stronghold. This region was the, one of the least known galaxies at the time. Due to its distance and the fact no known empire had colonies in there, Borealis was but an unnamed, ignored region in most empires' maps. However, the Grox lived in there, and this attracted the Corruptus. The, in fact the most powerful empire of this unknown galaxy.

And as the nebula was about to enter Borealis territory, it was immediately hit by a psychic blast of such intensity that caused it to back away immediately. In the nebula, Arrtkar Crowart ordered iit to try teleporting inside, but as the nebula attempted, another, stronger blast hit it again. It tried entering the galaxy from another direction, only to be stopped again. Arrtkar grew irritated and ordered the nebula to unleash its energy into the galaxy, but before he could give any order, an image appeared on his head. It was a blue Grox.


 * ??? - Such racket.
 * Arrtkar - What?
 * ??? - You should have noticed by now that I will not allow demons in my galaxy.
 * Arrtkar - Who are you to stop us, Grox scum?

The blue Grox laughed inside Arrtkar. The demonic servant began shivering and held his head in pain, and right after, the entire nebula began spazzing.


 * ??? - I am one who holds the power of gods.
 * Arrtkar - Ther eiso nly one god, and that is the Devourer of Dreams!
 * ??? - Your god is nothing but a bothersome obstacle. I will not say this twice. Leave.
 * Arrtkar - I do not take order from-

At this moment, the image of the Grox was replaced by four burning, red eyes. It shouted in such intensity that Arrtkar screamed.


 * ??? - LEAVE.

The entire nebula was blasted back and disappeared. Whatever protected this galaxy, the Corruptus was actually not powerful eonough to breach it.

Out with a Bang
Analyzing the best countermeasure against Gobongogon, the Grox Empire was growing worried. If they allowed the demon to live any longer, another one would be born. And if Gobongogon really was fertile, who knew how much more offspring he could produce. As the Grox hivemind concentrated, after much thinking, it arrived to a conclusion: if they could not take Gobongogon out, they could at least delay it by murdering its baby through ghost-phasing.

Ghost-phasing was the act of turning a ship intangible. The Grox's plan was to plant a powerful enough explosive inside the monster to at least kill off the baby and possibly damage the parent as well. After making their preparations, the Grox ship with the explosive travelled to the location of the Corruptus nebula and unleashed thir weapons at it. Their intention was to distract it enough to attack Gobongogon. However, as the battle began, a white portal opened nearby the fleet, and a blue avian creature with a heavenly aura appeared: Thea'Nhirara.

Gobongogon's massive head appeared out of the nebula, whicha ttacked the Grox fleet with a combination of tentacles and essence blasts. Upon taking sight of Thea'Nhirara, Gobongogon let out a slow laugher through telepathy.


 * Gobongogon - The Destiny Bringer is here...what a visit...
 * Thea'Nhirara - Dark Five scum! Deliver the shard of Laminoula'Fuerq in your possession immediately!
 * Gobongogon - Laminoula will stay...and watch the crystals grow...what is life...without crystals...without bad dreams...an empty life...
 * Thea'Nhirara - You are irrational. You fit your master well, abomination.
 * Gobongogon - Life...wishes...dreams...all false...there is only nightmares...only crystal...only cold and emptiness...you will learn...these Grox will learn...all of this universe...will learn!

Gobongogon let out a blast out of his mouth at Thea'Nhirara's direction. While she evaded, several Grox ships were hit and instantly annihilated. While Thea'Nhirara showed no sympathy for the Grox, she couldn't allow Gobongogon's rampage to go on.


 * Gobongogon - Your place...you will...learn...your place...!...Arrtkar...destroy!

And out of the nebula, Arrtkar Crowart appeared and tackled Thea'Nhirara through the vacuum. Gobongogon hid his head inside the nebula again, with the Grox fleet being incapable of finding him.


 * Thea'Nhirara - Traitor! Your life persists?
 * Arrtkar - You should have learned already, missy. I spit and laugh at death's face!

Thea'Nhirara and Arrtkar delivered blows at each other, their essences conflicting and causing massive shockwaves around themselves. The Grox turned their attention to them, and noticed Thea'Nhirara fighting one of their enemies. After a few moments, the Grox fleet unleashed a barrel of lasers at Arrtkar's direction, causing heavy damage to him. He shouted in pain, and Thea'Nhirara turned to the Grox with a smile.


 * Arrtkar - Cursed filth!
 * Thea'Nhirara - Even the emotionless know you have no right to exist. Begone!

Thea'Nhirara finished Arrtkar off with a blast from her palms which hit the servant through his chest. The servant screeched and exploded by a blast of Entropic Energy. The Grox fleet stood by Thea'Nhirara's side as she launched another blast, this time directly at the Corruptus nebula. Gobongogon was launched out of it in a roar, his body being paralyzed by the blast. The Grox fleets then did their job, ghost-phasing through the monster and leaving the explosive inside of it.


 * Gobongogon - You accomplish...nothing...I am...the weakest of Five...Arrtkar...cannot die...
 * Thea'Nhirara - Me and my kin will hunt your companions to the last of our breaths. For as long as we live, the Corruptus will have no chance!
 * Gobongogon - Your words...as meaningless as life...the outcome...will be the same regardless...Shu'ulathoi is back...the black fog will...consume everything!

The Grox detonated the explosive. Unexpected for them, Gobongogon's insides were in fact very fragile. The resulting explosion terminated Gobongogon, launching his hardened skin into space. The nebula began spazzing out uncontrollably until it vanished into its entirely, leaving only a large, shining energy sphere. The Marinoxidiz in the fleet teleported away as soon as Gobongogon died.

Seeing their task done, the Grox fleet departed. Only a handful of ships had survived, but the enemy had been eliminated. Meanwhile, Thea'Nhirara flew over to the energy sphere and took it. It was indeed one of Laminoula'Fuerq's broken essence pieces. She then teleported away, hopping that her sister was having the same luck.

At Errr's laboratory, he had watched the entire conflict through telepathy. He opened his eyes to see a weakened Arrtkar Crowart in front of him. Through Errr's mask, Arrtkar could see his burning red eyes in a state of tranquil fury.


 * Errr - You were distracted and killed by Grox.
 * Arrtkar - Thea'Nhirara showed up, I could not-
 * Errr - Silence. You are pathetic. Anyway, I am not the one you have to answer to.

A large shadow formed behind Arrtkar. As he saw its sillhouette on the form, he was already aware it was the shadow of his master Shu'wokerama.


 * Errr - They are.

Arrtkar turned to his master, who was less than content with the outcome of the battle.


 * Shu'wokerama - You are well aware of the consequences of your failures, servant.
 * Arrtkar - I'm sorry, master. I promise you, It will not happ-
 * Shu'wokerama - We don't want promises! We want results! Leave!

And with that, Arrtkar left the laboratory. He should be glad. Failing Shu'wokerama often results in a proportionally large punishment. Errr nodded to the demon as he left as well, and resumed his operations on his laboratory. Gobongogon was one one of five.