Fiction:Second War of Black Fog/Part 3

"You will regret ever wronging me, Plazith Rim..."

The Plazithian Massacre is the third part of the. It marked the longest and bloodiest period of the war, when the and their allies were subject to the full might of the dreaded  and their demonic gods.

=The March of Death=

Pseudothoi Technology
The attacks of came to a halt following the defeat of the. A new year had started at this point, and it was now 2780 by human calendar standards. However, the coming of a new year was ignored by the 's topmost scientists as they worked on their newest technology under the direction of none other but, built especially to combat the forces of nightmare. Collaborating with and the newly resurrected, after weeks of non-stopping work, they were finally proud to announce their invention was ready for field testing.

, ruler of the race, cradled the young  in her arms, who in turn cuddled the   as they watched the tests. and were each given weapons fitting for each, in this case an assault rifle and a shotgun respectively, as the scientists revealed their targets: multiple corrupted and barely sapient soldiers, captured from the headquarters of the  months prior which had been taken to this world for study. The sight of the mutants caused Jerkon's eyes to squint briefly out of disgust, while Koluap laughed eagerly as he pumped his shotgun on his hands. Also overseeing the test were Tarygan, Thea'Nhirara and Laminoula'Fuerq himself, who watched from a distance, his shadow somewhat covering most of the testing chamber. , the mercenary, leaned against a wall and watched the scene from a distance, not wanting to stay close to the revived giant. Something about him made him feel extremely uncomfortable.


 * Tarygan - First run of Pseudothoi weaponry is to begin now. Get in position, boys.
 * Jerkon - Pseudothoi? Elaborate.
 * Tarygan - Using the otherworldly knowledge of mister Laminoula'Fuerq and miss Nhirara, our scientists have done our best to emulate Dream Energy essence in order to combat Corruptus demons more easily. The emphasis is on emulating, because attempts to clone the actual energy have proven fruitless. The ammunition in your weapons is made out of this emulated material we have named Pseudothoi, and while it isn't as strong as the actual essence, it will deal further harm to Entropic entities such as these test subjects.
 * Koluap - That's a weird-ass name if you ask me.
 * Thea'Nhirara - In my people's tongue, the energy of our patron is named Thoi Themek. Dream Energy is a name created by mortals to be used by mortals. Similarly, we refer to the powers of nightmare as Kharav Themek.
 * Koluap - Fair enough, missy. Can we start the shooting part now?
 * Tarygan - Indeed. The less time wasted, the better.

Tarygan signaled to her assistants which led to the containment keeping the corrupted soldiers being opened, and the zombie-esque creatures immediately charged at Jerkon and Koluap's direction. The two opened fire, and as their shots hit the enemies, the testing room could watch as bright blasts of energy erupted into their bodies, feeling like powerful explosions which tore the corrupted soldiers's apart as if they were being hit by anti-tank weaponry. Jerkon's eyes widened by the reaction caused by the attacks, while Koluap could do little else but cackle out loudly as the corrupted soldiers were reduced to flesh chunks before their eyes, their remains eventually dissolving into a black mist.


 * Tarygan - Success.
 * Koluap - Holy shit! I love it!
 * Jerkon - That was... ludicrous. They were completely decimated.
 * Tarygan - With this firepower, you will no longer have to worry about Kikra Caste, or any other lesser demon overrunning you. More powerful demons will surely demand more firepower, but that is to be expected. We will be distributing this ammunition to our allies in the coming battles.
 * Thea'Nhirara - Your technological prowess is to be admired. Do you not agree, Laminoula?
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - Hm. Indeed. I am proud to have contributed to this project.
 * Koluap - What about you, big guy? You're yet to tell us what you are.

Koluap walked over to Laminoula'Fuerq, only standing as tall as one of the giant's toes as he looked down at the Spinker, letting out a quiet chuckle.


 * Laminoula'Fuerq - I will gladly explain myself and my purpose soon, young one. But for now, I must focus on the next step of our plan. Now that you can fight on even terms with the Corruptus, we must find a way to weaken the High Three.
 * Jerkon - High Three?
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - , the world devourer., the nightmare haunter. And finally. , the lord of the Corruptus's armies.
 * Jerkon - These names... We have encountered this Shu'suvreca before. When we rescued Miss Nhirara from the clutches of the Marinoxidiz, he appeared to us. He was... impossibly large.
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - Indeed, young one. And now that the Dark Five have been defeated, the High Three will be your greatest obstacle. Only once they are destroyed will we be able to defeat the Corruptus menace.

The Pseudothoi technology would be shared with the allies of the Dracogonarious Empire for the next conflicts with the demons of nightmare. Perhaps they were finally going to take the fight to the Corruptus rather than be their punching bags... but that is only wishful thinking.

A Shortly-Lived Respite
The death of Hagto'Zhl had provided breathing room for many in the Milky Way, not least of all the. The lull in the fighting gave the Imperium's military a chance to ease itself and reoganise its troops. During this time Rosarion Ultanos, one of the immediate brothers of the still-absent Uriel Ultanos, was visiting the jurasdiction of praetor Taela Savenium. During one evening, the landscape viewed fro mthe governmental palace illuminated by the lights of the capital metropolis below, the two notaries talked politics and strategy as they headed for a quiet dinner in the dining hall.

Operatives of the Inquisition of Drakon were known for their hands-of approach to politics but this time things were different. Joining Taela as an entourage were two inquisitors, dispatched by the Inner circle. Alestos, the elder and more grizzled inquisitor, walked beside Taela and Rosarion as they talked a new strategy for if, or more likely when, hostilities would resume. Walking behind him, almsot mixing in with Rosarion's Blood Dragon escort, was, a young inquisitor who for the most part had kept quiet while his elder was discussing matters of counterattack.


 * Alestos - This isn't the end, lady Taela. An incursion like this doesn't simply stop when you cut off one leadership.
 * Taela - You speak as if these, hrmph, "demons" are alien to the concept of supply lines.

Despite all everyone had been though, Taela still scoffed at the thought that for the past two years the Imperium's military, the entire Gigaquadrant in fact, had been fighting just another alien threat. Rosarion however, did not look impressed. He signified his displeasure with a quiet tut.


 * Alestos - We're not facing a rival power, your exellency. We are fighting something much more alien.
 * Rosarion - The Inquisitor is right. The paragavessa was in the palace when the dead came up from below. We're not facing rivals or a plague. No matter what the media nodes say. We're facing something else.
 * Taela - Honestly, you two are starting to sound like those Maasari preachers that the department head of Domestic Security keeps complaining about. Our foes bleed, scream and die just as anything else.
 * Rosarion - That is true, admittedly. Most of the forces we've faced, supernatural as the Inquisition claims them, still seem to be as vunerable to enough firepower as any being, if a little more resillient.
 * Taela - The nwe can assume that eventually they will run out of steam, or perhaps they eventually get settled on the extent of their war.
 * Rosarion - Except so far they only seem to be destroying rather than occupying or capturing. We've already had billions converted into those..."Kikra caste", who are short-lived rabid zombies more than anything else, and they show little signs of slowing down aside from the resolutino in Dranvamus.
 * Taela - And that is their undoing. They sound more like animals than a rational faction.
 * Rosarion - Perhaps they are. But they seem intent on transforming thinking beings of all kinds to rabid animals.

It was at this point that the skies of the planet turned dark, the sun being nearly instantly blot out by a fog of pure darkness. Swarms rained from the sky in the form of Shu'olerthae and Malcaeum demons who fell into the city like a swarm of wasps with little regard for what was under them, and once they hit the ground, they immediately began attacking everything in sight.

Rosarion and Sarec watched with mouths agape as the city was set ablaze from the chaos of war in moments. The others looked over and Taela's eyes widened as she took in what was going on, but it was not to her liking.


 * Taela - How...How in the void did they get so deep into allied territory?
 * Rosarion - You should be asking that question about Alcanti!
 * Alestos - There's no time for a blame game, everyone move to a more secure location!

Rosarion and Taela nodded and picked up the pace. Instead of pacing towards the dining hall, they headed in the direction of the lower levels of the palace with an almost skipping pace, desperate for shelter against the attack. The sound of enemy activity inside the palace would be noted moments after they began retreating, with the roars and growls of the Corruptus demons becoming more audible as they attacked. It would not take long for a small group of Malcaeum to give chase to the group, letting out shouts and barks at them in provocation.


 * Malcaeum - No escape us!
 * Rosarion - Dragons cover us!

The entourage nodded and several of them swiveled around to fire plasma bolts at the approaching Malcaeum. Half of Rosarion's entourage devoted themselves to keeping the way forward clear while the other half kept the rear in check. The message was passed around and other Blood Dragons, who were in nearby corridors, joined the action from a medium distance, trying desperately to keep the Malcaeum at bay from encroaching on the notaries. The unprotected bodies of the demons gave them little protection against the weapons of the Dragons, and they were given breathing room as the Malcaeum were cut down, bursting into purple flames as they were destroyed.

Ahead of the group, however, black fog manifested out of the ground as a massive Carnirrasc demon teleported in, letting out blood-curled growls at the group as it launched its huge machetes at them. Blood Dragons that were close enough holstered their fusion rifles and drew longsabres and daggers to cut at the Carnirrasc's flesh with cold plasma-coated steel reinforced and sharpened with numerous alloys. The weapons cut through the legs of the giant and forced it to stagger back, and the Carnirrasc growled once again as he was forced to give them room to progress. More screams of Malcaeum could be heard through the corridors as their numbers increased, and surely more of them would start giving chase soon. The wounds and damage the Carnirrasc caused to the group meant that despite all orders given, two Dragons, blinded by the infamous berserker fury dragonrage stayed behind ot try and finish the demon off while the group moved closer and closer towards the bunkers underneath the palace.


 * Taela - They want me dead, they're burning an entire city to assassinate me!
 * Alestos - You are but a trophy, your exellency. This world will be burned regardless of how alive you end up being.
 * Taela - For a man famous for being able to dissolve barbaric cults by the dozen you're not very good at consoling people.
 * Alestos - Right now I'm not in a "dissolve cults with logic" type of mood.
 * Rosarion - That...thing seemed rather eager for your head though.
 * Taela - These demons recognise authority it seems.
 * Rosarion - Special treatment for a HVT?
 * Taela - I suppose.

The group kept moving, deeper into the depths they went towards the bunker chamber. No Malcaeum came after them after the encounter with the Carnirrasc, though they could still hear their yells which sounded much louder than before. It appeared the dragonrage was something incredibly amusing for them. The only thing that came after the group after that were stray Kikra-caste individuals who could easily be shot down from a safe distance. The change in stress eased the nerves of the politicians as they reached the heavy reinforced doors of the bunker that Taela kept underneath her residence for such an occasion as this. While she activated the opening sequence, Alestos, Sarec and a few remaining Blood Dragons kept watch over the corridor they had come down, shootging Kikra-caste that strayed into the hallway. Alestos looked to Sarec, who looked a little shaken up


 * Alestos - Sarec How are you feeling?
 * Sarec - I'm good. Little shaken up.
 * Alestos - Nothing I haven't seen you handle before.
 * Sarec - Well that giant was a bit of a surprise...what was it?
 * Alestos - We'll have analysts look into the archives once this engagement is over. Wasn't a Malcaeum that was for sure.

There was a clang and a screech as the heavy door of the bunker opened. Alestos darted his head back and made a signal with his hand to call everyone inside. A brief glance inside the preservation bunker and it was easy to see this was a praetor's refuge, with high ceilings, decorated pillars and walls decorated with delicate patterns around the lower half of the walls.


 * Sarec - You're not a vampire are you, your exellency?
 * Taela - You expect me to protect myself during bombardment in a grimy concrete pit?
 * Sarec - Well no...I just didnt expect this.
 * Taela - I have tastes inquisitor. If I'm going to be hiding as the planet goes to the Void I might as well do so in comfort. We should be able to weather any sort of bombardment short of this chunk of rock being ejected into space and torn apart piece by piece.
 * Rosarion - Well that's...comforting.

Taela was not the only one here. Connecting chambers indicated that this place was not just a bunker, but a command centre. War rooms, barracks, armouries, Taela and the staff that had also found refuge in here appeared well-prepared for anything down here. And while the comfort of this bunker was a good sign, the group would still hear the sound of heavy steps outside, as something appeared to crawl through the corridors. Something massive. On one of the screens inside the bunker, they could see a single, immense claw tapping at the walls, like it was searching for something. Sarec's eyes turned to the screen shwoing the outside of the bunker and shivered as he panicked from the sight.


 * Sarec - What about a titan-sized demon with claws the size of my head?
 * Taela - Not even an Earthshaker round could root this facility.
 * Rosarion - You didnt' spend more than your mandatory tour of duty in the Aetheral Body did you?
 * Taela - I was a member of the diplomatic corps.
 * Rosarion - That explains a lot.

In the screen, the entity moved forward, allowing Sarec to take a glance at what it was. It was a gigantic, winged Malcaeum with eyes as black as the void of space, crawling on all fours as it squeezed through the corridors. The claw was in fact the entirely of its right arm, which appeared like a whip made of exposed bone which ended in a large claw-like finger.


 * Sarec - My mistake. A claw that's bigger than I am.
 * Taela - What sort of bioweapon are they sending against me?
 * Alestos - Looks like a demon commander to me.

The giant demon disappeared from the monitors. And moments later, the sound of tapping could be heard on the bunker's entrance. This shocked everyone as the echoing tap rang though the main chamber. Taela appeared to freeze in place as she feared for her life.


 * Alestos - ...everyone move quietly out of the lobby and into to the war room.
 * ??? - I can feel the smell of your fear...
 * Taela - Wh-what?
 * Rosarion - It's trying--- Trying to intimidate you madame.
 * Taela - Well....its working.
 * ??? - You try to run... run from the bloodshed... but the bloodshed always finds a way.

At this moment, the demon's gigantic claw pierced through the reinforced doors of the bunker like a spear, while one of the four eyes of the giant Malcaeum could be seen outside. Taela froze solid, prompting Rosarion and Alestos to briskly drag her form the door. Alestos then calledo ut ot Sarec


 * Alestos - Sarec get the praetor into the war room. The Dragons and I will hold it off!
 * Sarec - You want to face him?
 * Alestos - Our priority is the praetor and the prince.

Sarec nodded and took up Alestos' place in holding Taela. The senior Inquisitor paced int oposition and drew his battle rifle while other dragons joined him. The demon began clawing his way through the door, tearing chunks of it off as it entered the bunker. The group was standing before, greatest of the Malcaeum, and he was easily told apart from the others by size alone. Were it not for the fact it was supernatural, there was no way something this large could squeeze through the corridors like it did.


 * Shu'rahkavarh - Be butchered.. be skewered through by me...
 * Alestos - Open fire!

Shu'rahkavarh's words were met with a heavy volley of plasma fire from a dozen sources that struck his body. The demon appeared to ignore the shots as he threw his spear-like claw forward, stabbing through one of the Blood Dragons and skewering through his body until he stopped halfway through the demon's arm. The attack caused the soldiers to relocate while Sarec watched, al lthe while dragging the praetor's terrified body into the war room next door. Realising the raw power in this demon's arms, the soldiers that fired at him moved ot kee ptheir distance from him while the Blood Dragon impalled on the demon's limb sqiremed and struggled in a desperate attempt to put the demon off-balance. Shu'rahkavarh reacted to the soldiers moving themselves by inhaling and then exhaling a blast of entropic energy at their direction which came out as a stream of purple fire. The sounds emitted by the demon as it attacked sounded like a hundred screams in unison. Being trapped in the enclosed space that they were, the entropic fire quickly engulfed the room. Sarec, Rosarion and Taela managed ot close the war room's doors just before the fire could spread inside. In one swift gust however, the main chamber was engulfed in supernatural flame, burning at armour and weakening the Blood Dragons' resistance to the demon's power. As the flames subdued, the squad watched as another soldier was impaled by the spear-arm, with the individual being stacked above the previously attacked Blood Dragon.


 * Shu'rahkavarh - Need more... not enough.
 * Alestos - Keep up the pressure!

Alestos' words were in vain as the entropic fire made its way though the armour of two Blood Dragons, cooking them alive and spurring two others, one of which was on the Skewer's limb, into that same berserker frenzy everyone witnessed earlier. Their attacks became more frantic and vigorous, and they both roared with a blind fury. The more concentrated members of the squad could watch as the demon's muscles visibly grew in size the moment the Dragons turned berserk, and Shu'rahkavarh retaliated to their attacks by sending his jaws at one of them to devour them. While the demon was visibly being hurt by their blows, it showed no reaction, as if it ignored pain altogether. This third dragon, like the others, sent another into dragonfury. Much to Alestos' dimay their efforts only only appeared to empower the demon. He ordered for a different approach, and called for the defenders to focus on his skewer-arm and his legs. Assuming at the time that even if he didn't feel pain, they could blast his limbs off.

The moment a third dragon was trapped helplessly in Shu'rahkavarh's maw, Sarec opened the door to the war room and ran in, drawing a fusion pistol and firing at one of Shu'rahkavarh's eyes. Alestos turned around ot glare furiously at Sarec for disbeying his instructions.


 * Alestos - Sarec what in the void are you doing!?
 * Sarec - I'm more of use by your side!

Before anything else could be said, Alestos felt the spear-limb of the demon impale through his back, lifting him up in the air as he then was dragged back to stack on top of the other impaled victims. He could feel that, despite having the limb skewer through his body, there was less of a feeling of pain and more of a feeling of extreme discomfort on his insides. Sarec stood immobile for a moment, watching helplessly as Alestos was lifted up with the appendage though his torso. Taking a deep breath, Sarec ran forward, drawing a dagger and leaping up into the air with the hopes of stabbing Shu'rahkavarh in the chest. The demon, instead of defending himself, merely moved to the side to evade Sarec as he began walking at the war room's direction, as if ignoring him. Sarec's face turned from anger to surprise as suiddenly the demon moved and he found himself soraing towards a wall.


 * Shu'rahkavarh - One more...
 * Sarec - Hey! Where do you think you're going?

Shu'rahkavarh made his way inside the war room, stomping on top of other surviving soldiers as his four eyes shifted through it, looking for more victims. Despite the shots he had received from Sarec, the demon appeared unharmed. Sarec became more panicked, he tried to jum po nthe demon again, this time going for the base of the spear-limb. While he managed to latch on it, the demon himself appeared to ignore him as he walked at the direction of Rosarion Ultanos, an audible growl coming out of him. Seeing the demon stomp forwad, Rosarion backed away, taking a plasma pistol fro mthe table and firing several panicked shots into Shu'rahkavarh's eyes. He shook his head, begging for the demon to go away.


 * Shu'rahkavarh - Eleielord sends his regards.

Shrugging off the shots, the demon lifted his spear-limb and sent it down at Rosarion, using the victims's bodies as a bludgeon to crush the prince. Taela let out a mournful scream while Sarec weak from the flailing about, almsot fell from the spear-limb, holding desperately on to his dagger as it cut into Shu'rahkavarh's flesh. A jet of incredibly hot blood came out of the wound left by Sarec, though the demon continued to ignore him as he then began walking at Taela's direction, growling once again as he shook the still-living victims on his spear, as if wanting to hear their despair. Sarec lost his grip as the blood gushed out and fell to the floor behind the titanic Malcaeum. He saw Taela being threatened and bolted in an ateempt to save her by shielding her from the fate that was to come.


 * Shu'rahkavarh - You... are not special. Merely one more... to be added to the collection... All the same. Sacrifices. Sacrifices to the Devourer. Devourer!

The demon sent his normal hand to Sarec in order to smack him out of the way, sending him flying to collide with a large monitor at the far end of the room before finally launching his spear-limb at Taela in order to add her to his stack of bodies. Sarec watched weakly as Taela's body was run though, becoming an extra body to Shu'rahkavarh's grisly collection. The demon lifted his limb in order to glance at the various victims he had impaled, reaching his snout to close to Alestos in particular before speaking.


 * Shu'rahkavarh - This one... is odd. He fears not the nightmare like the others...
 * Alestos - I have seen much horror, demon. You think I fear a brute like you for that?
 * Shu'rahkavarh - Even at the face of oblivion?
 * Alestos - I am but one agent in the cosmic battle for balance. If I die, I will be avenged. Your end will come regardless of what happens to me.
 * Shu'rahkavarh - So be it.

The demon's spear-limb's temperature began rapidly rising as entropic energy was pumped into the bodies of all the victims impaled by it, and their bodies began radiating brightly. Before Sarec's eyes, the victims of the spear, including Alestos, exploded in a blast of entropic energy which launched blood and viscera through the entire room. Sarec shielded his eyes with his arms as the remains of his charges, friends and allies were scattered scross the room. He was weak fro mthe ordeal, but he reached for his fusion pistol and pointed it threateningly at Shu'rahkavarh. Panting all the while, his hand shaking with a fear he tried desperately to suppress. The demon watched Sarec for a few instants before turning his back to him and slowly making his way to the exit, his body now drenched in the blood of his victims.


 * Sarec - I'm...I'm not done with you demon!
 * Shu'rahkavarh - But I am done with you... You live... because your despair is too amusing for me to end it...
 * Sarec - It...it will....it will be....your mistake....monster.

Shu'rahkavarh crouched down on all fours as he crawled out of the bunker, moving through the same corridors it had come from until it disappeared from sight, leaving only a trail of blood behind. When Shu'rahkavarh was gone, sarec opened his palm and dropped the pistol, looking about the room as he panted with fear and despair, just as the demon had said. But for Sarec it was not over, he wanted revenge for what this demonic warrior had done to him.

Help from the Republic
President sat behind his desk in his richly furnished office in the Presidential Palace. Huge windows behind the desk opened out onto the skyline, with countless ships and other assorted vehicles buzzing past the glass spires of the hypercity. Beyond the space-touching towers, the planet's sun bestowed last light over the horizon of the Palace District, bathing the urban terrain in vibrant orange and red. The President appeared lost in thought, contemplating the various campaigns waging in the ongoing civil war. A notification brought him back to reality, as he quickly sat upright and pressed a holographic display unit on the resplendent surface of the desk. Contrasting with the finery of the office and the dashing attire of the President, the new arrival was clearly an unusual sight so close to the heart of the political machinery of the Republic. Apollo stood and outstretched his hand, welcoming the battle scarred.


 * Apollo: General, please take a seat.

Grumbling in a way that expressed his indignation for being taken away from the front lines while not in a particularly disrespectful way, the General sat down.


 * Sesoka: An audience with the President himself. I am honoured, though I must admit my discomfort from being away from my crew. Those Confederate scum won't kill themselves.

Pouring some coffee into two cups, Apollo's eyes widened for a brief moment before politely offering a cup to the general.


 * Apollo: I assure you general, I would not have called on you if the matter wasn't of dire importance.

The General's interest was certainly piqued.


 * Apollo: I know you don't want to leave your men and women, but I've been informed by our Plazithian allies that Republic aid in the fight against the Corruptus would go along way. I have already dispatched two fleets to help with defence, reconstruction and containment but this particular conflict requires a more specialised touch. A warrior to represent the ideals of our Republic in the fight against evil. That sort of thing.
 * Sesoka: Ah... and I am this warrior?
 * Apollo: As I see it, yeah. The Republic does not count many knights of your calibre in its rank, we have always relied on our fleets to protect us. This war however, won't be won with fleets.
 * Sesoka: And what of my current campaign against the Confeds?
 * Apollo: Captain Roslia will take command of your fleet while you're in the Plazith Rim. First though, he'll escort you to New Draka. I have a couple of friends in the Dracogonarious Empire who will meet you at the assigned coordinates. Best of luck, General. I'm sure you'll do us proud.

Rising from the desk, Sesoka saluted the President, who promptly returned the gesture, his usually genial face somewhat more solemn than usual.

The Avenger, flagship of Sesoka dropped out of hyperspace in 's orbit, a flotilla of Dracogonarious vessels gathering to greet it. Upon receiving the exact coordinates, Sesoka boarded a shuttle alone and made his way to the planet below. The general was directed to the front of the building where the Supreme Advisors were currently residing, where he encountered Jerkon and Koluap. As he arrived, the former bowed in acknowledgement, while Koluap appeared distracted with an insect which flew around his head.
 * Sesoka: "Fear not, Mister President. I will carve into these monstrocities in the name of the Republic and the democracy upon which it has prospered!"


 * Jerkon - Greetings. I am Commandant Jerkon and this is Admiral Koluap. I take you are the man sent by the United Republic of Cyrannus.
 * Koluap - Damn flies... Eh? Oh. Hey!
 * Sesoka - My saurian good looks gave me away I suppose? Yes, I am General Sesoka, emissary of the Cyrannian Republic and ally in your fight against the demons.
 * Jerkon - It is a pleasure to meet you. Indeed, we require all the help we can receive, for these... entities are more powerful than we can fight by ourselves.
 * Koluap - Hope you're ready for a lot of shooting and killing, guy. That's what we're dealing with here.

Sesoka gestured with his arm and a long sword emerged from a device attached from his wrist. Running a clawed hand down the blade, Sesoka smiled.


 * Sesoka - I have been looking forward to doing just that. It is my honour to fight to save the very universe itself from these abominations.
 * Jerkon - We will be instructing you to follow us in our next mission. For now, you are free to await as you please. We are having an oddly long moment of silence... the entities are sure to attack again very soon.
 * Sesoka - Aya, the calm before the storm. My blade awaits your command.

Tyraz's Nightmare
The room was small, as was expected of such private and intimate occasions, as found himself standing in ceremonial, regal robes that draped over his black armour while the fingers of his left hand were wrapped around by those of another - a taller figure, also draped in robes and a hood that obscured their face, stood beside him. The palms of their embracing hands had been lightly slashed, allowing their blood to come into contact, and Tyraz could familiarize himself with the details of the room he stood within; the bridge of his ship, the Ghost of the Warrior, which was occupied by a select few individuals with whom he was familiar with. Standing ahead of him and the figure who clasped his hands was another, their face also obscured by a ceremonial, decorative hood, who the Emperor could see was quite clearly a registrar.

This was a marriage ceremony.

At one side of the room was the Slayer-Commander of the, , who quietly clapped as a smile dominated his expression. Next to him was none other than Admiral Koluap, who appeared too busy drinking from an alcoholic beverage to pay attention to the ceremony, much as everyone expected. And on the other side, Tyraz could make out the features of Lichiatt Xarann, the Executive Marshal of the, and several other individuals who Tyraz remembered as former-members of his old regiment during his time as a soldier of the Sovereign Domain. And beside her stood Gormarro, the Preceptor-King of the, who mused himself quietly as he stared half-heartedly at the ceremony unfolding before him, his powerful arms folded over and under one another.

Tyraz himself wore an uncertain smile, restraining himself from having his joyful tears become too evident to those in his presence, and he looked towards the registrar of the ceremony as they proclaimed the conditions of the pact of the marriage taking place.


 * Tyraz - ... Aye. Swear my life, I shall, to of the lineage Teiran, Grand Minister of the Affinity of Blades, and the beholder of my affections. To her, I owe my hand, my blade, and, should such be required, my blood and my body.
 * Registrar - You may remove her hood and begin applying your blood to her face.

Tyraz nodded in acknowledgement and smiled as he released his bride's hand and turned to face her rather than the registrar, sighing with relief as he looked upon the hodded Zazane standing before him. Dabbing the index finger of his right hand into the bloody slit upon his left palm, he cautiously and gently removed the hood of his bride to glance into her eyes with his own, star-struck and captivated. And it was when he let the hood fall to his bridge's shoulders did he feel his stomach twist and churn and his beating heart launch itself into his throat as he looked upon the disfigured, corrupted visage of what was once a Zazane, their skin and tendons decomposed to reveal the fractured bone beneath the flesh - and a smile, or something as close to possible as a smile, grew upon 's bloodied, torn lips.


 * Tyraz - W-What... What is t-this... t-treachery?!

Hork continued clapping. Koluap continued drinking. Next to Tyraz and his 'wife', the registrar removed his own hood. He was not a Zazane, but a monster.


 * Registrar - As foretold, yes.
 * Tyraz - N-No! No! W-What... What have you done?!

In response to the shock and fear that came to overtake Tyraz' heart and mind, the tall former-Zazane's smile only grew wider, tearing at the seams of flesh at the sides of its mouth, before it allowed its teeth to part and reveal its infested, blackened maw to release an ear-rending, unnatural shriek that caused the Emperor's ears to dampen with blood as his ear canals began to bleed. Hork continued clapping.


 * Registrar - What have I done? What have you done? You may now kiss the bride.

The monster's bony, elongated arms extended and his claws clasped behind the heads of both Tyraz and Moxix, before he proceeded to slam the two of them against each other, rubbing Tyraz's cheek against his undead brother's. Tyraz roared and groaned, feeling himself growing weaker the more he attempted to resist contact with the corpse-fiend, feeling the maggots and worms that thrived beneath the latter's flesh beginning to gnaw and chew at his own, while Moxix himself merely laughed as his face contorted and reshaped itself, parts of his facial muscles growing into miniature tendrils that whipped and grasped at Tyraz. It was as if he was attempted to merge Tyraz' body, beginning with the face, into his own disfigured, infested physiology. All while Hork continued clapping.


 * Tyraz - No... No! N-No! No, no! NO!
 * Hork - Congratulations, my Lord! You truly deserve it!
 * Koluap - ...Man, Keldar really let herself go.

The Emperor's eyes opened, sweat creeping across his form as he sat up, yelling profanities and growling while clenching the sheets of the bed. He had awoken in the confines of his own private quarters, breathing profusely and looking around fervently to discern his location. He calmed somewhat as he no longer felt the morbid sensation of soft, decomposed flesh and wet blood upon his face, and he passed a hand to clasp his crest in order to sooth his aching head. As he laid a hand back down upon the bed, however, he felt something else beneath the covers to his side - something felt like the body of another person of curved physique.

Looking to his side, Tyraz found the remnants of torn clothes - both his own and that of a woman - and he let a brief, satisfied smile creep across his expression as he attempted to remember the events of the night prior. He could feel scratch marks in his back and upon his chest, and he turned to pull the sheets from both himself and the other person who laid beneath the covers, nude and still sleeping.


 * Tyraz - Mhmhm... Breakfast, my dear Keldar...

As his hand pulled back the sheets, a peculiar stench was launched into his nostrils and he was thrown back from where he had been laying as his eyes glanced upon the spectacle; it was indeed Keldar Teiran, this time, yet something was quite clearly... wrong. Her body laid upon its side, as if positioned in a somewhat enticing manner, yet she was missing entire layers of flesh from her form as she had quite clearly been flayed and skinned, revealing her tendons and organs. And across her form were signs of puncture and rough penetration wounds, with the only eye that remained in her skull having been lifeless and dead and partially rolled into the back of her head. Her waist and abdomen were devastated, while her breasts appeared forcefully torn away from her bosom.

Tyraz could see the blood that coated the room now. The walls, the bed sheets, the floor, and, most peculiarly, himself were all drenched in wet, warm blood. Almost his entire, naked body was caked in the substance, and he struggled to contain the contents of his stomach as they welled up within his throat while his heart beat swiftly - agonizingly - within his chest.


 * Tyraz - W-What... What happened...? ... W-What have... W-What have I d-done?!

Squishy noises could be heard inside Keldar's flesh as Tyraz then found a black, worm-like entity bursting out of her entrails, causing more blood to be spilled across the room. Or at least, it looked like a worm at first, but its black scales, antennae, horns and single eye could not be mistaken.


 * Zr'An'Kar - Now, look at what you've done.
 * Tyraz - W-What?! No, no! N-No! F-Flee f-from here, fiend... Y-You've no business with me here!
 * Zr'An'Kar - I didn't know Zazane were so rough on their honeymoons. But you're not the only one who can be rough here.

At this point, the blood across the room as well as the bed began boiling, the heat suddenly increasing as smoke started rising. The room suddenly caught on fire, with Tyraz beginning to feel his own flesh smeltering and scolding from the flames that engulfed his form, all the while watching as the remains of Keldar's body seemed to combust and melt into little more than smouldering goo. He could not resist screaming, the blood in his veins dashing to and fro as his heart moved faster, and his perception of time was gradually overtaken by grief and the intensifying agony that consumed him. His body was beginning to char and blacken, his veins illuminating like magma amidst the fire.

Out of Keldar's melted remains rose another entity, who slowly took of the form of a tall, vaguely Zazane-like creature with immense wings, with eyes as black as the void. Its form shifted reality around it, and it began levitating at Tyraz's direction, speaking in a deafeningly loud voice.


 * ??? - Rend.

Instead of charging it as he would have done given any other circumstances, the Emperor turned and ran, dashing towards the metallic door that led into and out of the private quarters - when it did not open vertically as he expected it to, he resorted to punching at it with his bare, broken fists, attempting to throw punches at it to dent and break through it. And yet, there was no anger to drive the strength behind his fleeting retreat, but only fear and confusion as he could see the room around him beginning to move and contort into an almost spherical formation around the daemonic entity that floated effortlessly behind him. Inside the flames, images of the monster all stared at Tyraz as he tried to escape as the entity continued its 'march'. Its wings beat, causing ash and cinders to be launched across the room as it raised one clawed hand at the Emperor's direction, as if reaching for him.
 * ??? - You caused all of this.
 * Tyraz - I... I did nothing! I know not even... w-who you are, w-why you are here! ... K-Keldar...
 * ??? - You have done all of this. I am the Destroying Angel. Khaghrah-Xyk'Ala. Here to rend you.

The monstrous entity charged at Tyraz's direction, its clawed hand prepared to clasp on the Emperor's head and crush it to paste as soon as it touched it. Tyraz turned and continued to punch and bash at the door, roaring as he threw the weight of his body into his efforts to break down the door in desperation, tears of black blood seeping from his tear glands and weeping down the sides of his cheeks while he continued his assault, left with little time between a chance at escape and falling to the daemonic, alien figure that desired his blood with so much spiteful and hostile intent.

The door eventually gave way, the metallic object breaking apart and shattering as Tyraz slammed his shoulder into it and rushed ahead of the corrupted, seemingly-fallen angel that had made an attempt upon his life. And in the moment he left through the door and escaped the premises of his own chamber, the world around him appeared to calm. He found himself at the center of a seemingly endless darkness, feeling as if he were standing on solid ground yet there was no floor to be seen at his feet, and the entrance that led to the catastrophic disaster that was his private quarters appeared to have never have existed at all. He was alone and kept in silence.


 * Tyraz - ... What? ... I... I survived.

There was nothing in this place. No entity, no fire. No monster. At least for a few moments, when something got the Emperor's attention. At the 'horizon', a golden light appeared and slowly walked at his direction. Tyraz panted, exhausted from the experiences prior, and remained cautious of the illuminated object that traversed across the darkness, all the while warily walking towards it himself. He could not take his eyes off of it, breathing heavily as he occasionally stumbled towards the presence of the light. As it got closer, the mysterious light revealed itself to be a golden shade in the form of a Zazane, with no visible facial expressions and merely a pair of eyes which looked down at Tyraz. Tyraz looked towards the Zazane, lifting an arm to cover his eyes at the glowing visage, and he felt his fear and anger beginning to subside as his heart began to slow its beating calmly in the stranger's presence.


 * Tyraz - W-What... are you d-doing here? W-Where am I... who are you?

No words came out of the entity as it rose one arm, revealing a blade, which it proceeded to impale through Tyraz's chest, rupturing through his heart. However, the Emperor felt no pain from the blow. If anything, he could feel comfort in the being's golden aura. Tyraz slowly looked down towards the blade that pierced into his chest, glaring at it for several moments before his vision gradually began to fade. While he could still see and feel the pleasant sensation from the blade embedded into his flesh, he gradually looked upward to look at the eyes of the golden Zazane once more, a confused and tired expression washing over his face.


 * Tyraz - I... I...

His eyes blinked. The golden Zazane was gone and the darkness had vanished alongside it, instead allowing Tyraz to observe the confines of his private chamber once more. He was covered in cold sweat, and with hesitation, he sat up from his discomfort to assure himself that he no longer dreamed the nightmare he had been thrown into. He rested a hand at his side and felt nothing beneath the covers, much to his relief, and he looked down at his hands in contemplation, his head still aching from his experience. He clasped ahold of his forehead and he passed a heavy exhale, groaning as he shuddered somewhat while he prepared to exit the bed. He no longer felt tired, even though he had only slept for perhaps under four hours.


 * Tyraz - ... I... I need a drink.

The Unified Ottzello
It was a busy day at New Draka, with the commanders Jerkon, Koluap and their allies having left to scout the empire's outskirts in search of Corruptus activity. The demons were oddly quiet, and the Dracogonarious were becoming worried for it. At the government palace of the planet, Tarygan and Empress Windey awaited for news as they did their daily tasks. What they received, however, was not news, but a transmission from two familiar faces, two of whom they did not expect to meet again. The and, both on the same screen.


 * Kralgon Emperor - Oh, good, I do still have your contact details. Well, hello there. How is your war going?
 * Tarygan - Greetings, Emperor of the Kralgon. The war is still ongoing. The demons have gone quiet, but this is surely just a calm before the storm.
 * Kralgon Emperor - Oh, I know what you mean. I hate it when your enemy goes silent all of a sudden. It almost always means they have something planned...
 * Zr'Ahgloth - man wat wimps dat dunt just charge into da enemy. ANYWAYZ WE IZ GONNA HELP YOO
 * Windey - Oh, lovely! More allies!
 * Tarygan - By the fact your Loron stands by your side now and you are contacting us again, I assume you have solved your own conflicts at Ottzello.
 * Kralgon Emperor - This is partially correct. I stand before you not as the emperor of the New Kralgon Empire, however. Nor does Zr'Ahgloth stand before you as my slave.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - i was neva yor slave yor jus dum oh ma dayz
 * Windey - In that case, what are the two of you now?

The Kralgon Emperor and Zr'Ahgloth stepped to the side, to reveal several new faces to Windey and Tarygan. These included, , , the Tralkik Commander, and. These faces were all alien to them, being of races that many in the Milky Way other than the DCP - Tuolog's case, even the DCP - had yet to encounter. The Emperor did something that they'd never seen him before: smiled, not in a gleeful, war-loving way, but in a peaceful way.


 * Valzo - Greetings. We are the newly reformed . Pleased to make your acquaintance!
 * Windey - Interesting... I don't believe I've heard of you.
 * Tarygan - I do not record any of these alien races. Can you elaborate on this "unified nation"?
 * Dakster - To briefly sum up events: the Ottzello Galaxy was in a long war recently, concurrent with the war you are in. It concluded once many races in our galaxy decided that another war such as this was unthinkable, and that together we could become a much stronger power with much more relevance in the Gigaquadrant. So we had to make many compromises and ideological reforms, but we are now a new nation. Although there is still much to do at home, we can spare you our fleets, especially considering three of us - the UNOL, the supreme leaders of our nation - are very eager to see the conclusion of the war.

Tarygan nodded as she heard Dakster speak, while Windey had a warm smile on her face, being reminded of the Spinker Empire's own reform.


 * Tarygan - We are more than grateful for your aid. The demonic Loron have been destroyed, but their masters still stalk us from the shadows. The Corruptus' true might has not yet been faced, our supernatural specialist claims.
 * Yogtam - Indeed, as does our supernatural specialist. Which reminds me...he is the third of us who is particularly eager to aid your cause.

Tuolog stepped forward, alongside the Emperor and Zr'Ahgloth, and greeted them.


 * Tuolog - Many greetings from me, leader of . We doubt you hear of us, given Ottzello has history of being very secretive. But we are experts in the supernatural and in, particularly the Chronoscopic sorts. I will be happy to aid you in defeat of the Corruptus, a very, very dangerous foe.
 * Tarygan - I'll be informing Jerkon and his allies of your arrival to the front lines. Again, I thank you for your empathy.
 * Windey - This little man, I think him and Macin Xermilin would be great friends.
 * Tuolog - It is possible. This is the case in most timelines.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - yeh dese dum peepz keep talkin bout "timelines" liek dat dum mac geeza. its annoyin but yoo kinda get used ta it
 * Tarygan - We'll be waiting for you. If there is nothing else to discuss, I believe we are done.
 * Kralgon Emperor - Mhm. We do not ask for anything in return, as this is an enemy which we feel must be destroyed immediately. Although, Zr'Ahgloth and I would hope to see Mac again; he is the closest we have to meeting a Taldar on a more personal level.
 * Tarygan - We shall see.
 * Kralgon Emperor - Thank you. I hope to see you shortly, with our largest fleet backing us!

Alensia's Nightmare
Alensia was dressed in her finery - a flowing dress of gold-threaded violet silk studded with miniature gemstones around her waist and up her torso, her figure broken up by a high collar of lace. as she was let though the doors to the throne room of the. There were banners strewn between the pillars and Blood Dragons standing to attention and lining the path to the imperial throne. Standing at the foot of its steps, dressed in his regal ceremonial armour was Uriel. She could see it from the far end that he was pelased to see her. Light was shining though the skylights above, illuminating the path towards the throne with subeams shining right-to-left.

As she was halfway down the hall, the sunbeams dissapeared and the light turned red. Smashing though the skylights were artillery shells that shattered pillars and charred gold and marble, causing numerous pillars to collapse and for the banners to blacken. Alensia screamed as her view of Uriel was obscured by falling rubble that blocked her way. She ran to the mountain for debris and Dragon corpses, trying deperately to move what rubble she could to get to him, but to no avail as she was barely able to move anything. What she found was her husband with his limbs visibly broken, buried by the debris, but before anything could be said, she could hear a voice from the other side of the room.


 * ??? - Don't move him! You may hurt him more.

Alensia's vision darted to view behind herself, her pupils narrowing as she studied the figure calling her. Approaching her was a shade whose form could not really be told, it was like a three-dimensional sillhouette of a humanoid reptilian. She was not able to tell what or who it was, but in Uriel's eyes, it appeared very familiar. The shade ran over to them and examined the wounded paragon before raising one hand over him.


 * ??? - Fear not. I can help him.
 * Alensia - He needs clinical attention.
 * ??? - I can do more. A gift which will heal him back to full health in seconds. Tell me... have you ever heard of descension?
 * Alensia - No. But you make it sound akin to some advanced form of nanospray.
 * ??? - It's a good analogy, my lady. Now, watch your husband be reborn.

The shade approached his hand to Uriel's forehead and touched it. For a moment, it appeared warm and welcoming to them both. Until the next time Alensia blinked, and the shade was replaced by a monster.


 * ??? - Reborn as what you refer to as a 'demon'.

Alensia blinked and stumbled backwards as she realised what had just happened to the silhouette that had intruded itself.


 * Alensia - A demon? I...I never asked he become a demon!
 * ??? - You have no say in this. Silence yourself and watch his rebirth.
 * Alensia - Kranndung, monster!

Gathering composure she reached an arm out and tried to shove the shade aside using her mass in the hopes she could push him away from her beloved. Despite the best of her efforts, the monster appeared to ignore her presence, not moving from his spot as he continued to press his long, skinny fingers into Uriel's head. She watched as, starting fomr the head, Uriel's scales blackened, with red tinges on their tips that spread down the body. Following it, Uriel's horns grew and became more warped. His first exhalations came followed by vapour and a malevolent light tyried to shine out from under his eyelids. Alessa was unnerved as she heard Uriel's bones snap themselves back into place, accompanied by the disturbing sounds of flesh knitting itself together. The restoration was also able to shift the rubble on top of him as his ribcage restored itself and his muscles swelled.


 * Alensia - ...Please...stop. I don't want this!
 * ??? - He does though.

The monster grabbed Uriel by the head and made him stand up again, putting him in front of his wife as he then began prancing around the chamber, seemingly doing it for no specific reason. Alessa looked up to register her husband. For as long a she could remember, Uriel was only slightly taller than her. Now, when looking straight, her eyes met his collar. He appeared to be confident about himself.


 * Uriel - Does something distress you?
 * Alensia - Yes...why.

Alensia turned to the spectre as he skipped around.


 * Alensia - How could he want this if he has not even met you before!
 * ??? - Don't you have better things to worry about? Like this empire. Imperium. You were meant to head it. You can't do that.

The monster stopped in front of the paragon's throne, inspecting it for some moments before he proceeded to sit on it nonchalantly. Alessa watched as he moved about, judging him intently with cold eyes and an aggressive scowl.


 * Alensia - Get out of my husband's seat. Now
 * ??? - I look into your eyes and I see insecurity. You are not prepared for this task. You would rather spend your time appreciating how trouble-less your life is.
 * Alensia - You know nothing!

She stepped forward to challenge the spectre but only took a few steps before she realised she could move no more, Uriel had grabbed her bicep and was holding it with a vice-like grip. She looked at her husband in disbelief at what he was doing.


 * Alensia - Get off me! I know what I'm doing.
 * Uriel - This is not the sort of leadership that suits you.
 * Alensia - Then take back our Imperium, Uriel! He challenges your position by sitting there!
 * ??? - Not my seat. Not yours. Not his. Someone else's.
 * Alensia - Kranndung! There is no one else while my husband still lives.
 * ??? - Who says anything about "life".

The monster raised one arm and then thrust it down, breaking through the chamber's floor and then seemingly pulling something out of the soil. Or someone, as Alensia could see him grabbing a corpse-like Draconis by the nape of his neck. She looked in shock as her mind instantly registered who the monster was pulling from the floor with only a brief look at the decayed face, forcing her to gulp as she came to recognise who it was.


 * Alensia - Korr...

The monster rose from the throne and proceeded to place the corpse Draconis upon it.


 * ??? - His seat.
 * Alensia - No...He died in battle. Uriel?
 * Uriel - He was chosen before me. His claim is stronger.
 * ??? - Imprudent woman. Foolish child. You are not fit for this position. You deserve punishment for your actions.
 * Alensia - I am not a child!

Alensia tried to break free but Uriel bulled her closer without effort,, squeezing her arm more tightly as he pressed her against his torso. She began to panic as it appeared everyone in the room was instantly turning against her. The monster's form extended itself and glared down at Alensia, while at the throne, the undead Korr gestured a finger through his neck, as if ordering her decapitated.


 * Alensia - No-- Nono you cannot be serious! I have done nothing to warrant my execution!

Alensia struggled to break free from Uriel's grip, but with every effort he only hold her more tightly, his form becoming larger and mroe demonic the more she struggled, with larger horns and more malevolent designs upon his armour.


 * Alensia - You expect my beloved to kill me? I do not care whatt you've done, I've known him too long for such a thing to even be possible!
 * ??? - My, do you talk a lot. I shall prepare for the new Paragon a meal made out of eggs. Your eggs. Now die silently.

Alensia would have roared had Uriel not suddenly held her jaws shut with a single hand. Things became more uncomfortable as he felt his other arm move and wrap around her neck, tightening further and further as she struggled to breathe. But that was not the only force, as she could feel something tugging at her snout, the pain increasing as the torturous moments passed.

It was then at that final moment, she awoke. She gasped for air, her mind still believing she had been constricted, focring her to rise form her bed and shift herself to sit on its edge. She looked behind herself to see an empty bed. Her husband was still absent, but the dark room made her quickly reach for a panel on the wall, activating the overhead lights and bathing the room i na soft light, rising softly so as to not blind the room's only occupant.

As the lights brightened, she coughed out of sorrow. Frightened and with no idea of what to make of what she just saw; only that it was something that kept her awake for the rest of the night.

The Children of Fuerq
Days passed since Laminoula'Fuerq's resurrection, and while the Dracogonarious awaited for developments to occur, Thea'Nhirara put Herquie under a series of training sessions for the purpose of awakening his Dream Energy potential. At the outskirts of the government palace of New Draka, the Bonio mercenary had a frown on his face as he was forced to remain silent, with his eyes closed and legs crossed as he sat down on the ground, being told to meditate by his 'teacher' who stood in a similar pose in front of him, except she floated some centimeters above the ground. Watching them was Mimi, who materialized dreamy bits for herself to eat as she kept her eyes on the duo. However, it was clear that these training sessions were doing nothing but annoy Herquie, whose patience with Thea'Nhirara was running shorter and shorter every day passed.


 * Herquie - For how much longer will you keep me like this?
 * Thea'Nhirara - Ssh. Focus on resting your mind.
 * Herquie - I'm not your damned toy, woman.
 * Thea'Nhirara - With that attitude, you'll never do your part.

With these words, Herquie opened his eyes and got up, a growl coming out of him as Thea'Nhirara responded by half-opening a single eye.


 * Herquie - I've had enough.
 * Thea'Nhirara - Sit down, Herquie.
 * Herquie - Shut your mouth, woman. I'm tired of you and I'm tired of these sessions.
 * Mimi - But you need to train to awaken your inner dreams!
 * Herquie - You keep your trap shut as well, you little ball of lard, before I kick you over the walls of this plaza!

Herquie's hostile comeback caused Mimi to flinch backwards, putting her wings under her face while letting out an intimidated yelp. Thea'Nhirara fully opened both of her eyes as she looked at the Bonio.


 * Thea'Nhirara - Herquie, please. I'm trying to help you.
 * Herquie - No. Screw you, screw your friends and screw your goals. For half a year I've been dragged along with you lot for the sole purpose of being used as a weapon against the demons. I've been subject to night terrors, giant aliens and abominations when I have literally no obligation to help you. I would actually much rather watch you all die, since you'd finally leave me alone for once.
 * Mimi - Why are you being so mean all the sudden?!
 * Herquie - I'm here against my will, fighting for people I don't care for who have been trying to use me, and I'm done! Done! Do you hear me?!

Tears began forming in Mimi's beady eyes as she began crying, and Thea'Nhirara looked at Herquie with an expression of shock, or perhaps disappointment. The Bonio mercenary began making his way out before she spoke once again.

Herquie's body froze in place as an aura of energy engulfed him, and moments afterwards, he found himself turning back to Thea'Nhirara and walking at her direction. The Bonio's eyes widened as he seemingly lost complete control of his limbs, and entering the plaza was the gigantic Laminoula'Fuerq, who looked down at all of them with an air of curiosity. The sight of the giant made Mimi attempt to stop crying, though tears still came out of her as she rubbed her face with a pair of tendrils. Herquie eventually found himself stopped next to Thea'Nhirara, facing the giant.
 * Thea'Nhirara - You're not going anywhere.
 * Herquie - Eat shit, "angel". I'm done. Try and stop me and I'll kill you here and now.
 * Thea'Nhirara - Herquie, please... I know I've been omitting information until now, but I was merely waiting for a good opportunity to reveal you everything there is to reveal.
 * Herquie - I got your explanation right here. "Let's turn the Bonio pirate until a meat shield for us". You think I've never seen this act before?
 * Thea'Nhirara - No, it's not like that. You truly are special for us. There is a much bigger explanation for you being here.
 * Herquie - I don't care. Farewell.
 * ??? - I don't think so, little brother.


 * Thea'Nhirara - Laminoula... Our Father had instructed me to not say anything for the time being.
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - Sometimes, orders are made to be disobeyed. Our Bonio friend has lost his faith on us, and we must prove to him we are not here to use him.
 * Herquie - Urk... Let me go... I said I'm done with you freaks of nature!
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - Herquie, of the Lhern family... born at the Molerv Space Station, Bonio Republic outskirts. Son of Galvis Lhern and Eladran Lhern. Lived a life for crime due to being raised by gangsters. Eventually became a gang boss of your own right and ruled the station's underground until it was assaulted by the . Was considered stronger, faster and bigger than other children of your age back in your childhood. Survived wounds your subordinates would not be able to survive from.
 * Herquie - ... How the hell do you have that information?
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - Do you not think there is a reason for the fact you were always so much better than other Bonio? Because there is, and this reason is deep down in your blood. A blood shared with me.

Herquie's eyes narrowed as Laminoula'Fuerq cast his energies in the ground in front of him, creating an image in front of the group's eyes. It displayed a hologram-like form of a tall, four armed, avian entity with radiant white feathers, an image very familiar to Thea'Nhirara and Mimi. Herquie, however, appeared to show considerable discomfort at the sight of it, and indeed, Laminoula'Fuerq's mere presence was enough to make him feel unwell.


 * Laminoula'Fuerq - The Taldar Elder mentioned the, did he not?
 * Herquie - Uh... Yeah. Yeah he did.
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - Among the Vida'Rra was a chosen warrior who was empowered by all the Dream Energy of this existence, who served as this universe's hero against the forces of the Corruptus. This hero led the Vida'Rra to war against the demons of nightmare and emerged victorious. His name.. was Rhigeo Fuerq. Familiar, no?
 * Herquie - ... Isn't that your...
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - The fate of the Vida'Rra after the war is not something I can tell you. But one thing is certain, that this legendary hero's essence at one point developed a mind of its own. I was born of this. But that is not point. My point is that Rhigeo Fuerq and the Vida'Rra had children, which they spread across the cosmos. Entire races descend from their genetic structure...

Laminoula'Fuerq caused the image of the Vida'Rra to vanish as he approached Herquie's face, coming inches of distance from it, causing the Bonio to put his head back slightly.


 * Laminoula'Fuerq - Your race is one of them. Rhigeo Fuerq's blood runs through your veins. You are his most modern descendant.
 * Herquie - ... So what you're saying is... I'm the great-great-something grandson of a precursor angel who once saved the universe?
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - Hm. Yes, that is a simple version of it. We are also blood-related. We are effectively brothers, or perhaps distant cousins.

Herquie stared at the gigantic behemoth for several moments before a chuckle came out of his mouth, and eventually he started letting out loud laughter at Laminoula'Fuerq's face, causing Thea'Nhirara and Mimi both to react in annoyance. It was quite clear the Bonio was not convinced.


 * Herquie - Holy shit! Do you think I'm stupid? That I believe in fairy tales? Me, the son of some god, for no reason? Fuck you, pal, I'm not fucking stupid!
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - ... Hm. Honestly, I expected this kind of reaction. Which is why I came prepared.

Without warning, Laminoula'Fuerq threw a hand at Herquie and slammed him with his index finger, blasting Dream Energy through the Bonio. Herquie let out a scream as he found himself in both extreme pain and completely blinded by light, and he felt as if his very skin was melting as his body went through a transformation. Thea'Nhirara and Mimi both stepped back as they watched the Bonio be transformed in front of their eyes, Laminoula's energies flowing into him and changing his form into that of a Vida'Rra-like entity. As that happened, information flowed from the giant into Herquie, information about his origins, his species's past, their future... Laminoula'Fuerq's mind transcended time and space as three-dimensional beings know, and all of this information caused Herquie's eyes to widen as he continued screaming.

This lasted for moments more until the giant put his hand away, causing Herquie to immediately return to normal and fall to his knees on the ground. The Bonio breathed heavily, sweat covering his body and his eyes widened in a mix of surprise and absolute terror.


 * Laminoula'Fuerq - I've given you a glimpse of the Realm of Dreams. A glimpse of your true form. Do you believe me now?
 * Herquie - ... Y-you... n-never do that again...
 * Laminoula'Fuerq - Hmhm! A glimpse of ascension is never good. Thea'Nhirara knows that since she had her fare of graduated students. Anyway, little brother, I believe you should get back to meditating. Those powers won't awaken themselves.

Herquie looked up to Laminoula'Fuerq, who now had a smile on his face as he let out a groan and positioned himself back to how he was when him and Thea'Nhirara were meditating together. The feminine angel nodded in acknowledgement to the giant before he turned back, walking away. All would be revealed soon, but not now.

Kagu'sai's Nightmare
Kagu'sai opened his eyes. The air around him was hot, foggy and heavy, but also humid from the breaths and sweat of crowds, making him dizzy and blurring both his perception and his judgement. He tried to think, but thoughts did not come to him; his mind betrayed him. Through an enormous effort of will he managed to recognise the surroundings of the place he was in. He was hundreds upon hundreds of light years away from his flagship in Milky Way, away from his fellow warriors and from his hated foes: he was standing upon the holy grounds of Ordu Ed, where a few months ago he was crowned Warchief. Confusion struck him.

Mustering all his force of will and all his strength, Kagu'sai ran, hurrying through the loaded lane sand narrow city streets to make some sense of this madness. As he made his way to the city plaza, he could not help but notice the growing crowds of Artharon commoners that filled the city in such numbers that the event they had gathered for must have rivalled Kagu's own coronation. Strangely, though, the Warchief somehow managed to elude them all, moving like a swift, almost weightless shadow - until he was almost near the plaza, when he hit the side of some veteran warrior clad in golden armour. When he turned away, Kagu's eyes widened. It was one of his fellow veterans, who fought alongside him in Andromeda and in Milky Way. What was happening?


 * Kagu'sai - Azu? What is going on?
 * Azu - Do you not know? A new Warchief is being coronated.
 * Kagu'sai - A new one?! Who dares challenge my eminent rule? I shall settle this insult to my august reign by combat and rip the pretender's guts out!
 * Azu - ...You're not the Warchief. Are you drunk, whoever you are?
 * Kagu - You do not recognise me?! It seems that someone has had too much drinks... Damnation! With or without you, I will see what this false Warchief is up to.
 * Azu - I have no idea who you are. I suggest you stand down and pay some respect for our new ruler.

Angered, Kagu'sai pushed his compatriot aside and redoubled his efforts, marching towards the plaza with newfound determination. To his surprise, the center of the desert city itself was almost empty, without the usual hustle that accompanied most public events in the city. Rather, the Artharons stood around the moving stone platforms, bowing in prostration, as a strange, armoured Artharon figure was sitting on a throne erecte atop the highest of them, looking down upon his subjects. That figure was nothing short of regal, and he stood with composure, pomp and elegance - though these also seemed to conceal a certain physical frailty much like a dark hood concealed his face.


 * ??? - Citizen of, the war is over. We have made peace with our enemies and made them our friends, and now we are heading towards a glorious future one which I will be the helmsman of. - the false Artharon spoke with confidence, but with a soft, unmanly tone that revealed his lack of warrior prowess and honour - the fact that made Kagu's fists itch - This will be a future where all people of the Coalition shall be equal, free and prosperous. A new golden age unseen since the time of the First Realm. This new Golden Age demands a new title and from this moment on I shall not be just Warchief... but Emperor.
 * Artharon - All hail Emperor Reta'nyan!
 * Reta'nyan - Alas, there are trials ahead. Still there remain traitors, agents of the fifth column that seek to undermine our august domain. Servants of the old warchiefs, whose names we shall no longer remember. Although I am an enlightened ruler, I will show no mercy to these insurgents. Bring to me the traitor and her spawn!

One of the platforms was raised from the ground until it was at the same height as the new emperor himself. On this platform the beings were held, tied by heavy metallic ropes: a robed female Radeon and a much smaller creature whose features Kagu could not recognise. A heavily-built, black-armoured Artharon stood guard, holding a massive axe in his arms. Death was soon to follow these two creatures.

Kagu'sai recognised the Radeon woman. Sheophatia!


 * Reta'nyan - Tonight we enforce the law of the new Coalition. The hand of justice is heavy but fair. Let the execution begin!
 * Kagu - No!

His strength suddenly returning to him, the Artharon ran through the plaza, the machines of the ancient city answering to his movements as the platforms rose up beneath his feet, until he was at last at the same height as the executioner. In a single leap, the ex-Warchief closed his distance and struck, throwing the Artharon warrior from the platform and onto the ground. The armoured titan lost balance easily, crushing the plaza with a loud thud and a low bellow of pain, but Kagu heard it not, already turning his eyes towards Reta'nyan. He snarled, seeing now the weakness of his foe and the frailty of his body. The throne that was his by right will be now reclaimed.


 * Kagu - You are done, pretender. Surrender and I may yet spare you a life of shame and make your death swift!

As Kagu'sai gazed upon the new Warchief, he did not see an Artharon anymore. Instead, sitting on the throne and still wearing the same regal clothing was a monster.


 * Reta'nyan - How courageous.
 * Kagu'sai - What witchcraft is this?
 * Reta'nyan - Witchcraft? You're the one interrupting my ceremony... Are you here for what reason? To save her? For the people below?
 * Kagu - This throne. It belongs to me. My people need me. And so does... my loyal... advisor. - Kagu glanced at Sheophatia quickly before returning his attention towards the demon emperor.
 * Reta'nyan - Your people? Who are you? No one. The people agree with me.

Pointing below, the Artharons which once populated the plaza were all gone. In their place were more monsters. They all hissed and growled as they looked up to Kagu'sai.


 * Kagu - ...Demons... demons everywhere...
 * Reta'nyan - I see no demons. I see Artharon. Artharon everywhere.
 * Sheophatia - ...Please... Kagu... h-h-help...
 * Reta'nyan - Traitors are not allowed to talk.

A tendril extended out of the "Emperor"'s back and slapped the Radeon across the face as he stood up, towering over Kagu'sai. A low growling came out of him as he opened his arms.


 * Reta'nyan - This is the future. Your future. You don't exist. You will not be remembered.
 * Kagu - ...Leave... her... alone.
 * Reta'nyan - Her?... I see.

The monster began walking in circles around the imprisoned Sheophatia, looking down at her in silence before his claws crushed the metallic bounds that kept her in place, but before she was given any opportunity to run, the Emperor's huge, skeletal fingers wrapped themselves around her and lift her up to his eye level. In a blink of an eye, he had become much larger than Kagu'sai, and the Radeon was little more than a twig in his grasp.


 * Reta'nyan - I thought Artharons were meant to hate these.
 * Sheophatia - Dei'Nar protects. Protects. Protects.
 * Reta'nyan - ...Or perhaps they don't... what says you, forgotten one?
 * Kagu'sai - ...No. It cannot end like that. My legacy will endure. My memory will be glorified! I will reign! This is my world! This is my throne!

With his last strength, Kagu plunged his blade into the demon's stomach; the monster appeared to ignore it completely as it passed thorugh his flesh. His mouth, filled with rows of serrated teeth opened itself as dark tendrils emerged from it, rubbing through Sheophatia as another, much bigger tendril emerged from the monster's back and stood above Kagu'sai's head.


 * Sheophatia - Get that thing away from me! Foul creature! No, no, no!
 * Reta'nyan - Insolence. This is not how you treat your ruler! Traitor to the throne! Execution!

And with this, the tendril came down, bashing against the Artharon's forehead with enough strength to reduce his skull to ash in an instant. Kagu'sai could only muster a bare whimper before his life was snuffed out... and the nightmare was over.

Kagu'sai woke up in his bed aboard his flagship, screaming. Terror, madness and confusion reigned inside his head, filling him with unbearable dread - almost supernatural in its intensity. Among this dread, one idea rang the strongest: that his reign would end and that he would be forgotten. That idea terrified the proud Artharon warlord the most.


 * Sheophatia - ...Kagu? You seem... terrified, and I think I know why.

Zr'Ahgloth's Nightmare
It was typical for to fall into deep sleeps and have his usual ego-empowering dreams. Dreams of conquering the universe with hordes, or dreams of Norol slaves bowing down and worshipping him, or dreams of him becoming the next Loron god...whichever took his fancy. So for Zr'Ahgloth to fall into a deep sleep, and have a nightmare which did anything but empower his ego, this was not something he was used to.

Zr'Ahgloth found himself in what was almost pitch black, lit up only by a torchlight he was carrying. Around him, he could see dusty, wooden benches, in a dark grey, barely lit graveyard. Zr'Ahgloth himself carried only a Blasta and his torchlight with him.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - yo wher da hell am i wat is dis

Wandering around, Zr'Ahgloth found the room he was in to be very tight, a small space between him, the walls, and the surrounding gravestones, with names written on them. The place was not very Loron-like at all.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - i dunno if dis is ment ta be scary or anyfin. like i meen im heer in dis randum place but i dunt get wat da point of it is. is it ment ta say peepz die? I MEEN DUH WE KILL DEM

Zr'Ahgloth wandered around, until he found a wooden bench at the end of the room. Not a single person mourning beside one grave stone, which read: "To Da Propa Big Boss Zr'Ahgloth, who no one cared about tbh". He could watch Loron of all ages around the graveyard paying respect to their elders or idols, but the Loron Boss's own had no one with the exception of a Loron whose body was completely covered in a hood and coat. He dug next to the grave with a shovel, probably meaning he was the gravedigger.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - OI YOO. GET OFF MA GRAVE MAN STOP MESSIN IT UP. DATS MINE AN I COMMAND YA TO
 * Gravedigga - had sum mor alcohol dan usual eh? yor alive so ya cant be buried heer whoeva ya is. anyway no need ta get so peeved cus no one importants buried heer
 * Zr'Ahgloth - HUR I KNO WAT YOR SAYIN TA ME. YOR TRYNA DISRESPECT ME BY SAYIN DAT IM DED AN MA DETH IS NOT IMPORTANT. BAK OFF MA GRAVE MAN. AN DUNT TELL ME NO ONE IMPORTANT IS DED HEER
 * Gravedigga - dats sum top tier paranoia kid i can respect dat. dunt worry, yoos gonna be heer one day... all of us will
 * Zr'Ahgloth - IM NEVA GONNA DAI. IM GONNA BE IMMORTAL. DA UNO BOYZ WILL MAKE SURE OF DAT
 * Gravedigga - neva?...

The gravedigga stood up, revealing himself to be far taller than Zr'Ahgloth as he removed his hood. A familiar face looked back at the Loron leader with a trio of red eyes.


 *  - I HAV REESUNS TA BELEEV OTHAWISE

Raising the shovel over his head, the gravedigger bashed Zr'Ahgloth's head with it, and the next time the Loron boss could see properly, he found himself in an entirely new location.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - i feel kinda dizzy...OK I FINK I GET IT. BASICALLY HAGTOZHL REFUSES TA DAI SO DA PEEPZ WANT ME TA KILL HIM BEFOR WE STOP DA DEVOURA OR SOMFIN

As he was thinking, Zr'Ahgloth found himself at the Propa Big Boss' palace at Groodrub. The Loron leader's throne was empty while the room was filled with the best warbosses of the Propa Big Loron Empire, who all chatted among themselves in a combination of excitement and surprise. Among them was also, who was closer to the throne than the others.


 * Thr'aloy - YO LETS GET DIS PARTY ORGANIZED OK I DUNT WANT ANY SLAKKIN
 * Warboss 1 - hard ta concentrate when YOR SO HYPED MAN WES FREED FROM DAT STOOPID GEEZA ONCE AND FER ALL
 * Warboss 2 - man i dunt even rememba his name anymor. wat was it? zr'ahgloth or sumfin?
 * Zr'Ahgloth - OI MAN WHO DIED? PROB SOM MORON. OI IM HEER WASSUP MAN LETS START DA PARTY

However, Zr'Ahgloth was completely ignored. It was as if he could not be heard.


 * Thr'aloy - yeh dats his name. zr'ahgloth. da most worffless propa big boss da loronz eva had
 * Zr'Ahgloth - hurhur man thraloy yoo was always gud at crakin jokes. i liek dat. yoo still havent lost yor sense of humor. OK SO LETS BRING DA PIZZA FOR WHOEVA REELY DIED
 * Warboss 1 - man can yoo beleev zr'ahlgoth SURRENDARED to da kralgie boyz?
 * Warboss 2 - yeh man fank roz'tah'flok da noo boss saved us i meen WHO IN DEYR RITE MIND wuld subject demselves ta serve unda da kralgies
 * Zr'Ahgloth - HUR. YOO MUST FINK YOR REELY FUNNI RITE NOW I SWER. I MEEN NO LOSA WULD SURRENDA TO DA KRALGIES ok i kinda did for a bit BUT YANNO
 * Thr'aloy - YEH. DA NOO BOSS KILLED DA KRALGIES AN EVERYUN ELSE. NAO DA LORONZ RULE OTTZELLO AS IT SHULD BE. OI WHERS HIS STATUE MAN HES GONNA BE HEER ANY MOMENT NAO
 * Zr'Ahgloth - YEH MAN DATS GUD WE HAVENT WON A WAR SINCE DA FIRST OTTZELLO GALACTIC WAR ITS ABOUT TIEM. wait wat da hell? anotha loron won a war DAT WASNT ME?...ok stop it nao thraloy dis practical joke ent funny anymore

Thr'aloy whistled over the door, and a few moments after, some Loron workers began carrying a large statue into the chamber, dropping it at its center. They promptly ran off, as if they had more things to carry. The statue was definitely not of Zr'Ahgloth, as the Loron shown in it did not look like him at all. He instead wore a characteristic horned helmet, a large ring across his neck and a distinct mechanical jaw near his mouth.

Under his statue was an engraving which said: "our noo boss, da best one afta da one who failed everyfin eva".


 * Zr'Ahgloth - YOR A BUNCHA HYPOCRITS. FLAMIN ME FER SURRENDARIN TO DA KRALGIES DEN YOO SURRENDA TO DA ROGUE BOYZ?????
 * Thr'aloy - THREE CHEERS FER PROPA BIG BOSS FR-

As the Loron cheered over their new leader, Zr'Ahgloth could not hear his name. It was muffled from him.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - WHO IS IT MAN WAT DA HELL

They continued cheering, ignoring him completely. Meanwhile, the workers brought in more and more statues, each as impressive as the last.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - IM GONNA SMASH DESE STATUES. I HATE DIS NOO BOSS!!!!!

Zr'Ahgloth, in his rage, tore apart one of the statues, smashing them with his fists and kicking them apart. He turned to the next and lashed at it, smashing it all the more.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - YOO CANT REPLACE ME!!!!!!!!!

Hammering away at his fists, Zr'Ahgloth crushed several. But the more he destroyed, the more he saw appear behind him. They were limitless. There was no way he could get rid of them all. The warboss kept cheering. The workers kept bringing in more statues. It was a vicious cycle. But then, Zr'Ahgloth could see something different.

Something was sitting on the Propa Big Boss' throne. It was a monster.


 * ??? - You have already been replaced.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - WHO IS YOO
 * ??? - No. Who are you? No one. I don't remember you. They don't remember you... Who are you?
 * Zr'Ahgloth - I KNO YOO LOT FINK YOR REELLLLLLY FUNNY WIV YOR PRACTICAL JOKES BUT SERIUSLY GET OVA YASELF. IM DA PROPA BIG BOSS ZRAHGLOTH. DA ONE WHO USHERED IN DA GOLDEN AGE FER DA LORONZ. AN WHO HAS NEVA BEEN REPLACED AN NEVA WILL BE REPLACED. NAO STOP WIV DIS TRIK AN ADMIT YOO KNO WHO I AM

The monster got up, towering over all Loron in the room as it slowly walked at Zr'Ahgloth's direction. His eyes pierced the Loron boss' very soul like needles, and as he walked, the chamber's appearance changed. It decayed, and the Loron warbosses were reduced to little more than skin and bones.


 * ??? - There is no trick.

Zr'Ahgloth cowered in fear, as more statues appeared beside him, but he was too afraid to destroy anymore. He hid in terror behind them, and he would not admit it, but tears formed in his eyes.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - DERE IS A TRIK MAN. YOR TRYNA SCARE ME OR MAKE FUN OF ME IN SOM WAY. I DUNNO WAT YOR DOIN BUT I FINK IN MOST CASES DIS CAN BE REESONABLY CONSIDERED BULLYIN. STOP IT MAN YOR NOT DAT FUNNY. GO AWAY
 * ??? - The one who ushered the golden age... and the one whose golden age ended in the demise of his folk. There is no reason to remember you. You brought this land to oblivion.

At this moment, a thundering roar was heard as a pair of eyes appeared in the shadows, and a chain formed on the monster's hand. Rushing forward as a gigantic, monstrous Loron, who was only stopped from attacking Zr'Ahgloth by the chain around his neck. It was definitely.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - AAAAAAHH NOT YOO BAK FER REVENGE I STOPPED YOO GO AWAY GO AWAY GO AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

Zr'Ahgloth pulled in several of the statues which surrounded him and tried to hide himself under them, while slamming the floor with his fists. He then tried to dig a hole in the ground to bury himself, hiding away from everything. The tears formed in his eye were now clearly tears of pain, as he began to sob.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - IM DA PROPA BIG BOSS ZRAHGLOTH. DA MOST WORSHIPED LORON ALIVE. YA HEER ME? ALIVE. NOT DED. IM BETTA DAN ANY OF YOOS CAN EVA HOPE TA BE. YOR NOT SCARIN ME. YOR JUST...MAKIN MANLY TEERS FORM IN MA EYES. IN FACT IM LAFFIN...IM LAFFIN WIV YOO!!!! YOR NOT SCARIN ME!!!!!!!!!
 * ??? - Is this what the "propa big boss" is? A terrified infant who hides from his problems? You are not worthy of being the leader. You are not worth remembering. You are little more than an attack dog... You and him are not so different. You are both attack dogs for beings superior to you.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - SHUT UP. YOO AN I BOFF KNO DATS NOT TROO. IM A LEEDA IN UNO NOT A UNOC MEMBA. YOR MOMS AN ATTAK DOG.
 * ??? - You are a slave. And you will die a slave's death.

The monster let go of the chain, allowing Gratz'kaoz to furiously charge at Zr'Ahgloth's direction, breaking through the statues to reach him.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - NO...NONONONO...NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Screaming in terror, Zr'Ahgloth finally awoke out of his bed. He had woke the other two UNOL members in their starships' cabin with his screams.


 *  - Oh come on...I don't need your screaming and loud obnoxious snoring keeping me awake every single night...
 *  - ...I sense something in you. You have nightmares. I trace the source of them, and I heal your mind. Do not worry.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - oh good dat was only a nightmare? oh ok i fort hagtozhl an da otha boyz were pullin som practical joke on me. i fort dat didnt make much sense

Sarec's Nightmare
Sarec was aboard a cruiser chartered by the Inquisition. The recent campaign, as well as prior incidents with the demon the Inquisition of Drakon had codified as "Skewer" had take ntheir toll on his endurance. To take his mind off it, Sarec had been practicing down on a firing range set up within one of the cruiser's cargoholds. It was an advisory by his physicians after the stresses his body had undergone.

As he was down there, the door opened and in she walked. Clad in ornately-decorated power armour, her tail swaying gracefully as she walked, the High Inquisitor herself had graced the range. For this session, Sarec had kept to using a standard-issue handgun, but his head turned when Arsac entered. She scanned the weapon rack and after some moments looking though removed a large high-power plasma beam battle rifle from the rack. She checked it over before her eye wandered to Sarec's gaze, giving him a knowing smirk as she primed the chamber of the battle rifle and made her way to one of the booths.

Each shot she fired rang like a shockwave as it hit its target. While Sarec's handgun left a bullet mark in the targets, Arsac's riffle had shattered them, melting the frame at the fringes and vapouring the epicentre. After a dozen repetitions of this, she let her rifle cool and turned her head to look at Sarec, shocking him.


 * Sarec - I-I was n-not expecting you here-- Madame.
 * Arsac - And why wouldn't I come down here?
 * Sarec - Well...d-don't you have your own firing range on the upper levels.
 * Arsac - I figured I might for once spend time sharpening my skill alongside a man who has been making considerable sacrifice lately.

Sarec's mouth was agape at this compliment.


 * Sarec - R...really?
 * Arsac - Of course. You survived an encounter with the Skewer after all.
 * Sarec - Th-that is true.
 * Arsac - Now go on. I'd like to see your skill.

While they spoke, the sounds of howling, growling and barking could be heard coming from the firing range, which was supposed to be empty. Out of nowhere, dozens upon dozens of Malcaeum fiends had materialized in it, menacing Sarec and Arsac by screaming and roaring at their direction, waving their curved greatswords around as if provoking them to attack them.


 * Malcaeum - Smell. Of. Fear!
 * Arsac - Shoot them!

Sarec gulped and nodded. He stood at the booth he was in, lifted the hand gun up and hesitantly discharged several rounds, aiming for the heads of a few of the Malcaeum while Arsac set her battle riffle to full automatic and fired long streams of beam-confined plasma at the Malcaeum hordes. The demons appeared to ignore the shots completely as they continued to growl and roar at them, stomping on the ground, taunting them. After her volley, Arsac lowered her rifle and growled herself. She delivered another set of shots in vain and then looked at Sarec.


 * Arsac - These demons will not die.
 * Sarec - I have no idea, truly.
 * Arsac - Shoot another one. Go on.
 * Sarec - But--
 * Arsac - Do it! Open fire!

With anxiety, Sarec lifted his handgun once more and fired at one of the Malcaeum, this time aiming for the torso. The demon reacted to the shot by screaming and falling backwards, erupting in a black mist. However, taking its place was something else. Another demon, who instead of growling or screaming, merely groaned as it pointed at finger at Sarec's direction. Sarec took a step back in shock, firing a round out of panic at the Garvathae while Arsac watched in dissapointment. Shots which hit the demon ricocheted into other Malcaeum and destroyed them, replacing them with more Garvathae who all did the same action. They groaned, their mouths agape and with a finger pointed at Sarec. This only made Arsac growl louder


 * Arsac - What...did you do.
 * Sarec - I folowed your orders!
 * Arsac - And you failed!

As she screamed, her eyes flashed red, taking Sarec off-guard. As the light cleared, Sarec, Arsac and the Garvanthe were no longer in the makeshift firing range, but were instead in the nave of a cathedral lavishly decorated in gold and marble. Poised as murals around the stained glass windows and on the capitals of the pillars that held up the nave's roof were golden statues, representations of the Lifefather. Each facet of him, imagined by the various sects of his path were here. Surrounding all of them, particularly further into the nave, were Inquisitors, dressed ceremonially in decorated armour, their heads obscured by the shade provided by their white hoods.


 * Arsac - You have been slipping, ever since your encounter with--
 * Sarec - With what? You don't mean--
 * Arsac - Skewer. Ever since you were found things have been collapsing around you. His taint, his smell...it clings to you.
 * Sarec - Nono it doesn't I swear

Arsac pointed her battle rifle at Sarec, holding the weapon with only one hand and aiming it directly at his skull.


 * Arsac - So it is coincidence these monsters appear? That our efforts to kill them are in vain and for everything you do to make them only worse. This is your work Sarec, you are a disgrace, an embarrasment.
 * Sarec - I only did my duty!
 * Arsac - And you are no longer fit for duty!
 * ??? - Indeed. Failed boy, you will not accomplish much in this plane. In any plane. In all planes.

Imagery which displayed the form of Drakon across the chamber found itself changed into images of a monster who spoke at Sarec's direction. Arsac's scales had darkened. Once a faded sky blue darkened like an ink stain washing over her, turning those faded blue scales into a sickly dark indigo.


 * Sarec - No...I'm not a failure! I can prove myself!
 * ??? - A failure you are. You cannot fulfill your task. Instead... you became us.
 * Sarec - Lies! I am not like you
 * Arsac - This was your doing, you sent these demons, you drew them to me, you schemed with gods for my downfall. Your mentor knew it...didn't he?
 * ??? - And we all know such things are not allowed in the Order... We call it treason.
 * Sarec - I'm not a traitor! I could do nothing as the demons killed them both.
 * Arsac - The Order does not. Accept. Excuses.

The imagery of the monster all began pointing at Sarec judgingly, like the Garvathae had done before. Meanwhile Arsac marched towards him, her scales losing their lustre and her armour becoming black as obsidian, reflecting a pale purple light from the shine and highlighting the now more twisted patterns that adorned it.


 * ??? - No mercy for conspirators! To join gods is to turn your back on Drakon!
 * Sarec - My faith is wholly to Drakon, I swear it on my life!
 * ??? - Traitor to the Order! He must be executed!
 * Arsac - With pleasure!

Arsac stomped forward, her beastly features causing Sarec to fall backwards. Bit it didn't save him, for with a otion of her arm, the limb let out a jet of purple light from the elbow, revealing a long pointed appendage. Arsac made a beckoning move with hre fingers and tugged Sarec off the ground, into the air and helplessly down onto the spear-limb that replaced Arsac's right forearm. The inquisitors at the back of the nave lowered their hoods, revealing themselves to be identical to the monster that pointed its finger judgementally at Sarec.


 * Sarec - I can repent! If you find me guilty of treason I swear I will repent!
 * ??? - Redemption through oblivion.

A dreaded feeling arose from his wasit that made Sarec panic. It was as though his organs were both searing and shutting down, he struggled but that only made the pain worse, his eyes locked on to Arsac noticing she was enjoying watching him die. As the pain crept u phis body it grew more intense at the initial point, he looked to see himself beginning to glow as the pain passed up his neck and into his head, causing extreme pain as it spread thoughout his brain.

Death did not follow, instead he woke up within the barracks screaming at the top of his lungs, disturbing whoever was with him before collapsing back onto his stomach, eyes wide with a cold flush running donw his spine.

The Fall of the Bonio Republic
The Bonio Republic's urgent calls for aid were the most dire the Dracogonarious Empire had ever seen in their entire history as allies. The black fog of their Corruptus had reached Bonaih, the very homeworld of the Bonio race. Forced to face multiple fronts at once, the Empire and their allies decided to split into three teams in order to cover more ground, and the forces composed of Thea'Nhirara, Kagu'sai, Lupercal, Telfinne, Mu, Psi and Vaugathala took their fleets or equivalents to Bonaih as soon as possible. But by the time they arrived, the planet was already in flames. The cities of the Bonio were being reduced to rubble, with the capital city of the planet suffering the most damage.

Vaugathala - a Blacksword Elite under the hired employ of the government of the Third Sovereign Domain, whose leadership had proven itself a valuable and personal ally to the Affinity of Blades for sometime now - led his forces into the ruins of the city, supported by a combination of Sovereign Domain and Affinity soldiers. He sniffed the air thrice before raising an arm to gesture for his forces to split up and cover more ground, while two lesser Blacksword soldiers remained at Vaugathala's sides. As they arrived to the ruined capital, Psi and Mu opened fire on numbers of demons who were out in the open, using masses of debris as cover while Thea'Nhirara hovered around the group, her expression showing dismay due to the destruction caused by the Corruptus.


 * Vaugathala - Establish a perimeter and take caution as the enemy may remain within the capital's walls. With fortune, they are ignorant to our presence.
 * Mu - They can ignore us when they're dead!
 * Thea'Nhirara - So much devastation... Our priority should be rescuing survivors and taking them out of this world.
 * Vaugathala - My orders do not allow me to directly evacuate civilians - only to counter and combat present enemy forces. My employers' official military personnel can contribute to evacuation efforts, although I grow doubtful that many civilians remain alive as present.
 * Kagu'sai - I can offer my blade - and the blades of my warriors - for that mission.
 * Psi - Yeah, let the Andromedans do the heavy lifting. We got things to blow up here.
 * Telfinne - Not me, please. ...I do not... ehm... just let me and my men go with the rest of the squad.
 * Vaugathala - Affirmative. The Blackswords are not saviours; we are destroyers.

As the group pushed into the capital, numbers of Bonio citizens emerged from their damaged homes seeking refuge in their protection. Thea'Nhirara used her essence to create a shield around the group to protect them from the Corruptus' corrupting influence while the Kicath Agents shot airborne demons out of the sky with their guns.


 * Kagu'sai - Fear not, citizen of Bonaih! Kagu'sai himself came to your aid, and as long as he still breathes, you will be safe, for there is no protector more honourable than the magnanimous Artharon people!
 * Lupercal - ...Just follow our lead. Duck in case you hear explosions and don't leave the shields.

As Kagu'sai's red-armoured Artharon soldiers and their Radeon auxiliaries ran to the escape pods followed by panicking Bonia civilians - looking at their saviours with humble, respectful gazes, much to the Artharon warchief's delight - the rest of the onslaught moved forward. Vaugathala moved ahead and covered ground for the group with his accompanying soldiers, utilising their heavy weaponry to tear apart the landscape and demolish potential cover-spots that demons or cultists could use against them.


 * Vaugathala - No sight of enemy command confirmed. I shall move ahead. Cover the flank.

Vaugathala, drawing a large, hi-tech longsword from the belt upon his abdomen, dashed ahead of the group and swung powerful, shattering swings with the weapon as he charged into the enemy line, while his personal guard assured he would not be taken from the rear and shot at any demons that attempted to flank him. The augmented Zazane had desired to scout ahead of the group in search of any commanding officers - or equivalent personnel - the demons had fielded on the ground. As he moved ahead, Vaugathala could hear a terrible, otherworldly howl over the distance as a skyscraper was hit by a violent purple explosion, which caused it to fall to the opposite direction of the group. Blasts of entropic energy could also be seen launched into the air, which caused more explosions which further destroyed the city. Vaugathala spoke into his helmet on all frequencies, including that of the team;


 * Vaugathala - The enemy has deployed heavy units ahead and are fielding immense destructive capacity. Conjoint anti-mobile and anti-infantry potential a possibility; requires further tactical analysis.
 * Telfinne - I feel something. And it's not funny. Maybe.
 * Psi - So that scream wasn't Nu stubbing his toe.
 * Mu - Shut it.
 * Thea'Nhirara - ... I recognize the sound of that voice.
 * Vaugathala - Elaborate.
 * Thea'Nhirara - We do not face an army ahead. We face only one individual.
 * Vaugathala - ... What would be considered an appropriate course of direction?
 * Thea'Nhirara - ... Make use of your most powerful weapons. Treat it as if your life depended on it, for it will.
 * Vaugathala - Affirmative. Preparing for encompassing visual range.

Vaugathala moved ahead once more and attempted to attain a vantage point in order to stand above the enemy ahead of them, as such would grant them a potential opportunity for flanking and ambush. He was backed by his companions, who stood at his rear to ensure he would not be jumped himself, and approached a large mound of debris that had once been considered a residential centre in order to get a visual analysis of their enemy. Telfinne's squad, Thea'Nhirara and the Kicath eventually went after the elite Blacksword, and as they proceeded ahead, they eventually found the source of the explosions seen before. They found a burning plaza, and out of the ruined buildings of the city walked a very tall, armored entity whose blood red eyes left a trail as they walked. Their footsteps caused flames to appear on the ground they walked on, and they carried two large swords - one large and another immense - as they glared at the approaching group. A pair of withered wings were seen on the creature's back which flapped, causing dust and ash to be launched around whoever they were. The sight of the creature caused Thea'Nhirara to freeze in place, an expression of horror in her face. Vaugathala raised his heavy-rifle to his line of sight and aimed at the ethereal daemon from afar, his grasp steady and cold. Telfinne, on the other hand, twitched in what could be both fear and excitement, her blades glowing as if in response to her own emotional states.


 * Telfinne - I felt this little thing in my head- oh- I mean- nothing... I stay adamant. Adamant.
 * Vaugathala - Enemy command potentially sighted.
 * ??? - Ssssh... Are you the ones sent to stop me? Pathetic that you would be surrounded by vermin like these, "mother".
 * Thea'Nhirara - Watch your tone, demon.
 * Psi - Okay, you're one ugly asshole, dude.
 * ??? - I... am female, scum.
 * Psi - Like I can tell!
 * Vaugathala - Sex is irrelevant. Initiating combat.

Vaugathala fired his heavy-rifle, launching large ballistic projectiles from the barrel of his weapon towards the demonic commander with the force of a missile launcher. He had been aiming for her general vicinity, although more precisely towards her upper torso. The demon's eyes shined again and she let out another howl, and the group could watch her body turn into blackened purple mist, causing the missile to pass through her harmlessly. Her form materialized again ahead of where she was standing, closer to the team as she lift both blades into the air.


 * ??? - I am ! I am the Night Terror who will rend you to shreds!

With this, the demoness began delivering series of blows at Vaugathala's direction, wielding both of her blades with equal speed as if they were both feathers to her. Mu and Psi attempted to shoot her, but their shots appeared almost to disappear whenever they approached her, as if they were removed from reality altogether.


 * Mu - The hell?
 * Psi - I don't like demons! I shoot them and nothing happens!
 * Telfinne - These are not demons! - Telfinne's eyes suddenly went numb, as if she was struck painfully by something, as she once again went in a delirious state - though she neverthless remained battle-ready - Demons demons demons not demons endless nightmare endless old as stars children of the eye yes...
 * Psi - Girl, you're weird. You need a drink.
 * Telfinne - ...Drink? Yes, I will drink. And I will give some of that drink to my puppy once- I mean, affirmative.

Vaugathala dropped his gun and swung his vibrosword in retaliation to the demoness' sudden outburst of speed and power, being pushed onto the defensive by her and causing him to yell across all frequencies and channels he could remotely access from his helm.


 * Vaugathala - Enemy engaged in close range! Displays considerable agility combined with strength to allow for optimal destructive capacity! ... Squads 3, 5, and 7 on my position ASAP!
 * Thea'Nhirara - Cairaovén... Be still and allow me to end your misery.
 * Cairaovén - Speaks the miserable slave of dreams!

Thea'Nhirara's arms shapeshifted into scythe-shaped blades which were launched at the Night Terror's direction, causing her to back away from Vaugathala as her blades collided with them, launching multicoloured sparks across the plaza. The demon growled in anger as she attacked back, her two blades being wreathed in purple flames as she delivered a furious strike which broke one of Thea'Nhirara's bladed tentacles, flinging it across the landscape and causing the angel entity to wince in pain. The enhanced Zazane made an attempt to launch himself at the Night Terror's rear, swinging his large vibrosword in the direction of her back once she had found herself occupied with suppression on Thea'Nhirara's part. The group could hear the sound of gunfire and explosions heading their way as Vaugathala's reinforcements approached their position. The blade stabbed through her armor and flesh, but Cairaovén did not even flinch to it as her wings were slammed against the Blacksword elite to get him off of her. Gunfire launched at her direction disappeared before it could touch her seemingly for no reason, but that was actually the extent of her power. Such as the Night Terror's power over entropy that she could alter reality to fit her needs - in this case, unthink gunfire from her way.


 * Vaugathala - ... I suggest a tactical regroup.
 * Mu - And lose the planet? Can't do that.
 * Telfinne - So strong, so black, so evil...
 * Psi - Don't know about you pansies but I'm gonna beat the shit out of him.
 * Mu - Her.
 * Psi - Same thing, really.
 * Vaugathala - You are free to attempt it.

Psi put his cannon on its sheath and proceeded to charge at Cairaovén's direction from the left, while Mu did the same from the right in order for them to flank the towering demon. Growling in anger, the Night Terror watched them approach before slashing her larger blade at Psi's direction as he approached, delivering a large cut to his chest armor and knocking him away into a wall while sending her elbow at Mu, hitting the Kicath's left arm and causing him to scream in pain as the sound of cracking bones were heard.


 * Mu - My arm!!
 * Psi - Okay. Do you have any idea how expensive this armor is?
 * Vaugathala - Thus is why I suggested tactical regrouping.
 * Cairaovén - This world is lost! It belongs to Errr now! Such is the will of the Black Fog!
 * Vaugathala - We are under-equipped to engage in combat with the enemy. We can initiate a temporary retreat and attempt a reclamation of this holding at a later time once we are reinforced.
 * Thea'Nhirara - ... May the Bonio forgive us. Retreat. Now!
 * Vaugathala - All forces, intiate emergency transwarp drives and evacuate to orbital stations.

In moments, Vaugathala and the rest of the accompanying forces under his command vanished from sight in a brief, almost blinding flash of light as they evacuated from the battlefield to their cruisers and battleships in orbit of the world via teleportation systems built into their highly-advanced armour. There was little trace of them left upon the battlefield aside from minor burns where they had once been standing. Mu struggled to run as he held on his broken arm, while Psi got back up and ran alongside him to make his way back to the Artharon forces. Thea'Nhirara remained behind to give them time to escape, once again creating bladed tendrils from her body to clash against Cairaovén's swords. Telfinne and her squad activated their jet packs, flying into the sky so as to escape the incoming demons.


 * Thea'Nhirara - It will not be today, but one day, I will save you from the eternal pain you have been subject to... my dear.
 * Cairaovén - Run! Run like the coward you are!

Channeling all of her energy through her larger blade, Cairaovén let out an echoing roar as she sent it down at Thea'Nhirara vertically, cutting through the angel creature and splitting her body in two, each half disintegrating into a shining dust which was blown away by the wind.

With her enemies all escaped, the Night Terror roared out in fury as she resumed her path of destruction.

Hatred of the Devourer
The attack on Bonaih was not the only move done by the Corruptus in their new storm. Naldos, one of the Spinker Empire's most valuable colonies, was being swarmed by the demons of nightmare. Naldos was the Spinker's greatest symbol of perseverence and victory, for it was there where they originally defeated the so many hundred years ago. The loss of this planet would be a devastating defeat for the Spinker people's morale, and it would also result in the Corruptus possibly gaining control over the mysterious artifacts it held. The group composed of Macin Xermilin, Titanozor, the members of UNO and the Draconid Imperium were sent to stop the invasion by all means necessary.

With Tuolog on his back and an army of Loron behind him, Zr'Ahgloth stepped in confidently as he cracked his knuckles. The Kralgon Emperor rode forward in his among other AI Weapons. All three of them were prepared to give the demons hell. Charging alongside the Loron forces and providing rearguard fire though tanks and plasma fire were the armoured soldiers of the Draconid Imperium. Joining as the representative of the multi-faction tactical team was Tonbas Credavan, a Draconid member of the Talon Marine Corps. Joining them as a de-facto commander of the psi-corps soldiers on the field was the grizzled Inquisitor Kelsos. After a loud bang, and the ground reverberating, Titanozor materialised through a transport beam, with his trusty shoulder buddy, Buuuk, perched next to his head. Behind him stood a contingent of Ultra-Troopers. Macin Xermilin stood at the front of the army, providing them protection from the corrupting energies of the Corruptus, and as they progressed deeper into enemy territory, they found themselves confronted by large numbers of violent Malcaeum who were covered by immense Marinoxidiz, who fired at the team with heavy weaponry. Floating next to the Klamb elder was Mimi, who held on her by using a pair of tentacles.


 * Macin - The nightmare folk is ahead! Fight! Destroy them! Banish them back to whence they came!
 * Zr'Ahgloth - YOO HERD DA GEEK. OI BOYZ LETS SHANK DEEZ GEEZAS!!!!!!
 * Kelsos - Infantry focus on the Malcaeum, unload those battery assault nests on them. Armour crews and psi-corps, devastate those Marinoxidiz!

On his orders the nests released a hellish barrrage of plasma beams while tank shells and vehicle-grade plasma beams soared though the air to pound the armour of the Marinoxiiz. The Malcaeum charged furiously at the army's direction, waving their swords in a provoking manner while the Marinoxidiz gave them covering fire. Macin and Mimi united their essence to fire bright rays of energy at the demons, causing those hit by them to be destroyed in shining explosions of dream energy.

Meanwhile, Titanozor's soldiers ordered everyone without gamma-protection to look away before generating a nightcloak shield, took their aim and fired back with glasma blasters, each shot of glasma hot enough to emit gamma-rays and blind all in the vicinity. In return, some of the Marinoxidiz forces emitted electron-baryon plasma that instantly flash burned everything in the air to trap the gamma-radiation. This was intense enough to vapourise the Ultra-troopers that were too close, while others were heavily damaged.


 * Titanozor - No shields can protect us in the era of glasma weaponry.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - i fink its kinda funny dat im fitin on da same side as titanozor tbh
 * Marinoxidiz - Your mortal shields are not enough to sustain the might of the Devourer and the Master Creator!
 * Kralgon Emperor - Hah! Who needs protection, when you have infinite forces at your desposal, and all of them replaceable?
 * Mimi - That's exactly what the Corruptus have!
 * Tonbas - Inexhaustable, but certainly not instantly replaceable if we kill them fast enough.
 * Kralgon Emperor - ...I suppose you are right, Mimi...
 * Titanozor - We must fight on, we have the same weapons. This will be down to who can grind more!
 * Tonbas - If the cities are evacuated we could draw and confine their forces!
 * Macin - Show no distress now! We must defeat the nightmare! Behold the power of the Destined!

Macin let out a howl as her body began shining a bright gold colouration, and a large pair of white, feathered wings sprouted from her back as she then charged at the Malcaeum forces. Faster than their eyes could register, she attacked all of them, causing the demons to scream and die out in less than a second of time.


 * Tonbas - Okay... what in the Void is going on with her!
 * Mimi - Radiant State!
 * Tonbas - Never thought I'd see an angel really. Void, can psi-corps do that?
 * Kelsos - No.
 * Tuolog - Macin, I provide you strength if you need more. Me and Zr'Ahgloth destroy Maronixidiz up close.
 * Mimi - There are more coming... I feel the power of a great being... Any of you feel, umm... angry?
 * Zr'Ahgloth - i meen i do but im always angry anywayz so meh
 * Tonbas - I have adrenaline charging though my body like a summer storm if that means anything.
 * Kralgon Emperor - Nothing beats my feeling of satisfaction in battle. Oh, I love it!

The Emperor dropped down dozens of Pods filled with Loron, and with and Land Destructors. The unmanned vehicles fired shells of antimatter and machine coilguns that could tear apart almost anything with their rapid fire. As their numbers grew almost out of control, in an attempt to match the Marinoxidiz, the Kralgon Emperor sat back and laughed as his fire tore apart the enemy, and the land around him, recklessly shooting, not even worrying that his shots were also hitting some of his own Loron.


 * Kralgon Emperor - Destruction...I LOVE DESTRUCTION!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! ALL WILL FALL BEFORE ME!!!! MY ENEMIES BURN!!!!!
 * Mimi - ... This can't be good...
 * Tonbas - so long as he's not accidentally thowing his fire us we're fine...I think.

Theirs was not the only front. Attacking a flank were a platoon of Spinker soldiers, within the frontlines however was a Draconis in expensive armour who barked out orders as the solders fought desperately to stay alive. Some of the Marinoxidiz forces ran over charred earth towards Titanozor's position, thinking they had broken his line. But to their surprise, the dead Ultra-Troopers who were not incinerated sprang to "life", their nanomechanical suits taking over their half destroyed remains and stabbing them with wire. Titanozor and his remaining men laughed at the shocked mêlée, and then fired their glasma weapons again. Titanonozor ordered his men to press forward for there was no going back, to this this confusion as an advantage.


 * Macin - Survivors of Koluap's people!
 * Mimi - That one dresses up like the ones who helped me fight Eleielord a year ago!
 * Kelsos - What!?

Armed with a machinegun, the Draconis fought with a desperate determination. For those who could see the auras of others, there was something distinct about him that made him stand out from the Spinker auras. He battled with fear and desperation slightly more capably than those around him. But when he took a momentary glance at Kelsos, he momentarily panicked.


 * Spinker Soldier - Why'd we stop? We gotta get out of here... Oh! Reinforcements have arrived!
 * Sarec - Fight your way to them I knew we'd get support...I hoped we would....
 * Kralgon Emperor - Quit your sentimental nonsense. We're here to DESTROY, not to rescue. Who cares if they die? They are replaceable.
 * Macin - Watch your tongue! Or I will send you out of this world myself!
 * Tuolog - Watching his tongue is...not exactly his strong point.
 * Tonbas - Gotta agree with the angel thing, Soldiers fight better when they believe they're more than some number on a general's troop manifest.
 * Macin - We are here to save Koluap's folk! Not to destroy them! Betray the dream and you will be destroyed like the nightmare!
 * Zr'Ahgloth - meh i dunt reelly care fer deez peeps but im gonna agree wiv da angel chik cuz she looks shiny an becuz no one cares wat da empra has ta say
 * Titanozor - You are either fighting with us, or you are fighting ON YOUR OWN, Kralgon Emperor.

The angelic Macin opened her mouth to continue her lecturing, but before she had the chance, she froze in place as she glanced upwards. In the distance, holding itself to a window in a skyscraper was a gigantic Malcaeum with eyes as black as the void of space who stared directly back at the army's direction. He could easily be spotted thanks to his huge wings and his spear-like limb.

Sarec looked up and a chill ran dow nhis spine.


 * Sarec - ....kranndungkrandungkranndung. EVERYONE OPEN FIRE!
 * Macin - The Hating One! The Hating One is here!
 * Mimi - I knew something was wrong!
 * Tuolog - I sense this coming...we need be prepared to fight something much bigger. Zr'Ahgloth and I at ready. Kralgon Emperor deal with forces below.

Rushing through several Marinoxidiz, the group only saw a shining light zip past several, which were cut in half as it zipped past them. Appearing in front of them, Mac, wielding his sword, approached the group confidently. Sarec turned his machinegun towards the skyscraper and released a hail of rail-fired slugs in the Malcaeum's direction.


 * Mac - Kept you waiting, huh?
 * Mimi - Should've been here earlier! We're in trouble!
 * Mac - Sorry I'm late. I miscalculated my time-speeding-up-stuff. Trying to fight several battles at once ain't as easy as it looks...and I'd have got to this one faster if I'd done it right, but I guess I got complacent. Well, who's up for taking out that huge demon thing?
 * Titanozor - Demons' are my speciality.

The demon, Shu'rahkavarh, continued his stare at the team's direction before opening his wings, allowing himself to fall at their direction. Macin immediately launched herself at its direction, flying faster than their eyes could see and clashing with the giant Malcaeum in midair, delivering flurries of unarmed blows to the demon with such intensity that it continuously flinched from them. However, with an almost tired groan, it dismissively lunged an arm at the angel which hit her across the side and sent her crashing down into the ground. Mimi quickly flew to Macin's aid as Shu'rahkavarh landed in front of the air.


 * Shu'rahkavarh - So much bloodshed... it is beautiful...
 * Kralgon Emperor - I agree! High-five, demon!
 * Macin - Agh... i-idiot!

Sarec glanced to see Macin as she hit the ground and he seethed, he leaped up to bounce off a nearby building and onto a rooftop where he released another hail of gunfire o nthe Malcaeum.


 * Sarec - Want to finish what you started with me you scab-covered hellfire filth?
 * Shu'rahkavarh - By divine command of the Warrior, this planet is to become Kaizo'terron... But there is yet so much blood to spill... I can feel your hate, your distress, your anger... it empowers me.

The demon's bony spear was launched at the Kralgon Emperor's Land Destructor, and the team could watch as its rigid form turned flexible and it wrapped itself around the vehicle like a whip. Shu'rahkavarh tug his arm back and crushed the Destructor like a snake crushing their prey. Barely escaping, the Emperor fell out, bruised, with all of his bones broken and unable to move, paralyzed. Tuolog instantly time-warped him back up to his ship in orbit, but he would stay on communications.


 * Kralgon Emperor - Agh...you'll...YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT, SHU'RAHKAVARH! Even up here, I can feel the hatred from this thing...Destroy it! Make it pay!
 * Shu'rahkavarh - Make me stronger...
 * Zr'Ahgloth - ok life lesson numba 2: dont piss off a demon moron

Even Titanozor looked on in awe at the strength and toughness of this entity. It was like one he had never met. Titanozor instinctively reached for his God-Hammer, but remembered it wasn't there anymore. The demon reared up and then released a roar at the army, and many could feel their psyches invaded by an unseen force which compelled them to turn berserk against their own allies. Kelsos turned and scowled as he shouted orders in an attempt to regain control of the forces under his command, but even he could feel the compelling force on his mind. Sarec meanwhile continued firing seething as he wanted nothing more than to see the demon die. There was also fear as he took a glance to see the battlefield become an uncontrollable mass of soldiers fighting each other. Titanozor and Buuuk looked on in horror his men began to fight each other, some crying as they killed their brothers, soon their nanomechanical suits took over, them too being taken over and fighting like a gory mass of blood and machine. Titanozor wondered why he and his other team hadn't been turned on each other, and realised Shu'rahkavarh was teasing them for its sadistic enjoyment.

Zr'Ahgloth and Tuolog both tossed Mac up into the air to fight the demon, before he jumped up himself, using Tuolog's anti-gravity Chronoscopic powers to raise up and slash it with their energised strength. With energy and with their powers being sped up in time, Mac and Zr'Ahgloth managed to rapidly bash the enormous demon, exhausting their physical strength. Shu'rahkavarh's muscles grew swollen as the blood of the army was spilled, and his own moves grew faster as he parried Mac's blade with his spear limb. Gunfire sent at the demon vanished from existence before it could reach its physical body, for he was powerful enough to unthink it out of his way should he so please.


 * Kelsos - Tonbas! Cohesion failsafe, now!
 * Tonbas - Confirmed!
 * Tuolog - I have idea! Everyone, retreat from battle!
 * Zr'Ahgloth - BLUD R U DUM WAT DA HELL WHAI WULD WE RUN
 * Tuolog - No, trust me. He draws his power from the blood of those who fall around him. He is gaining more power as we throw lives away. Leave the robots, and the AI Weapons behind.
 * Titanozor - The DCP cannot.  Does not..  SURRENDER!
 * Tuolog - Titanozor, you not listen to me. We not surrendering. If we withdraw troops, we not provide it anymore power as troops fall.
 * Kelsos - Tuolog, the Cohension Failsafe will incapacitate all Imperial troops on the field, but we will still need to move them. Can we count on you?
 * Kralgon Emperor - I will stop sending Loron, and withdraw others in the Pods' teleporter. I will send AI Weapons in their place.
 * Shu'rahkavarh - I am the Devourer of Dreams's hatred made manifest... I am the physical representation for the despise he feels for this universe... I am Shu'rahkavarh. I am the end.

Several Loron groaned amongst themselves, and spat on the ground as they walked back to their pods. Though Marinoxidiz chased them to kill them, the Loron retreated regardless, with their ranks replaced by Kralgon Land Walkers and Land Destructors. Tonbas gave the order and every imperial soldier was suddenly overcome with overpowering muscle spasms, in a brief moment all of them fell unconscious but standing. Suddenely Shu'rahkavarh pointed his giant claw at Titanozor, inches from his face, then turned it towards Buuuk, who was clearly trying to fight whatever dark sorcery was being impregnated into his soul. He could not fight for long and suddenely fired shots at Titanozor's head, only just shielded. Titanozor used his strength to lob Buuuk like a ragdoll, before priming his shield. He would have to fight his companion, and his soldiers that had turned on him, which would give Shu'rahkavarh even more power. Titanozor realised he would have to abandon the battle, a humiliating defeat for any DCP commander and arranged for him and Buuuk to beam out and his men to be ejected into space.

Seeing everyone withdraw, Sarec panicked once more and tossed the machinegun aside. He readied a longsabre and opened his wings, soaring down hoping to latch on to the body of Shu'rahkavarh using his weapon as a hook into its demonic flesh. The giant Malcaeum's eyes turned to Sarec as its spear-limb moved in a serpentine manner up to the Draconis's face, stopping between his eyes.


 * Shu'rahkavarh - A most unwise move...
 * Sarec - And it is unwise to threaten a man who has nothing!
 * Mac - Where do you draw your power from now, demon? Good luck getting blood and rage from robots.
 * Shu'rahkavarh - Foolish Taldar... War sustains me... Conflict gives me power... The lack of bloodshed does little but upset- Ugh!

Rising from the debris on the ground was Macin Xermilin, no longer in her angel form but standing once again as she and Mimi combined her energies to fire a blast of essence at Shu'rahkavarh's back, causing the demon to wince in agony and stumble in place. His control over the army's psyche lessened as he lost his concentration. Sarec stil lheld on, drawing a knife he plunged it deep into what he hoped was a soft spot while the Malcaeum was distracted. Black, burning hot blood was spilled out of the wound, but the demon could do little to stop Sarec at this moment.


 * Mac - Cocky lil' bastard, eh? You and the Emperor have more in common than I thought.
 * Macin - He is distracted! Fire your machines and your shiny lights at him now! He cannot use the nightmare to stop them!

Mac and Zr'Ahgloth empowered themselves further, and struck harder against Shu'rahkavarh, siezing the opportunity. The Kralgon weapons turned their antimatter cannons towards the demon, firing, while their machine coilguns focused on the Marinoxidiz. Soaring form above, the Imperium had launched drone strike fighters that peppered Shu'rahkavarh with rail-powered shots. Sarec meanwhile kept stabbing, workign his way up the torso towards the neck. Mimi flew over to Sarec as he attacked the demon, shielding herself from the drone fire by meekly covering herself with her wings.


 * Mimi - You gotta let go for the drones will hit you too!
 * Sarec - I want...to make sure...he's dead!
 * Mimi - You're falling to him! He wants you to be angry so he can leech on you for power! Calm down and let go!

Sarec drew the knife and looked at Mimi. Despite wearing a decorated helmet that hid his eyes, she could see she was getting though to him as he stared at her. He caught his words as he nodded, not momenents too soon as a drone made another strafing run, he drew the blade and sliced a large gash out of Shu'rahkavarh's shoulder. Sarec landed on his side and rolled a metre as he stumbled upon conact with the ground. The many shots he received as well as the dream energy used against him caused the great demon to fall to one knee, growling in pain. His body began spazzing and shivering as he glared at the retreating team, and while he had begun their fight with them with an emotionless expression, he was now glaring at them in fury.

Purple flames erupted out of Shu'rahkavarh's entire body as his muscles became swollen again, with him letting out a furious roar which sent debris and corpses flying across the landscape.


 * Shu'rahkavarh - Berserk!
 * Zr'Ahgloth - yanno ive encountered som pretty mental peepz but DIS GEEZA IS MENTAL MAN WAT DA HELL

Shu'rahkavarh lunged forward to chase after Sarec and the other, delivering almost mindless blows to the landscape as he did so, causing entire buildings to crumble down in ruins. He snarled, growled and roared like a violent animal. Sarec panicked and ran, stumbling as the fury that had sustained him was subsiding. He ran towards the others, panting as he did so. The demon rose his spear over his head to send it down at Sarec, but before he was given the chance, a ray of dream energy was launched at the limb from behind the demon, and the team could watch as it was severed out of Shu'rahkavarh's body by Macin, who was flying behind him. The demon fell into the ground, growling in fury and twitching all over as he dug his claws and talons into the ground, trying to get back up.


 * Macin - Fire! Attack! Everything!

Returning, Titanozor roared as he went down on the demon, and smashed away at it with his super-Grimbolsaurian strength. Angrier even than usual, Titanozor took pride as he smashed his fists and fired all of his weaponry into the demon, reckless with fury. Zr'Ahgloth, never thinking he'd be copying Titanozor, did the same, with Tuolog speeding up and enhancing his every attack. Watching the other two, Mac grinned, as he too slashed away at the demon, pouring everything into it. Kelsos wasted no time in raising his hand and drawing rubble with his mind to smash into Shu'rahkavarh's body, waving his arms as if he was holding the rubble in his hands. Sarec, after standing up, drew one of his plasma pisstols and fired repeatedly at the Skewer's head. Macin and Mimi once again united their powers and launched streams of dream energy directly at Shu'rahkavarh's heart, and with the combined effort of all the attacks sent at the demon, his heart exploded in a shower of black blood.

A shockwave of entropic energy was emitted from the demon as it gasped in pain, and the army could watch as its body liquified into a thick sludge. However, before it vanished completely, it spoke again.


 * Shu'rahkavarh - ... This is what empowers us... true bloodshed... may my blood be spilled today, but remember... I am the hate for this universe given form... Dead may I be today, but I will return... to cause more bloodshed... and to hate you more and more...

Shu'rahkavarh's form completely liquified before the team's eyes, and afterwards, it disintegrated, turning into ash which was blown by the wind. The demons still on the planet immediately disappeared as the black fog which covered Naldos slowly dissipated. Surviving Spinker soldiers raised their weapons and let out cheerful shouts as the battle was won. Sarec, grinning with relief, unbuckled his helmet and removed it, panting with relief as he raised it i nthe air, joinging the Spinker in their cheers. After several chants he felt disoriented as he was spun around by something and a large armoured hand tightly gripped his neck. Kelsos glared with his snout inches from Sarec, furious as he leaned over the much younger Draconis.


 * Kelsos - Idiot boy! You nearly got yourself killed pulling all this!
 * Sarec - B-Brother Kelsos! I-I'm sorry I really!--
 * Kelsos - Stow it before I consider squeezing! It migt be a mercy.

Macin stumbled to the team's direction, her body filled with bruises from the attacks she had sustained, while Mimi orbited her while cheerfully waving her tentacles.


 * Mimi - We destroyed the Alpha! Yay! Destroyed! Eat that, Shu'wokerama!
 * Macin - I'm getting too old for this.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - HAHA LOSA

Kelsos briskly turned his head, feignign a smile at Mimi and Macin.


 * Kelsos - Yes, yes we did. No thanks to this novice!

Kelsos threw Sarec to the ground. Sarec would ahve gotten up but Kelsos pinned him telekineticallly to the ground.


 * Mimi - Hey, the boy helped save these survivors! He was reckless but he did help! A bit.
 * Kelsos - I suppose he did save a few lives. In all honesty however I am infuriated with how he went about saving lives.
 * Tuolog - Worry not about the means, the end is what matters. Let him go. He did fine.
 * Sarec - Y-yeah. I thought Inquisitors were free to decide on their approaches.
 * Kelsos - They are, but that does not mean you can throw your life away with little thought. Consider today a lesson.
 * Sarec - Oh I will, sir. I have learned a lot.
 * Kelsos - Good boy

Kelsos flicked a wrist and tossed Sarec to his feet, the brash tossing about prompted him to vomit after a moment of disorientation. Gasping with nerves and disgust as he stared into the puddle he had made.


 * Kralgon Emperor - Pfft, lives are replaceable. Anyway, it is good that we avenged Koluap's people. And me. But mostly that we avenged me.
 * Mac - Does this guy ever quit with his ego?
 * Tuolog - I wish.
 * Macin - He should be lucky my arms hurt otherwise I would squeeze his head like one of Klambah's fruits!
 * Tuolog - He'll learn in time. Hopefully. I mean, in some timelines he learns...
 * Mimi - Regardless, with Shu'rahkavarh dead, the demons have vanished. Usually they don't care for losses but they must have definitely felt this one. We gotta go and warn Jerkon and Sis about our victory.
 * Mac - Yeah, well done, everyone. This should hopefully deal a blow to them. Alright, I'll be back next big battle.

Mac zipped off immediately, gone from the battlefield, off to see if he could make it in time to another fight.


 * Tuolog - I apologise for the...crazy people we have. Hehe.
 * Macin - You, old one, are too good for these savages.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - SHUT UP YA MOMS A SAVAGE
 * Macin - Oh yes, she was. May the dream take good care of her now.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - ...dat was supposed ta be an insult...YA DADS A SAVAGE
 * Macin - Yep.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - ...nevamind
 * Titanozor - Me and the DCP will be happy to fight demons once more. Call on us again if you need our help. This was a satisfying victory.

Congregation
The far reaches of the Milky Way, nearing the edge of the galaxy itself, was a dark presence - much like a bleeding wound that Thea'Nhirara could sense much like a growing threat. It emanated a demonic presence; and, with the growing power of the Corruptus all over the Gigaquadrant, such a place was impossible to ignore and to not destroy once and for all. Amassing their numbers; the team previously tasked to defend Bonaih armed themselves and boarded a shuttle - small enough to pass through would-be aggressors without great hindrance, towards where this place was.

As it came into sight, it was a dimly lit construct - black in colour and vaguely cube like in shape, perhaps deviating in areas where it showed a depth and where demons possibly populated it. Though, that being said, it was lifeless on the surface, and it definitely appeared lifeless wherever the openings were - though this was often typical of demonic presences. It seemed as if it was not inhabited for many years - centuries even, though Thea'Nhirara's senses never lied.


 * Psi - Hm...we haven't even boarded the damn thing and I'm already twitchy.
 * Mu - ... Is this what a Marinoxidiz planet looks like?
 * Vaugathala - Caution is to be advised. ... Close engagement in enemy territory shall only hinder us.
 * Macin - I don't like this place. It makes me nervous. We must turn back.
 * Mimi - We can't just leave! We can't fail a second time!
 * Thea'Nhirara - I am unsure of what lingers under us. But it is a fact that something lingers under us.
 * Psi - It looks kinda...strange for a Corruptus place. I was expecting tentacles.
 * Vaugathala - Unpredictability is key to overcoming the enemy. A universal tactic.
 * Psi - In that case, time for a swig.

Nearing the blackened surface of the construct, they saw that there was no organic surface - the construct was purely metallic, and textured so that whatever light may have shone on its surface, was only vaguely reflected back. All spans of the ground was marked intricately in angular lines, as some sort of decorum, and it was evident that, whilst the platforms of the surface were significantly wide, there were barriers to prevent falling into the depths below them.


 * Mu - The place is 100% artificial. Not a planet.
 * Psi - Do the Corruptus do things like this? You know? Huge...metal boxes?
 * Thea'Nhirara - They do not. If this was a true Corruptus world, it would be an Overworld. Overworlds are not artificial.
 * Vaugathala - Organic or synthetic; neither is unbreakable.
 * Lupercal - This is no ordinary construct either. At least it does not look like it.

Slowly moving their way across the walkway, aiming through their scopes at times in case they would see anything demonic through them, the team made their way towards the direction of a large edifice appearing only half-risen through the surface, parted from the rest of the structure with seemingly no way in through natural means. As they reached the edge of it, they could see far down into the construct - a mesmerising network of metal among other things. Thea'Nhirara created a faint shield of Dream Energy around the team as they progressed in order to protect them from any possible entropic influence, though Macin appeared unwell. The construct appeared perplexing in her still tribal mindset.


 * Psi - So...how do we get into that thing? I don't wanna jump and fall five miles. And I wasn't expecting to need a jetpack today.
 * Kagu'sai - There must be another way.
 * Mu - Yeah, there's gotta be an entrance somewhere.
 * Psi - You can see the entrance right there, silly. Must be some sort of bridge that opens up to get in.
 * Mu - I meant an entrance that doesn't involve a bottomless pit.
 * Psi - ...Didn't happen to pick up a translocator before we left?
 * Vaugathala - We have ventured unprepared into hostile territory. ... Wonderful.
 * Thea'Nhirara - I may use my power to telekinetically transport us to the entrance. But I will be left defenseless in case any enemy attacks.

Nearby, was a terminal - roughly twice the height of Psi, that had a series of consoles for some purpose. There was no written language on the console, so translation was impossible. It seemed powered down, but not destroyed in any sort. Mu approached the terminal, inspecting it while gently tapping its surface, turning his head back to the team.


 * Mu - Okay, this is definitely not a Corruptus planet. Those guys use Grox-based tech and this is definitely not Grox-made.
 * Lupercal - I don't know what that is exactly, but Telfinne can read these things with her telepathy. Right. Can you, Telfinne?
 * Telfinne - Bʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴀᴜʀᴀ. Bʟᴀᴄᴋɴᴇss ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴏᴛs ᴏғ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋɴᴇss. I sᴇᴇ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ-ᴍᴀɴᴇᴅ ᴘᴏɴɪᴇs ᴅᴀɴᴄɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ғɪᴇʟᴅs ᴏғ ɪʀᴏɴ. Tʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇʟᴇss ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴏғ Uʀᴛʜᴏɴᴀ ʙʀɪɴɢs ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴅ Oʀᴄ ғᴏᴏᴅ ɪɴ ɪʀᴏɴ ʙᴀsᴋᴇᴛs.
 * Psi - That would be...a yes?
 * Macin - What in the nightmare's name is she even saying?!
 * Mimi - The Radeon girl is coo-coo in the coconuts.
 * Lupercal - ...She's having a crazy phase. That's bad. She often has crazy phases, but they happen more often whenever something bad is about to occur.
 * Psi - I'll take that as an indicator to get this place blown up quickly.
 * Vaugathala - A strategic disadvantage to be accompanied with the psychologically challenged.
 * Mu - Girl's retarded.
 * Psi - Yep.
 * Vaugathala - Thus weak.
 * Lupercal - She is a walking alarm for our squad.
 * Vaugathala - There are means to be weak beyond the body. You would do well to understand such.
 * Psi - Alright, alright. I'm not getting paid to stand around talking. Actually I'm not getting paid at all. Someone get us across that place before I throw us across.

Thea'Nhirara's eyes shined in bright blue as the team was engulfed in a faint aura, and they found themselves levitating over to the other side of the bridge while the shield of dream energy around them dissipated. Thankfully, there was no attack against them, and they landed next to the building, many metres across. Once they arrived, Thea'Nhirara levitated to the other side herself, regaining her composure.


 * Psi - Coulda sworn we would have been shot down there.
 * Mu - This place is a bit too quiet in general. I get the feeling we'll be ambushed.

Entering the construct - a large ramp of sorts reaching to higher levels, the team scaled the fortress in hopes of finding a series of consoles, or even a power source that they could rig to destroy the entire construct and whatever evil it had contained. The place had appeared to have been abandoned not too long ago - all kinds of objects were in place - some of it weaponry and spare armour stowed against the wall, among many other kinds of things there present. They neared the very top of the construct - perhaps not where a power source would lie, but it seemed like a commander's outpost from where it was located. The door was locked - maybe as some sort of failsafe when the original inhabitants of this place had hurried out of there in an emergency.


 * Macin - We know this place has nothing, can we go now?
 * Mimi - No!
 * Macin - Agh.
 * Thea'Nhirara - It is folly to believe this place is completely abandoned. My senses do not fail me. We are not alone.
 * Telfinne - There is still something out there. - Telfinne suddenly regained her lucidity - I feel something here. ...Something. ...Something...

They could hear a pair of voices on the other side - far too muffled to gain anything from it, though one was distinct from another. Thea'Nhirara faced the direction of the voices while Mu quickly aimed his pistol at it. Telfinne's body shuddered all of a sudden, while Kagu'sai and Lupercal drew their weapons.


 * Mu - Yep. Not alone.
 * Psi - I don't think our guns are gonna get through that.
 * Mimi - What do we do then?

Instead of conferring as to how to open the door, the door unfurled its way into the spaces between the wall, revealing the commander's outpost on the other side. It was heaving with all kinds of machinery and consoles - operating the immediate area around and beneath them, and was fully lit with the crimson red light that was commonly associated with demonic technology. And in this room, were two individuals. Before the team's eyes was a very tall Mahanayan, and none other than Errr. From out of the masked Ermitant's back came the Avatar of the Devourer, who glared at the team's direction as they arrived. The sight of the demon on Errr's back caused Thea'Nhirara to freeze in place, her eyes widened in what looked like terror. Telfinne closed her eyes, while at the same time becoming more focused.


 * Thea'Nhirara - Shu'rimrodir...
 * Psi - You what now?
 * Macin - The nightmare instigator!!

Errr turned his head to the team, staring at them with his piercing red eyes after he noticed the Avatar's reaction to their arrival.


 * Errr - Well, well... Were the Dracogonarious too cowardly to come in person to discover us?
 * Vaugathala - Enemy sighted.

Raising his weapon, the Blacksword Elite launched a barrage of heavy gunfire in the direction of the enigmatic, dark figures, wasting little time for formal introductions; efficiency was hardwired into his perogative. The gunfire was only dissipated before it could come into contact with Errr or the Mahanayan; the Mahanayan stepped forward as the gunfire appeared to fizzle out in bolts of red light.


 * Psi - This guy...don't know who he is. Don't even know what his race is.
 * Mu - Hell I don't know what any of these things are.
 * Thea'Nhirara - The masked one is the Ermitant named Errr. The creator of the Marinoxidiz... and evidently, a host body for Shu'rimrodir. Disgusting.
 * Mu - ... The hell kind of name is "Errr"?
 * Vaugathala - Names are irrelevant given the circumstance. The most relevant aspect to their presence is the threat they pose.

The Mahanayan began to speak. As expected from a creature of his size, his voice carried a sinister weight, heavy enough to cause a hollow feeling in one's chest as he moved his mouth.


 * ??? - You would find that names are very important. You will know mine, and my kind very much so in the years to come.
 * Vaugathala - Affirmative; names are to be recorded upon the official death toll.
 * Mu - What a cheeky bastard.

The Mahanayan smirked, though his eyes glinted red in a certain light - a kind of red that was seen only on one kind of being beforehand.


 * ??? - My name is . My kind is .
 * Vaugathala - And your fate ends here.
 * Errr - Pathetic. You stand no chance against him. Or me. I expected young Jerkon and his friends to come instead of you, but your deaths will also satisfy me.
 * Kagu'sai - Whether I be victorious or slain, my deeds shall immortalise me forever! You cannot scare me, tiny creature!
 * Hez'Kalka - Regardless. Our negotiations are concluded for the time being.
 * Errr - It was a pleasure.
 * Thea'Nhirara - ... I understand it now. You parasite. You work with the demons of Inferno.
 * Hez'Kalka - How much do you really understand about them? I suspect not nearly enough.
 * Mu - Oh come the hell on. We're in a Congregation construct, aren't we?
 * Hez'Kalka - Congregation, Zhulultu, Xhodocto. Whatever pleases you the least.

The Mahanayan, clad in blackened armour much in style of the Congregation's elite-rank armour during the, stepped over to the console as he smiled under his cold gaze. He typed multiple commands into the console as he looked at the screen.


 * Lupercal - We have brought your kind low before! And we shall do it again.
 * Mu - Yeah, you guys are supposed to be dead!
 * Hez'Kalka - We never die. We simply shed a skin.
 * Thea'Nhirara - Shu'rimrodir must not be allowed to work with Chaos!

As he stood back up from the console, an ear-splitting rumble came from underneath, as they saw from the window panel, that the construct rapidly illuminated itself in the malevolent red light of Xhodocto quality. The construct just became operational in a matter of seconds.


 * Hez'Kalka - Until we meet again.
 * Errr - Or not.
 * Thea'Nhirara - Do not let him escape!
 * Vaugathala - Open fire.

There was little they could do, however. Hez'Kalka quickly lunged towards the window - faster than they would have estimated someone of that size to do, and easily smashed through the thick screen and and escaped to the depths underneath the construct. Errr's eyes narrowed, as if he was smiling under his mask, as he waved his hand at the team mockingly. Feeling provoked, Mu charged at the Ermitant, only for the Avatar to charge back, delivering a punch to the Kicath Agent which sent him flying backwards, crashing against the wall. The Ermitant disappeared in a black fog, while Mu groaned on the floor.


 * Mu - My arm! Again!
 * Psi - You're lucky our healthcare is one of the best in the Xonexi Cluster.

Vaugathala growled beneath his helm as he unleashed another barrage towards Errr from his heavy weapon following a thrown fragmentation grenade in the eldritch scientist's direction, all the while gesturing for his comrades to retreat backwards in the face of the supernatural foe. By then, however, the Ermitant scientist had already vanished completely.


 * Lupercal - Bad.
 * Thea'Nhirara - We must leave this place. Warn the Dracogonarious of the Corruptus' links with Chaos.
 * Vaugathala - Affirmative. Should we attempt to level the site?
 * Mu - Yeah, I don't think we have the firepwoer to destroy a Xhodocto construct. These things tend to be harder than Nu's skull.
 * Vaugathala - Not with that attitude, we do not.

It was then that a strange, loud rattle sounded directly underneath them, as if something was passing underground. Mu got back on his feet while Macin let out a startled yell, holding on Thea'Nhirara's leg as she felt the presence.


 * Mu - ... Today's just not our day, is it?
 * Vaugathala - Statement revoked. We retreat.
 * Mu - Like you can talk about attitude, Zazanetron.

The presence burst itself out of the surface, causing the construct's otherwise fine surface to be ripped apart as it emerged before them. It was colossal in size, far beyond that of most wildlife existing in the Gigaquadrant, and a thick array of spikes, teeth and the likes crowned it all over. Mu aimed his pistol at the monster while Thea'Nhirara manifested essence in her hands, all while Macin screamed again while pointing her finger at it.


 * Macin - Thing! Thing I don't know!
 * Mu - Yeah, I think we can all see it, thanks!
 * Psi - What in the fuck is that thing?!
 * Kagu'sai - A monster? - Kagu'sai stepped away; though as terrified as the rest of the team, he concealed his fear with a masque of his usual bravado - Let us... test our mettle then, like the knights of yore!
 * Vaugathala - I fancy not our chances under the given circumstances.
 * Mu - How about I break your arm, cat? Still I don't think we can call the shuttle in with whatever the hell that is on our tail.
 * Vaugathala - A distraction is required. ... I opt the Kicathian soldiers. They shall be finely capable of suppressing our enemy, or at least dividing its attention, while the others attempt to reach retreat.
 * Mu - Yeah, let the guy with the broken arm deal with the demon abomination. Screw you, guy.
 * Vaugathala - It is in my neural reprogramming to destroy. ... Retreat is an unfavourable resort and brings me great displeasure. It is within my interface to prefer fight over flight.
 * Mu - Good thing I don't care.
 * Lupercal - We can't just let them die. There has to be another way.
 * Thea'Nhirara - Your weapons are too feeble to harm it. My essence would distract it at most, for this construct drains me. Look for heavier weaponry.
 * Psi - ...Must be some kind of heavy ordnance somewhere...this is a Congregation construct, dammit.
 * Macin - Find your fat weapons before it attacks us!

As the demon tore through the construct, they saw, close by - flanking them left and right, were two heavy guns that were sunken into the surface as they were not in operation. They measured at least forty metres long themselves, as Psi let out a massive grin underneath his helmet as he saw them.


 * Psi - I call the left one.
 * Mu - Someone with two functional arms can take the right one.
 * Vaugathala - Affirmative twicefold. Thricefold, even.
 * Thea'Nhirara - Hurry! We have little time!

Thea'Nhirara levitated into the air, launching blasts of dream energy at the demon in order to distract it away from the team as they ran to the weapons. Vaugathala rushed over the surrounding debris in order to approach the gun, making haste as his focus was drawn towards the heavy arsenal and he swiftly established himself to properly handle the weapon. Psi rushed out of the window, where Hez'Kalka had made an opening moments beforehand, and, thankfully to his Agent physique, landed on the ground without any damage taken. He took to the gun, sitting in an operator's chamber as he looked at the controls.


 * Psi - Demon language! I don't get it!
 * Mu - Hell, just press the biggest button you find.
 * Vaugathala - Perhaps there may be an instruction manual translated into intergalactic common. ... Haha.
 * Mu - Does it look like we have the time?!
 * Vaugathala - Negative. Take cover.
 * Macin - Catfolk. Ratfolk. You provide distracting.
 * Mimi - Hehehehe... cat, rat, dog...

The demon's head emerged out of the ground, revealing multiple jaws filled to the brim with teeth metres long in itself. It had no visible eyes, though it looked in the direction of the tower. Even what was its equivalent of hands were huge, serrated pincers, and it propped itself up using them. It let out a roar, sounding much like layers upon layers of catastrophic growls at once. Both Thea'Nhirara and Mimi visibly shook from the roar, their bodies briefly becoming unstable as if they were liquid.


 * Kagu'sai - ...Fighting from a distance would be most honourable here, for the greatest dishonour, it is said, is to die meaninglessly. Give them hell, warriors!

Afraid of the creature but even more so from his very own fear and the possibility of showing it, the Artharon warlord retreated together with his soldiers, until they stood at a safe distance from the creature, and then took the weapons they typically considered dishonourable: their flamecaster launchers. Not in a furious charge but in an organised formation, the Artharon soldiers began hurling missiles at the creature with dazzling speed, each rocket igniting with golden flame as it tore through the air.

Lupercal and his troopers soon joined in, lending support through their plasma launchers; a wave of purple, blue and yellow struck at the eldritch creature. Psi struggled in operating the gun, somewhat confused at the sight of multiple controls - despite the level of technology there, the means to use it was surprisingly counter-intiuitive. Vaugathala, meanwhile, analysed the controls of the weapon in the most analytical manner he could - via slamming and forcing whatever illuminated or protruding parts that were in his field of vision. The demon's body contorted slighty as the bolts of plasma collided with it, though it was roused to anger, and slowly manoeuvred its gigantic arm towards the structure.


 * Lupercal - Telfinne? What do you sense in him? An aura, a weakness, anything?
 * Telfinne - I sense something pony-rainbow- I mean, something strange beneath its heart! It must be its weakness!
 * Vaugathala - Could be a tumor.
 * Lupercal - Where is that heart, even?
 * Telfinne - ...It's the mouth! I think-
 * 'Lupercal - ...The mouth is the heart?
 * Mu - Radeon biology is weird.
 * Telfinne - ...Maybe it's not the actual heart- that's just what I saw! A pink heart-shaped thing inside its mouth!
 * Vaugathala - Aim for the soft components.

Vaugathala made an attempt to laugh in a monotonous, robotic manner as he aimed the heavy-cannon towards the gargantuan monster's orifice. Having finally mastered the controls, Psi rotated the gun towards the demon, as he pulled down on the trigger to fire. It was a slow start up; the weapon had not been used for a very long time - but a heavy whoosh of red light sped through the gun in a bolt of energy as it hit the demon. Vaugathala's bolt scathed the shoulder of the demon, causing demonic flesh and blood to cascade all over the place, whilst Psi's grazed the demon's tail. Thea'Nhirara continued launches blasts of her essence at the demon, and despite its presence weakening her, she used all of her power to at least help to some extent.


 * Vaugathala - ... Whoops.
 * Psi - Don't worry, it'll heal.
 * Vaugathala - That is what concerns me.
 * Macin - Do not stop firing the fat guns!
 * Mu - Hey. Heavy does not mean fat in this case.
 * Macin - I don't care, just kill it!

The next barrage of attacks from the two supersoldiers were faster in charge and somewhat more accurate - this time, one hit the demon square in the shoulder, and the other closer to the chest, though they found that its hide was much harder the closer it got to its torso.


 * Vaugathala - The exoskeletal carapace grows more resistant to damage around the cardial and torso areas.
 * Thea'Nhirara - Follow the Radeon's advice. Aim for the mouth.
 * Vaugathala - You try aiming at a consistently-moving target with oudated heavy weaponry. We are trying.
 * Mu - Mate, this whole place is more advanced than your species is old.
 * Psi - Gonna need a medical kit for that burn.
 * Vaugathala - ... Keep firing.

The demon convulsed as it crouched over. A reddened light wove its way through the demon's body, illuminating its blood vessels. The light of the construct flickered on and off as it did; accumulating a demonic energy in its body to project. Even the guns that Vaugathala and Psi were operating appeared to malfunction briefly, looking up to the leviathan as it poised itself.


 * Vaugathala - Not good.
 * Psi - Nope.

The demon arched its head back, before launching forward with a blinding white and red beam of energy that tore its way through the surface of the construct, severing the fortress from its foundations, as well as uprooting the gun Psi was operating. Macin screamed and used her super speed to run out of the way of the attack while Thea'Nhirara levitated further upwards to remain out of the attack's reach. Psi was thrown from the gun, tumbling into a crevasse of debris as the gun was shattered to pieces all around him.


 * Macin - Attack mouth attack mouth attack mouth!
 * Vaugathala - Affirmative.

Vaugathala remained in his position despite the incredible force which almost toppled him and the gun, as if he did not fear the creature's onslaught - in truth, due to his neural rewriting, it was almost biologically impossible for him to experience such a feeling. He aimed the gun at the raging beast and brought himself to wait until the opportune moment; ideally, when its attention or general forward-facing direction was turned to himself. Psi clawed his way out of the debris, using his enhanced strength to lift vast sections of the gun itself off his shell of armour.


 * Lupercal - Telfinne, do your thing now!
 * Telfinne - ...What do you- ah, yes! I will try!

Intending to assault the demon psychically, Telfinne closed her eyes, pointed her hand at the creature and focused as much as she could, taking all her energy for her last attack. However, instead of her mind peering into its, it instead peered into hers - and shook it to its foundations.

When Telfinne had opened her eyes, they burned like fiery coals; her madness once again overtook her.


 * Telfinne - D̗̣̻̲͕̮̱͖͍͈̍͛̆͂͑̒͒͐͘͝ᴇ̛̰̣̺̦̯͍̩̻̙̗̿̍͛͂̇̆̈́̐͠ᴀ͙̤̪͉̦̬̟͎̽͆͐͗̌͆́̈́̀͜͜͝ᴛ̢̧̛͎͚̪͍̩̪͎̩͆͊̍̊̈́̐̈̎̕ʜ̤̭̬̯̟͉͇̯̱̀̔̎̃͋͛́̋͊̽͜ ̨̺̞͉̲̯͕̬͉̏̽̇͆̅̂͛͂͗̀ͅᴅ͇̝̙̻͇̲͉̹̩͇̏̉́̓̒̅̒̈́̒͘ᴇ̰̯̣̻̹̩̥̝̭͇̉͒̾̉̋̏̌͊͘͝ᴀ̨̦̗̯̭̝̦̯͚̲̊̿̎͐̏̍̋͗̕͝ᴛ̡̧̰̙̖̦͈̗̪̏̈́̐͒͑͌̈̀̓͘͜ʜ̛̜̳̲̳̱̠̳͓̖̄̅̑̂͛̍̈́̕͝ͅ ̢̘̦͈͔̞̱̼̙̞͑͂͂̃̈̿̇́́̚ᴅ̡̨̞̗͚̩͕̟͚̞̈́͑̉̌̎̅̈̍̀̍ᴇ̟̺̫̪̖̥̭͕͔̑̌̐̇̈́͒̀̈́̐͝ͅᴀ̢̙̙̲̝͈̦͈̻͇́̽͗̔̾̐̃̑̋̑ᴛ͎̘͇͚̗͖̯̯̲̮͒̈́͆͐͌̓̊͑͘͝ʜ̘̼͇̳͕̯̠̩̃̄͌̏̀́̆̽̄̚͜͜ ͍̼̩̼̤̦̗̬̥̈̒͊̄̌̃̊͜͝͝͠ᴀ̡̲̦̱͓̹͔̫͚͚̍̾̎̈́̇͆͐͑̇̍ɴ̻̳͔͇͓͕̘͈̗͒̑́͑̈̒̑͛̄͊͜ᴅ̨̛̞̝̲̯̲̪̙̣̱̎̓̅̐͑́͌͛̏ ̨̭͈̥̥̪̜̥̠̘͗̌̔̈́̌̓̏̐̿͠ᴄ̛͕͍̗̮̩̮̮̠̮́̈̒̏̆̉̔̀͜͝ᴜ̲͙̭͍̟͈̣̙͍̝̉͛͊̍̀̿͐̃͛̒ᴘ̛̺̮͚̖͚͕͚̻͈͓̅̄̆̓̅͂̉͂͠ᴄ̲̘̻̣̗̖̙̳̘͕̿̿͐̂̇̇̔̈́̀ᴀ̢̪̳͔̭͇̭̰̰̘̈́͋͗̈̃̐͗̔͗͘ᴋ̨̧̫̮̙̞̱̟̣̪͂̈̆̏͋̿̇̓̚̚ᴇ̨̨̛̤̲͚̺̮̬̼̤͒̍͗̎͂̾͑̂̚ş̬͉̖͓̟̗̼͇̻̓̊͐̒̋̂̑̕͝͝
 * Mu - Like it will give a shit.
 * Psi - I can't see your words!

With insane jinx and vigour, as if sprung into life by some spark of energy, Telfinne leaped at the eldritch creature and attacked viciously, her blades springing to life as she struck with blinding speed as psychic energies coursed from her body. Lupercal could not do anything but stare at his companion's devilish assault as the creature looked on at the charging Radeon, struggling to move around fast enough to attack Telfinne. The creature opened its jaws and roared in irritation, lashing its tail around in an attempt to shrug her off. Vaugathala steadied his aim, almost silent as he struggled to manage to point the heavy weapon's direction towards the fiend's mouth.


 * Vaugathala - Open wide.

Vaugathala's eyes narrowed as he unleashed an energetic barrage from the gun directed towards the colossal fiend's maw, grunting as his body began to tense in an anxious manner at the sight of the otherwise opportune moment to strike and incapacitate his target. Telfinne used this opportunity gladly, carving her blades even deeper into the demon's flesh, until its burning fiery heart could be seen blazing through its charred skin. The bolt of energy passed straight into the demon's head, tearing its chest apart and straight through as the vitality of the creature ceased instantly - all of its coordination faltered as it sent itself colliding into the earth, but not before taking much of the surface of the area along with it.


 * Mu - Bloody finally!

Vaugathala was launched from his position as the earth was torn asunder by the beast's collapse, heavy damage afflicted across his body from the onslaught of debris, shrapnel, and force as a result of the dying throes of the creature; he was knocked afar from the group, his heavy armour penetrated and dented while blood spluttered and spat from the dents and creases - much of both his cybernetic and organic components had been either crumpled or ripped. The same happened with Lupercal and Kagu'sai's men, their weapons and armour covered in the messy remains of the creature. Disgusted, the Radeon troopers stared at their armours, trying to clean them of impurities, while the Artharons only laughed heartily.


 * Kagu'sai - Huh! Finally! After a long battle we are finally rewarded with glorious blood and gore!
 * Psi - ...Okay.
 * Mu - Whatever, let's get back to the shuttle before my arm gets infected with demon germs or something.
 * Vaugathala - Target... eliminated... Medical assistance may... be in order...

Mimi quickly flew over to Vaugathala and, while hovering over his head, began pouring what looked like dust down on him, allowing his wounds to slowly close. Vaugathala simply laid beneath the living ball of glittery light, making little noise while allowing the process to take place.


 * Lupercal - ...You may not be the only one who needs help. Look!

Lupercal pointed at the dead demon's body with a terrified look. Right near the corpse of the vile creature, Telfinne lied - writhing in pain and screaming while her body was apparently on fire - though her flesh, strangely enough, did not burn in this golden demonic flame. Lupercal stared at the scene with a mixture of confusion, fear, concern and awe.


 * Mu - Dumb bitch's own fault for touching the demon where she shouldn't.
 * Thea'Nhirara - ... She was exposed to high quantities of Demonic Energy. Take your friend to be healed immediately if you value her life.
 * Lupercal - Damn right I will! Soldiers, get your comrade-in-arms out of here immediately!
 * Mu - I just hope the shuttle gets here quickly. Wouldn't want another one of those guys popping up.
 * Macin - Don't jinx us, one-arm!
 * Mu - Low blow that.
 * Vaugathala - ... We should... terminate the girl... before she can... compromise us.
 * Thea'Nhirara - I am against the use of an insane infant in a war. But she is dear to her comrade, to some extent at least. She lives, for now.
 * Vaugathala - ... This is... a tactical error... of severe... proportions. We... will suffer... consequences for... this.
 * Thea'Nhirara - We shall see.

The Infinite Network
While the other groups were busy combating the coming Corruptus tide, the team led by the mighty Laminoula'Fuerq was busy with finding a way to put a stop on the Marinoxidiz's advances. To do so, the demigod directed the team composed of Jerkon, Koluap, Herquie, Keldar, Kithworto and Sesoka to the barely explored fringes of the Milky Way Galaxy's edges, in a seemingly empty region of space. While at first met with skepticism, the group's spaceships were met to the sight of massive construct orbiting a lone red dwarf star. It was shaped like a planet but it possessed no earth, water or atmosphere, instead being completed plated in metal which almost looked like silver from space. An opening, easily large enough to fit the largest known dreadnoughts, could be seen.


 * Koluap - ...What is this place?
 * Jerkon - According to Laminoula'Fuerq, the answers of how to weaken the Marinoxidiz lie inside this construct.
 * Herquie - Why do I have a bad feeling about this...
 * Keldar - You really need to ask?
 * Kithworto - Might as well say our prayers whilst we can.
 * Keldar - One should have said their prayers when they became a part of their respective army. Becoming a soldier means that one has to be safe in the knowledge that, in all likelihood, one shall meet their end as a soldier.
 * Kithworto - There and then is the difference between a Zazane and a Kicath.

Entering the construct, the ships found the entrance closing behind them, though the place remained completely illuminated even though no lights were visible. Their sensors also claimed the construct possessed breathable air, despite being completely exposed to the vacuum of space. As they progressed through the innards of the construct, they eventually arrived to an area which could be equivalent to a space port. Keldar analyzed the environment from behind her visor with her weapon raised, tilting her head apprehensively.


 * Keldar - Keep your guard raised. ... One can never be too cautious of an ambush.
 * Macin - I feel the power of dreams radiating from all directions. From the ground, the ceiling, the walls.
 * Sesoka - This construct is truly an impressive feat of engineering.
 * Jerkon - I concur.
 * Keldar - ... Let us proceed. I hold suspicions that we are being observed from all directions.

As the forces arrived on solid ground, Koluap immediately removed his helmet, causing Jerkon's eyes to widen as the Spinker was exposed to the vacuum. However, no ill came to Koluap as he took a deep breath.


 * Koluap - ... This place smells nice!
 * Jerkon - Idiot! You could have died!
 * Koluap - But I didn't, eh?
 * Keldar - I concur; I would have hated to see a fine example of a soldier as you fall to your own miscaution. ... Please be more aware of yourself.
 * Koluap - You're asking a bit too much there.

At this moment, a new arrival appeared in the 'spaceport'. A towering entity, large enough for the tallest members of the team to only reach its knees, who appeared much like an avian with black and white feathers, though it showed a distinct lack of eyes. The entity signaled to the team from a distance, and as it did, lights begun shining over the walls, following its movements.


 * ??? - Follow.
 * Sesoka - Well that isn't at all ominous.
 * Keldar - Agreed. Maintain distance but keep within visual range. ... And keep a firm grasp on your weapons.

Sesoka placed a clawed hand on his blade, though kept it holstered.


 * Sesoka - I always do.

As the team followed the entity, they found themselves led to a corridor with seemingly hundreds of thousands of monitors, each displaying a different video feed. They appeared to show different planets, ranging from inhabited ecomenopoli to lifeless rocks. At least a few of them showed what looked like Dracogonarious, Kicath and DCP-controlled worlds, evident from the creatures visible in them. Keldar lowered her assault rifle and briefly analyzed the surrounding monitors through her visor, glancing around in confusion at the sight. As Kithworto leant in to view these monitors closer, they started flickering and dimming, angering the Kicath as his brows narrowed. Sesoka narrowed his eyes as he glanced around the room.

The entity eventually led the team into an open room, also filled with monitors as it suddenly disappeared from sight. Less than a second later, more of its kind manifested, surrounding the team as they looked at them with an almost vacant expression. The sudden change caused Jerkon and Herquie to brace themselves, while Koluap yelled and fired a shot of his shotgun at one of the entities. The blast passed through it harmlessly. Keldar swiftly placed a hand on Koluap's shotgun and lowered it to the floor, her eyes bouncing in all directions as she found herself discomfortingly surrounded. Kithworto aimed his rifle at the phantasms, though he did not shoot, and simply stared at them through the scope.
 * Sesoka - Interesting. The Republic recently discovered a similar database in Cyrannus, which appeared to be omniscient regarding galactic history. Perhaps this place is the Plazith Rim's equivalent?
 * Koluap - You guys have no idea how freaked out I am right now. So this is some sort of hyper stalker planet?
 * Kithworto - Hm. Some kind of galactic surveillance system. I doubt anything in this day and age could make something like this.
 * Keldar - I do not like this. ... Continuous observation and data analysis at an omniscient galactic scale can prove vital were it to fall into the hands of those likely to misuse it.


 * Keldar - W-Who... Who gave you the order to fire so recklessly?!
 * Koluap - My survival instinct! They're closing in!
 * Sesoka - I'm reasonably confident that they are benevolent, don't shoot!
 * Keldar - How can you know for certain? ... Were these entities present in the Cyrannian database?
 * Sesoka - Yes, I believe so.
 * ??? - The artificial intelligences of C001X have informed us of you. Tenerensis. Not a threat to the databanks.
 * Kithworto - Tenerensis?
 * Sesoka - My species. I am glad to hear that, entity.
 * ??? - Arrivals. Dracogonarious. Spinker. Klamb. Tenerensis. Zazane. Anomalous Kicath. Not a threat to the databanks. We have been waiting for you.

The entities all begun moving in unison, waving their arms as if displaying the monitors to the team.


 * ??? - We are the Guidance of the Children of the Epoch. We are in your mortal tongue. It is our task to archive all historical events of relevance in this star body.
 * Jerkon - Did Laminoula'Fuerq warn you of our arrival?
 * Vida'Rranlora - Ahvaaravorokahver has no need to warn us of anything. We already knew the moment he informed you of this place. We know all that is worth knowing about P001X.
 * Keldar - Then you know of the plight the galaxy faces.
 * Vida'Rranlora - The Infernal Ones. The old enemy has returned as foretold during the Final Sleep. They are a threat to the archives.
 * Sesoka - Not to mention the entire Gigaquadrant.
 * Keldar - How do we defeat them? ... Or rather, what is there to know in regards to destroying them entirely?

The Vida'Rranlora all turned to their rights and begun walking in circles around the team as they spoke.


 * Vida'Rranlora - It is not possible to eradicate the Infernal Ones.
 * Keldar - Impossible. ... If there is no means to eradicate them, then the galaxy is lost.
 * Vida'Rranlora - They cannot be eradicated, but they can be neutralized for a time. As we have done nine billion, twelve million, fifty thousand, eight hundred and nine years ago.
 * Sesoka - Please, tell us how this was accomplished.

With a wave of their hands, a holographic image formed near the team, showing what looked like an angelic version of the Vida'Rranlora. At the sight of it, Herquie took a step back and narrowed his eyes.


 * Vida'Rranlora - The Children of the Epoch were the first to combat the Infernal Ones. Descendants of Quark-based lifeforms born on this universe's birth, they created us, and later defeated the Nightmare. Your mortal tongue refers to them as . They originally defeated the Nightmare by getting in contact with the Essential God known as Sonhadromerith in order to imprison That Which Devours into the Realm of Dreams.
 * Koluap - Hell, slow down. Sonha-who? That Which Devours?
 * Vida'Rranlora - The Realm of Dreams is a parallel plane of existence inhabited by entities of Dream Energy, under the rule of the omnipotent entity known as Sonhadromerith. That Which Devours is his polar opposite, the entity which you refer to as Shu'rimrodir.
 * Keldar - So... We must contact Sonhadromerith?
 * Vida'Rranlora - No. Shu'rimrodir already resides the Realm of Dreams, being left imprisoned there after we defeated him. Sonhadromerith will not be able to help you. The current goal of the Infernal Ones is to free their master from the prison we imposed on him.
 * Keldar - So then what must be we do to suppress them? They advance further with each passing day and thus far we have found few, if any, means to detract them from their war path.
 * Jerkon - What happened to the Vida'Rra after the Corruptus was defeated?
 * Vida'Rranlora - The Final Sleep.

At this moment, the Vida'Rranlora changed direction, instead walking to the left as they spoke.


 * Vida'Rranlora - After the Infernal Ones were defeated, the Children of the Epoch chose to slumber, expecting Shu'rimrodir to return. They wished to remain at their prime condition to combat him. And so we imposed the Final Sleep on them, housing their slumbering forms for two billion years. However, their Dream Energy composition began to deteriorate, and we were forced to make a choice: awaken them early, or allow them to die.
 * Herquie - Urgh...
 * Vida'Rranlora - We chose the former. To save at least part of their legacy, we saved them, but no longer as Vida'Rra. The damage to their composition was already done, so we were forced to recreate them from scratch, transforming them into new species and spreading them across the cosmos.

At this point, the Vida'Rranlora all stopped in place and pointed a finger to Herquie's direction.


 * Vida'Rranlora - Your species is one of our creations.
 * Jerkon - ... I must note, I was always curious over the fact the Bonio seemingly possess no fossil history in their own homeworld...
 * Herquie - So I'm just a lab experiment?
 * Vida'Rranlora - You are the child of a civilization of age imemmorial given the opportunity to live when we could have instead chose to let you rot away entirely.
 * Keldar - Without desiring to cause offense, such does not answer our prime inquiry; how do we neutralize them?
 * Vida'Rranlora - The conventional method will prove ineffective. However, there is a way you can put an end to what you call "Marinoxidiz".

The Vida'Rranlora each took a step back and then created multiple holograms of what looked like planets, each possessing a glaring eye of a different colour.


 * Vida'Rranlora - You cannot destroy That Which Devours. However, you can destroy his servants. Their physical links to this plane are sustained by these. The Kaizo'terron. The Corruptus Overworlds.
 * Keldar - ... I hold a suspicion that assaulting these "Overworlds" from orbit shan't suffice in their permanent destruction.
 * Vida'Rranlora - They are each a living being. Each is an Infernal One of immense size and power, with the ability of breeding more of their kin by the billions. They are the source of the Marinoxidiz. But a direct attack on them will prove useless. Instead, you must use a powerful enough Dream Energy detonation on their eyes, which serve as brains and hearts, to kill them.
 * Keldar - We must venture within them?
 * Vida'Rranlora - Affirmitive.

Keldar stumbled slightly and rested a hand on Koluap in order to support her footing, appearing somewhat dazed from the information that was being relayed to the group. She heaved a heavy, huffing breath before standing upright once more, her voice falling softer and more quiet.


 * Keldar - ... How many Overworlds are there currently?
 * Vida'Rranlora - Six. We know the location of five of them. Two reside this star body. Another at A001X. Another at C001X. Another at O00X1.
 * Keldar - And what of the sixth?
 * Vida'Rranlora - Hidden somewhere in the intergalactic void, far beyond our field of vision.
 * Sesoka - By the entity's names, I can assume he means Andromeda, Cyrannus and Ottzello.
 * Vida'Rranlora - Those are your mortal names for the star bodies in question. The destruction of the Kaizo'terron will bring the Infernal Ones's numbers to a halt and will destabilize the Nightmare Gods, making them mortal.
 * Keldar - ... We shall have to gather hostages and interrogate whoever - whatever - we can if we are to have any hope of discovering the location of the sixth Overworld. Leaving even one untouched shall have defeat persist to loom above our heads.
 * Sesoka - Is there an archive located in Endless Space which may have any information about the location of the sixth Overworld?
 * Vida'Rranlora - We do not keep databanks in areas with no relevance such as the intergalactic void.
 * Keldar - How inconvenient considering the intergalactic void now serves to be very relevant.
 * Vida'Rranlora - We merely do as we were programmed to. It is not our function to archive the Endless Space. Your best alternative is to destroy Auzarkov, Kadeslar, Brezank, Valirigan and Kaizox and then track the remaining Infernal forces to Primogius.
 * Jerkon - One moment. Kaizox? As in, the Marinox homeworld? But that is a normal planet, not a demon.
 * Vida'Rranlora - You underestimate the abominations the Infernal Ones can create from nothingness.
 * Jerkon - ... I will see to that Overworld's destruction personally.
 * Keldar - Before we depart to see to dissolving the forces of the Devourer, I have one question which remains on my conscience.
 * Vida'Rranlora - Speak.
 * Keldar - ... What are our chances of survival?
 * Vida'Rranlora - Fifty percent. You either survive or you do not.
 * Keldar - And what are our chances of victory against the Infernal Ones?
 * Vida'Rranlora - Fifty percent. You either emerge victorious, or the Gigaquadrant is lost.
 * Keldar - ... I am content with those odds.
 * Jerkon - There is much my people can learn from this place. Perhaps we could arrange some sort of partnersh-
 * Vida'Rranlora - We do not give information away. Our task is to archive for the Vida'Rra, not for you. We have shared the information on the Infernal Ones for the sake of the databanks's protection.
 * Keldar - But you have said yourself that the Vida'Rra are gone. ... There shall be no one to review the information your archives have catalogued.
 * Sesoka - But in Cyrannus, you agreed to share your information with the URC. I assure you, our allies are just as trustworthy with the knowledge you guard.

The Vida'Rranlora remained silent for a second before speaking again.


 * Vida'Rranlora - That is irrelevant. The C001X database has chosen to provide its mortal discoverers a fraction of useless, garbage information as per the request of an affiliated force. Our archives are not for you to snoop into.

Sesoka growled in annoyance under his breath.


 * Keldar - Then we are done here if you have granted us access to all of the relevant information you wish to give us.
 * Kithworto - I have a question. What do you mean by 'anomalous'?
 * Vida'Rranlora - You are a Kicath as much as you are not. Now go. Every second spent here is a second spent allowing the Infernal Ones to free their master. We are unlikely to meet again.

With this, the Vida'Rranlora vanished from sight, and the lights of the database begun all signalling back to the spaceport. Keldar placed her rifle upon her back as she turned to walk back to the port, quiet and not giving a second thought to attempting to draw more information from the present AI. Jerkon muttered under his breath, dissatisfied with the AIs's secrecy while Herquie held his hands around his own stomach, almost as if he was feeling sick.


 * Keldar - What is the matter, comrade Lhern?
 * Herquie - ... Nothing. Just don't mind me.
 * Keldar - If you are suffering from a contagion, mayhaps I suggest you undergo rest while on board the vessel. ... I wish not to see you so unhealthy in our next engagement.
 * Herquie - ... Hmpf. Sure. A rest.
 * Keldar - If it contributes, I could mayhaps even read you a story of your choice.

Keldar giggled lightly behind her visor as she walked at the suggestion, with Herquie replying with an annoyed growl.


 * Kithworto - I do not understand the humour in that.
 * Koluap - Yeah! How come I don't get a story?
 * Keldar - You never asked.
 * Koluap - ... Well, I have no answer to that.
 * Kithworto - It mali'm kasat itkisiatiroatmansamnatakinashazha nyannanaznya.

Section for Imp
=Hunting Kaizo'terron=

The Freezing Blizzards of Auzarkov
With the information gathered from the Vida'Rranlora Database, the allied empires prepared to finally deliver their blows to the Corruptus. The elusive planet-computer disappeared after it was found, likely to protect itself and its archives from the coming Marinoxidiz tide, but the teams were able to get valuable information out of it, including how to create weapons to destroy the Corruptus Overworlds comparable to those once used by the ancient Vida'Rra. Through the technology of the allied force's empires and the Essence power of Laminoula'Fuerq, a number of powerful explosives were created, which were to be laid directly into the 'eyes' of the Overworlds in order to penetrate their outer shells and detonate inside their cores. Launching the weapons from space was not an option due to their defenses, so directly landing into the demon-planets and manually firing the bombs at their weakspots was necessary.

The armada of the Dracogonarious Empire, the Delpha Coalition of Planets and the Unified Nation of Ottzello travelled to the first Corruptus Overworld, Auzarkov, who was located at the outer edges of the Norma-Outer Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. The armada found the planet situated deep within a thick nebula of demonic energies which created lights despite the complete absense of any star in several light-years, and upon taking sight of the planet, they could see its snow-white earth and immense lakes of ice. A chilling white aura surrounded it like an atmosphere, and near its equator was its massive glaring eye, which moved across the landscape to 'face' the coming spaceships. Through their communication systems, the armada could hear an increasing hissing sound, ethereal in nature which caused lesser soldiers to feel chills going down their spines.

The planet was breathing at them.


 * Kralgon Emperor - Well, looks like it's time for us to bomb this place. I will provide orbital support from above. Stay sharp.
 * Macin - To the eye of the monster we must go and plant the bomb! It will kill the nightmare heart!
 * Mimi - I hope you all have protection against both the cold and against noise. Setting foot on Auzarkov without any defenses will freeze you instantly, deafen you instantly, or both.
 * Kralgon Emperor - Most of our forces are robotic. They'll be able to tell whether or not the Loron should be down there.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - I DUNT CARE EITHA WAY IM STILL GONNA FITE
 * Mimi - Also expect the heaviest resistance yet. This place is a breeding ground not just for the Marinoxidiz, but for all of the Corruptus's abominations.

Before the fleets prepared to land, zooming past most of them was a small, golden, who then appeared on communications. It was, once again, Mac.


 * Mac - Oh, time to win another battle that hasn't technically started yet? I'm up for it!
 * Macin - Don't be cocky against the nightmare!
 * Mac - Goddamn this planet is creepy...almost brings out the RAGE INSIDE ME...but I think I'll manage...alright, folks. Ready when you are. I get quite a bad feeling about this.

Taking shuttle down to the general location of Auzarkov's eye, the armies were immediately hit by the planet's hostile weather. Checking into the temperature showed the Overworld's air and wind was not too far from hitting the absolute zero. In order to protect herself, Macin wore a special suit of armor created by the Dracogonarious, though since she was not used to using any technology, she appeared very clumsy in it.


 * Titanozor - The atmosphere of this world is unnatural...
 * Mimi - It's no natural world. This entire thing is a Corruptus Demon.
 * Macin - It is colder than Klambah's winter nights in here!

The winds blew harder as what sounded almost like a roar echoed through the entire Overworld, black tendrils erupting from the heart as well as what looked like glaciers which were launched upwards. From the earth, newly Marinoxidiz emerged, all of them already armored with weapons which they immediately fired at the army. As UNO's Pods landed, many of them were immediately destroyed by the glaciers appearing, while others launched Inalton troops only for them to immediately fall to their knees at the cold, and Loron, who often immediately halted their charge to fall to their knees and hold their ringing heads. Only the robotic UNO forces and Kralgon AI Weapons were getting through.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - WAT DA HELL STOOPID BOYZ WAT AR YA...wait wat...oh ma dayz dis IS STOOPID COLD WHAI DID YOO DROP ME ON DIS COLD WORLD
 * Kralgon Emperor - You're the one who insisted on landing after I TOLD YOU TO BRING EXTRA LAYERS.
 * Zr'Ahgloth - MAN DAT STOOPID NOISE IS CREEPIN ME OUT OH MA DAYZ IM PUTTIN HEDPHONES ON AN LISSENIN TA RAP INSTED
 * Kralgon Emperor - And lose all concentration on the battlefield. You really aren't the brains of the leaders, are you?
 * Macin - You shut up and attack the nightmares!

Both Macin and Mimi focused their essence to fire at the Marinoxidiz, burning through their demonic energies while the Dracogonarious marines opened fire, aiming for both the demons and the tentacles which emerged from the earth in order to open the way to the eye. Tuolog stayed at the back, his elemental energies and nanomachines only just warming him up, while he had to mentally keep himself focused. Zr'Ahgloth stayed in the blistering cold until Tuolog and his own machines kept him warm. UNO collectively agreed to only send AI Weapons to fight this one.


 * Kralgon Emperor - The AIs and I will direct from above, but I seriously wouldn't suggest sending any organic forces down there. And we should use text-based communication rather than sound-based, as well as mental signals and the like, so we don't have to use our ears.
 * Tuolog - Understood. I try to use my own energy to fight, but it difficult.
 * Mac - Why can't I be with you guys with all the toys that protect you from this place? This planet's seriously creepy. This thing is definitely alive, right?
 * Mimi - I kinda just said that.
 * Mac - Sorry, I must have missed that while speeding up time...anyways, let's go kill some Marinoxidiz.
 * Titanozor - My thoughts are of an old Grimbolsaurian legend. A gigantic demon world, that was said to devour ships and colonists.  This place reminds me of it.  We must kill this thing as soon as we can and then leave.
 * Mac - If the planet is alive, will damaging its surface damage it?
 * Mimi - No. It's the whole reason we're standing on it right now. To take the special explosive to the eye, because attacking the surface will do jack to it.
 * Mac - Well, I'm sure it won't just do jack, I mean, it'll also anger it, but...yeah.
 * Kralgon Emperor - None-the-less, I will organise orbital bombardments, but only to any reinforcements they might have.

Despite successfully killing the Marinoxidiz as they appeared, more of them continued to be bred out of the earth, giving chase to the army and using a combination of weaponry and essence to attack them from range. Ahead of them manifested numerous giant Val'dahr demons, each of them a fortress covered in ice crystals who roared at their direction, launching blasts of nightmarish energies which took the form of rays of frost. The AI weapons fired at the crystals each time they appeared, although their numbers could barely match those of the enemy. More Pods landed, but only a few of the Pods weren't being destroyed upon landing. The Dracogonarious marines concentrated fire on the giant demons, aiming for the hearts on their chests while a few of them fell victim to the Marinoxidiz's fire. They were being attacked from all directions, and would not last forever. The s, with their speed and firepower from all weapons, particularly the main cannons, were able to tear through several of the demons, but many Val'dahr and Marinoxidiz would latch themselves onto the Weapons - those that weren't killed by its side coilguns - and tear it apart, overwhelmed by the numbers of the enemies. With no Loron to back them up, there was only so much the Land Weapons could do. The Land Destructors, on the other hand, were simply not fast or flexible enough to deal enough lasting damage. Titanozor's forces fired a manner of glasma and plasma weapons that would superheat the sorrunding air and boil the frozen ground into steam to kill Marinoxidiz positions.


 * Mimi - Push! Aim for the hearts!
 * Kralgon Emperor - Our bipedal weapons aren't lasting long against them and aren't fast enough, and our big Destructor's not useful enough. We literally have only a single model that is any good against them! Oh, boy, this is going to be a tough ride...
 * Mac - Okay, we're gonna need to aim for some heart, but...what if a few of us kept them busy while only a couple sped ahead and planted the bomb? Or do you reckon they'll be able to outmanouvere us?
 * Mimi - Depends on how fast you can get to the eye. The demons can be bred out of any surface of this world and AAAAAAAHHH!!

Mimi's eyes widened and she pointed one of her tendrils to the sky, causing a similar reaction to come from Macin and the Dracogonarious army. Something had arrived to Auzarkov's atmosphere and was watching the team from there. Something huge. The entire Overworld trembled as it spoke. It was, the One Who Sucks Stars Dry. His writhing tentacled form dominated the sky, creating a black aura which ate the light away, his deep red eyes glaring down at them as if they were insects for it to crush.


 * Shu'suvreca - MALIGNANT -- INTRUDER -- EXTINCTION.
 * Mac - Wow, what pissed you off?
 * Macin - The Devourer's Monstrosity! The Fourth God!
 * Mimi - It's Shu'suvreca! Oh no please, anyone but him!
 * Kralgon Emperor - I will fire from here. But all Land Weapons, focus your main cannons on that thing, if they do any good! Your side weapons will take care of the Marinoxidiz. Luckily, these things are built for any form of terrain and situation, they should work wonders.
 * Titanozor - Fill his view with steam and try to dazzle him with your weapons while we approach.
 * Mimi - You're not gonna be able to blind him with steam, he's bigger than this Overworld!
 * Shu'suvreca - END -- ARRIVAL -- NIGHTMARE -- ETERNAL.

The Land Weapons sped around the battlefield, but each of them made a hit on Shu'suvreca as they zoomed past. From orbit, several of UNO's ships fired their enormous cannons at him. Mac, Tuolog and Zr'Ahgloth all made a run for the heart. The Nightmare God reacted by letting out a thunderous roar which was strong enough to glitch the ships's systems as he launched his tentacles at them, crushing their infinitely smaller forms with no difficuty.

The DCP fleet in orbit eagerly manuevered into action, as if awaiting its moment to shine, simultaniously targetting Shu'suvreca with rapid-fire superlasers and hyperspace missiles that translocated under the demon's hide. Titanozor's command vessel then assaulted the demon with neutron effusion bombs, which kept exploding in a blinding mist of nucleonic fire. Shu'suvreca appeared to wince and cover its face, causing Titanozor to laugh and exclaim See!.


 * Mac - Can someone pass us the bomb? We're gonna see if we can sneak our way in somehow. You're not gonna be able to fight the planet's goons and that thing!

Macin handed the bomb over to Mac as she watched the spectacle in the sky. Shu'suvreca attempted to fire his energies back at the DCP vessels, but desptie his godly resilience, he found himself harmed by their weapons. The fleets could detect the humongous demon slowly drifting away from Auzarkov, giving them room to continue their attack.


 * Macin - Lanky man's ships are impressive!
 * Mac - Thanks. I'm guessing this planet will have something to stop me from using the whole, "stop time and run fast as I can and blow the world up" trick, right?
 * Mimi - It's a Corruptus Demon. They and us are beyond the concept of time.
 * Mac - Uhhuh. Thought so. Okay, guys, which way to the tunnel to get into its heart?
 * Mimi - No tunnel. The huge mountain ahead is the crater where the eye is at.
 * Mac - No tunnel to the eye? Wow, who designs these places? Oh right. It's a living thing, it wasn't designed per se, or...eh, you get the idea. Okay, Zr'Ahgloth, grab onto me. Tuolog, add your energies. I'm gonna zip us up that mountain in less than...shall we say, two minutes?
 * Tuolog - ...Fifty kilometers in two minutes? I...think I able to manage that? It not be easy.
 * Kralgon Emperor - Ensure the DCP and the Dracs can get off this world quickly. Oh, and Mac, I guess. Don't worry about any of our forces. They are replacable.
 * Mimi - Just go! Before Shu'suvreca regains his composure!
 * Mac - I'd slow time on him, but...lemme guess, "he's a Corruptus Demon too! It won't work on him either!" Why does-
 * Mimi - Not a Corruptus Demon. A Corruptus God. Move!

Mac nodded, and the three zoomed off to the mountain at a speed so fast they were like blurs to everyone else. Zr'Ahgloth screamed in terror, while Mac and Tuolog attempted to maintain focus. The world was already cold, and climbing the mountain would make temperatures drop even further. Fortunately, their speed, and the speeding up of time, caused them to heat up at least a little. Land Weapons fired at the Marinoxidiz forces. The Dracogonarious marines and DCP soldiers meanwhile distracted the demons as they could, though a considerable horde of Marinoxidiz gave chase to Mac and Tuolog, and while they were hardly as fast as them, it was obvious Auzarkov knew what they were planning to do. They had little time to waste.


 * Kralgon Emperor - I'll try and bomb the world to cover you a little bit! Be careful!
 * Mac - Bomb the world? You really have to give us other things to watch out for while we're doing this? Ah, fine.

Sharpened glaciers and tentacles erupted from the ground as Auzarkov attempted to stop Mac and Tuolog's progress, though it had difficulty keeping up to their speed. Eventually, the trio arrived to the top of the mountain, allowing them to see the Overworld's eye.

In a ground level, it did not look like an eye at all, but rather an immense lake of light blue lava inside of a crater which spanned the entirely of the horizon due to its sheer size. They had to fire the bomb at this 'lake' before the demons and the planet itself got to them.


 * Kralgon Emperor - Just to be clear, you did give them a time bomb, right?
 * Mimi - Did you not pay attention ever? We're using a Dream Energy bomb!
 * Kralgon Emperor - Yeah, but...a Dream Energy bomb with a countdown, or without one?
 * Mimi - Oh. Of course it has a countdown! We have five minutes to get out of the atmosphere after it's primed!
 * Kralgon Emperor - Right, urm...Mac, I know it's tempting to speed time up and make it blow up faster, but...don't. Okay?
 * ??? - YOU ATTEMPT --- TO PUT OUT --- ETERNAL ZERO --- DIE --- DIE --- DIE

A roaring voice sounded through the world as the entire 'continent' the army was in was hit by a terrible earthquake. The UNO, DCP and Dracogonarious ships in space watched as the Overworld begun to seemingly break, creating what looked like a gigantic mouth which begun screaming at their direction. Auzarkov was angry.


 * Auzarkov - ETERNITY IN ABSOLUTE ZERO --- ETERNITY IN NIGHTMARE --- ETERNITY IN TERROR
 * Titanozor - Oh shut your gob already! Had enough of your whining and sulphurous breath!
 * Mimi - I cannot emphasize how much you need to HURRY UP!!!
 * Mac - You think it's easy? Hey, I know I make it look easy and all, bu-
 * Kralgon Emperor - Shut up, for the love of Volzara.
 * Mac - Well, alright. Hey, planet guy! Eat this!

Mac tossed the Dream Energy bomb into the Eye, and breathed a sigh of relief. Several Marinoxidiz had been waiting for him at the top, and he and Zr'Ahgloth had to fight them all off before preparing to run out again. Macin and Mimi immediately begun retreating back to the shuttles, alerting the Dracogonarious and DCP forces to do the same.


 * Mac - Did that work? Or should we start going back now?
 * Mimi - Get out of there before you're blown up with it!
 * Mac - Alright. Laters.

Mac immediately sped time up and rushed himself out. A portal to his ship then appeared in front of him; he was only giving himself a running start to make it. Zr'Ahgloth and Tuolog stayed behind to fight the hordes, and eventually flung themselves into the Eye as well, to fire more blasts at it, and monitor the bomb. As the shuttles retreated, the bomb detonated inside Auzarkov's softened layers, and the team could watch as golden, radiant rays of Dream Energy begun erupting from inside the planet and out, burning through its frozen continents, incinerating all the demons on its surface and erasing the dark energy aura which engulfed it.

They watched one of the Corruptus Overworlds wither and die, the shining eye going dark as the great demon's 'mouth' shut again, his lakes of ice being turned into steam and its soil to become akin to burnt flesh. Macin and Mimi hugged each other cheerfully as the Dracogonarious soldiers chanted victory cries.


 * Titanozor - I was about to say that was quite beautiful, until it became all scabby.
 * Mac - Alright, thank me later. Later as in, I presume the next fight. See you guys then, I'm off for another battle.
 * Macin - One of the nightmare worlds is gone! A victory against the Marinoxidiz at last!
 * Kralgon Emperor - Congratulations, everyone. A victory well won.

Zr'Ahgloth and Tuolog appeared behind him on screen. Tuolog smiled happily and clapped for everyone, while Zr'Ahgloth looked grumpy.


 * Zr'Ahgloth - on da one hand i kinda liek da whole "yor jus stored in da ai it can remake yoo weneva" but on da otha hand WAT DA HELL STOP MAKIN US SUICIDE IT DOES HURT YANNO

Drifting near Auzarkov's corpse was Shu'suvreca, his form spazzing and shivering as the Overworld's life came to end. It appeared their theory of destroying the Overworlds to weaken to Gods was correct after all. The colossal demon looked at the fleet with a clear air of anger as it teleported away from sight, disappearing in a black fog. The first Overworld had fallen, a considerable victory to the allies, but five more still remained.

And the Marinoxidiz threat would not end until all of them were destroyed.