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Second War of Black Fog is a Historical Event
"Second War of Black Fog" is considered a historical event or a completed fiction within the SporeWiki Fiction Universe. You must ask its original creator if you wish to add any additional stories.
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“WHOS REDI FOR A SLAPPIN???”
Da Dark Loronz is the second part of the Second War of Black Fog. It marked the very first appearance of the Loron'Kikra in Gigaquadrantic affairs, under the rule of the Corruptus.
The New Horde[]
Our Future Empress[]
With Kolossus dead, Jerkon and his allies returned to the Milky Way to plan their next move. Jerkon himself, alongside Koluap and Macin Xermilin, were called back to the capital of the Dracogonarious Empire, Draka-2, for a special meeting. At his ship, Herquie was forced to be dragged along with them. It was either work with them or be executed as a space pirate. Thea'Nhirara and Mimi were also on the ship, skeptical about what to do next, after Kolossus denied them the final Dream Shard to be used to revive the legendary Laminoula'Fuerq. As they landed at Draka-2, only Jerkon and Koluap left the ship to go to the meeting, as the others had no business in it.
Making their way to the depths of the Dracogonarious' capital palace, at the underground laboratories, they would be caught by surprise to find the Spinker empress, Windey Spinkarius, also present. Koluap smiled as he caught sight of her, while Jerkon's reaction was a mere polite bow.
- Jerkon - Empress Spinkarius.
- Koluap - My empress! What are you doing down here?
- Windey - I was the one who called you here. Me and Miss Tarygan.
- Jerkon - Tarygan? You mean Tarygan Tersly, the royal head scientist?
- Windey - Indeed. She has been working for something that involves all of us. And when I say that, I don't mean just us.
The main laboratory's doors opened, and out of it, Tarygan Tersly emerged. She had a successful expression on her crocodilian face, while Koluap stared at her in confusion and Jerkon in curiosity. Tarygan was one of the oldest and closest scientists to the Emperor while he was alive, yet Jerkon knew very little about her or her experiments. She signaled to the trio to enter the room, and as they did, they were greeted with many scientists watching over a tall glass tube. Tarygan coughed and then spoke, to the trio.
- Tarygan - I thank you all for being here to see the birth of Project Indoctrination.
- Koluap - What who where when?
- Tarygan - Emperor Garolei Kronk's will. He planned this entire event many years before he was killed by that demon a year ago.
- Jerkon - Explain. I am not aware of any plan.
- Tarygan - Because no one is, Commander. No one but me and the other high ranking scientists who directly served the Emperor's will. But I will explain it for you all in perfect details now.
Tarygan turned around, presenting the tall glass tube to the tube.
- Tarygan - Emperor Garolei's last wish was that the Dracogonarious and Spinker people became one of the same. No more Dracognarious Empire. No more Spinker Empire. He wished an empire where Dracogonarious and Spinker would live as equals. Creators and creations, living in harmony with each other.
- Koluap - What? What about our freedom? Surely Windey would not agree with this.
- Windey - I already did, Koluap.
- Koluap - H-huh?!
- Windey - What would be the downsides of merging our empires? We are already similar to a biological and cultural level.
- Koluap - W-well...erm...urm...
- Tarygan - Exactly! And to lead this new united nation, we need a symbol. A figure who represents the best of both worlds. And that, my friends, is what I have created in that tube.
Tarygan pointed at the tube, and at closer inspection, the trio could see a small silhouette floating inside it, connecting to many cables.
- Tarygan - Our new empire will not be led by a Dracogonarious. It will also not be led by a Spinker. It will be led by both! At the same time!
- Jerkon - Both...an hybrid?
- Tarygan - Indeed. Created by splicing DNA samples from Gareile Kronk, the founder of the Dracogonarious Empire, and the Spinker feather donated to us by Windey Spinkarius. As far as my sources claim, the feather is yours, Admiral Koluap
- Koluap - Dear empress...you used my ear DNA to make a baby?!
- Windey - Hee hee, it seems to be the case.
- Jerkon - You desecrated the Great Science Lord's grave? You could be shot and killed for such an act.
- Tarygan - Nothing in the law stops me from putting Project Indoctrination in motion, Commander. It is above even our laws. Now, it is time, at last. Time for our baby girl to take her first breath.
Project Indoctrination is complete
Pressing a button close to the tube, it opened, clouding the team's view with a white fog. Water fell out of the tube and splattered around the room, with all the scientists keeping their gaze at the tube, anxious. As the fog settled, Jerkon, Koluap and Windey slowly saw something moving, until they could get a clear view of the hybrid itself. It was small, vulnerable and let out quiet queaks as it breath. It shivered, either from the cold of the room or from being scared from all the faces staring at it. It was easy to see traits of both Dracogonarious and Spinkers in its anatomy.
- Jerkon - ...Fascinating...
- Koluap - That's an ugly baby, holy crap.
- Tarygan - Even though we obtained the genetic materials of two males, our bioengineers decided to make it a female. It appears more fitting and as a token of respect for Empress Windey.
- Windey - Can...can I hold her?
- Tarygan - Oh? Of course. Feel free.
Windey nodded and slowly approached the tube. The hybrid girl slowly opened her eyes to see Windey in front of her, embracing her and taking her on her grasp. Windey took the hybrid and looked down on her with a smile. The hybrid looked back, comforting herself on the Spinker empress' grasp, until she let out a yawn and closed her eyes again. Windey let out a quiet laugh as she looked at the rest of the team again.
- Windey - I think she likes me.
- Tarygan - She needs a motherly figure. Empress Windey, would you be willing to adopt her?
- Windey - Oh? Me? I never took care of a child before...but if she's to become our future empress, then she needs someone who can teach her.
- Jerkon - Why was I not warned of all this, Tarygan? I was the Emperor's right hand soldier.
- Tarygan - You'd get in the way, mister "Do Everything By The Book". What matters now is that you have a princess to take care of.
Windey giggled to herself as she turned to Koluap.
- Windey - You know...since your feather helped make her...that means you're her daddy.
- Koluap - H-huh?! M-me? Daddy? B-but I never had an offspring! I barely remember my family at all, even!
- Windey - Well, start practicing. This girl will need a daddy figure too.
- Koluap - Ngh...wait...now wait just a damn second! You're implying something, aren't you?
- Windey - Eheh, implying what?
- Koluap - That I'm her dad, and you're her mom...and we're a couple. Empress, contain yourself!
- Windey - Hee hee, you're the one who keeps calling me "dear" empress, tough guy.
Koluap let out a yelp and froze in place, not knowing how to respond. Tarygan laughed at the scene while Jerkon scratched his chin, looking at the baby in Windey's arms. It all happened suddenly, but as his duty as commander of the Dracogonarious, it was his duty to ensure this baby's protection.
- Windey - I have a name for her. Maryah. It's the name of a beautiful flower you can find at Kingus' plains during the summer, and they only bloom when exposed to constant sunlight. And this girl will be the sunlight that will, one day, guide our future.
No True Agent[]
Returning to their homeworld, Paclernos, Kithworto lead Mu into the vast and ancient metropolis of the planet in order to find a friend. Another Agent, who often spent his time in the hallowed darkness of the cities of the north. Paclernos at this time was somewhat cold, and the seas next to the metropolis often battered the walls that were erected thousands of feet high, and built upon the faces of mountains that reached tens of thousands of feet into the air. Mu piloted a shuttle, with Kithworto in it as well, passing through the immense and oddly intricate towers of the ancient Kicathian cities. A dark blue sky lit the equally dark brown earth of the planet, and its star, also blue. gave all of the cities an eerie light to it.
Since the favourite colour of the Kicath was also blue, much of the streets were also lit in a cold light. Mu was being directed to a landing pad some thousand metres in the sky, which lead to a high-end bar.
- Mu - From fighting demons up-front to coming to a bar. What a contrast. He better really be here.
- Kithworto - He will be there. Intuition is nine-tenths of the assurance.
Landing upon the pad, which seemed to be etched with glyphs in Kicathian, mapped in a rather intricate manner, the duo walked in to the bar. The bar itself was rather loud, and aristocrats, from many families were here conversing about business, territory and the likes. Kithworto and Mu however were not dressed in Agent armour, since it was somewhat customary that they would blend in with the crowd, although Kithworto himself stood out. In such a place, Kithworto was viewed as respected but nonetheless an equal to the other rich family members there. Mu looked around trying to find the Agent they were looking for, ignoring the aristocrats. The bartender at the bar itself, which was lit with a pale purple surface, cycling through colours, was waiting for Kithworto and Mu to approach the table.
- Kithworto - Up for a drink?
- Mu - Eh. Sure.
It was also customary for any patron to have a drink, which would have done the bartender disrespect if Mu refused to have one. Kithworto and Mu went over to the bar, gesturing the bartender to give them two drinks. Realising Kithworto as a very high-born Kicath, he gave him and Mu one of the rarer and more expensive drinks. Next to them, was a very tall Kicath, with immense muscular stature and seemed to appear older than most other Kicath there. He was dressed in more 'common' clothing to the other members there, and sat there with a vacant-yet-composed state.
- Mu - There he is.
Taking the entire drink back in one go, Kithworto nudged Mu to talk to the Kicath.
- Mu - Hey. Lazy. We got work to do.
He turned to Mu; his voice was deeper than most Kicath and possessed a raspier growl than most as well.
- Kicath - And who the hell are you, kid?
- Mu - I'm Agent Mu. Don't you remember me from that bar fight years ago?
- Kicath - Agent? I've been in a lot of bar fights.
- Mu - There's only one of me though. You're coming with me and Sigma to help defeat the demon insurrection.
The Kicath's eyes were a deep green, which was somewhat rare for Kicath from the Milky Way. He turned slightly to Mu, growling.
- Kicath - Demons. Insurrectionists. Criminals. If you don't stop bothering me now, I'll throw you from the landing pad.
- Mu - You really wanna try that? You don't have a say in this. You're coming with us now.
The Kicath laughed, before continuing his speech.
- Kicath - You know who I am, boy. You do not want to try me.
- Mu - I know who you are, and that's why I expected a better attitude. I'm not even supposed to be telling you to come with us. You were supposed to be already at the front lines killing demons.
The Kicath waved his arm at him.
- Kicath - I've been doing this for nearly a century now. And you've been doing this for...what...thirty years? Are you in any position to tell me what to do?
- Mu - We're at war, in case you didn't notice. The Empire has been under attack for nearly a year now.
- Kicath - And what a fine job you've been doing without me. Now leave me alone before I stuff you in that shuttle of yours and throw you into the streets.
Mu took his drink and grunted in annoyance.
- Mu - He's useless, Kithworto. We don't need someone like him with us.
The Kicath turned again, this time fully facing Mu.
- Kicath - ...Excuse me?
- Mu - Ignoring the apocalypse like this? You call yourself an Agent? I bet you never saw a demon up-front.
He stood up to his full height, towering over Kithworto, Mu, and every other Kicath present. He was easily of a greater stature than other Kicath of his age.
- Kicath -What did you say, little girl?
- Mu - You heard me well, big girl. You don't have the attitude of an Agent.
Without further notice, the Kicath grabbed Mu by his clothing, and much like a rag doll, slammed Mu into the bar counter, crushing it completely. Those who occupied the bar evacuated the room, leaving through the door into another room adjacent. Mu got up and shook himself, before looking at the Kicath with barred teeth.
- Kicath - Come on then, kid. Let's see if you're 'Agent material'.
- Mu - So much for a respectful Agent II.
Kithworto merely stood there, then sitting down at the bar on a stool.
- Kicath - So what, are you going to stand there or what?
Mu growled and charged at the Kicath, sending his fist at the direction of his face. As the fist neared his face, the Kicath grabbed Mu's entire arm, swinging him around and back into the already crushed counter. Mu got up again and glared at the Kicath in anger before charging again, this time sending a kick at his chest. He yet again grabbed Mu's leg, lifting him up and threw him back into the counter yet a third time. Mu held on his head in pain before getting up again. He ran up to the Kicath and seemingly charged another punch. However, as he got close, he instead sent his tail at the Kicath's head. Hitting the Kicath around the face, his pose crumpled before rising back up again, holding his head.
- Kicath - Ow.
Mu quickly charged at the Kicath again and sent his fists at him. As one fist entered the Kicath's hand and then the other, he lifted Mu off the ground, charging out of the bar and with him to the landing pad, before throwing him on to the shuttle, knocking it over.
- Mu - Shit!
- Kicath - Now imagine doing this if I were drunk.
- Mu - I'd have probably liked you even less drunk!
Mu got up and charged at the Kicath again. Running straight at the Kicath, he grabbed Mu once more, but by the throat, lifting him up. He walked over to the edge of the landing pad, whilst talking to him.
- Kicath - You need to learn how to fight. What did Zonmnakhéron teach you? How did you even survive Occasus?
The Kicath then released his grip, hurling Mu over the edge of the pad. Mu held himself on the Kicath as he was thrown, and dragged him over the edge with him. Kithworto sighed; he walked up to the landing pad, observing the falling pair as they were plummeting to the surface. Mu shouted Kicathian profanities as he kicked the Kicath in midair. Absorbing the blows, he propelled his legs towards Mu's torso, kicking him further away and further towards the surface.
Mu kept shouting until he crashed into the surface, falling on his head and cracking the floor below him. The Kicath's extra weight intensified the crater formed by the duo, as he landed on his knees. Raising to the surface, he struggled to stand as the impact had shook his legs.
- Kicath - I did say I was gonna throw you off the edge of the landing pad.
- Mu - ...It...it didn't even...it didn't even hurt!
Mu got up, before immediately falling over again.
- Kicath - No?
- Mu - I want another drink...
The Kicath delivered one final hammer fist straight to Mu's back, slamming him straight into the ground again. Mu fell, too dizzy to get up again, and merely groaned.
- Kicath - And that's why...you don't mess with Agent Psi. Not even when he is sober.
- Mu - Urk...go screw yourself...
Out of a pocket, Psi grabbed a metallic flask, downing the drink before his composure changed. His formerly serious persona broke down right in front of Mu.
- Psi - Now...did you say you...uh...were in a bar fight with me? Did I beat you senseless there? Heheheh.
Psi took another swig of his drink, before collapsing completely.
- Mu - ...Wuh...You're a weird bastard, you know that?
In the distance, Kithworto walked up to the two who were now on the floor, sighing as he did. He had ordered the entire area to be sectioned off hours before they even arrived, knowing it would result in calamity.
- Kithworto - You two.
- Mu - All his fault.
Psi was on the floor, asleep in the indent on the floor. Kithworto walked over the collapsed Mu and grabbed him out of the floor with one hand. Mu held on his head as he looked at the sleeping Psi.
- Mu - That guy ain't right.
- Kithworto - He happens to be the best Agent II there is. Believe it or not. Pick him up and we shall take him back to my residence.
- Mu - Right, right. Heheh, I just imagine the Dracogonarious guy's face.
The shuttle, of which was called down from the pad, landed in front of the trio. Kithworto stepped on to the passenger pad, whilst Mu dropped Psi in it as well, before taking the helm again.
- Kithworto - Before you say it, no. We are not having auto-pilot to mine.
- Mu - Well, we should.
- Kithworto - Tough.
The ship was taken to the very tower of which the masters of the Aknatazán household had lived in for many thousands of years - it was some thousands of miles south of the metropolis, nearer to the equator of the planet. The tower was of incredible height, and it stood lone among many, smaller towers around it. The home was of enormously intricate decor; ancient in design. The landing pad was open to powerful, tall and blackened doors. The common lights of cyan were replaced with crimson, red being the colours of the Aknatazán household. Ceremonial guards, clad in black armour also, had opened the door as they saw Kithworto's shuttle land in front.
Mu and Kithworto, along with an unconscious Psi, entered the main hall of the household. The halls itself was flanked by six immense statues, each of them around forty metres tall in height, of divine imagery of the Xi'Arazulha. A staircase was in the middle, parting to the left, centre and right. Much of the cold interior was etched with the ancient Aknatazán sigil.
- Mu - Your house is full of creepy statues of evil monsters. No offense.
- Kithworto - This house has been here for nearly two hundred millennia. Those statues are of Maktanshatinaknatazán.
- Mu - If my mythology is right, that's the creepiest and evilest of them all.
- Kithworto - The god of war. If you weren't taught these stories as a child, Mu...
- Mu - I was. I just tend to not think much about it.
Entering through the central hall, the living room itself was devoid of most technologies. It was ornate, almost unrealistically so, and was draped in the colours of the Aknatazán household again. There were many couches laid across the room, tables as well. It was mostly empty since the Aknatazán household often lived somewhere else, but Kithworto was one of its last permanent inhabitants. Braizers with a white flame marked the room with light, shadowing the ceiling which had many ancient paintings of Kicathian history, some of them tens or hundreds of thousands of years old.
- Kithworto - Place him on that table, there.
- Mu - Alright.
Mu placed Psi on the table as he looked around the room in curiosity.
- Mu - It feels like no one's touched this place in ages.
- Kithworto - Not for a few months. I used to live in these halls as a child, along with the rest of my family, and my uncle's family as well. Kitalatheraz Aknatazán, that is.
- Mu - Way to make me feel like a poor kid.
- Kithworto - Nearly forty of us used to inhabit these walls, and now we're all extragalactic.
Not before long, Psi woke up with a jolt. Holding his head from where Mu whipped him with his tail, he took a while before he did not realise where he was.
- Psi - Grr. Where the hell am I, anyway?
- Mu - At Sigma's house.
- Kithworto - Call me Kithworto in these halls, Mu.
- Mu - Kithworto's house.
- Psi - So this is the Aknatazán family home...damn. Haven't been in a place like this for ages.
- Mu - So. Are you gonna come kill the demons with us now?
Psi ignored Mu, looking around the hall from where he stood.
- Psi - Got any drinks here?
- Kithworto - Yes...but not for you.
- Psi - Well how in the name of Ekolnyuri am I meant to make a deal without a drink?
- Kithworto - Sit. Down.
Psi sat down. Whilst physically older and more powerful than Kithworto, Kithworto had a certain atmosphere about him that unnerved even Agents as hardy as him.
- Mu - Help kill the demons, damnit.
- Kithworto - In detail, Mu.
- Mu - Help destroy the invading demon insurrection from the demons known as the "Corruptus" who control "nightmare energy" and are advancing through the entire Gigaquadrant more and more every day...damnit.
Kithworto put his head into his palms, speaking with a muffled voice.
- Kithworto - More detail than that.
- Mu - What else is there to detail? Other than the fact we're working with the Dracogonarious commandant and his team. There's a Spinker and a Grimbolsaurian and an...angel woman.
- Psi - ...Eh?
- Mu - Yeah. Some transdimensional bird woman who looks like an angel. I can't describe her, you gotta see her to understand it.
- Psi - ...Is he on drugs?
- Kithworto - No.
Mu held on his head and groaned loudly.
- Mu - I don't know what you want from me.
- Psi - So... a Spinker and a Grimbolsaurian, eh? And we're against...'demons'?
- Mu - ...Where have you been the last year? Did you not hear of the demon attacks?
- Psi - No, not really. Emperor's advisor's good at the whole 'cover up the the story'.
- Mu - Shit. Well, yes, there's demons. They can possess people. They can turn Kicath into zombies.
- Psi - Right...well...I'm listening.
- Mu - We're working with the Dracogonarious and the angel woman to destroy them before they can destroy us. You're supposed to be the best Agent II so you're supposed to come with us and help kill demons.
- Psi - Right. Sounds pretty straightforward.
- Mu - Good. We can forget the whole incident from before and go now then.
- Psi - Wait. Before we do, requisition me a new set of armour. Old one is worn out slightly.
- Kithworto - From what, exactly?
- Psi - ...From the fact it's the only set of armour I've ever used.
- Kithworto - ...Fine.
Next to Kithworto on the couch, was a tablet device. Taking a few minutes to communicate with the Agency, he then put it down on the couch once he finished.
- Kithworto - There. Set of armour will be waiting for you on the shuttle when we get back. Anything else?
- Psi - Well...
- Kithworto - Tough. We leave now.
- Mu - Heh.
The Rap War Begins[]
In his Propa Big Loron Palace, Zr'Ahgloth went out to the bar to have a drink, and then sat down at a table with a bunch of his homies. After a while, of course, they would end up beating each other up, which often resulted in someone's death, but that was normal in Loron life. The Chikz provided them all with drinks and pizza. Among his homies was Thr'aloy.
- Zr'Ahgloth - oi whos redy fer a fite taday
- Thr'aloy - WHO CAN WE KILL TODAY MAN IM ITCHIN FER SUM SHANKIN
- Zr'Ahgloth - I WULD SUGGEST A CHIK BUT DATS BORIN HUR
- Thr'aloy - HAO BOUT DEM...WATCHACALLIT? UNO OR SUMFIN?
- Zr'Ahgloth - LOL NAH DA EMPRA SAYS DEYZ A WASTE OF TIEM HOW BOUT DA HXT LOSAS
- Thr'aloy - OH YEH DEM I LIKE KILLIN DEM CUS DERES LIKE INFINITE PEEPZ TA KILL
- Zr'Ahgloth - YEH TRUS ME MAN ALSO I GOT SOME OF MA BOYZ MAKIN BOMS TA KILL DEM FASTA
- Thr'aloy - SIK BOMZ IS ALWAYS GUD
At this moment, the doors opened and Flo'Sikka entered the bar. He looked for Zr'Ahgloth until he saw him, then ran at his direction.
- Flo'Sikka - zr'ahgloth man we gotta talk
- Zr'Ahgloth - yoooo clique clique swag lil wayne b17 boyz yung money yoooolooooo
- Thr'aloy - wat ya want man wes discussin killin peepz heer
- Flo'Sikka - lissen ta dis
- Zr'Ahgloth - lissen ta wat man im drunk as hell
Flo'Sikka took a radio and placed it on the table around the Loron. Playing it, they could all hear someone singing. It sounded exactly like Zr'Ahgloth, except he had never written or sung this music.
- Zr'Ahgloth - WOAH IS DIS YA NOO ALBUM? ITS PROPA SIK MAN HOWD YA GET IT TA SOUND LIEK ME
- Flo'Sikka - dis eint ma album man...SUMONE IS COPYIN YOR RHYMES
- Zr'Ahgloth - hmmm
Zr'Ahgloth decided to actually pay attention to the lyrics.
- Zr'Ahgloth - man i dunt even lissen to ma own words i cant tell
- Thr'aloy - ya sur dats not zr'ahgloth singin?
- Flo'Sikka - yeh man its sum noo guy no one knos who he is still cept he sounds EXACTLY liek zr'ahgloth
Zr'Ahgloth payed attention to some of the words.
- Zr'Ahgloth - yanno. i specifically rememba usin dat line in anotha song. maybe i got drunk an used it twice or somfin?
Before Flo'Sikka could reply, the radio played what looked like an interview with whoever was singing.
- Interviewer - That was a great song. Would you mind telling us your name?
- ??? - REMEMBA IT. NAMES HAGTO'ZHL. BUT YA MAY CALL ME ZR'AHGLOTH
- Zr'Ahgloth - OK WAT DA FUK
- Thr'aloy - DIS GUYS SAYIN HES YOO MAN
- Zr'Ahgloth - imposta...lyin...theevin...record sale steelin...hnng man am i gonna say it...
- Thr'aloy - yor gonna say it...
- Zr'Ahgloth - ...COPYCAT DUMBO!!!!
- Flo'Sikka - DIS IS AN INSULT TA ALL PROPA RAPPAS OUT DERE MAN. DIS LOSA NEEDS TA GET SHANKED
- Zr'Ahgloth - I MEEN WAT DA HELL MAN WAT AN ATTENSHON WHOR ALSO WAT KINDA NAME IS "HAGTO'ZHL"
The radio spoke again.
- Hagto'Zhl - ALSO SUM CREDITS TO MA BUD OVA HEER WHO LEND ME SUM IDEAS
- ??? - YEH IM RAY'LOTH. ALSO KNON AS THR'ALOY
- Thr'aloy - WAT YOO SERIUS?
- Flo'Sikka - wow dis is liek doublu copyrite infrijment
- Zr'Ahgloth - DIS IS WORSE DAN DAT. DIS IS...COPYCAT DUMBOIN!!!!
- Hagto'Zhl - YA KEEP LISSENIN TO MA SIK RHYMES. OR IMMA RIP YA FAIC OFF. DEEMUNS RULE!!!
The radio then went on a loop with Hagto'Zhl singing.
- Zr'Ahgloth - man whoeva his beet produca is fukin suks too. DA BEETS SOUND SIMILA TO MIEN
- Thr'aloy - MAN WE GOTTA FIND DIS GEEZA AN MAKE HIM EET "HIS" LYRICS
- Zr'Ahgloth - hmm...nah...i got a betta idea...
- Thr'aloy - wat dat
- Zr'Ahgloth - yo lissen heer. if we gonna beet dis guy, we gotta humiliate him first. flo'sikka, maek me some beets (an write me some lyrics cuz im propa lazi) ta diss dis geeza. maek him feel so embarassed on his own radio dat he quits foreva. until his only way of gettin attenshon is ta com ta us. den we batta him wen he does an embarass him moar. den eet him.
- Thr'aloy - oh. yeh dat works
- Flo'Sikka - nao DATS wat im talkin about
- Zr'Ahgloth - man im jus waitin fer da look on his face wen he admits ta everyone he eint me
The rap war was declared. How long would it take to work?...And would it work as well as Zr'Ahgloth hoped?
The Fall of Draka-2[]
A week had passed since Maryah's birth. Jerkon ordered the fleets of the Dracogonarious Empire to prepare for their next move against the Corruptus, while Koluap did the same to the Spinker's forces. Windey Spinkarius talked to the Supreme Advisors of the Imperial Palace to make the preparations for moving the capital of the Spinker people to Draka-2, while Maryah herself slept in her arms. The Bonio mercenary Herquie leaned on a wall outside the Palace's entrance, resting and thinking to himself. The entire business with him being a descendant of an ancient race was something he did not believe at all, but to survive, he was forced to stick around and work together with Jerkon and his team. Thea'Nhirara and Mimi made their way inside, but as they passed through Herquie, he yelled at them to get their attention.
- Herquie - Hey. You. Tall woman.
- Thea'Nhirara - Hm?
- Herquie - When are you gonna explain this entire descendant business?
- Thea'Nhirara - I have nothing to explain right now.
- Herquie - I have no reason to believe you then.
- Thea'Nhirara - The answers will come with time. Believe me or not, it is a fact.
- Herquie - Hmpf. Useless.
- Mimi - Aw, don't be rude to my sister!
At this moment, Thea'Nhirara turned to the skies, as if she felt something approaching. And indeed, in instants, the skies were covered by a thick black fog. The sound of destruction and screaming was quickly heard as the city around the castle was suddenly swarmed by demons of the Corruptus. Herquie's eyes widened and he quickly readied his bladed knuckles, while Thea'Nhirara let out a loud sound which could only be described as otherworldly, before charging at the city's direction. Dracogonarious soldiers did what they could to fight off the demon army, but Kikra zombies were quickly spreading around the cities of the planet. At the Palace, Jerkon and Koluap took Windey Spinkarius, the Supreme Advisors and the royal scientists to the nearest exit to be evacuated. A nearby soldier approached them, giving them a status report.
- Jerkon - Status, soldier.
- Soldier - They are everywhere, commandant! The planetary defenses were decimated by the demon fog. There are Marinoxidiz currently at the surface.
- Windey - Oh no...not now that we were having a week of peace.
- Tarygan - Prioritize evacuating all people possible. Fighting them isn't worth the trouble.
- Jerkon - Are you suggesting-
- Tarygan - Abandoning the homeworld? I'm afraid so.
Jerkon growled and held on his head in clear anger, but he could see that Tarygan had a point. As they made their way outside, more soldiers, including Herquie, Thea'Nhirara and Mimi joined the group as they made their way to the spaceport. The Dracogonarious soldiers' firepower allowed them to open their way through the city, where buildings crumbled and vehicles were tossed around. As they approached the spaceport itself, one building was destroyed as a Marinox tackled himself against it, using it as a shortcut to get to the team; Commandant Karnak.
- Karnak - Hello, dears! Missed me?!
- Koluap - No!
- Karnak - Tough! We're gonna have some fun now!
- Herquie - What the hell...
- Thea'Nhirara - Leave this fiend to me. You all make your way out of this planet.
- Karnak - A dream energy pigeon! Heugh, disgusting!
Jerkon nodded to Thea'Nhirara, and his squad moved out. Karnak took his entropy-infused blade and swung it at the angel being's direction madly, but each of his swings missed, as Thea'Nhirara's body divided itself, causing the blade to pass through it harmlessly. One of her hands morphed, taking the shape of a large blade, and she swung it at the Marinoxidiz, severing his left arm. Instead of screeching in pain like a normal creature world, Karnak instead let out a loud, maddened laugh before let out a bolt of entropic energy at the angel, knocking her into a wall.
As Jerkon and his team arrived to the spaceport, they could see the city in flames in a distance. At the skies of Draka-2's the Marinoxidiz's dark capital ship arrived, pummeling the world further into darkness. The Supreme Advisors all screamed in terror as another Marinoxidiz appeared, standing at the top of the spaceport. It was none other than Emperor Marigrax, who looked down at them with an indifferent expression.
- Marigrax - ...Draka-2. I remember this world. It used to be my home.
- Koluap - That one is like, pro-level ugly!
- Jerkon - Make way, demon, or we will slaughter you.
- Marigrax - ...You. Your voice. You sound like Drakley. Indeed, you look very much like him too.
- Jerkon - What? You know my father?
- Marigrax - Your father killed me. I am Marigrax.
Jerkon's eyes widened and he stepped back. The Advisors and scientists, meanwhile, were taken away by Koluap and Herquie.
- Marigrax - You see the spaceship above you. I call it Executioner's Chariot. It is the vessel that signals the deaths of billions.
- Jerkon - You are the leader of these demons.
- Marigrax - Perhaps I am. Perhaps I am not. This world used to be my home. I look down at it to see there are Marinar living in your empire.
- Jerkon - Yes, not all Marinar left Draka-2. And we have put our differences aside thousands of years ago.
- Marigrax - So you have. I am here to sever the ties with the past. If I cannot have the homeworld...neither can you, son of Drakley. I know you killed Laidar. I know you killed Zr'An'Kar. I can see your every move.
- Jerkon - I...I will...stop you...
- Marigrax - Afraid, son of Drakley? Your father did not fear me, or Karnak, or any of my servants. You are not worthy of being his successor. I challenge you to escape this world in time, but considering your physical, your psyche...you will not achieve such.
- Jerkon - You bastard...
Jerkon barred his teeth and narrowed his eyes in anger while looking at Marigrax. The mighty demon emperor did not change his expression, keeping indifferent for Jerkon's presence. After a few moments, Jerkon ran away, making his way to his ship. Meanwhile, Thea'Nhirara made her own way to the spaceport, being chased by a laughing Karnak. At least eleven separate tentacles came out of the stump from his left arm as he wrecked his way after the angel. As he noticed Thea'Nhirara approaching, Marigrax walked away at the direction of the Imperial Palace.
- Karnak - Now I got more arms to penetrate you with!
- Thea'Nhirara - I have no time for your nonsense, madman.
Thea'Nhirara turned around and unleashed a blast of Dream Energy at the demon, blasting him across the battlefield and making him crash into a building, which crumbled above him. Koluap, Herquie and Mimi successfully arrived to the spaceship, leading the Advisors and scientists inside and quickly meeting with Jerkon again. As Thea'Nhirara made her way inside, the ship took flight and made its way to the sky, with the crew looking down at the city. Marigrax could be seen directly in front of the Imperial Palace, putting a hand up. A great purple flame manifested and engulfed his entire arm, and the demons around the world, including Karnak, all started retreating as they felt it.
- Marigrax - With this, our ties with the past are gone. We were once Marinar. It does not matter. We were once Marinox. It does not matter either. We are now something greater. We are Marinoxidiz. We are gods. Know the full extent of our power!
Marigrax then delivered a punch into the floor, blasting it with the flames which had engulfed his arm. Immense cracks grew around the punched area and started traveling through the cities extremely fast. The cracks then started shining in an intense dark purple, and as they did, Marigrax teleported himself back into the Executioner's Chariot. The world began crumbling, volcanoes erupted, storms formed and the very earth was more and more scarred as pure Nightmare Energy destroyed the interior of the planet. Jerkon and his crew, alongside all other Dracogonarious vessels who managed to escape, looked down at the planet. Dark essence blasted through the surface, tearing entire continents apart. The Marinoxidiz capital ship vanished alongside its black fog, leaving Draka-2 fully visible for the Dracogonarious to see: the planet slowly but surely contracted itself, before exploding in a blast of Nightmare Energy which annihilated all matter around it, from debris to the planet's very moon.
The Dracogonarious Supreme Advisors all looked down, defeated. Windey hugged Maryah tightly as she cried, while Thea'Nhirara and Mimi looked at the destruction, visibly unsettled. Koluap and Herquie, the two who cared for the planet the least, preferred to simply keep quiet and looked away. And at his commandant chair, Jerkon covered his eyes in shame as he directed the ship to the most far away colony he could detect. The home of all Dracogonarious, Draka-2, was no more.
Loron Boss versus Loron Demon[]
On planet Groodrub, amidst a city full of slums, stood a huge mansion. One of the only Loron settlements with any thought put into its construction in the slightest, this was Da Propa Big Manshon, where the infamous Propa Big Boss, Zr'Ahgloth, resided. Full of bling, full of bodyguards with "Da Sik Tommy Gunz", and intricately designed by Norol, Da Propa Big Manshon was clean, other than the rooms with pizza splattered all over the ceilings and floors since the Norol had yet to clean them. It was the tallest and most impressive building on the planet. Zr'Ahgloth sat in his throne, though it looked far more like an office than a throne. While many had heard stories about a room filled with the skulls of his enemies, it was, in fact, just a desk, a chair, and a couch which Zr'Ahgloth sat on eating pizza and watching TV. While in his room, Zr'Ahgloth did little more than count his own Bling, which he liked the plaster all over his palace, watch TV, listen to the diss raps that had been written about him, and order other Loron around. If there's one thing he hated more than anything, it was phone calls. He hated being bothered, always telling everyone he was "busy". Indeed, many times blood had been spilt on the elegant carpet of his mansion when a poor soul did not respect Zr'Ahgloth's temperament state of needing personal space.
- Zr'Ahgloth - i had no phone calls today. dis is gud. meens i can watch dis show in peece. imma bug one of ma homies ta write a diss trak bout dis dark zrahgloth hagtozhl geeza
As soon as Zr'Ahgloth finished talking, exactly that happened. The phone ringed next to him, almost as if it had predicted it.
- Zr'Ahgloth - WAT DA ACTUAL FUK AR YOO SERIUS
Zr'Ahgloth threw the remote control away and tossed his pizza on the ground, then got up and picked up his phone.
- Zr'Ahgloth - DAFUQ DO YOO WANT
- Loron - erm boss sorry ta interrupt but deres dis geeza ova heer at da entrance who wants ta talk to yas
- Zr'Ahgloth - hm ok i see well obviusly wat ya need ta do is...hm...i dunno...TELL HIM TA PISS OFF????
- Loron - urm ok i culd but hes kinda creepy lookin yoo sur yoo dunt wanna com ova heer?
- Zr'Ahgloth - YES. IM BUSY DOIN IMPORTANT STOOF.
- Loron - ok soz ta interr-OH GOD WAT AAA-
With that, the phone went silent.
- Zr'Ahgloth - if dis is sum stoopid prank den man...in fact im gonna go investigate
Zr'Ahgloth opened the door of his office, and from the huge staircase, looked down. What he could see were the immense doors of his mansion bursted open as his guards all fired their guns at a single individual in the middle of the main room. Standing there was a black-scaled Loron with impressive pairs of horns and a third eye, his pupils darting from side to side, giving out a demonic look as they shined in an intense red. This dark Loron hissed aggressively as he was shot, flinching from the bullets which hit his body but none of them appearing to deal any actual damage to him. One thing, though, was certain: he was dressing exactly the same as Zr'Ahgloth, though he was also clearly at least a head taller than the Loron boss. The dark Loron thrust one of his arms forward, and as he did, the arm transformed itself into an immense tentacle-like appendage which was large and thick enough to crush the guards under it and crack the floor and walls it hit.
- ??? - WHERS DA KID WHOS TRYIN TA BE ME
- Zr'Ahgloth - OK. YOO WANNA PLAY RUFF?
Zr'Ahgloth stormed down the staircase and pulled out his shotgun.
- Zr'Ahgloth - SAY HELLO TO MA LITTLE FREND.
Zr'Ahgloth shot the door in front of him down, then approached. The dark Loron was hit by several of the shotgun's bullets and holes formed on his skin, but Zr'Ahgloth could watch these holes slowly closing themselves as the invader turned his head to him. Over his shoulder, a third tentacled arm was visible, strangling one of the Loron guards until the sound of cracking bone was heard.
Zr'Ahgloth meets Hagto'Zhl
- Zr'Ahgloth - dafuq is yoo anyway
- ??? - DAFUQ IS I?... DAFUQ IS I???? I AM HAGTO'ZHL. AND IVE COM TA KILL WHOEVA WROTE DOSE DISSIN LYRICS BOUT ME
- Zr'Ahgloth - DAT WAS ME YA MUPPET. YOR A STOOPID COPYCAT DUMBO
- Hagto'Zhl - YA LOOK LIKE A DAM PANSY DATS WAT. IM NO COPYCAT DUMBO IM DA ONE AND ONLY HAGTO'ZHL a.k.a. ZR'AHGLOTH
- Zr'Ahgloth - 0/10 TROLL HARDA. YOR SO OBVIUSLY A FAKE I DUNNO WHAI YOR EVEN BOTHARIN
- Hagto'Zhl - everywher i c deres blu... teeny... UGLY STOOPID COPYCAT LORONZ. IS YOO TRYIN TA MIMIC US, DA LORON'KIKRAZ? I HEARD OF FANBOYZ BUT WAT DA HELL DATS GOIN TOO FAR
- Zr'Ahgloth - MAN HAO STOOPID CAN YA GET. WEVE BIN IN DIS GALAXI FER LIEK TWO THOWSAND YEERS AN YOR STILL FINKIN YOO CAME FIRST. OH MA DAYZ DIS IS A JOKE
- Hagto'Zhl - YOR CALLIN ME A JOKE YA FLIPPIN BLU NERD? WANNA SLAP???
- Zr'Ahgloth - COME AT ME BRO. I BET YA CUDNT SLAP A FLY
Hagto'Zhl let out a loud, echoing growl as he slapped Zr'Ahgloth across the face. Unexpected to him, the Loron boss could feel as if he had been slapped by someone not only as strong as him. It felt like he was slapped by someone stronger than him, with enough force to send him backwards. Zr'Ahgloth fell back against the wall, and a gold trophy fell on his head. He threw it at Hagto'Zhl in rage and roared, then charged towards him and kicked him, and while he flinched from the kick, he otherwise did not react, and sent his fists at the Loron boss, delivering punches at him. Zr'Ahgloth tried his best to block the punches and punch back, but he felt himself being overwhelmed by the oppressor. It was clear he was not used to fighting someone of greater strength.
- Hagto'Zhl - YOO TRY TA COPY ME AND YOO SUK AT FIGHTIN. YOR AN INSULT AND A... A... A COPYCAT DUMBO!!!
- Zr'Ahgloth - OH YEH? WELL...YA MOMS A COPYCAT DUMBO!!!!
Zr'Ahgloth reached for Hagto'Zhl's third central eye and delivered a blow to it in fury. The dark Loron, this time, did react from the blow, letting out a loud screech and taking a step back. However, as he regained his composure, his arms both turned themselves into tentacles which bashed Zr'Ahgloth and wrapped themselves around him, keeping him in place and slowly squeezing him.
- Zr'Ahgloth - MAN SINCE WEN DID LORON HAV TENTACLES
- Hagto'Zhl - SINCE WEN DID LORON NOT HAV TENTACLES
- Zr'Ahgloth - WAT DA HELL
- ??? - ENUFF
At this moment, though, all stopped in place. Time suddenly went still through the entirely of the planet, and both Zr'Ahgloth and Hagto'Zhl could see an almost blinding light next to them. Materializing himself was another Loron who made the two of them look like ants in comparison, wearing a radiant and decorated outfit while carrying a large staff. A golden aura radiate from him as he stared at the two Loron bosses with a frown.
- Zr'Ahgloth - woah wat
- Hagto'Zhl - oh geez. its... its... da God...
- Zr'Ahgloth - ...woah...wat da...
- ??? - YOR DAM RITE IM DA GOD YA FLIPPIN IDIOT
The immense, radiant Loron sent his staff at Hagto'Zhl's forehead, bonking him and making him fall over, releasing his grip of Zr'Ahgloth in the process.
- Zr'Ahgloth - ...SEE HAO CAN YA CLAIM DAT IM DA WANNABE WEN DA GOD HELPED ME HAHAHAHAHAHA
The immense Loron proceeded to also bonk Zr'Ahgloth across the head.
- Zr'Ahgloth - well dere goes ma theory
- Hagto'Zhl - rekt
- ??? - SILENC!!! I AM ROZ'TAH'FLOK, GOD OF LORONZ AND ALL DAT IS SIK. AND YOO TWO... I HAV DIVINE... erm. watacalldem?... I HAV FINGS FOR YOO TA DO
- Zr'Ahgloth - IMMA DO DEM MAN. I WORSHIP YOO MOAR DAN DIS GEEZA
- Hagto'Zhl - DATS A LAI AND YOR STOOPID IM DA BEST GOD WORSHIPPA
- Zr'Ahgloth - MATE I RAP DA ROZTAHFLOK RAP MOAR OFTEN DAN YOO DO
- Roz'Tah'Flok - fuk sake I SED SILENC. YOO, ZR'AHGLOTH, SON OF... wat wus ya dads name agen? erm... eh fuk dis part. YOO WORK WIV HAGTO'ZHL NAO AS A TEEM.
- Zr'Ahgloth - eh relly do i hav to
- Roz'Tah'Flok - YEH. IT IS DA WORD OF DA GOD. ME. DA BEST EVA.
- Hagto'Zhl - wait one sec whai dis
Roz'Tah'Flok hit Hagto'Zhl across the head again, this time flooring him.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - YA DO IT CAUSE SHU'WOKERAMA SED SO
- Zr'Ahgloth - uh whos dat wat
- Roz'Tah'Flok - AN ALLY OF DA GOD... LISTEN HEER YOO LIL SHIT DO YOO WANNA GO AND KILL A FUKTON OF PEEPS?
- Zr'Ahgloth - ok I RELLY LIEK DAT IDEA
- Roz'Tah'Flok - DEN YOO DO WAT I SEY. YOO AND HAGTO'ZHL GO TO DA MILKY WAY GALAXI AND FLIPPIN WREK EVERY DUMBO YA MEET. BUT DERES DESE DEEMUN PEEPS CALLED DA CORRUPTUS YA SEE? DEYZ MA HOMIES, YOO WORK WIV DEM
- Zr'Ahgloth - OK COOL
- Roz'Tah'Flok - WHEN I HAV ORDAS... I WILL COM... AND YOO BEST DO WAT I SED I SWER TO MASELF IF YOO DUNT IMMA KICK YOO IN DA BALLZ TIL YOO WISH YOO WER BORN A CHIK
With this, Roz'Tah'Flok vanished in a bright flash of gold and green, and time resumed on Groodrub.
- Zr'Ahgloth - funi fing. loronz dont got ballz.
- Hagto'Zhl - yeh well im off den. i dunt wanna catch yor dumness. IT MITE B CONTAGEOUS
- Zr'Ahgloth - YEH SCREW OFF MAN
And with this, Hagto'Zhl left the mansion, and the alliance between the Loron and Loron'Kikra was sealed. Roz'Tah'Flok, god-creator of the Loron, had decided this and so they would obey. However, why would the god of the Loron pledge allegiance to the Corruptus? This would have to wait for another time though, as even though they were all confused about it, there was one thing both Zr'Ahgloth and Hagto'Zhl agreed with: they were going to kill, and they were going to kill many.
Arrival of the Brutes[]
At the colony of Velarin-4, located at the outer reaches of the Dracogonarious Empire, the Draka Fang prepared for combat as the planet found itself under the threat of invasion. Unknown ships arrived to the system, followed by the black fog of the Corruptus, which immediately led to the Dracogonarious believing it was another Marinoxidiz assault, and evacuation began ensuing near immediately. However, the scientists were mistaken, for these ships were far more crude and much less advanced than the Marinoxidiz's mothership. They were Loron Killas, the main ships of the Loron and by extension the Loron'Kikra, who swarmed the skies of the colony like wasps. The Dracogonarious destroyed them by the dozens, but their numbers were simply far more than any other enemy they had encountered this far, and the black fog of the Corruptus made space-faring combat increasingly difficult due to interference in the ships' systems.
At the ground, soldiers of the Dracogonarious Empire fired at invading Troopaz which involved mixes of standard and Kikra Loron, who stomped any poor sap who got unlucky enough to get caught in melee range by them. The Dracogonarious had not encountered such physically imposing creatures before in their history, except for the Marinoxidiz themselves.
- Loron - DEYZ RED DRAGON PEEPZ PROPA EZ TA STOMP ENNIT
- Loron'Kikra - STOMP DEM LADS IN DA NAME OF SHU'WOKERAMA AN ROZ'TAH'FLOK but mostly da forma
- Loron - WAT YA SAY
- Loron'Kikra - oh nuffin nuffin dunt mind me
As the Dracogonarious evacuated the planet, the tendrils of the black fog which followed the Loron ships engulfed it and eventually devoured it completely. Roughly seventy percent of the total population survived the planet and were immediately moved to safer territory, while reports of the attack were immediately sent to the colony of Gheralvoz, where the Supreme Advisors of the Dracogonarious Empire had relocated to following the destruction of Draka-2. Empress Windey, Commandant Jerkon and his associates were also at the planet in order to ensure its safety.
- Tarygan - Commandant. Fellow leaders. The outer colony of Velarin-4 has been victimized by the Corruptus. There is one striking difference in this attack, though.
- Windey - Elaborate, Tarygan.
- Tarygan - Aliens were involved. Aliens who were not the Marinoxidiz.
Displaying images of the Loron and the Loron'Kikra to the other individuals discussing the attack, Tarygan pointed her clawed finger to the two races, causing curiosity to grow among the reunion.
- Koluap - That's gotta be the goofiest-looking thing I've ever seen after the Grimbolsaurians! Look at those eyes!
- Jerkon - I do not know of these aliens. Are you sure they are not anymore "demons".
- Thea'Nhirara - They are not. These creatures are known as Loron. They hail from the Ottzello Galaxy.
- Windey - Loron... The name is familiar. Didn't the Delpha Coalition have a war against these creatures?
- Koluap - Oh boy! Goofy bugs versus goofy bugs!
- Thea'Nhirara - You are correct. Why these creatures are here and assisting the Corruptus is beyond my knowledge, but one thing is certain. They are a grave threat, for their numbers dwarf nearly all, and they are second to none in strength.
- Jerkon - If the Delpha Coalition of Planets know of these Loron then we will require their assistance in combating them. The Marinoxidiz cannot be allowed to obtain more allies, therefore we must do all in our power to gather the best means of fighting these creatures.
The Dracogonarious Empire was now on the search for allies with knowledge of how to fight the Loron. The DCP was already a formidable ally, but more than one would be required. Allies they already knew, but were not yet aware of.
The Claw Rises[]
A New Weapon[]
Away from the eyes of the Dracogonarious Empire, outside of the territory of the allied forces who had united against the Marinoxidiz were another, completely different faction of Dracogonarious, one whose existence was considered a mere myth by official Imperial records. Such was the case for the Empire did not want their allies to learn they were being opposed by such a wrong, immoral, disgusting rebel army. They were the Vengeful Claw, the brain child of the Dracogonarious soldier known as Old Fang, a guerrilla composed of individuals who had considered themselves wronged or unfit to live in the Dracogonarious Empire due to its noxiously imposing laws, as well as individuals from other races such as the Spinker, Bonio, Marinar and Gezzirak who had distaste for their own governments. The Claw was meant to be a government by the people for the people, free of the oppression encouraged by the Emperor and his lackeys.
At her private chambers, hidden away at the underground complexes of Planet Mimetismo, Old Fang read through various reports as she drank wine from a glass. The leader of the Claw tend to remain alone a majority of the time unless she had to speak to her generals, and she passed her eyes through databanks which gave her information about the current state of the Dracogonarious Empire, obtained by various spies hidden away in their territory. The terrorist leader was aware of the Marinoxidiz, the Loron and the Corruptus, things that made her somewhat worried due to the terrifyingly livid nightmare she suffered before learning of the demons' existence. Unlike the scholars of the Empire, the Old Fang knew of Essence due to bothering researching about it, as she was not above the idea of supernatural things existing unlike practically all scientists of the Dracogonarious Empire.
Eventually, the chambers' doors opened, and an imposing Dracogodasimer warrior entered it. This was Kaeron Vangardus, Old Fang's second-in-command and adoptive son, who brought with him various armored soldiers and what appeared to a large cage, protected by series of shields. Inside of this cage were a trio of Malcaeum demons, disarmed of their curved greatswords as they roared and whined, trying to rip the cages open but being electrocuted if they tried. Old Fang turned her head to Kaeron as she arrived, putting her glass down as she watched him and his men.
- Old Fang - Ah, Kaeron. I did not expect you to return so soon.
- Kaeron - I have news, mother. Good, and bad news.
- Old Fang - The bad news first. Let us get them out the way.
- Kaeron - The new Marinox have destroyed the homeworld. We have lost Draka-2.
- Old Fang - ...Surely you jest with me.
- Kaeron - I do not, mother. The planet has been reduced to an asteroid belt.
Old Fang let out a groan as she passed her fingers through her eyes. As much as she opposed the Empire, she did not want Draka-2 destroyed. If anything, she wanted to liberate it from the Emperor's oppression.
- Old Fang - At least the Emperor is dead. News have spread that one of the demons who command the Marinox personally murdered him.
- Kaeron - Indeed. Now, for the good news. As you can see, we have managed to capture a handful of the demons used by the Marinox... Such horrid creatures, mother. Merely standing near them drives men to fits of fury.
- Malcaeum - Roooaaaaaahhh!! Rip you apart! Limb from limb!
- Old Fang - They are surely toxic already.
- Kaeron - However, our scientists have successfully synthesized their energies, and our men have been able to harness it. Watch it.
Nodding to a Spinker soldier next to him, Kaeron proceeded to take a step back. The Spinker proceeded to remove his helmet, revealing his skin had become darkened and spikes had grown across his forehead, giving him a macabre appearance. Old Fang put a hand on her chin as she watched the Spinker's body grow a faint black aura, and as he focused and raised a hand, a sphere of dark purple energy manifested on his grasp. Signalling for the other soldiers, Kaeron pointed in front of the Spinker, and his companions proceeded to bring a ragdoll into the room, made in the shape of a Dracogonarious dummy, and as it was placed in front of the entropic soldier, he proceeded to launch his sphere at it, causing the doll to explode violently, sending pieces of it flying across the room.
Old Fang watched the scene with an inquisitive, yet clearly pleased look on her face as workers entered the room to clean the mess caused by the ragdoll's destruction. It appeared that her research had been a success.
- Old Fang - Impressive, young man.
- Kaeron - We can use this power, mother. We can weaponize it against the Empire.
- Old Fang - And now that they have these Loron on their doorsteps, there is nothing stopping us from striking from behind. The resurrection of the Marinox has brought us the opportunity we have been wanting for the last three hundred years, Kaeron. Patience has its benefits.
- Kaeron - Indeed. And once the Empire has been brought down, we will use this power against the Marinox themselves. and even them will have to bow before you.
- Old Fang - Prepare yourselves, all of you. The Vengeful Claw will rise at last!
The soldiers proceeded to salute to their leader, including Kaeron, and they proceeded to leave her chambers, taking the Malcaeum with them. Old Fang returned to her reports, a grin forming on her face as she elaborated the next step of her scheme. The Dracogonarious Empire had a new enemy lurking on their shadows, and they were in a disadvantage. Attacked from all sides, Jerkon and his allies would have to make haste, for their doom appeared more imminent the more time passed.
Wrath of the Harbinger[]
A massive force of Corruptus demons, Errrbots and Loron assaulted the Dracogonarious world of Volganos. This arid and volcanic planet was important for the Dracogonarious Empire for its great industrial attributes including being the home of the empire's largest shipyards. The Corruptus had surely attacked the planet with the intention of crippling the empire's navy. As typical from a demon attack, the skies were darkened in blackened fog while the planet's infantry fired upon hordes of demonic creatures and Loron troopaz who tried to destroy them, and Jerkon's team had immediately travelled to the planet in order to protect. To lose Volganos to the Marinoxidiz was to be a terrible defeat, and he could not allow such to happen. The Dracogonarious captain himself fired his assault rifle at the hordes of enemies as they approached the perimeter they had landed in, while Koluap cackled loudly as he fired his incendiary rounds at the Loron, setting them on fire. Herquie maneuvered through the enemies through series of spins as he cut them down while Thea'Nhirara and Macin kept the demons occupied by the use of their vast Dream Energy powers, releasing volleys of essence blasts which landed into the demon armies like artillery fire.
Leaping into the fray, Kithworto fired wave after wave of Kicathian munitions at his enemies; bright beams of white energy pulsing at the demon hordes and Loron, burning through their armour and flesh, whilst Psi unleashed blasts of even greater waves of beams, carving through the ground almost effortlessly, amid his battle roar. Grabbing a Malcaeum fiend by the head, Mu growled and squeezed it until it exploded on his grasp, showering the Agent in demon blood. Several dozen Loron Troopaz rushed towards Warlord Titanozor, who promptly let lose several sounds of cluster grenades that send the charge into dissarray and gore. Titanozor began his own charge, unleashing his hammer and jumping up to knock it straight into the heads of oncoming Loron troops, using a forcefield to extend the hammer's reach.
- Mu - Since when do the demons have Loron with them?
- Koluap - Since now. And boy am I loving killing these things!
- Psi - Whoosh! Eat it you...you things!
- Herquie - And who's that meant to be?
- Mu - Agent Psi. It's like me, but another one... kinda.
- Titanozor - I'm rather bored of fighting Loron, once you've killed more than you can remember...
Moving on as they cut through the demons and Loron, the team met up with the commander of the Dracoognarious forces stationed at the planet, a Dracogodasimer female of great size who appeared too busy shooting to notice them approaching until several moments passed, when she turned her head to face them.
- Gavakar - Eh? What?... C-Commandant Jerkon?! You're the reinforcements?
- Jerkon - Correct. Identify yourself and give us a status report.
- Gavakar - Of course, sir. I am Admiral Gavakar. We've been hit pretty, pretty badly. There's some sort of leader monster ahead, who's practically nuking our forces with some sort of power.
- Thea'Nhirara - It is the Lympharian named Harbinger. A greater demon of the Corruptus.
- Gavakar - Who are these aliens? I assume they're friends of yours.
- Kithworto - There is little time to talk here. We must move.
Loron and Errrbots began pouring into their position, and Jerkon and Gavakar immediately counter attacked with their rifles. One of the mad creatures tried to hit Koluap with a hammer of sorts only to be shot across the head, while Mu delivered a blow to another which sent it flying backwards, crashing into other Loron. While this was occurring, Titanozor provided cover fire with his cluster grenades at oncoming forces.
- Mu - Why are some of the Loron black?
- Loron'Kikra - YA CANT JUS ASK SUMONE WHAI DEYR BLAK
- Kithworto - It looks like what happened to the Kicath. Keep your distance.
- Gavakar - Onward! Break their very bones from threatening the Empire!
The Harbinger of Shu'rimrodir
As the team cut through more and more demons and Loron bands, they could see another entity emerging in a distance. Standing at an assumed six meters from head to feet, it was a reptilian-looking creature of sapphire-coloured scales who carried a large spiked staff which it waved around as it attacked the Dracogonarious' soldiers. The entity rose a hand, causing the soldiers to float through the air before clenching his fist, causing them to immediately explode on the spot. Their essences left their remains and were immediately consumed by the entity.
- Harbinger - I am the Harbinger of Shu'rimrodir. I am the mere first of many more nightmares this universe will face.
- Psi - What's he on about?
- Titanozor - The *First*? You mean, the least!
- Thea'Nhirara - That is him. Take caution, for he is more powerful than any of the entities in this demon army.
- Jerkon - He will fall like the rest.
Jerkon and his forces opened fire at Harbinger, though they could see their shots being absorbed by an entropic shield around the demon which deflected them out of their course. As the entity turned its cold, emotionless gaze to the team, it swung its staff at their direction, and they could see pillars of entropic crystal erupt from the ground at their direction at high speed. Jerkon, Herquie, Gavakar and Mu were forced to jump out of the way to dodge them. Kithworto dived out of the way of the crystalline path set by the demon, whilst Psi, armoured took the brunt of one of the crystals shunting from the ground and sent him high into the air. Titanozor's leg became trapped by one of the crystals, but used his hammer to smash his leg out.
- Jerkon - Ranged weapons appear inefficient.
- Titanozor - There is an old Grimbolsaurian legend, of a gigantic beast throwing passers by off a bridge. It was defeated by someone going beneath it and stabbing upwards into its buttocks.
- Koluap - Heheheheheh.
- Herquie - So you're suggesting we attack from below?
- Titanozor - Yes, but getting beneath him, perhaps from underground would be a difficult undertaking. None-the-less, we could burn our way through with energy weapons.
- Loron - GET AWAY FROM DA BLUE CRYSTAL DOOD I WANT HIM FOR MA HOUSE LATA
A Loron threw himself in front of the team, only to be launched off view by a crystal erupting from the soil.
- Kithworto - Idiot.
- Koluap - Flying bugs!
- Herquie - Ugh. Focus, damn you.
Charging ahead, Herquie prepared his blades as he approached Harbinger, dodging the crystals as he did but eventually receiving a blast of entropy to his face which sent him straight to the floor. Mu cracked his fist as he did a charge of his own, aiming to deliver a blow at the demon but only to get his hand stuck as Harbinger's staff collided with it. The demon proceeded to launch the Kicath over his head, crashing him into the ground.
- Mu - Ouch.
- Harbinger - You are hopeless. Your universe will burn to a crisp as per my god's demand.
- Titanozor - We need to distract him enough so one of us reaches a less defended spot.
- Gavakar - Oh, I have just the thing for that. Cover your eyes!
Gavakar ran up to Harbinger's general direction and took out an explosive, throwing it in front of the demon. Out of it, a large flash of light was blasted, causing Harbinger to recoil back and cover his eyes as he was blinded. And so was Koluap, who screamed as he put his hands over his eyes.
- Koluap - Aaaaaah! It's all white!
- Psi - What's white?! I can't see anything!
- Macin - You bring more dumb people to the war!
Seizing the moment, Loron troopaz and Errbots charged at Koluap. Titanozor shouted a warning at Koluap, but had run out of cluster grenades at this point. Koluap looked around in confusion until Herquie grunted and jumped at him, rescuing him before he could be caught and causing the Loron to bonk heads with each other, making Titanozor roar with laughter. Meanwhile, Thea'Nhirara and Macin Xermilin fired their energies at Harbinger as he was distracted, causing the demon to screech out in pain as their energies conflicted with his.
- Thea'Nhirara - He is vulnerable, attack now!
Titanozor charged towards the demon, aiming straight for its legs, trying to slice at its tendons so it would fall. However, Harbinger kicked out as he was in pain, knocking Titanozor off his balance but protected by his armour. Kithworto aimed his rifle, taking in a deep breath before firing in the direction of the blue demon's eyes, whilst Psi, whether in stupor or intention, fired manically with his launcher towards whatever he could hit first. They could all watch as chunks of Harbinger were tore off as the demon was damaged, and it made a last desperate attempt to save itself as channeled Nightmare Energy through its staff, releasing a shockwave of dark power which was strong enough to overpower Thea'Nhirara's essence. Koluap yelled as he ran the opposite way while Jerkon, Gavakar, Herquie and Mu found themselves fling away, their armors all charred. Kithworto was sent scraping across the floor, his armour flaking off from the blast of entropy, whilst Psi, heavier in frame was simply toppled over. Titanozor's armour crumpled like paper as well, but molten, so he shuck it off. He knew that one more blast like that would be the last he would take. However, it appeared the demon would not attack again for it struggled to remain standing, using its staff as a crutch as several chunks of its body were missing.
Titanozor lept into action once again, this time he threw his hammer at the demon's staff, snapping it in two. Harbinger fell as his staff collapsed and as it hit the floor, its body crumbled on its entirely, the demon letting out a roar as its energies erupted from its body in a blast. Immediately, the team could see the other Corruptus demons around the world vanishing, and most importantly of all: the skies were clearing as the black fog slowly dissipated.
- Koluap - ...We won?
- Gavakar - The invaders are vanishing! Victory!
- Titanozor - Now it's time I found some new clothes!
- Jerkon - This... is the first time we have managed to repel an attack... I must say. Good job, everyone.
- Thea'Nhirara - I bring good news.
Thea'Nhirara levitated into view, and the team could see she had her tentacled arm wrapped around a Loron, who struggled as he could not break free of her grasp. A prisoner.
- Loron - LET GO OF ME MAN
- Kithworto - For what purpose are you keeping that Loron alive?
- Thea'Nhirara - I have heard it speak something which is of interest to us. I could see it mentioning "Zazane boyz".
- Loron - YEH WELL YOR NOT AS TUFF AS DA ZAZZIE BOYZ AN EVEN DEYZ NOT AS TUFF AS DA LORONZ!!!
- Jerkon - ...Those Zazane we have encountered have fought these creatures too?... They are a potential ally to our cause.
- Titanozor - Explain all the dead Loron then.
- Loron - ...yoo jus got lukky dis time
Visit of Crudire[]
Crudire; a world bordering the edge of what had once been the capital sector of the Third Sovereign Domain, a planet swiftly transformed into an industrial powerhouse and, following the devastation wrought upon the previous capital-world of the migratory Zazane of the Sovereign Domain, a temporary facility to house the remnants of the assets of the Emperor, his political associates, and the Slayer Guard that had been almost decimated during the assault. Tyraz Breek, the current Emperor of the Third Sovereign Domain, had been recovered in the ruinous ashes of the old capital-world following its destruction and, after several days, returned to face the public in their confusion and outrage - they were inquisitive as to how such an attack could have happened and the cause behind it, with those political allies within the Sovereign Domain refusing to inform them of the truth of the matter.
Tyraz had been waiting with patience within the assigned meeting room; accompanied by several Slayers, he was adorned in his formal black Imperial armour and robes, and had kept largely quiet despite having anticipated the event for the past few days, showing not excitement but rather concern for both himself and those troubled few that desired his attention. To him, and to many Zazane, it would come to appear that they had migrated beyond their former universe to escape the threat of extinction into another that treated them perhaps precisely the same. After moments of waiting, his guests finally arrived: Tarygan Tersly walked in front of other Dracogonarious diplomats, accompanied by Jerkon, Koluap and Windey Spinkarius who held the month-old Maryah in her arms. The angelic Thea'Nhirara levitated above the ground, glancing around the room as she did, and once they approached the Zazane emperor, Tarygan bowed slightly to him as she spoke.
- Tarygan - Greetings, Emperor Breek. As spoken previously through communications, we seek the aid of your people.
- Tyraz - Yes, I am aware. The Loron, if I recall. Hmph, it has been years since we have come to blows with them in large-scale warfare, I shall say this.
- Jerkon - We possess no knowledge of these aliens, but they speak of your people. It appears they have some degree of respect for your power, and therefore you should be aware of means to combat them. The Corruptus has obtained their help, alongside a new breed of dark, demonic Loron.
- Tyraz - The Corruptus, hm? ... How irritating, it worries me how they are causing trouble for others beyond our own realm. But experience with the Loron is what we Zazane have to offer; they are by no means an easy people to break, but even they are not as indestructible as they may believe.
- Koluap - Why are we here, we don't need help! I know just the way of killing the things. Set them on fire!
- Windey - Shut up, Koluap.
- Koluap - Aww.
- Tyraz - You are not wrong, Spinker. Excessive and unconventional violence is often required to keep the Loron down for long periods of time, as standard military practice merely tickles them. ... Yes, to combat those that are savage, one must fight them as a savage for otherwise they spit in the face of your conventions and protocols.
- Koluap - Excessive and unconventional violence, eh? I like the sound of it already!
- Tarygan - With this said, can we agree that your people will aid mine in our war against these 'demons'? Remember, the longer they linger on, the higher are the chances they will return to your galaxy and attack it once again.
Tyraz placed his hands upon the table they had all taken a seat at and raised himself from his chair, prompting his guards to back away some steps; the group could see as, through the Zazane Emperor's armour, black, enigmatic vapour rippled through his veins and steamed from his flesh - an Essence they had not encountered before, alien to the universe they were born into.
- Tyraz - They laid their bewitched claws upon my people, and with them they tore apart our pride. "Demons", you call them... You have not seen how our people fight. For their treachery, I shall ensure that not only will my armies assist yours; they will bring our enemies down onto their knees begging.
- Koluap - What's up with the guy? He's burning or something.
- Tarygan - Marvelous. Our alliance can be considered sealed in this case. With you and the Delpha Coalition in our side, the Loron stand no chance.
Tyraz nodded, his eyes glimmering with a reddish illumination momentarily before seating himself once more, his guards returning to the stance they had assumed before as they calmed in his presence. Unbeknownst to the group of politicians and soldiers, a much smaller figure of Zazane-like stature - the young Kezoreg, a bastard child of the Emperor - glanced upon their discussion from afar, his eyes scanning over them all before settling his eyes upon the even younger infant the aliens had brought with them. Maryah looked back at the Zazane hybrid and broke out of Windey's arms, as she was too concentrated on the discussion to keep holding, and she walked over to Kezoreg in all four as she had not yet learned to walk on her legs only. The rather unsightly creature looked down at the crawling Maryah and said little, for he had not yet learned to speak, and fell onto his rear as Maryah approached, having backed into a wall without noticing it.
The girl tilted her head from side to side as she looked at the Zazane baby, curious of what he was. Raising a hand, she slowly attempted to make physical contact. Kezoreg squeaked as the infant's hand touched the edge of his snout, staring at the young girl in what would be considered a combination of curiosity and mild fear, although his worried expression soon shifted and calmed as the hybrid Zazane exhaled lightly, reached an arm and tickled the underside of Maryah's armpit. As the girl let out a giggle, it brought the attentions of the adults, and at the sight of Kezoreg, Koluap let out a loud, high-pitched scream as he immediately grabbed his shotgun and aimed at him.
- Koluap - Thing! THING!!
- Jerkon - For Draka's sake.
- Tyraz - That thing... means no harm to your child, for it is yet to learn how to harm. For now, it is as docile as any other infant. It's name is Kezoreg.
- Koluap - The hell is that meant to be? Are all your babies this terrifying-looking? Because holy shit that thing is ugl-
Before he could continue, Thea'Nhirara's tail slapped across Koluap's side, throwing the Spinker into the floor.
- Jerkon - Why did we bring him with us, I do not know. Ignore him, Emperor, for he is idiotic.
- Koluap - Bit rude.
- Tyraz - That... is not my "baby". Merely a pet brought from our migration into this plane. Nonetheless, I shall ensure the mobilisation of my forces will be swift to accompany yours. I would deem it an honour to practice war with the Loron hounds once more, and to satiate revenge upon those otherworldly fiends that thought it a clever plot to drive my wrath.
- Tarygan - We will be awaiting for you at the Milky Way for when the beasts strike again. I believe we are done for now, so we shall make our leave.
The Emperor passed the aliens a nod, glaring towards the infantile Kezoreg with detest as he reached out a hand and dragged the hybrid from Maryah's grasp with a firm tug, exhaling a heavy, tired, and irritated breath as his father's clasp tightened around his own wrist. At that point, Tyraz stood, bowing to his audience with courtesy and respect, and proceeded to turn and leave the meeting room with his Slayers, forcing Kezoreg to walk at his side without another word to be said. As he and the Dracogonarious parted ways, the last thing Tyraz could feel was a glare piercing through him as Thea'Nhirara's eyes watching him and his child, though the feeling was gone before anyone else could take any notice.
Terrorist Attack[]
Soldiers of the Dracogonarious, Spinker and Bonio marched forward as they clashed against the forces of the Corruptus at the Spinker world of Throokrod, one of their empire's largest cultural centers. It was at this planet where the Spinker made first contact with the Ernai, their first major enemies in galactic affairs, nearly 800 years in the past. Because of this, the planet was considered a staple of their freedom and their superiority over galactic conquerors and madmen as well as a popular tourist destination for those who wanted to learn about the lore behind the Spinker's Battle of the Fourty Stars. Now the planet found itself once again attacked by hordes of conquerors and madmen as the demonic fog of the Corruptus engulfed it, Loron and Loron'Kikra working side by side to destroy everything in their way. As artillery rained down on the enemies of the Dracogonarious Empire and killed the hordes of demonic monstrosities which accompanied them, the Spinkers found their precious planet, a symbol of their history, slowly being turned into a battered battlefield once again.
For the mobilised Zazane legion that had been assigned to defend Throokrod, however, they found themselves thriving in the conflict that had been instigated here; accompanying Dracogonarious and Spinker soldiers were armour-clad Zazane warriors, equipped with multipurpose guns that morphed according to the situation and vibroblades constructed of what the Zazane deemed "Shidium" - a versatile material brought with them following their departure from their old plane. Their advanced technology and swift adaptation to the battlefield allowed them to cut off enemies from vital control points while a detachment of one of their fleets were present in the skies, bombarding the aliens with death from above.
Hordes of Kikra Caste were born as the Shu'olerthae took over the bodies of unfortunate soldiers, though many of these would end up trampled or stomped by the Loron as they ran up to the allied forces' location to attack them head on. Leading the invasion was the fearsome Loron'Kikra Propa Big Warboss, Ray'loth, who ripped apart all Dracogonarious, Spinker or Bonio who were unlucky enough to stand on his way. A savage killer with an armor made of bits and pieces from the equipment of his defeated foes, Ray'loth was virtually unstoppable, roaring out as a breath of entropic energy came out of his mouth and sent enemy soldiers flying, killing them with little difficulty.
- Ray'loth - FER DA DEVOURA!!!
- Bonio - I-it's too much! That thing is too strong!
- Rayl'oth - YOR DAM RITE IM TOO STRONG YA WUSS NAO PREPARE FER DA SLAPPENIN
The Zazane soldiers were driven into frenzy by the sight of the powerful Rayl'oth rather than fear, while cautiously steering away from his position, and challenged the militia he had brought with him to this once populous world, covering for Spinker and Dracogonarious regroups so they may re-organise and strategize accordingly to the approach of the colossal barbarian. However, the battle would take an odd turn with the arrival of several spaceships who immediately began deploying drop ships. Their design was clearly of Dracogonarious origin, and the sight of them caused many soldiers to start sighing in relief.
- Dracogonarious - Reinforcements have arrived!
- Ray'loth - GUD. MOR PEEPZ TA KILL.
- ??? - Death to the oppressors. Death to the fiends. Death for all who oppose the Claw!
Out of the drop ships came several soldiers of many races, including Dracogonarious, Spinker and Bonio much like the armies which were fighting in this very world. However, they were clearly not Imperials or Republicans as they immediately opened fire on both sides of the conflict. Their deformities were visible as they had charred, darkened skin and glaring, piercing eyes, while spiked protrustions grew out of their hides and poked out of their armor. They were of the Vengeful Claw, and they were corrupted by Entropy. The soldiers of the Empire were taken completely off guard as the Claw initiated bombing runs on both the planet's cities and the Corruptus forces, killing large numbers of individuals on both sides. Zazane, too, were caught in the following explosions and, surrounded by demons, Loron, and now these "traitors" of their allies, were beginning to faulter in their performance, although they did not stall and instead divided themselves into further taskforces to attempt controlling the situation unsuccessfully.
- Bonio - What treason is this, Dracogonarious?!
- Dracogonarious - They are not our allies. They are terrorists!
- Ray'loth - OI WAT DA HELL YOO PEEPZ STOLE OUR STYLE DATS NOT FAIR
- Claw Soldier - All will become ashes as the Old Fang commands!
The allied forces watched as the Vengeful Claw's ships began setting the world ablaze, causing the land to be engulfed in flames as they burned everything. The Dracogonarious soldiers appeared greatly discouraged as they began signalling to their Spinker, Bonio and Zazane allies.
- Dracogonarious - Retreat! This is a lost world!
- Spinker - ...You better have a very convincing explanation for all this, Dracogonarious!
Much to the dismay of their Zazane enforcements, what remained of the terrestrial militia was swiftly pulling back from the battlefield while Zazane warriors covered for their escape, allowing a majority of the deployed Dracogonarious, Spinker, and Bonio that had survived the sudden debut of the Vengeful Claw to escape with their lives while they lost their own. The planet was eventually abandoned as the military was defeated by the Vengeful Claw's surprise attack, though Ray'loth was nowhere to be seen, having presumably escaped. The Vengeful Claw was not something the Dracogonarious Empire was willing to make public, but now they were cornered as their old enemy had surfaced with entropic powers of their own...
- Claw Soldier - ...Keheheheh... All burn... All...
The Allied Reaction[]
More terrorist attacks were being detected across Dracogonarious Empire space as their forces began mobilizing to deal with them. By extension, they found themselves locked in a defensive position as the Corruptus were now free to attack certain parts of the Empire. The Dracogonarious always strived to keep the Vengeful Claw's existence unknown to their allies, but as their doom appeared more and more apparent the more the Loron pushed into their space, they saw no other choice but to finally open their mouths. Using private communication channels devised to be too difficult for the Claw to potentially intercept, Tarygan Tersly contacted the Dracogonarious' allies to give them context about the terrorists.
The Zazane were present in the meeting, though Tyraz Breek was not present due to personal matters and was instead represented by his delegates. Kithworto and Mu were present within the Kicath commander's cruiser, Kithworto sitting within a chair within a darkened room as he sat somewhat slumped in the archetypal Kicathian fashion, awaiting words to be spoken.
- Tarygan - Greetings. I must inform a new obstacle has appeared in our war against the entities known as Corruptus. The Spinker and Bonio are already demanding explanations regarding a recent attack which occured in one of our colonies. An attack which involved what we refer to as "Vengeful Claw".
- Koluap - Vengeful Claw? What kind of name is that? Absurd, I should say.
- Kithworto - I agree with the Spinker. Though by your tone I assume this is...serious.
- Titanozor - Last time I heard a name like that, it was the ship of a second rate pirate.
- Tarygan - The Dracogonarious Empire has made efforts to hide the Claw's existence from galactic affairs for reasons not relevant to this meeting. However, due to new circumstances, we must inform you of what they are for they are currently acting against us. The Vengeful Claw are a faction of terrorists who seeks to destroy our Empire.
- Mu - You Dracogonarious should employ some Agents. No terrorist would escape. Heh.
- Kithworto - Imagine the media coverage.
- Tarygan - They are usually not given much attention for they are vastly inferior to any of our nations in size or resources. However, they have acquired new power which has extremely negative implications.
On her screen for the others to see, Tarygan displayed the images of the Claw's invasion on the same planet where the Dracogonarious and the Zazane fought against the Corruptus. They could clearly see the demonized soldiers of the Vengeful Claw shooting both sides down. Titanozor's anger at the concept of such dissent was clear, though this time it was passive.
- Tarygan - They have the Corruptus' power too.
- Kithworto - How interesting. Problematic, but interesting.
- Mu - At least it looks like they're as much against the demons as we are.
- Tarygan - With the threat of "demonized" terrorists lurking around us, we cannot combat the Corruptus properly. The Claw is attacking strategic points in order to sabotage and further weaken our efforts. Considering their actions, they appear to be doing so in order for us to be completely overwhelmed by the demons.
- Kithworto - Then it is safe to assume they are somewhat connected. In goals at least. Even if they aren't, we shouldn't treat them any different.
- Tarygan - Correct. The Vengeful Claw needs to be stopped so that our attention can return to the Corruptus.
- Kithworto - You know the Claw better than I do. I suppose we'll be following your lead.
- Titanozor - Is it possible we can trick the Vengeful Claw somehow? Use them to damage the Corruptus, in return, get their forces utterly decimated. It is possible we know the Corruptus's possible movements more than they do...
- Tarygan - An interesting idea. The Corruptus appear to be doing a beeline to the direction of the current location of the Empress and Supreme Advisors. Likely, the Marinoxidiz want to behead the Empire and then spread to other directions. If the Claw could be lured into their path, it would slow both of them down.
- Kithworto - And how do we do that?
- Titanozor - We make our lure as lucrative to them as possible, perhaps unexpectedly to them; and encourage more of the Vengeful Claw to arrive.
- Koluap - I like that! You guys got brain over those lanky legs of yours.
- Jerkon - Uncalled for.
- Koluap - Heh. Joking, joking.
- Kithworto - Saying that we lure them towards the Empire implies that you must let your guard down.
- Tarygan - There are no wars without sacrifices. If it means the eventual defeat of both the Claw and the Corruptus, I am willing to do anything.
- Titanozor - We will trick them into having made false victories, we will be the ones in control. It's an old DCP trick, to give the illusion of freedom.
- Tarygan - We will devise and prepare a lure immediately. If there is nothing else to add, I believe we are done with this conference.
- Titanozor - It will be my pleasure to support this avenue, as rebels of any society disgust me.
- Koluap - Ah yes. Rebels. My second favorite thing to shoot at!
- Kithworto - If the element of surprise is in our favour, then I'll support it.
- Tarygan - I will be contacting you again once results are obtained. Tarygan out.
Loron Boss Arguments[]
Using Titanozor's idea, the Dracogonarious Empire began spreading baits through their territory, spreading rumours that the Supreme Advisors had been moved again in order to attract the Vengeful Claw into the Corruptus' path. And eventually, the plan paid off as the demon servants of the Old Fang were caught in the path of the Loron. In one of the lure worlds of the Empire, Hagto'Zhl, Ray'loth and Zr'Ahgloth were just done killing an invading force of Claw agents, followed by hordes of Loron boyz.
- Ray'loth - i dunt rememba da dracogopeepz lookin dis spiky befor
- Hagto'Zhl - meh who cares wes gonna kill dem all regardless. oh an i shuld note i kill dem betta dan any of yoo ESPECIALLY DA BLU FAKE ZR'AHGOTH BOY
- Zr'Ahgloth - hahahahahaha man yor such a bad troll i swer
- Hagto'Zhl - whos sayin anyfin bout trollin ya losa
- Zr'Ahgloth - YA MOM
- Hagto'Zhl - WANNA SLAP???
- Zr'Ahgloth - BLUD ILL SLAP YOO SILLY AN SHANK YA LIL BOYFRIEND HERE HURHURHUR MAN YOR SECOND IN COMMAND IS SO DUM COMPARED TA MINE wher is he anyway
- Ray'loth - ded probs hurhurhur
- Zr'Ahgloth - oh ma dayz yoo shut up man i swer to god yoo stoopid blak peepz is dum. im not racist btw
- Ray'loth - BUT I AM. STOOPID FLIPPIN BLUE PEEPZ WHAI DO WE NEED DEM DEYZ USELESS AN NOT-DEEMUN-Y
- Zr'Ahgloth - IM SORRY I CULDNT UNDASTAND. I CULDNT TELL IF YOO WAS TALKIN ABOUT YASELF OR YA MOM WIV DAT SENTENCE
Ray'loth roared out in anger as he tried to charge at Zr'Ahgloth, though he was stopped by Hagto'Zhl who held him by the arms.
- Hagto'Zhl - dunt botha man roz'tah'flok sez we need him fer sum dum reesun
- Zr'Ahgloth - i ent delt wiv dis much stoopid since i confronted gratz'kaoz' massiv crew an he didnt even dunt me cuz his ships were dum. BTW I FORT GRATZKAOZ AHAHAHAHAHA YOR SO DUM YOO NEVA FORT HIM
- Ray'loth - wat da hell is a gratz'kaoz
- Zr'Ahgloth - yoo didnt kno? oh ma dayz how dum is yoo
- Hagto'Zhl - gratz... gratz... OH. HIM. YEH I KNO HIM HES MA SERVANT THO AN HES ATTAKIN DA OTHA DIREKSHUN. WHAI WULD YA FITE HIM ANYWAY HES A WEIRDO
- Zr'Ahgloth - WAIT WAT
- Hagto'Zhl - YEH HES A KIKRA BOY JUS LIKE US. but hes kinda scary akshully we had ta keep him chained so he wuldnt kill everyun on his ship
- Zr'Ahgloth - yeh man me an him our rivalry goes way bak. i killed his orphanage wen i was jus a kid. an i took ova da loronz at dat age too btw. but anyway hes been out fer ma blood eva since but i dunt care my empiya is like way bigga an we got da kralgie boyz an WAIT A MINUT WHAI AM I BEIN POLITE TO YOO INSTED OF SMAKIN YOO UP
- Ray'loth - wat da hell is a kralgie
- Hagto'Zhl - PLUS DATS ALL FAKE CUS IM DA LORON BOSS NOT YOO COPYCAT DUMBO
- Zr'Ahgloth - YOR NOT MAN YOR SUCH A STOOPID CLONE YOO EVEN STOLE MA RAPPIN STYLE AN MA BLING AN ALL DAT. I BET YOO EVEN STOLE MA PIZZA COOKIN.
Before they could go on, a flash of light appeared before them as the massive Roz'Tah'Flok manifested, and promptly smashed them all down with his staff.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - SHUT UP ALL OF YA GO KILL PEEPZ
- Zr'Ahgloth - YEH HAGTO YOO HERD HIM SHUT UP AN GO KILL PEEPZ
- Hagto'Zhl - dats not fair
- Roz'Tah'Flok - YOO KNO WATS ALSO NOT FAIR? MA STAFF UP YA BUM. SHUT UP AN GO KILL PEEPZ
- Zr'Ahgloth - also yor disrespectful cos yoo forgot da roz'tah'flok rap in his presenc
Zr'Ahgloth pulled out a fake mic and began "rapping" the "Roz'Tah'Flok rap, silently under his breath so that Roz'Tah'Flok wouldn't notice that he'd forgotten half the words. The Loron god closed his eyes and nodded in acknowledgement before vanishing from sight again, expecting them to quit bickering and move on to the next target. The Dracogonarious would not kill themselves... unless the Vengeful Claw got to them first.
Sabotaging a New Ally[]
Arriving from the Ottzello Galaxy, the infamous Kralgon Emperor with a fleet of ships used by the New Kralgon Empire arrived in the Milky Way. While armed to the teeth, this was typical of all Kralgon fleets. One could not tell whether they were here on a diplomacy mission or for war. The fleet, packing hundreds of Kralgon Killships and Obliterators among other AI Weapons of war, strode into the galaxy just coming out of hyperspace.
The Kralgon Emperor was here to recall Zr'Ahgloth. The HXT threat in Ottzello could not be combated by anyone other than the incredibly biologically strong Loron, and even Kralgon technology was being overrun. The Kralgon leader had been contacted by Tarygan Tersly, and they had agreed to meet near Dracogonarious Empire borders in order to discuss the matter personally. Choosing a neutral planet to meet up, the Supreme Advisor awaited the arrival of the Emperor alongside Jerkon, Koluap and a squad of Royal Guard marines who had been brought to protect them all.
- Kralgon Emperor - I trust you speak on diplomatic terms?
- Tarygan - Indeed. Greetings, Emperor of the Kralgon.
- Koluap - Oh boy, it's the guy with the monitor wife again.
- Jerkon - Quiet.
- Kralgon Emperor - Thank you for the warm reception. I am here because one of my subordinates has, I feel, been fighting in this galaxy for longer than I'd like him to. Much longer, given that we are currently facing threats of extinction in Ottzello. I was wondering if you knew more about this.
- Tarygan - The description of your subordinate fits one of the Loron leaders currently sided with the Corruptus, who is as of this moment invading Dracogonarious space.
- Kralgon Emperor - Then it is as I feared...
- Koluap - Your pet bug with bad breath is killing our people, mister man! Time to do something about it!
- Tarygan - You have seen the threat the Corruptus poses in your own galaxy. I believe a partnership between our races would be efficient in dealing with them. You get your servant back, and the demon invasions are stopped. The Corruptus are becoming a threat not only here, but in the entire Gigaquadrant.
- Kralgon Emperor - I have no interest for Gigaquadrant politics, but as you outlined, a mutual agreement would be most beneficial. Our fleets will join yours, but we request that you allow us to land a few Pods on some of the worlds here and asteroids, so as to help us set up production for our fleefleets here. They will be withdrawn upon the completion of this war, unless we have to migrate here to escape the HXT threat.
- Tarygan - So be it. We hope that-
Before Tarygan could go on, the space reserved for the meeting was suddenly met with the sound of gunfire as intruders began pouring into it. And soon enough, they were revealed to be the demon soldiers of the Vengeful Claw, here to sabotage the chances of the Dracogonarious getting a new ally. Jerkon and Koluap immediately took out their weapons as Tarygan put herself in cover, while the Royal Guard marines put themselves in position to protect both her and the Kralgon Emperor.
- Claw Soldier - We are the Dark Vengeance who will destroy you all!
- Kralgon Emperor - You are a bother at best.
- Jerkon - Urk. Of all the times they could appear.
- Tarygan - ...As you see, Emperor, the Corruptus is beginning to afflict our enemies as well.
- Kralgon Emperor - Mhm. Noted. I have a few AI Weapons I could teleport here. Want me to introduce them?
- Koluap -Hurry up they're shooting at us and especially they're shooting at me!
- Kralgon Emperor - ...Have you...never been...shot before?
- Koluap - Oh, plenty of times, but it doesn't feel particularly good you know.
A miniature Pod landed in between them, spawning several Kralgon Walkers, which would march toward the Vengeful Claw and fire. They were larger and bulkier than most of the Claw's soldiers.
- Kralgon Emperor - I, of course, have bigger than that, but here you go.
Despite their demonic endurance and power, the Vengeful Claw soldiers eventually fell to the combined power of the Kralgon and Royal Guard though losses were certainly had on the allied side. With the invaders neutralized, Tarygan sighed as she turned to the Kralgon Emperor again, appearing somewhat embarrassed for the incident.
- Tarygan - I apologize for not having chosen a safer location. Our diplomatic missions are not usually this eventful.
- Kralgon Emperor - Not to worry. I keep these pods on hand for reasons such as this. I will admit, I kept this one around due to suspicion of betrayal. You have now gained my trust.
- Tarygan - Excellent. Our combined power will bring an end to both the Vengeful Claw and the advancing Loron.
- Koluap - Pray I don't accidentally set your guy on fire though, because I'm not very picky of who I shoot at!
- Kralgon Emperor - Through the System, I can track - and influence, though not control due to the Corruptus - the location of the Loron. If they are our first priority, you will find me useful in that regard.
- Jerkon - The terrorists who just attacked us are our current priority. They are in the way of combating the Loron. Our efforts are currently focused on getting them out of our path.
- Kralgon Emperor - I see. I will use Pods landed to build fleets and bolster our defensive forces, assuming we cannot predict these strikes, and attempt to intercept any. I will still be tracking the movements of the Loron, however.
- Tarygan - So be it. If there is nothing else to be added, the meeting is concluded.
- Kralgon Emperor - I do not believe so. Thank you for your time.
Another Candidate[]
Gathering the Fleets[]
After the sound defeat of the Spider Lord on Praestol, Warchief Kagu'sai, together with his new Radeon confidante, had been gathering forces - uniting the clans, organising the armies, and training the soldiers for the war to come. The clan worlds of Segmentum Crepusculum, once engaged in endless civil war, were now turned into planetary foundries, their ancient industrial complices dating from the First Realm now united by a single purpose and bolstered with Radeon technologies - churning out starships, weapons and warmachines for the galaxy to see. The fleets and armies that Kagu'sai was gathering were not merely a show of power, though. While the vile Corruptus was defeated in Andromeda, the Warchief knew from his informants among the elder dragons that the foul demons lived on still, multiplying like worms in stars beyond the mother galaxy.
Though his compatriots were in immediate safety, the thought that his foe was still out there, undefeated, gnawed at his Artharon soul, even as he sat on his throne inside his flagship, with Sheophatia at his side. Not even the sight of his armada could banish the thought that his work was not complete, that he could still be defeated. That his newfound reign could end.
- Sheophatia - To be honest, Warchief, I am not exactly sure if gathering an army immediately after you expended most of your forces is the most prudent course of action. Would it not be more sensible first to bring order to your own realm, rather than risking everything in a bold attempt to enact vengeance?
- Kagu'sai - ...Possibly. - the Warchief made a short, yet meaningful pause between words, acknowledging the logic behind his trusted advisor's words and her wisdom - but not the validity of her point. For a ruler of your people, that is. I respect your kin, weak as they are, but we... we are different. There was a degree of uncertainty in Kagu'sai's words, though he did his best to mask it by raising and strengthening his voice so as to sound more intimidating. We, living without your excesses of technology, are like an ocean; though we may look calm to your kind at times, in actuality we are always in motion - and without an enemy, we will move against each other. I will bring order in my realm, but not in the sense that you give to these words - that will only bring doom to our people. Instead, there will be new wars. As long as I live, as long as I reign, the Realm will fight. For a good cause, perhaps, but never for peace.
- Sheophatia - You have quite a way with words, Warchief... - Sheophatia looked at the Artharon ruler again - Or can I call you Kagu? You sound like you were born on Vendespode, and not here in this barbaric desolace of a sector... but you can't lie like us, unfortunately. I can sense your fear.
- Kagu'sai - Have you been probing my mind once again?
- Sheophatia - I do not need that to understand you, Kagu. You're simple. Smart, but simple. You claim your people cannot change - but what cannot change is you. There's one question I cannot answer, though. What do you want? What have you always wanted? Perhaps there is an answer to this question... or maybe not. Yes.
- Kagu'sai - What was that supposed to mean?
- Sheophatia - Nothing. Nothing at all. - Sheophatia smiled, innocently yet at the same time devilishly, but Kagu'sai did not seem to understand her. Now, to the more important business at hand. The mining is going smoothly, the metal resources of the chief clan domains are already so abundant that we do not even have to resort to asteroid mining, not to mention the recycling of old machinery... the first fleet has been retrofitted as you asked, with plasma weaponry and experimental foreign technologies. I have asked our remaining engineers to grant us access to their intergalactic portals near Alkhuse, and my acquaintances in the Milky Way have pin-pointed the location of Corruptus forces. As for the fuel for your ships, we're currently finishing mining andasium to the south, between the Rings. Take a look.
The Radeon showed Kagu a holographic map of Andromeda, of Divinarium design showing the southern part of Segmentum Crepusculum; outside the galaxy's center, but also within direct vicinity of Andromeda, it had been the center of andasium mining for millenia, and even now with its resources nearly depleted, it was still one of the most resource-rich regions of the Artharon realm. As Sheophatia raised her hand, numerous lights appeared on the map, marking the remaining andasium nodes; most of these glowed bright purple, signifying that the nodes were currently being processed - except for one. It glew dark red instead, and its appearance on the map indicated high trace Essence levels.
- Sheophatia - W-w-what is this? Computer, identify the essence type in the region.
- Kagu'sai - ...How does that thing even work? Where do you get that information anyway?
- Map - ...No data available.
- Sheophatia - ...Bad. Very bad. Kagu, it seems that some Corruptus forces were left in the galaxy. Computer, are there any mining ships in the region?
- Map - Negative. The only ships in the region bear the signature of... the Dei'Ar Theocracy.
- Sheophatia - ...Tadjamad's men?! What business does he have here?!
A Dormant Demon[]
Sheophatia knew full well that not all of her people, the Radeons, chose to seclude themselves from the rest of the Gigaqudrant following the War of Ages. The shameful display of arrogance by Tadjamad al'Theless, former War Predictor of the Holy Empire and now self-proclaimed Clericarch of the ‘’so-called’’ Dei’Ar Theocracy, who decided not to comply with the decisions of the Theosophians but rather to continue fighting demons even when his own species teetered at the brink of extinction, disgusted her. Even now, months after he and his fleets departed to elsewhere, something began to burn within her soul whenever Tadjamad’s rebels were mentioned - not true anger, as that would be unbecoming of a Radeon cleric, but rather a lingering, searing contempt. Now she felt it again.
What she didn’t know, though, was that it was not the entire Dei’Ar armada passing through Andromeda, but merely a small scouting fleet - though ultimately, with so many of his men gone in the war, Tadjamad could not afford more than that. Their mission was not to subjugate worlds or to salvage some ancient technology for the benefit of the Holy Empire, as it was usually the case with Dei'Ar crusades before, but rather to mine andasium, just to keep the mainstay of the fleet - currently crossing the rift between Andromeda, Ottzello and the Milky Way, searching for any survivors of the Xhodocto attacks - running.
Heading that fleet were the two youngest High Ordinators of the Theocracy: Lupercal Al'qavsar, drafted from the rebels of a faraway Church world and elevated by Tadjamad for his strong will and charisma, and the adoptive daughter of the late Clericarch, Telfinne Au'jahali. The two rose in ranks together, and grew quite close to each other - the rationality and strategic mind of the former complementing the tactical skill and martial prowess of the latter. That being said, while valued, neither were particularily liked by the Clericarch; Lupercal for his rebellious temper and seeming disregard for the holy mission of the Theocracy, and Telfinne mostly because she was simply... strange. It was largely for this reason that they were given the laborious task of asteroid exploration, or so Lupercal suspected, at least, as his ship, Breviary, made its landing on one.
The High Ordinator quickly donned his helmet and stepped to the asteroid's surface, taking a look at the vast grey expanse that lied before him. Gray. Gray. Gray. Gray. Lupercal squinted his eyes once again. Grey. Grey. Grey. How many shades of it were here? More than a few dozens, he thought.
- Telfinne - Oooh. Look at that. About as lively as Father once was! - Telfinne, having appeared along with her men seemingly out of nowhere, patted Lupercal on the back, a wide grin on her face. Though she had saved Lupercal's life on several occasions, and he was grateful for that, there were times when he wanted to choke the life out of her - and one of these moments was now. Her childishness and failed attempts at humour infuriated him.
- Lupercal - Enough! Let us concentrate on the mission already, Telfinne. We still have to investigate the andasium deposits here. Dajali! - a young Radeon girl dressed in a skintight silver-grey suit padded with black metal armour, stepped forward and saluted Lupercal - Begin the excavation, and bring in the Sader workers.
- Dajali - Yes, my lord.
The engineering team left promptly and began tearing the greyish soil of the asteroid with laser drones, making the astral rock quake slightly - all while Lupercal, Telfinne and their marines watched from afar. Unlike Lupercal who did not enjoy the show in the slightest, Telfinne seemed to delight in seeing the planetoid being slowly torn apart, and the smile on her face extended.
- Telfinne - ...Beautiful, isn't it? The flames and the fires and the rocks and grey and red - lovely, lovely! Needs more puppies, though. Don't you agree, 'Cally? 'Cally?
- Lupercal - ...Telfinne, you're slipping.
- Telfinne - I-I-I- am? - Telfinne suddenly stopped, her smile disappearing almost instantly - I-I-I must have not noticed... my bad. - Telfinne blushed, like a young girl who was just caught misbehaving, and took a book from her uniform's pockets: it was one of the ancient copies of the Masaari Code, dating from the times of the first Patriarchs, that Telfar gifted to her daughter when she was 12. Almost crying, as if reading brought her pain, she opened the book and began chanting quietly to herself, trying to maintain her own sanity. Though worlds may break around me, I stand adamant. I stand adamant, though worlds may break around me. I stand adamant, I stand adamant, I stand adamant. I. Stand. Adamant.
This wasn't the first time Lupercal saw Telfinne doing this. By nature, her mind was not exactly whole; she saw things other people did not, found humorous what others were appaled by, and had a rather strange, if insightful, sense of logic. Though it was in theory possible to cure her, and make her mind whole, with extensive medication, it was Lupercal's understanding that her abilities, that made her so valuable to the Clericarch, partially derived from her insanity, and thus the only solace she could find was through prayer. Sometimes, he pitied her. Most of the time, though, he just wanted to smash her in the face, tired of having to babysit her outside of battle.
As time went on, and Telfinne slowly calmed down, the engineer team returned, carrying with them flying crates filled with crystalline andasium - except for Dajali, who instead held a small, yet heavy metal box that seemed to glow faintly from the insight. Lupercal raised his brow, confused about what his engineer could possibly find.
- Dajali - Captain, the investigation has been successful: large deposits of andasium were succesfully mined and will soon be transported to our mining ship. However, there is one thing I'd like to discuss with you.
- Lupercal - What would that be?
- Dajali - When we were looking for andasium, we found... this. - Dajali came closer and opened the box, revealing a bunch of small, spherical organisms lying within, seemingly dormant. - The moment when we came, our psychics were alerted; they said these creatures are unnatural, and generate an Essence field of high magnitude. I suggest we study these more thoroughly.
Dajali's request was soon realised. As the exploration fleet was in space and preparing for a jump back to the Theocracy armada, Lupercal, Telfinne and a few other important crew members gathered in the laboratory of Breviary, watching no less than a few dozen of these dormant creatures lie in stasis at the center of the room. The creatures were black and round in shape, with blade-like protrusions and wicked-looking horns coming from their bodies; their closed eyes, which were positively huge, were protected by bony rings, which made their visages almost skull-like. Though small and seemingly harmless, their appearance radiated dread - though not to Telfinne.
- Telfinne - ...Look at this! This is- this is- THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE! Just look at these huge eyes and cuddly round bodies! If- if that is not cute, then nothing is!
- Dajali - I suggest you take your distance. These creatures - they are surrounded by an aura that is not known to any of our Essence scientists. Perhaps if we awaken them, we could learn more.
- Lupercal - Is that truly necessary?
- Dajali - Trust me, this system will protect us well. None of the Essences we know can breach the barrier between us and them, and I am not even talking about physical touch. Now, observe!
Dajali raised her hand as light coursed through it and then into the skull-like creatures, like a psychic lightning; the barrier was opened for a few moments and then raised again. Agitated by a fresh dose of Essence, the creatures began to stir. The lights on their bodies began to glow, malevolent red, and their eyes opened, showing the blood-red whites with tiny white pupils. The crew of the ship had only a split second to gasp in awe - or fear - and step back, buying a little time before the creatures fully awakened.
And then instantly broke the barrier.
One of the creatures moved ahead of the others, letting out ear-piercing shrieks as it levitated at high speed at Dajali's direction. Tentacle-like tendrils, many time larger than the entity's small body, formed around it and wrapped themselves around the Radeon as the awakened demon invaded her body, devouring her soul and causing her to mutate in front of the eyes of the rest of the crew. They could watch as her fur turned black and white in mere seconds, and her features turned sharper and more aggressive while bony protusions and tumour-like growths grew out of her flesh. Lupercal froze for an instant, confounded and in utter state of shock, along with the rest of the crew, but he still retained enough composure to say one order.
Retreat!
There were some who hesitated, though, who were not fast enough or not strong-hearted enough; the demons flew after them, taking them down one by one by launching their tendrils at them and leaving them immobilized. They each joined Dajali as members of the Kikra Caste, corrupted zombies of the Shu'olerthae. They had awakened the demons of the Corruptus, a mistake which could only be described as extremely grave.
- Lupercal - ...What are these? Wh- wh- Telfinne? Are you here? Where are you, Telfinne? TELFINNE!
- Telfinne - Ha! Ha! Ha! AHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHA!
In normal circumstances, such kind of insane laughter would have disturbed Lupercal. Now, however, its sound was music to his ears: it meant that she was loose. As Lupercal retreated through the halls and fired at the coming Kikra, Telfinne was right in the front, dodging their attacks with peerless agility and tearing through their bodies with her energy blades. It was during such moments that her madness - and her talent in combat - was the strongest; she danced in battle, moving as if she sensed every living thing around her like if their bodies were her own, all while striking with deadly precision and unparalleled strength. Lupercal wondered: what happened to her when she was like this? Did her consciousness expand somehow and become wider and greater than would normally be possible for a sane Radeon, or did some unnatural force take hold of her? His mind did not focus on such things now, though. He was much more preoccupied with his own survival at the moment.
- Lupercal - To the mess hall! Retreat! Retreat!
Lupercal and his marines quickened their step, helped by the distraction created by Telfinne, until they eventually found themselves in a larger hall where the crew usually dined. The marines quickly formed a defensive ring with the tables and chairs, barricading the entrance - but though the possessed horde was slowed for a while, it did little to halt the advance of the flying Corruptus demons. Lupercal's team began suppressive fire: the Shu'olerthae who had not yet been shot down let out shrieks and hisses as they began colliding with each other, merging their forms and becoming a single black, tar-like mass. The Radeon could watch as this new mass grew in size, becoming larger than the beings that composed it eve though such athing should not be physically possible, as three large eyes grew out of it as well as a pair of massive fangs. Immense tentacles erupted out of the mass and writhed through the floor while large spikes and protusions erupted out of the new creature. A Shu'lorangar, large enough to trample any unfortunate Radeon who could stand before it.
- Lupercal - Threl'a sai.
Shocked, Lupercal primed his rifle and began precise fire, trying to hit the beast into the eyes; those of his soldiers that were still standing did the same. However, their rifles seemed to have little effect against the beast, as it launched its tentacles at the soldiers, crushing their frail bodies with little difficulty as it slithered through the floor, using its tendrils to propel itself forward. Blasts of entropic energy were fired out of its mouth, tearing the hall apart as walls were hit and causing powerful explosions which meant death for anyone caught on their proximity.
- Lupercal - What the- how is that-
- Telfinne - Aha... hahaa... attack his weak spot his eyes and with essence yes essence yes essence! - Telfinne leaped from behind, plunging her blade into the beast's back - distracting and stunning it for a few moments - then running to Lupercal to rejoin him. Breathing heavily, like a wild animal, the Radeon turned to the savage beast.
- Lupercal - What were you just saying? How are we even going to deal with that thing?
- Telfinne - It screams, it fears, it is afraid of light! Light! Light!
- Lupercal - ...I do not understand y- light? You mean Essence energy? Psychic attacks?
- Telfinne - Light, light, light, light...
- Lupercal - ...You heard her! Psychics, one collective attack. Marines, lend their aid to them! Telfinne, attack!
Immediately complying with the order, the elementalists that were part of Lupercal's crew stood still, closed their eyes, began a single, combined psychic attack, bolstered further by the passive aid from the rest of the marines. Their minds coalesced into one psychic entity, which took form first of a ball of faint light, then a focused beam - directed at the Shu'larongar. The demon staggered back and his form writhed and shook, letting out a loud shriek as what looked like faces grew out of its form. Faces of Radeon who spoke in unison.
- Shu'lorangar - Entropy consume you.
- Telfinne - CUPCAKES CONSUME YOU
Unfazed by the horrifying display, Telfinne once again jumped into the fray, this time with redoubled fervour - psychic energy coursing around her. She attacked with brutal, unyielding rage, her energy blades ripping the corrupted faces, showers of greyish, slime-like liquid pouring from the savaged wounds of the demon. Furthermore, with every strike, Telfinne also created waves of elemental energy around her, burning at the creature's flesh so that each wound was cauterised. The sight of wicked blood made Telfinne even more violent, and soon she left behind all her training and composure, resorting instead to what was more similar to just a brutal, savage beatdown; her figure became almost demonic, with sparks of lightning coursing around her further burning the beast as she charged at it with her blades as if they were claws, lacerating, ripping and maiming its flesh, making it growl in pain. All with a grin on her face.
In the meantime, the elementalists and the marines behind Telfinne gathered forces once again and attacked the Shu'lorangar once more: this time, the demon shrieked more intensily as its body began turning into ash, beginning from its tentacles and going to its main body, with the monster roaring out as it was reduced to a thick, black sludge which finally evaporated completely. The Radeon girl laughed one last time, louder and more mad than ever before, and the finally collapsed on the ground, leaving Lupercal alone to ponder: what just happened?
Things were about to become more convoluted, however, with a message from someone called Sheophatia Theraim coming from a nearby vessel...
The Accord[]
Sheophatia was annoyed. Infuriated, even. To think of Tadjamad's Dei'Ar zealots was one thing, and it was painful enough, but to actually see them, even in hologram, talk to them, even separated by walls of reinforced metal and the void of space, made her blood boil. Neverthless, she had to stay calm, as was expected of a true Masaari, difficult as it was with the wild psyches of the Artharon disturbing her mind. The telepathic powers of the Radeons were both a curse and a boon; though they brought them all together, they also made company of the less disciplined unbelievers dreadful. The more she time she spent with them, the more she through like them; even the mental barriers she had created around her own mind could not hold back the Artharons' pride and anger, or their leader's vainglory. Sometimes, they got inside her.
Now there was one of such times.
- Sheophatia - What are you doing here, Tadjamad's rabble?! You, your leader and your theocracy have been banished from Masaari worlds! You are outcasts! Traitors to Spode! You are not welcome here!
So great was Sheophatia's anger, and so unusual and alien for her, that in her fury, she resembled an Artharon in flesh as well as in spirit - at least to Lupercal. With her standing, coarse coat, raised ears and a cruel, almost demonic glare in her eyes, she was a terrible figure, and the Radeon commander stepped back instinctively. It was then when Sheophatia noticed the fear in Lupercal's eyes. Something had terrified him. He had seen something. What was that something, though? She could have peered into his mind, perhaps, but in her anger, she could not muster the concentration.
- Lupercal - Noble Duchess... Margravine... or Countess... - Lupercal struggled with words, still not understanding that one of his own people stood before him - We have no ill intentions towards your people. Our ships were merely mining andasium in the region, but-
- Sheophatia - But... what, Commander? - Sheophatia, regaining some semblance of composure, looked into Lupercal's eyes, trying to get into the confines of his mind to understand what had transpired. There was confusion - muddled with utter shock. What happened to him?
- Lupercal - We were attacked by the local ...fauna. It murdered some of my men and damaged my ship, but, luckly, captain Au'jahali and I were able to contain it.
Sheophatia concentrated her mind and took the image of the beast from Lupercal's mind, analysing its appearance. The memories were faint, blurred with fear, but at the same time strong and highly intense. Sheophatia saw hundreds of miniscule flying creatures, resembling the winged newt-lizards that inhabited the wastelands of Vendespode, flying over the ship, tearing it down and corrupting the Radeons, turning them into warped monstrosities. The creatures then joined together, merging like teardrops into a monstrous, sallivating beast, with tentacles and fangs, ripping through flesh and exuding an aura of primordial, unnatural dread. This feeling, this image, was unmistakable. The same demons that assailed Kagu'sai's homelands were here, too: the threat of the dark creatures the Warchief spoke of was far from gone.
Could it be, perhaps, that Kagu'sai was right, and the only way to end this threat permamently was through blood and war? Or was he just slowly influencing her, converting her with his charisma and bloodlust and coaxing into thinking her into thinking like him? Sheophatia did not know, but it was then when a clever thought entered her mind - almost by insight, as if some revelation struck her. Lupercal Al'kavzar and Telfinne Au'jahali, as she knew, was one of the brightest followers of Tadjamad, gifted with great strategic skills, but also disloyal, to a point. As much as she loathed the Dei'Ar, getting such clever minds on her side, and, more importantly, not letting Tadjamad have them, was an excellent idea.
- Sheophatia - That was to be expected, yes. - Sheophatia said with a smirk, looking at Lupercal with a gaze of artificial arrogance; at last the Radeon realised who stood before him, Congratulations, Commanders. You have passed the trial: the more passionate would have just ended the conversation already, but you...
- Lupercal - What trial? ...You're... you are not an Artharon.
- Sheophatia - You're perceptive, young one, I'm one of you. And can you guess on whose orders I am here, among infidels hostile to us? - Sheophatia knew full well that to coax a person into believing something, one had not to drill the thought into one's mind, but rather to leave an open question, so that he would answer it himself and fall into the illusion of free choice - I suggest you trust your instincts.
- Lupercal - ...You are His Holiness' agent! I knew it! This wasn't just a mining mission!
- Sheophatia - Lord Tadjamad is not stupid enough to waste such potential, young one. - it was painful for Sheophatia to even speak the name of the traitor, let alone praise him - it was in fact more likely that the man sent off his best captains so as to deal with their disloyal tendencies - but this was a necessary sacrifice to fuel the ego of Lupercal and sway him on her side - Let me explain. These creatures you encountered - these are demons, yes, the very same demons that your- that our Clericarch so loathes and wishes to exterminate. They are minions of the fallen Xhodocto, and are an extremely dangerous enemy - it is for this reason that the Theocracy chose not to waste the lives of the faithful. Instead, we decided to enlist the natives of this galaxy, whose armies are much more numerous than our own, but to lead them properly, we need dedicated commanders of our own kind. And that - that would be yourself and your friend.
Sheophatia smiled, while Lupercal rose up, wallowing in self-love. It was no deception, the Radeon woman thought. She got what she wanted and he got what she wanted to hear - was there any trickery in this?
- Lupercal - For Spode and the Clericarch! If His Holiness wants me to serve, then I will serve - and may I be damned if I falter! Glory to the Theocracy!
- Sheophatia - Glory to the Theocracy and glory to its heroes, and may its enemies be impaled on the blades of the faithful! Here is the rendezvous point, commander, - Sheophatia pressed a few buttons on her wrist computer - I will await your arrival here. Farewell!
Sheophatia's vessel turned away and warped back to Artharon space, all while the Radeon woman smiled, proud of herself and her wiles.
There has not been such a great movement of ships in Andromeda in centuries.
All the clans of the great Artharon Realm, all the divided worlds and houses that once warred upon each other now sent their ships, fleets and armadas to this place, a border between the two Segmentums, where distant Artharon marches once battled for dominance. The darkness of space was lit every now and then by the flashes of warp drives, which signified new ships joining the mighty fleet, each of them taking the place in the massive formation that could be seen with the naked eye from nearby worlds. At the spearhead was the flagship of clan Sai, now rebuilt with advanced Radeon and Draconid technologies, but with none of their graceful aesthetics; it was a symbol of pure power, and its wicked, cathedral-like design reflected it, with its long, dagger-like shape, majestic golden ornaments resembling blades and spikes, bas-reliefs, runic symbols and even carved grotesques on its metallic surface - and, of course deadly weapons to crush the enemies of the Warchief.
- Sheophatia - Now that's big, - Sheophatia entered Kagu'sai's room on the flagship, having returned from the expedition - Now how much of the Realm's treasury have you given to the Imperium's foundries to make this ship for you?
- Kagu'sai - Hah! You still do not understand, Sheophatia. This ship is a symbol. It marks the new future for the Artharon people. The glorious destiny that awaits us all! The spiritual bond that will bring us all together and usher in an age of unparalleled prosperity! - the Artharon warchief laughed heartily.
- Sheophatia - Bah. It looks more like you're compensating for something.
- Kagu'sai - What?!
- Sheophatia - Compensating for the past misdeeds of former self-centered rulers who could not unite the Artharon people like you did and whose mistakes you shall surely rectify. Speaking of which, Kagu, it appears that all of your troops have arrived. I would suggest a speech or something.
- Kagu'sai - That is... a sound idea.
Kagu'sai rose from his throne and pressed a few buttons on his ship's computer, trying to activate a holographic camera. After a few failed attempts to operate a Draconid computer, the enraged Artharon slammed the rebellious machine, then shouted a few curses in Khastai - which the computer, strangely, understood, turning on the camera. Smiling, the Artharon Warchief stood up and broadcasted his image to all the ships in the fleet, his voice ringing and booming.
- Kagu'sai - Citizens of the Second Artharon Realm! Warriors of the Great Clans, those who have slain thousands of foes in glorious battles, whose ancestries are honoured and whose families are noble! A month ago, a great enemy sought to vanquish us, to make us submit to its rule. The Corruptus - that is the true name of the diabolical demons that we defeated on Tharrus - thought we would be separated, divided, ripe for slaughter! But instead, we stood together, we united, and we triumphed! But the conflict is far from over. We-
- Sheophatia - Warchief, sorry to interrupt your speech, but there are other ships entering the area.
- Kagu'sai - Who? The Imperium with their portal?
- Sheophatia - Yes, and there are more of them than was expected. It does seem like they want to join the fight as well. There are also some Federal Union ships as well... it seems I have underestimated your charisma.
Sheophatia was not wrong, as arriving in the region were not one but three Imperial battlefleets. Their cubic architecture, emblazoned in iron grey plating and crimson markings emblazoned like warpaint were thousands of the signature warships of the Draconid Imperium. Thir prompt arrival was further announced by communications chatter and the emergence of an alien hologram aboard Kagu'sai's command deck. The creature was modest ,small, avian in appearence and underneath her uniform was a sandy yellow plumage.
- Kagu'sai - Who is this?
- Sharra - Apologies warlord. I am Sharra, admiral of Draconid Imperium's 185th battlefleet. Chancellor Maltris say you don't mind assistance.
- Kagu'sai - Hah, so the elder dragons want to fight alongside us! Good! Then let us march to the fields of slaughter as one!
- Sharra - Agreed. Marines ready and eager and my fleet have been provided with wormhole generator to assist reaching field of battle.
- Sheophatia - This reminds me. - Sheophatia turned to the computer, raised her hand and manipulated it with a few elegant gestures, causing two holograms to appear: a male Radeon wearing the robe-like uniforms of the Dei'Ar Theocracy and his shorter, female compatriot, clad in heavy armour and wearing a slightly insane smile on her face. These are your new advisors. I am sure you will find their skills useful.
- Lupercal - For Spode and the Theocracy!
- Kagu'sai - Good. Good... - Kagu'sai smiled, saluting both officers as he turned the holotransmitter back on, now addressing all of the gathered fleets - As you see, all peoples of Andromeda have gathered here today - united together, united to deal the fatal blow to the vile demons! The Corruptus may fester in other galaxies, but thanks to our new allies, we shall find them even there and squash them like the worms they are - forever!
The entire armada cheered in approval.
- Kagu'sai - Esteemed admiral, open the portal, if you please.
Sharra nodded and squawked her orders in Dracid for her command crew to engage the wormhole drive. Within moments the lead ship, the one Sharra was commander of, fired out a probe that created a gap in spacetime itself, revealing a Milky Way constellation o nthe other side. She turned to Kagu'sai with what he could swear was a proud smirk forming across her beak.
- Kagu'sai - ONWARD!
United, the fleets of the great armada entered the wormhole, vanishing one by one as the abyss swallowed it. However, not everything went as swimmingly as Kagu'sai had planned, for higher forces were watching him, counting his every move...
- Thessera Arcana - So what exactly are you trying to accomplish, Deutera?
- Deutera Arcana - Our order's laws forbid us from intervening directly unless the circumstances are dire, but I am sure that a minor change in spacetime - what could be interpreted as a simple... act of Spode, so to speak... could be beneficial for our goals. Besides, this armada is heading to Dracogonarious territory anyway, so it would not hurt to give them a little... push.
- Penta Arcana - We will see how swimmingly your plan goes. For now, let us concentrate on the problem of an avatar. This... candidate that Thessera suggested - I presume it was you who gave this idea to that Radeon woman?
- Thessera Arcana - It was already in her mind. I merely pushed her in that direction. Now, we will see how well both candidates will do on the field of battle, and whether they shall be able to cope with their desires and their pride.
- Deutera Arcana - A sound decision. But as far as I see, both are quite prideful. It would require more than a battle to test their mettle...
Vengeance for the Devourer[]
Dark Powers United[]
The Dark Vengeance troops of the Vengeful Claw became more numerous as time passed. The war machine of the terrorists demanded more to replace the ones taken down in battle, and Kaeron Vangardus was more than happy to oblige. New soldiers were chosen to be granted the powers of the Nightmare Energy so that they could destroy the vile Dracogonarious Empire faster and more efficiently. And some of these soldiers were not even a trailed elite, as the process of demonification by itself already turned them into killing machines. However, there was one fact the Claw had not taken into consideration about all this.
All things entropic belong to the nightmare god.
Vengeful Claw troopers initiated evacuation measures as their headquarters, the planet they called Garra, was hit by the dark tendrils of the Corruptus' black fog. It had completely changed its direction and gone for them rather than the Dracogonarious, and it had been attracted there by the Dark Vengeance itself. Kaeron helped evacuate the Old Fang as he shot at his former men, mutated, deranged and berserk as they rebelled against the Claw in the spur of a moment. Whole cities were set ablaze as the corrupted soldiers began massacring the population, and soon, Loron and Loron'Kikra forces arrived to the planet in order to lay siege in it as well.
- Kaeron - Damnation! Triple damnation! Damn you demons to the deepest black holes of this universe!
- Old Fang - ... It appears our strategy was, in fact, too bold.
- Kaeron - Mother, pay attention! We need to get to the ship ASAP!
- Ray'loth - MA TROOPAZ NAAAAAO
Buildings crumbled as the Propa Big Warboss Ray'loth tore their foundations, and the Loron'Kikra monster roared and laughed out loudly above its debris as fire rose behind him, Dark Vengeance soldiers giving him covering fire at all times. The corrupted soldiers fell to the power of the nightmare god of the Corruptus, and them and the Loron'Kikra were now the same army. The two biggest threats to the Dracogonarious Empire were uniting to become even stronger.
As the Old Fang successfully retreated from the planet, a groan came out of her as she passed her fingers through her eyes in frustration. Her plan laid in ruins and now not only the Empire but also the Claw were in peril of extinction, and extincting the Empire was never her intention to begin with.
- Kaeron - Mother... what are we going to do?
- Old Fang - Ugh... as much as I hate to do this... call the Empire. We need their help.
Not too long after the attack on Garra, a transmission request was sent to the Dracogonarious and their allies. Tarygan rubbed her chin while Jerkon barred his teeth with his eyes widened as the Old Fang appeared in their monitors, as well as the ones from their allies. Jerkon had only seen descriptions of the Old Fang even though he had chased her through most of his military career, and this was the first time he had ever taken sight of her. His usually aggressive reaction was taken by surprise by both Koluap and Macin, who were indifferent to the Vengeful Claw. Standing beside them was a Zazane woman, clad in hi-tech yet decorative powered armour, a helmet and visor obscuring her face: with the armour attached to her figure, one could barely even tell whether there was a person or not beneath it, let alone a woman. Keldar Taran, the ally that the Zazane of the Ottzello Galaxy had sent to them and the commanding officer of their operations within the Milky Way, held her gun close to her chest. Titanozor stood stern and ready, preparing for a lot of flak from Claw members, for his plan that tricked them to near oblivion.
- Old Fang - Greetings, alie-
- Jerkon - Terrorist scum. You have nerve contacting us.
- Koluap - Woah nelly, the smart guy got triggered.
- Keldar - Calm your nerves. Reserve your ire for later.
- Koluap - ...Who are you again?
- Keldar - I am the support that you requested of the Emperor Breek. Keldar.
- Koluap - Pansy. Sending someone else instead of fighting himself. Well it's good to have you here, blah blah blah, prepare for lots of demon pain.
- Kithworto - How abrupt.
- Keldar - ... Yes, I shall fight your war for you while the Emperor and his men, as well as my own, attempt to settle the daemonic incursion that pesters our own territories. You believe I am content to have to leave the side of my warriors to assist yours?
- Tarygan - Ahem. Now, "Old Fang". What is the purpose of this message?
- Old Fang - My movement has been compromised because someone lured the demons to my headquarters. And now, my own forces turned against me and serve the Loron horde.
- Titanozor - Hah, typical. Rebels breeding rebels, the circle is complete.
- Old Fang - Yes, congratulations. You successfully empowered the Loron horde by merging it with my men.
- Kithworto - We could simply eradicate your territories. Though we found it a better idea to do something smarter and not politically inclined to cause war decades down the line. You should be grateful that you are alive.
- Keldar - Karma has served its course, elder one. Tampering with powers unknown to you is the cause of our dispute now, not our attempts to quell you.
- Macin - Your own fault for dealing with nightmare folk magics, crocodile. Your own! None else's!
- Old Fang - I have little interest in your mocking. I am here to make a proposal.
- Tarygan - And what would that be?
- Old Fang - You will send your forces to my former headquarters and destroy both my forces and the Loron currently infesting it.
Jerkon glared at the Old Fang as he pointed his finger at her screen, a visibly angered frown on his face.
- Jerkon - We will never help your lot, filthy criminal.
- Old Fang - You forget one thing, child. I know more of these creatures than you. My knowledge can be used to your advantage. Liberate my world and I will pledge support to your cause.
- Kithworto - We will hold you to your word. Especially the Empire.
- Keldar - Be cautious as you make your oaths, elder one. To break an oath leads to the breaking of bones.
- Old Fang - I break no oaths, Zazane. It is your precious allies who break promises or forgets them entirely. But this is talk for another day. I should let you know one of the Loron leaders is at the planet right now, and the best way to combat demons is to behead them. Eliminate their leaders.
- Thea'Nhirara - ...She is not wrong. How do you know of this?
- Old Fang - I've had time to study many things.
- Kithworto - Hm. One wonders how we can trust you.
- Old Fang - You can't. And I can't trust you either. But desperate times call for desperate measures.
- Titanozor - Then trust that we will grind what is left of your rebellion to dust, should you break this profound honour of having my side.
- Old Fang - So be it. The coordinates for the planet have been sent. I expect you to not leave me waiting.
With this, the Old Fang's transmission came to an end. Jerkon delivered a punch to his desk in frustration, causing Koluap to yelp out in surprise for a split second.
- Jerkon - This is unacceptable.
- Macin - You will do the deed and defeat the nightmare folk leader. Do as the Angel Shaman says!
- Keldar - Means not that we are required to be satisfied with this outcome. To coincide our cause with terrorists is almost insulting.
- Kithworto - It is a means to an end, true. I would certainly feel more comfortable if such means were a little less vague. Though...that being said, if needs be, you can just do away with both at the same time if trust means nothing to you.
- Mu - Hey, at least we get to shoot terrorists, demons AND terrorist demons at the same time.
- Kithworto - Hm. Does sound like fun.
- Keldar - While you muse of our enemies, it appears it is up to I ensure that we still have men to fight with. There are other heroes beside ourselves that have already laid their lives down upon this dreaded line. ... Too many are dying and I find little to laugh of about it.
- Koluap - Those are fighting words, mister.
- Keldar - ... Madam.
- Koluap - Like I can tell.
- 'Kithworto - An ancient Kicathian proverb. 'The summit of victory is made by mountains of corpses.' I think this applies.
Titanozor tipped his head in acknowledgement.
Battle for the Claw Headquarters[]
Following the coordinates given by the Old Fang, the allies forces travelled to the world of Garra, which now laid trapped in the devilish nebula of the Corruptus. Landing on the world, they could observe all structures had been destroyed already, the cities were in flames and the skies were a combination of smoke and demonic energies. Jerkon, Koluap and Herquie led the forces of the Dracogonarious Empire, while Macin Xermilin and Thea'Nhirara provided them support alongside numbers of Kralgon weapons. A large cadre of Agents led by Mu and Kithworto set foot in the ashen earth, as the two commanders gazed into the destruction and mayhem on the planet. Keldar, a small battalion of Zazane warriors at her back, grunted as she observed the battlefield ahead of them, raising her rifle and preparing it for the battle to come while her men cleansed and polished their sacred and renowned vibroblades. Titanozor, flanked by two knights and a squad of the DCP's Ultratroopers descended, and surveyed the distance for signs of the scurrying movements of demons.
They eventually detected the approach of enemies as corrupted Claw soldiers charged at them, rising from the debris of the city like zombies rising from their graves. They were feral and wielded no weapons, but still retained their armor, showing they had lost their minds completely. In a distance, a huge Loron'Kikra watched them, picking up what looked like a very crude megaphone and speaking.
- Ray'loth - URM EXCUSE ME WHO DA HELL IS YOO
- Koluap - Oh ouch my ears.
- Kithworto - That's...a disgusting accent if I ever heard one.
- Keldar - Hound.
- Ray'loth - AKSHULLY DA NAME IS RAY'LOTH. DA PROPA BIG BAD WARBOSS RAY'LOTH OF DA DARK LORONZ AT YER SERVIC... well not at yer servic im gonna flippin rip yas apart
- Kithworto - Any plans?
- Keldar - Yes; divert him from his men. Loron are at the fiercest in number and if we can either take him from the rear or draw him from his enforcements we attain a higher chance of disposing of him... An easy battle you should not expect either way, however.
- Kithworto - You could have said 'split the Loron'. That may have been quicker on the ears.
- Keldar - I wanted to hammer the point to those that may think different.
Keldar turned her head towards the direction of Koluap, passing a faint chuckle beneath her helm. The Spinker himself was too occupied screaming at the demonic Claw members to notice.
- Ray'loth - WELL I WANT TA PLAY A GAEM. ITS DA "YOO DAI NAO" GAEM. PROPA FUN. I GOT SIK NOO TROOPAZ AS YA CAN SEE AN I WANNA TRY DEM OUT. SO YOO DAI NAO
The demonic, deranged Vengeful Claw members roared at the allied force's direction as they charged at them, claws and tentacled prepared for combat. Jerkon's forces retaliated by firing their weapons to shoot them down, while Macin Xermilin fired waves of dream energy at them, setting their bodies ablaze. Keldar raised an arm and bellowed a command in her alien tongue, rousing her men to rush ahead of her, their guns and blades gleaming in the light as they aimed to meet with the demonic insurgents and their allies, while she herself - alongside a detachment of soldiers - rushed to instigate a flanking maneuver as the crossfire blazed. Sprinting alongside the Zazane troops, the Agents charged at the demonic forces, some brandishing their rifles whilst others preferred to simply use their fists to pummel whatever they came into contact with. Kithworto himself used his weapon and fired at the maddened ramble, picking off the corrupted at a distance.
Titanozor dismissed Ray'loth's sloppy tongue and "low-rate" demons, "Is this all the Corruptus would supply, to a Loron? The demons I saw back in the War of Ages campaign..."
Ray'loth laughed almost mischievously as he ran backwards, eventually coming to a halt as he approached large debris left behind from a destroyed building. The Loron'Kikra leader grabbed the debris and using his strength, lift them over his head before throwing them at the allied group. The huge chunk of earth and metal was easily thirty meters long, though before it could hit them, Thea'Nhirara deflected the block away with a telekinetic wave, causing it to crumble before them. Koluap coughed louly as dirt hit him across the face in the process.
- Thea'Nhirara - You will not escape this world alive, half-demon.
- Ray'loth - oh ma dayz YOO HAV TA BE DA UGLIEST FING IVE EVA SEEN IN MA LIFE WAT DA HELL
- Keldar - A mirror has yet to meet one's eyes.
- Ray'loth - WAT AR YA IMPLYIN YA UGLY ZAZZIE BOY GO BAK TA OTTZELLO AN ROLL OVA DA DIRT YA CAME OUT OF
- Keldar - Why filthy myself in dirt when I can bathe in your blood? There is barely a difference to be observed.
- Ray'loth - ok fair point BUT YOR STILL A LOSA
As the demonic Claw agents fell to the allies, they were allowed to progress and chase Ray'loth, who constantly launched chunks of the world at them as he retreated. Eventually, the forces found themselves at the plaza in front of what could be assumed were the ruins of the Old Fang's residential building, and the Loron leader proudly climbed all the way to the top in order to show himself off.
- Ray'loth - yoo fink yoo can beet me? ME??? IM DA second STRONGEST OF ALL LORON. AN YOR JUS A BUNCHA LOSAS WHO OPPOSE MA MASTA. IM GONNA MAKE DINNA an perhaps lunch OUT OF YAS
- Keldar - I would suggest collapsing that building while he remains standing atop it.
- Koluap - Good idea that. Good thing I thought of it!
Taking out a grenade, Koluap threw it at the debris in an attempt to cause it to fall. And while some of it did, Ray'loth's wings opened and flapped, allowing the Loron to remain exactly where he was standing before.
- Koluap - Screw you.
- Keldar - Allow me to show you how it is really done.
Raising the rifle to her line of sight, the Zazane general took aim and proceeded to launch the weapon into boisterous activation, unleashing a relentless bout of energy blasts with the power and ferocity of a grounded turret. She had been aiming not for the head or body of the Loron leader but his gargantuan wings, seeking to ground him as she and her allies were, although due to the creature's demonic affinity she was unsure and concerned whether or not her efforts would bare her fruit. Some grunts came out of Ray'loth as his wings were left tattered by Keldar's efforts, though they appeared to have no effect on his position.
- Thea'Nhirara - It is essence which is keeping him aloft, not his wings... I should have warned you earlier.
- Koluap - Nicely done.
- Ray'loth - IT WAS AN ELABORATED RUSE
- Kithworto - The fact he just said 'elaborated' unnerves me.
- Ray'loth - AR YOO CALLIN ME DUM
- Keldar - ... Do not just stand around. Take positions, it is erroneous to stand in a single group against such opposition. Organise yourselves and we can take him from varying angles.
- Ray'loth - IM SIK OF PLAYIN NAO DAI DAI DAI DAAAAAAAAAI
Wrath of the Warboss[]
Roars and battlecries were heard from all directions as a combined force of mutants and Loron emerged from the ruins of the city, attacking the group from all directions. Keldar groaned, redacting her statement as she turned her attention to the Warboss' reinforcements and fired upon them with her men at her side, some of her soldiers facing Ray'loth's own with blades in hand to attempt cutting them down. Mu found himself charged by a Loron, only to grab him by his arm and then hurl him back at the enemies, trampling several of them. Herquie quickly maneuvered around the brutes to deliver slashes at their weakspots, displaying cold efficiency in his moves. Titanozor and his knights got to work, finding themselves surrounded, using melee and hand to hand at truly cybernetic speeds, the knights only a brisk slower than their Warlord. The broken bodies of Ray'loth's minions went flying. But the Ultra Troopers relied more on their guns, or by simply charging the Loron through the air with flight packs, Using more sheer force than technology, Kithworto grabbed the barrel of his own gun, and, measuring up an approaching attacker, swung the weapon hard enough to fling the creature metres into the air, whilst beating other Loron and mutants to the ground in the same manner.
Eventually, Ray'loth came down to fight, and those unlucky enough to get on his path found themselves torn apart as the Loron'Kikra's arms shifted into long tendril-like blades or tentacles. Koluap attempted to fire his incendiary shots at the enemy's head, and while Ray'loth's huge head was set on fire, it appeared to do nothing but make him angrier.
- Koluap - No. Just no.
- Ray'loth - YOO MAED A PROPA BIG MISTAKE LIL MAN
- Keldar - ... What in Vaxal's name have you done?!
- Titanozor - Good, make him angrier, so he has even poorer judgement.
Mu noticed the arrival of Ray'loth and devised his own plan, preparing him and charging at the Loron'Kikra's huge legs in an attempt to trip him. However, as he approached, Ray'loth's tendril-like arm swung at his direction, sending the Agent flying across the air and fall down in the middle of the ruined capital building. The Dracogonarious and Kralgon forces focused fire on him, though he shrugged off their shots as if they were nothing. His endurance was not natural.
- Kithworto - Alternate plan. Now.
- Ray'loth - GET IN MA BELLY
- Titanozor - That gives me an idea...
- Keldar - ... Instigate an internal assault?
- Titanozor - Precisely, he will think he has won. As they say 'A man's guard is down with a belly full'.
Thea'Nhirara charged her dream energy and released a pulse at Ray'loth, causing the demon Loron to roar out in pain before he lunged at the angel and delivered a punch at her, sending her flying above the air, the strength of his attack shaping her body out from its normal form for several moments until she managed to get back to normal, visibly dazed. Keldar nodded to Titanozor and fired onto Ray'loth with her large assault rifle, attempting to grasp his attention and diverting it from Thea'Nhirara and the others while they diverged in their plotting and analysis for vulnerabilities in the demonic titan's armour.
- Knight Arresarius - I will do this deed, for I am the only one with essence abilities who is not an essential hero in this war. This is a journey no-one here can return from!
- Jerkon - All who die in war are heroes. You are no different.
- Arresarius - You are all more needed than I. This I sense that much.
- Ray'loth - yor makin me mad... VERY MAD... IM SO MAD... IM GONNA DESTROY YOO
The Warboss's Null State
The several shots he had received, including the dream blast and his foul mood took the toll on Ray'loth as the allied force could watch his body mutate. Bony spikes erupted out of his skin and a dark purple aura engulfed his being as he grew in size ad his muscles became swollen and mutated. A red, fiendish light was emitted from his three eyes as tentacles grew out of his body in large numbers, and the Loron leader was nearly unrecognizable. He had become something far worse than a Loron'Kikra.
- Thea'Nhirara - ... Null State.
- Arresarius - It is time. Or we will all be destroyed!
And with that, Arresarius marched headstrong towards Ray'loth. The mutant Loron leader roared as he lunged forward, his tentacles writhing across the ground as he threw his jaws at the Knight, devouring him whole in one bite which also tore off part of the nearby soil. After that, there was a dreaded pause, had the knight's sacrifice been for nothing, Titanozor pondered. Ray'loth appeared unphased, and began to approach the others. Unsure of what the knight had in mind to begin with, Jerkon and his forces desperately shot the Loron demon, though Ray'loth eventually came to a halt as his eyes widened and he held a tentacle over his stomach.
- Ray'loth - urgh... i feel like i ate somfin bad... MITE HAV BEEN DAT ONION PIZZA... URK-
From his insides, an explosion of essence blasted outwards, causing a substantial chunk of the Loron leader to explode, sending his demonic flesh and blood flying across the landscape and showering the allies forces in it, much to the disgust of many of them. Ray'loth screamed as he shivered and struggled on the ground, part of his body missing and with him left completely disoriented. And open for a final strike.
- Ray'loth - aaaaaAAAAAAAAHHH!!!
- Macin - All power! Fire! Shoot! Shiny weapons full force!
- Keldar - Assume combat positions! Maintaim aim! ... Fire into the crevice!
Combined rays of dream energy were launched by Thea'Nhirara and Macin while Jerkon, Koluap and their forces alongside the Kralgon fired all they had at the fallen enemy, Herquie keeping a distance due to his lack of ranged weapons. The surviving remnants of the detachment of soldiers Keldar had brought with her aimed their weaponry into the wound caused by the Knight's astonishing sacrifice, a combination of energised ammunition with ballistic rounds being launched into the fleshy crevice of the injury, while Keldar herself utilised her rifle to fend off the remains of Ray'loth's reinforcements. Aiming the entirety of their wrath at the Loron'Kikra's stomach, Mu, Kithworto and the Agents unleashed wave after wave of their rifile weaponry at Ray'loth, Kithworto roaring as he did so.
Titanozor and the remaining knight also fired vicious rounds within to Ray'loth's gaping wound, burning it so it wouldn't grow back. Titanozor felt his foot nudge against something. It was Arresarius, taking his last breaths. "I aim to see th-at, abomination fa..ll to oblivion before I... do." If anyone who knew Titanozor looked right now, they would see some tenderness for the first time as he held up the skeletal remains of the fallen knight. "Watch..."
- Ray'loth - AAAGAAAAAHHHH!!! HAGTO'ZHL... IM SOZ... BUT I SWER DIS IS AL YOR FAULT AN NOT MINE!!!!
The combined fire tore the Loron apart completely, his remains burning away in purple-coloured flames which caused the monster's demonic form to be reduced to ashes. With the death of Ray'loth, the remaining corrupted Claw husks in the world suddenly dropped dead on the ground, and the skies began clearing as the black fog of the Corruptus lost its grasp on the world. They had succeeded.
Lifting her rifle over her shoulder just as she had got done finishing a bout of swordplay with a clawed daemon, Keldar looked to the others and lifted the visor which covered her eyes, allowing her to see her companions without the addition of scanners and various other visual add-ons.
- Keldar - Mission accomplished, time to evacuate.
- Koluap - ...Oh.
- Herquie - What?
- Koluap - She is... soft looking.
- Herquie - Oh, give me a damn break.
- Keldar - ... I beg your pardon?
- Thea'Nhirara - A leader of the demonic Loron horde falls. But do not yet celebrate for this one was a mere pawn. Their true master still lives on, and will definitely attack again.
- Keldar - We must make haste and regroup our forces for the next assault. The demon rebels shan't hesitate to maneuver themselves back into the advantageous position they had before, even if we have deprived them of it for now.
- Kithworto - Regardless. I enjoyed myself.
- Mu - You can regroup as much as you want, missy. I'm taking a break here. I got smacked way and I don't feel part of my torso.
- Titanozor - My forces, come. We shall take this hero home.
- Keldar - ... My condolences, Warlord. An unfortunate loss for sure, though I knew not of him, I am certain he was a brave man in life.
- Titanozor - Much thanks. But do not despair, for he died knowing he would be immortalised in the annals of the DCP's Hall of warriors.
- Koluap - Why can't you be this cool, Jerkon?
- Jerkon - Silence yourself. We must return to our respective worlds. The terrorist leader will surely contact us again. We shall see if she will honour her word.
- Kithworto - If not, then I suppose it is just more 'candles in the dark' that have to be snuffed out.
- Mu - Break first. Ribs broken.
Several hours later, the Old Fang indeed contacted them again. And much to Jerkon's surprise did the allied forces receive many reports detailing the Vengeful Claw's full knowledge about the Corruptus and their Nightmare Energy, as well as maps of their activity in their territory.
- Old Fang - The Claw will scout for you, making sure all advances of the demon threat are detected and promptly informed to you. With my influence and means of gathering information, they will not able to deliver any form of sneak attacks unless they literally teleport inside your worlds.
- Kithworto - In that case, we now know what to expect.
- Jerkon - You are dedicating a lot for someone who wants to destroy the Empire.
- Old Fang - Foolish boy. I don't want the Empire destroyed. I want it liberated. Destroying it would ruin all I stand for.
- Kithworto - And what do you stand for, exactly? I am still making my mind up about you.
- Keldar - We all have our causes, yet we must place them aside if we are to last this war.
- Old Fang - I stand for a people who wants to be remembered and not abandoned. But I will not waste my breath on my philosophies considering this is not the time or place for it. All efforts must be focused on defeating the demon threat.
- Kithworto - Then what is our next plan of action? Oust every single planet of the Corruptus' presence in your territory?
- Old Fang - That I need no help with. What you should do next is find the supreme leader of the Loron and destroy him.
- Kithworto - That...we might need help with.
- Old Fang - And as promised, I am here to provide what I can. But do not expect me to babysit you.
- Jerkon - We do not need your help anyway.
- Old Fang - Your attitude is just what I expected it to be, Commander.
Undying Corruption[]
Da Propa Big Planet Crusha[]
At the proximity of Kaizox, Hagto'Zhl had temporarily split from Zr'Ahgloth and his forces as he paid a visit to a barren world where his Norol'Kikra were developing his great, extremely clever and proper plan to defeat the Dracogonarious. Or at least, it looked like a barren world until one realized it was in fact a planet-shaped construct, currently still under development created by the efforts of both the Norol'Kikra and the Errrbot servants of the Marinoxidiz. The construct was roughly spaceship-like in form, filled with crude-looking edges and decorations typically seen in Loron design, and Hagto'Zhl laughed gleefully as he walked through its corridors. Even though it was not yet ready and exposed to the vacuum of space, neither he nor any of his servants appeared to be bothered by it.
- Hagto'Zhl - DIS IS ENDIN UP JUS AS GUD AS I WANT. DAT MEENS IT NEEDS TA B BETTA
- Norol - Project "Propa Big Bad Planet Crusha" should be completed in a matter of a month at most. The presence of the Errrbots and other demons of our master have truly hastened our progress.
- Hagto'Zhl - dats gud yeh. as soon as dis baby gets don da soona i can go ova to da drakogonas an SMASH DEM AN ALL OF DEYR HOMIES TOO. DA MASTA WILL B PROUD OF ME
As the Loron'kikra leader boasted his egotistic schemes, a shadowy fog emerged near him, manifesting the form of Arrtkar Crowart, who looked at Hagto'Zhl with an indifferent, if not slightly amused expression on his deformed face. At the sight of the greater demon, Hagto'Zhl immediately did a salute.
- Hagto'Zhl - sup boss
- Arrtkar - Ah, Hagto'Zhl. I wanted to talk to you. First of all, a status report about your planet crusher has been asked by Errr.
- Hagto'Zhl - da pronounciashun is PLANET CRUSHA fer startas. AN ITS GOIN SIK AS YAS CAN SEE DA CHIKZ SEZ ITS GONNA B REDI TA CRUSH PLANETS IN LESS DAN A DOZEN DAYS
- Arrtkar - And how much is that, exactly?
- Hagto'Zhl - a small numba TRUS ME ON DIS ONE
- Arrtkar - Very well then. I also bring news which are relevant to you. The subject is your servant, the one called Ray'loth.
- Hagto'Zhl - last time i herd of him he went off ta kill sum peepz an go sik noo troopaz i bet hes killin lots of dumbos atm hurhurhur
- Arrtkar - He is dead.
- Hagto'Zhl - SEE I KNEW HE WUS GONNA KILL LOTS OF PEEPZ HURHUR... wait wah
- Arrtkar - Ray'loth is dead, Hagto'Zhl.
The Loron boss looked at Arrtkar in silence for several moments before screaming in rage, delivering a kick to a nearly Norol so hard her body was torn in half instantly, being sprayed over the walls in a shower of blood.
- Hagto'Zhl - YOR TALKIN RUBBISH MAN DATS NOT FUNI
- Arrtkar - I don't jest on my job, Loron.
- Hagto'Zhl - no no no dis cant be... not ma homie... WHO DID DIS??? IM GONNA RIP DEM IN HALF
- Arrtkar - The Dracogonarious and their allies did it. Therefore I suggest you hurry up with your mishap of a weapon. Errr is not the only one growing impatient with you.
- Hagto'Zhl - i cant beleev dis... DIS IS AN OUTRAGE IM GONNA MAKE DESE DUMBOS WISH DEY WERE NEVA BORN AAAAAAAGGGHHH
- Arrtkar - Forget not the use of the blue Loron leader. Use him to your advantage. Now I will be making my leave, for I have things to prepare. Like the rest of the forces once you fail horribly.
- Hagto'Zhl - IM NOT GONNA FAIL. IM GONNA DESTROY DA IDIOTS WHO FOUT DEY CULD MESS WIV ME. IM GONNA STOMP DEM TIL DERES NUFFIN TA STOMP. AN ONCE IM DON IM GONNA STOMP DAT COPYCAT DUMBO TOO CUS I DUNT NEED HIM!!!
A smug laughter came out of Arrtkar as his body dissolved in black fog once again, leaving Hagto'Zhl to vent out and rage by himself. The Dracogonarious and their allies defeated one of the Loron leaders, but the others were still alive and plotting against them. And their time was becoming more and more limited.
Mac's Nightmare[]
Mac found his limbs locked in position across what felt like an experimental bed, his arms and legs locked by extremely advanced-looking mechanisms. The room he found himself in was very badly lit, and what light he could see was reddened. There was a deep silence in this room, not a single sound could be heard except Mac's own. The feeling of loneliness, of uncertainty and of paranoia as Mac found himself isolated was not something that was new to him. And yet, Mac felt these things even more than he normally would. To feel a worse sense of closure from everything around him, of fear, and of despair, this was not something that happened to Mac often. His cynicism kicked in, though he kept his optimism up by reminding himself he'd felt worse, yet he couldn't help but shake the fear of what was to come.
Eventually, a light emerged from the dark briefly as a door opened and closed, and a tall figure entered the chamber. It was hard to tell what this being looked like due to being enveloped by the darkness, but Mac could take glimpses of his silhouette as he approached the defeated Taldar with slow, patient steps.
A physiology vaguely like that of a Mahanayan.
- ??? - And this is what one of the so-called mighty god-like Taldar has been reduced to. Pathetic.
- Mac - Who the heck are you?
- ??? - You did not forget already, did you?
Mac got a sense of who it was, but his own wishful thinking made him hope that it wasn't. He spat on the ground, not answering the silhouette. The figure approached the bounded Mac and leaned over him, staring at him with deep, red eyes while his body remained hidden in shadow. His glare pierced through the very soul of the Taldar, and what looked like a serpentine, cyclopean creature was wrapped around the figure's shoulder, looking down at Mac with no visible expression.
- Mac - Sod off. You have no business here. I have things to do. Stop messing with my head.
- ??? - Calm and collected as usual. I will have you kicking and screaming within moments, just like last time.
- Mac - Oh...you.
Mac's fear turned to anger, as he tried to pull himself out. He growled. He was not quite in a fit of rage, not yet. But he wanted out, and not only did he want out, he wanted to take the figure out. The mysterios entity leaned closer and closer, and finally, its form revealed itself. But it was not who Mac thought it was at all. Standing above him was a monster.
- ??? - A broken toy left behind by those who follow the nightmare. Scattered through the floor like a leftover.
- Mac - What do you want from me? Do you want me to kill you? Do you want me to hate you? Why?
- ??? - Want... what do we all want in the end? I want not your bravado, false deity. I want something... else.
The monster leaned up above Mac's stomach, eyeing for several moments until it lifted a claw. The Taldar felt the creature's shapened talon dig into his flesh as it slowly cut through his stomach in an almost surgical manner, though Mac felt more of a sting and discomfort rather than actual pain or agony.
- Mac - What kind of twisted torture is this? Sod that. What kind of torture is this? Am I supposed to feel pain? Am I supposed to be forced into submission? What the heck do you want with me anyway?!
- ??? - Shut it. You are going to wake him up.
- Mac - Wake who up?
Mac felt the monster's clawed hands dig inside his entrails, as if investigating them until it apparently took grasp of something and slowly removed it from Mac's insides. On the monster's arms, Mac could see him lifting a glowing sphere of energy, something Mac could identify.
Not a mere sphere of light. A baby Vyro'Narza.
- Mac - ...You little... Why would you? What do you gain from this?!
- ??? - Me? Nothing. I gain nothing from any of this.
Mac's growls turned into angered screams as he desparately tried to pull himself out. If he wasn't in a fit of rage before, he was now. His confusion, frustration and hatred made Mac stronger than any Taldar powers he had, given how many he had lost. Mac had no idea who this was, but he was done asking questions.
- Mac - I'm tired of your cryptic bullshit! Let me out of this thing or tell me what the heck it is you want from me! Or I swear, I will make you regret this. And everyone of your children will.
- ??? - Okay.
The monster rose the baby Taldar over Mac's head and proceed to let go of it, allowing it to collide against the mercenary's face and blind him completely. As he regained his senses, Mac found himself free, unharmed, and most importantly, facing what his people would call home. In a distance, many Vyro'Narza watched him as he apparently stood at the boundaries of Sequencium.
- Mac - Why are you showing me this? To mock me?!
There was no response. All Mac could see was one of the Vyro'Narza raise a hand and beckon him, as if inviting him to come closer.
- Mac - ...I want to, but this is just gonna be one of your stupid lies. Every time I see that place, it mocks me that I will never enter. I am unfit to. Argh!
The Vyro'Narza spoke among themselves, as if confused for why Mac would not come to them. This time, many of them beckoned him at once, as if believing they had not noticed the first time. Mac found himself trying to float towards them. He knew it was a lie, but then again, he was done asking questions. He figured it might be time to co-operate with the illusion, rather than fight it to futility. And as he tried to approach them, they became more distant. A step worth of distance meant they became a step worth of distance farther away. The Vyro'Narza appeared worried, almost as if they were afraid.
- Mac - ...You're creative. Most of these nightmares involving this realm are a lot simpler than this. I'll give you that...
Mac knew he was only throwing out these insults to try and hide his own despair, and his own disgust. In truth, it was hurting him a lot more than he'd care to admit. The more he tried to approach Sequencium, the more he tried to get back to that life he once had, the more distant it became... and as he did so, the louder the sounds of snapping became behind him.
- Mac - Why don't you answer me instead of dodging every single one of my questions?! Do you want to break me first? Fine! You've broken me! I'm about to break down and weep, I'm about to submit to your will! Now tell me what you want with me, or get out! I'll co-operate with you, I don't care anymore!
And as Mac turned around, he found himself approaching the maw of the monster, filled with more rows of sharpened teeth than he could count, all while the view of Sequencium faded away completely. And replacing the tongue of the monster was once again that vile, wrecked serpentine cyclops. But this time, it spoke.
- Zr'An'Kar - I will never stop tormenting you!
- Mac - YOU!!!
Mac's fit of rage had hit a breaking point. He grabbed his sword and swung it, swung it violently not caring what he hit. Not caring about the fact he could hit nothing but thin air at the moment. And as his fit of rage, his violent sword swinging ended, Mac's eyes opened, and his torment was over. He dropped his sword and cast it aside. He had no idea what he had witnessed, or just why Zr'An'Kar wanted to torture him once again, but Mac was going to head over to get something done. His contracts completed, Mac would now have to do his own research to find out what Zr'An'Kar was doing these days, to find out how he could exact his vengeance.
There was no way Zr'An'Kar was still alive, that was impossible. So there must instead be a demon who was trying to invoke the thoughts of the dead Zr'An'Kar, who was trying to assume the same form. Either way, wherever demonic activity would be found, so would whoever's been playing tricks on him. Mac had no contract to complete, but he did have someone to kill.
Needless to say, his research took him straight to the Milky Way.
The Tale of a Loron who was Rogue[]
Zr'Ahgloth and Hagto'Zhl had taken a break from their march of destruction in the Dracogonarious' territory as they stopped by the outskirts of Kaizox, where Da Propa Big Bad Planet Crusha was being built. As Zr'Ahgloth was told, this was apparently where the old Loron massiv boss Gratz'kaoz was kept, even though he knew Gratz was not supposed to be a Loron'Kikra.
- Zr'Ahgloth - man dis idea of yors is propa stoopid jus liek ya mom an jus liek ray'loth oh ma dayz whai am i wastin ma tiem wiv dis
- Hagto'Zhl - ok furst of all DUNT YOO TALK BOUT RAY'LOTH an second of all SHUT YA FAIC DIS IS DA BEST WEPON EVA
- Zr'Ahgloth - HAHAHAHAHA YOR RAYLOTH DIED MAI THRALOY IS SO MUCH BETTA DAN YORS AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
- Hagto'Zhl - SHUT UP MAN YOR HOMIES A COPYCAT DUMBO OF MINE JUS LIKE YOR A COPYCAT DUMBO OF ME
- Zr'Ahgloth - FUNNI JOKE. YOR MOMS PROBABLY A COPYCAT DUMBO OF MY MOM. BUT I ATE MY MOM COZ IM HARDA DAN YOR EVA GONNA BE LIEK EVA YOO STFU
- Hagto'Zhl - DO YOO WANT ME TA KICK YA ASS AGEN LIKE I DID BAK IN YA MANSHUN??? YOO BETTA SHUT DA HELL UP OTHAWISE IM NOT GONNA LET YOO SEE GRATZ'KAOZ ANYMOR
- Zr'Ahgloth - I BET YOO NEVA FOUT HIM AN WON. I BET YOO NEVA DESTROYED HIS ORPHANAJ WHEN YOO WAS JUS A LITTLE KID AN HE WAS AN ADULT. I BET YOR JUS LIEK DA BIGGEST WANKA EVA. IM BORN TA BE DA BEST EVA LORON. YOR JUS A MASSIV WANNABE. MAN YOR SO STOOPID I DUNNO WHAI IM WASTIN MA BREATH WIV DIS WALL OF TEXT.
After delivering multiple smacks to Zr'Ahgloth's side, Hagto'Zhl opened the chamber which apparently served as Gratz'kaoz's room. Zr'Ahgloth found himself staring at a badly lit prison-like chamber, with a massive Killa Loron'Kikra chained by his wrists against a wall, breathing heavily in rage as his armor was soaked in the blood of his recent victims. It was definitely a Loron'Kikra version of Gratz'kaoz, perhaps twice scarier-looking than the original.
- Hagto'Zhl - who do yoo fink poot him dere? ME. IM DA STRONGEST.
- Gratz'kaoz - GRRR... HAGTO'ZHL... TWO HAGTO'ZHLS? EH?
- Zr'Ahgloth - yoo wasnt dere wen i fout him an won tho. basically dere was dis supa stoopid nerdy boss befor me den I TOOK OVA. an den NO ONE CHALLENGED ME AN DATS COS DA ONLY ONE WHO CULD WAS YOO GRATZ AN I SHANKED YA SO GET REKT AHAHAHAHAHAHA
- Hagto'Zhl - mate whai shuld i care fer ya lais when im da certified loron boss by boff ROZ'TAH'FLOK an DA SIK DEEMUN PEEPZ. jus shut up ok. OI GRATZ'KAOZ HEERS YA FOOD
Hagto'Zhl grabbed what looked like a slab of meat and threw it inside the prison-like chamber, and Gratz'kaoz grabbed it on his mouth before it could hit the ground. He was chained this way for letting him roam freely would definitely be too dangerous for the other Loron.
- Zr'Ahgloth - wait so whai ar we doin dis is da plan ta use him as motivashon ta make peepz hurry up an finish da Crusha earlia?? coz i was finkin we use him ta leed da Massiv Crew wiv da Crusha
- Hagto'Zhl - yor ideas ar dum an yoo shuld shut up alredy. wat im gonna do is use him ta scare da chikz ova da Planet Crusha so dey work fasta
- Zr'Ahgloth - dats good but whai dunt we jus use him as a leeda of da crew wen hes propa scary so we need a scary figahed. MOAR SCARY DAN YOO DATS FOR SURE
- Hagto'Zhl - wat part of IM DA BOSS HEER do yo not undastand SHUT DA HELL UP ALREDY OH MA DAYZ YOR WORSE DAN DOSE FLOATIN DEEMUNS WHO WHISPER AT YOO
- Gratz'kaoz - im no animal fer yoo ta chain up... IM DA STRONGEST LORON EVA!!!!
Using all of his strength, Gratz'kaoz tore out the chains of the walls, tearing out chunks of the walls themselves as he then initiated a charge at the two Loron bosses, growing and roaring in a near animalistic manner.
- Zr'Ahgloth - YOR A MORON MAN
Zr'Ahgloth ran for his dear life, sprinting as fast as he could. Though he had braved Gratz'kaoz once, never again. Hagto'Zhl, however, remained on his spot, and as Gratz'kaoz got to him, the Loron'Kikra boss delivered a punch at his head, sending the huge Loron monster flyng back into the floor.
- Hagto'Zhl - YOO STOP DAT
- Gratz'kaoz - ow not fair
Zr'Ahgloth turned around in confusion and gasped. He slowly walked backwards, hiding his embarassment, and hiding the fact that he had just gained a lot of respect for Hagto'Zhl...and dropped it immediately after when he realised how insane he was being.
- Zr'Ahgloth - yoo...yoo...YOO CHEETED
- Hagto'Zhl - AT WAT
- Zr'Ahgloth - I DUNNO YOO JUS SOMEHOW CHEETED BUT ANYWAYS YOR DUM
- Hagto'Zhl - losa. oi gratz yor gonna go scare da workas an make dem work fasta den yor gonna go kill som peepz fer me ok
- Gratz'kaoz - NO ONE ORDAS ME... but ok ngh
- Zr'Ahgloth - wait one fing i fout gratz had some doods he wanted ta defeet as well
- Gratz'kaoz - YOO... BLU HAGTO'ZHL. WHAI DID YA REMIND ME OF DEM
- Zr'Ahgloth - IMMA KEEP REMINDIN YOO OF DEM TIL YA CALL ME ZRAHGLOTH
- Gratz'kaoz - grrrrr... fre'kloar an his lot...
- Zr'Ahgloth - dat family rivalry is still goin on? man i swer yoo guys need ta make up alredy. also i got a messag da otha day. its from ya student Jol'kiar. he says hes gonna stay outta our way long as we stay outta his BUT WE DUNT TRUS HIM. afta dis planet crusha business YOR GONNA KILL HIM K
- Hagto'Zhl - wat da hell ar yoo two losas even talkin bout
- Zr'Ahgloth - how hav yoo not herd da rumors about da traitors man evryone knows dat story. IF YOO WAS DA TROO ZRAHGLOTH YOOD KNO
- Hagto'Zhl - dere is no traitas in da dark loronz. IT MUST BE SOM DUM BLU LORON BISNESS
- Zr'Ahgloth - DUM LIEK YA MOM ALRITE
A Norol brought in a screen connected to the Propa Big Bad Empire network. After Zr'Ahgloth took it, he input the names of Fre'kloar and Jol'kiar. Da Rogue Boyz appeared on the screen.
- Hagto'Zhl - dey look liek wannabes of Ref'kolar an Raj'liko. dose two is homies wiv eech otha an deyz supa unruly. useful but deyz unruly i can neva trust dem.
- Zr'Ahgloth - definitely unruly. deyz massively dum becuz dey keep actin liek dey can challenge me. DEY CANT NOT EVEN GRATZ CAN HURHURHUR
- Gratz'kaoz - fre'kloar... FRE'KLOAR!!!! YOO FOUT YOO KILLED ME BUT IM BAK!!! AN IM GONNA RIP YA IN HALF!!!
Gratz'kaoz roared and thrashed again, and Hagto'Zhl's arm shifted into a tentacle-like tendril as it enveloped his mouth, trapping it shut.
- Hagto'Zhl - wuld yoo STOP dat alredy
- Gratz'kaoz' - mmgh grrr!
- Hagto'Zhl - well idunno who dis losa is but he looks like a dumbo an i dunt see WHAI I SHULD CARE
- Zr'Ahgloth - lets put it dis way. hes a dumbo but hes an annoyin pest who wont leev us alon. da last fing we want is dis war bein moar complicated dan it alredy is. so insted of havin frekloar crash da Planet Crusha we got two opshuns. eitha hav Ref'kolar kill him or hav Gratz'kaoz kill him. well boff is unruly but i fink i kno which one of dem will get da job don mor efficiently an be moar happy an loyal ta us aftawards dunt ya fink
- Hagto'Zhl - oh ma dayz yor not gonna stop botherin me bout dis geeza isnt yoo. FIEN FIEN. GRATZ AFTA YOO SPOOK DA WORKAS YOO GO KILL DIS FRE'KLOAR LOSA OK
- Gratz'kaoz - FINALLY. A CHANCE FOR REVENJ!!!!
- Zr'Ahgloth - i hope dis planet crusha hurris up tho
- Hagto'Zhl - itll be redi soon. AN DEN DA ENEMIES OF DA DEEMUNZ WILL BE TOAST
God of Bling[]
Using the information gathered by Old Fang's men, the Dragonarious Empire and its allies successfully located what they assumed was the newest target of the Loron, the location with the highest probability for them to encounter their leaders. The Loron and the demons of the Corruptus were assaulting the Bonio colony of Kizah, and the members of the team immediately deployed into the world for the purpose of liberating it. Jerkon, Koluap, Herquie and Macin were the first to deply, leading forces of marines to fight off the Loron invaders before they could cause too much damage. Keldar and a detachment of Zazane soldiers and warriors, accompanied by the presence of a large, armour-clad Zazane figure adorned in black hi-tech armour that obscured its features - a Blacksword -, followed them shortly after their deployment to provide additional support and divide the fire undertaken by the Spinker and Dracogonarious task-forces from their Loron nemeses while aerial vehicles battered the barbarians from above with orbital and atmospheric fire.
- Keldar - Cleave through their ranks and divided shall they come to fall. Leave no hound's body unbroken by your blades... and establish suppressive fire, we cannot let our forces get too hot.
- Kralgon Emperor - My forces will be deployed to the surface of these worlds immediately. They shall be overwhelmed by Kralgon clones.
- Kithworto - We shall make this quick. The less casualities, the better.
- Keldar - ... Says the man who claimed victory was attained upon a mountain of corpses.
- Kithworto - Their corpses. Not ours.
- ??? - wat dis bout mountains of corpsas
In a distance, the allied forces were confronted by none other than the leaders themselves. Hagto'Zhl and Zr'Ahgloth were there in person, with the former looking at the team's direction with what looked like crude binoculars.
- Hagto'Zhl - ...man whai do dese only hav 2 lens. i hav 3 eyes heer
- Zr'Ahgloth - OH LOOK AT YOO ACTIN ALL BIG WIV YA USELESS THIRD EYE MAN YOR SUCH A LOSA
- Macin - It is them! The leaders of the wide-eyes! The enemies!
- Koluap - ...Oh. They're big guys.
- Hagto'Zhl - FER YOO MA DEER LITTEL DUMBO... IM DA BOSS OF ALL LORONZ
- Zr'Ahgloth - HES SUCH A TOSSA MAN. LOOK AT HIM. FINKIN HES DA BOSS. HE KNOWS DATS NOT TROO IM DA REEL BOSS. REGARDLESS IM GONNA KILL YOO ALL DA SAME AN MA BODYGUARD DA WANNABE DUMBO HEER WILL CLEEN UP AFTA ME
- Keldar - No matter how large they may appear, we must proceed with the next step of our master plan; destroying their offenses, with no survivors, and re-restablishing fortifications upon this world while evacuating whatever civilian stragglers we may come across.
- Jerkon - Kralgon Emperor, we have sight of the Loron leaders. Can you confirm the blue one is the one you are looking for?
- Kralgon Emperor - The blue one is the one I have worked with in the past and the one I wish to return to my side, indeed. The other one...I'm not sure what's going on, but the other one is an enemy. I would say that my lack of experience working with the other one would make him harder to predict, but let's be honest, these are Loron.
- Hagto'Zhl - AR YOO CALLIN ME DUM
- Kralgon Emperor - Oh, believe me, I'm not just calling you dumb...hehehehe.
- Keldar - Precisely; black, blue, small, or large, they act accordingly despite how unpredictable they may behave. ... We take the blue one alive, the black one we can execute unless one wishes to instigate interrogation efforts.
- Mu - Sucks. I was hoping we could kill both.
- Hagto'Zhl - only ones dyin heer is YOO. AN DAT HAPPENS NAO. YOO DAIN DAT IS
Hagto'Zhl pointed at the team's direction, causing a horde of Loron'Kikra to charge madly at their directions. Jerkon and his men immediately fired back while Macin Xermilin released waves of essence at them to deter them. Keldar raised her assault rifle and made an effort to aim and fire, although she soon found herself gently shoved aside as her accomplice - the Blacksword she had assigned to her terrestrial detachment - stepped ahead of her and brought forth his curved vibro-blade, energy flowing across its edge as the Blacksword attained focus.
- Blacksword - Permission to reassign and engage primary targets requested.
- Keldar - ... Permission granted.
- Kralgon Emperor - Zr'Ahgloth, Zr'Ahgloth...when I gave you permission to go chase after that Hagto'Zhl, I did not mean do deals with him and his demons. Do you want me to destroy you?
- Zr'Ahgloth - I DUNT NEED PERMISHUN FROM NO ONE IM DA LORON BOSS
- Kralgon Emperor - A Loron boss who's hardwired to my system and has miniature bombs implanted in his skull. Seriously.
- Hagto'Zhl - man it suks ta be yoo hurhurhur
- Zr'Ahgloth - shut up losa yor not helpin
- Kralgon Emperor - This is your last chance. I can use the nanomachines to brainwash you, to destroy you, or you can willingly leave this pathetic fool. The choice is yours! I would advise you choose wisely, but I would not expect you to.
- Zr'Ahgloth - yoo cant control me I HAV ROZ'TAH'FLOK HIMSELF IN MA SIDE NAO
- Kralgon Emperor - Well then! I shall have to destroy you by force! Clones, attack!
The Emperor gave the call. Several Kralgon Pods landed on the surface. The weapons from the pods were instantly primed, and the cloned forces began to spawn in numbers that not even the Loron could match. The Emperor cackled evilly at his own plan as an army of clones that looked like him fired their weapons on a race which was technically his own slave race.
- Herquie - Narcissism at its finest.
- Hagto'Zhl - man DIS IS ALL GOIN WRONG. WAT CULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN TA MAKE DIS DAY EVEN WORSE
However, the Loron could spot, past the red wave of clones and green zaps of light of the Kralgon forces, and all their other enemies, something else was thinning their numbers on the front lines. But it was in melee combat, just the way the Loron liked it. It appeared from a distance that Loron were being smacked by a hammer of energy, but on closer inspection, a warrior with an overcharged sword was ploughing through them, and was apparently untouchable. To Hagto'Zhl, this was just another thing to ruin his day, another thing they hadn't prepared for.
- Zr'Ahgloth - DIS IS WHAI YA DUNT SEND DA WEEK GUYS TO DA FRONT YA STOOPID IDIOT I SWER TA GOD IF YOO LISSENED TO ME WE WULDNT HAVE DESE DUM LOSSES
- Hagto'Zhl - man who cares its jus anotha dumbo jus kill him like da othas
- Zr'Ahgloth - if yoo lissened ta me we wuld jus be able ta sik gratzkaoz on him. BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
- Jerkon - I recognize that warrior... The Taldar mercenary from Ottzello.
- Koluap - Long way from home, eh?
- Keldar - As are my own men. ... Blacksword, status report.
- Blacksword - Loron soldiers diverting from our position, we have suffered minimal casualties and injuries. We can establish a defensive perimeter from which to hold against the enemy and push them back.
- Keldar - Hmph, how very fortunate that the mercenary makes his presence known as of now. Sooner is a better outcome than later, however.
- Koluap - Hey! Why are you here, guy? This is not your galaxy!
- Kralgon Emperor - Our galaxy's better than yours. As such, we handle your wars better than you do.
- Kithworto - Strange claim.
It was indeed Mac, the Taldar mercenary who they had encountered on their way to fight Zr'An'Kar months prior. Herquie himself was nervous of Mac's presence, having nearly died to his blade before, though it appeared clear he was against the Loron as they were. Hagto'Zhl appeared very frustrated and stomped the ground, unknowingly crushing a Norol'Kikra under his foot.
- Hagto'Zhl - WAT IS HAPPENIN HEER WHOS DIS GEEZA
- Zr'Ahgloth - YOOOOO...OI BOYZ NOO ORDA STOP FITIN MAN I HOPE YOO ALL REMEMBA DA RAP
- Keldar - ... Push harder and with greater ferocity before the hounds begin to sing.
- Hagto'Zhl - EX-FLIPPIN-CUSE ME MISTA. WAT DO YA FINK YOR DOIN
- Zr'Ahgloth - I WULD ASK YA DA SAME QUESTON. OI DIS PROOVS YOR FAKE. CUZ IF YOO WAS DA REEL ZRAHGLOTH YOO WULD KNO WHO DIS IS.
- Hagto'Zhl - AN WHO IS DIS DEN MISTA "REEL ZRAHGLOTH"
Zr'Ahgloth whistled to his boyz, who dropped their weapons, and several brought out their ceremonial stereo boom box and vinyl player. The Loron DJ put a disc in, and they all began rapping the "God Of Bling Rap".
- Zr'Ahgloth - IF DA DARK BOYZ DUNT JOIN IN DA WORSHIP OF DA GOD OF BLING DEN DAT PROOVS DEYZ FAKE
- Macin - ...What a horrid melody!
- Koluap - I don't know, it's kinda cool.
- Keldar - A catchy tune that is easily captivated by the mind. ... To a horrendously intoxicating degree, even.
- Mu - Sucks.
- Hagto'Zhl - ...wait. we hav a god of bling? i dunt rememba dat
- Zr'Ahgloth - ...HERETIC
- Hagto'Zhl - COPYCAT DUMBO COMIN UP WITH STOOF ON DA SPOT
The DJ immediately stopped the track and the other Loron turned to Hagto'Zhl. There was silence, before they all got out rotten tomatoes and threw them at Hagto'Zhl, screaming their disgust in "boos".
- Zr'Ahgloth - MAN DESE PEEPZ MAKE ME SIKKA AN SIKKA EVRY DAY. I DUNT MEEN DAT IN A NICE WAY. I MEEN IN A DISGUSTIN "WHY DO WE HAV TA WORK WIV DEM ANYWAY" WAY
- Hagto'Zhl - CUT IT OUT YA IDIOT DERES NO GOD OF BLING. ALL WE HAV IS ROZ'TAH'FLOK, DA DEEMUNZ AN ZR'AN'KAR
- Zr'Ahgloth - YA MISSED OUT 20 OF DEM den agen i cant rememba all deir names BUT YA MISSED OUT ALL 30 OF DEM. MAN DA FACT DAT YOO FAILED TA REMEMBA OUR 40 GODZ OF ALL SORTSA STUFF IS RELLY ANNOYIN ME. I BET DOSE 50 GODZ IS SUPA ANNOYED AT YA
While the Loron were too busy arguing, the Dracogonarious forces used the opportunity to evacuate the innocent citizens of the colony while Jerkon walked over to Mac, hailing him as he approached.
- Jerkon - Greetings. Do you know why these barbarians worship you?
- Mac - Oh, that's what they're doing, is it? I thought they were surrendering in mercy or something. Huh.
- Koluap - What are you doing here anyway? You're far off your direction.
- Mac - And who are you to tell me what my "direction" is, then?
- Koluap - A guy from Plazith Rim talking to an Ottzelloan.
- Mac - I don't take orders from you. Beat it.
- Jerkon - You are in a colony of my empire. You will state your intentions.
- Mac - I don't have any. I have no contract at the moment. I'm here to exact vengeance.
- Koluap - On who? The Dracos? The bugs?
- Mac - I don't know who it is. But I traced his activity to this very spot. And I will destroy him. And if you keep questioning me, and if you dare to get in my way, I'll destroy you too.
- Mu - You're the intruder here, pal. You beat it.
- Keldar - ... Taskforces Kilneld and Diom, redirect a third of your infantry to my location in case of pre-emptive offence against a neutral party.
- Kralgon Emperor - ...I'm not the sort to feel sympathy, but I get the feeling Mac's morals are sort of...twisted from being a mercenary who's not had to follow rules or regulations for so long. Mac, put it this way. Co-operation with us is more likely to help you reach your goal of destroying whoever you're talking about than acting how you currently are; an overly defensive jerk.
Mac spat on the ground, knowing he was right.
- Mac - ...My apologies. I had a vision. I don't want to go into details, but it's personal. Let's just say I tracked someone down here who I, for many reasons, do not wish to continue to allow to live. Let's just say that...someone who I thought was dead isn't actually dead, or maybe he is and he's being...it's complicated. I apologise for intruding on your territory, but be aware I do not wish any harm on your people. There's just something I want done here.
- Jerkon - ...So be it. If this vision brought you here, then chances are it is an act of the Corruptus.
- Hagto'Zhl - -AN ALSO YOR MOMS A STOOPID COW GET YA HANDS OFF ME DUNT YA DARE TOUCH MA HAT I SWER TO GOD IM SO MAD RITE NAO. BOYZ WES RETREETIN
- Mac - I've done some research on the current state of affairs here. These Corruptus guys are no joke, huh?
- Koluap - They're not really funny, until you set them on fire. Then it gets really, really funny.
- Keldar - We were approached by the Plazithians to contribute to the war effort in this region. The state of affairs in this galaxy has been swiftly travelling downhill from that point, even with our own... problems in our region of Ottzello.
- Mu - They attacked the Kicath Empire so I'm attacking their right to exist. Nothing more fair than that.
- Mac - Would any of you people care to have another weapon slinger around?
- Jerkon - All help is welcome. As long as the weapons are not pointed at us.
- Mac - I don't demand any payments. We have common goals, that's enough for me.
Around them, the team could watch as the Loron began retreating due to Hagto'Zhl growing frustrated. He grabbed Zr'Ahgloth by the neck of his suit as he dragged him back to his ship with him.
- Hagto'Zhl - im gonna tell on yoo ta roz'tah'flok an hes gonna be PISSED OFF
- Zr'Ahgloth - an IM GONNA TELL HIM DAT YOO BETRAYED DA GODS I MEEN HOW CULD YOO FORGET 60 GODZ LIEK DAT
- Hagto'Zhl - STOP SAYIN DAT OH MA DAYZ
- Keldar - Terrestrial forces, pursue Loron stragglers for they appear to be instigating a tactical retreat. Atmospheric forces, continue to fire upon them and divide their number so they cannot regroup. Orbital forces, eliminate any Loron craft that seeks exit from this world's atmosphere.
- Macin - Why do you speak in such difficult words, miss?
- Keldar - ... True warriors are more than mere grunts and soldiers, elder one. Beneath the armour, each warrior is a poet, with stories, songs, and tales to tell. ... That aside, we are all as family on the battlefield, and one treats family with formality, no?
- Mu - No.
- Kralgon Emperor - Bah. Soldiers are nothing but tools. Tools of politicians and leaders.
- Keldar - Hmph, lest those leaders be warriors themselves. That is the Zazane way; a man who seeks to guide guides from the front with his weapons drawn rather than the rear humouring the spineless.
- Jerkon - ...Interesting.
- Kralgon Emperor - You place far too much importance on people whose role is to do nothing more than shoot what a commanding officer points him at. Soldiers are just like their weapons; they're just things to be used to destroy. Nothing more. All there is to a soldier is his gun and his mission. Politics determines his values, not traditions.
- Kithworto - If one valued oneself rather than discussed the value of the men they control, perhaps we would have less arguments. But I don't see that happening soon.
- Titanozor's hologram - Sorry to interrupt... My force's atmospheric wing have crippled the Loron's tactical retreat. They are in a state of anarchy and easy picking for armies on the surface. Just tell me when to move our strikes away.
- Kralgon Emperor - That is good to hear, thank you. Let us hope very few of them escape this planet intact.
Without issuing another statement to the vicinity of her comrades, her visor drawn over the otherwise effeminate features of her face, Keldar removed herself from her comrades to rejoin with her soldiers and warriors in the effort of pushing back and picking off the Loron in their retreat; growling and mumbling in her alien tongue after having silenced her communications device for a brief moment, she accompanied the side of her Blacksword second-in-command, talking to him without raising her glance to his direction.
- Keldar - ... Soldiers are merely tools to be used and are purposed to receive orders, the damned fool claims. Pft, men like his still and brew sickness in my stomach, for soldiers, undoubtedly, bare more to them than merely their weapons. Lives, families, histories, names... they fight not because their commanders tell them to do so, they fight because they have lives - their own and others - resting upon their shoulders.
- Blacksword - ... The Blackswords sacrifice our opportunities to coincide with our baseline kin; people, we are not, for the purpose and entirety of our lives are sworn to battle.
- Keldar - ... The Blackswords cannot have families of their own beyond their enclaves, that is true. Weapons you are which cannot be handled by mere mortals, but even with such bleak purpose hoisted upon you, even the Blackswords retain at least some semblance of... family, is that not correct? Names, friends...
- Blacksword - ... Yes. On the battlefield, whether you are bound by familial blood matters not, for it is the blood of our nemeses that binds us. ... My name is Thavakin.
- Keldar - ... Thank you, Thavakin.
- Thavakin - For what?
- Keldar - Many fear the Blackswords. I am of the kind that value them. ... To know one's name brings me great honour.
- Thavakin - Name means little in the battlefield, the Kralgon speaks truth. But it is not the purpose of a soldier that defines his role; it is the cause the soldier fights that dictates such. And no respectable soldier fights blindly with his heart obscured.
The surviving Loron, including Hagto'Zhl and Zr'Ahgloth, managed to escape the colony while the rest were either killed by the Dracogonarious, DCP or Zazane forces. It appeared they were becoming less coordinated, or maybe the allied forces were simply growing more used to fighting their invaders. Nonetheless, the survival of the Loron duo meant the battle was merely postponed. The allied team would have to see, though, how Mac's involvement would affect their war against the demons of the Corruptus...
- Kralgon Emperor - Gentlemen, I regret to inform you that I no longer feel I can contribute sufficient resources to the war effort here. Due to the growing worries back home with threats beyond our control - the UNO terrorists and the HXT swarms - I feel we are no longer able to be involved in foreign affairs. I wish you all the best, but I feel that risking myself and my time to bring the Loron back home is no longer a risk I wish to take.
- Jerkon - That is unfortunate. We nonetheless thank you for your aid to this point.
- Koluap - We'll try and send him to you in case we don't end up shooting him!
- Kralgon Emperor - I will leave a few ships and possibly an AI behind, but I fear the threats in my own galaxy only continue to grow worse. The war appears to be reaching a conclusion very soon. I wish you all the best of luck.
- Mu - Thanks for the 5 minutes of help.
- Kralgon Emperor - Oh, and of course, you too were a pleasure to be around!
- Koluap - Thanks!
- Kithworto - Hmph.
The New Capital[]
A large crowd, composed of Dracogonarious, Spinker and Bonio formed in front of the government hall of Gheralvoz, the planet where the Supreme Advisors of the Dracogonarious Empire had been moved to following the destruction of Draka-2. The young baby Maryah was carried in Windey's arms as she was also present, following an hour spent playing with Mimi after the two of them grew a close friendship over the last several days. Delegates of the Spinker Empire were present as well, and rumours of the government planning to merge with the Dracogonarious were beginning to grow more prevalent through the Spinker race, with many showing either support or opposition through the population. The Bonio themselves wondered why they were invited to this announcement, though many of them began wondering whether their Republic would also be merged with the Dracogonarious Empire, as at the moment, they had been the most damaged by the Corruptus invasion out of all three nations.
As the advisors and the Spinker empress made themselves visible to the public, Tarygan Tersly was the first to speak. This announcement was being broadcast through the entirely of the Dracogonarious and Spinker empires, from the closest colonies to the farthest reaches of their territories. The advisors noticed the Loron were beginning to halt their attacks and used this breathing opportunity to make the announcement they had planned to for several weeks now.
- Tarygan - Dracogonarious, Spinker, Bonio... Dracogodasimer, Dracogovaesis, Marinar and Gezzirak people. We have called for your attention today for we have an announcement which is relevant to all of you. Many rumours have risen speaking of the Dracogonarious Empire and the Spinker Empire merging into a single government... and we are here today to confirm that yes, we plan to do just that. But we are also here to assure you, this is by no means the revoking of the freedom of the Spinker people. As discussed with the leaders of the Spinker, including Empress Spinkarius who has shown great support, this unified government will be one where all of our races will be equal. Not an empire of Dracogonarious and Spinker, but an empire of Dracogonarious plus Spinker.
The crowd became louder as they discussed among themselves. Merging the two empires would certainly make them stronger, but many Spinkers feared this would mean the end of their sovereignty. Empress Windey nodded to Tarygan as she was the next to speak, gesturing for the crowd to stand down for her to talk. The young Maryah looked down at the people from her arms in curiosity, unaware of the great importance she would take in this new empire.
- Tarygan - I will let the Empress speak.
- Windey - Thank you, Miss Tersly... Spinker people! Our time alone has come to an end. We are creations of the Dracogonarious people, that is public knowledge all members of our nation are expected to know, and much of our culture links directly to them. So I ask: why must father and son stay separated? We are two sides of the same coin, and by uniting our territories, we will no longer be two races, but one. A single people, in a single nation, working together for a single goal. And that is survival. We cannot remain separated in the face of death as the aliens pour into our worlds and raze them to the ground. The arrival of the neo-Marinox proves that working together, we can survive! But it will not be me or Miss Tersly or anyone else here who will lead us in our path to glory... it will be this person!
Raising her arms, Windey displayed Maryah to the crowd, who looked at the hybrid girl in curiosity and confusion. The baby herself looked down at the crowd with her tongue sticking out due to being somewhat squeezed on Windey's grasp.
- Windey - A mere baby, you might say, and indeed, this is a mere baby. But this baby will grow under the tutouring of me, Miss Tersly, and all other leaders of our people to become our new empress. A successor to the late Emperor Kronk of the Dracogonarious and myself. This is Princess Maryah, half-Dracogonarious and half-Spinker. A symbol of our unified future!
The Spinker people appeared captivated by Windey's words, and indeed she was always noted for her charisma, while the Dracogonarious themselves found the idea extremely interesting and clever.
- Tarygan - Regarding our Bonio allies, we have had talks to your current vice-president and he has shown interest in taking part of this merging. The Dracogonarious and the Bonio folk have been allies for over 40,000 years, and you know we are trustworthy. Maryah may not be one third of a Bonio, but her symbolism is made to encompass all of you, and those who may come after you.
- Windey - For a future of prosperity and companionship! We are one!
- Tarygan - Draka-2 is gone, but we endure. Let this colony be the new center of our nation, from where we will dedicate ourselves to serve the needs of the people. Gheralvoz is now to be referred to as New Draka, a new home for us. All of us. All of you!
And the crowd cheered, the oppositors being silenced by the positive cries of all races involved. The Corruptus was proven to not be invincible, and the future was appearing bright for the races of this new empire. At least on paper, for the black fog was far from defeated...
Invasion of Kingus[]
It was near immediately following the declaration of New Draka that Kingus, the homeworld of the Spinker race, suddenly found itself attacked by hordes of Loron and Loron'Kikra. The calm created by Ray'loth's death was followed by a storm, and the servants of the Marinoxidiz now attacked the planet at full strength. As the teams landed on the surface, Koluap appeared particularly distressed. His homeworld was under attack, something not seen since the old war against the Ernai Empire, and he would not stand for it. He fired his shotgun, not with a hot-blooded expression like always, but with a look which by itself could kill.
- Koluap - Die! Die! Kill them all! Destroy them all!!
Koluap's hatred was such that even the rest of his squad appeared disturbed, leading Jerkon and Macin to keep distance from the Spinker admiral as they fired their weapons and essence at the Loron respectively. Herquie used his great agility to slash through the throats of the enemies while spinning around them, while Agent Mu hurled Loron against each other as they got too close. Lending their support in the form of suppressive fire, Keldar's detachment of soldiers dashed ahead of their commander and into the fray with vigor, utilising their hi-tech blades to meet with the primitive weaponry and daemonic appendages that posed affronted them; Keldar herself, meanwhile, ensured to make use of higher ground and had separated from the main detachment with her Blacksword accomplice and a small taskforce of elite soldiers to rain fire onto the Loron and their demonic reinforcements.
Warlord Titanozor beamed down to the surface, with a new companion on his shoulder. A band of knights and soldiers knelt before him (protected by a shield), with almost fanatical fixation. The warlord introduced the new warrior to his team, an Ayug by the name of "Buuuk". The Ayug though diminuitive in size he explained, had the keenest sense of sight and fastest reflexes of any species in the DCP.
- Macin - Lanky legged man. There is thing on your shoulder.
- Titanozor - Meet Buuuk. We call them 'shoulder buddies.'
- Keldar - And I assume you are his additional limbs.
- Titanozor - He will be my extra eyes and ears.
- Mac - He ought to be careful he's not an extra casualty of war. If he is, then it's no problem.
- Mu - Hell, the other Agents are right. Non-Kicath are weird as hell.
- Kithworto - You learn to acclimatise to the changes.
- Koluap - I would usually point and knock myself out laughing in this situation but my HOMEWORLD is under attack by these THINGS. So I must kindly ask you all to SHOOT at all before I shoot YOU.
- Keldar - ... There is little to no need to be so... peevish.
- Buuuk - *Begins to eye up Koluap for threatening his master.*
As the forces combated the Loron invaders, the more essence-sensitive members of the team could feel an immense power approaching across the battlefield, one of magnitude much greater than any Corruptus demon they had faced so far. By comparison, the Lympharian Harbinger and Ray'loth were gnats.
- Thea'Nhirara - ...Something of great power looms close.
- Mac - I can feel it too. Be careful.
- Keldar - ... Thavakin, prepare for imminent reinforcements on the enemy's part. According to our allies' claims, the hounds are reinforcing their rear.
- Thavakin - Affirmative. Recognised.
The Loron forces made room as a huge, radiant Loron in ornamented clothing stomped through the battlefield, carrying an equally huge staff and wearing an equally huge crown on his head. His presence left a golden trail through the air, and he was followed by Zr'Ahgloth and Hagto'Zhl, both carrying ceremonial boom boxes. Thea'Nhirara's face showed unease as she knew it was no Loron, yet she could not tell what it was meant to be. Titanozor muttered that such a Loron should not exist, after seeing its radiant aura and ordered his forces to split up and take positions, while Keldar's main forces regrouped and her own personal taskforce, alongside Thavakin, her Blacksword attendant, aimed whatever assets they could muster in the direction of the Loron.
- Jerkon - ...Such a creature should have collapsed under its own weight.
- Koluap - What the hell?!
- Roz'Tah'Flok - DUMBOOOOOOOS... YOO STAND BEFOR ROZ'TAH'FLOK. GOD OF ALL LORONZ!!!
- Keldar - ... Surely, you jest. I have... never seen such a beast before now. ... And I doubt I shall again.
- Kithworto - I believe I've seen everything the universe has to offer now. A Loron God.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - SO YOR DA ONES WHOS MAKIN FINGS ALL DIFFICULT FER MA DEEMUN HOMIES. WELL NO MOR I SAY. IM HEER TA STOMP YAS MASELF SINCE DESE TWO IDIOTS CANT DO IT
- Hagto'Zhl - IT WAS ALL DA COPYCAT DUMBOS FAULT
- Zr'Ahgloth - I MEEN I WULD B ABLE TO IF DIS STOOPID DARK LORON DIDNT FINK HE WAS BETTA DAN ME AN STOP ME FROM DOIN STUFF. ALL DA FAILURES HAV BEEN BECUZ OF HIM
- Roz'Tah'Flok - SHUT UP I DONT GIV A DAM WHOSE FAULT IT IS. IM GONNA SHOW DA MORTALS SOMFIN FIERCE NAO
- Herquie - What is this nonsense? Do they really want us to believe that's a real person?
- Roz'Tah'Flok - AR YOO CALLIN ME FAKE
- Thea'Nhirara - No, you are wrong. That entity... it's an Essential.
- Keldar - And what does this... thing being of the Essential status mean for our terrestrial forces?
- Thea'Nhirara - It means we are, in fact, facing a god.
- Mac - I can find traces of...traces of something I haven't found since...
- Titanozor - Godlike yes. But the DCP does not believe in real gods. Time and again we shall prove it!
- Roz'Tah'Flok - NO MOR WORDS. DA GOD HAS SPOKEN. ITS TIME FOR YAS TA DAI
Roz'Tah'Flok channeled golden energy through his staff and then slammed it down into the ground, causing rays of essence to be blasted into the sky which fell down at the allied forces like artillery fire. Soldiers caught in the attacks were killed instantly, while buildings crumbled down as if they had aged thousands of years in one second. Keldar stepped back, growling as she looked upon the effects of the energy that radiated forth from the Loron deity's assault and, beneath her helm, her otherwise soft features contorted into a scowl.
- Keldar - ... Chronoscopy.
- Mu - Who?
- Titanozor - It means we are not facing regular essence. But something a little different, something less understood...
- Mac - Depending on how you wish to think of it, maybe. Maybe not. I am familiar with this, however.
- Thea'Nhirara - It controls time. We face a god of time.
- Keldar - Hmph. Then let us cut his time short.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - SHUT UP WIV YOR SHITTY PUNS YA PLUSH-TOY FACED PRIK
Roz'Tah'Flok began running at the team, swinging his staff in extravagant ways in order to blast chronoscopic energy at their direction. The closer he became, the more they could notice his head appeared to have some sort of dark purple essence circle around it, almost like a headband. Jerkon and Koluap ordered their forces to take better positions as they fired at him, though he appeared to ignore their shots entirely. Keldar did the same, commanding terrestrial and orbital forces to fire upon the colossal titan with their hi-tech weaponry, although she had expected her affront to at least pose some form of distraction while she thought to herself regarding tactics to bring Roz'Tah'Flok down.
- Keldar - ... I do not suppose anyone has any ideas beyond merely continuing to fire at the hound-lord?
- Koluap - Fire harder!
- Thea'Nhirara - I cannot use my dream energy against him. It would heal him, if anything.
- Macin - What?! Drat.
- Mac - Don't worry. I think I've got it.
Mac walked out in front of Roz'Tah'Flok with his sword drawn, and risen just above his head.
- Mac - I know what you are.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - AND YOO LOOK DELISHIUS WATS YOR POINT
- Mac - You know what I am, too.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - ...hmmmmmmm... ooooh yee i rememba now... A FLIPPIN LOSA WIV A PIG FACE GET OFF MA WAY
- Mac - That's not the answer I was looking for. Or, at least, it's not the one I hoped for. But you don't have to lie to me. You know exactly what I am.
Mac channeled green looking energy into his sword, and then into him, as his eyes glowed. Even as a three dimensional being, he could use the power he was given. The allied forces could watch as Roz'Tah'Flok winced, his golden aura growing less intense.
- Mac - What do you say we fight on even terms, then?
- Roz'Tah'Flok - OW MAN DAT AKSHULLY HURT WAT DA HELL... OH. I KNO WHO YOO AR.
- Mac - Thought so.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - YOR RAN'TORH'KAN MAN DA GOD OF BLING WAT DA HELL IS YOO DOIN FIGHTIN ME AR YOO STOOPID
Mac now charged, at several kilometers an hour, straight towards Roz'Tah'Flok and brought his sword down. A huge clash of energy caused what was an explosion of energy, knocking them both back. Roz'Tah'Flok had been drained of power, in exchange for Mac's own drain.
- Mac - Yeah...you think that. You think that if you wish. Okay, I estimate that I've at best weakened his ability to control time, but I can't do much more. You guys know the drill now.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - I CAN STILL SMASH YAS LIKE A GALOT
Roz'Tah'Flok raised his staff and sent it down at Mac, though he soon felt stings on his skin as the Dracogonarious and Spinker forces opened fire again. His golden aura had vanished, and their attacks were actually dealing damage now. Keldar, a smile appearing upon her face, allowed her visor to raise as she lifted her vibroblade into the air for her soldiers to see and caled out another order, a confident tone in her voice as she bellowed.
- Keldar - Atmospheric bombardments upon the designated point; all terrestrial vehicles, mobilise to flank; infantry, draw fire from the hounds' pawns to allow our brothers and sisters the opportunity to floor the wretched beast! ... Yes, a new trophy shall be had of his skull.
- Koluap' - You're not going to bombard my homeworld!
- Keldar - ... There is not much left within the region to be bombarded beyond Loron and their daemonic comrades, my friend. ... I have had my forces make efforts to evacuate all they could during the firefight and lend their support to the local militia.
- Titanozor - Look around you Koluap.
- Koluap - Grrrr... You're going to help clean this all up once the battle is over.
- Keldar - Yes, I shall; it is not my home and I take no pride in ruining it further, but we must rid of the Loron first.
Titanozor's forces, of which a good amount had been decimated by the initial attack, directed their chain guns and turboplasma cannons at the fallen essential. In return, Roz'Tah'Flok's forces began to charge at Titanozor and his remaining positions. Titanozor continued to press forward, fighting through swathes of Loron as fanatic as his soldiers Just as it looked as though Titanozor might be over-powered by walls of Loron now excited by his possible suicide; white beams starting firing in rapid succession, hitting each Loron perfectly. Buuuk had now swung into action, for he had a subatomic disruptor concealed within his jaw.
Roz'Tah'Flok screamed in pain as he was shot and bombarded, causing him to be floored. Thea'Nhirara and Macin both flew over to him and launched volleys of dream energy at his now weakened form, causing him to jitter out in pain while Herquie and Mu delivered strikes at melee range. From above, Zazane air-vehicles unloaded onto Roz'Tah'Flok, unleashing red beams of concentrated energy onto the Loron deity and those that served beneath him, while intimidating tank-like heavy vehicles - each walking upon a set of clawed, metallic legs - made efforts to flank the Loron from behind and ravage at his spine and rear.
- Mac - Stop it!
- Herquie - Why?
- Mac - I know who he is. Even if I'm not connected to the group mind anymore, he's still a brother. And more importantly, he can help us.
- Jerkon - Elaborate, Mac. We are not aware of what the Loron deity is meant to be.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - DIS IS BUT A SCRATCH
- Mac - I have strong suspicions that this isn't a Loron, nor a deity. But it is a Taldar. And how it can be a Loron? Because it has Loron DNA coded into it, and can bring that up at any point. This is one of the Taldar who created the Loron.
- Thea'Nhirara - ...I knew this was an Essential. This entity is a Vyro'Narza.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - A WAT NAO? IM NO "TALDAR" IM DA GOD OF ALL LORON
- Mac - Maybe you are because you created them. Titanozor, if I recall correctly, from when I was a Taldar, I believe I saw you speaking to him at some point in the past. When the DCP were still trying to scourge the Loron before that Ottzello War.
- Titanozor - It... He was different. It is difficult to believe such a powerful entity could be controlled in this manner. We must be facing bigger threats to come.
- Keldar - ... Sibling or otherwise, the entity continues to pose threat to these lands. We cannot risk our assets and lives attempting to captivate it, thus we must dedicate ourselves to destroying it.
- Mac - Are you listening? He can help us. There has to be a reason he is restrained, or something. Not that I can imagine a Taldar being weaked like that, mind you.
- Thea'Nhirara - The way it reacted to dream energy, and the energy shrouding it... This Vyro'Narza is being controlled by entropic energy.
- Jerkon - Controlled? I take you mean mind control.
- Thea'Nhirara - Correct.
- Kithworto - Entropy? As in the same powers the Corruptus have?
- Macin - Now that you say it, teacher, I can feel the nightmare folk magic in his head too...
- Keldar - I propose putting... whatever it may be out of its damned misery before it costs us further casualties and we lose our opportunity.
- Kithworto - For once, I disagree. Freeing this Taldar from control may bring us more benefits in the long run.
- Keldar - You talk as if I had not considered the benefits of releasing the Taldar from its confines, yet we are uncertain as to whether or not we are even able to free it from its prison in the first place. If we cannot free mere... mortals from it, what hope do we have of freeing an Essential?
- Kithworto - And then one wonders how we go about destroying it if we cannot free it. I thought you were smart.
- Thea'Nhirara - None of us possess the power to permanently destroy a Vyro'Narza regardless of your arguments.
- Macin - Me and teacher have dream folk magic, can use it to break nightmare folk magic. Probably. Hopefully.
- Thea'Nhirara - Keep the Vyro'Narza restrained. We don't have much time until he heals himself.
- Keldar - ... I shan't question such things I cannot understand. But I shall keep the Loron occupied as you demand.
- Titanozor - How about we do not free it. We still have some power in the God-Hammer. We could trap and compress his power, but not his wisdom.
- Thea'Nhirara - Why punish a puppet instead of its puppetmaster? Weakening the Vyro'Narza will bring us no benefits.
Turning back towards Roz'Tah'Flok, another squadron of atmospheric vehicles rained their payload onto the gargantuan fiend, while terrestrial forces fired crimson energy blasts at his joints and chips in his armor, all the while Keldar drew her personalized rifle - a carbine of some form - and unloaded onto the god. Thea'Nhirara's tendril-like arms wrapped themselves around Roz'Tah'Flok's head while Macin clasped into his forehead, and the two began pumping dream energy through his body, causing him to get up and flail his arms in a mix of pain and confusion. After several moments, the dark energy wrapped around the Loron-Taldar's head shattered and he froze in place before falling down again, apparently going limp.
The Loron still surviving all gasped and widened their eyes. Had their god just been killed in front of them?
- Zr'Ahgloth - WAT IS DIS NONSENSE
- Hagto'Zhl - man yor god suks
- Zr'Ahgloth - I FINK I MITE AKSHULLY START CRYIN NAO LIFE HAS NO MEENIN ANYMOR
- Titanozor - Today was yet another day that the DCP has yet to meet a "god". Power and wisdom do not equate.
- Koluap - To be fair, their god is retarded.
- Keldar - ... Morale lowered. Decimate them while they appear distracted.
- Hagto'Zhl - YOR WETTIN MA SUIT WIV YOR TEERS MAN GET OFF OF ME
- Zr'Ahgloth - SHUT UP MAN AT LEEST BE A LITTEL CONSIDERATE
Buuuk began to release blinding fire on the Loron. And now with the Loron's war taunts reduced to gasps, Buuuk's true voice could be heard as a melodic singing upon each round of fire. If Titanozor was an artillery man, then Buuuk was his sniper. After moments of silence, Roz'Tah'Flok's form shined in gold as it transformed into something else, and before the team's eyes, he turned into a Taldar much like Mac, who held on his head as he slowly got back up.
- ??? - Urgh... what a terrible nightmare.
- Keldar - ... My eyes.
- Macin - It work! I think.
- Jerkon - ...Vyro'Narza?
- ??? - Oh, hello! Call me Taldar Elder. Yes, that is enough.
- Mac - Remember me, then, Elder? If only vaguely?
- Taldar Elder - Well, if it isn't Maczyornia! You look... erm... hm. Actually, you look terrible.
- Mac - Good to see you too, heh.
- Taldar Elder - Why am I in a battlefield filled with Loron again?... Oh. Was the nightmare real?
- Mac - Unfortunately. Apparently you were overwhelmed by Nightmares. What happened, man?
- Taldar Elder - Hm. There is much to explain. But before that, I feel like I should apologize to the Spinkers.
- Koluap - Your apologies won't fix all the damage you did to my planet, you thing!
- Taldar Elder - I suggest you check again.
With a snap of the Elder's fingers, the team could see the damage done to Kingus reverting, as if the world was going "backwards". Buildings reformed themselves, dead soldiers rose once again with no wounds on their bodies and the skies cleared completely. Keldar took a step back in awe as she watched the magic unfold before her eyes, bumping unwittingly into Koluap while her soldiers looked around in a combination of confusion, excitement, and fear.
- Koluap -What your step, miss by-the-books.
- Keldar - ... M-My apologies.
- Kithworto - I'm almost certain we're not really meant to see these things happen...much like the rest of the war.
- Mac - What you saw there usually isn't legal for Taldar, unless they're already involved, unless they're allowed to be inquired on whether an act committed was injustice, unless they're reversing their own actions...there are a few conditions under which they are allowed to do this.
- Taldar Elder - Mac. The rules are going to be bent today. What happened here was not meant to happen... actually, there is something you should know. A message from the fifth dimension to you.
- Mac - ...? Is that so? They haven't forgotten me?
- Taldar Elder - What do you take us for? Now, listen very closely, it's of extreme importance.
The Taldar Elder wrapped an arm around Mac's shoulder and whispered on his ear.
- Taldar Elder - ...33.
- Mac - I assume...there's some kind of...meaning to that...seriously, what?
- Taldar Elder - ...Oh. Oh! You probably need to be a complete Narza to understand it... sorry. My bad.
Mac was about to growl at being mocked, then realised swiftly the Elder hadn't meant it out of spite.
- Mac - ...I'll...figure it out...I guess...
- Taldar Elder - What matters is that yes, we're still watching. And also what matters is, I have, in fact, been mind controlled. Mind controlled by a Traffphyd.
- Mac - And not Nightmare? Well, I can think of at least one person who could've done this. I have noticed activity from a certain Traffphyd that I thought was dead. To clarify, I stil think he is dead, but...
- Taldar Elder - No, no. You don't get it. It's a Traffphyd who has his origins in the Corruptus. One of the worst, too. He took control of me and used me to manipulate the Loron to have them fight you.
- Mac - You know who this is?
- Taldar Elder - None other than that scumbag, that fiend... Kolossus!
- Koluap - Literally who.
- Taldar Elder - ...Oh. You guys don't know the name. That's how we Narza call him. He prefers to call himself Zr'An'Kar.
- Mac - But...but he's dead! He's dead! I know he's dead!
Thea'Nhirara levitated closer to the Taldar Elder, looking at him in the eye.
- Thea'Nhirara - Zr'An'Kar did not die at Ottzello!?
- Taldar Elder - Nope, miss Thoi'olerthae. He's alive. Scarred, but alive. He's currently planning an assault against the empire of the Dracogonarious, as we speak in fact. More specifically, he plans to attack your new capital of New Draka in 3 days.
- Jerkon - ...Unacceptable.
- Keldar - These transgressions cannot come to pass, I shan't allow them to.
- Mac - Then my fears are confirmed. He will pay.
- Kithworto - That means we have little time. New Draka has to be warned.
- Keldar - ... Three days shall be enough.
- Kithworto - With the way the Taldar and Thea'Nhirara spoke, three years may not be enough. If Kolossus is going to attack New Draka, preparing should start as soon as possible and for as long as possible.
- Taldar Elder - Keldar Taran, wasn't it? Warn your leader of this. This is relevant to his interests... and there are more timelines where Kolossus' success doesn't happen when he's involved.
- Keldar - Mhm, of course. ... He is not going to be happy under any given circumstance, although... knowing his capacity, such may be beneficial to our cause, especially against one such as the damned Kolossus.
- Taldar Elder - Destroy Kolossus and the Loron'Kikra will be destroyed with him. They are his creations. His "experiments". He tried to make better Loron than the original, but obviously, mine are better than his... I can't emphasize how important it is that you defeat him 3 days from now. Otherwise, say goodbye to this galaxy.
- Mac - I recall a timeline in which the Loron'Kikra continued to exist after Kolossus fell back when I was a Taldar, but my memory is not the best, so I wouldn't go on that.
- Taldar Elder - Kolossus is an extremely dangerous creature. He was born out of Shu'rimrodir's spite, but trained by none other than Emperor Zargoth. He is the brain child of two demon gods.
The Taldar Elder was interrupted as Macin let out a shriek.
- Macin - Eeeek! Nightmare folk bad name!
- Taldar Elder - Oops, sorry.
- Kithworto - Shu'rimrodir?
- Keldar - ... Then they shall outlive their child, but not by any significant margin.
- Taldar Elder - The Corruptus, all of it, are a creation of a powerful Essential named Shu'rimrodir. As of currently, he resides in an alternate reality, trapped in it.
- Jerkon - ...And I assume the Neo-Marinox wish to bring this Essential to our reality.
- Teldar Elder - You're a smart one. You can tell that's not a good thing.
- Titanozor - How did the Corruptus enter this reality without their creator?
- Kithworto - I suppose the same way the Samu'tangar entered this reality without their creators. This is almost sounding...very bad.
The Talder Elder sat down as he began explaining.
- Taldar Elder - Eleven billion years before your rise, Shu'rimrodir was born. He created the Corruptus shortly afterwards, and attempted to consume this universe. However, before he had the chance, he was defeated by an ancient race known as the Vida'Rra. Good friends of the Taldar, they were. Regardless, he was trapped away, but his creations remained in this universe, frozen in dream energy prisons until the modern era when they managed to free themselves. Your friend, the Thoi'olerthae, knows all of this.
- Thea'Nhirara - They are not memories I am fond of.
- Kithworto - One wonders why this universe is a playground for demons.
- Titanozor - We cannot relive another War of Ages. This time, our universe has already been devastated by that.
- Mac - Kolossus being trained by Zargoth, must have few to no feelings left. Zargoth, and indeed most of the Traffphyds, do not have any emotion. There is a specific reason for this, given their function-
- Taldar Elder - Oh, but that's incorrect. He may be trained by Zargoth, but his personality stems from Shu'rimrodir. Kolossus is an entity of pure malice, sadism and hatred for all mortals. All he wishes is to see this reality engulfed in the dark tendrils of his disgusting god creator.
- Mac - Then we are dealing with someone very different from Zargoth.
- Keldar - Tendrils. Of course... It has to be damned tendrils.
- Titanozor - What is Zargoth's interest in training Kolossus? Why might he need Shu'rimrodir's return?
- Taldar Elder - That, unfortunately, I don't know. Shu'rimrodir is a being of dimensions above mine, and Zargoth is a... complicated guy, to say the least. But I must mention one thing. The Corruptus and the Samut'angar are not too far away from each other in origins.
- Mac - Zargoth has no personal goals. His only goals are to attempt to achieve some sort of balance. Or perhaps he does have goals that he does not reveal to us. As the Elder here says, he's complicated. I hope he has little involvement beyond Kolossus' involvement.
- Taldar Elder - What matters is that you must prepare yourselves for the battle to come. Destroy Kolossus and weaken the Corruptus. No one at Sequencium will miss his ugly mug.
- Kithworto - ...Very well. To New Draka it is, then.
- Taldar Elder - I'm forbidden to directly help you with it, but I can give you a hand.
Roz'Tah'Flok speaks to Zr'Ahgloth.
The Taldar Elder stood up as his form changed into that of Roz'Tah'Flok, and he pointed his staff at Zr'Ahgloth and Hagto'Zhl, the only Loron still left on the planet. After being frozen in time, once Roz'Tah'Flok pointed, they could move again.
- Roz'Tah'Flok - OI ZR'AHGLOTH MAN CHANGE OF PLANS. YOO WORK WIV DESE DOODS NAO. AND YOR GOD ORDAS YOO... TA KILL DA COPYCAT DUMBOS AND ZR'AN'KAR MAN HES BEEN LEEDIN DEM AND TRIED TA TRIK ME AND YOO KNO DATS DUM
- Zr'Ahgloth - BUT ZRANKAR WAS MENT TA BE DA TUFF GOD. NOT A LOSA WHO EMPLOYS STOOPID DIRTY TACTICS LIEK DAT. I MEEN WAT DA HELL IS GOIN ON MAN I DUNT KNO ANYMOAR
- Roz'Tah'Flok - ZRANKAR BETRAYED DA LORONZ MAN GO SHANK HIM UP
- Kithworto - I can imagine the Loron language written down is an eyesore.
- Mu - That's implying they can write.
- Titanozor - It is why the DCP abandoned visual translators with them long ago. Now we just try to ignore their tongue.
Hagto'Zhl, who had his eyes crossed, eyed Roz'tah'Flok and everybody else before speaking.
- Hagto'Zhl - man i knew yoo wus a fake god zr'an'kar told me dis WAY BEFORE yoo showed up. at leest i dunt hav ta work wiv da copycat dumbo anymor cus NAO I CAN KILL YAS
- Zr'Ahgloth - YOO SHUT UP MAN YOR ZRANKAR IS A WIMPY GOD AN DIS JUS PROOVS IT
- Hagto'Zhl - jokes on yoo. i been worshippin SHU'RIMRODIR ALL ALONG. HES DA BEST GOD EVA
- Zr'Ahgloth - NO WONDA YOO FORGOT ALL 90 OF OUR GODZ YOO MORON. OH MA DAYZ IMMA GET DA LORON INKWISISHON CHURCH ON YO ASS TA SHANK HERETIKZ LIEK YOO. DIS IS JUS DA STOOPIDEST FING
- Hagto'Zhl - i dun care bout yor made up difficult word ok im gonna prepare maself fer DA PROPA BIG PLANET CRUSHA ATTAK IN 3 DAYZ. wait i shuldnt hav spoilered dat
- Roz'Tah'Flok - I DID IT ANYWAY WHIL YOO WERENT WATCHIN
- Hagto'Zhl - man yor reely a JERK no wonda da STOOPID BLU BOYZ worship yoo. BAI
Using his entropic energy, Hagto'Zhl teleported himself away, disappearing in a black mist.
- Kithworto - ...What just happened?
- Mu - I was so distracted and disgusted I forgot to shoot him.
- Zr'Ahgloth - hes a traita to da godz. dats all dat mattas. deres a rule wiv traitas. if da mishonaries cant convert dem an if dey cant lern da lyricz do da rapz fer all 120 godz den we shank dem
- Herquie - ...Yeah, sure. You're with us now.
- Zr'Ahgloth - safe homie btw ma kralgon boss didnt actually agree to dis but yoo can probs chek wiv him
- Koluap - We can just not say anything. Now we have our own giant bug barbarian!
- Kithworto - I had difficulty understanding that, but did he say something along the lines of 'Proper Big Planet Crusher Attack'?
- Taldar Elder - Yes. Kolossus is in control of a planet-sized spaceship. That's what attacking your world.
- Jerkon - ...Problematic.
- Zr'Ahgloth - also hes in control of GRATZKAOZ IM NOT FITIN HIM MAN
- Keldar - The Taldar is correct; it would indeed be a wise decision call upon... well, he is not my "leader", but... a friend close to me that at least some of you should be aware of.
- Taldar Leader - Tyraz Breek is your leader, miss, what are you on about.
- Koluap - Oh boy, we're getting the manlet again.
- Kithworto - Scintillating.
- Keldar - I am no imperialist; I have no place in the hierarchy of the Sovereign Domain. My soldiers are my own; part of the Migratory Powers, but not the Domain.
- Taldar Elder - You understood what I meant.
- Keldar - ... No matter. He shall heed my summons nonetheless. ... Or at least he had better should he wish to keep in good spirits as of late.
- Kithworto - That, and rejecting a request for aid to protect New Draka is political suicide.
- Jerkon - I would say that is not wrong.
- Taldar Elder - As said, I wish you all good luck. And remember, aim for the eye. He doesn't like being hit in the eye.
Waving to the team, the Taldar Elder vanished.
- Zr'Ahgloth - ok im goin ta chek wiv da empera. but last i herd he was neerly ded cuz of som HXT fingies so da loronz mite be free an i mite be able ta get rid of deez nanomasheenz. i dunno tho plz chek
- Mac - I'll check what things are like in Ottzello. But I recall specifically hearing of a timeline where that didn't happen. It came up a lot in Taldar "discussions", and too often in Traffphyd ones...so we'll see what timeline we're in, eh?
- Koluap - Screw your timelines, I make my own future. One that involves shooting Zr'An'Kar again!
Making Amends[]
The day after the meeting with the Taldar Elder, Jerkon and his group were at the now-capital of New Draka in order to prepare the planet's defenses for Kolossus's arrival. They were presently at the government palace where the Supreme Advisors of the Dracogonarious Empire had been relocated, as well as Empress Spinkarius who took residence with them. The Spinker leader held the young Maryah on her arms at nearly all times, with the hybrid snoring softly as she slept. All had been quiet on part of the Zazane, whom had largely kept to themselves and remained wherever they had been stationed - which was either in orbit or in the atmosphere of the world or on the ground within the streets of New Draka's capital. However, while she otherwise would have remained with her warriors and soldiers outside, Keldar - the active commander of the Zazane military presence within the campaign - strolled through the corridors and hallways of the palace with guards at her side, appearing to be in search for something until she, by coincidence, came across Windey and her child. At this point, Keldar looked to her guardsmen and gestured them to relocate, while she remained standing where she was before and looked towards the Empress. Windey turned her eyes to Keldar as she noticed her arrival, eyeing her for a second before speaking.
- Windey - Need something, miss?
- Keldar - Sincere apologies for my intrusion, but you are the Empress Windey Spinkarius, correct?
- Windey - Yes. And you are...?
- Keldar - Keldar Taran, commander of the Migratory Powers' military presence in the Milky Way as of this campaign. ... I was hoping to inquire as to where your husband would be at this moment in time.
- Windey - Husband? ... Oh, dear, you're getting a little ahead of yourself. Koluap is not my husband.
- Keldar - ... Oh. T-Then... Then my intel appears to have been incorrect. N-Nonetheless, Your Majesty, would you happen to know of where he is located?
- Windey - At the next room on the right, with Jerkon and the Bonio.
- Keldar - You have my gratitude, Your Majesty.
Keldar turned to leave briskly, although she could not help but turn her head over her shoulder somewhat to attain another observation of the young infant clasped in the Empress' embrace, a slight smile perking over her face as she saw the girl.
- Keldar - ... Your offspring appears to be strong, if you do not mine me saying so, Your Majesty.
- Windey - Thank you. She's going to be a great successor one day, I'm sure of it.
Keldar nodded with an evident, content look on her face as she soon left the premises of the Empress' quarters and relocated herself towards the supposed meeting place of the Spinker, Dracogonarious, and Bonio. She stood outside of the room with hesitation for a brief moment before she inhaled deeply and brought herself to open the doors and walk inside with a confident stride. Keldar was met with the sight of the three individuals, with Jerkon noting her arrival as he read from a holo-pad, while Koluap drank some sort of alcoholic beverage, possibly in order to calm himself down. Herquie, meanwhile, remained quiet and with his eyes closed as he leaned against a wall, his arms crossed. Keldar raised a hand to her head and faked a cough into her palm to grasp the attention of those present within the room beyond Jerkon before she spoke.
- Keldar - ... Gentlemen.
- Jerkon - Greetings.
- Koluap - Eh? Why are you here?
- Keldar - I wanted to... give my sincere apologies for the events that transpired upon Kingus. And... I wanted to reaffirm that the driving force behind our offensive remains in good spirits despite the events that have unfolded. We have all taken a heavy toll... you especially.
- Koluap - Hm. Don't sweat it. We were all angry and nervous but mostly angry at the time.
- Jerkon - Speak for yourself.
- Keldar - Nonetheless, were it not for the Essential's intervention in the event, I would have been willing to spare my forces to commit to ensuring the reconstruction of your world. ... It was not my home to bombard, and I am shamed by it.
- Koluap - I get it. I just didn't expect your kind to feel sorry over things like these. You seem like an... angrier bunch than a lot of other aliens.
- Keldar - Not angry, though I can see why one would observe us as such, but rather... compassionate. You are our allies and we fight alongside your soldiers on the battlefield; in our tradition, soldiers that fight alongside one another are effectively siblings. And siblings should be treated with respect, especially should we wrong them.
Koluap put his bottle down and shook his head, letting out a grunt as he did so. By his expression, the alcohol did not do much to his already disturbed mind.
- Koluap - I can admire that in a soldier. I like my men by my friends.
- Keldar - ... Are you quite alright? You appear rather disgruntled, if you do not mind me saying such.
- Jerkon - Koluap suffers from delusion and his mind is fragile due to an accident in his early life. He is not considered clinically sane.
- Herquie - He's retarded.
- Keldar - Are you certain you desire to persist in this campaign, Cardoni? If you are troubled, then mayhaps the best solution would be to sit aside until you feel... recollected, once more.
- Koluap - Lady, I'm not gonna rest until I see every one of these demons watching plants grow by the roots. Their actions are unforgivable and nothing short of extermination will solve our problems.
- ??? -Yes... An approach most admirable as it is appropriate.
At the entrance into the room, a silhouette with a Zazane outline had made itself present to the group before it stepped into the light; Tyraz Breek, the Emperor of the Third Sovereign Domain, stood with his wings folded while his muscular, if somewhat stunted, form was adorned with black, decorative imperial armour. Keldar stood to attention and her eyes widened in surprise momentarily as she glanced upon Tyraz' sudden arrival, although she calmed herself after registering his presence.
- Jerkon - Greetings.
- Koluap - Hey, it's that guy. Hello, that guy.
- Tyraz - A promise I made to my colleague to be swift in both departure and arrival. Yes, appears it does that she has served you well, for we are all remain standing as of the present. ... I should hope, at least.
- Jerkon - I take you are already informed of the current status of the conflict.
- Tyraz - Aye. I could not allow what it was that had wracked the capital of the Sovereign Domain to repeat its damned self upon another world, one as prosperous and significant as this especially. My Slayer-Commander has fulfilled my absent position for the time I dedicate my self here.
- Koluap - Yes, let's make sure the snake cyclops guy dies this time, okay?
- Tyraz - Yes, but let us not lose our lives in the ensuing storm. I would despise having to see your brave Empress grieve over the absence of a man as filled with courage and valor as one such as you are, dear Cardoni. And your people alongside her.
- Koluap - Fancy words, those. At least I know you have good intentions despite the fact you look like something the Neo-Marinox would spit out. No offense.
- Tyraz - No offense taken. Hah, and beside the point, it should take one to know of one, as the saying goes. ... Whatever the "Neo-Marinox" may be.
- Jerkon - The Neo-Marinox are the masterminds behind the Loron and the demon hordes. A ressurrected version of one of my people's most terrible foes.
- Tyraz - ... Oh. Urm, my sincerest apologies are yours, I had not meant to disgrace your comrade in such ill manner. ... Humour is no fortress of mine.
Tyraz raised a hand and scratched the rear of his crest with a concerned expression upon his face, while Keldar had to place a hand over her mouth to keep herself from audibly laughing at watching the Zazane lord beginning to blush a black hue in his embarassment. Koluap appeared to humour himself at the sight of the blushing Tyraz, while Jerkon remained indifferent, merely going back to eyeing his holo-pad.
- Jerkon - I blame you not for not knowing of them, considering you were not under attack by them. But we have been fighting them and their servants for almost a full year as of now.
- Tyraz - ... Allow me to assure you all that the efforts of the Migratory Powers - the Third Sovereign Domain, the Affinity of Blades, and the Freeblood Enclaves - shall ensure the conflict is concluded before another year comes forth. I will make sure of such, as will dear Keldar.
- Herquie - You're pretty dedicated to make yourself look good to a bunch of stranger.
- Tyraz - Fight, they do, alongside my people. Even if I know them barely in person, I do not require to know them at all to believe them allies valuable and worthy. ... And good - admirable - things have I heard from Keldar of your efforts. All of you. I would be proud to serve you in your affront.
- Koluap - She's been saying good things about us? We need to do the same then, guys. Well, you guys are pretty tall. Thick legs. Cool horns. Her face is kinda cute.
- Herquie - What the hell?
Keldar glared at Koluap, a thick blush overcoming her as it flared upon her face while she made an attempt to appear fierce - which in turn resulted in her being unsuccessful as she did not appear even remotely close to intimidating despite her Zazane physiology. Tyraz, meanwhile, cracked a chuckle as he allowed his arms to fold over one another.
- Keldar - M-My legs are... n-not thick, I believe y-you shall find...
- Tyraz - ... I like this Spinker.
- Koluap - I thought we were exchanging compliments. Wait... what do you mean with that? Do you want to show them off to me or what?
- Herquie - Bonaih's sake, shut up.
- Jerkon - ... Hm. I do not get this conversation at all.
- Tyraz - Keldar, assign a personal vanguard to dear Cardoni's side from your elite detachment. I hope not to have him perish in the battle to come upon us, for I would rather fancy... discussions once we have concluded the fighting.
- Koluap - Are you calling me weak? I don't need bodyguards! I can take care of myself, thank you very much!
- Tyraz - Oh, but I believe our warriors could prosper beneath the orders of a man as inspiring as one such as you are, dear Cardoni. Yes, they would be aware of your capacity, thus they would greatly appreciate your command over them.
- Herquie - Poor sods.
A wide, almost fierce smile crossed Tyraz' face as he nodded in respect to his newfound allies and he turned to leave, a laughter of sorts emanating upon his breath while Keldar looked on, dumbfounded by the exchange that had just occured before her eyes and ears while still somewhat shaken by the Spinker's rather forward and embarassing compliments.
- Keldar - ... How bizarre. I have not seen that man laugh and smile as he does now for a long while. Too long, if I may say. ... Yes, I believe he has taken a liking to one's attitude, dear Cardoni. Somehow.
- Koluap - So he's a douche to everyone else? Just like Herquie!
- Herquie - You really want me to hurt you today, don't you?
- Koluap - See?
- Keldar - ... I hope you accept my sincerest apologies, dear Cardoni.
- Koluap - For what? You've done nothing wrong. Except calling me "dear". You and him keep doing that and we barely know each other.
Koluap could suddenly feel Keldar's hand strike across his cheek in a swift, almost unnoticeable action as she continued to blush and huff in an embarassed manner, quickly turning herself around to face elsewhere so as to not make her blushing demeanour anymore evident. The Spinker admiral's eyes widened and he took a step back in reaction.
- Keldar - M-My face is not c-cute...
- Koluap - The hell are you doing? Don't startle me like that!
- Keldar - Don't startle you? ... Y-You embarassed m-me in front of Tyraz a-and your f-friends! ... My l-legs are not so thick, I do hope.
- Koluap - Hey, I was just exchanging compliments! Plus I meant as in your whole race has thick legs. Even he has them.
- Keldar - I-I meant c-compliments of your valor and courage! Of your c-capacity to guide and lead others and to instill fear and doubt into the h-hearts of your nemeses! ... N-Not topics such as physical a-appeal... That w-would be almost inappropriate.
- Koluap - Stop having such a soft-looking face then, geez, it's not my fault.
- Herquie - Ahem. Retarded.
Her face blackened further with Zazane blush as Keldar swiftly turned around and bowed to her allies and colleagues, huffing as she did as it appeared she was struggling to keep herself composed - a contrast with how she fared upon the battlefield. Flustered and embarassed, Keldar made an attempt to both speak and leave the room in a dignified manner.
- Keldar - I-I am content t-to see that w-we have made amends s-so swiftly... Erm, I must g-go see to my forces and... a-and arrange and p-prepare them for the coming days... Ngh... M-My face does not appear soft!
- Koluap - Huh. Seems like all women are weird, not just Spinker ones.
- Keldar - I am n-not bizarre or... or w-weird either! ... G-Good day, a-and... Hngh...
Impatient and feeling rather awkward, Keldar turned herself around and swiftly dashed out of the room, almost stumbling over the workplace Jerkon was stationed at and nearly tripping over herself as she left the room, to leave the three men in a similar position to how they had been before - with improved relations, both she and Tyraz hoped. Jerkon huffed in a displeased manner as he returned to his holo-pad while Koluap could do nothing but scratch his head in confusion.
- Koluap - What's her problem?
Da Finul Battel[]
The Planet Crusha Arrives[]
The words of the Taldar Elder prophetized three days, and once the third day began, the skies of New Draka darkened as its star system was engulfed in black, demonic fog. From the depths of a void, a titanic battleship surrounded by swarms of Loron Killa Shipz made its way to the new capital of the Dracogonarious Empire. As promised, Hagto'Zhl had arrived with his Propa Big Planet Crusha, ready to destroy the whole system one planet at a time. The entire crude-looking construct was engulfed in an aura of darkness unlike the one of the Corruptus's entropic energy, shielding it from the radars of the allied force's defensive line and making it too late for them to notice it until it was in plain view.
- Hagto'Zhl - WHER DO I EVEN START WIV DIS. OH YEH. YOR DEEEEEEEEEFF!!!
The allied defense line was made out of Dracogonarious, Spinker, Bonio, Zazane and DCP ships which surrounded New Draka's vicinity, and as the giant construct loomed closer, they were caught in the fire of the smaller Loron ships who served as a distraction. Before the dread armada could reach their destination, though, something unexpected happened.
Amongst the beginning gunfire, a bright, bluish flash of light sparked in the darkness of space, expanding until it became a massive ring with a black, swirling interior. The pilots and soldiers alike gazed at the twisted skies with a look of surprise, watching the strange wormhole; the pace of the battle halted for a moment. And then it began.
As a massive swarm of insects, hordes upon hordes of ship began appearing out of the gateway, opening fire at the Loron vessels as they emerged. Most of them were small and did not appear advanced, much like their enemies' ships, but sported elegant, if agressive, decor that would be unthinkable for a true Loron, with brass hulls and sinister spikes jutting out of them. Others yet were larger, and, while sharing a similar aesthetic, seemed much more well-built, similar almost to Radeon designs, while some looked almost identical to them. There was one trait that all of these starships shared, though - they were remarkably deadly. Even the smallest vessels fired with magnitude that far surpassed their actual size, lighting the darkened skies of New Draka in spectacular shades of red, gold and bronze.
Emerging behind these elegant, curving vessels were many more industrial designs. Blocklike Iron grey hulls adormed with iron-red warpaint sailed out of the wormhole unleashing batteries that roared as they spat slugs of high-velocity metal at the Loron war vessels. These war vessels were the forces of the Draconid Imperium, and as alien as they were to the elegant vessels of the Radeon and their allies, they were just as deadly to the Loron warships. Larger examples of vessels spwered forth thousands of tiny fighter drones that stung the Loron warfleet with high velocity round and high-speed missile alike, joining in the devastation that their cohorts were unleashing.
Flying alongside them, but less numerous were other alien designs; angular white battlecrusiers, techno-organic spacefaring hives that resembled giant legless insects and their own brand of curving golden vessels that fired in unison to protect the denizens and defenders of New Draka. The arrival of the aliens definitely got the interest of the Dracogonarious, and they found themselves communicated by Jerkon and Koluap who were present at the head of the defensive line.
- Jerkon - Unindentified arrivals. Identify yourselves.
- Koluap - Who the hell are you people?!
Their demands were responded to by a transmission from the Draconid warfleet. Apeparing in view was a scarred froglike alien wearing the elegant decorations of the an Imperial admiral. She saluted as she appeared onscreen.
- Ranvod - Talon Admiral Ranvod Godek of the Imperium's 225th battlefleet reporting sirs. We were informed that you were in need of military assistance.
- Jerkon - That is not incorrect.
- Koluap - My question stands.
- Kagu'sai - Hah. More people to share in my glory then! - an image of Kagu'sai, now clad in spiked Artharon power armour and flanked by Sheophatia, appeared on the next screen - Know then, aliens, that you stand in the presence of the one and only Warchief of the Artharon Clans, which is to say I - Kagu'sai. - the Artharon laughed heartily.
Ramvod rolled his eyes as Kagu'sai boasted.
- Koluap - What the hell is an Artharon even.
- Kagu'sai - What is an Artharon? A warrior unlike any other! A sword that will cleave a thousand of enemy skulls! A claw that-
- Sheophatia - By Spode, Kagu, just be silent and let me explain. Am I to understand that the fleets that are invading this world are aligned with the Corruptus?
- Koluap - She said the S-word! In front of me!
- Jerkon - Shut up. Yes, in fact, these invaders are the Corruptus themselves. I take you have had experiences with them.
- Kagu'sai - Experiences? These vermin sought to claim our lands but were crushed by our mighty hosts and fled like rats! Now, it is time to finish them off.
- Ranvod - In other words, yeah. Dranvamus [Andromeda] has had a lot of problems with these guys. They took a hit some time ago but the Talon Aetheral Body - Ramvod leered at Kagu'sai - spent the last year or so mopping up the remnants.
- Jerkon - If that is the case, we welcome your aid with open arms. I am Commandant Jerkon, this is Admiral Koluap.
- Koluap - Shoot them good okay?
As they spoke, they found interference hitting their communications as Hagto'Zhl's image intruded into their screens.
- Hagto'Zhl - EXCUSE ME. WHO DA HELL IS YOO PEEPUL. IM TRYIN TA GENOCIDE A PLANET HEER AN YOR GETTIN IN MA WAY
- Ramvod - Let's just say we're a sledgehammer ordered by the Dracogonarious and Spinker empires.
- Hagto'Zhl - dats gud enuff reesun fer me ta KILL YAS TOO
- Ramvod - You can try and we'd be fine with giving you a fair fight.
- Kagu'sai - Count me in. I enjoy a challenge...
- Hagto'Zhl - ...MAN YOO DRACOGONARIOUS MUST BE GETTIN DESPERATE. YOR SENDIN KITTIES TA FITE ME?
- Sheophatia - By Spode, this is getting ridiculous.
- Hagto'Zhl - kitty meow meow
- Jerkon - If you are able to keep the brute distracted enough, me and my forces should be able to infiltrate the vessel in order to destroy it from within. Attacking it head-on is pointless, for it is cloaked in Dark Chronoscopic essence and attacks aimed at it are deflected back to their sources.
- Koluap - That's assuming they know what that means. And that I know that that means.
- Ramvod - So you want covering fire; Understood commandant, we have your back.
- Hagto'Zhl - YOO WANT TA BEET ME? ME??? HURHURHUR DUNT MAKE ME LAFF. IM GONNA STOMP ALL OF YAS AND ONCE IM DON, DIS WHOL GALACSIS GONNA BE A PLAYFING FOR DA DEVOURA. HAIL ZR'ANK'AR!!!
- Sheophatia - Your petty gods are mere specks in the light of Spode, infidel.
- Koluap - She keeps saying the S-word, make her stop!
Ramvod shrugged.
- Ramvod - I've been putting up with her religious talk for months. You somewhat get used to it.
- Koluap - Believe me, I only get used to the S-word by killing it.
Hagto'Zhl's screeches were heard across their communications as Da Propa Big Planet Crusha marched forward, unleashing barrages of pulses and missiles at all directions in typical Loron fashion. Tendrils of energy manifested around the construct, striking at nearby ships and reducing them to scrap in a single hit, as if they had aged millions of years in one second. Ramvod was taken aback by the Propa Big Planet Crusha's alien behaviour, Keeping the bulk of his fleet at a distance he composed himself, but was shivering inside.
- Ramvod - Have our artillery fire pot-shots at that dreadnought and keep it out of low orbit. Relay the tactic to our allies and keep out of range of those tentacles!
- Kagu'sai - A beast of a ship, eh? Come, warriors, let the hunt commence!
At Ramvod's command, the capital ships of the Draconid fleet fired their main guns, the shots intentionally missing the Propa Big Planet Crusha by a narrow margin while smaller ships unleashed heavy barrages on the surrounding vessels. The Artharon vessels had no such qualms and attacked with all their firepower, guns blazing, their small size making them hard to hit by the titanic Planta Crusha. With the timely arrival and distraction provided by the Andromedan fleet, Jerkon and his allies now possessed an opening in order to intrude the vessel and bring it down.
To defeat the Corruptus, one must decapitate it of its leaders. Therefore, victory would only emerge by defeating Hagto'Zhl... and his master.
Hagto'Zhl's Last Stand[]
With the Andromedan fleet keeping the Propa Big Planet Crusha at bay, Jerkon and his allies proceeded to board it. Using Thea'Nhirara's dream essence, they managed to breach into the ship's malevolent aura in order to safely board it, and their plan was to separate into several teams in order to set up explosives at key locations of the superconstruct. Jerkon, Koluap, Herquie, Thea and Macin had gone one way, while Kithworto, Agent Mu, Keldar and Titanozor had gone another. As for Mac, Tyraz and Zr'Ahgloth, they were to go deep into the station in order to confront Hagto'Zhl and, hopefully, Kolossus as well. Tyraz was adorned in his iconic black armour, decorated with engravements and encrusted materials that held cultural significance to the Zazane of the Third Sovereign Domain, and he wore a sword - a vibrokatana - at his side upon his belt; he appeared somewhat uneasy in the presence of the Loron, an evident scowl written across his face as he said little and kept himself to looking straight ahead. Zr'Ahgloth, with his knives sharpened and his headphones blazing, tossed both aside. He realised that he had just wasted his time preparing equipment that he was not going to use in this battle, and began flexing his muscles and nodding his head to the sound of his own warcry raps. Mac, meanwhile, stood tall and confident. He was no stranger to battle, and no stranger to fighting foes which should still be stronger than him. His radiant armor shone as his sword was energised with all the Chronoscopic energy he had.
- Zr'Ahgloth - ok im kinda impatient now wen do we kill dis losa
- Tyraz - When he makes his presence known to us, hound. To be impatient is to let the bastard gain yet another advantage upon us.
- Zr'Ahgloth - MAN SHUT UP I STILL WANNA FINISH WAT WE STARTED IN DA OTTZELLO WAR DUNT MAKE ME
- Tyraz - Grr... Mac, have you any success in locating Hagto'Zhl? Surely he cannot be so far from our position.
- Mac - Knowing Loron, he's more likely to be coming for us. But as of yet, I haven't picked anything up. My Chronoscopic powers aren't what they used to be.
- Tyraz - Then I advise we move both with caution and awareness for our surroundings. Loron Hagto'Zhl may be, but that stops little chance of a rear assault on his part. Our demise holds value more to him than a fight worth fighting.
The group is confronted by the ship's crew
As the group went deeper into the station, they found themselves halted by hordes of Loron'Kikra troopaz and Errrbot drones, which alerted each other of their presences and immediately attacked them.
- Loron'Kikra - MAN WHO INVITED DESE GEEZAS KILL DEM LADS
- Errrbot - Exterminate intruders!
- Zr'Ahgloth - OH MA DAYZ MAN YOR SUCH A BUNCHA WIMPS WIV ALL YA BOYZ TOGETHA TRYNA OUTNUMBA US
- Tyraz - Do not allow them survival; should they live, our position may become known to Hagto'Zhl.
- Mac - I wouldn't worry too much about that. Loron aren't well known for running.
Mac raised his sword and charged at the Loron'Kikra, recklessly swinging his blade to lob the heads off anyone his blade encountered. Zr'Ahgloth, in the battle frenzy, followed suit by headbutting and kneeing all the Loron until they were on the ground, eating the hearts of anyone who he'd knocked unconcious. Tyraz growled as he charged and utilised his vibroblade to incapacitate and finish any soldier who were unfortunate enough to invade his vicinity, using dark powers to teleport and enhance his movements and strength, wielding his blade in two firm, bloodied hands while his powerful tail secured his rear from flanking at melee range. The more they cut throught he enemies, the more of them appeared though none were strong enough to show any success against the trio's combined might.
The more they progressed, however, the more they could feel a heavy, if not suffocating aura of darkness ahead of them. Mac, who used Chronoscopic Energy, could feel it the hardest out of them, and it was obviously a combination of Dark Chronoscopic and Entropy causing this feeling. Kolossus was definitely ahead.
- Mac - Oh good...heh...I think he's here. Almost certain of it...revenge time...
- Tyraz - Then spare me a part. The fiend is damned and I will have it sure the end he meets is one befitting of him; agonizing and satisfactory. ... I shall have him bleed his regret.
It would take minutes more of cutting through Loron'Kikra and Errrbot defenses until the trio finally arrived to what appeared to be the commandant's chamber. At the back of the room, sitting upon a throne was Hagto'Zhl, who appeared to snore and scratch his belly lazily until he jolted awake by their arrival. Taking sight of the trio caused the Loron'Kikra Boss to slam his fist down in rage.
- Hagto'Zhl - WAT DA HELL IS YOO DOIN HEER OH MA DAYZ A BOSS CANT EVEN TAKE A NAP IN PEECE
- Tyraz - You can sleep when you are dead.
- Hagto'Zhl - A VERY FUNI JOKE MISTA MAN BUT DA ONLY ONE HEER DYIN IS DA DRACOGONARIOUS DUMBOS
- Tyraz - Hmph. We have little time to spare and we must spend it wisely; wasting it with a barbarian such as one's self is far from an investment ideal.
- Hagto'Zhl - man i lost trak halfway thru yor sentence
- Zr'Ahgloth - I AGREE WIV DA ZAZZIE DOOD. SO LETS END DIS RITE NOW. AYO HAGTO
Zr'Ahgloth walked forward, slammed his boom box on the ground, and started threateningly at Hagto'Zhl, pulling out his microphone.
- Zr'Ahgloth - OI LETS GO ROUND ONE IMMA BATTLE YOO
- Hagto'Zhl - COPYCAT DUMBO YOR A LOSA BRINGIN HOMIES TA FITE ME
- Tyraz - ... No "homie" am I of his.
- Zr'Ahgloth - MAN YOR JUS UPSET COZ YOO HAV NO HOMIES HURHURHURHUR
- Hagto'Zhl - OK DATS IT IM SIK OF YOO IM GONNA EET YAS
Hagto'Zhl got out of his throne and proceeded to rip it out of the ground, hurling it at Zr'Ahgloth's direction in a fit of rage. Zr'Ahgloth's eyes widened as he had to quickly roll in front to duck from it, though it still managed to trap his leg on the ground. He kicked it away with his other, but the surprise had caught him off guard.
- Zr'Ahgloth - wow man yor not even gonna battle yor such a wimp COZ YOO NO DAT YOOD LOOS AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Zr'Ahgloth picked up his boom box, put it on full volume, and shoved it straight in Hagto'Zhl's mouth, attempting to choke him with it. The Loron'Kikra retaliated by crushing the box with his teeth, digging them into Zr'Ahgloth's hand in the process as his eyes began shining in demonic red. Tyraz' own eyes widened and he reached out a hand to gesture for the Loron Warboss to retreat from the daemon's vicinity.
- Tyraz - Stand aside from him!
- Zr'Ahgloth - EEZY FOR YOO TA SAY WEN YOO DUNT HAV HIM BITIN YA HAND. OW WAT DA HELL
- Hagto'Zhl - IM GONNA FEEST ON YOR GUTS
Hagto'Zhl swung his head to the side, throwing Zr'Ahgloth by the arm at Tyraz's direction. Siezing the opportunity, Mac flung himself to Hagto'Zhl's side shoulder fist, attempting to knock him to the floor and stun him, before raising him sword to then swipe at his teeth. Some of them were cut off and led to Hagto'Zhl 's eyes widening, and he held his mouth in pain as he pranced in place. Tyraz, too astounded by the gargantuan Loron being sent flying, could not evade the throw and was knocked from where he had been standing, blackened, ethereal vapour escaping from his orifices and pores as he was almost crushed beneath Zr'Ahgloth.
It was not long until the Loron Warboss felt something beginning to move beneath him, however; he had landed on Tyraz moments prior, and now he felt the ground beneath him beginning to almost raise upward in an uneven, shaky manner. In a matter of moments, appearing almost from nowhere, was a vaguely Zazane-like entity whose flesh burned and steamed like molten material and was obisidian black aside from the illuminated, glowing cracks across its hide.
- Hagto'Zhl - karnak is dat yoo
- Demon - ... AAAAARRRRRAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!
- Hagto'Zhl' - MAN YOO SOUND JUS LIEK KARNAK. COPYCAT DUMBO YOO BROUGH A SECOND COPYCAT DUMBO WIV YOO
- Zr'Ahgloth - i meen dis guy is probs da most stubborn person ive eva met. wont even admit DAT HES DA ONE WHOS BEIN A COPYCAT DUMBO
Launching Zr'Ahgloth off of its back, the gargantuan Zazane, which stood roughly equal, if not somewhat shorter, to Hagto'Zhl threw its arms to its sides, baring its blackened claws, and rushed at the Loron with wild, almost bestial swings as it screamed and roared uncontrollably. Hagto'Zhl screeched as he was launched across the chamber, crashing into a wall and letting out a pained shout. He took out a pair of blastas and began shooting at the trio, his head twitching to the side slightly as he was becoming increasingly angered. The demonic Zazane had attempted to charge again, although it was halted by the gunfire as it collided with its undefended torso and caused it to roar and growl in frustration.
- Mac - Oooh, this looks like fun. My turn.
Mac raised his sword once again, and jumping towards Hagto'Zhl, flew at him in the air, rapidly slashing his blade to hit Hagto'Zhl's back. Channelling all his energy into his arms, he managed to speed himself up to the point where his movement appeared to the others as little more than a blur, to the point where no one could tell where he was stopping in midair. Finally, Mac kicked Hagto'Zhl to the floor, for Zr'Ahgloth to stomp him. Hagto'Zhl found himself taken aback by Mac's speed, which had caught in him a position to, once again, be stunned by another blow to the side that wounded him. Hagto'Zhl shouted in pain and thrashed in place as he could not get back up from the combined attacks, but the trio then could watch as his body was suddenly wreathed in purple flames, his eyes shining more intensily than before as his voice changed from a copy of Zr'Ahgloth's into something much heavier and malevolent.
- Hagto'Zhl - YOR MAKIN ME... VERY VERY VERY VERY PISSED OFF
- Mac - Good. I was wondering how much more punishment you could take before this became challenging. I may not be the Taldar I was...but in most timelines you crack before that.
The demonic Zazane stepped back as Hagto'Zhl was ignited with the lavender fire and roared in the demonic Loron'Kikra's direction, baring its claws once more before it, with some hesitation beforehand, dashed towards him with reckless, feral swings. Hagto'Zhl roared again as his body turned pitch black before their eyes, and the trio was pushed back by a shockwave of Nightmare Energy as his form began quickly growing in size. Hagto'Zhl's red eyes turned pitch-black while several pairs of tentacle-like tendrils erupted out of his spine, covered in his fresh blood which began raining down at the chamber. A long, bloodstained tail also erupted from his rear, and the muscles on his arms became so thick he was forced to stand on them like a gorilla would. Hagto'Zhl had become so huge, Zr'Ahgloth and Tyraz's Demon Form only reached his knees.
The Null State of Hagto'Zhl let out a roar which by itself would send any mere man into a permanent state of terror.
- Null Hagto'Zhl - SHU'RIMRODIR DEVOUR YOO ALL
- Zr'Ahgloth - so urm i take it dat dat rap battle aint happenin den
The demonic Hagto'Zhl sent his claws at Zr'Ahgloth to smack him away, delivering such a blow that even the reinforced floor of the spaceship was rend apart as if it was wet paper.
- Zr'Ahgloth - FER ONCE I SHOULDVE SHUT MY BIG MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUTH...
Zr'Ahgloth fell through the floor below him, and desparately tried to climb his way back up the rubble that had been left behind. As the colossal titan had launched its claws at the ground where the Loron'Kikra had been standing, Tyraz leaped from his position and utilised both his strength and his claws to clasp into the muscular tendons of the beastly Hagto'Zhl's arm, rending and mauling at his limb with his demonic talons and serrated jaws in an attempt that would, at best, greatly pester the much larger opponent. Irritated by Tyraz's actions, Hagto'Zhl launched his head at him and dug his teeth into his torso while growling in anger. From this position, the trio could spot the large, tumour-like Corruptus Heart of the demon, which they had learned by now was a general weakspot in all Corruptus demons. As Tyraz found himself being mauled, he sent his fists and clawed fingertips at the demon's face in maddened, wild anger while simultaneously bleeding profusely - he had, however, managed to attain Hagto'Zhl's attention in these moments.
- Mac - Is this my queue again? Woo!
Mac once again charged himself with speed. But this time, he would aim to spin Hagto'Zhl around with confusion. While Tyraz was doing a good job, one thing Loron were typically notorious for was their short attention span; if Mac could distract Hagto'Zhl long enough, he would have no idea who to attack. Mac swiped his blade in each of Hagto'Zhl's joints, causing a quick jolt dealt to his nerves in pain. Hagto'Zhl instead attempted to grab and stop Mac from moving, but he was moving much too fast. One second he was there, the next he was gone. Hagto'Zhl's frustration grew immensely. This gave Tyraz yet another opening.
- Mac - Just don't let up. He's as shortsighted as most Loron are.
- Null Hagto'Zhl - STAND STILL YOO FUKIN ASSCAKE
Hagto'Zhl's tentacles began slamming down around him in circles, bashing against walls and the floor in an attempt to crush Mac. Freeing himself from the Loron'Kikra's clasp in the moment Mac had supplied him, Tyraz roared once more as he began to claw and bite at the floor at his own feet, digging up the materials that made up the spaceship's flooring; pulling a rather large, thick sheet up from the ground, the demonic Zazane gyrated in circles until he launched it at Hagto'Zhl's chest, the material arcanised with Descension energy as it spun almost like a sawblade. The makeshift weapon found itself embbed into Hagto'Zhl's heart, causing the demon to roar out in agony as he stumbled backwards, desperatedly clawing at it in an attempt to get it off and leaving himself open in the process. Despite his immense power, he was clearly sluggish.
Tyraz coughed and spluttered as glowing blood erupted from his mouth, an arm clasping over the colossal wounds that had been made in his torso from the gargantuan Loron's mauling. However, regaining his composure as Hagto'Zhl was sent back, the Zazane dashed beneath the Loron'Kikra's feet and stopped himself after flanking the Loron; despite the vital weakness being located in his chest, the enraged Tyraz aimed to clasp the tail of the Loron'Kikra and make him lose his balance or stop him from moving ahead. Hagto'Zhl looked back at Tyraz's direction as he swung his tail around, bashing it against walls or the floor in an attempt to get the Zazane off of him. This left his weakened chest exposed to Mac and Zr'Ahgloth while Tyraz was pummelled and beaten by the fruits of Hagto'Zhl's desperation.
Climing out of the pit that Hagto'Zhl had left him, a bruised and tired Zr'Ahgloth rose from the ground and roared. Though his rage was not nearly as impressive as that of his doppelganger, Zr'Ahgloth was clearly out for Hagto's blood. Head first he rammed into Hagto'Zhl and threw every punch he had in him to throw. The Loron boss's blows did not deliver any significant damage to Hagto'Zhl as one of his tentacles was sent down at him to crush him like an insect. The demon's body was too armored to be hurt anywhere except the Heart. Zr'Ahgloth only grew more and more frustrated. Seeing no results attacking Hagto, he simply aimed to grapply one of the tentacles and thrust his teeth into them, punching it as hard as he had in him.
- Mac - Focus. Go for the heart. That's his weak spot. I'll try and keep him distracted.
- Null Hagto'Zhl - STOP GRABBIN ME YOO LOT OH MA DAYZ
- Demon - ... HEEEAAAAAARRRRRRTTTT!!
Mac continued to zip all around Hagto'Zhl, stabbing into him repeatedly, but now aiming for the tentacles. Taking the hint, Zr'Ahgloth entered a tunnel vision as he headbutted and smacked Hagto'Zhl's heart with all the energy he had left. The endorphins of battle released were only making him forget how much pain he was truly in. Hagto'Zhl began screaming in pain as Zr'Ahgloth's blows made their way into his weakened heart, until the Loron boss found it exploding on his face in a shower of demon blood, with the demonic Loron'Kikra roaring as he fell down into the ground, squirming in agony.
- Zr'Ahgloth - YOO STOLE EVERYFIN FROM ME. MA REP. MA STYLE. MA BLING. AT DIS POINT IM MOAR HARD PRESSED TA FIND STUFF YA DIDNT STEEL. I HOPE YOO PAY FER DIS!!!!!!!!!!!
With Hagto'Zhl weakened, Tyraz, whose grip remained firm upon the demon's tail, used what remained of his strength after the severe and bloody pummeling to launch the gargantuan Corruptus fiend from where it had been standing and across the extent of his quarters, throwing him from one side of the room to the other while having been placed under almost crippling stress and difficulty. Hagto'Zhl rolled across the ground as his form began dissolving into a thick black goo, until all that remained was the original Loron'Kikra boss, who looked severely hurt and battered. He fell to his knees and then fell face first into the ground.
- Hagto'Zhl - ow.
- Zr'Ahgloth - IT IS SO FUNNY HOW PUNY YOO LOOK NAO AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Following Hagto'Zhl's own reversion, the Demon Form that Tyraz had assumed also found itself dematerialising from existence into black ash, leaving Tyraz, battered, bruised, and bleeding, to collapse onto the floor and struggle to his feet as he looked upon the defeated Loron'Kikra Warboss.
- Tyraz - ... S-So it seems... w-we have won.
- Hagto'Zhl - hur... hur... it took 3 of ya ta kill me lmao
- Zr'Ahgloth - i meen its agenst tradishon but COPYIN OTHA LORON IS AGENST TRADISHON DUNT BE A HYPOCRIT
- Hagto'Zhl - sod off losa... i eint a loron. im a DEEMUN... and killin me? wunt do jakk. ya wanna kno whai? cus ZR'AN'KAR WILL JUS REVIVE ME LATA... IN DA END I STILL WON. I WON AN YOO DIDNT HURHURHURHURHUR!!!
- Mac - Well, I mean, you're right on that part. I've seen timelines where you come back after this. But I've also seen timelines where Zr'An'Kar stops caring for you, so, I mean, I wouldn't rely on that if I were you.
- Hagto'Zhl - MATE PISS OFF NO ONE LIKES YOO
- Tyraz - ... Y-Yes, wrong y-you are not. ... Live for another d-day, you may, but... Y-You have lost your b-battle this day, and m-mayhaps... if we s-succeed in our m-mission... another d-day you shan't see... Zr'An'Kar dies this day, as do you.
- Mac - Uhh, Iiiiii wouldn't exactly rely on that one either. Y'see, I've seen the fact that he dies a few decades down the future, not that I know much about it. But more importantly the fact that I thought Zr'An'Kar died long ago...okay now I'm just being a smartass. Alright, Zr'Ahgloth, you have your moment and we'll be done here.
- Zr'Ahgloth - FITE DA POWA
Zr'Ahgloth slammed his fist into Hagto'Zhl's throat, into the side of his mouth, and kicked him one last time for good measure. Hagto'Zhl agonized for a few moments until his own body dissolved into the same black goo as his Null State, leaving nothing but his hat as he finally died. Zr'Ahgloth spat on the hat and crushed it, then grinned.
- Tyraz - ... Keep m-moving, we must. Zr'An'Kar shan't wait for us.
- Mac - You heard Yoda. C'mon, Zr'Ahgloth, let's go.
At this moment, the trio could hear Jerkon's voice coming from their communications.
- Jerkon - Thea'Nhirara felt a disturbance ahead. Have you destroyed the Loron'Kikra leader?
- Tyraz - ... A-Aye. That is... a-affirmative.
- Jerkon - That is sufficient news. We require one of you to aid us in setting up the explosives around the station.
- Koluap - Send the Loron! He's amusing.
- Mac - What kind of news is "sufficient"? Huh.
- Zr'Ahgloth - YOO WOT MATE
- Koluap - We got plenty of things for you to kill while we set up bombs everywhere.
- Tyraz - ... G-Go with them, h-hound. The battle ahead... is not one you h-have chance of l-living through. Mac and I... w-will face Zr'An'Kar...
- Zr'Ahgloth - i was hopin i culd kill da zazzi leeda rite heer. but i gess dat ent happenin. wat a shame
- Tyraz - If I... w-was to die, hound, i-it would not have b-been to you either way.
- Zr'Ahgloth - YOO WANNA BET COM ON DEN LETS FITE NAO
- Koluap - Oi shut up and get your ass in here!
- Mac - Ugh. Loron. Want me to kick him there for ya?
- Koluap - You do that, we ain't got much time you know.
- Mac - Okay, big baby, Koluap has a pizza party on at his place afterwards and a few other Zazane to kill and he might just let you in on both of those things if you do what he asks. There are also several timelines where you kill Tyraz, by the way.
- Zr'Ahgloth - ...safe imma hav pizza
Zr'Ahgloth followed the directions that Jerkon sent him and headed away from the group, off to plant some bombs.
- Mac - Between you and me, Tyraz, there really aren't that many. I totally lied.
- Tyraz - ... How reassuring of you, time-seer. ... C-Come, we have w-wasted too much time a-as is; e-every second wasted equates to yet another... l-life lost in the fire.
- Mac - You're right. I'll speed us up.
Mac channeled his power once more into both himself and Tyraz, so that they would both move in double the speed they normally would.
- Mac - That's about all I can manage. If it feels like everything around you is slower, it's not, it's just that you're faster.
- Tyraz - Even with such power... We must pick up our pace. Ahead, we shall march, into the lair of darkness and spite to face down our nemesis... and bring end to those feuds that bind us here now with Zr'An'Kar's blood. ... Forward!
Child of Nightmare and Time[]
Mac and Tyraz watched as the walls at the back of the commandant's chamber began opening, causing a thick black fog to cover the entire room and making it difficult to see anything. The temperature appeared to lower very fast as they could hear the sound of hreavy breathing as well as loud technological devices at the other end of the now darkened room. Tyraz clenched his fists in anticipation, his own breathing becoming heavy with residual hate as he could feel himself approaching the center and heart of this accursed and dreaded lair; his armour had been broken and shattered since his transformation during the conflict with Hagto'Zhl, leaving much of his upper torso exposed to the elements ahead and allowing him to feel the chilling atmosphere of the fog across every inch of his skin.
As the duo walked into the fog, they eventually came across what looked like a transparent tube filled with neon green liquid. Floating at its center was a black-skinned creature which vaguely looked like an embryo, its features vaguely similar to that of Zr'An'Kar himself.
- Mac - This don't bring back the most pleasant of memories ever.
- Tyraz - What have we here...?
- Zr'An'Kar - How meddlesome... you got past my toughest experiment already.
Through the fog, the duo could see Zr'An'Kar's tentacle-like fingers wrapping themselves around the tube, and the embryo inside vanished in a black blast of Dark Chronoscopic Energy, leaving it empty. Tyraz took a step back, inhaling deeply as he looked upon the spectacle unfolding before him.
- Zr'An'Kar - Mac and Tyraz Breek... What you have witnessed was the creation of Zr'An'Kar. My creation, by me.
- Tyraz - Always thought, I had... that one such as you should go and fuck yourself.
- Mac - Despicable. Your origins are yourself?
- Zr'An'Kar - Pathetic, Tyraz. I am not the result of breeding of any sort. I created myself, and sent my infant form nine billion years in the past to serve my Lord. In the event, I would be filled with Dark Chronoscopic energies due to being a paradox to this timeline, and then I would be empowered by the Nightmare energies of my master.
- Tyraz - An abomination truly upon all scales. Retreating to a past gone-by shan't save you from the demise you face upon this day, worm. Nine billion years have led you to die, pitiful and writhing, at my heel.
- Zr'An'Kar - You think I fear your petty threats, ant? I am not retreating. I am giving birth. Giving birth to myself. A paradox, a nightmare... a child of nightmare and time, who will be the end of this universe in the name of the Devourer of Dreams.
Mac and Tyraz confront Kolossus
The fog cleared and allowed Mac and Tyraz to take a glance at Zr'An'Kar's form. He appeared much like when they fought at Ottzello, but he rested a hand in the ground to keep himself from falling down and his body was evidently covered in scars he had received when the Ottzelloan vault had collapsed on top of him. Tyraz growled, the pupils of his reptilian eyes contracting in his rage as he looked upon the figure of Zr'An'Kar, and his fists had clenched hard enough to draw blood from his veins.
- Mac - Not content with the twisted bullshit you did to me...you had to create yourself to be as sick as you possibly could. I wonder how much Zargoth did to you.
- Zr'An'Kar - The Emperor did much. He lectured me, he taught me how to use this power. But I am not like him, no... I like to experiment. I like to watch the reactions of such experiments. Hagto'Zhl and the Loron'Kikra are nothing but a "beta" of my birth.
- Tyraz - An experiment... You had lives, innocent and pure, ended and ruined for the sake of a mere twisted experiment? You purged trillions to observe how we and your miscreants would react?
- Mac - I'm through with you, Zr'An'Kar. I thought I was rid of you the first time. But it appears I was not. And now, for everytime you hurt me when you weakened me, for every second that I have been stuck like this, cut off from the group mind...I'm gonna make you pay for it! All of it!
- Tyraz - I will have you bleed your regret from your wounds, monster, and I shall have the many lives you extinguished avenged with my fists bare and bloodied...
- Zr'An'Kar - Bah! Don't talk to me about purity, demon of sin! And you, Mac... I will enjoy cursing every Taldar in the fifth dimension to be just like you, and once I do, I will devour you all, one by one! I may be weakened, but I am still a god!
Raising his hands, Zr'An'Kar channeled Dark Chronoscopic energy on his hands as he fired it at both Mac and Tyraz, one hand aimed at each. Tyraz growled as he rolled to evade the oncoming attack, although the shockwave from it impacting where he had been standing knocked him off of his balanced standing and launched him across the arena, colliding with hardware while black, ethereal vapour could once more be seen emanating from his form. Zr'An'Kar's antennae opened themselves and unleashed blasts of energy which shined in epileptic colours, tearing the reinforced floor of the spaceship apart as he aimed at the duo.
- Zr'An'Kar - No escape! Today, you will be forgotten!
Descension energy radiating from his form, Tyraz growled as he launched hardware, equipment, and pieces of debris in an effort to delay the blasts from striking at his vicinity and giving him brief seconds to make evasive maneuvers. He could feel himself becoming more enraged as he maded every effort to avoid being struck by the dark god's onslaught, baring his teeth as the anger pained his chest.
- Tyraz - Meet your maker you shall... once I am through with you and your wretched existence!
- Mac - Zr'An'Kar...with all the pain you have caused me over the millenia...do you really think you could top that? Hah hah hah...
Mac, as per usual when about to attack, raised his blade in the air, preparing to charge towards Zr'An'Kar. But he knew that Zr'An'Kar was not the typical foe and would be able to keep up with him. Mac faked out his movements, trying to confuse Zr'An'Kar. There were millions of possible timelines in which Mac could attack him in, there was no way he could prepare for all of them at once. After calculating his move carefully, Mac slashed the lower left side of Zr'An'Kar's torso, then grinned to himself as he attacked more. Within the space of a few seconds, Mac managed to hack at Zr'An'Kar seventy times.
The nightmare demon's impossibly tough hide appeared impenetrable, with Mac's attacks doing little more than scratches to it as he then swung waves of tentacles at the Taldar to knock him away. At the same time, his gigantic serpentine tail was launched at Tyraz's direction, aiming to crush him in one swift blow. Tyraz gasped as he halted in his steps and yet, while he had just managed to evade being beneath the mass of the tail, he found himself roaring in agonizing pain as not only was the shockwave powerful enough to knock him from where he had been standing, but a segment of his left foot had been torn and stripped entirely from the limb. And yet, despite the damage being taken, only more Descension energy emerged from his body while the transformation he would have usually undergone had not occured.
- Tyraz - D-Damnation!
- Zr'An'Kar - To face me by yourselves was your worst mistake. And even if you brought your friends with you, they would die like insects all the same.
- Tyraz - H-Hold your damned tongue! I... I shan't allow you to spill the blood of lives countless - the lives of my people - and believe you shall tread freely from it!
- Zr'An'Kar - You are all sacrifices! Sacrifices in the name of the Devourer of Dreams!
Mac continued to calculate his every move, trying to outmanouvere what was more or less a god of time compared to his comparatively weak powers. He grew ever more frustrated as his attacks did so little to Zr'An'Kar. He felt he was putting effort working out how to hit Zr'An'Kar without being intercepted and it was to no avail. As the frustration grew, he became reckless, and eventually Zr'An'Kar knocked him to the ground. He was knocked back and lay in pain, and frustrated at his own inability to even pierce through Zr'An'Kar's armor. But his frustration was clouding his vision, and his attacks achieved no success. A cackle came out of the demon as he slithered back, clasping his hands together and then unleashing a ray of combined entropy and Dark Chronoscopic at the duo. The blast of double essence appeared like a vortex which destroyed walls and the floor as it hit them.
From the rubble that Tyraz had been sent crashing into during the previous assault, the Zazane arose and fixated his gaze upon the swirling, destructive vortex that had been unleashed into the dark god's chambers. Breathing heavily, Tyraz began to charge towards the blast of dual-Essences, roaring as he drew his vibrokatana from its sheath upon his belt and, with his strength and the materials of edge enhanced by his Descension energy, launched the blade to spin and twirl in Kolossus' direction - Tyraz had been aiming for the face, as he had seen that Mac could not penetrate his body. The furious dual essence blast was interrupted as a pained roar came out of Zr'An'Kar, Tyraz's katana penetrating the demon's eyeball and causing him to recoil backwards. He eventually took it out and threw it aside, glancing at Tyraz's general direction in clear hatred.
- Zr'An'Kar - I will teach you to learn your place, filthy animal!
- Tyraz - I know it now... The reason I could not change! I feared you, thought you a fortress impenetrable and powerful. ... But I see now that you, godlike as you are, retain chinks in one's accursed armour!
Mac saw what Tyraz was doing. With a cooler head, Tyraz was thinking his moves more carefully. Mac would have to put all his feelings aside for a moment, and figure out how he could help here. Concentrating what little power he had left, Mac attempted to disrupt Zr'An'Kar's powers by firing Chronoscopic bolts at him. As they both tried to outmanouvere each other, and with Zr'An'Kar's power being worn thin between the two, Mac managed to keep Zr'An'Kar's powers busy enough to buy Tyraz some more time. And though his blade did little damage, any attempt to attack Zr'An'Kar would respond with an attempt from Zr'An'Kar to block him; he kept it up, if only to take the heat off Tyraz.
- Mac - Maybe your curse didn't do that much afterall!
- Zr'An'Kar - Bah. I've fought enemies greater than you several times over, and I destroyed them!
A grim smirk perking across his face, Tyraz' eyes flushed with a bloodied crimson as he made another charge, dashing at Zr'An'Kar while the flesh across his body hardened like stone, blackening to obsidian shades; the sounds of bones breaking and fixing themselves as Tyraz' grew could be heard by both chronoscopic beings, and with maddened, feral screeches, the enlarged Tyraz drove his Demon Form at Zr'An'Kar - memories of their first engagement had flourished within the Zazane warlord's mind upon his metamorphosis. The sight of the approaching Demon led Zr'An'Kar to raise a clawed hand and send it down at him with the intention of ripping his head off in one smack. He had defeated this entity before, he thought, so he could easily do it again. Indeed, the hand of the dark god held the capacity to tear Tyraz apart as Mac saw when Tyraz made his attempt to evade it, which, while having survived, had costed him his left arm. In the moment it had been torn, however, Tyraz - now Demon - caught it with the arm he retained and, gyrating in a circle, launched the clawed appendage at Zr'An'Kar's chest. Mac could also notice that this transformation, while still large, had been somewhat smaller than the previous.
- Mac - What's up?
The Demon's claws dug into Zr'An'Kar's Corruptus Heart and, much like Hagto'Zhl, he responded by shrieking in agony as the center of his entropic power was harmed. A gush of black blood was launched across Tyraz's arm, and Zr'An'Kar retaliated by hurling the descended Zazane into the floor with all the strength remaining on him, hoping to reduce him to paste in the process.
- Zr'An'Kar - Do not lay a finger on me!!
- Demon - ... E... E-E... E... EVISCERATE!!
The Demon crashed against the floor, leading to his molten, sturdy flesh to crack across the entirety of his body and luminous, superheated blood to escape from his wounds, yet the gargantuan Zazane did not cease under the affliction of pressure and stress; stumbling to his feet and with only a single arm to utilise, Tyraz tore a chunk of the floor from its foundations, gyrating once more as it became arcanised with his Descension energy and launched it at Zr'An'Kar, a dreaded smile sweeping from bloodied cheek to bloodied cheek. The demonic energies coming from Tyraz allowed the pile of chunk to penetrate the demon demigod's defenses as it broke on contact with his Heart, causing one of the spikes which decorated it to break and be flung across the room. Zr'An'Kar gasped and coughed out black blood, falling to the side with only his hands allowing him to keep upright.
- Zr'An'Kar - Gah... aarhh... you are harming me...
- Demon - KILL KILL! MAIM! KILL! EVISCER-- EVISCERATE! KILL!
- Zr'An'Kar - I can only retaliate... by harming you thrice times harder.
Rising again, Mac and Tyraz could hear cracking and snapping noises coming out of Zr'An'Kar's head as it then ripped itself open, revealing a huge mass of tentacles where one would expect his brain to be located. A single, dark eye was at the very center, and the demon's aura of power flared more intensily as he roared at them.
- Zr'An'Kar - Feel my true, full power!
- Mac - They always said you were sick in the head.
The tentacles flung themselves at Mac, acting like a radial mouth filled with tooth-shaped spikes as Zr'An'Kar tried to crush the Taldar mercenary with them. Seeing most of them coming, Mac raised his sword in response to attempt to cut a few of them off, or at least block them, but there were only so many he could keep back. He was finding himself overwhelmed. The Demon, meanwhile, dashed to flank Zr'An'Kar and yet, despite having the capacity to do so and being able to get in range to at least strike the dark lord, Tyraz did not lay even a finger upon him. Instead, he rushed away from the conflict, leaving Mac behind to face the time god's mercy.
- Zr'An'Kar - Hahahahaha! Run, you animal! You stand no chance against a being of such grand power such as me!
- Mac - Coward...
Mac's fury propelled him to keep swinging his blade, to keep propelling himself to move faster. Zr'An'Kar's tentacles were proving very difficult to keep up with, and Zr'An'Kar almost impossible to outmanouvere. The demon lord's glaring eye stared at Mac intensily as he continued his attempts to chomp him, growing more amused every second passed as he could do little to defense himself. However, almost as swiftly as he had vanished from the fight, the two time lords could hear the sound of heavy footsteps stepping back into the arena where they fought, followed by heavy breathing that sounded both enraged and agonized simultaneously. The Demon had returned, glaring at Zr'An'Kar with eyes filled with burning spite as his own glowing blood soaked his blackened body.
- Demon - Zr... Zr... ZR'AN'KAR!!
The demon paid little attention to the approaching Tyraz as he simply swung his huge tail at his direction to finish him off. However, as the tail approached the transformed Zazane warlord, it found itself stopped in its very tracks as the Demon raised the dismembered spike that had been dislodged from Zr'An'Kar's chest in his hand and sent it down into the flesh of the tail to attempt pinning it to the floor. Zr'An'Kar screeched in pain as his own form was used against him, and the spike was able to pierce through his scales and trap his tail in place, causing the giant demon to shift his attention from Mac to Tyraz as he slithered at his direction, his tentacles writhing and his eye burning in anger.
- Zr'An'Kar - How dare you!
Pulling the spike backward, the Demon dragged the spike through Zr'An'Kar's tail and the floor beneath it until he had managed to free it from where it had been slammed and clasped it tightly in hand; the Demon glared at Zr'An'Kar, panting madly as blood spat from his wounds and orifices, and he raised his arm, leaving his torso vulnerable to attack as that dreaded smile he wore before became an agonizing scowl. The demonic lord paid little attention as he approached Tyraz, lifting both hands up before throwing them down at him, aiming to crush him under them once and for all. The Demon had not attempted to evade even though it could clearly see the dark god's approach and showed little fear of the assault that could very well have ended his life. The only thing that Tyraz did, in the moment Zr'An'Kar had brought his hands down, was launch the demon lord's spike at the eye in the center of his tendril-covered face, its very material radiating with Descension energy and whatever residual energies from Zr'An'Kar it had retained; he had been waiting for Zr'An'Kar to have been close enough.
Zr'An'Kar let out an ear-shattering shriek as he was flung backwards, his eye completely ruptured by the attack as the demon fell down into the floor. His head slowly returned to normal as he let out heavy breaths, blood coming out of his eye and mouth. He struggled to get back up, but found it impossible to.
- Zr'An'Kar - ... Defeated by... these mere mortals...?
- Mac - I was a mortal before you destroyed me. This is just the first step towards my true revenge.
- Zr'An'Kar - I will never forgive you...
Walking from behind Zr'An'Kar, Tyraz heaved and panted as he rejoined Mac's company, a fist clenched and practically bursting with Descension energy as his spiteful eyes glared intently towards the dark god that had been floored. For the first time since their first meeting, Tyraz stood over Zr'An'Kar, a malign smile stretched across his face. Raising his arm, Tyraz charged at Zr'An'Kar, and flung his clenched, bleeding fist towards the dark god's Corruptus Heart.
- Demon - ... REVENGE!!
Channelling everything into his blade, Mac prepared his own strike towards the Heart. After channelling energy for a few seconds, he suddenly rushed towards Zr'An'Kar and struck, and within the space of only five seconds, had struck the heart three-hundred and eighty times with his Chronoscopic-powered blade.
- Mac - Revenge.
A final pained gasp came out of Zr'An'Kar and his body twitched for a moment, before he was reduced to ashes in front of Mac and Tyraz's eyes, his form dissipating slowly until nothing but his black blood remained on the floor. The last of the Dark Five was finally defeated, and where he stood, now was a shining shard of Dream Energy which radiated a warm, healing aura around it. The final Dream Shard needed to revive Laminoula'Fuerq.
As Zr'An'Kar's life ceased to be, the duo both heard Jerkon's voice once again.
- Jerkon - Status report!
- Demon - ... DEAD!
- Mac - Yuuuup. Dead.
- Jerkon - That appeared to be the case. The Loron'Kikra... they have vanished. Completely and utterly disappeared from the ship. Almost as if they were never here to begin with.
- Mac - That's good. Should thin the Corruptus' ranks a lot.
- Jerkon - We will be going to your location to help you evacuate. Afterwards, we will detonate the explosives and end this battle.
- Mac - One thing. With Zr'An'Kar dead, my personal motivation to help you in this war is now more or less gone, so from that perspective I have no reason to keep fighting. However, the Taldar gave me a message. I'm not sure what it means, but I don't think they'd have given it if they wanted me to quit the war now.
- Jerkon - That is for you to decide. I only ask you to wait for our arrival.
- Mac - Okay. I'll make up my mind by the time you're here. Thanks.
- Demon - HURRY!
True to Jerkon's words, all the Loron'Kikra had simply disappeared alongside Zr'An'Kar, allowing the teams to reunite easily and finally evacuate the Propa Big Planet Crusha. Setting off the explosives, the giant construct was detonated and reduced to space rubble which was launched across the vacuum, leading to a victory to the allied forces. Thea'Nhirara was overjoyed with the discovery of the Dream Shard which she had thought lost when the teams originally fought Zr'An'Kar at Ottzello, and with it, she would finally be able to ressurect Laminoula'Fuerq.
Upon arrival, the evacuation team collected a Mac who had made up his mind. He was going to fight in this war, if only to find out what "33" meant. The Taldar clearly gave him that message deliberately, he wasn't done here yet. Though part of him hoped that this may be the closest he could get to being returned to the Taldar group mind. Meanwhile, Zr'Ahgloth was to be returned home, as though he had desires to keep fighting, he had no reason to. Whether or not he would get his way was entirely dependent on the situation in Ottzello; if the Third Ottzello War were to resolve itself or not.
Tyraz, in the meantime, left of his own accord from the Plazith Rim to attend to the matter of other, separate demons of a sort having arisen to plague the Migratory Powers of the Zazane although not before he had requested reinforcements on part of the Dracogonarious Empire in exchange for further mobilised forces to tend to the Corruptus on part of the Third Sovereign Domain and its fellow Zazane states. Keldar would be assigned her own personal squad of Blackswords on behalf of the Emperor Tyraz and reinforced with militants from the Affinity of Blades, readied once more to carry on and push through the anti-Corruptus campaign.
Epilogue[]
The Dream Shards of Zr'An'Kar, Eleielord, Okastana, Laidar and Gobongogon were finally united at the center of New Draka's capital city of Realitia. Using their dream energy powers, Thea'Nhirara, Mimi and Macin all channeled their energies upon the shards in order to make them one once more. Jerkon and his allies, all those who had remained at his side following the end of the massive battle, watched as the shards took a new form and transformed themselves into the gargantuan dreamy entity Laminoula'Fuerq. As the demigod was given life once again, he looked down at the team with a faint smile upon his face and only spoke a few sentences, all which made his intentions clear to them.
- Laminoula'Fuerq - ... Command me to our enemies, and they shall regret laying their fingers upon you.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the void between galaxies, the mad scientist Errr watched the event through his series of monitors, keeping a finger where his chin was meant to be under his mask as if he contemplated to himself. After some moments, the doors to his room were opened by Marigrax and Karnak, who bowed to their leader as they approached him.
- Marigrax - Lord Creator. Zr'An'Kar has fallen.
- Karnak - He did a terrible job! Got himself exploded by some mortals and one of them was a manlet!
- Errr - As expected. Our Lord had no strong feelings for the Loron. They served their purpose as cannon fodder.
- Karnak - Oh! Oh! What's next, Lord Creator?
- Errr - What else? Our true plan, of course.
Karnak cackled loudly while Marigrax merely nodded, turning back to leave the chamber. Errr leaned forward and put his hands together, narrowing his eyes under his mask as the Avatar of the Devourer, his demonic bodyguard, watched over his shoulder.
- Errr - The massacre is about to begin.
