Nightmarish Legends

The Engineers were said to be great thinkers. Their more prominent accomplishments were through their biological creations. Their technology far surpassed anything the universe had seen at the time period. To the other younger races, the Engineers were on top the universal food chain. To the more underdeveloped species, they were gods.

However, one day, the biological experiments rebelled. One day, the Engineers began to disappear from each corner of the known galaxy. To the outside world, the 'gods' were merely retreating back to the safety of their empire. No more did they wish to interact with the lesser beings. Yet to the ones inside, there was discord. There was destruction and fire. But above all else...

There was death.

Eventually, most of the Engineers were wiped out by their own creations. Mainly at the hands of creatures they had dubbed Necromorph IV; deadly adversaries equipped to fight in the dark and kill all for the sake of their instincts. The few that survived locked themselves inside cryotubes or vaults meant withstand that of a sun. But the end result was all the same. The Engineers would not be returning to the known galaxy for a very long time.

Necromorph IV continued to evolve on their own after the inevitable demise of their creators. A grand queen emerged from the hordes of drones, seizing control and establishing a hierarchy among the subjects. The behavior was only shown on the main world these creatures have spawned. All other remnants of Necromorph IV died off shortly after the decimation of their creators.

The main world these newly evolved creatures was eventually called by the outside universe as Vier-Nemoiya; Realm of Black Death. Few dared to travel there as rarely anyone returned alive or even unscathed. The great throne of the Engineers became a desolate home to Necromorph IV. A tragedy to some, a predictable fate to others.

Time passed on and the Engineers were all but forgotten, becoming people of myths and legends. Vier-Nemoiya became a place of nightmarish legend, having been erased from all known star charts. Life continued on. But Necromorph IV and the Engineers would not be forgotten so easily.

Ike practical woke up with a snort, eyes barely open and blurry. He was sitting against a black wall that looked as if was made of dead biotech. Hell, he was in entire tunnel made up of the biotech walls. There were a few lights -a lamp here and there. Both those belonged to the people who discovered this place a decade ago. For them, this was a place of discovery. For Ike, it was just as much of a prison as the labs he spent most of his life inside.

He yawned, mandibles and arms stretching as he further aroused himself from his sleep. He wasn't sure how long he napped there but it was probably wise that he returned before those damn humans sent their guards after him. One time was the only one he needed. Ike rose to his feet and lumbered down the dead, black biotech hallways. If he remembered correctly, this way should take him to one of the outposts set up in this vast place.

He was walking for about ten minutes when he heard claws scratching against rock. Instincts kicked in immediately and Ike was in a defensive crouch, tail lashing behind him and mandibles flared out in an aggressive manner. He hated whenever he reacted like that to a simple noise. Something in his blood. He remembered how one of the scientists talks about the temporary issue of hormones surging through him and making him volatile at times. He was glad that he managed to suppress that nature often enough to impress his 'caretakers'.

A small figure dropped down from above, nearly pushing Ike over the edge of being faced with a possible attacker. A growl emanated from his throat then. However the growl subsided into a huff when it only turned out to be a good friend. Shira took a few steps forward before giving Ike a knowing look. He didn't need to be psychic to know what she was thinking about.

"They mad at me, they not?" He grumbled out, speaking English as best as he could. It hurt his vocal cords and unfortunately reduced to speaking much like a mentally impaired being.

"Luckily for you," She began as she walked forward. "They calmed down after they sent a little drone to check up on your location." Ike absentmindedly grabbed at the tracker collar around his neck as he followed behind the female. "You... You kind of look cute and peaceful when you're asleep."

"You watch me?"

"No! I just happened to be passing by during my exploration of these tunnels." There was no missing the embarrassment in her voice. Ike couldn't help but smirk.

"They still want me back."

"Dr. Richardson let everyone out to explore the tunnels. Something about us finding stuff quicker than their soldiers and excavators. We get two hours before they wrangle us all back in. Anyone who finds something of value gets a live meal."

"Tch, first pets, now slaves."

"Careful, they're always listening."

"Nothing else but listen." Ike scoffed. "No trust. Animals to them. No matter how smart. Never more, sometimes less."

"If it wasn't for them, Ike," Shira said in a calming voice. "We would not be here."

"Not always good. Not excuse forever."

Shira could only sigh. She did not understand why Ike did not like the humans at times. They were their saviors! If not for the humans, none of them would be here. The humans feed them, gave them a home, taught them things. Why could Ike not see that?

Then again, he was the eldest of all the genome experiments. He was the first of the surviving members and has lived far past what many had expected. And far past others of his generation. There could be things that Ike was aware of that Shira had no clue about. Things she would never learn of until later years.

Still... Wouldn't there be some sort of gratitude toward their human caretakers?

Both of the genome experiments froze when they heard a rustling noise. Ike was instantly back into 'kill mode', as some were fond of calling it. Shira herself had her tail raised and claws extended. That noise did not belong to a human. It sounded like it came from in the wall...

Another rustle and both of them spun towards the source. It was from the wall! Shira took a few steps forward, looking closely at the dead biotech. Inside one of circular crevices was a latch. Like a careless fool, she reached inside and gripped the handle, oblivious to Ike's warning. With a sharp tug, the latch came forward and the stone wall beside her shifted.

"Ike, did you see that?" Glee practically bubbled from her words. "I think we found something!"

Ike approached the shifted wall with tentative steps. Sure enough, it was easy to see the outline of what must've been a hidden door to some secret room. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't as excited about this discovery as well. He dug his claws into whatever purchase he could and pulled at the break in the wall.

Shira watched in marvel as the male pulled out the piece of biotech, revealing the hidden room behind it. She slowly stepped inside as Ike opened the wall wide enough to the point that two of him could fit inside. Within the secret confinement stood an entire room with a raised platform, an enlarged version of a microscope sitting in the middle. A humanoid looking figure sat inside the microscope, appearing to be fused with the biotech. On the opposite side of the wall was another hallway tunnel.

"This place..." Ike spoke quietly. "Nothing like before or other rooms. This place different."

"What do you think that is?" Shira thought aloud. "Who do you think that is inside?"

"Something they will cut up after learning this place," Ike huffed.

"Well then let's find something else for them to 'cut up' then."

Without waiting, Shira dashed forward. Ike could shake his head with a smile before following after. She went straight toward the tunnel mouth, giggling briefly to herself in excitement. Ike was no better as he basically sprinted right past her and inside the tunnel. He was curious as to what secrets await the two of them. And to see before the humans did only added to his elated demeanor.

Unlike most of the tunnels connecting to other rooms within this underground labyrinth, this tunnel was rather short. On the opposite side was another room with a raised platform inside. However, in the platform were five oval shaped pods. All spaced perfectly between each other and with an entire row of buttons on the left side of each pod.

Ike leaned over the nearest one and peeked inside. Shira opted to climbing on top and sitting directly over what appeared to be a harder form of plexiglass. He rubbed his hand over the accumulated dirt and dust in order to properly see it's contents. What rested inside greatly puzzled the male. Ike had to blink a few times in order to process what he was seeing.

It was a white skinned human. Albeit the one inside had a more square face and was definitely over eight feet, nearly as tall as Ike himself. The garb he wore was also different from what the humans here wore. It wore similar markings and patterns to that of the biotech that made up this place. Could it be that this human like creature was the original resident of this place?

"He looks... human." Shira tilted her head to the side before adding, "But didn't the doctors say how this place had been abandoned for centuries? How is he even alive inside?"

"Frozen sleep. This pod keep him sleeping but alive and unag- unag-" Ike was soon coughing from the difficulty of the word. Strange words such as that always tickled and irritate his throat.

"Unaging?" Shira offered, to which Ike nodded to. "Like the stuff we have?"

"Humans have." He corrected harshly.

"Whatever."

"More older and better. Human never last long before problems. Even the woman who last for seven decades had problems. Long frozen sleep no good." Ike ran a hand along the pod surface. "But this not like human. This much different. Much different."

Ike continued to stare down at the sleeping giant. Something about it... Why did he feel he has seen it before? And why was there this subtle hatred towards it? This need to kill it? He shook his head and backed away. They should go back-

Shira pressed several of the buttons on the side of the pod, the noises they made catching Ike's attention. What the hell was she doing?!

"Shira, don't-"

A loud hiss cut him off as the pod opened up. Both the genome experiments jumped back, eyes widened as they held their breaths. Inside, the white skinned giant laid still. Not a minute had passed before it opened it's eyes and gasped for breath. Shira jumped away from the pod, backing away further on to the platform. Ike ended up against the wall as he watched the white giant sat up.

Panic set in when he watched the giant lock eyes with Shira. Fear took root and kept him frozen as the giant stood up and climbed out from the pod. Ike watched as it went immediately for Shira and grabbed her by the arm. It wasn't until she began screaming that he regained control of his body. He jumped on to the platform as quick as he could and sprinted for the giant.

He was still too late. And Shira's pained screams filled the previous silence of the air.

A/n: I'm going to say now that writing up history for a race of people I know little about it quite the challenge. A difficult one but still doable. Sorry for not giving any specific details as to who or what Ike and Shira are. That is saved for later chapters (provided I remember to continue this -3-). For now, make whatever guesses you'd like. I did give some hints as to what Ike more or less is.

As always, read and review. I like hearing what people have to say about my stories and such. Just don't be rude about things. Expect a new chapter within the next few days, provided finals don't murder me in the process.

Pred out~