XCOM: War of the Chosen
Retribution's Ascension
Chapter III
The moment an entire room turned cold which meant one thing. I wasn't alone. I heard a voice coyly address what it found amusing. I'd been alone for several days and it wasn't exactly unwelcome. Yet inevitably that came to an end, "It seems your time away from my guidance has been productive, student." I knelt immediately hearing that voice as I ceased any training I'd thrown myself towards. Starving off an inevitable confrontation could only be done naturally for so long my voice broke free of it's startled shackles.
That took longer than I thought, perhaps she succeeded and managed to do what she required. At times I wished I wanted to be wrong but I wasn't this time master returned from her hunt evidently was indeed successful. I'd have to be deaf to assume wrong given she sounded pleased. I hoped she'd been gone longer. But I guess it'd be an excuse to know why I wasn't on my knees defending an assault, she'd have taken advantage to release her displeasure through my own misery and fortunately for my self in training it proved to be a saving grace.
"Master Void-Blade, I am heartened you've returned unharmed." Biting down vile assisted that polite statement given how she laughed lowly finding it adorable, "No need to hear you flatter myself. It should please your expectations that our information regarding a wayward traitor has been rectified, I'm sure you've heard news about his immediate detention." She'd been referring to one individual who'd been notoriously hunting down, or freeing Advent soldiers not exactly loyal to the Elders will. Of course like all who paid attention I heard rumors and only kept them as such in fear of my master trying to pry where, or why I'd listen to such things to avoid being questioned.
I replied humbly despite ignoring an urge to roll both eyes, "I've only recent heard about Pratal Mox's capture at your hands, master. Forgive me, I don't know much beyond his group's purpose to resist the Elders and by extension your power." She hummed, or rather more accurately purred thoughtfully forcing a warning once I looked up to see her beckoning me to rise. I did so very quickly avoiding anything to impose as threatening given I armed myself, "Follow me, student. Soon a summons shall be decreed by the Elder's themselves, I wish of you to accompany me so you may learn yet another lesson." She moved as expected of a huntress easing herself back into a hunt.
A summons? Rarely did such an event occur, less so decreed by the Elder's personally. Why does she even want me there? I mean I'm not exactly high on their trusting lists. Thinking intently I placed my training weapon back in it's proper rack as I grabbed my head gear to fully before prepared in both appearance and mind alike. Ever since capturing those two resistance fighters along with my previous rewards.
Having theory honed wasn't an issue, it was something practical I'd have to ease myself into soon. Really I needed time to consider how to approach interrogations to get what I wanted. Avoiding an elephant in said metaphorical room in finding out where their precious commander had fled too wasn't my agenda. Trying to convince captives of that small unusual detail wasn't going to be clear cut. Clearly I needed to skip or gloss over that information because it'd get wedged between dangers far too hazardous a thing called living.
Personally I'd leave that information to master Void-Blade and her siblings on their own terms. Strapping on a mask concealed my lower face I adjusted the hood's carefully constructed tip to leave both eyes protected in shadow. I needed to make sure no facial expressions could be read openly. Between having an anxiety attack since I'd be soon among monsters who enjoyed to torture me senselessly. Regardless of current relationships I held with each of my master's siblings, I went expecting everything to go wrong, I kept my pistol and it's newly minted ruins etched symbol's along the barrel.
It'd been an advancement of initiation towards an ascension by master Grim-Lance himself who learned of my trophies. His smile refused to die down once hearing how I cleanly obliterated my enemy's heart in one shot! I only reluctantly forced him to compliment the manner how I'd achieved it by his standards of finesse charm. During that conversation I still inquired if I should strive to do better, I knew it sounded lack lusting yet his eyes hadn't wavered when replying with a simple, "Yes." Not a day later I'd been standing before him in person kneeling as he took away a christened weapon to etch runes of a language only to be read by his blood. Basically only three beings knew what these words meant, or including the Elder's technically speaking if I had to correct such knowledge to lesser creatures but they wouldn't know.
Following close behind I perked up her voice broke my thoughts, "Your silence betrays your worries my student." Her eyes glowered with power I knew I'd dare not lie given I nodded speaking everything in truth, "Garnering an audience directly to the Elder's isn't exactly, common place. I'm wary given I'd had no contact with them as you have master, please forgive my uneasy anxiety given these circumstances." We ceased walking when I looked up into her face seeing emotions ranging from curiosity to satisfaction of my humbled expectations. Even dressed in armor I still really felt completely outclassed compared to her which was a fact,
She had one thing to give an edge. An edge I'd never reach easily and it wasn't just experience, if anything it only made a gap that much larger to close. Bitterly knowing I hadn't been able to defeat her in open combat, practiced in never once taking her down or even somehow trying to draw a tie at all and she'd could easily slay me! If she can defeat me soundly, I know I won't be able to match the others and even if I could, I doubt I'd walk away without having serious injury to my body alone. Sometimes I thought I barely tempted fate, but if applying any combative actions against her siblings, or herself then I might as well have tempted it a thousand times over!
"Do not be frightened, my dear student." Both of those amethyst like eyes trailed over my covered body as she idly circled me, "The Elders are who granted you a new destiny in their image. I am but their tool, one meant to sharpen and mold you into what they seek. Years have I watched you." She told eying my armored frame as I remained rigidly still not daring to provoke something dangerously near, "Years have I spent and yet, you feel fear when meeting your makers." Disgust raged inside my gut when her hand traced small patterns across my neck!
Her voice turned sardonically supportive, a rarity if I ever imagined it. "That is simply natural when submitting to higher powers who grant you strength on hunts. Powers in which have commanded you to come forward, I will adhere and obey just as you've done to I." I wasn't clear on where we stood in terms of potentially different paths, but she continued smiling almost fondly, "But I am confident. Confident that you'll ascend beyond what any of your race has never dreamed to imagine. Perhaps this is how a teacher must allow the student to become what they've been molded on their own." Her words weren't deceitful nor were they optimistic but they were simply facts.
Both of my eyes narrowed underneath shadows in blatant confusion. She's never sounded so comforting before! What's your game now, master? Nothing in my experiences have taught me to see her look remotely impressed in those orbs which contained usually malice. Yet I must have gone insane utterly to recognize something close to essentially affection? Christ help me, or I'd consider committing suicide sooner than later officially.
She loomed overhead ordering curtly, "Come student, we've lingered too long!" Her strides were beyond what I'd be able to keep naturally as I needed to jog lightly keep pace. We moved past statues of Elders towards a straightaway hallway leading to the room I never been granted witness in person. Being granted permission into my master's ascension chambers bordered taboo on such a scale, I shuddered horrified to think if I'd ever had broken it. Precedents were set to ward off any dissident behaviors as I've learned to avoid them at all possible.
Steps polished pure white marble glinted as if they were freshly painted. I looked around see Elder's statures in a golden metal as my reflection could be seen even when meter's away. Columns arch upwards just to offer support to ab intricate cathedral like ceilings given how these Elder's themselves reflected upon vanity to be considered as gods. There's only one god I believe in and you're not him, I refuse to consider you anything but holy! Only one God rules my soul, he awaits to judge me in heaven and I'll end up in hell all too willingly if I am tossed from his gaze. Praise to be the lord and savior with his son Jesus Christ, amen.
Religion never changed regardless of how advanced technology granted me an ability to achieve my goals. My heart refused to lose faith in what granted me strength in times of darkness and desperation, I kept a bible always close for moral support when I used to cry myself to sleep. I should have lost a right to keep that book yet I knew it'd keep me anchored to being human, I refused to allow myself to change into anything except what a man proved to be fully. Taking one massive breath I waited patiently before my master raised a hand hissing something her language, I blinked for but one second yet I almost missed purplish energy swirling past those lips. They triggered something as white light flashed over us both!
Minutes passed if it could be considered as such for my eyes to adjust. Once they did a jaw almost unhinged given I went numb, I had idea this kind of place existed. Two words echoed inside my head in sheer disbelief. Holy...shit. That I thought beyond in an awed surreal state when becoming possibly the first human to set foot inside what had to be an inner sanctum. Majestic architecture on earth barely dreamed to hold a candle to what my eyes perceived, "Beautiful." Immediately I whispered unknowingly aloud drawing my master's pleased laughter.
"Yes, student, yes it is." Her legs folded themselves into a comfortable meditative position, "Join me. We must center ourselves in the presence of the Elders. Patience is vital to a lesson you shall learn in time." Wordlessly I willed both legs to shakily move towards a central point where flames and power aligned into one idol of authority. She gestured to sit next to her and I froze mid step, "Master? I...I didn't expect such..." My mind failed to produce a singular word given how her smile revealed sharpened teeth, "Sit beside me and center ourselves, student. It is no dishonor to have a christened hunter earning his place, finally."
It wasn't wise to look a gift horse in it's mouth did I rationalize dimly. Moving onto her right side I sat myself down allowing lessons meant to ease away fear, anxiety and hesitation allowing darkness to send me drifting into bliss. Relaxing each hand by allowing fingers to reflexively extend than curl I made sure to keep breathing in rhythm with my master. Simply put it'd been child's play to keep up with her own heart beat as we lost ourselves soon enough in blessed silence, I refused to believe it all to be a dream given how often I had nightmares of similar images. Perhaps time held no meaning as it faded away into a singular feeling of nothingness.
What has changed for everything I've grown to hate, to fight against and known as order to be swept away? Questions lingered within a growing turmoil of my thoughts, I floated feeling blissful serenity while staring forward into darkness as my eyelids remained closed. Is it because XCOM's fabled leader has returned to the fields of battle, or is it something beyond that? The tides of fate are fickle in their regards to singular lives swept up in the powerful forces controlling them, my instincts know this to be as truth.
Warmth trickled down underneath flesh where dozens of major veins and arteries condensed within my neck's region. Distantly I thought I heard a voice echoing over some vast void, "Survive." Breathing in deeply I concentrated trying to hear it again, "Survive...please." Curious and curious I slumped forward trying to shed my consciousness's shell to try to follow this warmth to a source. Struggling to become literally nothing in mind and spirit I started to imagine myself feeling falling into this shadowy abyss. Numbly I lost feeling in both arms and legs simultaneously when I heard that fading voice, "Survive."
My connection to wherever that originated from ended just as fleeting as I'd heard it. Determination filled what should have been anger, I swayed back and forth trying to feel for a current to ride towards that source again. Instead I merely feel into a serene state of nothingness as usual. Survive? Why survive, I already am trying to see myself past another year. But, please? Vague words for vague purposes given towards an already daunting prospect, I considered whether if these were signs of my insanity made incarnate.
But a sly voice broke free of my meditations, "It would be so easy." Both eyes snapped open alert as an alarming sensation of danger peaked instincts to see a rifle aimed towards me! Master Grim-Lance himself stood aiming his iconic weapon yet it's sights wasn't exactly trained on me specifically. Quickly I felt air shimmer away with that warmth ceasing to exist as frigid sensation ran up my spinal cord, I guessed it was going to be some sort of sibling reunion. He'd been summoned here by these Elders as well I gathered.
Reality broke into pieces of light as a blade came close to slicing his throat, I swore his grin grew to look back over a shoulder. Similar eyes of similar bodies met, "Good to see you too, sister." My master hardly looked pleased, or remotely happy to see her younger sibling given I noted how close a blade wanted to spill its target's life blood. Wisely keeping both jaws shut I heard another voice, an owner of it I'd not seen for many months given my studies were adequately placed to avoid being tutored of some avid zealous Elder worshiper! Even he after months of time he hardly changed given how psionic's were used effortlessly to make his presence felt and known.
"Miscreants!" An overly thick guttural voice warned, "Restrain yourselves, or lest you be restrained." Slowly I got up to move into a kneeling position given I'd be submitting to their authority. Three beings who I had to give absolute submissions and respect at all times, I've never witnessed all three of my would be masters together in one room. Their presences suffocated any thought save to remain humbled if they gazed onto my form, I had to keep quiet or risk invoking dangers best left to remain well clear of inflicting consequences.
Grim-Lance raised his rifle towards for all intensive purposes a zealous warlock and younger brother, "No." My master herself interjected even though she smirked faintly seeing this reunion come to pass, "The three of us called upon together..." She sheathed a blade smoothly walking while gesturing to her two younger siblings ultimately giving off considerable thought on the matter, "...something has changed!" That was met with agreement from a normally zealous creature, I bit my tongue to avoid rolling both eyes even if they weren't visibly, "On that we are agreed. The battlefields have shifted, our masters have need of us once more!"
My religious tutor had raised his arms grandly proclaiming as though it were grandly imposing. But much to an internal sense of uneasiness surging I heard Grim-Lance cockily speculate, "Sounds like their afraid to me." A pin needle could have been heard for one fleeting movement as I knew it'd trigger something dangerously close by. Heresy, I thought reflexively when their youngest sibling's power crashing around make air so thick I struggled to remain upright while kneeling, I gagged silently worrying to avoid having my heart cease to beat due to this power. Truly these three were monster made reality as I forced myself to avoid falling.
"You dare defile this place with your wretched, tongue!" He seethed vividly lifting an arm ready to unleash psionic potential unseen, or unheard of by any creature of flesh. I gagged openly when it's threatened target hardly seemed fazed, "Oh I dare!" The hunter of hunters hissed out gleefully trying to provoke a confrontation and I felt air shimmer brush past me when I saw my own master reach for her blade. I noticed her eyes flickered briefly taking in my struggling state, I never felt her gently if I'd dare to imagine place a hand to settle on my closest shoulder to break this spell of power locking prettified flesh in place!
Power erupted as flames of purplish white came forth ceasing any hostilities between the three. My lungs took in air deeply once I nearly fell over panting heavily with sweat leaking down to hit the ground in front of me. My fists were clenching so hard I nearly split knuckles cleanly open in this wave of fear, "Our children!" Voices deemed to be one and many at the same time proclaimed in a synthesized tone boomed overhead. Looking up I saw some sort of spectral avatar of an Elder speaking from what could be described over a vast distance, I blinked away tears to finally regain control to move back to kneel just behind my own master's submissive posture. It seemed a lesson was indeed being learned.
The Elder's spectral spoke about how each of these three were their best creations. I tuned out anything not relevant beyond my own suspicions, it seemed they were displeased with earth's resistance forces reclaiming their most valuable asset. You come to our world, you kill my kind and you expected us to just roll over? I'd feel fucking insulted if I wasn't already in a prison. I gloomily thought keeping quiet as this Elder's voice came to unleash it's own power. I watched as some sort of flaming typhoon came into existence smashing Grim-Lance onto his knees.
Now I winced feeling that painful heat even where my master watched on stoically. Although their youngest sibling sinister smiled watching pain being inflicted upon what they dubbed as 'arrogance' for walking among humans, I scowled mentally in realizing they viewed mankind as convenient tools of circumstance. In a way I was glad they were angered to get them to know humility, god knows I learned it enough and seeing it inflicted upon supposed gods themselves? I got torn on to smile, or whether closing both eyes to feel amusement. Given I witnessed these Elder's hubris first hand now, I'd say for certain it wasn't going to be my motto, rightfully given and alarmed I avoided trying to be too prideful at times.
"One of you perhaps may lay claim to this world, one of you." I got pulled back to stare upwards see this spectral apparition, "Now go, and do not fail us!" A flash of purple energy sent both Grim-Lance and his zealous brother away to their strongholds. I felt surprise raise within myself as I my master remained kneeling given we hadn't been sent away. Looming pressure unbidden caused my chin to be risen upwards as this Elder's avatar looked down, it had no eyes yet I felt it's gaze and soon enough all my hidden anxieties came alive with justification.
Those many voices acting as one spoke out, "Our daughter. Rise and stare upon us." Their chosen did so awaiting to be commanded, "Long has your task been ordained by our will. Long have we foreseen your trials and long have we known this day to come." I blinked owlishly while kneeling trying to make sense given how master Void-Blade's eye held resignation? Something wasn't right, I swore everything wasn't right and nothing made sense now. Soon enough an answer came when that Elder's image turned it's presence onto my meager flesh.
"Raise your gaze to look upon us, child of man." No hesitation came out of my mind to deny it's command, "It is not mere coincidence those of your race hold keys to your ascension, human. We have foreseen destiny's web in where others such as yourself and our greatest asset will decide whether your species will be ascended beyond it's fleeting existence." Torn on whether to respond, or keep my mouth shut I settled on simply asking softly yet it could hear what I stated, "And what is your will for me, Elders?"
I expected to be flayed alive for speaking so plainly yet no such sensation came at all. It's voices turned into one synthesized woman's, "Survive." My spine tingled as that word haunted me literally in all aspects, "Your fate is just as entwined to claim your world as your own. Our daughter has nurtured you since coming into our sight, we have waited and gauged your potential as many others..." My fear spiked before it continued soothingly even if it seemed deceitful, "... and you did not disappoint us nor have angered us." So all my missions, my hunts and everything I'd been placed through hell itself were but a damned test? It should have made sense yet all I felt was a numb sensation as frustration in being used like some fucked up puppet!
"Your task is no more different than our daughters." The Elder's avatar's voice echoed inside a chamber beyond any earthly construction, "Retrieve our greatest asset! Continue your path of retribution you have long sought and earn your place among our Chosen as one who has ascended past their flesh to become more!" My fists curled into balls as they shook with hidden rage, I wouldn't give in their will because it simply aligned to what I desired. Yet I remained kneeling when the spectral image softly intoned, "Please, survive."
That voice sounded pleading but it wasn't masked by it's sheer command. They expected me to survive, or so I imagined. It continued as if knowing that silent why I asked internally, "Your path has but started on a journey! A journey in which you shall be enlightened to powers beyond your comprehension. Even so do not misplace our faith in you, continue your path towards what you've sought and maybe, perhaps you alone shall be granted the greatest gift of all."
My mind froze mid thought trying to understand what was stated. What? What the hell do you mean, my greatest gift is what? Tears leaked down both cheeks when I looked directly where eyes had have been on that Elder's mask, "Earn your place to survive! You shall find your retribution and earn our blessing to become what many have longed to become one of ours...son." The image faded away as I watched on with an expression utterly stunned to my core. It took minutes after even when my master stood up staring back did I blink ceasing a cascade of tears, I had no idea what came over me and it fucking shocked too much to be real.
"Come, student." My master softly intoned allowing a hand to squeeze the closet shoulder to return will to flesh, "We have much to discuss, evidently." I stood up feeling slightly dazed following her towards an ascension gate leading back to where we came from initially. Everything felt wrong, I felt wrong and nothing helped to quell this terror lingering inside my chest. It hurt so much to be jerked around, Christ help me it fucking hurt and by hell this pain wormed it's way into both spirit and of my mind alike.
Light shrouded itself around me briefly we stepped back into her stronghold. I looked up to see my master's smiling face, "You stand in a place no mere human can dare invoke, student. Learn these lessons our Elder's have given you, learn your place and one day you shall cross blades with I to determine who shall ascend." She reached out to touch my cheeks to tenderly wipe away tears? I couldn't feel anything, I only listened to her just this once. Staring right back into those pure amethyst eyes I saw nothing but sheer pride, "Survive." She whispered that word very clearly as a warning followed that command, "This war has only just begun, so please survive for your own sake and earn your place by my side."
On board the Avenger a meeting had come to close as various heads of XCOM's departments got their orders. Bradford departed from their commander's private quarters along with Shen and Tygan. Similar they all equally held animated looks given what transpired though John resisted to grin because he one thing certainly, "God damn I've missed those kinds of briefings." He finally relented given how both his colleagues were somewhat overwhelmed, "I never knew the commander could actually inspire us to believe to hope." The young engineer prodigy actually felt beyond hopeful, she'd had underestimated the stories her father had told and seeing it firsthand became unreal.
"I mean what was planned out is outstanding!" Lily actually sounded giggly, a true rarity. But given how their leader would invest heavily into an equal amount of projects meant to give their own people an edge? She swore if anything they'd be back in business within a month. So much was said, so much needed to get down and their commander took it easily in stride building their confident to shift momentum into favorable winds. Just having hope carried enough strength to know they weren't without someone to navigate the darkness ahead.
"Yes, well I guess re-cooperation and being held captive in Advent hands is a good motivator to inspire many." Their intellectual doctor replied smiling faintly, "I'm impressed. I've heard rumors and old stories about the commander's presence, I am in awe frankly." John clasped him on the shoulder, "In the first war we always were present in seeing every squad off. It's how many knew we weren't sending them off their deaths, if happened, shit I've neglected doing that but I think it's time for some old traditions to give new life to our people. Can't believe I got scolded like some junior officer again for forgetting that of all things." His voice turned absolutely lively given laughter kept creeping back around making all the adults smile bemused.
"Still it seems our path is set. " Tygan commented intrigued given how so many revelations were coming full circle, "Between mutual cooperation between the Reapers and Skirmishers with these so called 'Chosen', I fear we've simply created an equation of casualty." John understood it's fundamental warnings and consequences, "We've know for a long time taking the fight to Advent would stir up secrets we had no idea existed, Doctor. I say let them all come now, we'll have more time and chances to take them down for good, but you're right." The shorter doctor merely nodded thanking his colleagues for putting a critical future into optimistic belief. It was a trait he needed to learn one day truth be told.
Lily pressed a button to an elevator gesturing for the two men to step in, "Not going to lie, I think that assassin scared me a fair bit. Cloaking tech that advanced?" An engineer's mindset was in awe of such technological marvels yet a person felt bone chilling terror, "I can see why our commander wanted me to develop something to counter act it immediately. Hopefully, I'll slap some piece of tech together giving our people an edge. It's like trying to make a trap for some fucking ghost, or phantom more likely!" She huffed out frustrated knowing theories were going to be critical to development but doing her ranting Bradford frowned.
He cupped his chin to muse openly drawing both an engineer and scientist to what had happened these past few weeks, "Ghost." Something seemed almost too coincidental to what had happened up to this point, "Two code blacks, two anomalies detected." His eyes closed when details slowly formed conclusions making two people look intrigued. John released a shuddering breath, "God damn there's more than one of those damned things! I couldn't understand how quickly our squads got wiped off the grid!
Memories fresh came streaming back almost hauntingly, "I remember scattered transmissions of panicked soldiers saying something they couldn't see! I thought they were panicking over enemies taking shots." Realization started to come forth when screams of something appearing and taking them based on radio recordings, "Oh fucking god." Glancing over towards an elevator's panel he hit an emergency stop button before pressing one leading to the avenger's barracks section. He needed to have an open and honest discussion with a particular Reaper who'd been welcomed aboard. Soon enough it'd been a boon to learn sharp shooting from an expert in that field and have an authentic stealthy marksmen.
"John?" Lily spoke quietly concerned as Tygan folded both arms awaiting an explanation, "These Chosen aren't just that one assassin we encountered. Weeks ago we lost contact with two squads as you're aware Shen, I apologize if this is news to you Doctor." He offered apologetically as a man merely took it in stride given he'd been researching trooper corpses to garner an edge, "I need to ask our resident Reaper if there's a connection between this assassin's tactics and what we've learned from transmissions picked up during these squad's code black incidents. I need her to come with me to central command listen, I'm hoping for details." The elevator stopped with a slight ping at it's destination to reveal the corridor of spartan styled rooms. Many were vacant given all lights were turned off yet a good portion were filled to maximum capacity to keep their resources trimmed via electricity consumption.
"Something isn't right, I'm trying to go over what happened between our encounter with that assassin and those incidents." His face turned gravely serious as theories came to the forefront of speculation, "Similar movements, similar tactics and yet two totally different outcomes. We lost eight people compared to one just captured, we suffered no injuries despite being outnumbered and outgunned." Tygan pieced together an incredibly radical yet very dangerous theory together causing Shen to gulp down nervously, "This other being is far more accustomed to take down our soldiers than what we've seen so far, I believe your suggesting we possibly prioritize whenever this being appears and try to kill it outright?"
John's eyes hardened immediately, "Too damned right, Doctor." The three moved towards a recent opened barrack's room where one singular individual sat at their desk. An iconic dragunov rifle refurbished and well oiled to operate effectively had been stripped to be cleaned properly, it's own with a hood made tailor specifically to Reaper's themselves had been folded back. The mask which had been worn in combat lay facing where all three department heads stood, "You have questions about that thing which took Mox, correct?" They heard a female voice draw out knowingly, "Oh don't answer me please."
"I could hear you talking about it a mile away." Elena Dragunova also code named as Outrider faced them fully. More so her expression came close to endearingly coy, "You speak of a creature who hunts my people for sport, we've encountered it numerous times. Often it's arrogance proceeds death in which we Reapers are closely pressed to match." Bradford came to pull up a chair to swing it around placing arms to learn forward intently, "What I'm about to say to you is to be between us. I want to confirm some suspicions first before bringing this to the commander's attention, I want your opinion and facts about these Chosen."
The Reaper born of shadow and stealth merely raised an eyebrow absolutely intrigued these resistance leaders would seek her voice this quickly. Whether they knew it, or not an enemy needed to be marked for death. One way, or another answers needed to be found as information was going to be crucial to having their people survive out beyond the avenger's proximity. One thing did stand among the people inside a room in where strategy was being formulated, it pertained to simple outcome. The Chosen needed to be wiped off the face of Earth before victory could be achieved.
End Chapter III
Author's note: I don't have much to say about this chapter, I mean I'd say apart from the obvious. So let's get that addressed and hopefully we'll start getting to the real fun. There's not much on the Elders beside their inherent tendency to create loyal soldiers, or rather beings to their will. Yet they're aware of fate, or rather destiny in terms of seeing glimpses of foresight. I'm probably stretching this a bit in terms of being mystical yet we don't for certain if psionics can grant far-sight to those seeing time's encroaching presence upon the user. Simply put, seeing the future with powers beyond mortal beings isn't too stretching it but considering this unique case, I'm sure we can agree on it's potential.
The Elders seemingly have a joint speech of multiple beings underneath one banner, hence the synthesized tone we hear in the game. Our protagonist isn't exactly a loyalist like the Chosen, I mean humanity has been subjugated 'mildly' to say kindly, but it doesn't mean there isn't resentment to resist no matter which side any human is on. But focusing on that aspect, our protagonist will respect and adhere to their will, but ultimately pacifying obedience is just another way to buy time for his own agenda. An agenda I'll take on soon, I mean so far it's been simple yet I'm sure a few will ask about the relationships between him and the Chosen themselves.
In time you'll see, but right now all I have say is leave a review. They're what make me want to keep going, so forgive me if I seem pushy but having hearing thoughts, opinions and critics alike is what makes it good. Apart from that, I wish you all well and hope you remain safe. This story has plenty of content awaiting and I don't exactly flaunt when I say I'm a good ten, or so chapters ahead currently. Motivation drives me decently, but again, reviews are what really fuel my desire to see if it's actually going to push me to set expectations.