CHAPTER 10
"The Book of Counted Shadows"
"Sift the ashes. For reminders. Stony things remain.
Tooth and bone. Unimpressive. I have left these things..."
- The Toadies; Rubberneck; "I burn"
"Of the Queen's wrath"
The destruction Yog Sothoth had wrought had been great. For long now the Eyeless Serpent had streaked across the Galaxy, destroying star systems with reckless abandon. It was only on the outskirts of the atmosphere of Androa that the Ebony Dragon had given pause and deigned go down to inspect one of the puny worlds .
But as soon as Sothoth alighted on the peaks of the Allardace the gravity of Androa took hold, and the Serpent felt a great weariness come over her. After the destruction of Illium, and the breaking of the Royal Huntress Amara's mind, the Black Serpent had flown off into the swirling clouds.
But soon Sothoth's weariness grew, and so the Serpent lost all desire to further ravage the land of the Yautja. Instead the Eyeless One made her way back to the smoldering rubble of Illium, and bedded down. And so the God slept upon the steaming, and sizzling rubble of the Ivory City. And because the days of Androa did not mirror what the God conceived of as time, the God's slumber was deep and lasted many days and nights.
Had the Eyeless One known more of the ways of mortals, the Ebony Serpent may have stayed her need for slumber. But that was not to be the Dragon's fate. In her stead the Eyeless One released the Magenta Host upon the countryside. Lead by the Six. The Greatest of the parasites.
Whereas the rest of the Magenta Host had lost any sense of what they had been before they had begun feeding off of their Dark God, the Six retained the slightest bit of sentience. Instead of the mindless howling of the rest of their brethren the Six constantly shrieked, and howled their own names within the dark depths of the Land of Sothoth.
Once long ago, after the Ebony Serpent had first noticed the Six clambering about her body, she had picked them up and placed them upon a great rolling asteroid. There in the darkness Yog Sothoth had attempted to commune with the Six. Telling them that the words they screamed were in fact their own names. For a long, long time she spoke to them in the frozen darkness.
But to no avail. The Six were beyond any hope of real sentience. But Yog Sothoth did recognize that the otherwise fearless Magenta Host were submissive to them. Never did the cannibal parasites attempt to attack any one of the Six. For they were far greater in strength and size to the rest of their brethren.
Though utterly mad, Sothoth did find that she could will them to move in singular directions. And so recognizing their potential the Ebony Serpent allowed the Six to drink deeply from the darkest rivers of her lifeblood. And so the Six grew greater still in strength and size.
Then the Eyeless One imbued them with a wisp of the ghostly purple light from whence she was born. The light attracted their lesser brethren like moths to flame. So that the Six never went hungry, and could be used as a force to guide the rest of the Magenta Host if need be.
And the Eyeless Dragon felt that need arise now. The Yautja had dared to raise arms instead of accepting the divine gift of death she had brought. Some had even had the audacity to flee from the Black Dragon's presence. To flee from the divinity of Yog Sothoth was a sin beyond forgiveness. And so the Six were released .
Eaaatt, the Lord of the Six leapt off one of the peaks of it's dozing God as the last of Jua's fell from the Eastern hemisphere of Androa. Plummeting nearly a mile to the ground. The Parasite Lord struck the ground with a force so great that it left a crater a quarter mile in diameter.
The Long Horned Parasite shrieked out it's own name, and took off stomping North at unholy speed. It's armored, hulking form a spasming, twitching blur upon the darkening plains. A countless multitude of the Magenta Host followed the Parasite Lord's trail.
Arcus the Black Monarch, and Vaga the Gadfly emerged from their cave and launched themselves off of the black cliff that marked the opening to their home. The monstrosities went gliding out into the purple twilight. For the two parasites possessed wings that were terrible to behold. Bent and crooked. Torn in many places. It was only the sustenance of a God that allowed them to fly at all.
Eumerus the Grinder Maggot, and Punctella the Putrid Worm came came rolling out of Sothoth's innards. Flopping to the ground in great crashes that left deep craters filled with noxious poisons in their wake. They slithered and undulated down the countryside at a nightmarish speed no living thing on two legs could outrun. Gargling their own names all the while.
But Laeta the Meat Wearer did not leave it's home within Sothoth. Preferring instead to roll around lazily in the black sizzling lakes and rivers of it's God. Wrapped in the skinned flesh of it's brethren, it swam about the lightless depths of the Ebony Serpent. Bleating out it's own name in the darkness. The flesh of freshly eaten parasites on it's teeth.
And so while the God slept, and five of the Six reigned death and destruction across the countryside, the Capital City of Seychelles was abuzz with preparations for war. For two days now the Ivory City of Illium lay in smoking ruins. And for two days the Mighty Queen Agwang howled, and cried out in anguish for her daughter.
For none of the soldiers she had sent out in search for her had returned. Nor had any word of Amara's survival reached her ear from any other means. Empress Agwang was incapable of fear, and so her anguish for her lost daughter had quickly turned to wrath.
Bok'Toff Chief General of the Ivory Legion was first amongst the Warmasters to recognize the growing storm in his Agwang's eyes; And was quick to propose a plan. Lest the Queen stride out into battle and face the Eyeless Serpent herself.
"Allow me the honor of leading the Ivory Legion into battle against this evil my Queen! Our armor is strong, and will protect us from the Dragon's corrosive aura! I shall meet this God on the field of battle whether it be on land, sea, or air! And the mighty Ivory Legion shall lay low this vile monstrosity, and grind it's bones into dust!" Bok'Toff's proud declaration echoed in the silent War Council Room.
All of the Warmasters gathered in the room that day burned with the lust for vengeance. For the Warmasters are always the greatest living warriors among Yautja males. And their souls are ever afire with the love for their people. But none that day had dared to speak out of turn until now. For the Queen was in a rage that none had ever seen before. And they feared her gaze.
The Queen glared at her one time concubine Bok'Toff. Had anyone else dared to disrupt the quiet with such a clamour she would indeed have most likely considered leaping across the table and tearing them limb from limb without having actually listened to their words. But Agwang was somewhat fond of Bok'Toff.
Finally, the Mighty Queen spoke...
"Honorable Bok'Toff. Chief General of the Ivory Legion. Protector of the Inner Realms. Are you prepared to be the instrument of your Queen's wrath?"
And Bok'Toff bowed deeply. "I am my Queen."
"And do your warriors heart's burn with love for their people?"
"They do my Queen."
"And are you and yours prepared to pay the ultimate price for your love?"
"Yes my Queen. We are."
All in the war council watched the exchange with rapt attention. For there was no military force amongst the males that could rival the might of the Ivory Legion. And though all of the Warmasters would have gladly embraced the honor of facing the horror of Yog Sothoth. All were terror stricken with the notion that they could not defeat the God, and would face the horror of dis-honoring their names and their Queen in death.
"Then go forth!" The Queen cried out. "Muster your troops and your war machines! Awaken the dreadnoughts! Arise! Arise! Go forth and destroy this abomination! And bring me it's head even if you have to tow it over the rim of the planet with your Flag Ship!"
Without another word spoken Bok'Toff bowed first to his Queen, then to his peers, then spun on his heels and sprinted out of the room. And all through the day and into the next Bok'Toff mustered his forces.
The War Machines were brought online. The Dreadnoughts were drawn up out of their unfathomable slumber. The Heavy Weapons were prepared.
By the time the sun set on the second day of the mustering of the Ivory Legion, all was ready. Never before had the Legion had cause to assemble in such a mighty force. On the ground the foot soldiers were four thousand strong to the number.
They stood tall and proud beneath their white banners. Their bio-mechanical full body ivory suits and helms gleaming proudly even beneath the dim light of the overcast night sky.
Behind the foot soldiers were four hundred dreadnoughts. Massive heavily armored ivory war bots standing more than twice the height of the tallest male. Each housing the brain and bodily remnants of a great and ancient Yautja Warrior. Warriors who even in death had elected to serve their Queen. Slumbering in their massive Ivory bodies until the day they are awakened to serve the Empire. Within their ranks stood Grond, greatest and oldest of the dreadnoughts. His ancient Ivory form towering over the others.
Bringing up the rear was Bok'Toff and his two hundred and fifty elite Ion Warriors. Standing ten feet tall in their Power Suits. Only the finest, and wisest warriors amongst the ranks of the Ivory Legion were chosen to serve in this Company. Their Suits were forged through a long and arduous process, whose technique was known to very few.
The suits were a weapon unto themselves. The ivory armor being positively charged and deadly to the touch. Any enemy that touched them would be quickly reduced to a smoldering husk. The armor was equipped with two energy generators. Specially designed to enhance the yautja's speed, and strength two fold.
Their shields and swords mirrored the power of their suits. Their weapon's energy generators being specially engineered to produce four times the power of the average Ivory Legion weapon. The small force was an army unto itself.
Finally their was Bok'Toff himself, and Oganda his second in command. Their War Suits being of singular design unique to the trials and duties of their positions. Crafted by the hands and science of Mbèmbé, the greatest weaponsmith of the Empire.
They each bore legendary weapons of unparallel power. Oganda bore the Spear and shield of Cúchulainn. Made from the bones and black science of the terrible sea monster Bolg.
And on Bok'Toff's belt hung the Carnwennan, the blade of Oranyan that no mortal could wield. It was only through the suit and science of Mbèmbé that Bok'Toff could ever hope to carry the weapon into battle. Within these war suits, and armed with their weapons both Bok'Toff and Oganda each were worth one hundred Ion Warriors.
To behold the rank and file display of the Ivory Legion's might was breathtaking. The Yautja bristled with pride, and felt their doubts begin to slip away with their growing confidence.
But in that moment before Bok'Toff set out with his forces a terrible omen was revealed. The clouds in the overcast sky finally parted and revealed the distant light of Jata and Sarraqa. The moons frightening in their unnatural distance from Androa. Yog Sothoth was taking their world somewhere. Of that their could be no doubt.
Somewhere dark and cold. Where the light of the stars dare not shine. And all amongst the vast ranks of the Ivory Legion in that moment felt their confidence slip, and a primal fear creep into their hearts.
Bok'Toff cursed the name of Yog Sothoth defiantly. His words echoing through the helmet communicators of his warriors. Then he ordered his forces forward. And the Ivory Legion set out across the land. Beneath the fading light of the moons...
...
"Of the Huntress and her Plan"
As the Ivory Legion set out across the land toward the still slumbering God, Adisha and Akoko made camp in the ruins of an old Meli Yadi. The group along with the comatose Amara had not gone far since the Night of Dancing Shadows. At the moment of Abiole's sacrifice the Royal Huntress had fallen unconscious and not awoken.
Throughout the following two days and nights Akoko and Adisha, alongside the two remaining warriors from Burundi's doomed group Baako, and Faraji; concerned themselves solely with the survival of their Princess. Amara's breathing was shallow and weak. Her skin was cold to the touch, and the companions were hard pressed to keep her warm as they traveled across the Enoch.
During the days they scouted for water and hunted for food. But water is scarce in many regions of the Great Valley. And game was hard to find. The animals seeming to have fled the land. At night they were cautious not to be caught out in the open. Lest unholy writhing shadows, or dead musicians find them out in the darkness.
Communications were still down, and the Yautja began to despair. Wondering if all their people had been exterminated, and they were all that remained.
"Master Akoko." Adisha said quietly as the four companions sat around a small fire in their camp on the third floor of the abandoned Meli Yadi. "How shall we honor our pact with the Princess and slay the Dragon?"
Akoko shook his head. "The Queen is mighty young Adisha. And her wrath is something even the God's should fear. Let us wait, and take care of our Princess. Let us Pray to Cetanu and wait for guidance."
"There is no need to pray. Cetanu has already shown me the way." Amara's voice broke in, and the four companions turned from the darkness outside the windows to their Princess. The Huntress stood shakily over her bed that they had made.
"My Princess!" Akoko cried out, and the four warriors fell to their knees. "Have you truly returned to us? Or is this yet another cruel trick of the Dragon?"
"It is no trick honorable Akoko. I have glimpsed into the mind of the Eyeless God. The Serpent sought to break my mind. Dragging my psyche to a terrible place. But through the darkness I fought on. Then I saw a light and the voice of Cetanu spoke to me, and led me out of that corner of Hell."
And she bid them to rise. "Now stand my friends. Their are no distinctions between royalty and servants here. Under the threat of genocide we are all equals."
The four warriors rose to their feet. Astonished at the Princess's words, and the unheard of notion of equality between the genders.
"My Princess." Adisha said. "Did the God truly speak to you in a vision?"
"Indeed young Adisha. Not in words but in images and formulas beyond comprehension in the waking world. Only in dreams can mortals hold any hope of communion with the true Gods."
"Then tell me my Princess." Akoko said. "How shall we slay the Dragon?"
"Deep within the Ebony Land of Yog Sothoth lies her heart. A dark God's heart. But a heart nonetheless. We shall make our way back to the Dark God. Then ascend the scaly peaks and valleys of Sothoth until we find a path below. Then we shall make our way to the Eyeless One's heart and destroy it."
The four companions gave a start at the idea of entering the very land of the God.
"But my Queen!" Adisha cried. "The Black Serpent is surrounded by a deadly aura that melts flesh from bone. And the body of Sothoth is surely teeming with the Magenta Host! How shall we get past these obstacles?"
"Have you forgotten so soon our dark ceremony my friend? We have eaten the hearts of the Parasites in the darkness while our city died. We have tasted the flesh of those that have fed off of a God. We now possess a partial immunity to the God's evil. It will surely burn us. But I do not believe it can kill us."
"And what of the Parasites?"
At this the Huntress's eyes darkened. "We shall find and slay three of the blasphemous creatures. Then we will flay their flesh from their bodies, and use their skins as cloaks to avoid both the watchful gaze of Sothoth, and the Magenta Host."
The group was silent for a moment. Then until young Adisha leapt to his feet and howled "Praise be to Cetanu and the wisdom of Amara! Let us see this plan set in motion! Let us spill a God's blood!"
...
Of the Journey to the Black Land
That very hour Amara, Adisha, and Akoko set out for Yog Sothoth, slumbering atop Dead Illium. Amara sent Baako, and Faraji back to Seychelles to give word to the Queen of her daughter's survival. The group traveled back across the Enoch all through the cold damp night. Crossing the distance that had taken them the entire prior day in a matter of hours.
Amara it seemed had regained her full strength. Adisha and Akoko had to push themselves to their very physical limits to keep up with the Huntress. Amara for her part was filled with a sense of divine purpose, and had to slow her pace many times, lest her companions fall too far behind.
Several times the stillness of the night was disturbed by the distant sound of corpse's piping on flutes and pounding on drums. And so several times the three companions had to alter their course. Not daring to chance crossing paths with the unholy musicians.
Once, far off in the hazy distance the trio caught a glimpse of a monolithic tree of shadow reaching up many into the sky. It swayed to the music of a host of dead musicians who played unseen, in the darkness at it's base.
The trio pushed on. Amara was relentless in her insistence that they reach the slumbering God before sunrise. And so they ran on through the darkness. Across the gently swaying fields. The soft wind, the only native sound that remained to remind them that this was still their land.
As the night grew late the trio came at last to the rocky outskirts of the Kampala Plains. It was here that Amara bid the group halt. For they were nearing the secret door to the catacombs they had escaped from just a few days prior.
No sooner had they begun to survey the land ahead when a horrific clamor rose up from the darkened plains behind them. A horde of parasites were quickly coming in their direction. Above the insane croaking and bleating a single awful word rang out.
"Eaaatt! Eeeeaaat!"
Quickly the trio hid themselves behind a group of boulders. And they watched from their hiding place as the host of bent, and twisted parasites scrambled passed them. The monstrosities stained green with the blood of fallen Yautja. At the head of the column was the Parasite Lord, shrieking and howling it's own name.
Several times the unholy monster who stood nearly forty feet in height, lashed out and snatched up one of it's brethren with a massive clawed hand. Cracking the monsters' hard carapaces like a crabs, and consuming them. Their shells making deafening crunches as they were ground up in Eaaatt's maw.
For a long time the wave of Parasites passed by uninterrupted. Then their numbers began to dwindle. The trio waited long after the wave had passed. Amara's instincts telling her that a few more of the monsters had yet to come their way.
After a long silence, the telltale gargling, and howling of a few stragglers could be heard. Amara's divine vision rose in merit as the last of the Magenta Host passed by. There were three!
The Yautja sensing their destiny close at hand attacked without fear. Being careful to avoid getting too close to their enemy. Their Taun'dcha making short, silent work of the monstrosities.
"Quickly now!" Amara hissed. "Let us skin these vile beasts and follow the Horde back to their master!"
And so the three quickly bent toward their tasks. Flaying the horrible shells from flesh and the rest of the parasite's deformed bodies. Noxious burning fumes emitted from the corpses as the Yautja worked. Burning them. The damage would surely have been far worse had they not already partook of the flesh of the damned.
Soon their work was done, and the trio stood draped in their burning, dripping makeshift cloaks. To a mortal the difference between the disguised Yautja and the Parasites would have been readily apparent. But to the unfocused eyes of the Magenta Host, or their indifferent God they might pass unnoticed.
The three companions were hard pressed to keep up with Eaaatt and it's followers as they jerked, and spasmed across the plains back to their Black Homeland. The Parasite Lord and his host reached the base of their slumbering God a mere hour before dawn. The Ebony Serpent a silent black mountain range that stretched up, and disappeared into the cloudline.
The trio crouched behind the ruined gates of the dead city, and watched the monsters ascend into the Black Land. The horde quickly disappearing into the mountains. The companions were eager to be off. Already the remnants of the Parasite's corrosive blood that still clung to the insides of their cloaks had began to bite into their flesh.
"Steel yourselves honorable friends." Amara whispered. "For today we slay a God."
And with that the three companions sprang toward the slumbering Dragon. Silently darting across the ruins of Illium. They reached the base and without pause began to climb. The rough monolithic scales of Yog Sothoth offered good purchase.
The Yautja saw very few of the Magenta Host as they made their way upward. The Parasites most likely slumbering within the deep fissures and caves of their God. As they made their way up Adisha spotted several openings in the Scaley Land of the God that could lead to deeper tunnels.
"My Princess!" Adisha hissed. "Look there. Those openings may offer us a way into the Serpents body!"
But the Huntress only shook her head. "Brave Adisha, we are still far from where our Enemy's heart lies. If we should enter here and find a suitable tunnel, the path will surely offer up more challenges and perils than if we continue to ascend on the outside."
And so the trio continued on. By the time the light of Nyota began to peak over the Allardace the trio had reached the beginning of the icy heights of the God. Here the climbing became more treacherous, and their progress greatly slowed.
The air grew heavy and cold with the cloudline. Then thin and colder still as they moved beyond it. Soon Jua peaked it's head over the mountains as well, casting the icy peaks in brilliant nuclear blue that glared off the black scales. Occasionally blinding the Yautja with flashes.
Once young Adisha faltered as his hand slipped off of an icy precipice. He would have surely fallen to his death had Akoko not caught him with his free hand.
Another time, much farther up the mountains of Sothoth, a small group of the Magenta Host came scrambling down passed the trio. The parasite who had been closest to Amara reached out for her with a clawed hand. Amara let lose a howl of rage and grabbed the monstrosities' outstretched arm.
With one great heave she tore the Parasite from it's perch, and sent it hurtling downward. The three watched as the croaking, twitching thing disappeared into the clouds. The damned creature hardly seeming to notice that it was falling to it's doom.
Their path grew difficult even for the mighty Amara. The air grew thin, and the temperature a deathly cold. Their strength waned, and twice they had to pause.
It was on this second occasion that Lytta The Meat Wearer made itself known, and the companions found themselves in great peril. The Greater Parasite had been hunting the trio for long now, as they made their way up the icy peaks. Swimming through the massive black veins on the outer body of Sothoth.
The companions were crouching on an icy precipice. The rolling cloudline far below. And beneath that in brief breaks in the clouds could be seen Dead Illium and the land beyond.
There was a sudden shifting below, and a terrible cracking of ice and black scales. The Meat Wearer erupted out of the vein below the companions. Their was a terrible explosion of ice and stony flesh, and a great geyser of black acidic blood.
Akoko, and Amara who were sitting closest to the edge of the black cliff when it had shattered were both thrown off and out into the freezing open air. Adisha who was closer managed to grab onto a handhold. In the young warrior's wisdom he shot out his other hand, latching onto the doomed Amara's ankle.
The weight of the Huntress was instantly too much for the warrior to bear, and in one desperate heave he swung Amara back toward the cliffs. The Huntress struck the black rocky land hard, and was saved. But Akoko was beyond help.
Having been thrown far out into the open air as the monstrosity erupted from the ice. He spun helplessly as he plummeted downward, disappearing beneath the cloud line. The Meat Wearer had fallen as well. The Great Parasite in it's insane desperation to get to the Yautja had exploded out of it's acidic home with such force that it had fallen completely out.
But the parasite who was at home within the Black Land only fell a few hundred feet before halting it's descent. Most of the monstrosities' unholy form was mercifully hidden by the wet flesh of countless parasites hanging off it like so many grotesque cloaks.
"Lytta! Lyyyyytaaa!" It croaked deafeningly.
The Meat Wearer scrabbled around with lightening speed. Quickly righting itself. But before it could charge upward, Adisha unhooked a Bab'la from his belt, and let it drop toward the Great Parasite.
The monster came charging. A twitching, hulking mass climbing upward at an unholy speed that made the blood run cold. Adisha's aim was true though and he willed it to detonate just as it touched the unholy thing's face.
The sudden explosion that ensued shook the land. Adisha, and Amara had to hold on with all their strength not to be thrown off and suffer the same fate as Akoko. The Meat Wearer was thrown off of it's perch. It's flaming form disappearing beneath the cloudline.
The slumbering God began to stir. Amara quickly climbed back up to the waiting Adisha. "Quickly now young warrior! No time for mourning!" She hissed. "We must hurry and find an entrance before the Eyeless One awakens!"
"Lytttaaa! Lyyyyytaaaa!" The shrieking croak suddenly rang out from below the mist of clouds.
Both Yautja knew what that meant. They quickly turned back to climbing. But before they could renew their ascent a great blaring of war trumpets came echoing up from below, and the pair paused and gazed down toward the beloved land of Androa.
Like a divine sign the cloud line cleared just enough for the Yautja to behold a breathtaking sight miles below. The Ivory Legion had come. They stood arranged in mighty rank and file. The Sea of Ivory gleaming in the light of the rising suns.
"Quickly now!" Amara shouted. "We must find a way inside before the Legion attacks!"
...
Of the Bloody Dawn
Dawn found the still slumbering form of Yog Sothoth atop of Dead Illium. And so Chief General Bok'Toff arranged his forces within the plain below the city. Placing his heavy weapons in front, and arranging his warriors behind them. Leaving the warbots along with himself and his elite Ion Warriors in reserve.
Bok'Toff presumptuously thinking that the Ivory Legion's heavy ground weapons would be able to catch the Black Serpent unawares, and destroy Yog Sothoth before she was able to rise up and fight. The full force of an entire battalion of heavy plasma and ion cannons struck the God all at once. And Yog Sothoth cried out as the she tried to stand. The Eyeless Dragon rose up miles in mere seconds. Millions of bones cascading off of her massive ebony form in sheets.
The Ivory Legion saw this and their rage was redoubled. For though beholding the terrible monolithic sight of the God for the first time was horrific, the thought of the Dragon using the bones of their kin as a blanket was even more so. In that blinding volley of blue and gold every shot found it's mark, and the God stumbled backward.
The Kuruka MeliVita streaked overhead, launching heavy missiles that struck the Dragon full force. Fissle Isotopes achieved nuclear fission. Releasing their cargo of neutrons. And Dead Illium disappeared in the blinding flash of nuclear light.
Yog Sothoth was blown off her feet. Letting lose a deafening roar as the God fell to the ground in a great crash that shook the land like an earthquake. The whole of the Ivory Legion was thrown off their feet.
Great plumes of dirt and debris were thrown up into the air, mingling with the nuclear pandemonium. The sky grew a dark red. In the haze of nuclear waste Oganda checked the sensors. The Anga Walinzi had done their work well. The billions of nano-bots and their energy fields containing the nuclear onslaught to the battlefield. Lest the poison leak out over the rest of Androa.
From within the dirt shrouded dead city erupted a blood freezing roar only a God could make. And suddenly the Magenta Host erupted out of the city in great numbers. Howling and shrieking with madness and hunger. They came charging, heedless of the weapons fire that cut them down in droves.
Kuruka MeliVita continued to fly overhead. Launching deadly volleys of missiles and energy blasts into the oncoming tsunami. The ground shook with the impact of weapons. Hordes of the parasites disappeared in great flashes of light. Already the air was choked with black clouds from burning flesh.
But the tide of parasites moved at blinding speed. Fueled by their own insanity and their God's rage. Soon the tsunami was too close for the heavy weapons to target, and they came pouring over and around the massive war machines. Seeing only the living meat of the Ivory Legion foot soldiers in their singular ravenous sight.
They smashed into the front ranks of warriors. But the Ivory Legion's shields caused the parasite's charge to falter. The massive shields charged with energy that reduced the monsters to blackened smoldering husks in the blink of an eye. But soon the press of the Magenta Host was too great, and began to overwhelm the frontline.
The Host penetrated into the footsoldiers' ranks and all turned to melee. The Magenta Hosts's claws could not cut through the mighty armor of the Ivory Legion, and for a moment the Parasite's were slain in great number. But then the blasphemous monstrosities altered their savage tactics.
Electing instead to up up the Yautja in their crushing claws, and rip their heads off like a water bottles. In their insane hunger they would pause amidst the battle and hold the headless bodies of the warriors high over their heads. Tipping then upside down, and letting the bright green contents splash into their mouths, and over their faces.
The Parasites were no less insane then when they had consumed the inhabitants of Illium. They would turn and attack one another just as easily as they might attack a Yautja. And so despite the unholy ferocity of the enemy, the organized ranks of the Ivory Legion began to dominate the battle.
"Prepare yourself Yog Sothoth!" Bok Toff cried out. His voice echoing in the helms of the thousands of warriors. "For when we have finished with your pets we will lay you low!"
Then as if in answer a great shrieking of thousands upon thousands of voices erupted out of the cloudy city. And a great swarm of winged parasites rose up, and out of the Dead Illium. Larger still than their land bound brethren, they darkened the sky with their shrieking ranks like a swarm of locusts.
Smashing into the Kuruka MeliVita that flew over the battlefield. Machine and monster alike plummeting to the ground in streaming fiery balls. Soon explosions rang out all throughout the valley. Great smoking craters began dotting the battlefield.
The flying parasites swooped down from the heights. Diving into the melee, and pouncing with bone crushing weight onto Parasite and Yautja alike. Every moment that passed would see hundreds of winged parasites swooping down and rising back up into the air with the broken bodies of both yautja, and monsters in their massive claws.
Bok'Toff felt the terror of the notion of defeat creep into his bones as the Chief General realized his terrible error. Had he placed the dreadnoughts in the front ranks, many of his foot soldiers would still be alive. He quickly ordered the ranks of Dreadnoughts into motion. The massive war machines charged into the fray. Their thundering footsteps shaking the ground as they entered the battle.
The Magenta Host were great in size and strength. But the dreadnoughts were greater still. Their targeting systems allowing them to fire their weapons in the midst of the battle with very near perfect accuracy. And their great energy swords and warhammers smashed and chopped the Parasites to pieces.
The winged parasites continued to swoop into the fray insanely. Smashing into the Dreadnoughts with deafening crashes. Many of the winged parasites broke their bodies against the mighty Warbots as they knocked them off their feet. But they continued to slash, and grab, and gnash their teeth.
Flopping around the ground like ravenous birds with broken wings. Howling insanely not in pain, but at something only they could see. Such was the madness of the Magenta Host. possessed of a ravenous hunger so great only death could quell it.
Even worse still, the acidic blood of the Magenta Host was beginning to take it's toll. And the mighty armor of the warriors and the Dreadnoughts was beginning to falter. A shield would crack here. A dreadnought's hydraulic leg would bend and break there. Bok'Toff beheld all this and felt his fear grow.
"Pathetic vermin!" The Black Serpent roared. "You dare oppose the will of God?! You're very existence is a sin beyond forgiveness! Come! See the truth of your tiny world! Behold the endless night without the protection of your fragile metal cans!"
And the Ebony Serpent thrust her claws deep into the crust of Androa. The God's claws akin to mountain peaks stabbing deep into the land like blades through flesh, and finding purchase within the bedrock far below. Then Sothoth let out a deafening roar that shook the very foundations of the planet, and with one great heave the God ripped the battlefield and the surrounding land from the bosom of Androa.
And with that the God rocketed up into the sky. The battlefield and it's combatants in tow. All were thrown off their feet with the the great upheaval. Even the Magenta Host were thrown to the ground. Unable to rise against the force of their God streaking up into the atmosphere. Within seconds Sothoth had dragged the battlefield into orbit above the planet.
"Behold the strength of Sothoth!" The God bellowed. "Feel the cold of the Abyss unprotected by your flimsy metal cans!"
But the Ivory Legion warriors were protected. For their suits were blessed with atmosphere generators. And thus the death touch of the Endless Night was kept at bay. Save for those whose suits were already too damaged. Yog Sothoth saw this and roared in rage.
"Clever bugs! Clever insects! You're tenacity shall only earn you a more painful death!"
And with that the Ebony Serpent willed the Magenta Host to redouble their attack. "Insects deserve death at the hands of other insects!" Sothoth shrieked. Her voice booming in the minds of every Yautja on the battlefield.
And with that the Eyeless Dragon released the Six. They came shrieking down the Black Land of Sothoth. Howling their names in the airless abyss. The sea of monstrosities parting for them, and then following in their wake.
The battle dynamic changed drastically in zero gravity. The Elite Ion warriors and the warbots were blessed with gravity generators. But the rest of the Legion were not. And so the battle turned ill for the Yautja.
The Magenta Host proved much more efficient at movement in the zero gravity environment. Being able to reach the ground with their long legs and arms. Propelling themselves toward their prey. The winged parasites proved even more adept at zero gravity combat. Their wings somehow able to find purchase in the ethereal.
The dreadnoughts faired batter than any Yautja. Cutting down the Magenta Host in droves. But Arcus shrieking his name swooped high over the battlefield, and a great swarm of winged parasites had followed. He dove down deep into the host of dreadnoughts. And the following swarm broke their ranks.
All became pitched battle within the ranks of dreadnoughts. Massive swords crackling with blue lightning were drawn. Warhammers glowing with golden energy swept this way and that. Shattering the hard carapaces of the parasites and sending their broken bodies flying off into the abyss.
Soon the battlefield was filled with the frozen floating blood of Yautja warriors. The tumbling frozen chunks slowly losing their green phosporescence. The spilt blood of the Magenta Host was also present in great quantities. But the parasite's blood refused to freeze. And so globules of deadly acidic blood both great and small rolled lazily across the land.
Arcus strode through the melee. Towering over the hulking warbots, he laid down a path of wild destruction. Cutting down dreadnoughts and parasites alike with his great deadly sharp wings. With one great swipe of his claws he sent a half dozen dreadnoughts shredded, and tumbling out into the Endless Night.
Grond, greatest and most ancient of the dreadnoughts saw this and charged the Great Parasite. Letting lose a mechanical howl that would have shaken the very ground had there been enough air to carry his voice. The Great Dreadnought launched itself at Arcus who was busying himself with eating a fistful of his brethren.
The hulking warbot crashed into the winged parasite's chest and both went tumbling across the battlefield. Smashing, and shattering all those who were in their way as monster and machine tumbled through the frozen night.
Bok'Toff realized that he had greatly underestimated the strength of the Magenta Host. They had slain thousands upon thousands and yet still the enemy came at them in great number. His foot soldiers alone were killing an average of four to one and yet still the tide of battle was going in the Host's favor.
The Great Parasites Eaaatt, and Punctella were wreaking havoc in the South wing of the battlefield. Vaga, and Eumerus were a mile away on the crumbling hills to the North, swimming through bodies. The Gadfly, and the Meat Wearer were nowhere to be seen.
And so Bok'Toff elected to lead his Elite Ion Warriors into the battle. Oganda Led half the force North to confront the Black Monarch, and the Grinder Maggot. While Bok'Toff led his toops South to do battle with the Great Worm, and the Long Horned Parasite, the Lord of the Six, Eaaatt...
...
Machiko suddenly shot up out of her seat. Backing up from the massive tome as if it were a living, infectious thing. This was too much! Could she really be expected to believe this crap actually happened?!
"What the fuck?" She said to no one in particular.
She turned and gazed at the dimly lit laboratory. Rows of strange equipment, and huge open platforms stretched on as far as the eye could see. The laboratory disappearing into a gloom in all directions. Bak'Khan was nowhere to be seen.
At least she knew how to make it back to the door she'd come through. At least she thought she did. Now where the fuck did he get off to? There was a sudden faint chiming in the air. It was the sound of wind chimes singing in a gentle mountain breeze. The music was soothing. Familiar.
Her gaze drifted down to the sword hanging on her belt, and she smiled despite herself. The Ye Ye Anajua. The gift that had come along with her title of Little Wolf. The sword had come with a handwritten message from the Queen herself.
"It is from a different time in humanity." It had read. "Created at the height of your people's empire. There is no other who is worthy of wielding such a weapon. But be warned Little Wolf. Divine arms have a will of their own. And to wield them is to invite them into your body and soul."
She could still remember when she'd first beheld the beautiful weapon. She'd unwrapped it in the privacy of her quarters onboard the Dassanech's Mandaka. The sight had taken her breath away.
It was about the shape and make of a katana blade. The blade was an impossibly pure white. Flawless, and dangerously sharp. The hilt was made of something that resembled wrapped leather, but was stained a deep blue. It was unquestionably the strangest sword she'd ever seen.
She could still remember the first time she'd picked it up. As her hand wrapped around the hilt she swore she felt a sudden gentle jolt of energy that was not unpleasant. And there had been that faint disembodied sound of wind chimes gently ringing in the wind.
She had snapped her gaze around the room then. Searching for the source of the mysterious sound. Her senses on high alert. But there had of course been nothing to see. She'd looked down with trepidation at the sword in her hand. Staring at it in silence for a long time.
"Fuck it." She had finally said, and had begun to rehearse old moves.
Going through the motions of old Katas she'd been taught long ago. She was surprised at how easily they came back to her. Before she knew it she was twirling, and flipping around her quarters with an expert precision that seemed impossible. It had been nearly twenty years since she'd last practiced these moves!
Then she'd crossed the threshold. Moving better than she had when she'd been practicing Terran martial arts. The sword moved like lightning in her hands. Almost... Anticipating and working to aid her movements. The wind chimes sang again.
She'd stopped suddenly then. Panting. Heart racing. She had stared down in silence at the blade with newfound fear and awe. The ringing of wind chimes had faded out into silence. Then in that moment she had gotten the completely insane, but unnerving feeling that the sword was looking back at her.
Since then she'd always carried it on her. Though she'd never attempted to wield it during a hunt. That would be a great every once in a while she entertained the strangest notion that even dangling from it's sheath on her belt it sometimes gave her an unfair advantage.
She really couldn't say what it was, but ever since she'd been given the weapon she felt different somehow. The Ye Ye Anajua. The mysterious blade the Queen said was from a distant unknown time in humanity.
Once a Clan Elder she'd encountered told her "She is a weapon of terrible power. She chooses her own wielder and from then the two are forever intertwined. As the wielder grows so does the weapon." The Yautja were infuriating with their riddles.
But ever since she'd been gifted the Ye Ye Anajua she'd slowly warmed up to it. And as irrational as it sounded, she felt like she'd found a friend. Not a best friend. But one of those acquaintances you say high to while passing in the hallway, and genuinely mean it. The kind of person you just might go out and enjoy a cup of coffee with.
She wondered it they'd ever become better friends. Christ. This is what happens when you spend too much time living with alien hunters. She gazed around the laboratory again.
Where-the-fuck did the Bio-Vizier go? She stood there for a moment longer. She didn't like this. Whatever Bak'Khan was doing was taking too long. They should be hunting, or discussing the Laughing Meat, or something already. She didn't like this. Nope. Not one bit...
She sighed and walked back over to her seat. She sat down heavily, and stared in silence at the malevolent looking tome. Slowly, she reached out and let her fingers run along the time worn cover. Well... Might as well do some more reading...
"Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for Chapter 12!"
