(Hey there reader! Long time no see for an update to this story! I'd like to apologize for the absolute lack of updates, but I had long been leaving this particular story to collect dust for a long time. Honestly, I had kinda left it where it laid, unhappy with its progress and that it was not fun to write for anymore, along with the lack of motivation. However, I've gone ahead and looked back on my old writing style, and its coming around the to the time 10 years ago I started writing this fanfic. Since then, I've gone on to do a lot of stories based in other universes, although still sticking with Halo, but having expanded upon other universes and delving into them, I continued to develop my writing skills for the better. Now coming back to this, I want to finally finish what I started so long ago. Let's hope I have the motivation and time to get it finished this year. Thank you for what you're about to read. Let's jump back into it )
"RAAAGGH!" The unyielding and ludicrously well armoured Brute Warlord bashed Thel aside as the Sangheili leader had made yet another attempt to go for the openings in their enemy's armor.
Prowlus and Hunter ran back to his side realizing their attempt was doomed once more. All of them grunting and panting as the Warlord turned his mass about, overshadowing the allied trio both in size and scale, his steely coloured armor blotting out the darkened clouds above them.
"When will you 3 learn to just lay down and accept the inevitable? How long do you think you can last before I land a single, bone crunching blow that will cease your breathing?" the Warlord grinned his teeth down upon them, chuckling as he slowly approached them.
The Arbiter, having been tossed and bludgeoned over and over by this seemingly invincible foe who hadn't backed down from the constant, virulent assaults the much faster warriors were able to muster, had grown both weary yet frustrated that they haven't been able to sink just a single critical blow into the Jiralhanae giant.
"Oh fret not you oversized Ape, we're getting there…" Prowlus grunted back at his foe in a manner fitting of sarcasm. Hunter looked over to his clan leader with great concern to hearing that, only to roll his eyes in the realization that he was just playing coy. Clearly, dark times needed a little light to shine through before concealing it again.
But it wasn't all for nought. They had inflicted several cuts and wounds on those areas where there were no presentable layers of protection for the Jiralhanae and they could see drips of dark red and purple blood ooze from his gear.
The Brute wouldn't show it. But he was starting to suffer a slight loss of attentiveness, the 3 warriors becoming a slight blur from the sustained loss of fluid. And Thel took careful note of this. "This assault will be our last felines…" Thel assured them, "We will cut this monster loose of his soul and end this fight…find any means to slow his advance. I'll release him of the weight that sits upon his shoulders" a low groan of assurance was relayed to Prowlus and Hunter.
The two Cheetahs didn't even need to give quick glances to know what Vadam was after. The Warlord was losing vision. It was their chance now before the Brute did indeed get the strike he was so looking forward to. Thus, he decided to go for it. Mag's Warlord stepped forward and raised his hammer high, targeting Thel. Both Hunter and Prowlus rolled opposite ways of each other whilst Thel jumped forward, rolling under the Brute's body as the Hammer slammed into the ground releasing its forceful shockwave into the cobblestones, sending small pints of debris all over the area.
The Warlord's eyes looked to Thel's position as he drew the Hammer around feeling the Arbiter's position was the biggest threat that compromised his overall defence. At the moment he did, Thel ripped forward unleashing his darkened, blackened Energy Sword to create a blasting impact against the Gravity Hammer's head, the clash causing a shockwave of its own but one the Arbiter and his Energy Sword managed to withstand even with all the might and majesty the Warlord threw in with overwhelming strength to boot.
"NOW!" Vadam screamed at the two Cheetahs to deliver the critical blow he needed to bring the Warlord down to earth, one he needed before the Brute took advantage of this position and grabbed him.
Prowlus with the last of his Concussion rifle ammunition in hand, Hunter with trusted bow and arrow at arms targeted the heels exposed by the Brute's armor, going for the tender, vital connections from the Brute's legs to feet. The arrow penetrated the skin and tore through the muscle, Concussion plasma blew apart said skin and melted flesh and bone.
Combined amounts of pain finally sunk into the Warlord's brain, the searing heat in cooperation with torn muscle sections caused the Brute to drop his heavy mass to his knees. But still he kept struggling against the Sangheili leader's weapon, pressing the hammer's head into the Energy Sword's side, burning sparks shooting off from the colliding Covenant close quarters weapons.
But this was it. His last chance to breath as Thel now held the strength advantage. Thus, knowing his end was near, the Warlord decided to give Vadam his only warning: "He is far stronger than I ever will be Arbiter…he cannot, and will not be defeated. Once you and the rest of your vermin allies are all but atoms and molecules, he will glass this planet, use that freak flyer as his own combat pet for his own personal gain and combine their might to eradicate your miserable lump of soil you call your homeworld…you have no future…until he falls", the Warlord smiled in contempt for Thel's eventual grand finale with Chieftain Magnaruckus, leader of the 'Prophet's Vengeance', Lord of all Jiralhanae.
"If that's the case. You won't live to see it", Vadam acknowledged the aforementioned fate with the barring of his own teeth, his own fangs as he shoved the Brute's pushing hammer back with one, if struggling, thrust away from his weapon. With one pull and the absolute final thrust, the black Energy Sword's tips were fully pressed into the Warlord's chest, penetrating through his armor, his chest and into his beating heart and lungs. Severing yet cauterizing its path through all his organs, the Brute's eyes widened in unbelievable torment. His eyes had gone fully blurred as Thel withdrew the sword, his last moments of life were that of feeling the gaping, burnt holes into his chest as his heart and lungs, what was left of them, stopped completely.
But it would be Arbiter's blade going under his chin, from the Brute's point of view that stunned the Warlord more than anything, as all that pain was turned into a sort of flying perspective. From his perspective, he rolled around by the side of the Elite's left foot as the Warlord's body fell in front of his eyes, revealing the giant burning, gaping wounds left behind by the dark blade.
All went white as life ceased from the Warlord. The body went limp, the face ceased all activity, its mass crashing into cobblestones, staying lifeless throughout. Arbiter could finally release a long sigh as the blade retracted back into the handle, about to drop to his knees before Prowlus and Hunter ran over to his side and grabbed the relatively heavy Sangheili before he did.
"I'm alright" he assured them as he recovered his strength, but Prowlus would be the one to relay the facts to the tired warrior, "Your dedication is commendable but for the love of all that's holy to the Chronicler that is a lie" the red furred Clan leader proclaimed as he and Hunter took Thel away from the Brute's corpse through the streets away from the site of battle.
Though to be fair they went from one battled arena to another as Hunter muttered words that were both grim and dark to the other two, "That behemoth isn't going to stop…it'll destroy the Grand Atrium and march onwards to the city rear. Where all those who cannot fight are held. So many Mole civilians…Cheetahs…children…" Hunter sighed nearly in total defeat. He'd been a firm, loyal warrior up to this very end but having heard of the Guardians failure to halt the Scarab's nigh unstoppable advance, along with the destruction of every major defence corridor, it seemed like defeat was inevitable.
"Hunter, like that insect monstrosity we'll keep going to the very end. Even if what that Warlord says come to past…well let's just say…it's been good to fight alongside you and the dragons once more. Alongside Warfang. Just like the last great conflict" Prowlus minded over to Hunter, reminding him of the dedication he will gladly put towards the final battles ahead. Continuing to help carry and walk Thel through the destroyed streets, blocks torn asunder by plasma and spike fire.
"Yeah…the Plains of Ovaris, Iliean Temple, the Mole Caverns, the Ape forests…the front city walls of Warfang during the last days of the war. So many friends…brothers and sisters lost to those battles. When I saw you lead the rest of our clan into Malefor's hordes of unbridled evil strolling up to the front gates, it filled me with a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in a while. Even when Spyro and Cynder broke free from the crystal from under Gaul's mountain fortress. Yes, after watching over them that entire time, I was glad they were up and in fighting condition again, but they needed to regain their full strength. They relied on their powers. We still rely on weapons that are far surpassed by what the Brutes are using. Still, we press on despite our disadvantages" Hunter recalled a lot of grandiose moments during the dark days of Malefor's reign, how every battle they won, barely, yet lost most of the time still kept the burning desire to continue the fight.
Arbiter was keen on listening to their talk, keeping his mandibles shut to allow the two to reflect upon old memories before being fed back into the unending grinder with the Brutes, "It was a decision that the clan made as a whole. All agreed that it could have been our last fight. We managed to hold out until the Golem arrived. Thank all merciful Ancestors that our Dragons managed to cut it down. They are brave souls for such tiny creatures in comparison" Prowlus complemented the Draconic duo on their escapade against the foul ancient creature.
"Let us not give them all the praise though Prowlus…we all did our duty for all that's good in this world. When we make it through this, and WE WILL make it through…generations will look back upon us in this moment, judge us not for our abilities nor our skill, but as protectors of a world that was consistently threatened by those who sought its destruction. They would not have to see a conflict filled with death and horror the likes of which we've had our fill on for several lifetimes now. So, as brothers till the end Prowlus…let's give those future generations something to read about" the Orange cloaked Cheetah had such a determined smile on him, one that's not been seen for ages in this battle.
Prowlus smile back and gave his partner an incredibly positive expression, one that was proud to see what Hunter had become. All a while, Thel had regained his strength and smiled in his own way, his mandibles slightly curving after hearing how filled with spirit they were despite all that has happened and what laid before them.
Upon coming to a fully ruined street, Arbiter regained his composure with a light groan and gave both Cheetahs a nod, thanking them for helping him get out of the remaining front wall streets and somewhere to the mid centre. He was more than happy to hear the two Cheetahs converse about their current predicament in a light most welcome in this dark time. It soothed his own mind quite frankly. It was great to hear positivity constantly pour out with the two reminiscing on older times, if frail with other sorts of terrible plagues on the side.
"You both remind me of many warriors I commanded during the Human-Covenant war. Warriors I constantly led into battle, be it against Humans and Brutes. Though I've lost many and…far too many than I had hoped…you both have shown me during that battle with the Warlord that you stand alongside those brothers of mine that I've longed to return to battle with. Without you, it would've been lost from the start. You've more than earned the title of Elite, you and the rest of your people" Vadam couldn't help but compliment the entire Cheetah race. He could not help but see so much Sangheili in them despite their vast differences. How very much alike in warrior culture they were. Like the old ancient Sangheili of past glories.
Another charged up Scarab blast took the trio out of their thoughts as the distant screams of many brave warriors were doomed to be atomized into dust particles by that vicious Focus Cannon. That, along with the various nearby firefights accompanied by that walker. But as the three were about to continue forward into that direction towards the Scarab, an all too familiar voice shouted out Arbiter's name.
"THEL!" the black Dragoness shouted as she, Spyro and Shin ran towards their position. Tarscar was damned to see them somewhat in decent if exhausted condition, placing the Fuel Rod Gun he got from Yapflop onto his backside, continuing his run towards Prowlus, Hunter and Thel.
"Cynder! Spyro! Shin!" Hunter responded with their names in return, with Vadam getting on one knee as Cynder sprinted for him, her wings wrapping around his backside and his arms around hers in an embrace for all of them to see. The metals of their armor clattered against each other, her head pressed into the side of his own with, again, their helmet metals colliding. "Cynder! Thank all the heavens for your return…and brought reinforcements I see" he let the Dragoness go of said embrace and looked up to see the battle weary Spyro and the cybernetically enhanced Shin Tarscar.
"You needed all the help you could get Thel" she sighed as she let go and back up, "But if you're here then that means the Warlord is no more. You actually pulled it off" she gratefully smiled at her Sangheili brother and the two Cheetahs, "Thank you…Hunter, Prowlus…for keeping my brother safe" she didn't even hesitate to call Thel her not bound-by-blood but by close friendship brother to the Cheetahs. Hunter and Prowlus were always good company she could count on regardless of the odds.
"A victory we're not going to forget Cyn'" Hunter crossed his arms and looked at the other two, "Still, with you, Spyro and Shin coming, we can be at rest knowing that Brute's fate was sealed regardless of the outcome". Spyro spoke up as he walked to Cynder's side, wanting to relay the news that's going across the battlefront.
"It's good to see you guys again, but unfortunately the rest of the fighting isn't going our way. At all. We managed to gather any and every able body that could put up even moderate resistance" Spyro began to state, with Shin interjecting to make sure the Purple Dragon's efforts did not go unnoticed.
"He managed to encourage even working Moles and civilians to help with the Resistance. Never have I seen so many furballs come in by glider and drop homemade bombs onto Brutes of all types. You missed quite the scene" his interjection was not welcomed by Spyro who, still maintaining some level of spite towards the Sangheili for previous heartbreaking events, continued on with what needed to be said.
"But it wasn't enough. Once that Scarab broke into Warfang every defence the Moles and Cheetahs placed up to stop its path of destruction were just completely obliterated. Terrador's lucky to be alive, Cyril and Volteer didn't fare much better in our assault against Magnaruckus' insidious weapon and Cynder drained a lot of her power to heal Terrador. She barely saved his life at the cost of a lot of her ability to fight" Spyro had to express how dire the situation was to Thel, Hunter and Prowlus.
"What of the others? Darst, Yapflop, Jabjab, the Shadow of Intent survivors, the Lekgolo creatures, and that Brute defector Jikartus?" Prowlus raised concerning brows, relating his question to the various groups of their friends and allies spread throughout the city.
Spyro hadn't all the answers but Shin came to his side, looking down on the Dragon assuring him that he'd be able to assist with that question. "Jikartus is helping Terrador and a Blacksmith Mole's group to a safer part of the city far from the frontlines. We're trusting him to keep the Guardian safe. I haven't seen Darst and the rest of their group for a while, they were last seen at the Hilltop Tree but they've had to have moved on for a while. They can't be far" Spyro did his best to explain, but as he stammered trying to regain his thoughts, Shin thought now would be good to say something.
"Yapflop and Jabjab have split up, Yap is leading a ragged Mole group in a firefight that relieved us of combat that helped us get here. Apparently wherever Jabjab is, he's gone with the Dropship. I'd like to assume he went and grabbed the others, as there's not much fighting now other than around the Scarab. Hunters 1 and 2, Tesk, Veartra, Sarvasu, Tetrestu, Darst, the little Unggoy would be getting all of them. But guys…Arbiter…we're running low on defensive countermeasures" he had to go on in Spyro's stead.
Thel braced for the worst at this point, one part of his brow raised whilst the other dipped, "The Ghost, your Banshee, the Spectre, all of them are destroyed now. We're down to our Phantom and your homemade Locust that Tesk is still piloting and even that's starting to sustain a bit of damage. The Phantom has taken some heavy hits, it can barely survive dropping everyone into the fight" Shin explained the problems with their current arsenal, "If it weren't for the Moles using captured enemy weaponry I could pretty much state that we're scraping the bottom of the barrel in this one".
As if the devil's named was called upon after issuing that roughly guesstimated report, an ear piercing sound began to increase in volume as all 6 of them quickly raised their alerted attention to the situation as weapons and powers, besides Cynder's, were fired up. A somewhat damaged Phantom flew over them that inevitably came back around, and under its gravity carriage was their homebuilt blue coloured, green striped Locust. Prowlus, Hunter and Shin lowered their weapons as they realized it was all friendly.
"So much having to look for them now" Spyro murmured under his breath, relieved they wouldn't have to find them down in the war-torn city. The side doors opened up, with Darst and Veartra dropping down onto the legs of the Locust to break their fall and land on the destroyed ruins of buildings around them, the two rushing to Thel and the others to give praise to their survival.
"Shin! Thel! Cynder!" Veartra exclaimed in joy to see them, running up to give Shin her own embrace with Tesk watching over, pointing out her partner up in the dropship to the cybernetic Sangheili who waved up at him.
"Spyro, Hunter, Prowlus! By the gods themselves glad to see you are all ok. Lords almighty, when was it the last time we were all together?" Kino had to ask that question, looking up at the Hunters who waved their arm cannons, with Sarv and Tetrestu also giving their arms across the chest salutes to their comrades in arms.
Jabjab set the Phantom to autopilot and took the gravity lift down to reunite with the group. Upon hearing Darst speak about their reunion, Jabjab couldn't help but sigh in a great heap of sadness. "Not all of us…We weren't able to find Yapflop or the Moles I helped dropped off. Nothing but bodies of them and Brutes laying in the area" he shrugged in defeat, worried his best buddy was among the corpses that Shin, Spyro and Cynder left behind when they were fighting.
Spyro and Cynder, along with the others, exchanged looks to see if any of them had an inkling to where the orange armoured Grunt was. No one had a thing to say, as Jabjab fully expected and nevertheless made no comment on.
The two Dragons walked up to him and tried their best to console the Unggoy upon the disappearance of Yapflop. To the best of their ability, "Jabjab, Yapflop is possibly the bravest soul I'd ever had the joy to fight alongside. With a heart made of innocent gold but with resolve I'd never thought I'd see in him" Cynder softly smiled at the dismayed Grunt, with Spyro adding, "There's no doubt he's ok. He's tougher than a lot of Magnaruckus' packs of Brutes put together. Doubt even Jikartus could take him. We'll find him, I promise" Spyro gave his word to Jabjab that they'd find closure as to where his location was set.
But that promise would be satisfied seconds after Jabjab grieved for a few seconds after the two Dragons consoled him. Shouting out in a tone so reminiscent for such a loyal friend, "I hate to interrupt but pleeeeeeaaaaaase keep going! I wanna see what my own funeral would be like when I really go out swinging!" Yapflop emerged from a destroyed building, climbing over it and rolling down the wreckage whooping and shouting in a manner so ecstatic for such a being like himself.
"Yap!? YAP!" Jabjab's head rose in an instant, as quickly as the two Dragons along with everyone else snapping their attention in the direction it came from, the two Grunts running to each other and creating their own embracing hug, jumping for absolute joy, yipping and crying as they came to realize just how much they missed each other even if they were gone just for half an hour, separated for what felt like weeks.
"Where were you!? The battlefield I flew away from was littered with bodies when I returned!" Jabjab pulled away, demanding an explanation to which Yapflop was all too happy to reveal, "We lost a lot of the fireteam we dropped off but got sent reinforcements directly by the big Guardian Dragon guys! Jikartus got Terrador to the Inner City and sent a whole bunch of Cheetah and Mole reinforcements, along with some of the Blacksmith guys! I left to go to where the small Dragons and Shin were going. Speaking of which, I WANT MY FUEL ROD GUN BACK TARSCAR!" Yapflop angrily demanded his souped-up Fuel Rod Cannon back, to which the cybernetic Sangheili replied by bestowing the weapon back to him.
"Hey Darst, now we're really all back together again" Cynder commented happily, as the whole team was here now. Kino was going to return the comment but peered away when he realized everyone was here…that was alive. They had lost a lot of friends at this point which meant they were never to be fully reunited. Cyn, upon taking notice of his expression, rescinded her hopeful look and returned it to the sterner, firm and determined version.
"But listen, guys? Everyone? We can't settle down and talk about cool and happy things right now. Those reinforcements I mentioned? They're currently being committed to taking down the Scarab. So they told me to go let you guys know about what's going to happen. And…it gets worst…" Yapflop drooped his head slightly.
"How can it possibly get worst at this point Yap? Speak your mind" Veartra asked as various pairs of eyes looked at him for guidance as to the situation's state of devastation. To which the Grunt had to look at Thel for this, "That big meany Chieftain? Magnaruckus? H-he was seen disembarking the Scarab and leading a whole pack of very well-equipped Brutes against our forces. He's currently fighting on the frontlines. And he's destroying us" Yapflop nervously jittered as he thought about his former boss coming after him after all he and Jabjab did to him. Abandoning him, causing a stir in the Meadows, hunted down by his Sangheili agent Raskar Shenko and so much more than more than earned the Unggoy pair a place on his wall of heads to collect.
Arbiter's eyes widened upon hearing Magnaruckus' presence now turned into stepping his actual feet onto the cobblestones in the city. All his threats up to this point has come to fruition, including the bountiful amount of slaughter he intended to take upon Warfang's defenders.
"Nngggrrrrr…" Cynder growled ever so softly yet with such feral viciousness hiding behind it. Her fangs bared at the mere thought of him. That fanatically devoted look on his face, the magnitude of his body that was enough to tear through entire structures and withstand any firepower they threw at him. The scar she gave him in the meadows, in her mind, strewn across his right eye, "Of course he's on the ground now. Right after my abilities have gotten weaker from healing Terrador…" She shook her head knowing they couldn't wait any longer just for her magic to regenerate. Spyro caught her attention with an offer however.
"We can deal with him right away if I share my power with you Cynder" the golden clad Purple Dragon suggested, in order to counterbalance the amount she lost to healing the Earth Guardian. But to his surprise, she refused, shaking her head lightly, "No. Your magical power is your own Spyro, you need every drop you can get your claws on if you even want to have a chance against Magnaruckus" it was a confusing response for Spyro in all honesty. Of all the times she had to refuse him, now wasn't really the best given the circumstances.
"Don't be stupid! We need every advantage we can get over him and you're just going to handicap yourself when it would be our only chance to finally end this war?" Spyro circle around in front of her, trying to convince her of the reality of what has to happen, "We can make this easier. Much easier. The Golem, the Grublin war beasts, The Destroyer, Malefor…we relied on sharing as much as we could with our reserves" again, to the best of his ability he tried to make her see reason.
"Stop trying to change my mind. He's made this whole conflict personal with me. He's always been out for me and he's even started to use you as bait to get to me. He almost did!" she reminded him of when she was caught in the gravity hold bestowed so generously by the Fist of Rukt Mag utilized on her. It powers greatly strengthened in the time the Arbiter had fought against it when wielded by Tartarus.
"I really hope you're not making this about your pride Cy-" she cut him off the moment he said that word that she hoped he wouldn't open with. But of course, within her mind, he just had to. Now, she had to correct him.
"It's not about pride Spyro. It's something more important and I had hoped you would've understood by now. Something I lacked ever since I became that murderer's willing servant during the Dark Master's war. Something up until now I could never claim for myself…" she looked down at her front legging armor as she inspected the scratches its sustained from the fighting, looking deep within the inscriptions prescribed by the Blacksmith Moles in order to make it reminiscent to Thel's combat harness.
"You seek to reclaim your honor Cynder?" Thel interjected to give Spyro the answer he was trying to search for within Cynder's conflicted mindset. His amethyst eyes thinned in surprise but returned slowly to their original state when he looked back to Cynder as she raised her head, with her eyelids slowly lowered in the hopes he understood her.
"Spyro…no matter what I do I'm still responsible for the deaths of thousands. So many…innocent people. I lost my honor a long time ago and although you rescuing me eventually allowed me to atone for what I've done, I'll still be remembered as the Black Dragoness who hunted down so many people who were simply trying to survive the war, never wanting to get involved with what happened between Malefor, Gaul and the Guardians. Malefor's defeat didn't help me reclaim what I've lost such a long time ago. I'll never reclaim it Thel" she drew even her Sangheili brother into the conversation, as everyone looked to her knowing she and the Arbiter had a score to settle with Magnaruckus.
"If that Brute kills me, if he cuts me down-" she was cut off by Spyro who demanded she ceased that sentence, "No, stop! Stop speaking like that" he warned her with his own fangs bared to which she repeated herself and made clear of what she meant, "IF…I do, that's when I can finally rest knowing I did right by everyone around me. That's why Spyro…and this goes to you too Thel, and all the rest of you; If he doesn't decide to kill me? If he decides to pull me away from you…please. For the love of the Ancestors and all that's dear to me, I want you to end my life, kill me before it's too late. My request to all of you. I refuse, outright refuse!...To let that Jiralhanae savage use me for my abilities like Malefor did…or any of you for that matter. I will not go through that again! Never again!" She claimed with complete and total clarity, never having hesitated to in said request. She never wanted to be under the reign of another Malefor. Another tyrant. Another murderer.
"I think…that's a request that goes for the rest of us. If it does come to that…we either fall together in this lifetime, or live to see another day by getting away from this city. Far away, to hide from Magnaruckus and his forces. We agreed this would be a thing of inevitability should the worst come" Thel crossed his arms and scanned the group to make sure they all understood what this bond of friendship now meant, this group of survivors that have seen it all up to this point. With a chance that no help from beyond the planet was coming, they only had each other left.
"It's settled then warriors" Darst had his own head kept up the entire time, even when listening in on the 'debate' that surrounded Spyro and Cynder, "We know what the stakes are. We've known what they were for a good long time, but when we face him, let it be known that we stand in defiance to his brutal oppression, his sworn allegiance to chaos and the death of all things not his own. This is our last stand. We should take this moment with pride. Many friends have fallen to get us here. Whatever happens, Magnaruckus and that blasted Scarab need to fall. We fight together and we die together. No one will be left behind to serve as Magnaruckus' servant. Ever", Darst solidified Cynder's statement, taking the point to his two hearts.
Prowlus stepped forward towards the former Maroon Zealot, holding his left shoulder pauldron, needing to know if Kino was ready for when it did come to the battle with the Covenant walker of nightmares; "Are you sure you're ready to face that machine? Have you been able to overcome your fears of it?".
Kino made a respectful gruffing sound, shaking his head at what the red cloaked Cheetah clan leader asked, "By the Gods no. Nothing will ever calm me everytime I see that abomination of war" he looked back at the shuffling machine as a number of plasma explosions happened around its rear left leg, possibly having been an ambush prepped by Moles in order to slow its progress. It still kept going despite it.
"But as a believer in destiny, fate is leading me down a path to confront it whether I like it or not" he turned back to Prowlus and pulled off his Concussion rifle from his backside, "I haven't a choice, Clan leader of the Cheetah tribes. I'll drag that thing down with me when the time comes" he swore an oath of sorts to destroy that Scarab. When he'd draw his last breath, Darst will have its metal corpse laying on Warfang's grounds. As for the Concussion Rifle, he gave it to Prowlus, having noticed the Cheetah seemingly had to get rid of his rifle due to the complete lack of ammunition.
"Couldn't help but notice your lack of a ranged weapon. Your sword can only get you so far" Kino gave an eerie looking Sangheili smirk, noticing the only thing Prowlus had was a not so long sword of his own. If anything, it was small, especially for dealing with Brutes. Prowlus chuckled as he took Darst's Concussion rifle, took all the ammo he had for it, roughly 6 clips it was and nodded to the Zealot to acknowledge his appreciation.
"I think it's safe to say we know what our primary target will be" Hunter approached the other side of Darst, with him, Kino and Prowlus looking to Thel, Shin, Spyro and Cynder, "We'll find a means to board the Scarab. Find a way to disable its shielding and see if we can't find the means to destroy it" Hunter announced to them, sealing themselves for a most dangerous task that lied ahead of them.
"You're going to need all the help you can get boys" Veartra rest a hand on her right hip and her Needle rifle resting just by the left side of her neck, "I'll help direct you to where the core is located. Tesk and the Locust can provide the fire support we need to disable its legs just long enough to give us a chance to board, provided its shield isn't up. Once we destroy its core we can-" Veartra had been cut off by Cynder as she explained the problem with such a plan, and one she was punished for.
"That won't work, Mag knew about the intel Thel and the rest of you had on the Scarab. Its power core? It wasn't in the location you stated it was. If there is still a power core, it's somewhere else inside the Scarab" She forewarned them about the primary power conduit for the machine. It was to her hopes they wouldn't end up in the same bind as she encountered with Spyro.
Veartra upon hearing this growled in annoyance. That's new…and pretty ingenious of Magnaruckus to relocate the core of the Scarab that was a prominent weakspot prior to the end of the war, "Clever savages. They outsmarted us with that one" she had to compliment them on such ingenuity. Especially when it meant revising the machine's design throughout.
"Plan doesn't change then. We'll cut into its armor if we have to in order to find it. Jabjab, Yapflop, help us get aboard the Scarab with the Phantom whilst we have Tesk and his Locust provide fire support as need be. Myself, Hunter, Prowlus, Veartra, Sarvasu and Tetrestu will find that core, kill the occupiers and blow it back to the factorial assembly yards from whence it came", Darst gave a rough go of what their plan was, and who it involved. Practically half of the team.
Yapflop and Jabjab nodded their heads, tried to make a thumbs up with their claws, with Yapflop stating, "Count on us! And we'll distract it for Tesk if we can". But Veartra needed to make this clear, "No, Yapflop, you can't stick around with the Phantom. Once you drop us off, leave us behind to destroy its core. If you hover about, the Scarab's Heavy Plasma Turret will tear you apart with pinpoint accuracy. We can't risk our only flight capable vehicle to its quick destruction. I doubt the Dragon Guardians are in any condition to fly us out of here if needs be. Drop us off, then help Thel, Shin, Spyro, Cynder and the Lekgolo colonies fighting Magnaruckus and his legion of troops. If the Phantom is threatened, get out of there. You don't stand a chance against him face to face", Veartra warned them sternly, redirecting them when the drop off against the Scarab is complete.
They were initially hesitant of the concept of leaving them to fight all the occupiers by themselves, with Tesk's Locust being prime prey for the Scarab. But Jabjab kept Veartra's orders, taking them with honor and distinction, "Yes Miss Veartra…you got our word".
"Then we have arguably the harder task" Shin stepped around of the group and turned back to them, with the Scarab in the background as it charged its Focus Cannon, taking his two Spikers out from his thighs, pronouncing their objective that was in the direction indicated by his position. He ordered the Lekgolos to drop from the Phantom, to which they obliged and landed behind him, Hunter 1's absolute mass causing the Earth to shake whilst Shin held his ground to avoid falling forwards. Hunter 2's as well landed soon after, both clattering their heavy shield and focus arm cannon together, akin to when an individual collapsed one hand around the other in front to show their toughened attitude, their eagerness for the upcoming battle
"1, 2, if there's one species in the universe that can put the Jiralhanae in their place, it's yours. Help us fight Magnaruckus, help avenge your fallen brethren for what he's done to them. What he's done to all of us" Shin had to quickly gloss over his cybernetic arm, in reference to what that monster had done to his body in the time of his death.
Thel holstered his Energy sword by his thigh and took out his Carbine, gathered what ammo the Sangheili offered him and walked over to Shin standing tall with the Hunters, as did Spyro and Cynder who joined them soon after. Hunter and Prowlus boarded the Phantom's Gravity lift, explained to Sarv, Tet and Tesk of the objective that they all held conflicting opinions about, but were gratefully supported and led by Darst's and Veartra's command.
Jabjab took control of the cockpit once more, disabled the autopilot and prepped the Phantoms engines for full fledged flight, turning the ship's hull in the direction of the Scarab. The side doors had the occupants looking down on the group meant to fight Magnaruckus, up front Darst, followed by Hunter, then Veartra, then Prowlus, Sarvasu, Tesk and finally Tetrestu.
The 6 beings on the ground, looking up at their friends as they made a wave goodbye, possibly being the last chance, they'll have to see each other before diving into the fire one more time. As it was always meant to be. What they've been through together, many people never would have seen in their lifetimes. Generations upon generations of conflict, loss, grief and chaos has finally led to this. When their two worlds collided, perspectives that were never meant to be sought after one another, starts to bring them to their absolute conclusion…what would you have left in the end when the thought of those you cherished were to never be seen again? The mind must wander…
"See you on the other side kids" Kino muttered his final words to them as the side doors closed and the Phantom took off, making a steady cruise towards the assaulting excavation walker. Thel couldn't help but give off a little laugh and shook his head.
"Well then…ready to face the music?" Shin raised both his Spikers, trying his best to smile, with Spyro and Cynder giving their own determined nods. "Let's finish this. Together" Spyro stated, looking to Cynder. "Together. As one" she added. "As one. Till the end" Thel propped up his Carbine and walked of the group, with the two Hunters banging on their shields, acting as war drums for the group. They all began running, sprinting towards their destiny, against Magnaruckus himself.
As for the menace of Warfang, a group of Moles that had just set off another trap against the Scarab, to no avail as multiple explosions went up yet never ceased the walker's advance, found themselves in the sightlines of multiple heavily armed Jiralhanae warriors, with Spikes and Plasma directed towards roughly 8 Mole troops who fired crossbows and capture Plasma rifles back at their opponents, taking covered before their enemies had a bead on them.
"It didn't work! The armor is too thick for our bombs! Even the other worlder's grenades don't work!" a Mole underling shouted towards his Captain, signalling for them to begin yet another fall back.
"Then we just keep trying, it's not invincible, it can't be! We'll regroup with the others and prepare another tr-GAAAACCCCKKK!" as menacing shadow took hold over their position as the ground beneath them slowly shook. Impaling right through the Mole, from back to front, a gargantuan blade tore through his armor, his flesh and organs without any sort of resistance, his blood splattering all over the lowly Mole warrior and the cover behind him.
"Gahh! CAPTAIN!" He cried out in horror as his superior was lifted up, his body spasming slightly from the instant loss of all bodily organs and blood. Magnaruckus, seeing the dead Mole slowly come down one of his Twin Sons of Sarus held by his left hand, whilst the right hand held his Plasma Cannon, shook off the corpse with one strike away from his prey, tearing the fleshy corpse off his blade. The Mole underling, and those around him, turned to see the true terror that stood in front of them, their faces corresponding with the expected horror Chieftain Magnaruckus fully expected them to have.
"Run" he smiled, with grinning teeth bared. That single word was enough to send them doing just that, panicking in the eyes of the Jiralhanae Chieftain, vainly trying to run away from him.
His covering mouthpiece opened up to reveal his face, in order to make his announcement, "Hunting season is open my loyal warriors. Kill, slaughter, devour anything and everything you see that's an enemy. Moles, Cheetahs, freak flyers, damned Jikartus separatist traitors…and especially, tear the Sangheili apart. I want their heads on pikes at some point by the end of today, and their corpses paraded for all survivors to see" he followed slowly after the Moles who ran from him, with the Jiralhanae behind him laughing and roaring in Mag's name, sprinting after the enemies that couldn't do anything to them in the face of such overwhelming odds. He put away the giant sword on his back, next to the other twin blade and the Fist of Rukt between them.
One Brute who ran after one of the retreating Moles caught up with him, growling as he picked up the furred warrior who cried out for mercy, for someone to save him. Colliding him up against the wall, the screaming Mole felt the Brute Minor's jaws sink into his neck, eating the flesh of his enemy whilst the rest were forced to run from the scene, knowing their ally died a most gruesome death.
Several warriors however fell victim to accurate Brute fire, Spikes impaling their heads and backsides, whilst two more fired their crossbows in vain as Magnaruckus, initially in a steady walk, sprinted after them like an eager giant impatient to squash his prey under his feet. He lifted his Plasma Cannon once he closed the distance, peppering one of the Mole warriors with bolts of hot burning energy, tearing into his armor, his fur and his flesh instantly.
"No! Izaak!" his buddy turned to his corpse just as Magnaruckus closed the distance, without any hesitation, kicked his whole bodied self up against some stony ruins that no doubt broke all vital bones in his body.
"AGGHHH!..." His neck and spine snapped upon impact, killing him immediately. Smiling upon his kill, he was however slightly distracted enough for a Cheetah warrior in green cloaking to come out of the shadows and strike towards the Chieftain's right flank. Hearing his footsteps however, Mag used his Plasma Cannon as a block for the steel blade, stopping the strike in its tracks, shoving away the feline tribesman and unsheathed his left wrist mounted dual blades, impaling the stunned warrior into his chest, "NO-CAAAAACCCCCKKK…" he shouted as his knew his plan failed, feeling the meat cleaver like blades sever his organs and ribs apart, killing him slowly yet very painfully, his last moments staring at the Brute's blood orange eyes. A moment Magnaruckus always craved when claiming a kill.
"Ahhhh…what a thrill to finally slaughter these weak fools in their own city" Magnaruckus could not help but just take in the enjoyment of killing his enemies. It was enthralling to watch the life in their eyes drain away so quickly. He treasured each kill so closely, far more than he ever did with the Humans. Something about carving the meat out of these Moles and Cheetahs that he just found oh so satisfying in comparison to the just as weak but far more advanced Humanity in comparison to the many peoples of this world.
He receded his dual wrist blades back into his armoured arm, and continued to press on, directing Jiralhanae to fire on known enemy holdouts with Brute shots and Spike grenades, destroying several still intact structures as the War Chieftain who was pleasantly surprised by Mag's entry to the fight took aim at another house like building that contained not just Moles, but a Stalker traitor aligned to Jikartus in the window, who was sniping their enemies as they poured in from the Scarab's location.
"Clear to fire! Unleashing death upon the heretics!" the War Chieftain shouted, with Mag overhearing it and watching several rods make impact against the building, blowing away whoever was in cover at the time. All the Moles who were afflicted with radiation, if they weren't caught in the blast, steadily suffered acute sickness before dying, whilst the down Stalker looked over to his Carbine, attempting to reach it, only for his old boss to crush the weapon and his paw along with it.
"GRRAAAAAGGGHHHH! MY HAND! YOU CRUSHED IT! DAMN YOU TO THE DEEPEST PITS OF THE PARASITE!" The Stalker roared viciously and violently as he stared up at Mag, trying to reach up towards him in a failing effort to afflict any pain back.
The mouth cover receded again, Mag pointing his Plasma cannon down at the Stalker warrior. Now was not the time for another killing, now was the time to surrender invaluable information from one of his formerly loyal warriors who, in Mag's mind, still had a chance to redeem himself if he answered this one simple question: "Answer me traitor. Where is the fool Jikartus at? Tell me, and I promise you may live to see the sun again when the clouds clear up" it was a false promise at best, and the Stalker knew that. All traitors from Magnaruckus' Jiralhanae army were given the death sentence, regardless of whatever information they gave.
"…Heeeehehehehe…" he began to laugh at Mag, trying to keep up a smile in the face of death, "You're not my leader anymore Magnaruckus…Jikartus is. He's a far more benevolent leader than you'll ever be. You seek our own destruction with your pitiful goals…you're not a leader…you're a blind fool unwilling to see past the blood feud with the Sangheili. It'll seal our species' extinction with what you're doing!" loyalty until death this Stalker was.
But instead of anger or frustration that this Brute had expected…no, instead he also got the gleeful, fang bearing smile. One that even gave the Stalker a chill to the bone. "You're wrong on both accounts heretic. No. I'm your god" was the last the Stalker heard before Mag pulled away his Plasma Cannon to instead stomp on the Brute's skull, with the full force of his mass crushed it in what could be described as an Anvil crushing a Watermelon. A bloody, bone shattered sight, with flesh, brains and bodily fluids spilling out from under his foot. Before he could leave the flesh to endure rot, Mag stepped back and dragged his dark red soaked food on the stone flooring, trying to get rid of the remaining brain matter left on it.
Pulling away to smirk upon the sight of his own kind left in a heaping pile of decaying flesh, he spat saliva at the corpse to issue his goodbye to the traitor, "Good riddance". He exited the holed structure and pressed forward in roughly the same direction as the Scarab was. Helping to clear out pitiful traps and holdouts that dared to impede their progress. Mag directed the troops to move forward, pointing through to various directions roughly in the ruined sections of streets and alleyways to get around as best they could. With most of their vehicles inoperable, disabled or outright destroyed, being a mobile footsoldier was the best they could to clear our enemy installations. Those installations tended to be mere holdouts, like the Stalker's just being one of them.
Out of the corner of his scanning eyes, he watched as a Mole close the door on the Library. The Library Kino once burnt down and helped rebuild soon after. Knowing more prey was abound, Mag decided to lone wolf this little holdout, walking over towards the structure, Plasma Cannon raised in readiness. He half expected an ambush of enemy fire when he closed to within a hundred meters of the still somewhat standing building, approaching the doorway that clearly wasn't made for his size in mind.
"Knock knock vermin!" he announced his presence and busted down the wooden door with a mighty kick, tearing through the stone doorway with his mass, light penetrating around him unveiling the Mole carrying a book within his arms. He isn't armed, nor was he dressed as a warrior. He was just a working citizen of Warfang who now Magnaruckus' gunsights had set upon him.
"No…please…kill me if you must but please spare this Library…it already burnt down once…I can't afford to have it be destroyed with what's left of this precious knowledge of our people's past…" he begged, pleaded for mercy to Magnaruckus, not for his life, but for the status of the building that was lucky enough to be spared the Scarab's wrath.
Magnaruckus once more receded his facial masking, stepping further inside and looking down upon the measly runt with both pairs of eyes and an active Plasma Cannon, "Little furball…if you know who I am, I'm sure you know that just isn't going to happen" he responded, breaking the spirit within the Mole Archivist.
"'Course I do…Chieftain Magnaruckus, leader of the other worldly Jiralhanae, committed to the total extinction of our peoples and the deaths of the outworlders you sought to pursue…do what you must do in your apocalyptic mindset…but please, spare the last copies of our people's histories. If you have truly judged us for destruction, then collect whatever honor your heart contains and spare this building and its contents…when your genocidal conquest is over, leave this structure to remain long abandoned for others to find, less our history remains a relic of a civilization that nearly destroyed itself in the Great conflict…" the archivist continued to plead for the survival of this sacred place. With the last copies of ancient Mole and Draconic history books in this rebuilt library that, in terms of its framework, mostly survived from Darst Kino's rampage.
Magnaruckus was still empty on the pity tank, but upon hearing about the 'historic' value this place contained and most likely the book he held most preciously. He looked around the place, seeing so many books in shelves and aisles strewn throughout the building. There wasn't anyone else here, it was just the Archivist and the printed pages held inside. Abandoned by the rest of his kind, abandoned by Thel in the others in the wake of their falling defences.
The Chieftain kept his aim up at the Mole, but left go over the underside of the cannon to rip the book away from the Archivist, "Wha-No! Please don't! That's our-AGGHH!" the trigger was pulled and the Archivist was shot with the full force of several Plasma bolts, sent careening into the wall. Magnaruckus staring at the burnt body not with a smile this time, but with some level of deep sincerity towards how dedicated that Mole was to this place and to this book he was holding.
"A complete, comprehensive, archived tome of the 'Great Conflict against the Dark Master Malefor'. Is this the one those Freak Flyers always sputter about?" Magnaruckus lowered the Plasma cannon onto the floor and took the book over to the large counter that was meant, prior to the battle, as a trading station to get new books from and to trade in others. Using it to read through some pages in the tome, he was able to follow most of the details down to the letter.
"Huhhh…in just a few chapters, it discloses much of the previous thousands of years to this day. 10 generations they proclaim..." he was surprisingly engrossed with the history that seemed very bloody for such a conflict involving the Freak Flyers. The Dragons had been sunk in a war with this 'Dark Master' to a point that it destroyed their reputation for a time. All due to him, prior to obtaining the title, harnessing more than one element that a Dragon should have, creating a cult of personality around the Purple Dragon subspecies.
"'Born during ancient times of Dragon history, Malefor was able to harness various elements under his command despite not being a Dragon of the chosen elements, such as Fire, Ice, Wind, Shadow and many other castes that the Purple Dragon could clearly wield. The Ancestors trained him master all of these powerful elements, guiding him to achieve the power to protect any and all that threatened the lands across the Realms. Along with his elemental abilities, was taught Dragon-kata, the arts of close quarters fighting for Dragon kind and mastered it with flying colors.' Did they not realize the pun upon writing this?" Mag recited some of the text a few pages in, learning, understanding, more than one would've thought coming from his kind.
He learnt the various methods of teaching the Dragon Elders bestowed upon the young Malefor. Elemental combinations during battle, which powers combined better than others, finding inner peace and tranquillity to safeguard one's mental abilities from the darkness of the element known as Aether.
"'He was even granted access to forbidden knowledge about Aether, and its tainted form, Dark Aether. A mysterious and powerful element that surpassed all others in pure, unbridled power. He learned to master this terrible and ancient power which only furthered his strength, his power, to what will inevitably end in his desire for far more than what the Elders could grant him. Growing evermore arrogant, over-confident of his abilities that in turn trumped all other Dragons that did not take kindly to his ever increasing, gaining strengths. When left with no choice, unable to sway the young Malefor from his lust for even more, the Elders banished him, exiled him away from all Dragon kind…'. Old fools, you should've killed him when you had the chance. This is what peace and prosperity inevitably brings. War. Death. Chaos. And this Malefor certainly embraced it…shame really, I would've gotten along well with this Freak Flyer. He certainly had more of what I'd prefer to see out of his race" he couldn't help but admire the tenacity, the persistence this Malefor had prior to the inevitable betrayal by the Elders and the other Ancients.
He skipped over a few pages to what inevitably led to what Mag expected. Those Apes he hired beforehand? The ones he met during their travels to the city? They were inevitably mentioned in this tome. Again, the revelation surprising the Chieftain, having not had much time to discuss their background with him and instead recruited them for a mission they'd never be able to survive.
"'Malefor in his hatred, turned his anger against all Dragon kind, raised an army to his side consisting of the Apes and their leader Gaul as well as darkened hordes of unnaturally formed creatures made from Dark Aether; Grublins, Orcs, Wyverns, Trolls and so many more. He managed to take control of this tainted variation of Aether to his side it to his side, and waged a war that raged across all realms. Upon the conflict's beginning did Malefor truly become what all the Ancestors fear, entitling himself 'The Dark Master'. His ambitions were certainly something to be praised for…turning against his entire race. He must have felt betrayed for being exiled by his own kind…all because he fell out of their favour. Just like Truth and Mercy did to the Sangheili when they failed to protect the Prophet of Regret" Magnaruckus concluded as he lifted his head from the book. Part of him wished to see what had become of this 'Dark Master', but he could not help but take into the consideration of Spyro's colour, meaning it had more purpose than just being a variant of Freak Flyer.
"Thank you furball for this…enlightening historical relic. I'll do what you wish and preserve this for you…but, under my watchful eyes that is. Learning what you have given me…I have plans for you Cynder. Great plans. And if he wishes to see you live, so will your companion Spyro", Magnaruckus concluded that this tome was best kept within his grasp.
He had a quick look around the Library before he decided to take his leave, taking any books that had any title to do with Malefor, the Aether, the Dark War, Dragons, anything that could be of use to the Jiralhanae race. Around 6 other books and tomes were taken with such titular, intriguing titles. 'Draconic powers', 'Mysteries of the Aether', 'Creatures of the Dark Aether', 'The Terror of the Skies', a Novella involving Cynder's dark past in its entirety, 'The legend of the Purple Dragon' and 'Stories of lost Treasures and Artifacts'.
Along with this little collection, he found scrolls laying about. Putting down his stolen collection, he rolled one open to see details of how such elements were used. Fire, Ice, Earth, Electricity…and even some rarer ones, Poison, Wind, Shadow, Fear…Magnaruckus has seen to most, if not all these powers. And there's even ones the two Dragons have not utilized. Time, Water, Metal, Light, Dark…potential was here. Somewhere. Could it be possible to be harvested for another race's purpose?
The Chieftain chuckled at the prospect of the Jiralhanae race utilizing these abilities. If the Freak Flyers had it in the first place, they had to have obtained it in ancient times somehow, these elemental abilities. And perhaps these scrolls had the potential to do just that. Once this war was over, he would surely spend more time on this world rather than glassing it like he initially desired. There was much to be gained after all. But first, he wanted Cynder. He needed Cynder. And Spyro, if at all possible.
Upon gathering all that he found on the counter, the Brute War Chieftain from earlier arrived to the Library and found Magnaruckus looking at his collection, breathing heavily after running back here to inform his High Chieftain of their progress, "My master, Chieftain Magnaruckus. Forgive me for intruding on your…reading, but our Scarab will be in proper range of the massive superstructure at the heart of the city in 5 minutes. Stalker intel however has been relayed to us, the Resistance is mustering all anyone and everyone in strength to attack it. I haven't a shadow of a doubt the Arbiter and his little band of traitors and Freak Flyers will be arriving soon", he planted his arm across his chest and bowed, informing him of such vital information.
He couldn't help but let Magnaruckus continue to scan his collection of works about this world and its inhabitants. So much invaluable information, and his forces had no clue of this great find. Still though, it needed to be protected. The massive 10ft Chieftain stood tall and looked down at his brethren, taking the Tome he had been reading earlier and buckling it up against his back hip, keeping it for himself.
"Good. Exceptionally good work War Chieftain. We stay the course, kill and slaughter whoever comes. You two, take these books and scrolls to somewhere behind the lines and keep them for pickup via Dropship. When 'Vengeance' arrives, I expect these primitive works to be delivered to my quarters when the battle is over. DON'T…DESTROY…THEM. Any of this gets damaged, I'll have your hearts and feed your corpses to the Yanme'e hives on Palamok", Mag gave the 2 Brute Captains a most dire warning as they took the books, tomes and scrolls, carrying them carefully away from the Library.
"Chieftain, what of the remaining contents inside?", the War Chieftain asked. To which he got the answer he fully expected.
"We only need what I demanded to be taken. Burn the rest of it down. We have no more use of this place", the order he gave sealed its fate for good, along with all its contents of poetry, ancient texts, fictional stories of heroes and villains…so much written for those who wished to dive into the many race's cultures of this world was to be burnt by Jiralhanae fire.
The War Chieftain grinned so enthusiastically, taking out two Firebombs from his hip pouches and tossing them inside the Library to let the fires lay waste to all that was held inside. Its far higher temperatures quickly torched every piece of paper and text, melting away the stone walls. So too did the body of the Archivist inside.
Mag walked away with a satisfied expression on his face. One with a curved smile, concealed by his extended facial mask as the Library was fully engulfed in fires, destroyed, turned to ashes. Nothing remains this day, but the fires stoked by desire of genocide and now…assimilation. You take what you can, embrace what you gain. Leave the rest to fade into obscurity. This mindset was all that plagued the Chieftain's mind. Cynder, Spyro, the Dragons and their abilities, it all just seemed ripe for the taking. It MUST be taken. There is to be no detour from this course of action.
(Alright so coming back to this, I wrote up this chapter in roughly 3-4 days. Like I said, and I'm being honest, I didn't have the motivation to continue this story for a long time but coming back to it after being with a Discord RP group for a while now, it's been a breath of fresh air, one I've sorely needed. I'll attempt to make sure next chapter doesn't take as long, but no promises. Still, it's the fact that it is fresh is what's kept me coming back. That, and some Jyc Row music! Hope yous had a good read, and I'll catch yous next time)