Chapter 1
Some say the feats that can be accomplished with Originium is magical. The sheer output of its power can fuel mobile cities efficiently and cleanly. But, there was a serve cost to this miraculous material; contact with Originium runs the risk of contracting Oripathy, a disease that consumes your body with its black crystals. In most civilized places, those who become Infected are swiftly expelled from society, either by discrimination or, in the worst cases, death camps. But the world of Terra contiunes to use Origium as its primary source of power, despite all the bodies, despite all the hate.
The orgins of Originium, ironically, are just as mysterious as its mystical properties. Was it a result from the same Catastrophes that plague the lands? This was the most accepted theory among Terran scientists. However, the truth about the blight of Originium was far more sinister, and only 1 researcher was aware of the truth...
In her private quarters, Dr Kal'tsit felt a chilling draft. Her room was sealed off from the rest of the landship, so it wasn't the typical wind most mortals were familiar with. For one, the feline could actually "see" this strange wind in the form of swirling colors, each borrowing a color from the rainbow.
Dr Kal'tsit unlocked one of her drawers, frantically sifting through the documents on her research about these winds. She pulled up a chart in the form of a color coded wheel, with bizarre symbols in each section.
"The Winds of Magic..." She gasped. "Here? In Terra?!"
Dr Kal'tsit knew about the true origins of the winds, as they were the raw magical energy that came from the Realm of Chaos. The only reason why the Winds of Magic and Chaos energy would be seeping into Terra is that a Chaos Gate opened up. And with Chaos comes many dangerous fiends and forces that make Reunion look like child's play. There was one race in partciular that had the biggest influence before Kal'tsit detected the winds, the ones responsible for the Originium, the ones who scurry on two legs. The Skaven.
"The End Times are here?" Dr Kal'tsit uttered in disbelief. "Why have those godsforsaken vermin invaded Terra?" She took a deep breath to quell her fury. "I can feel the Chaos corruption, which means that they aren't alone. But nobody from back then would ally with Skaven, so the forces of Chaos must be operating independently. They all have to same goal to completely destroy this world, regardless of being Infected or not."
Dr Kal'tsit sighed. This was coming after the Reunion Movement was forcibly disbanded, and there was rumors of a "ghost army" rampaging in Victoria.
"Amiya, please report to my office." Dr Kal'tsit spoke on the PA system.
It was time to Rhodes Island the reveal its trump card. Surviving the End Times would be a futile struggle, but with the help of Kal'tsit's own "doomsday", there may be hope for the rest of Terra.
Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location in Londinium...
"Please explain to me why your weapons incinerated a legion of my finest mercenaries, vermin." An imposing Sarkaz man in a suit of armor spoke.
"Well-well... You've seen the destructive power of my weapons, man-thing..." The ratman spoke, who was almost covered head to toe in blueish plates.
"It's Theresis, vermin." The Sarkaz snapped back. "You don't have any excuses, despite our agreements."
"Excuses? Clan Skyre's weapons-teams are the most powerful fighting-forces in this land. My ratling-gunners mow down scores of man-things with ease, my warplock-jezzails can blow off their heads without them noticing! Any unfortunate deaths on your side should just be filed under 'acceptable loses'. I've seen the happy-look in your eyes... 'Theresis' as your man-things pinned down the enemy under a volley of warpfire effortlessly!"
Theresis didn't respond back to the insane Skaven. He couldn't deny that Clan Skye's weaponry wasn't a major boon for his plans. Ikit Claw's weaponry included bizarre but powerful firearms that used no Originium, instead they used a far more volatile substitute called "Warpstone". No Arts aptitude was required to use the weaponry, so even his grunts could pack enough firepower to make the Sankta blush. Sadly, Ikit's weaponry was far from flawless, since they were too large for one single man to carry, and had a disturbing tendency to backfire. The few mercenaries who survived the ratling-gun malfunction were left with severe burns, but the same could be said for the enemy, who had been thoroughly routed due to the sheer firepower. Theresis couldn't help but lust about the strength of the weaponry, but would make hard to hire more mercs if they know that the weapons could spontaneously combust on themselves.
"Let's make a new deal." He told Ikit Claw. "Your troops will handle of your weapons and I will cancel our trade deals. In exchange, I can promise the remainder of Victoria for your Under-Empire once I seize control."
"Hmmm..." Ikit Claw scratched his chin. "This is your lucky day, Theresis. I'll gladly accept this deal-agreement. I've discovered during my secret-stealing that the pride of the cat-man-things is their steam-armor. Hah! My weapons-teams will fill those feline-things with many-lots holes!"
"Tell the rest of the clans that the deal applies to them as well. Once were through with the Victoria, make sure that Under-Empire stays underground." Theresis knew how utterly disgusting Skaven society was.
"Yeah-yeah, I'm off for more secret-stealing. Those feline-things have the right idea with their steam-armor. What if I bolted it to a rat ogre..." Ikit scurried off, cackling like the utter madman he is.
Theresis shook his head. He couldn't believe he was dealing with these craven rats to advance his plans. Despite their demeanor and shiftiness, the Skaven had everything the Regnant needed to destroy Victoria to secure Kazdel's future. Even if it means forming an alliance with the deplorable vermin, he had to make sure that the other nations of Terra didn't pick a fight with his come country, even if it means destroying the superpowers.
Theresis's plans were doomed the moment he made the deal with Ikit Claw. As most people from the Old World know, you never deal with Skaven, as they will backstab you almost immediately.
Mobile City Wolumonde
The city had fallen into complete and under chaos. Infected and uninfected were duking it out, burning down and destroying what remained of the city. It was the worst case scenario for the Rhodes Island operators on site. When the hatred between the infected and uninfected reaches the boiling point, anarchy follows. In this case, rumors about Reunion operatives planning to attack and the untimely death of Dr Anto was all it took.
The alleged Reunion operatives were a band of Sarkaz warriors who were preparing to assault Wolumonde. They were the infamous Mudrock Squadron, veterans from the Kazdel civil war who now wandered the Leithanian forests. The violence in the city gave her squad the perfect opportunity to move in. However, a new threat beat the Mudrock Squadron to the city of Wolumonde.
The stomps of a marching army forced the Mudrock Squad to take cover. A massive army of strange looking soldiers stampeded through the camp, pillaging and trampling everything in their way. Most of the soldiers had deathly pale skin, and long pointy ears like most Sarkaz, but unlike the Sarkaz, they had no animal or monstrous body parts to speak of. Their uniforms were far different compared to Mudrock's Squadron, as their silver helms were as long and sharp as their ears, and carried towering shields that were nearly as long as they were tall. Most of the troops were equipped with swords, daggers, spears, but a few were mounted on horses and even giant reptiles.
These beings did not belong to any foe that Mudrock was familiar with. Thankfully, the aliens passed by without engaging with her squad mates, prioritizing the city of Wolumonde. The city had nothing of value after the riots, so perhaps these foreigners were taking advantage of the situation to make a name for themselves.
"Your orders, boss." One of her squadmates inquired.
"Move in. Keep your distance from the silver helms." Mudrock ordered.
The squad then marched off to Wolumonde, ignorant to the fact they were also marching to their doom.
Sudden silence fills the streets of Wolumonde. The infected and uninfected ceased their petty conflict at the sight of the foreigners marching into Note Street. Their silver helms enhancing their imposing height, the foreigners march down the street. The citizens wisely split off onto the side walks, quietly murmuring about these strangers. These couldn't be the Reunion that were rumored, as they lacked their famous "X" icon. Instead, the foreigners brought dark purple banners, showing an image of a spire grasping a crescent moon.
Leading the army was two figure wearing gilded crowns with an implausible amount of horns. The first, mounted on a reptile as dark as his soul, had his face completed enveloped in gold mask that was as flexible as skin. The rest of his body was covered completely in dark, scale like armor with small hints of gold, and he wore a crimson cape that flowed in the wind. The second was much more feminine, wearing nothing more than a risque metal bikini and a loin cloth. Her pitch black hair flowed down to her buttocks, unblemished by any deformities. She was on foot, not that the cold bothered her anyways.
The two led their forces to the Assembly Hall, and ordered a halt. The reptile rider was the first to speak.
"Who's the ruler of this land?" He spoke in a voice warped by his great magics. "I demand to speak with him at once."
An aged man with the horns of stag came out of the building. Alongside him was a young blonde with fox-like ears, and a much older feline-like woman who stood close with fox ears.
"Name's Severin." He spoke in a cross mood. "As you can see, there is nothing left of the city. Please take yourself and those clowns out of Wolumbe, unless you want to rule over the ashes."
"What I see is a grand opportunity for this place, human. Your cries for help have been ignored by your petty rulers. This shall be the start of a new era of your people, an era of untold prosperity." The gold-masked stranger spoke, his only sign of expression being his scowling mask. One of his men brought forth a chest, filled to the brim with gilded treasures.
"Bribery? Do you think I am a fool?" Severin snapped back.
"Yes, mortal. In any other scenario, the Druchii would have taken you and your friends in bondage immediately. The rest of this... Leithania of yours is under our control, and their pitiful excuse of a Witch King is now a mere thrall. Bring the slaves!"
Men and women were brought forth to Severin, in nothing more than thin, frostbitten rags. Blood dripped from their fresh scars, head to toe.
"Slavers?" The cat-eared woman exclaimed with frothing anger. "As a Doctor, I cannot accept your treatment of these innocents! They aren't even Infected for Terra's sake."
"What lies before you will be your fate if you refuse to hand over complete control of the city." The elven king raised his voice, causing the crowd of rioters to stir. "The only reason why I give you this choice is that my seer has warned me of worse foes to come. And trust me, cat-ears, that your silly stone disease utter pales in comparison to the tides of Chaos."
The townfolk begun to mutter to each other, questioning the Druchii king's words. Doubt was seeded in their minds, as there could be no plague worse than Oripathy, no matter if they were infected or not. The former rioters begun to inch closer to the Druchii footsoldiers while hurling obscenities and stones.
Tears ran down the fox-eared girl's youthful face. "Just ignore him, Suzuran." She hugged the girl, then turned to face the gold-masked tyrant that stood before them. As the feline approached the Druchii, she let her emotions loose. "My name is Dr Folonic, trained directly under Dr Kal'tsit. I've worked my entire life to find a cure to Oripathy, and you claim that this 'Chaos' is somehow worse? The only chaos I see is the trouble your silver helmed monsters have caused!"
The king didn't respond, but his unnervingly beautiful seer laughed at Folonic's tirade. "Ha! Somehow, you mortals are even more ignorant of the greater powers than those humans from the Old World. Do you wish to see a glimpse into the demise of your world?" Suddenly, the sorcerer charged Folonic. The feline tried to stop the Druchii with her combat drugs, but in under a second, Folonic was being choked by a deathly cold grasp. "Hmmm... Ever heard of Nurgle, sweetheart? Each one of his plagues may not be able to kill you, but will leave you in agonizing pain for the rest of your life. Not that it matters, since at that point you will be nothing more than a mindless husk."
Folonic could only rasp in defiance. The gods were supposed to be mere myths and legends, and even then, Terra's mythology never spoke of such a repulsive being. Suzuran shrieked at the sight, held back by Severin's firm grip, lest she suffer the same fate.
"Speak up, kitten." She squeezed down even harder on the felines windpipe. "Or do you want me to show you the pleasures of Slaanesh?"
"Release the girl, Morathi."
At the Witch King 's dull command, the sorcerer releases her grip on Folonic. The feline collapsed on the frostbitten ground. Suzuran rushed to her side, desperately casting her Arts to mend the wounds.
"I'm sorry, Malekith." Morathi pleaded. "How can our plans succeed if the mortals are ignorant about the Chaos tide? That kitten was seriously testing my patience."
Meanwhile, the Druchii soldiers instinctual bloodlust had reached the tipping point. With their elegant weaponry, they begin to slaughter the crowd indiscriminately. Infected or not, murder pleases their God of choice, Khaine.
"They will learn about Chaos in due time. Once they experience it first-hand, they will gladly accept out boons." Malekith responded, staring off into the distance.
"What is the problem, my Lord?"
"More interlopers. They are hiding in the trees, like our primitive siblings from the Old World."
"Do you wish for me to rend their bodies and soul?"
"I'll deal with them, keep watch of the crowd."
The elven king road off towards the perceived threats. Once closer, Malekith could see that they were more of the "Sarkaz" that he encountered before. Their leader wore a bulky, spacesuit like armor and held a massive sledgehammer.
"Let's see if these daemonic imposters can entertain me." Malekith said to himself before drawing his sword, the Destroyer.
So this was a fairly recent idea that came to mind. The Skaven from Warhammer fantasy would make for very interesting antagonists since they take the concept of Orginium and twist it in such disgusting ways. Though obviously, our favorite rat-things won't be the only villains in this story, I plan on them being the main focus while giving you snippets of the other factions. I also plan to bring in the recently fleshed-out races from TWW3, such as Cathay and the Ogres. I don't have a specific schedule, but I'll try to get a new chapter every 2-3 weeks. Until then, cya!