Chapter 7: The Final Betrayal
The Protoss warriors stood tall upon the mountain, silhouetted against the evening sun. Clad in their magnificent battle gear, they were a terrific sight to behold. Each of them bore the red and gold metal armband of the Ara Tribe upon their upper right arms. Despite the fact that it had been founded less than a century ago, the Ara Tribe was already famous for their skill and valour upon the battlefield.
In the front rank of the massive formation stood the warrior Aldaris. His hunger for revenge on his father's murder had cast aside all other thoughts from his mind. Still, he knew better than to give in to his rage, lest he become a slave to the dark side, like the accursed Dark Templar.
The humiliated Executor Adun stood in front of the entire army. He had been given a final chance to prove his loyalty to the Khala, by removing the Rogue Tribes from the planet, forever.
"Hold your forces," pleaded Veladia. "We shall accept the Khala's will. My warriors are ready to surr-"
"Traitor," hissed a cold psychic voice, cutting off the old Matriarch's speech.
All the thousands of Protoss turned to observe the newcomer. He, no, she, was clad in the dark robes of the Venatir Tribe, gathered about her waist by an embroidered sash. Veladia gasped as she recognized, Raszagal.
"Fellow warriors of the Venatir Tribe, allies of the Sargas and Sorlyar Tribes," announced Raszagal. "In showing her willingness to submit her free will and all the free wills of her tribesmen to the Khala, your Matriarch Veladia has proven herself disloyal to our ancient cause. She is therefore unfit to hold the sacred command of the tribes."
The wide plains buzzed with psychic murmurs of agreement from the thousand of Rogue warriors. Veladia looked astounded at her heir's willingness to challenge her right to the command of the Rogues.
The tall, robed figure that was Raszagal calmly approached the old Matriarch.
"Please!" exclaimed Veladia. "Only by submitting to the Conclave can we-"
All the thousands of warriors, Ara and Rogue alike, turned to witness Raszagal ignite a long green energy blade from a unit on her wrist. No Protoss had seen such a weapon before. Judicator Azcodan, hovering above the battlefield in his command ship, merely looked amused.
Veladia stared at Raszagal in terror.
The younger Protoss laughed, slowly approaching the Matriarch. In a fluid twisting motion, she pierced Veladia through the abdomen. Veladia screamed a powerful psionic cry that shook the minds of all nearby Protoss. Blue blood spurted forth from the wound, laying the first of many stains yet to fall upon the fertile soil of Aiur.
A hoarse cry of protest rose from tsomewhere within the enormous army of Ara warriors. Raszagal tuned to witness a male Templar charging towards her, his psimitar poised to strike. He was.. Adun.
The Protoss warriors stood tall upon the mountain, silhouetted against the evening sun. Clad in their magnificent battle gear, they were a terrific sight to behold. Each of them bore the red and gold metal armband of the Ara Tribe upon their upper right arms. Despite the fact that it had been founded less than a century ago, the Ara Tribe was already famous for their skill and valour upon the battlefield.
In the front rank of the massive formation stood the warrior Aldaris. His hunger for revenge on his father's murder had cast aside all other thoughts from his mind. Still, he knew better than to give in to his rage, lest he become a slave to the dark side, like the accursed Dark Templar.
The humiliated Executor Adun stood in front of the entire army. He had been given a final chance to prove his loyalty to the Khala, by removing the Rogue Tribes from the planet, forever.
"Hold your forces," pleaded Veladia. "We shall accept the Khala's will. My warriors are ready to surr-"
"Traitor," hissed a cold psychic voice, cutting off the old Matriarch's speech.
All the thousands of Protoss turned to observe the newcomer. He, no, she, was clad in the dark robes of the Venatir Tribe, gathered about her waist by an embroidered sash. Veladia gasped as she recognized, Raszagal.
"Fellow warriors of the Venatir Tribe, allies of the Sargas and Sorlyar Tribes," announced Raszagal. "In showing her willingness to submit her free will and all the free wills of her tribesmen to the Khala, your Matriarch Veladia has proven herself disloyal to our ancient cause. She is therefore unfit to hold the sacred command of the tribes."
The wide plains buzzed with psychic murmurs of agreement from the thousand of Rogue warriors. Veladia looked astounded at her heir's willingness to challenge her right to the command of the Rogues.
The tall, robed figure that was Raszagal calmly approached the old Matriarch.
"Please!" exclaimed Veladia. "Only by submitting to the Conclave can we-"
All the thousands of warriors, Ara and Rogue alike, turned to witness Raszagal ignite a long green energy blade from a unit on her wrist. No Protoss had seen such a weapon before. Judicator Azcodan, hovering above the battlefield in his command ship, merely looked amused.
Veladia stared at Raszagal in terror.
The younger Protoss laughed, slowly approaching the Matriarch. In a fluid twisting motion, she pierced Veladia through the abdomen. Veladia screamed a powerful psionic cry that shook the minds of all nearby Protoss. Blue blood spurted forth from the wound, laying the first of many stains yet to fall upon the fertile soil of Aiur.
A hoarse cry of protest rose from tsomewhere within the enormous army of Ara warriors. Raszagal tuned to witness a male Templar charging towards her, his psimitar poised to strike. He was.. Adun.