A man, about 6 feet 4 inches tall with a short goatee and orange/golden eyes entered a small home in the dead of night. He wore only a red and gold tunic and gold shin guards over some sandals. He had tanned skin and a red tattoo that started from his left arm and looped around over his shoulder to his left pec before looping back down going to his back. The tattoo then rose up his back, across the back of his neck, and over the top of his head before stopping over his left eye.
"I pledged an oath in blood..."
A shadow version of the man was seen as he fell to his knees, in his left hand was a blue necklace and ring. The ring slipped from his grasp, tumbling down with whisps of black smoke wafting from it as it fell. The ring fell into a pool of blood, causing the red liquid to splash around from the impact.
The man knelt beside a small bed, a young girl that bore a resemblance to the man lay asleep on the bed. She had brown hair, tanned skin like the man, and wore a blue dress with her hair held back by a blue ribbon. The man leaned down to gently kiss her cheek, a warm smile on his face.
"And now my home..."
The man looked at the necklace still in his hands, his smile falling as he tried remembering things. Getting to his feet, he looked back over his shoulder when he felt a hand on his arm and back.
"All that I loved..."
The person who drew his attention was a woman, likely the girl's mother. On her left hand was the same ring from before. The woman smiled at the man, who returned the smile.
"Is gone."
A black shadow figure reaches out before chains are yanked back. The man, now shadowy once more is pulled back into a column, the stone breaking from the impact.
"Pain..."
The man is now forced to kneel down, a collar around his neck was chained to the floor while more chains are wrapped around his arms and restrained by two pillars. Unlike before, the man's chest has multiple cuts and scars, dirt and grime can be seen across his body. But the most drastic change is that his skin is now a bleached white.
"Is all I have left."
"Hello, Kratos..."
A woman, about a foot and a half taller than Kratos, stands in front of him. She is missing her right arm, her left having dark muscular claws. But the loss of one arm hardly mattered when she had four spider-like appendages that can retract from her back at will. Along with a golden helm with a crest on the forehead and a mask that could retract, she also has a golden fury chest plate that perfectly fits the midsection of her body and outlines her stomach area, protecting her chest and stomach as well as armor on her left shoulder. She also has golden knee guards above her sharp feet that come up to her knee bone.
She pulled her left arm back, and swung up, slashing Kratos across his chest, while accidentally breaking the collar and chains that held him down. With the collar broken, the Spartan was able to stand up properly as his tormentor extended her spider-like legs. However, while the woman monologued, a faint chime could be heard in his right ear.
"Kratos? Not sure if you can hear me, but if you do, get ready to pull on your right chain as hard as you can," a male voice said following the chime.
Kratos frowned as he leaned to his left to avoid the woman's attack with her spider legs. For a brief second, Kratos saw a flicker of light on the distant mountain near his prison. It was a faint flash, but the Spartan had a feeling he knew what it was.
A second later, something moving faster than any arrow or creature, collided with the anchor at the end of the chain holding his right arm back. Whatever struck it nearly shattered the stone as a crack that sounded similar to thunder followed, echoing through the air.
"What?!" Shouted the woman as she whipped around to see what the source was.
However, her error was turning her back on the Spartan who ripped the chain out of the anchor and pulled towards him a blade connected to the chains around his arms. Pulling the blade's handle into his hand, Kratos swung the weapon at the woman, slashing her across the back before whipping the chain back, landing another cut.
The woman spun back around to face Kratos, only to take another slash, diagonally across her chest, forcing her to one knee. Seizing the chance, the Spartan sheathed his right blade on his back before grabbing his other with both hands and ripping it out of the pillar's anchor. Simultaneously freeing himself while landing another slash on the woman. With himself now free, Kratos lunged towards the woman, tackling her off the platform where they both were. Crashing into a bridge and support to another, the duo landed on the ground. The second impact knocked the two away from each other. The woman taking the chance to flee further into the prison.
"I know you've been out for a little bit, but we got work to do, Kratos," said the male voice again. Kratos grunted as he drew both his blades prepared to pursue his tormentor.
"I am aware, Orion," muttered Kratos, as he gave chase.
"'Carmine,' just call me 'Carmine,'" corrected the voice with a sigh, "Whatever, I'll meet up with you after you're done."
Trailer Music: War Pigs - Black Sabbath (Alternate Version found in YouTube Video: Gears of War Pigs, uploaded by Anxiety Threshold)
(Gen'rals gathered in their masses,)
A King Raven was seen flying over Illima, heading towards the crumbling remains of a museum. The COG helicopter was painted onyx black, showing that this particular helicopter belonged to the Onyx Guard, the elite special operations unit that took orders directly from the First Minister. Currently, the Raven was making its way toward a small courtyard where it touched down. The side door opened up, letting out a very large soldier, standing at about seven feet six inches, who was also extremely muscular and was wearing incredibly heavy armor.
Ranging from a thick chest piece that had some parts glowing with an azure blue, shoulder pads, a vambrace on the right arm, a watch on the left, a belt with multiple pockets, and small satchels with a connecting belt cape/skirt and belt loops that connected to the buckle, a drop leg holster strapped to his right leg, greaves on both legs that connected to laced combat boots. Underneath all that armor was some additional clothing, but what stood out the most was that all of the clothing was black. A completely dark onyx. The soldier was also wearing a helmet with glowing blue lenses for eyes.
Following him were three other Onyx soldiers, all of them carrying similar weapons, an assault rifle with a stock, angled clip, and chainsaw bayonet under the barrel.
"Listen up," announced the largest soldier, the leader, "During the last war with the grubs, Chairman Prescott had multiple bunkers set up all around the world. We're here for the one underneath the museum. First Minister Jinn believes there might be some info inside that could help us with the current Swarm, maybe even give us an edge with the D.N.A. sample retrieved by Gamma Squad during their expedition to Kadar."
(Just like witches at black masses)
"You okay, boss?" asked one of the Onyx Guards, noticing their leader being much quieter than normal, "Like, Kait's someone you're kinda close with."
"I'll be fine," assured the team leader, "If whatever's down in that old vault can help us get an alternative to Jinn frying Kait's brain to get an edge, all the better."
"If you say so, Orion," replied another Onyx Guard, a feminine voice coming out of the helmet's speakers. The group unaware that something was following them.
(Evil minds that plot destruction,)
Orion walked passed a broken display, however, pausing for a moment to look at what was inside. Despite the glass being broken, and years having passed, the sword on display was still inside. The sword was about as long as Orion was tall, maybe a bit shorter. The blade was like a longsword, with a silver edge with some etches made into it. There was a large ring that connected the handle to the actual sword blade. It was a simple design, but Orion couldn't help but admire it for a moment before resuming his mission.
(Sorcerer of death's construction)
The squad of Onyx Guard went deeper into the museum, passing by more areas as they went down below the normal areas. Soon, they entered the vault, and inside, there were pieces and materials from all over Sera. There was even a section in the vault that contained specimens from the Locust itself. Bodies of Drones were held in containment vats, along with others like Boomers, Kanti, and even a Berserker, though, Orion noted that this one was much larger than other Berserkers he's seen when watching old military clips. There were also some oil drums, though the soldier ignored them as he and his squad were headed to the main terminal.
(In the fields the bodies burning,)
After a quick search, the squad found some files regarding the psychic abilities of the Locust and by extension, the Swarm itself. With the information downloaded, the squad had to leave quickly, as the museum was not as abandoned as intel previously said. The Carmine used his Mark 3 Lancer to shoot some Swarm Juvies before bringing the bayonet down onto the shoulder of a Drone, ripping its chest open in a spray of blood and guts.
(As the war machine keeps turning)
With Orion bringing up the rear, the Onyx Squad made a mad dash for the exit, however, before he could get out, the Carmine was intercepted by a Warden. The massive Swarm leader used one of its Breaker Mace's to knock Orion back, smashing through the display with the sword from before. Groaning as he got to his feet, the soldier saw that his Lancer and his other weapons were scattered out of reach. The only weapon close by was the sword from the display. Shouting to his squad to go, Orion got to his feet, gripping the sword's handle as he squared off against the Warden who charged him.
(Death and hatred to mankind,)
Orion clashed against the Warden, the sword and Breaker Mace sparking each time they collided. A few Juvies and Drones tried attacking the soldier, flanking him at every chance they had, but the Carmine family member proved to be strangely proficient with the medieval blade. After ducking under one swing from the Warden, Orion thrust the sword at his foe's head, knocking the helmet off before spinning around and decapitating the Swarm juggernaut. However, suddenly, the blade was engulfed by whisps of white smoke and vanished from his hands. Stumbling back, the Onyx Guard barely had time to catch the blade as it flew toward his chest.
(Poisoning their brainwashed minds)
The sword's sharp edge sliced into his hands, but the soldier refused to die like this. Shoving the sword tip to the side, he let it thrust past him as he grabbed the handle once more and pinned the sword down. Vaguely hearing his squad tell him that Jinn ordered a hammer strike on the museum. Shouting at them through the comms to go, the Onyx Guard wrestled the possessed sword away from his body, the energy surrounding the sword growing more erratic as the sky above turned bright orange. For a brief moment, Orion lost his focus and the sword impaled him in the stomach right as everything turned bright orange-white.
(Oh Lord yeah)
Orion sat up, holding his head as he looked around, finding himself in an old village. Very old, like ancient civilizations old. Looking around, he saw that his MK 3 Lancer was nearby, as was a Gnasher Shotgun, a Talon Auto pistol, and the same sword from before. Rushing to his feet, the Onyx Guard scooped up his rifle and aimed at the sword, but nothing happened. The sword just lay there. Inching closer, he kicked the sword with his boot and the sword clattered across the ground.
Later, Orion was firing at some very large-looking dogs with glowing red eyes. The Onyx Guard gunned down the animals as he ran down a street, noticing that more of the village was built into some kind of mountain.
After passing through more ruins, Orion ran into other creatures, some much larger and stronger, but all of them used medieval weapons like clubs, spears, and swords. No issue for the Onyx Guard and his rifles.
However, things really took a turn when Orion came across a man with white skin wielding dual blades fighting against a huge behemoth that looked like a combination of a man and some kind of elephant. Orion was about to leave, the man seemed to handle the fight just fine until the elephant-man grabbed him in one hand and looked to be crushing him.
Jumping down, Orion flanked the monster, firing his Lancer at it. The bullets tore into the beast with ease, causing it to let out a bellow and focus on the Onyx soldier, prompting the man to stab one of his blades into the beast's wrist. This caused the elephant-man to let out a honk and swing its arm around, but the man jumped off the limb and onto the back, stabbing both blades in. Jumping off, the chains connecting to the blades extended quite dramatically.
Seeing what the man had in mind, Orion continued firing at the creature, drawing its attention while the warrior pulled hard on the chains, pulling it over.
Orion was slammed into a wall by the elephant-man, the pale warrior was too busy fending off more monsters. The Onyx Guard looked around for any weapon he could use, his Lancer and Gnasher were knocked out of his reach again. Orion was on his back, scrambling away as fast as he could, his attention focused on the beast as it towered over him. He had one hand flailing around, trying to grab anything he could use as a weapon.
That was until he felt something like a pipe enter his grip. Without even thinking, the Gear swung whatever it was, and was rewarded by a shrieking bellow from the elephant-man as its trunk was sliced clean off. Not even caring what weapon did this, Orion pushed his advantage and jumped at the beast, slashing down, the blade cleaving into the skull, splitting the head open. With a grunt, he yanked the sword out only to drop the blade in fear as it was the same sword from before, the one that killed him.
(Oh Lord yeah)
"I did not need your assistance," said the man, his tone made it clear he was not in a good mood.
"No, but I need yours," replied Orion, inspecting his Gnasher, letting out a grunt as he tossed it aside, the weapon completely broken.
"I don't have time to help you," said the man, about to leave but Orion stopped him.
"Well if you can't, can you at least tell me who I could go to for help?" demanded the Onyx soldier, getting in between the man and wherever he was going.
Working together, for the moment anyway, Orion and the warrior fought side by side. The Onyx soldier provided long-range support with his Lancer while the man took on other monsters that got too close. A satyr managed to avoid the warrior, charging right towards Orion, but the Onyx Guard was ready, priming his chainsaw bayonet and bringing the blade down on the shoulder. Blood splattered all over the soldier's armor and helmet as he cut the beast diagonally from shoulder to hip.
"This is not your concern, mortal!" shouted Tisiphone, flying overhead as she had her pet, Daimon swoop down at the soldier. Orion dodged the incoming beast and fired at it with his Lancer.
"It is my concern when you attack my friend!" shouted Orion as he aimed at the Fury, and fired.
The Fury flew out of his effective range as Magaera charged the Onyx Soldier from behind. She used her spider legs to lift herself up over the Gears shots as she lashed out her right hand and grabbed him by the throat and lifted him up.
"Kratos has no friends," hissed the tall woman as she threw Orion across the area where he and Kratos were fighting the two Furies. The soldier rolled across his shoulder as he drew his sword, the same one that had been used to kill him, or attempted to.
(Oh Lord Yeah)
Orion looked around the area, noting how different it was from his past experiences. The surrounding forest was much thicker than any he's seen before, but he wasn't there to admire the flora or the fauna that inhabited the region. From what he could remember, the place was called Arcadia. It was in a valley that he ran into a person he wasn't expecting. In a small clearing, Orion found himself face to face with a woman with auburn hair that was tied back into a braid, and tanned skin, wearing a loose but practically white tunic, black sandals, and a sort of crown atop her head. She had a bow and quiver full of arrows slung over her shoulder, and two daggers on her belt.
Years passed by and Orion had made himself a home on the island of Crete, tending to keep to himself, but he wouldn't hesitate to defend the people who also lived on the island. He came to terms with the fact that he would never see his family again, but he was determined not to let depression and fear get the better of him. If there was one thing he was certain about now, is that gods and monsters were real wherever he was and that one goddess had taken a shine to him.
"Where did you get this?" demanded Orion, his tone made it clear he wasn't asking, he would get his answer.
"What's it matter to you, mortal?" rebuked Hermes, the messenger god as he played with a weapon the soldier was all too familiar with, "What gives you the authority to demand anything from a god?"
A revolver that was slightly rusted, the metal dirty, and the grip wrapped with tape. But what had Orion's full attention was the symbol on the side of the handle. A square turned about forty-five degrees on its side with short notches made perpendicular to the square's sides.
"I don't two shits if you were Zeus himself," stated Orion walking up to the man, not a lick of fear or concern about who he was speaking with, "What gives me the authority, is what uses that weapon. So, I'll ask one more time, little man: where'd you get that fucking gun?"
(Now in darkness world stops turning,)
Traveling through a series of caves, Orion was geared up to the max. His armor's magnetic plates were modified to allow for the Onyx Guard to carry multiple rifles and his new sword. The soldier was investigating a small city that had seemingly been deserted overnight. Inspecting the caves, he found the first dreaded signs he was looking for: flesh-like tendrils coiling and gripping the walls of the cave.
(Ashes where the bodies burning)
"When does it end, Kratos?" demanded Orion as he confronted his old friend, standing before the Spartan who was still on his rampage through Olympus.
"When Zeus is dead, Orion," stated the Ghost of Sparta, "And if you value our friendship, you will step aside."
"For years, I've tried to justify your actions, Kratos," sighed the Gear as he stood aside, "I won't stop you, but I hope for the sake of humanity, you do the right thing in the end."
(No more War Pigs have the power,)
"What happened to the mortals here?" asked Athena as she, Artemis, and Orion walked through the empty city of Corinth.
"Taken," responded Orion simply as he knelt down and picked up what looked like a doll, "To be changed."
"Into what?" asked Artemis, the goddess of the hunt looking at the Soldier who glanced back at her.
"Into an army."
(Hand of God has struck the hour)
A creature, appearing similar to Scion, but much taller and leaner, wearing full body armor, a complex metallic system that covered it from head to toe, with razor-sharp blades jutting out from the legs, chainmail, and helmet. It also had a huge mouth with two rows of dagger-like teeth and fangs while a forked tongue poked out. Along with the spikes and blades in the armor, crystals jutted out, breaking through the gauntlets on both arms, through the shoulder pads and knee pads.
"Rise my brothers!" roared the Armored Kantus, raising its arms as it stood before an army of Swarm Drones, Grenadiers, Hunters, some Scions and Wardens, and other monsters of the new Swarm Hive, along with one very large creature that let our a rumble that shook the cave they were in.
(Oh Lord Yeah)
Jumping down from his position on the cliff, Orion formed up with Kratos as the two headed into the inner sanctum used by the Furies to hold the blood oaths of their prisoners. He dropped the One Shot he had found to free and support Kratos during his escape.
Orion drew his sword, the blade started glowing orange with a small orange sphere forming in the ring as he pointed the tip at his foe: a large cyclops. The beast let out a roar as it raised its club.
The Armored Kantus leaped down from its ledge, the ground cracking under its weight. It looked up towards a few Titans imprisoned in Tartarus.
(Oh Lord Yeah)
A large Matriach, even larger than the one at Mount Kadar let out a roar, its mouth letting out a blue glow as its veins, eyes, and cracks in its armor glowed. It charged right towards Heracles, sprinting at full speed. The god of strength readied himself but was shocked by the amount of force the beast ran into with. The god swung one of his Nemean Cestus, however, the Matriach took the blow and barely reacted before slashing Heracles across the chest.
A large Flock flew around Mount Olympus, Helios tried to shoot it down but kept missing as the Leeches broke up, avoiding the fireballs. The many Swarm parasites reformed and surged together, forming a small tornado and began drawing everything in.
Orion led multiple civilians to safety, his concern for the people greater than his duty to Olympus. He glanced up as he watched the Titans storm the great mountain.
(Oh Lord Yeah)
A Swarmak roared at a group of Olympian soldiers, arm guns firing as the main canon unleashed a barrage of rockets. On the ground, a small army of Swarm Drones, Grenadiers, and Scions. Each member gunned down several Olympians with ease. The modern weapons easily made quick work of the warriors.
Orion and Artemis were pinned by incoming fire from a brigade of Swarm Drones and Scions. The goddess's hunters doing their best against the monsters of the Swarm.
A Warden grabbed the chains of Kratos' blades and yanked on them. Pulling the Spartan off his feet and swinging him around, smashing the Ghost of Sparta through a marble column before pulling him toward it and smashing him into the ground.
(Oh Lord Yeah)
"I was trying to make you into a great warrior!" pleaded Ares as he faced Kratos.
"You succeeded," congratulated Kratos before he impaled the god of war with the sword he was fighting the deity with.
"Contrary to what you might think, humanity isn't as weak as you believe," stated Orion, his arms folded as he and the other gods of Olympus felt the mount shake, "You might find yourself surprised by how we can adapt."
A low hiss rumbled as a creature circled around the mountain, being made a slave to the Swarm. With a massive serpentine body, it circled around Olympus, scaling the mountain as Swarm forces continued up. That's when the sky above Olympus started glowing orange, and a crackle of energy echoed through the air before a massive orange beam shot down.
The Onyx God
"You have some strange friends, brother," commented Mimir from Kratos' belt as Orion grunted and folded his arms.