The Bringers of Dawn

by Zannerson

Once, a star fell near the island of the Torrentine river's, Empowering the house of Dayne with the Sword of the Morning. Now another one has come, and it will bring more than just Steel and Power. The line of Dayne will enter a world greater than they ever knew.

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 3

The First Step of Revolution

Events on the Alexandria

Gedric can recall when he sits on his mother's lap on the balcony of her room as they looked down to the bridge that connects to the entrance of Castle Starfall. Both of them spent their time in the morning this way often. Talking on all things trivial or essential as they saw the light comes before the dawn, until boredom overtakes him or other activities demands his attention, whether it's the Maester's calling or Orlo's clash of steel on the training yard.

However, some of those times his father would occasionally join them as well, though mostly during certain events of some kind. Whenever some knight's or lord of any bearing's visits upon the castle of the falling star, lord Dayne usually will find his lady on the aforementioned balcony to discuss vital measures for the visitation as etiquette demands.

Gedric remembered the way some visitors would gawk upon Starfall, their faces glowing with the gleaming reflected ray from the sun that in turn has been echoed from the white spotless walls of the Castle itself. Most times in mid-day, the walls would gleam and glitter like the stars that swim through the ocean wave. His mother would often coo him while pointing at those minor miracles, which was quite effective in calming him when he was just a babe. she frequently recalled such memory whenever they had dinner, all the while pinching at his chubby cheeks as he chewed upon his food.

Overtime the grandeur Gedric felt upon seeing the wonderous architecture of Starfall would be just another fact of life to him as he grew taller, and he would often scoff to the visitors who shared the expression of marvel he used to have. "It's just wall's dancing with the light of the sun..." Gedric thought in a reductive sense, an opinion he voiced in mind a time ago "They'll grow bored of it in time... as I have".

But now... looking upon the twist and turns of this giant ship surrounded by walls of steel that roared with the sounds of grinding metal that clash with the ocean blues, Gedric's yearn for wonder that he thought to have been quenched and replaced by the sword of the morning, which is now back with a torrent of holes awaiting answer. As they, the boy and the superintendent walk in decent pace from corner to corner, his sight wonders from room to room, from chamber to chamber and halls to halls. To places of many faculties and artifacts of unknown purpose that amalgamates and moves in an uncanny sense.

He wanted to asked his questions now. To barrage the magical floating orb with queries upon queries to know what, why and how such miracles can occur inside of a just as much of a phenomenon of a giant ship that is made out of metal that happen to ridiculously fall from the sky. Yet every time he intends to present his request, something new would always seize his attention away. To say the circumstances is overwhelming is quite an understatement.

The silent journey did not last long however, as the self-titled Superintendent of the ship swings Its first word towards the astonished boy. Plucking him away from his reverie, "I see your eyes are taking in the wonderous view..." It says, intermittently glancing back towards the boy to ensure he is in stride "But since you are on a streak of being silent on our journey... I might as well start in continuing our bout of introduction..." it continued, as its metal body bop and down with every word spoken without compromising the movement as they voyage to the mess hall "you said before that you are the... Heir and future lord of Starfall? Am I right to assume you are a noble?"

"That's right!" Gedric answered immediately "We are one of the lords of Dorne, reside just beside the Torrentine River!" His body stands upright on instinct with enthusiastic glee "We are quite well known to be the sword of the morning! The Greatest Knights and warriors of the seven kingdoms" he tilts his slightly in uncertainty "Have you never heard of us... uhm... sir?"

"Please, call me steadfast or... steward? I don't know... though I know I am hardly a sir" It says, followed by a sort of metallic blink from his eyes "And I am sorry to say that I came from lightyears away from where we are now... thus, I can't say I've heard of a morning sword or any kingdoms that are seven..." As it moves, its gaze fell to the ground whilst striding forward "hmm... does this planet have a name?"

"Planet?" First Gedric have heard of it.

"This place... where we are now..." It requests an indication followed by a doubt "Do you know what a planet is?" its eyes narrowed once more; the tone suggest an incredulous factor.

"Are you from a place called planet?" Gedric enquired, disregarding the question that followed "is it made out of Metal as well? Can I go there?"

"That is a no then..." it states, sighing on the core "Have you... have you ever heard of the UNSC?" beneath its steely being the voice vibrates with a careful hope, half expecting an unwanted answer, but necessary to hear nonetheless.

"I... saw those words on the side of the ship..." Gedric said, yet his choice of words complimented by his confused expression is more than telling "other than that I know nothing else..."

"I see..." a slight hint of despondency can be heard in its short-spoken voice. Clearly a path derailed from its true calling. The orb intends to enquire more Intel, but the Young Lord interjects the turn.

"Are you... why am I here?" he asked, the same manner of a question he voiced not but a long moment ago, the intense yet faltering stare pleads confirmation. Such is the mind of a child, can never truly stay in one place, not long than mere seconds ago he was smiling in wonders of the advance technological environment around him.

"You have many reasons to fear I understand..." it says, as exasperated to the circumstances as Gedric is "I know what has happened to you... and I assure you, this is but a scattered disorganised pile of perplexity..." It hovers sideways now; quarter of its eye slightly gaze towards Gedric "There are too many concepts necessary for me to use in order to fully elaborate on the situation... So, in order for full understanding, why don't we start from the proper beginning..." the voice turns more elegant with a scholarly tone, one the boy often hear from grown man and woman that intends for a lecture.

"Hmm..." The metal Orb hums with contemplation, the iron road they took show no clear of appropriate end "Truth be told... I am quite unsure where or when the proper beginning is..." it's glowing eye is now closed in half, all the whilst grunting in frustration. Information upon information swimming heavily on its mind, whirling in a torrent beneath a laughing storm of flexible steel. "Please hold but a moment..." It says, as its body's surface squirm like liquid metal running a lap.

Seconds pass them by, and in one instant, the young boy decides to voice his thoughts "What is a UNSC?" time stood still for a moment, as the Superintendent manage to get its bearing as the words are absorbed followed by an idea that ends with a sigh and an exhale "That is as good of a start as any!?" it spoke in jolly, the light on the ceiling shining bright on them.

"Ahh...The UNSC..." a tint of both somber and pride is clear for all to hear. "The Giant Agent of the Unified Earth Government... a military body and the overseer of all Humanity..." it says, the voice spoke with grandeur of the legendary kind, with each word the light casted from the enlightened ceiling creating an even bigger shadows beneath "The union of all things advance and grand within one governing organisation... Everything young cadet!" The last bit spoken with greater conviction "Everything!... the peak of humanities prowess in technology and military might!" It turns once again to face the young lord, the eye glimmer brighter than ever before "do you want to know why?"

Mouth opens slightly and his eyes gaped wide, he listened intently while trying to ignore the other workings of splendour that are roaming and working all around him with discipline of no other. They move with greater pace than before, but the metal steward of the ship inches closer to Gedric now. The sound of the metal humming is palpable for him to hear as it continues to speak "To protect Humanity from all threats..." the halls darkened as they walk, as if the burden of the world appeared suddenly in gravitas "You see cadet... we- I... do not fall from the skies to your lands without reason..."

The steel ship bellows strongly in a fitting orchestra, as it heard the words cooed by the voices the orb spoke of with great belief. It reminds everyone within... of how little they knew about the world truly are, eyes vibrates and with a lick of his lips, Gedric waits impatiently. For the words he speculates inside his mind "Are you... from the stars?" He spoke, the reverence shown with no hints of subtlety "Are you gods?". The tingle and goosebumps raid upon the young boy's being, to say such words is blasphemy in the eyes of the seven...

"Oh, young sir..." It says, as the skin sings with a writhe of an amused wavy metal "We have been called many things... but God is an overstatement" the pace continues gently once again, the seconds seems slow and quick at the same time. With each word spoken brings about more curiosity "But we do often play God once in a while..." It chuckled, clearly tickled with such an opulence statement. The audacity is unreal.

"Weapons of mass destruction... Genetical Engineering... terraforming planets..." it states, bopping up and down whilst trivially elaborating regarding the otherworldly "By the time we can fare among the stars... we stopped believing the sky is the limit..." the spoken words come with a shiver, the metal creatures pass them swiftly above the air, followed by the wind that carried Gedric's hair away from his eyes "Tell me more..." the pupils speak.

The Superintendent stopped in motion with Gedric tilting with bewilderment "We stopped?" He asked, the facial features glittered with shines of interest. The floor in front of them rise above towards the steel skies. He watches it ascend; expectations swirled profoundly on his mind "What could It be for?" he thought, as his sight coiled right back towards the floating steward.

"This is a giant ship Gedric" it speaks flatly, a certain tone of fatigue is present lightly "we are going to need a proper transportation...". it flies towards the shining window, one more so similar to the thing called computer once before "Hmm..." the glowing eyes narrowed "this could take longer than I thought..." it whispers it's thought loudly.

"Protection from what?"

"Hmm?"

"You said UNSC, protects humanity..." he queried "From what?". The halls are silent now, for more than a dozen seconds all the machines freeze in the moment. Those metal being that fly in the air with swiftness unrelenting now float unmoving, it's as if the music of artificial life has gone cold... and the earth decides to stood still...

After the seconds are over the world starts in motion once more, continuing on as if the words spoken is blown away by the wind to be carried to the forgotten realms. Gedric's heart beats faster than drops of heavy rain, contemplating if he should keep his mouth shut. When he lifts his head high, he saw the floating orb right there above him, glowing dimly than before.

"Gedric are you alright?" It asks "I've been calling you these last few seconds... is this too much for you?" the tone of worry is so clear for him to hear, he almost thought that another human being is here beside him. It does the scan once more, horizontal light raising and falling down his body "The analysis results seem well..." it says "Please tell me if there is something wrong alright..."

"Did... did I say something wrong?"

"What do you mean?" The Metal Steward enquires in puzzlement, its eye is now halved closed but in a diagonal line. Indicating one eye brow raised, which displays a bizarre and uncanny humanlike appearance.

"When I- something happened... every being here just stopped moving... and everything goes silent..." The Fear and Trepidation haunted him again, with the steward huffing in vexation. The last thing both of them wants is starting again from the first line when the events are going rather well. The orb looked around the area, trying to find any signs of truth in his assertion... which ends to be found wanting.

"I scan nothing out of the ordinary occurred these last few moments... other than you of course" Its glowing eyes return to the dejected fallen head of the young Cadet "Don't worry... it might be just the stress... this is quite outside your comfort zone, yes?" the assurance lightens his mood slightly, but the eerie atmosphere does not disperse completely, a tint of thought in his mind suggested "Something is wrong..."

"Now... as we wait..." Both Gedric and the steward observed upward towards the descending floor that comes slowly but surely "What was that question again?"

"I asked..." Breath held, bodies still, and an exhale that cast away the doubt "I asked... what the UNSC protect us from..." Nothing unordinary occurred, all things are moving as it should, the skies are littered with roaming artifacts and other metal homunculus are busy doing certain tasks. Everything goes well and life moves on.

"Ahh... a quaint one!" Joy and jovial, the steward seems to enjoy the boy's choice of enquiry "ALL threats! In or external!" He proclaimed, voice mighty as the lords of yore "The very second humanity become capable enough to touch the stars... so too does our list of enemies grow" grim tidings everlasting rise with the weighty atmosphere, what the steward spoke... it spoke with ancient wisdom "Si Vis Pacem Parabellum... if you wish for peace, prepare for war"

An entity moving with great speed that looks as familiar as a wheelhouse or a carriage pass through them with haste of a cavalcade of horses, it seems to be carrying boxes of iron-make to a certain destination. And yet it does nothing to hinder the Stewards proclamation "We have many enemies now Young Gedric... creatures outside of ou- your species that intends to eliminate your very being..."

"They seek to destroy me? Us? Why?" Gedric's full attention awakens, when existence is at stake all beings come to life with spirit.

"Ahh... such is all reasons for war..." its voice spoke with exhaustion "Jealousy... enmity... Hate... though with pettier reasons than most..." The floating floor from a moment ago ascend, now descent with a sort of metal carriage on top. "You see... Humanity as we know have been chosen for... A responsibility of some sorts" The words are spoken, but their attention lies to the machine that rests before them. A pair of seats in front and behind, with four wheels of rubber underneath the steely hide. "It is quite a complex event and issue to relay... but in short, just as I am given the privilege to steward and influence this ship we are standing on as of now... So too does Humanity was given the task for a 'Responsibility' over the universe..."

"Universe?" A concept unknown to Gedric and untaught by the lesser man of letters of Westeros. "Is that a place as well?"

"Everything, Cadet A01" It says, whilst opening the door of the Steel Transport "The stars you see at night, the food you eat every morning and everything that you can and cannot sense... Everything is the universe" the emphasize cooled the air with the grandiose of a comet, The stewards nudge its glowing eye towards the construct, Gedric merely obeyed with inquisitiveness and interest.

As he lay his bottom on the carriage and the Steward awkwardly float above his seat, the wheeled construct moved onto the wide pathway and gracefully haste with great speed towards their destination. Thus, the question comes ever more "Why do you call me that?" Gedric asked "What is Cadet A01 mean?"

"It means you're a Spartan..."

"And what is that?"

As they move with the speed that races the wind, both have noticed the shining light of the moon. All blue and elegant that complements the impassive dim of the Steward "As I say... Humanity has been chosen..." the air grows despondent "But not everyone accepts that choice... others feel they are deserving of the honor as well..."

"Others?"

"Covenants... Forerunners..."

With each concept conveyed, the young lord's paradigm kept expanding and expanding until it is stretched onto total bewilderment that overwhelmed his capability to comprehend the idea. "This leads to war of course... and what do you think is needed during times of such conflict?"

"Soldiers?"

"Legends..." It says, a voice of great conviction, and he continued on.

"From where I am, wars do not come with only the price of troops and attrition... logistic comes to mind as well..." Calculating and cheery its voice came, a combination that comes not often and unnatural "In such times... one well-placed force of nature can be more destructive than a thousand swords and guns clamoring towards a vision..."

The wind breeze through stronger than a dozen horses, his age is young but never in his short life he expects to achieve such speed in a rather odd method of transport. To call the circumstances surreal is folly "What does this have anything to do with me?" He asks.

"Oh... Everything" it says, with no doubt being relented "Listen well now... this is important for you... it is regarding your future hear..."

---

"Are the man ready?" The lord asked, as the light of dusk dispersed by the second, with nothing but hunting shadows and the sound of sinking steel around them. Though voices of many men curious and terrified graced the air as well, though not as strong as the wall that surrounds. Most are frolicking together in makeshift fire of their own making, wood cut from boats unused all the whilst tightly holding on to their means of battle, steel sword and spears and all.

"They are..." Orlo said with a nod of head, but one that seem to come to convince himself than the other man "Only some dared to take up arms of the thunder spear, the rest are fearful for various reasons... One called it a tool of devilry, another thought that he would harm himself in the effort..." He says, with a bag behind him... heavy enough to assume lesser man will falter if they carry "Still, perhaps there is wisdom on the latter... but it is not the proper time for doubts either... we tread on unknown ground and the time we have is uncertain"

Erick pondered for a while, stratagems and solutions compiled neatly with each thought. "Those weapons are mighty indeed" He voiced internally "One good shot is greater than a fell of a Warhammer swung by a hundred man... some bold hands is better than none". His eyes wonder towards the oddly equipped group of his bannermen, all carrying weapons they barely know of the origin. Yet, still they carry them. They know if its power, and he assumed some must've revel in it. But whatever is necessary to save his heir, risk of unnatural weapons included

"Let us not make them tarry to long with those arms..." Orlo said "The longer they hold them the greater the chance of an incident... there are much we do not know of regarding these artifacts..." some of the men are appraising those thunder spears as they speak, laying fingers on the trigger lightly, examining each crevice and functions carefully as per their instruction both from Lord Dayne and the Maester alike.

"What of the Dalt?" Erick questioned "I do not see him on my roam here..."

"He decided to return to Starfall at the time being..." Orlo replied "His squire is waiting for far to long and they have many matters to pace with" Face as impassive as a flat anvil, Erick did not show any grimace on the news. He need not the permission of the Lord of the household to leave... yet the lord understands the duties the man needs to uphold, moreover... this is no Starfall where they stand.

Still, the man is a knight tried and true, to lose him on this endeavor is costly, especially on his experience on their first expedition inward the fort "Yet needs... must..." Erick thought, for the time being he will make due.

"What of the Maester?" Orlo asked this time "His addition would be a boon on our journey... there are many contraptions on our first bout of adventure in there that may need a learned view... especially now on our second"

"He cannot" Erick answered "Nor will he, even if he desires to, his is of an elder age and his feet crumbles even in soft sands... let us not court his death, there are many that we need to know of those objects on that chest"

"Shame... but reasonable" Orlo said "I figure he would falter not a step in... and I'm sure we are planning to go more than just slightly far on our venture... is that not true my lord?" Orlo spoke, his tone graced with playful smugness.

"When the ones we care are in danger... either we take every chance or none at all" Erick said with conviction that rings true. His cloak as black as the shadows of the night that shines from the glowing gleam of the milky sword on his hip, his features severe and hardy as glorious as the old kings and overlords of yore.

"Yes... of course" Orlo concurred, his face somber with a serene that comes unlikely for a hardy warrior such as him. The atmosphere is solemn now, with the lowly winds that arrives through the giant hole in which they enter brightened by the moonlit shine. "I will follow your lead with firmness my lord you have my word... as usual"

His body is stern and strong unchanging with a worthy heart, but his features droops onto the same level of the dejection of the air "Orlo... I did not mean to remind you of-"

"Enough about that" Orlo interjects with a soft exhale, face graced with half a smile that arises with peace "I know your intentions well... we should depart soon yes"

"Yes, we should"

"I will ready the man then..." The master-at-arms walks away towards the aforementioned group, his stride upright and dauntless that leaves no authority to be questioned. On his arrival, all the man stood without hesitation. Their arms on their otherworldly weapons as they await command.

Erick summoned the nearest resting man near him, one that is on post near one side of the sturdy steel wall "You there, come to me" He spoke, the called men walks towards him and stand "Tell Maester Volkron that he should expect a message from Starfall soon... Wait until he is out of his tent before you relay this to him, he is by no means to be disturbed while he is at work... do you understand" the man nod without any queries.

"Good... Carry on then" Erick doubted the purpose of many of his men stationed on this steel fort. If any metal beast would grace their presence on their camp once more, he is sure they have no means to befell it, at the very least not properly... Not without unprecedented casualties... the only weapon capable of felling them is his milky sword, and there are none other like it "Valyrian Steel Perhaps..." He pondered...

Still, there are those other thunder spear weapons that are not in used... whether they are effective against such creatures is indeterminate. But surely tools and arms created from this ship is powerful enough to destroy other creatures of the same making...

"Nonetheless..." Erick thought "I have a job to do"

"What is this one supposed to be again?" A man queried, holding the thunder speak awkwardly on his palm... with its edge pointed dangerously towards his ear. Unbeknownst to him, his other compatriots cringed on his unruly actions he has done now. With nary a second thought, another man beside him pulled the weapon down to be aimed on the ground grasping its attached sling, preventing any unwarranted incidents.

"That is the care lever for the trigger you fool!" He scolded "don't switch it down or you'll mindlessly kill us all!". Some men watch intently on the interaction, some minding their own business caring for their respective equipment's, the rest are recoiling from the noise as few abruptly woke up from the loudness.

Most of their hours has been spent in familiarizing themselves with the circumstances. The instruction provided by Maester Volkron on their new addition of attrition has been taken with dreadful confusion. Most if not all men are familiar with traditional weapons of simple use with just as much of a simple makings, swords and axes alike. Hence when given with arms of otherworldly origin to their hands, they take the situation with puzzling anxiety.

Hours upon hours of unusual practice with just as strange as the terms the Maester created to refer to the many faculties of the queer items. The trigger that releases the fire all the way to the lever that shut the gaping jaw of the spear. Some fears turn to excitement and a hearty laugh with every second of the demonstration, the rest only further darkened their worries.

"I am having doubts on all of-"

"Treasonous talk again..." A bannerman spoke to the other, words and voice as narrow as his accusing eyes. "If your loyalty is so easily feathered, please just speak so plainly so I won't question it at night when I try to sleep..."

The other gave a sigh, his breath smoked to the cool air "What I meant to say... is that we are moving too fast on this type of venture... we are moving with tools of the unknown that we barely know the basics..." as he finished speaking a young foot soldier dropped his weapon on his loose inspection, the men around him hold their breath with their luck knowing there is naught an explosion from the incident.

"Do you remember what happened to Harlan on our way back from our journey" The other bannermen rolled his eyes with a slight wince on his features "he shot his foot off carrying it... I can't believe a man can scream that loud... or perhaps that's just the steel halls reverberating his voice?"

"We did not know the things we carry then..." The bannermen replied "We have now... that is why we had practiced..."

"It's not enough I tell you... look at the urchin over there, his holding his with perpetual fidget" He motioned towards a boy, barely out of his teens wearing the banner of lemonwood. He holds the very same thunder spear on his hands, though with a slight squirm. "He'll flee on the first sign of unusual movement I swear it" He voiced with an emphasize of high pitch "His green with a weapon unknown to us, this undertaking is doomed"

"His eyes are as focused as a Falcon with Myrish glass" the other replied "he is a good shot with the weapon barely known it may be, I trust Orlo's judgement... And I will hear no more of this doubt, the heir is in danger"

"I have no mind on the mission, the issue here is that we do not approach this righ-"

"Enough talk, here comes the Master"

And come he did, with a stride most certain and sturdy, everyone stands on his appearance but he did not acknowledge their existence as of yet. He walked towards the place where his gear resides, the very same weapons of magics now beholden on his back. As the preparation finished, he takes his position on the front center and deliver the news.

"Pack everything and get ready... we will leave in moments" on his orders the rest act accordingly, ruffled noises of bags and suspenders littered the area with occasional sounds of grunts and slight whispers. Not far from where they stationed, many men peered with uncertain eyes. Troubled and wondered of such a bizarrely equipped band of bannermen and knights.

"I'm telling you Raymond... this journey is folly" he spoke, as he nudges his bag comfortably "We need more practice"

"Will you shut your mouth already..." The other snapped lightly, with a face marred with irritation "you eat the food given by the lord, sleep under his castle, given swords and the teaching necessary for it and here you complain" he whispered sternly "The least you could have done is to follow his words regardless on the futility... we will finish this task and then you can go home to do your other mundane workings" He grunted, turning his attention back to his polished gear.

Not long after they are neat and equipped the master-at-arms gestured them to follow him. As they walked and step on the steel floor, the sounds of murmurs and breathing scattered lightly on the air. As they pass on the tents and camps, many of the men watch them depart, most with encouraging words, some look on with silence.

As they go nearer and nearer towards the gate that leads to the metallic dungeon, there appeared lord Dayne standing upright with robust conviction with nary a doubt. On his advent the morale suddenly aired higher, knowing that the sword of the morning will participate in their expedition is a welcoming thought considering his prowess, most will now breathe easy.

"The lord is coming with us?" The very same doubtful man speaks "Well... I suppose we will survive this... perhaps..."

"We survived the last one..."

"We are planning to go further this time, no?" He replied "we've found many a strange thing on our first bout on this thing... who's to say we will not find another one of those... demonic tendrils that abducted the young lord"

The other one sigh "We have these weapons for a reason... we did not practice for nothing..."

They are getting closer now... towards the giant maw of steel that swallowed the darkness. As they reach and stood right in front of its steely jaws, the inner sanctum behind the shadows is beyond which no waking eye may see. the sound of metallic tongue shriller than death bellowed itself from within followed by the wind colder than the desert night of Dorne.

The men hold their breath once again, a shrill voice whispered towards their ears 'to go further is to go to your doom' it speaks. They all tremble now, realizing the great ruin of which they are headed. Though some still breathe strong, the road is long and dangerous. And doubt has already beset.

"Easy Robart..."

"I'll kill you if I die Raymond..."

"If something kills you, I am sure to follow suit"

---

The wind swept coolly in the air still, the contraption in which they are riding seems to go swifter by the second, and before Gedric even know it they have arrived to their destination. The place is just as quiet and humming as the chambers he slept in. Sounds of air blowing in and electrical vibration sprinkled in the atmosphere of the room. As the door closed behind them, he looked upon his surroundings.

Wide and long tables upon tables littered the hall. What seems to be a bench underneath the furniture's seems to be just as long and wide. There are also pillars placed neatly around, each with designations and signs for ease of directions on his inference. The hall seems so large it even dwarfed the courtyard in which he trained in. It says much about the number of men that should've stationed here considering the size of it.

The steward gestured him forward towards the nearest table, using its protruding metal limb to pull the bench outward so he could sit. "Now... I would assume a growing boy like you need some meat on your bones, correct?" It asked, Gedric give nothing less but a nod. And truth be told the mental exhaustion is starting to overwhelm him, enough that his tongue loses its will to throw words of any kind.

"Sit here a moment young man" It says "I will be back with your nourishment... do think well of our conversation, I am interested to know of your opinions of it" not a second after he flew away mystically towards an area that is decorated with glass and lines of steel bent wall of unusual making, to be honest with oneself there are little things here to be considered normal, at the very least on the paradigm that he know of... which of course has been shattered from revelation upon revelations of gargantuan galactic information.

A giant kingdom of man that travels across the stars conquering planets upon planets, expanding from each world to the next as they grew more powerful. Plundering and using every resource they could find to further strengthened their home and proceed to scatter across the galaxy once more. Though the steward seems to prefer the word 'Colonize' rather than conquer, he does not know the meaning of the word at this time yet he is sure it is no different than a kingdom taking what was theirs through might and power as he understands it.

He hoped a temporary solitude might help in swallowing such mystical information, but he found the settings to be wanting. Considering there are no bit of silence in the first place, with the sounds of beeping and wind blowing from suspicious looking crevices all around. The steward gave no leniency to the silence as well, Gedric can hear all the rummaging the flying orb does in the other room, a character the young lord still find to be rather surreal.

Not more than five minutes longer the steward came back with a huge plate filled with ravishing delicacies the ship have to offer. Large meats bloated almost half of it and the other half are filled with fruits and vegetables with varied categories one is sure to fill a whole house thrice over. The young lord stared the nutritional horde down with lazy eyes. The exhaustion of many flocks starting to force him to succumb. "I don't know if I can eat all of this..."

"Now I know you are greatly speechless with all the intel I've told you, but a growing boy like you needs all the nutrition he can get in order to achieve your full potential" The orb stated "Believe me, the minute you put one bit of that meat on your buds, you won't have the thought to abandon these feasts to rot..." It nudges the delicacies closer to the young boy "Go on then...".

As foreshadowed by the spoken words, moments after Gedric munch through the feast like a black hole resides in his belly. Even the utensils provided lies ignored beneath the table as they dropped due to the greedy ravaging of the heir of Dayne. "As If there was ever any doubt..." The Steward says with his machine one eye expressing amusement "You haven't eaten in a week".

"Will I see my father again?" Gedric asked, mouth full of disintegrated meat and other nourishments "you said I was chosen to be a warrior right... I have to tell my father about this, he would be elated I'm sure" Most of the words comes with a scramble, if not for the top-tech audio sensor of the orb it has a better chance translating a thousand years old dead language.

"Your father... Right..." A grim dim blanketed the steward's sphere "Yes... there are many protocols that needs to be taken account... yes..." like an iris on an anvil pressure, its eyes squirmed around left and right as if a congregate of ghost intended to wrangle the mind. It looks back to Gedric and his one-dimensional focus towards conquering the plate of half-done sustenance "I'm afraid I must depart at this very moment, there are tasks for me to do you see... faculties to repair... memory that needs to backup and all..." it was a weak excuse, but still an unknown concept for the boy, for all he knows it is a critical reasoning.

"What... but you said you would tell me everything about a Spartan..." He glanced slightly upwards towards the flying orb, hands a bit wavered as he holds the food "I don't want to be alone in here...". The stewards slip back into reality as it cast away its mindful distraction and took its gaze back to the boy.

"Don't worry, I'll not be long..." It spoke with a comfort, a thin straight paper jot out from his being, which it proceeds to deliver to the young boy's hand "Here... this is a key card, it is designed for you to access many of the ship's rooms and facilities" Its expression changes once again to a dotting figure "Why don't you explore the ship for a while... get your bearings. After I am done with my work, I'll rendezvous with you once more"

"You said I can ask you anything... you promised..."

"Did I promise him that? I can't recall" "yes, yes of course... all will be answered in due time" It sigh, whether it even capable of breathing is questionable "Look... if I do not do certain task on this ship... many of its uses will be permanently damaged... leading many of it magics to be lost..." It spoke softly "You don't want that do you...?"

"No..."

"You want to see all of the science and *ahem* magic in this ship, yes?"

"Yes..."

"I'll show you all of it I assure you..." another silence ambushed the two once more in the end of the conversation. The boy's fear of the unknown is understandable yet it is also blanketed with wonders of the new and numinous, the steward chose to take the advantage "Come... let me show you how it works... after that you can finish your food then explore all you want..." it says "With limitations of course... don't want you getting lost now"

"Alright" Gedric relented "you'll be fast right?"

"Yes, yes naturally"

"What of my father?"

"Oh, you let me handle that, I'm sure we will reach a compromise..."

After such instructions, the orb escorted the young lord back to his feast before he flew away once again for the aforementioned errands. It is not half an hour later Gedric finished his unusually large banquet, naturally followed by many burps that noble houses considered to be less than etiquette. Quite unfortunate though the young lord has to sightsee the ship in another time, no less a reason than for the fact that he fell asleep on top of the dining table not a second after he finished eating.

For the steward however... it flew fast, it flew hard. The howling of the wind swept swiftly upon its steely body. His speed rivalled the wind called by nature, as his calling strikes most essential that a conquest against the laws of physic is a must. There is no time to dawdle upon the trivial now, for every second wasted is a time a mission could upend towards the abyss.

An ill-fated act that it must be so, as the many holes and fractured that littered the ceilings of the mighty ship have invited the rays of moonlight that has touched every crevice with an elegant beauty of all sorts of facets natural and unnatural both. The view that it has bestowed upon it gave a beauty of a legendary ruins of yore, though unlike the dilapidated kind, many of its uses are still intact and in great condition "And it must be protected..." The Steward thought.

It comes closer to its destination now, Halls so long and steely a lesser man will faint looking upon its edge, an inference that stayed a speculation as no lesser man may step upon this ship "And it must be kept that way..." The steward mused. It passed many of its compatriots, humanoid iron drills that is fixing a decrepit wall, another flying iron entity that carries an essential cargo and a metal golem patrolling the area for any intruder who seeks to be impudent. "All will mean nothing if the power goes off..." The steward thought.

Meanwhile Gedric lightly pondered on his lay. Eyes half open as he gazes to the steel ceiling. He only feels indifference now, the speculations of danger have already been dispersed with shocking revelation. All the boy thought about now is what words should he speak to his father, that a metal god has chosen him for a champion? that the kidnapping was a mistake most true? One thing to note that he remembered regarding his sire is that he dislikes unplanned acts and events regardless if its profitable or otherwise.

"But is this not a bizarre happening?" Gedric thought "What am I supposed to do with all of this... will he even listen to me now..." all he can do now is froze with indecision, recalling upon his action of headstronging his way towards this perceived ship, if he did not let curiosity takes over him perhaps, he would be sitting beside his mother now rather than cooped up inside the realm of metal... peoples? All in all, blaming it on inquisitiveness seems to be the easiest act to do "Whatever..." Gedric fell back to sleep.

At the same time the steward reaches the specific room it fated itself to be, mirrors upon mirrors that show of varied world distributed across the room. There is no bulb or prong to illuminate this chamber on the ceiling, but the light cavalcaded by the displays gave enough to the vision, more so to the forbidding atmosphere. It gazes sharply from one screen to another, artificial skills of analysis used promptly with efficiency only compared by a thousand hawk with a telescope, which is still quite an understatement.

Sector one all the way to Sector fifty. Each are locations and places of certain purpose of its own, made and created for the efficacy of the ship, though shattered most of them may be. Sector one to sector ten most if not all of its faculties are still in place and working, though some with most of its potential lost in disrepair that can easily be fixed given time "this is far from FUBAR..." The steward thought. Most of the facilities needed for Spartan training and military armories are still intact, as well as rations and most of the manufacturing process "Though to manufacture objects of warfare..." at the very least the UNSC did not lose the means to defend themselves, sure many Autonomous weapons still roam the ship, but the means to produce them is more than just a great boon "there are to many secrets here to be destroyed..."

From Sector eleven to twenty, almost all surveillance is still active, but the same cannot be said with the machineries and facilities that they observed. Some still can be used though just the same like the first ten sectors their efficiency has been derelict. "Damaged but still salvageable..." The steward thought "though not as redeemable as the first ten...". Some tanks and pelicans are still capable, and other vehicle both air and land as well.

"Hmm?" in one of the displays the steward manage to perceived a point of interest. Just beyond the shield on the hangar that holds the line from the outside world, there are men of ill-equipped and rag tags that are supposedly building a bridge towards the shield entrance. "My word..." it whispered "Gedric's words prove true after all... we are in primitive lands..." its eye pronged up in disbelief "did we get back in time... or are they allergic to industrial revolution..." it humoredly thought. "Well... continuing on... a problem in a later date..."

Following on to the next set of Sectors, the steward realized that there seems to be a trend here.

From Sector twenty-one to thirty only more than a modicum of cameras is still in use, with most that survive are barely clear in its static. And those that do shown halls and chambers that are broken as if a natural disaster has a party in each of them. "This is truly horrid..." it dismayed in mind "In there lies the facilities for Research and Development...". The usual protocol dictates that any intel or knowledge of any kind is to be transferred to various database all over the ship in case of any force majeure, the steward can only hope it reaches the first set of sectors that are unbroken.

"The same sector also resides the means of colonization... We're going to have to make due" all the means to create a firebase and the capability to terraform lands are in the greatly ram shackled sector. "So many means of manufacturing outpost and resources are in there" the consternation is as true as a machine is capable to do so. For now, however he can only disregard the issue to move on to the next set.

Sector thirty-one to forty can only be assumed to be a broken beyond any means of repair, "Or any means to repair quickly and correctly..." It thought. The only surveillance that survived is only on the first thirty-one and thirty-two of the set, though the steward lacks the means to express proper perturbance the disheartening is still real. "Cryogenics... most of the engine... Oh my god... Nuclear warheads..." A thought came "whose bright idea was it to put nuclear armament near the engine... NEAR THE CRYOGENIC PODS" with a time wasted to ponder, the superintendent contemplates on the oddness of the placing... the unruly nature of the ship "This bears further investigation..." it whispered discreetly "For now though..."

The surveillance that observes the cryo-pods are dead, but that does not mean the same for the personnel. stream of information after information parade on its mind, its data module, with some push of the button and both wireless and wired connected to it, a surge of lightning concentrated from cables to cables roam free from one part to another. On the screen and some of the displays words and voices has been summoned to indicate a certain action.

"APOLLO SOLAR POWER PLANT ACTIVATED"

"EMERGENCY PROTOCOL IN PROGRESS"

"CRYOGENIC RELEASE IS IN PROCESS"

---

Dark are these halls, as they walk from one edge to the next. Twist and turns of the maze that the retinue of Starfall now stride which seems to extend to no end. Everything is silent on their journey, except for the sounds of footsteps and the haggard breathing of apprehensive men. For some on the group they have already seen the strange views and points of the dungeon of steel that they now walk upon, but for the rest that are new, they stare in wonder. For some, the sight of steel is a rare one to find, naturally so as they grow in houses made of stone and the most that made of wood. Even the most majestic of castles have scarce iron in their makings. More stone than steel.

Most of those hardy materials are made for their swords and for their Armor, so few of them to be found and fewer still the means to forge them. Yet here they are surrounded by walls and floor of abnormally sturdy steel and many of them have been decorated with bizarre arts as well. Though few speculate that there are some purposes to them, more practical than they seem. Thoughts that are unbecoming now border their minds as well, much more to the ones who hold the faith well.

"It is cursed" They proclaimed "Magic is the bane for all man that are without sin... By the name of the seven, we need to flee" they declared. Naturally so some have turned tail and run whether for fear or seldom doubt of belief, alas all of them met their end in flogging and exile for their treachery. For no sins are more disdained than one of disloyalty, such is the way of many house whether they are of Starfall or not. The irony is palpable, how can one who holds faith so high can choose treason so easily.

Though few have escape to their doom and punishment, many still have stayed. Though Their faith still true and devotion tested. There was more than seventy men on their journey into the steel maw f the steel caverns. Now they ae but fifty, and more than a quarter holds the weapon of which the steel fort is its origin. Small are their steps and careful do they walk, but their conviction still holds firm.

Of course, that is for some... for the rest however, they took the invitation for a baser purpose. Otherworldly treasures do pay well in the eastern planes of the land of Essos. Bravos and Pentos lay many masters and magister who enjoys to revolve themselves with artifacts of the strange to further oil their ego. Volantis would do well with their fanatism on magical objects. And of course, all the way to the city of Qarth would enjoy to decorate their home with relics to further delicate their so-called city of all cities.

It matters not however, cause as long as the Lord of Starfall and his men live, none of these pieces of any kind will fall outside of their land. Some would think they did such an act for the responsibility of the event. But most of the minds delude themselves on knowing that the fallen star is another gift given by the skies for the line of Dayne. If there is to be a house that will be empowered by this fort of steel, it is the house of the morning star, as they thought.

"Orlo, I assume we are near" Erick queried, as the head of the house he of course took the lead with an artifact of light in his hands to discard the darkness. Some do protest on the action as he put himself in danger, but small words and prove that the sword of dawn is the only one that can befall any iron beast in their venture quickly hold their tongue. Survival is the truest instinct of men they say.

"We are" The Master-At-Arms replied "After this we will enter a hall with a chasm that fall with no end... I know the floor is wide and strong but still, best we watch our steps" they have braved for hours now, and for every second they pass rooms upon rooms withing halls upon halls. Each one bearing contraption of the unknown, some however seems to be broken with nothing but darkness that envelopes the expanse. From turn to turn they painted the walls with sign of indication on their journey, to ease their return home when they do.

Erick has half a mind to scold the men on the discipline of focus, considering that for every second or minutes on their venture some if not most of his retinue will be gazing or staring with flummoxed features for any bizarre occurrence on their journey, which would follow with inconsiderate murmur of a discussion on the subject. Though what a hypocrisy such actions may be as he found himself to be just as dumbfounded with just as many questions, he asked to Orlo of the oddities.

"Volkron would have loved this" Erick whispered in his mind.

"Is there a place in here that we could make an outpost of?" Erick enquired "the journey is long... it would do well to place a hold on this massive structure...". And a sound plan that is. And already past concoction considering some of the retinue has carried encampment tools and gears. What the lord wants is nothing more than a conquest.

"There are..." Orlo answered "Before the bridge that lies the chasm... the same bridge that consist of a forked road, lies a large hall capable to fill a hundred man" He spoke with a huff, the journey is long and filled with weariness "It would make a great place for a frontier encampment... the more plains of steel we take over the better... give more means to explore, more places to access".

"I thought so as well..." Erick replied "Gods Orlo... what manner of creatures could create construct such as this... it's all so immaculate... so powerful..." On his walk he strides his hand on the wall, feeling the hardy titanium on his palms. "Did you not find any books on your travels? Any places of parchments or knowledge that we could use?"

"If there are, we must have missed it..." Orlo gestured his hands all around, emphasizing with an expression "The torch can only light so much... we barely see anything but darkness on our sides during our first expedition... if we had that perhaps it would've been different..." He pointed towards the strange lamp Erick holds, unlike a torch the object shone a light so strong to wherever it is pointing at. Like a sun heralded to the arms of man, it illuminates the way with a powerful strength that overshadowed the strongest lamp.

"It really does help, does it not..." Erick asked rhetorically "In a better circumstance... I would have wondered with glee with this discovery... Volkron as well..." With that statement from his own lips, Erick has been reminded with the olde lessons from a Maester long ago.

"Some say magic is a force of nature... it is not in the hands of man that it can be controlled... to grasp on magic is to go against what is natural... a means that comes with a price a hundred-fold more costly than the result you beckon"

"My son is a price too expensive" The lord thought, on an occasional event his mind would be clear on this venture. But restlessness veiled his way full with doubt.

"It would seem we have arrived..." Orlo retracts Erick from his marred thought "Look..." He gestured towards a certain wall, one painted with a mediocre of a sword... if a sword is just two figures of a straight line...

"What horrid art you've made..."

"I do try my best my lord..." Orlo have a goofy look on his face "I'll tell the man to settle their tents here and scatter the torches, this hall needs some of the olde warmth of Dorne..." and what great hall it is. The ceiling raised so high one would no less mistaken it for the real sky the way it glittered so elegantly. And the girth and width of the hall seems to reach far to be a settlement. But it is less than empty.

Platforms littered the place with a disorderly grandeur. Pillars that stand straight that reached even the highest of all ceiling. Near the edges lies what seem to be a carriage that are filled with seats and chair of four on top of it. "It's just one fixation after the other..." He thought "So many secrets... is it truly another coming of dawn..."

On the center of the hall, man of the lord did their duty with doubtful feelings. As they set and lift up their tents their could not still themselves from wondering from foreground to all around. Improper of their work as much as it is slow, their eyes wonder to the wonder that all surround them. Some smiled in curious question the other gaze intently to every crevice waiting for another sound or summon of another beast awaiting a feast.

"Still and Silence all around" Raymond says, an Emblem of Starfall wrinkled lightly behind his chainmail no different than any other bannermen about "This quiet is unnerving... our last walked on this forsaken place is not this eerie"

"Well, it's not so silent now that you run your mouth about..." Robart state with an eye roll "Now if only your sword hand is as willful as your lips mayhaps you would be a tad bit confident in our surroundings...". He arches his body upward, settling his spine from the sore. No sign of weariness or dread other than trailed idleness that covers his figure. "If there is a monstrosity of any kind, we are surrounded by more than half a hundred man" he sits eyes lazily half open "now do your half of the work if you may... I already set up my end..." He lays on the closes pillar eyes closed.

"If you say so..." Raymond said, putting his Vigor instead to doing his trivial work, all simple as his mind… now awfully his body resides in less than simple place. "Numbers don't mean much when the young lord has been abducted…" He minded, soon after he cast such thought away. He puts all of his focus on the mediocre work now, building the tents, cleaning the gears and rummaging and counting supplies. Everything that he could do to wash away the foreboding thoughts away from his mindscape.

Not soon after Robart gaze his vision all around, he put his energy on being vigilant on his journey here, and of course he is one to be easily worn-out from mental exhaustion. He saw the many men examining their weapons, cleaning them and looking upon them with wonderment on their eyes. "It will get old soon…" he whispered thoughtfully. He cringes and wince every young'un that puts his eyes on the hole on the edge of the thunder spear, one wrong push of a trigger and its off with their heads "They'll be the first to die…" He minded with an eye roll "did they not head the instruction well…" The maester before the journey kept reminded and warned everyone on the use of such a weapon. And Robart looked in amusement as he counts the seconds until an incident occur on their leniency.

"EMERGENCY PROTOCOL IN PROGRESS" a booming voice, shakes the halls "ACTIVATING BACKUP GENERATOR"

"ROBART WE ARE DEAD!" Raymond shouted; voice muffled by the blast of the wind coming all around.

"QUIET FOOL! I'll not suffer your dejection!" Robart answered, thought not as spirited as Raymond.

The halls of steel before were nothing but darkness and shadows that was in motion all around. Some contraptions are moving perhaps but most have declared it as harmless as they pay each other no mind in their journey. Now however after the giant sound of what seem to be a woman proclaimed shake the walls to its foundation, lights and the surroundings seem to resurrected from the dead as the steel fort quakes underneath their feet's.

And the light is strong, much stronger than the rays of the moon. It reaches everywhere with no shadows left but the shades beneath the feet of all man present beneath them. And concurrent with their luminous, the many objects surrounding the retinue moves with certainty just as well. Platforms that were once still now ascend and descend. What seem to be transparent glasses that strewed all around the pillars now have words and numbers that traveled vehemently from one part to another with swiftness incomprehensible to the human eye.

Robart steel himself as true as the castle forge he holds on his hip, but the implications of the event and the thought that drowns him threaten to banish his sanity. With no end of the terror in his spirit he seeks the aid of the one he hoped for answer and aid. "LORD DAYNE!" Robart screamed, Raymond and dozens of men followed suit behind him. Some tents are already stand tall, but the rest are still half-done and further decrepit due to the men fleeing to gather around their lord with dread in their hearts. "My lord what do we do!?..."

"At ease men at ease!" He whispered loudly, not a second after most of the quaking sounds are dispersed "No threat comes to us yet! But stand strong we have the weapons!" The lord said with great conviction in his Voice "Take Form! All of you! I will accept no craven! We will survive this peril!"

And they heed their lesson well… lines of the dozen men coated neatly behind the fiery lord. All face filled with trepidation, but their spirit won greater with willpower. Erick makes rounds all around them, walking with a considerable pace. Awaiting any sort of ambush that seeks to thwart them. Orlo followed his lead. Making rounds just as well on the opposite side of the spectrum. If a beast comes with fury, they will meet them first.

The form is true and resilient for soldiers and warriors against ordinary men with swords and spears. But they stand speculating they will fight beast of any form instead with naught but wary swords and weapons of thunder they barely understand, but still, they stand and wait for the coming storm. Hope and faith leaned onto the cloak of Lord Dayne, so sure of himself, so filled with belief. His sword shone brightly now as the light above rain them upon its milky steel.

And thus, they wait…

And wait… And wait…

Wait….

But nothing came…

Anxiety turns to confusion turns back to fear and gone back to bewilderment. All the things around them moving still with stride of a calm wind. All of the men looked around for any suspicious notion, for any form of threat that seeking to apprehend them. An action that proves a difficult one as they are surrounded by motions and matters of unknown makings. If there are a threat to be concerned with, they would not know it.

"Orlo, anything amiss on your end…"

"Everything my lord… everything is of the unnatural…"

And a word spoken true, they are now residing in a place where the danger they cannot see nor they can fathom. Thus, if there are, it must strike first. "Hold your ground all of you!" Erick proclaimed, right before he walks forward, intending to surmised his surroundings. Nothing came, nothing waylaid them, and he proceed to sheathe his Dawn. Though he stands still all lonesome away from his men. Awaiting if the threat intends to come during such an opportune time of him unarmed, but no imminent death came to strike.

"I think we are safe…" The lord declared; the other men however still stern in doubt. "Orlo… What do you think… should we still settle here?" He asked, motioning closer towards the Master-At-Arms with a whisper. Voice as light as the wind may blow in spring. "If there are danger, they would have attacked by now"

"I don't know the inner workings of this place Erick… for all we know we could be being watched right now…" Orlo said, eyes wonder ever so slightly from one part to the other "but the men are fatigued… and we know not of what comes next beyond those roads… perhaps there are merits for a brief respite?"

"Perhaps so…" Erick pondered for a moment, as he takes a glance at the men which most are clinging tightly to one another, an action which amuses both men lightly if not for the blinding light above "A sudden light after a pitch-black darkness is no good for the eye…" He thought "Tell the man to continue to raise the encampment" an order that comes swiftly.

"The lord orders…" Orlo Spoke with a severe tone, his body turns quickly towards his troops "Establish the camp, with haste all of you! Go!" the man scatter to their station, some fixing the ones that have fallen, some already finished before the light has been summoned. After their task however, they diffuse their torches and cling to one another as sure as they are for an expectant assault.

"To many things are in motion Robart" Raymond speak, as slow as the breeze "You agree that there is no wisdom to stay right?"

"Must you speak so freely…" Robart sighed "The lord has no choice in the matter… and to what end if we do not stay? Return back to our outpost? We will venture here anyway so we might as well go forth"

"They know we are here" Raymond forebodes "We are cast right on the center of this… this… Light" he wipes the sweat on his forehead "God's man… what manner of company could harvest the power of the sun such as this…"

They spent the relief with silence, all the men perception wondered freely from one corner to the other. Waiting for a sign, waiting for a strike. They never came, though the anxiousness never faltered from their bearings, and hardly they can sleep. Not until the lord ordered them to do so.

Kind is the man who holds the blade of dawn, as the lord took first watch and Orlo the next. By the time they woke, they will have more vitality for the venture… hopefully. though the bright light gives them difficulty for a doze, still they reach slumber in the end, all Erick have to do now is wait.

Seconds become minutes become hours, The Lord leans on the nearest pillar overlooking the three-way bridge. He put the legendary blade on his lap, caressing it sheathe with a care for a soft newborn babe, lines and patterns felt on the tip of his fingers, soothing him lightly as he kept watch all around him. It is a temporary relief, but one he welcomed on such dire straits.

Over time, sitting on waiting gives him no less reprieve as the worry looms to submit him gradually by the second. He stands in his full height and proceed to walk in patrol, circling the men on their slumber like a wolf protecting its pack. Every sound came on a well-meaning pattern from apparatuses that surrounds them, they do not seem to be of interest to assault the retinue, but the feeling of menace still prowls on the edge of his skin all the same…

"I'm not going insane…" Erick whispered "It's this place… there are something watching us… I know…"

Orlo sits on the other end, standing on the edge of the large platform away from the makeshift encampment, looking down on the chasm that seems to have no proper end, yet every length down there are lights illuminating on each floor, there are no darkness to veil the edge but Orlo cannot seem to perceive it. "Even a fall from the Hightower, one can see where the grounds are… this one may even reach hell…" every interval he heard an undertone of a bellow, a cracking of metal and a roar on the deepest part of the abyss "Something is down there…"

Both Erick and Orlo planned to switch on the watch, but it would seem they cannot trust the situation enough to let themselves sleep on their part. No words are spoken between them on that regard, only a mutual shrug on the state of affairs. Thus, they settle in taking point in each other's blind spot regardless if there are persisting dangers or not.

IN WHICH OF COURSE… THERE ARE…

A hard echo of a foot step encompasses the vicinity, the sound is reverberating subtly across their ears. Dread comes back once again to the minds of those that are awake and watching, Orlo and Erick looked to each other, both pair of eyes wide as the sun on mid-day, staring in confirmation if what they hear is true.

Wasting not a second in their life's, both men immediately walk and stride towards their mission. Erick approaches the source of the echo, going closer to the origin with his sword on the ready for whatever come what may. As he inches to his mark like a predator of willpower, the sound becomes much louder on the center of the three-bridges "The middle bridge…" Erick thought, looking at the cracked and decrepit steel gate on the aforementioned part "It is getting closer…"

"AWAKE ALL OF YOU!" The Master-At-Arms screamed, voice no less absolute than the steel that surrounds them "THE DANGER IS HERE! TO ARMS AND FORM! TO ARMS!" and thus let this be the day that every man that contribute on this endeavor know, that the men of Starfall is as disciplined as a straight sword of Valyrian Steel. Not more than five seconds every man that are asleep with lazy vigor now stand tall with a fierce gaze and a strong arm; some holds swords the other spears of light.

"HOLD!" Erick Yelled "HOLD UNTIL MY COMMAND!"

The light becomes brighter, blood from each soldiers gallops wildly on their bodies, their figures shake and sweat of anxiety wet their foreheads. The focus that are ferocious moments ago cooled in fear with every thunderous step that they hear, their breath becomes faded and their knees growing malleable and faltering.

Suddenly a metal fist pierce through the steel, followed by a shrieking sound of metal ripped apart as barrage upon barrage gave anguish to every part of the gate. The once cracked entrance that barred the retinue of Starfall now explode to bits and pieces that are carried by the bombastic momentum of whatever creature that pummels it.

Sparks scratch the surface of the floor as whatever is left of the gateway now littered everywhere with some falling unto the abyss. What is now exist on the entryway is a smokey veil that covers the wide moving light of what appears to be a head. Silence once again permeates the air for an instance until the entity walks forward away from the mist that hides him.

Everyone held their breaths now, even Orlo and Erick as they gaze with a hint of terror of what has befall upon them…

"What in the seven hells… are you…" Erick whispered loudly; his body shivered with uncertain emotions as the white blade on his grasp shakes also with anticipation.

"By the Gods…"

"We outnumber it… we can… we can fell it… right!?"

"This is Unreal…"

Murmurs of dismay now swim swiftly to the minds of the lines of men that once stand as tall as the wall of the north, so easily their bravado is quashed by a simple glimpse of the unknown. "STAND AND HOLD ALL OF YOU!" Regardless of the will of his voice, Orlo trembled just as much as the men that he leads. In the end all of them are merely human after all.

Being the closest to the entity, Erick mind surmised what is in his sight….

A humanoid metal golem that is three heads taller than the lord of Starfall. Though they have quite the distance, he is sure his face can only reach the golems chest. "What… armor…" Erick eyes wondered to the rest of its body, vision that gaze with judging stare as he looks upon the layers of cover that blanketed the entity. At first glance the bulk seems monstrously symmetrical, but nothing less than a beautiful smithery of the human body that shriveled tightly to show serration of the cutting muscles. Whatever is the making of this creature, he figured no ordinary blade or blunt maul can shatter it so easily.

He raised his perception towards its head, onto the golden visor that takes half of the center of its face. Glowing brightly as it is complemented by the rays of light that surrounds the area. Not a moment later, he walks closer to Erick, with a calming stride that does not foreshadow any menace. Erick plants his feet firmly, awaiting any kind of interaction civil or otherwise from the creature.

"Come on…" Erick thought to himself "Make your move…"

The color of the Golem is much clearer to all now as now he stands just a few feet in front of the Dayne, Grayish blue with golden visor on the helm. He watched the cavalcade intently, with a body expression that is so human it enhances to the peculiarity. But all held their breath strongly after the entity decides to give himself a voice.

"Who are you?" it asked… with a masculine baritone as deep as the pressure of the ocean floor "What re you doing here?... are you safe?" The men of the retinue stare at each other left and right, though the lord and the golem are in quite the distance, the vibrating voice reaches their ear. "What… what are you all wearing?" it queries continued, its hidden eyes gazing to each of their wear and armor.

"Which cryogenic room are you all from?... and where did you find all that medieval wear?". Silence is the only answer that grace the halls, the Golem expression now shown irritation as he looked to the retinue and back to Erick "Look… I'm here to keep you safe, so please try to answer my questions, sir… wait…"

His visor shone back to a specific line of men on the encampment "Where did you find those weapons?" it asked, a line of question that now further delve the group back to unease. "Civilians are not permitted to hold military properties; I need all of you to put those guns down… Now" the last bit came with dangerous authority, the kind that shriveled even the elite.

"G-guns?..." an unsteady voice comes unwillingly…

"Yes… put them down"

"What are you talking about?"

"You don't know what Gun is?... its that thing you're holding!?" A tired exhale promulgates his statement, as if this is just a casual occurrence for him "This is a Warning… I need you to PUT. Them. DOWN, NOW" a strong emphasize, one with a threat of combat unto them. The Golem's made a firm fist with his shoulder broadened as true as an unstoppable wall, he had no weapons on his being but the steel of his knuckles seems to be enough for him to settle for a fight.

The tone of his tongue now comes with a song of violence "You are not UNSC are you…". The steps on his approach thronged with a promise of total mutilation, every distance that he cut a threat for the ones that disobey. "Identify yourselves or I will have no choice but to use Lethal Force…". A Stinging shrill of metal swathe the air apart. The Metal Golem glances to his shoulder cool, to see a Pale blade inches from his neck.

"Surround him!" Erick decreed and all followed with his words. A circle is formed around the two individuals, one their lord the other an unknown. The latter give no indication of neither fear or shaken; his figure stands as upright as a mountain that prepared to tackle the unrelenting. "You have much to answer for Monster!" The lord state, the wind from his mouth blows with a vitriol.

The monster turned to face the sword of the morning, the chasm below them sends a wind upward that flutter the lord's cape, their standing seems like a painting made by a masterful hand. "You have come unto my Land! And abducted my son! And now you demand answers from ME!" He raised his sword upwards to towards the Golem visor "You will come with us? And you will ANSWER for your crimes!" the lord spoke with a shout outrageous even to a higher man.

"Put that thing away…" it says, a cool tone with no less a threat than before "You don't want to do this… Sir"

"I will put this sword away… the instance you return my son to me!"

"I don't know anything about your son"

"LIAR!" Erick roared; the rest of the men flinch from the pitch "Your metal beast has taken him! We all saw it happened. Return him NOW! And we may be civil" The scraunch on his face grows stronger.

All of them stood still as the time seem to froze on their dealings. The golem's expression softens by a margin, without any of its aura of warfare being dispersed "Then put the sword down… so we can actually find a solution…" He spoke "My intel is as lacking as yours is, stand down so we can talk about this properly…"

Erick stared like a raging wildfire on a jar, his sword still inches from the steel entities visor which in peril to explode "You will be coming with me…" He declared.

"I'm afraid I can't do that sir…"

"Oh, and why is that?"

"Cause you and your pack will be the ones coming with me…"

Erick scoffed…

And in a turn…

Swings his blade towards the golems shoulder.

"Your Call…" The Golem Whispered.

Fast as a blur on a misty night, he took a swift strafe to the side, evading the slash by an inch. He punted the lord lightly to his nose which daze his target greatly, continuing the momentum he sweeps his legs to his opponent and Erick proceed to flail on air several paces away even from his circle of men.

"LOOSE ALL OF YOU!" a man shouted on the congregate of bannermen.

"No Wait Don't-" Whatever forewarning in the golems tongue goes unreleased, as rain of bullets swirl around the circle… it is a mistake proven to be most true, as the hail of fire has no use against the resplendent armor of the entity before them. It does however strike their own compatriots, as their formation breaks due to their failings on stratagem.

"Hold your fire! You're hitting each other" A warning came too late by the entity itself, as the men dropped their fire arms, and charge towards him with impractical motion. The monster gives no less than a fragment of his attention as each of those who advance has been thrown around like a toy with minimal movement.

One approach him from the back, he proceeds to elbowed him on the ribs. And the man was flung a dozen feet away.

Another goes for an overhead swing to his left, which he grabbed the blade and slap him with the other arm. Knocking him out cold for a day.

Another simply charges, he punches him squarely right on the nose.

All this is done with a fragment of a fragment of a fragment of his true capability and all done within less than two seconds.

The rest of the time is spent with all more than fifty men intending to overwhelm the golem, which proved unwise in the end. Most that remained took a trained stance of a swordman. Those who bear the Sigil of a Falling star beneath the sword. They strike with disciplined movement; they graced the battlefield with tried-and-true swings and it would have been a toil so well against another knight or man.

But this is no ordinary man they are facing…

The second Erick gets his bearings and held his sword, he sees less than twenty men still standing with the rest on the steel floor writhing in pain, none are dead however and the lord have no time to see which is which. With his two hands gripping tightly on the morning blade, he dashes once again into the fray, this time with thrice the ferocity than before, moving swiftly dodging man after man being tossed towards him.

Meanwhile his bannermen breath heavily against the steel form no different than facing a storm, even now during combat their thoughts can be envisaged clearly through their features.

"This is madness… there is no end to this…"

"We are facing a demon…"

"He swatted me away so easily… what is he…"

"I… I can't even reach him!"

"I was right… this whole thing is folly after all…"

"This is it… this is where it ends…"

And so, their morale fell first before their knees. Yet still they stand, if not for their lord, it is due to their training, the land of Starfall accept nothing less, their warrior spirit demands it, even when facing their end. They rush the golem once more, with a second wind breathed hot from their lungs.

And still, they fall…

It would be hilarious if it is not so tragic, humiliating and dreadful.

The steel-folk dodged a strike and use the time to grab the man on his legs. And used him as a cudgel, swaying him left and right like an angry sea. quite unfortunate the others cannot strike the golem properly, for fear to accidentally slay their ally. All this continued until only Erick danced his way towards its iron hide.

The golems attention went back to the Lord after he rout the last man, rise to his full height with a blink and blur and awaits Erick's swings. Left and right, upward and downwards, The Golem dodged them with ease, it meant little to the morning star at the time "You'll tire…" He thought "They all do"

Orlo can only watch from the sidelines, arms fractured from the blow of the bout. In his eyes he can see, only everything is clear except the mist that is his lord and the steel monster. It is a moment of revelation for the Master-At-Arms, as this is the first sight in a long time that the sword of the morning thrown himself with full ferocious lethality.

Even the few men in full health can only see blurs of two figments, try as hard to see they may be. In this moment they realize that in their fear of beasts in this steel fort, they already have one which is whom they serve. The Line of Dayne has always been considered supernatural in their bladework, but no one has seen it as intensely as what they saw now. They feel the wind in the air on each swing, enough to cleave a manmade river to pieces.

Unbeknownst to them however… the fatigue is setting in for their liege. "This is impossible…" Erick thought "To find my match here… on a battle so significant…"

There was no exhaustion, not even any kind of indication of tiredness from the metal man he fought now. Even during the fourth blackfyre rebellion, Erick has not reached this level of enervation "Why won't you fall!"

"You want to stop?" The Golem asked "If you do, then just stand down and ill follow your lead" there is not even a breath of haggard in his voice, the battle is no different than hardened rock facing an iron boulder.

The clash stops for a while, Erick gave himself a minor reprieve. Before settling his sight back to his opponent "I can't beat him in a prolonged contest…" eyes set on the joint of the golem's armor, every part is covered with enormously thick plates of unnatural steel, safe for the ones underneath the arm and some parts on the upper thigh. "that's where I must aim… I have to end this quickly…"

The metal man relaxes his posture, but the body language gives no room for any kind of chance, it is not a risk for the unskillful to take part. "Take it easy and maybe we can find a solution…". Another second and the sound of a swarm with a muffled voice came from the helm. What followed after is the same man turning his head whilst putting his hands on the side of it.

"Now's my chance!" Erick jumped and dashed forward with a mastery as sharp as his sword, fleet of foot as silent and swift as a tempest. A knight as great as a Kingsguard may find such strikes to be unexpected. But to the other party, it might as well be as slow as a spring breeze, especially to one who can see bullet coming on its trails.

"I warned you…" The metal man… Golem or thing, whispered sinisterly, though a hint of frustration persists in his tone.

After that the only thing Erick can see is a blur, followed by total darkness.

"All fireteams, this is Fred-104. I have a situation in Sector 37…" was the last thing the lord heeds "Bring a medic… it's a mess around here"

---

OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, SECTOR THREE, UNOFFICIAL LOG

CONVERSATION BETWEEN DOCTOR ******** AND FORMER SPARTAN/DIANTHUS PROTOTYPE ******* - 037

SEVERAL DAYS AFTER PROJECT DIANTHUS PROTOTYPE DEMONSTRATION

YEARS BEFORE THE FALL OF UNSC LIGHT OF ALEXANDRIA

The sound of a door handle clicks, followed by the shrill from its opening. "Good morning…" a voice came "How do you feel?"

"Better… even better than when I was on the field…"

"Before your retirement right…" The Doctor exhaled; he is smiling but one that came from despondency.

"Not going your way doc?"

"No… they strayed…" his voice sounds low with stress "I know there would be some compromise…. But not on this much of a level…"

"Our plan… is it still on?"

"Yes, it's still on… just… there's going to be some changes"

"Yeah… no plan survived first contact…" The man pats the doctor on his back "Don't worry doc… we Spartan's are made for improv…"

"You still got those contacts, right? I think we need more than just a small backup"

"Considering what we up against… I don't think even a large one is enough…"

"Humanity is at stake"

A sigh comes strongly now "Yep… they always are…"