Rohana and Karax were left floundering, trying to figure out what and who Xerxes referred to. When they were blocked out from what had been occurring, Karax promptly used the spear to connect to one of the observers that had launched to the surface with the first crew. It gave them a view of a massive Voidshade Hybrid in battle with Xerxes, just outside the main structure of the settlement. Xerxes had landed the first blow, his four long talons from his forelimbs had dug deep rents in the upper carapace and chest of the other Hybrid, his smaller overall size and lithe form allowed him to dodge and weave away from the strikes meant to gore him, as the eyes of many Daelaam peered out from the structure beyond. The other three Hybrids, Destroyers as they were designated, watched in amusement, none noticing the Void Spike that had been keeping Samateus down had raised up and then fell aside, but the female Taalrulthian still did not so much as twitch, the shadow denoting Kemet briefly shimmering over Samateus' hide. They did notice Artanis attempting to free himself in an unconscious rage, the Void energy bindings stretching as he flexed to try and free his hands from behind his back, eyes still closed and visibly still only able to move for a few moments before halting again as unconsciousness held his mind firmly to keep him out of the conflict.
The Voidshade Hybrid did manage to land a blow on Xerxes, its talons peircing through the innermost portion of one of his wings, the flesh tearing and spilling violet blood onto the churned earth. It grinned, letting out a malevolent chuckle before Xerxes grinned himself, snapping his wing closed, which dug the viciously sharp claws on the ends of each wing-finger into the forelimb of the Voidshade. Xerxes then easily used his larger forelimbs to tear off the free arm of his foe, snapped the bones of the limb that had pierced through his wing at its elbow, and used the long blade of his free wings' thumb-talon to stab through the throat of the Voidshade Hybrid. Xerxes snarled as he pushed the beast back, opening his injured wing to allow the now limp limb to pull away as the corpse fell back and appeared to evaporate in a cloud of quickly disippating Void-mist.
Roused to action by the death of their fellow, the three Destroyers let out chilling cries before they advanced, not on him, but on their captives, circling around Artanis and Samateus. Xerxes held his ground, holding his wings open wide, the tear healing over as though it had not been there as he turned to regard the trio. Briefly glancing at the Observer, to show Karax and Rohana he knew they were watching, he shook himself, flexing the panels of blade-edged carapace on his wings and back.
**You come to your doom, Progenitor!** Snarled one of the three Destroyers, earning them a narrow-eyed glance as Xerxes shifted his stance only slightly.
**At least you acknowledge me, your 'sibling' didn't have enough ability to think for itself, did it?** Xerxes snapped, the others hissing and flexing their talons at him as one moved to grasp Samateus and heave her up. Only instead, as the limb nearly contacted her fur, Samateus flipped over to her back and breathed a bolt of psionic light-energy into its face, Kemet rising from the shadow behind and beneath another in his full draconic form, instead opting to close his powerful jaws over its throat with a snap. Two of the Destroyers were then returned to the Void, the last at first flailing as their plans crumpled, moving to at least grasp Artanis before turning to flee.
However, instead of grasping Artanis' bindings, the Hybrid found Xerxes grasping its wrist, growling dangerously as he had moved far faster than any could track.
**You will pay, for harming him.** Xerxes then pounced upon and used his wings to block out whatever he did to the last Hybrid, Samateus arching her neck up and back almost in shock as she had rolled back over to attempt to rise. Xerxes held his position over the squirming Destroyer for a few moments, before there was an audible snap and it fell limp before turning to Void-mist itself. Xerxes slowly lifted his wings away, and Rohana recoiled, seeing blue-black blood coating most of the former Judicator's face, throat, mandibles and forearms. Just as quickly though, it appeared to melt off him, as though it had never been there, Samateus quickly lay down again, certain the danger had passed for now, Kemet moving to curl around her protectively as Xerxes snapped the void-bindings from the few Daelaam that had been with Artanis.
Before Xerxes reached him, however, the bindings dissipated, and Artanis stood, though it could be seen, he had not actually used his own strength to rise. Xerxes then promptly leapt forward and embraced Artanis, wrapping his wings around them both tightly. Samateus made move to help, visibly wincing as Kemet tried to help her, turning instead to attempt to help Xerxes, who could be seen visibly fighting to keep Artanis still. Rohana looked to Karax who swiftly teleported them both to the surface, Kuldaris doing the same, bringing along a machine that could have feasibly been said to have looked like a Zerg Overlord, however it had a large bulbous head with many large eyes and many tendrils that trailed behind it, almost more like a Zerg Corruptor. It floated obediently near him as they all materialized on the surface, the civilian protoss quickly rushing toward Rohana and Karax as Kuldaris moved to figure out how to help Xerxes.
Struggling for a few moments, Kuldaris could tell Artanis was fighting Xerxes, trying to free himself from the wings penning him in. Xerxes held strongly, ignoring the talons scratching into his throat and chest, letting out a sudden gasp when a psi-blade, brilliant crimson, struck through the right side of his chest and visibly out through his back. Definitely longer than normal, the psi-blade intended to do as much damage to him and him alone, Artanis' eyes reflecting the malevolent crimson of Amon as Xerxes slowly and reluctantly moved his wings away. He held Artanis' arms, and wrists, with all four of his, keeping him still as the blade crackled and burned. Kuldaris withdrew his staff, seeing only the injury to his father, not caring who inflicted it, even if it were his Uncle.
Rohana quickly stopped him, her psionic push directing him to the strange black mass on Artanis' back on the lower right side. It looked like a parasite, made of Void energy, and it writhed and appeared to push itself deeper into the Heirarch's flesh. Xerxes caught this, yet could not act on it as the blade through his chest had actually pierced through one of his three hearts, the remaining two fighting to keep him upright. Samateus also noted it, letting out a snort.
**Amon! You wanted me, yet you failed! We will end your Vicar, and you just gave us the tools in order to do so.** She broadcast, exuding an aura of peace and calm known to be a gift from Ashtareen yet a deterrent to anything Void, Artanis visibly appearing to double over in pain, the blade from Artanis' left gauntlet flickered and went dead, Xerxes able to twist Artanis around, gently pinning him to the ground facing away from him on his left, using a wing to sweep his legs to the opposite side and pin them there. Blood ushered forth from the wound through his chest, as though a bucket had been upturned, Xerxes coughing once painfully, blood splattering further and coating the inside of his mouth as he fought to heal, while keeping Artanis still. Indeed, Amon had gained control of the Heirarch, likely through this strange void parasite, and Xerxes' rage almost took over his rational thoughts.
**You bitch, your light will never brighten the Void!** Amon jabbed, head snapping back suddenly to glare at Samateus, who hissed audibly, light appearing to emanate from her throat, which caused him to cry out and writhe, whilst still within and controlling Artanis.
**Sam...I hope you're not hurting him at the same time.** Xerxes hazarded, his thoughts were heavily tinged with his pain, yet he remained firm, keeping Artanis pinned. Samateus sighed, shaking her head.
**I'm not sure, though I'm certain that parasite is what is creating the connection.** She responded sadly, sounding tired and pained herself. Kemet let out a low croon, concerned for both.
**Kuldaris, is that unit equipped with an extraction tool?** Xerxes asked, unmoving, one eye regarding his son at a distance. Kuldaris nodded, directing the strange tendrilled construct to assist Xerxes, Rohana reassuring the civilians and Daelaam Templar that Xerxes would do everything possible to save their Heirarch. Karax watched everything, surprised by the construct Kuldaris had brought with him, as it curled one tendril forward, which split open and revealed a claw not unlike those he had built and given himself, in a reverence to the loss of his nervecords. The claw appeared to then become electrified, moving to grasp the parasite, and, much to the chagrin of all watching, it phased through the Void-matter without even disturbing it.
**Damn... Of course. No matter what you see or hear, do NOT stop me.** Xerxes snarled, pointedly looking to Rohana before he spread open his mandibles and swiftly moved to bite down on the parasite.
The exclamations of alarm, concern, shock and disgust from the many Daelaam were lost as Artanis/Amon screamed in agony, the parasite reacting to and attempting to pry itself free from Xerxes' maw, tendrils of Void energy curling up to try and claw at his eyes and nose. Rohana shuddered in place, eyes wide, even Karax and the Templar had never seen Artanis in pain like this, yet he fought, or moreso Amon fought against Xerxes, writhing and attempting to kick him away, unable to form a psi-blade while in such agony.
Kuldaris recalled the construct to his side, eyes never leaving Xerxes and the parasite attempting to pry at his face.
Samateus soon rose carefully, Kemet at her side to provide her support, moving to gently lay one of her wings over Xerxes. Xerxes paused at the touch, envigorated by her light aura, biting down on the parasite harder and moving to pull it away, it stretched, the bulk of the mass held firmly in his teeth, some tendrils straining to try and remain in Artanis' flesh. Soon those tendrils could be seen stretching to the point where they all snapped in quick succession, Artanis falling limp, unconscious as Xerxes gathered Psionic energy in his maw as he raised his head. He vaporised the parasite in a blinding flash of released Psionic energy, quickly moving to cradle Artanis in his right wing and could be seen cautiously checking over where the tendrils had been imbedded, psionically drawing out any remaining void energy.
Xerxes soon lay down, using his smaller more delicate limbs to make certain Artanis was free of whatever Void energy had allowed Amon to gain control of him again. Kuldaris moved to check on Xerxes, who simply rumbled that he was fine, the external wounds appearing to be long-since sealed over as Rohana and the many others cautiously moved to circle around the Primal Hybrid. Rohana crouched near Xerxes' wing holding Artanis, who seemed more pale and almost as though his very being had been drained from him. The civilian Protoss were at once fearful of and curious about Xerxes, having watched him selflessly fight Amon for control of their Heirarch, who this massive Hybrid appeared to deeply care for. Few outside those who had been there when freeing him, knew about Xerxes, fewer still knew about his relation to Artanis, for his protection, not Xerxes'.
Xerxes ever-so-slightly leaned into her touch when Rohana lay a hand on his headcrest, yet did not turn his gaze from Artanis, focused on pulling the last tiny threads of Void energy from his body, the threads rising from Artanis to collect in a slowly swirling ball hovering over Xerxes' free palm, his other on Artanis over where the parasite had been.
Peering past the headcrest, nervecords and wing membrane, she could only just make out the black tendrils just beneath Artanis' hide, they stretched all along his spine and spiderwebbed across his side and abdomen. Even as Xerxes removed the invasive Void energy, the dark markings did not lighten or clear at all whatsoever, yet Rohana knew Xerxes would not allow Amon to claim Artanis again.