**DISCLAIMER**
I do not own Starcraft or any of its associated properties, characters or species.
I use them in an Alternate Universe capacity, with my own characters, interpretations of existing ones including but not limited to belief systems and familial ties, events speculated or written of by others (Including the original Antioch Chronicles and their fictions from the early 2000's which are almost impossible to find anymore) and am a lover of Multiverse Theory acknowledging storylines.
I am aware several of my main characters are 'Mary Sue' or 'Marty Stu' characters, within context though and given my ability to write all of their stories out, I hope that you, the reader, would understand why and be willing to set aside any grievance with such.
Several species mentioned here are mine however, are likely still in development (indefinitely because I'm a huge procrastinator) and will be only briefly touched on in official capacity within the confines of a story.
As much of my personal and continuously editing storylines are tied into existing universes (including some that are far more obscure than more recent ones) I will do my best to tag appropriately.
If you are interested, I have a Discord server for RP/Questions and will be very cautious about chatting as I've been burned many times. I also have several art pages I frequent, though my main character hub is privatized.
I may do requests, if enough interest is brought up and it's a character I resonate with, and am familiar with the universe, so don't be afraid to send me a PM!
Legend:
"..." = Normal Speech
**...** = Thought-Speech
~...~ = Invasive Overwhelming Thought-Speech
**END DISCLAIMER**
Rohana, once certain Artanis would be alright for the next while following the strange pain episode and Zagara's interference, turned to Vorazun and Valerian, who had remained by the cave entrance. Karax had taken to going over their observations of Arska with Egon, comparing to existing Zerg strains and comparing to what they had seen of Primal Zerg when fighting alongside them.
Zagara had since absconded from the situation, her Overlord gathering her up and returning to the Leviathan in orbit before it turned with its swarm and warped away, confirmed by Karax via the control connection with the Spear of Adun.
All stiffened when a wave of psionic power emanated from deep underground and washed over the group of six, Egon shuddering lightly. Artanis frowned, he knew that energy, it felt like the rage and arrogance he came to know from only one other.
**Alarak?** He reached out, but received no response, likely he remained too far from them. Perhaps Kul had finally returned with his Highlord who wished to spare no time and simply teleported down to their intended target.
**He must have been the one that teleported to the surface.** Vorazun replied after a moment, looking at Rohana and then their two Terran allies. Rohana shook her head, Egon narrowing his eyes at her for being left out of whatever Vorazun had intended by looking at the two.
**You may leave, if you wish. It seems this may be something we have to address on our own.** Rohana explained, to both Terrans, to which Valerian shook his head.
"Oh no, you aren't deterring me that easily. I had to deal with Jacob after Zamara sacrificed herself to stop Ulrezaj, and I am certain Egon feels the same." Valerian grinned, moving to peer into the cave again. He referenced a Preserver who had shared the mind of a young Terran for a period of time, nearly killing the poor man as his passenger had inadvertently caused cancerous growths to develop within his brain. This incident had happened prior to the return of Amon and the End War. Thankfully Jacob had been through proper surgical procedures that allowed him to return to a normal life, though still often would need additional surgeries as, strangely, the growths would occasionally regrow.
Artanis chuckled at this, fondly remembering the young Terran who had so willingly allowed Zamara to dwell with him, nodding to show Valerian he did remember, as he raised himself up to his full height once he felt recovered enough, the dull ache at the back of his head a reminder to keep his guard up.
Artanis had no idea what Zagara had referred to, something blocking his memories, physically and psionically? Something few could achieve, let alone keep hidden so well as to be invisible to scans and even to Khalai healers.
Karax also disliked the implications of Zagaras' words, manipulation of memories and psionic blocks were seen as aberrant, as though more controlling and barbaric than the edicts of the Tal'Darim. Changing who one believes they are, to a level where they know nothing of their family or past, blasphemy. Thankfully, the methods used by Terrans were not fully known to him, as he would be outraged and insistent that they change their mental conditioning procedures.
Valerian decided to lead their little party into the caves, turning on a wrist-light on his exo-suit, and scanning the cave ahead. Vorazun and Artanis both ignited a blade to cast further light, Egon -with additional lighting on his own field gear coming alive- and Karax behind them, Rohana following behind. Thankfully these caves and tunnels seemed large enough to accommodate even Talendar, had he joined them on this expedition, the group able to walk normally without having to worry about low ceilings or narrow passageways.
Before going too far, Egon noticed something carved into the wall just a few paces inside the tunnel, shining a light on it. Karax noticed him do this, noting the carvings to be Protoss script, with a crude outline of the guise of Ashtareen below it. Egon looked to Karax expectantly, slightly grinning as he wordlessly asked him to translate.
**Oh, apologies. It reads 'Beware Amon, Embrace Ashtareen'.** Karax raised a brow, moving to gently trace some of the script, the markings carved into the rock face.
"Who is Ashtareen?" Valerian asked, the group having paused when Karax began to speak.
**An ancient Goddess our people once revered. She was said to be frightening and elegant, like the Xel'Naga, yet obviously different.** Rohana offered simply, Karax choosing to keep his further knowledge to himself in order to keep from confusing the conversation any.
Artanis disliked the situation, as this cave turning-to-tunnel system almost appeared to be too convenient. The tunnel system could potentially be explained as having been developed by the Zerg Overmind and its tendrils rooting deep into Aiur's surface, as its corpse had been massive.
Artanis quickly squashed the thought of Zeratul that threatened his outward calm, his friend had not been able to clear his name before Amon struck and began the events that ultimately led to the launch of the Spear of Adun. Rohana noticed this, quickly turning the thoughts in Artanis' mind away from his inward spiral, instead bringing up the Judicator who had been present when she had agreed to become the Grand Preserver representative for the Spear, before it had been named thus.
Judicator Xerxes Nerthiel, the surname used by one of the last of the royal bloodlines leading back to Khas, or so it had been explained to her when she was young, had been one of few that, surprisingly, the Preservers knew nothing about. None could access anything about him, or his extended family. As though a cloak had been placed over them within the Khala to protect them. Rohana shared this knowledge wordlessly with the group and continued as they walked.
Xerxes had been small by Protoss standards, only about as tall as Valerian without his exo-suit, almost frail appearing, with a pale white-silver hide and vivid violet gemfire eyes. He wore robes befitting a scholar, hiding his form and obscuring many repulsive scars as some had claimed, though none could confirm, all those around him knew he could easily best any in combat, psionic or physical. Many were severely confused by his station, as he had knowledge of many different technology breakthroughs and Khalai healer training that most Judicators scoffed at and avoided.
Despite his appearance, he had been the only Judicator to be known to access, though on a far lesser scale than a Preserver like herself, the communal knowledge of the Khala. However, he had explained it to her as more an innate knowledge, something he inherited, as she had her Preserver status, from his mother's genetics. She shared this primarily with Karax, who in turn showed their group his memories in that Xerxes had been at a seminar he had attended when still learning the intricacies of warp technology and manipulation of Khaydarin crystal many hundreds of years previous.
Karax had taken special interest in the regenerative properties of Khaydarin crystal, how it could be encouraged to grow to adopt custom shapes with a bit of proper control. Xerxes had shown him in person how, though he admittedly could not focus his energies on the same level to achieve the desired outcome. Xerxes as he remembered, was also quite small, with the same eyes and hide-colour, however he seemed drained, tired, as though he had not been able to rest in years.
Karax remembered that Xerxes had been the one who taught him about Ashtareen, that while many may not believe, the gods did still watch from time to time. The Judicator had even given him his own pendant, the image of Ashtareen in the shape of her head carved into a small shard of Khaydarin crystal. Further, he had spoken of the great Ark ships hidden on Aiurs surface, yet warned that the Conclave had suppressed their existence and to keep his interest in learning about them secret.
When Sevorak had appeared, and none knew what fate had befallen Xerxes, he delved into his studies with renewed vigor, keeping the image of Ashtareen as a reminder of the one who encouraged his hearts desires to delve into the unknown. Were it not for that, he may have never thought of the Ark ship as a way to escape from their own people under Amons control.
Rohana frowned, this Xerxes seemed to exist over many millennia, Artanis' brief flash of memory, that he had not realised until now had been shared with those nearby, showing that same Judicator to be the one who placed him in stasis. Vorazun disliked it as well, adding that a Judicator Xerxes had been the one who had attempted to warn her mother before the Conclave attempted to murder her by forcing Adun to do so, which had occurred after the creation of the Ark Ships. Raszagal had not heeded the warning, yet had stood fast when that warning became reality, and Adun had sacrificed himself to spare them.
**You are both grasping at ghosts. He could not be the same. Especially now, training a hybrid of some form? Madness.** Artanis scoffed, the other three Protoss quickly stopping their wordless conversation and briefly appearing to shrink. Egon let out a slight snicker, having 'overheard' the whole thing as well. Valerian, sadly, had been left out, pointedly eyeing Egon over one shoulder who grinned and nodded. He would make a full report later for Valerian to read, so he could understand what was being discussed without his knowledge.
As they continued for a little while longer in silence, Valerian motioned for the group to stop, having heard something in the tunnels further ahead. A shriek, akin to the cry of a Zergling, echoed through the tunnel, followed by the sound of psi-blades striking each other and another wave of energy.
**How can you have missed!? It's a Zergling!** Laughter.
**You're one to talk, you brought me here!** Definitely Alarak. Artanis and Vorazun ran on ahead, Rohana, Karax and the two Terrans hurriedly following. As they turned one corner, Artanis nearly collided with Alarak, Vorazun barely keeping from tripping over Arska as she had just dodged Alarak, albeit barely, screeching in fright as she landed on all fours and hunkered down before Vorazun. None moved for a tense moment, then another, likely the one who had spoken to Alarak, stretched and peered out over Alarak's shoulder. The scene before them would appear almost comical to onlookers, Egon thankfully not breaking out in a fit of hysterical laughter.
**I hope you didn't kill her…** He announced, attempting to spot the Zergling, who the Daelaam had been told earlier, was named Arska.
**Kul? I was concerned when you didn't return.** Artanis relaxed, blades still ignited as Alaraks were, Vorazun gently stepped past the shuddering ball of carapace, Arska, who saw this as a perfect opportunity to flee, slowly slunk on her belly to move a bit away. Before breaking into a run and heading further down the tunnels as she intended, Arska paused, pointedly looking at Kul who seemed to notice and obvious surprise washed over his features a moment before he watched her scamper away on all fours. Arska turned a corner further down and disappeared out of sight. Alarak growled, watching it skitter away as he also relaxed, blades dissipating.
**Good, you can have him once this farce is dealt with.** Alarak waved dismissively, turning to follow where Arska had gone, he stopped, Artanis grasping his upper arm, the one blade dissipating.
**And why, are you in Daelaam territory unannounced?** He demanded, briefly glancing at Kul, who seemed to grin sheepishly at him and slink behind Alarak. Egon noticed this, that a Protoss would use the image of a Terran facial expression to express himself, was beyond unheard of.
Rohana also understood this, blinking almost comically at the newcomer, the mannerism completely alien to them, such would be seen as abominable or vile to a Xenophobic species. Kul had not interacted with many, but had moved around the Spear as though he felt none could harm him and would find himself in situations that, normally, civilians and warriors would not need to be involved in.
One such had been when Karax had actually walked in on him in the engine room of the Spear, going through files that the Phasesmith had never seen before. Kul quickly dismissed them before hurriedly departing, and Karax had attempted to reopen the same files himself after Kul had left, finding that the paths were changed, the files moved, and had no way of locating them again. He dismissed it, as he had found nothing inherently wrong following their interaction, and while he attempted to monitor Kul and his movements around the Spear, the young Tal'Darim defector, as they had come to know him as, appeared able to sense when he was being followed, and conveniently knew how to evade his monitors. Observers normally remain cloaked and shielded against psionic attacks, and that Kul could somehow sense them, especially when they are following him, had been a concern Karax could not shake.
**I was asked to assist in dealing with Feral Zerg, I found one and am going to kill it for wasting my time. I may change my mind about killing you, however.** Alarak announced simply, spinning to glare at Kul, who shrugged, hands up and tucking his head in almost comically. Alarak turned away with a huff, heading to follow the route Arska had taken.
**I was just delivering a message. You didn't want to bring the fleet, for one 'Feral Zerg'.** Kul responded. Artanis winced, the throbbing at the back of his head flaring a brief moment, as though attempting to fit the strange familiarity of the youngster's voice to something in his past. Kul saw the wince, eyeing Artanis a moment before moving to quickly catch up with Alarak, the rest following after they briefly checked on Artanis. He waved off their concern, more focused on what these tunnels led to, willing to wait to ask how they had come across and gained control of the Obsidian Flare.
**As though I had much choice, what with you teleporting me off my flagship and stealing away before anyone could react.** Alarak snarled, a bolt of crimson psionic energy crackling along his armour. Kul tucked his head in a bit, yet continued to follow, edges of his eyes wrinkling with his amusement at how absolutely unnerved the Highlord seemed.
**So the Obsidian Flare, is your ship then?** Karax asked Kul, curious as to how he came upon it. Also, a veiled trap, as Karax knew something to be amiss with the younger Tal'Darim who eyed him lightly.
**No… It once belonged to my Father, who I'm not certain is dead or alive at this point.** Kul explained simply, leaving far more questions than answers. Kul kept his mind closely shuttered, frowning slightly at the fact that the Obsidian Flare had been detected by the Spear of Adun. After a few hours of travel in silence, Alarak paused, letting out a low growl.
**How much further down do these damnable tunnels go?** He demanded, whirling on Kul.
**Not far, listen.** Kul announced, the group holding still a moment, able to hear claws scraping on stone and metal, and the sound of an energy shield crackling as it repelled something striking it. Alarak spun again and darted ahead, Kul quickly appearing to roll his eyes and took off after.
"Here we go again…" Valerian mused, the rest quickly following down the tunnels, around several more turns and down meters of the underground tunnels, none truly noticing that the stone tunnel walls became Xel'Naga construct, before they reached a large vestibule, a massive Xel'Naga Construct door taking up a further wall.
Arska hissed, ready for Alarak to attack her, as he ignited his blades and cautiously stepped closer to where she crouched in her ready stance before the centerpoint of the door. Kul moved to stop him, Alarak wheeling and striking out at him, his psi-blade contacting a black metallic staff that Kul had hidden on his person, the staff able to resist the psionic blade. Its Void-black colouration matched more the Flare than the Tal'Darim technology preference for black and crimson, as it somehow contrasted even darker than Alaraks armour. Kul met Alaraks gaze evenly, the Highlord glaring at him. Neither appeared to notice that Kul's staff appeared to be absorbing some of the engery exuded by Alarak's psi-blade, the staff appearing to pulse and glow along filigree almost too delicate to be real.
**She isn't a threat.** Kul announced, holding firm against Alarak. Blue-Green gemfire met Crimson on even footing, Kul barely showing any exertion against the Highlord. Karax noted at that moment, that Kul had a similar control gauntlet to his own on his right forearm, as it appeared out from under his robes when he drew his staff to stop Alarak.
**Then why, in all the Void, did you bother bringing me here!?** Alaraks voice would have cut painfully through the thoughts of most, even Valerian lightly cringing at the rage and hate exuded by Alarak in that moment. Kul however, seemed completely unphased.
**Because your energy can free him.** Arska announced, Alarak allowed his blade to dissipate, taking a step back from Kul, who seemed to flow like a shadow away from the Highlord and over to where Arska sat as the Highlord turned and glared at the tiny Zergling-Hybrid. They seemed to converse for a moment privately, Kul crouching down and Arska excitedly trilling at one moment before she nodded pointedly. Kul gently patted the top of her crest before he rose and turned to the others. The motion reminded Artanis of how older siblings would treat their youngers.
Karax, Rohana and Vorazun, with Egon and Valerian, watched this exchange with concern, who were they referring to? This barrier appeared almost new, the walls around the Xel'Nagan construct showing no sign of tool marks or even claw marks, aside from those likely left by Arska.
Inside the barrier, however, what appeared to be centuries of dust and debris had built up on ledges and in corners, and pulsing lights could be seen only barely beneath grime built up from a similar length of time.
Artanis stood with Alarak, raising a brow at the private conversation Kul had with the small Hybrid Zergling. Artanis had since crossed his arms over his chest, unnerved by Kul and all the implications running through his mind.
Kuls father had owned the Obsidian Flare? Who was his father then? How could they have been related to Xerxes? Could they have used stasis to go in and out of the timeline at needed intervals? Why had they not helped when the Overmind invaded?
Kul met Artanis' gaze, offering only a brief wordless apology. He would explain, however they needed to free the prisoner held in the barricaded Xel'Naga prison before them in order to do so.
**Why should we free this person? We don't even know who they are.** Alarak sneered, hating that he had been all but abducted for this debacle by someone who seemed to know his movements before he made them. Kul seemed to groan, scrubbing a hand over his face much akin to how Valerian had earlier, running it back along his crest before letting it fall to his side, almost at a loss for words.
**He was against Amon before anyone else knew about his existence.** Arska offered, taking a cautious step forward. Kul motioned to her, as though to say 'see? She knows.' to the rest, meeting Egon's gaze briefly, sending him the image of a grin and a wink. Valerian caught it too, content with simply listening to everything and watching the Protoss deal with a situation far beyond his scope of understanding at the current moment. Egon continued to furiously enter information into his tablet, though unbeknownst to most, he had been recording his surroundings, including psionic speech, since he entered the Medivac dropship.