Chapter Fifty-Six

The massive blast doors separating the Atal Ra cavern from the rest of the world were still intact on the Ascalonian's side. Report from Pyre and Grazz reported the same from the Charr homeland side of things. As well, the Asura reported that nothing had tried to rebuild or access the gate that had been established within the cavern.

Whatever was in there, it had not tried to get out. But Coran knew better than to think that Bhu'kahuh and his minions were truly trapped. It knew the mortals were coming, and was waiting for their last desperate strike.

No sense to keep the old god waiting.

"Open the gate." Coran ordered the Asuran manning the console embedded into the rock next to the sealed doors. To the army behind him, he issued, "Be ready for anything... there's no telling what will charge out once the way is clear."

With the groan of metal, the magnetically sealed plates of solid steel yielded, and parted with the clanking of unused gears. Devona, somewhat disappointed in herself, subtly leaned into her new husband as the impenetrable darkness became visible, unbreakable even under the light of morning.

"By the Gods... the blackness that lies within this earth." Morghan muttered in awe. "I can taste the evil from here..."

"It's not evil, General." Coran noted. "It's actually a cold indifference. To Bhu'kahuh, we are but food, it regards us much like you would regard the grazing cattle."

"That is close enough to evil for my sake." The old paragon noted.

Coran really did not have the desire or time to argue philosophy, as with a deep thud, the blast doors pulled open completely... and nothing happened. There was no great army at the gates, no gnashing of teeth or the metallic screech of the Oni, nothing charging through hellbent to consume all creation.

Instead, there was a voice... a gargling reptilian bearlike growling hiss. That was the closest comparsion Coran could make to what crept out from the depths.

"I am the engine of your fear..."

"I am the root of your terror..."

"I am the grasp that rips your fragile world and exposes you to the bleak forsaken truth..."

"Sanity is an illusion..."

"Order... life... method... planning... all but constructs of the feeble mind..."

"There is no god who can save you..."

Another voice, melodic and sweet broke the old god's monologue. "We beg to differ, creature of the black heavens."

Three small balls of light, golden, light blue, and violet flashed into being in front of the human and Asuran army. But instead of the ethereal avatars that Devona and her friends were familiar with, these formed into very physical manifestations, armored and ready for war.

The gods of Tyria walked on its surface for the first time in ages.

"The creep of Bhu'kahuh is already drifting to you." Kormir exclaimed. "His power, even from this distance, we could sense was hooking into your mind."

"Allow us to shield you as much as we can from his manipulations." Dwayna added. "No matter the cost to us, this monster must meet his end."

"And please do it quickly." Lyssa noted in disdain. "I look positively hideous in this armor."

The great old one from the depths began to laugh, at first an amused chuckle before erupting into loud, sinister glee. "So, my dear children come to try and imprison me again? Well come then! Bring your worthless lives, cast them before me! Kneel to the Lord of Madness!"

It was fortunate that three of the human gods were present, for the wave of gripping dread that passed over the army would have likely broken all present like shanties before a Cathan typhoon if not for the calming influence of the three.

"It will not get any easier I'm afraid." Kormir warned. "We must move now."

Forcing back the insidious visions of their impending failure with all the will he could muster, Coran was in agreement. "Forward, men and women of Tyria. No matter what, fear and lunacy cannot command this day!"

"Move the golems to the front!" Hamm ordered. "Gunners, take positions behind! Assault Krewes one through four, begin advance! Five through ten, prepare to fill gaps in the phalanx as needed!"

"Sunspears, ready arms! March forward!" Morghan insisted. "Fear no darkness, fight as one, and never fight alone! Dervishes fall behind the warriors, make your rotations swift! Monks and Elementalists stand ready!"

"Nahpui Regiment, take the lead of our formation!" Imperial Guardsman Yang said. "Sunijang Regiment, support all armies as possible. Vizunah Regiment, back up our front lines! Forward!"

The response was not swift, nor was it particularly encouraging. But it was a response, and it was a response of a forward march. The Ascalon Army took the "honor" (if one wanted to call it that) of proceeding first, with the Asurans and Sunspears next, and the Canthan army taking the rear. There would be plenty of foes and fighting, perhaps more than even the entire assembly could withstand, the order which they arrived would likely be irrelevant.

* * * * *

Pyre hadn't needed the issuance of the old god below to tell him that the world had truly gone mad. He had plenty enough evidence right in front of him. Human gods, standing before and shielding the assembled force from the waves of fear and madness radiating from the depths.

"Will wonders never cease..." The chieftain grumbled. "I'm not sure whether to be insulted or appreciative of your presence."

One of them, a large, hulking bearded man with a greataxe and eyes seemingly made of fire half turned and said, "If you wish to proceed with a clouded mind into the chaos, you are entitled to do so, but I would recommend this once, you put your pride to the side and take all the help you can to live through this day."

Pyre was pragmatic enough to understand now was not the time to go off on an atheistic rant. "I'll concede to your wisdom... for the moment."

The large human turned back about and grunted. "Truth being, I rather like your kind, Charr. It would be a bit of shame to see your strength, pride, and love of true combat to be snuffed out."

"You die just like any other mortal thing." The somewhat slouched, pale skinned, black armored and shrouded figure to the left mumbled. "Let us work together to ensure that day isn't today."

"Enough prattling." The third, a female clad in what looked like an armor of branches snapped. "Dwayna informs me the other army is on the move. We must proceed as well."

There was a moment's hesistation, as Jora and Pyre locked eyes in challenge. "This is our land, Norn. Fall back."

"A Norn never walks second into battle, Charr." Jora retorted. "You allow true warriors to take the lead and you shall follow."

"The honor is not yours to take, and if you try, the Charr will do part of this Bhu'kahuh's job for him."

Jora prepared to make a retort, but was interrupted by Captain Langmar wedging her way between them forcibly, with her Ebon Vanguard marching dutifully three lengths behind. "By the time the two of you have stopped bickering, the battle will be over. Ebon Vanguard! Forward march!"

Blinking in disbelief, neither Pyre nor Jora even moved, the human regiment flowing around them like rock outcroppings in a river, not even stopping to look back to see if the rest of the assembled force was following. Even the armies left behind were taken aback, so much so they didn't even protest as the humans simply took without debate what was being argued over.

"What... just happened?" Jora asked dumbly.

Grazz's mechanical chuckle then followed, "Humans didn't come this far simply because of divine oversight. They can be as brave and fearless as the mightest of Charr and Norn."

"Indeed." Balthazar agreed, starting his own march forward to keep the Ebon Vanguard shielded from the influence of the old god. "And I suspect if you don't hurry, you'll miss the first exchange."

That stirred the Charr and Norn to action. With the honor of going first no longer an issue, both sides crammed their way into the tunnel, sometimes as many as fifty across wedging their way through in a chaotic, garbled clump of mortality.

Pyre ordered gruffly, "Move it, you weakling kittens! Double time or the humans will never let us hear the end of it. You'll have plenty of time to rest when you're dead!"