Zoalords
Chapter 30
Quetzalcoatl
Piramide de el Bosque, Brazil
Lord Waferdanos watched in fascination as the seven glowing orange orbs hovered about the CHRONOS South American headquarters, lights glimmering off the white stone of the Mayan-style pyramidal structure. Lord Vorsted was unsure whether or not they should strike first. The orbs landed at the base of the pyramid, five in all. The one directly opposite the watching Zoalords opened to reveal a sliver of golden light. A long, sinuous figure emerged from the vessel, its shimmering, brilliantly colored wings fairly glowing in the light.
A three meter long feathered serpent slowly approached the Zoalords, coming to rest coiled before them. Greetings. Its telepathic voice was calm and soothing, You and your world are in grave danger. The Harbinger of Destruction has come. Soon the war will follow.
"Is that a threat?" Vorsted asked.
No, it is a fact. We are not threatening. We are warning. Apollon will take this world for his masters and transform its populace into an army to fight their war for them.
"To fight against you?" Waferdanos pointed out, "You are hardly in a neutral position. Why should we trust you?"
Because we are telling the truth.
"How do we know Apollon is not your servant?"
You do not.
Cloud Gate, Japan
Sho, Mizuki and Tetsuro stood watching the strange lights floating serenely in the azure sky. "Those aren't Ouranos ships. Not like the ones we know, anyway." Tetsuro said breathlessly.
Lords Caerleon and Nguyen were at a loss for what to do, they could not contact The Ark due to interference from the vessels. Ishi had all Aerial Zoanoids scrambled and ready in case the creatures should prove hostile, but so far they seemed content to hover and wait.
But what were they waiting for?
Relic's Point, Japan
The Zoanoids watched in amazement as a massive, feathered serpent made its way into the facility. Lord Czyvek had ordered that it be allowed entry, so no one dared oppose it. The beautiful creature made its way deeper into the facility, toward the healing tanks and Lord Czyvek himself.
Dr. Angela Nighthawk was shocked at the size and shape and the beauty of the thing. It radiated a sense of regal magnificence and power.
No wonder the Mayans had taken them for gods.
Her ancestors had spoke of various snakes, they were the 'Lightning People', they spoke with the spirits and brought bad luck to those who crossed them, or even those who laughed at them. They were both taboo and sacred. While she did not follow The Old Ways, she had heard the stories many times as a child.
The Lightening People.
The creature came to rest before the tank, staring curiously at the Zoalord of Lightning and Storms.
Mikhail Czyvek was still in his Zoaform, his antennae already half-restored by healing liquids.
Who are you? Czyvek asked in wonder.
We are the Quetzalcoatli. The voice was calm and warm.
I am Mikhail Czyvek.
Yes, we know. We came to warn you. You have made a grave error. Your leader has brought your world to the attention of The Federation, as you have already experienced. You know of their intent. But you have created for them a weapon, the Unit Remover Zoanoid. They will take control of them and use them to their own ends.
Czyvek clicked his mandibles together in a sort of laughter.
It amuses you?
If they try to take control of my brothers here, they will be surprised.
The Pillars of Heaven, Washington, D.C. America
The city was in chaos, Lord Amniculus had sent out statements urging people to remain calm and in their homes. Zoanoids had been sent out to prevent rioting, but he sensed that many of them were afraid and confused themselves. Lord de Galenos frowned, "I fear that this is a bad omen, Shin. Where there is one army, there will likely soon be another."
The Ark
It was almost twice the size of The Ark, sleek and streamlined with obvious energy weapons dotting its surface. It was apparently made of the same living materials as The Ark. The massive vessel took up an orbital position facing CHRONOS' starship.
Archanfel smiled as the others stared in shock.
"Is it them, dad? Is it The Ouranos?" Kenji asked excitedly.
Imakarum took Kenji's hand in his own.
Guyot's Base.
It looked like an invasion. Chinese lanterns hung in the sky, some clearly landing. The people were in shock. Some were panicking, some were rejoicing, most were just standing in shocked silence. Makishima Agito was preparing himself for battle. If war had come to Earth, he would fight to protect it. He would not serve under aliens.
He would not serve under anyone.
Elsewhere
Apollon was not happy. He had only claimed two Zoacrystals, and now both The Federation and The Enemy had arrived.
"It is too early to begin The Plan."
"We have no choice, the Quetzalcoatli have already landed and made contact."
"We must move to counter them."
"Archanfel will not move his Zoalords against us."
"He cannot."
"But they may move on their own!" Apollon tried to reason with his masters, "Between Czyvek's suspicions and the serpent's tongues, they could be convinced to attack your vessels. I must clear the path -"
"You must do as you are commanded, Apollon! Do not question us. The time is now. It has begun."
"Go about your work, Apollon, and leave us to ours."
Cloud Gate
Sho, Mizuki, Tetsuro and Ishi watched the emerging Quetzalcoatli in awe. Nothing CHRONOS had created approached these creatures in sheer beauty.
"Quetzalcoatl was a benevolent deity by Aztec and Mayan standards. He actually opposed human sacrifice, while others demanded it." Tetsuro observed, breaking the silence, "If the myths are close to truth, these creatures are very likely to be the 'good guys'."
"Then that would make The Ouranos the enemy . . ."
"Not necessarily. But considering their history, I wouldn't trust them."
Silha
Fenris watched in awe from the concealing forest as the vessel came to rest beside the temple of Archanfel. He knew the ship, he had seen it in his dreams. All on Silha knew what it was.
The Creators had returned.
To be continued . . .