Chapter I, "The New Hierarch"

A few days after the attack on the Secondary Outpost

Orbiting Aiur

War Council, aboard the Spear of Adun

"The Hierarch is dead High Executor. Assassinated inside his chambers in Scion. Reports say he has managed to injure – or possibly kill his assailant. It is still unknown if who ordered the attack. The Council will convene a few days from now and they are expecting your presence there."

"Thank you Praetor Lynnax. Continue observing the situation on the ground. See to the defenses of Scion. As the Shield of the Hierarch, blame may be put on you as to his death. But do not worry. I will handle the Council myself."

"Thank you for your trust High Executor Abraxis – or is it Hierarch now?" asked Lynnax.

"The members of the Hierarchy has not confirmed it, though as practiced, the leadership helm passes to the High Executor. I will try to serve the Hierarchy as well as my forebear, Artanis, if the leaders see fit to trust me with the position," said Abraxis.

"Of course. My blades and my warrior's blades are yours to command!" exclaimed Lynnax, before his projection disappears.

"You inspire such loyalty from the Praetor Guard, Hierarch. Well, compared to old Divanus that is," a female voice said.

"Your jests are misplaced Angelix, this is not the time for that. Report on your warriors?"

"Hm. So serious. Pardons. My warriors, as are yours, are in place. We await your command my dear High Executor," said Angelix.

"Good. Praetor Angelix, call forth the Hierarchy. We must discuss the current developments – and appoint a new Hierarch, in this dire situation," commanded Abraxis.

"As you command."

"High Executor, we are receiving an incoming transmission from New Talematros," said a zealot.

The projection system blared to life, revealing a young female dark templar. "Matriarch Venara, I was just about to call forth the Hierarchy. You look distressed, what is the matter?" inquired Abraxis.

"Hierarch – " "I am not yet confirmed as such by our fellow Hierarchy members, Matriarch." "Nonsense, there is no doubt that you will be the Hierarch as we all expect. But now to the matter at hand. The Shadow Guard has finished the investigation on the attack at our Secondary Outpost. Dark Prelate Palinus, whom you have entrusted with the data received from your observer also gave a troubling report," said Venara.

"It seems that the attackers were initially cloaked by a lone arbiter as it approached our outpost, the reason why its defenders were surprised by the assault. The insurgents were composed of different warriors, including archons and dark templars. But what troubles me the most is that they were claiming to be ordered… by the Conclave."

"The Conclave?" asked Abraxis. "Impossible. They were long gone, dissolved by the great Tassadar and my old master, Artanis, during the Great War. The Hierarchy replaced the Conclave as the leaders of our people!"

"I know this my friend. But you know Palinus would not lie."

"She is right Abraxis, Palinus has mentioned this to me in one of our conversations a few days ago. I did not mind him during that day because I thought he was rambling about his experiments again…" said Angelix.

"High Executor, I beg your pardon, the Hierarchy members are online and ready for your meeting," reported by the stationed zealot.

"Your report is troubling Venara. Highlord Mythos. Purifier Xylos. Grand Preserver Ralnisa. Feraz, old friend. Welcome members of the Hierarchy. You all heard the Matriarch's report?" asked Abraxis.

"Yes. My ascendants have also relayed to me the same reports of this… New Conclave they say. Troubling. I have read your old transcriptions of the Conclave. Wise protoss, old protoss leading the Khalai kind during the times of the old Empire. What a terrible notion indeed! Only the strong must lead! The powerful! Those who ascend the chain!" exclaimed Mythos.

"Mythos. You are rambling again. Yes, we know of your code as a Tal'darim, and as fascinating as it is, you know we do not follow the same code. But we Purifiers have experienced the cruelty of the Conclave firsthand! Our forebears were imprisoned, locked in stasis! We were treated as slaves, forced to the bidding of the wretched Conclave! We will not let that happen again!" said Xylos, his eyes glowing from orange to red, in his anger and frustration.

Ralnisa raised a hand as if to quiet everyone. "We must stay calm everyone. We must have clear heads before we decide as to what our action will be. First, we must appoint a new Hierarch, in place of Divanus."

"I volunteer myself as the Hierarch! I will lead the Daelaam to war against this New Conclave!" Mythos said.

"Enough Mythos. We all know who should be Hierarch. It should be High Executor Abraxis, as he deserves. There is no other choice, especially in this dire times," said Venara.

"Yes, the Matriarch is correct. Abraxis should be the Hierarch. He can definitely handle the over-reaching and overbearing Protectorate Council," agreed Feraz.

"All in favor?" asked Ralnisa. "For the Nerazim, yes." "The Purifiers will stand all the way for Abraxis! Our blades are yours Hierarch!" "Very well, the Tal'darim supports the reign of Hierarch Abraxis as well…"

Abraxis, who was observing the conversation ever since he addressed the Hierarchy, was silent, his eyes closed. "Hierarch?" inquired Angelix. "Is everything all right?"

"Old friend, are you reconsidering the appointment?" asked Feraz.

"…No. Though I have known that you will support me as the Hierarch, I am still overwhelmed by your trust and confidence in my leadership. Thank you."

"Hierarch, we are receiving an incoming transmission from the Citadel of the Executor," reported a zealot who was distressed, "An unknown force is attacking our nexus point in the Citadel!"

As one of the projection systems blared to life, a scene of destruction was viewed. Bodies and war machines littered the entrance of the Citadel – as a handful of warriors, headed by a Templar in full battle regalia, approached the nearby undamaged terminal.

"Praetor Gynacus, what is the status of our nexus point?"

"Congratulations on your appointment old friend. I regret to bring you bad tidings, but our nexus point is barely surviving. I am only with a handful of warriors, and we are retreating inside the inner sanctum of the Citadel for protection. We need your immediate support!" said Gynacus.

"The Spear of Adun will assist you. We are on our way. May Tassadar's shadow hide you, old friend."

As the projection shuts off, Abraxis turned back to the Hierarchy members, who are awaiting his decision.

"My fellow Hierarchy members, we must continue our discussions once we have safely secured the Citadel. I will call upon you as soon as that happens. En taro Artanis."

"Of course Hierarch. We hope for your success," said Ralnisa.

As the projections of the Hierarch members disappeared, Abraxis turned towards the zealot piloting the Spear, "Zealot, bring about the Spear to the direction of the Citadel. We will assist Gynacus at once."

"Angelix."

"Yes, Hierarch?"

"I appoint you as the new High Executor of the Golden Armada. And the Right Hand of the Hierarch," said Abraxis.

Stunned, Angelix held Abraxis hand, "Are you sure my dear Hierarch? Surely, there are better warriors in the Praetor Guard who can serve you as High Executor? I will accept the Right Hand position – what would you do without me at your side? (Abraxis glares at Angelix, as if in protest) But High Executor? Gynacus would be the best choice. Even Kevnar can handle the job!"

"You doubt yourself Angelix. Gynacus is needed on the ground, as Admiral of the Armada. He knows this, which is why he stayed at the Citadel, maintaining the strength of the Armada and even if his place is in Scion with Lynnax, guarding the capital province. Kevnar would not accept the position, he being the Justice of the Hierarch is enough problems for him. You are the best choice."

"You mean the last choice," Angelix said, her eyes teasing, her hold on Abraxis' hand tightening. "Of course not!" Abraxis protested, "You are the best choice. And I trust you to take care of the Spear as I handle politics at Scion. And you know of our plans for the Council. The Praetor Guard and I will handle things below – and hopefully, our suspicions on the Council is false."

"My utmost gratitude for your trust Hierarch. You honor me with the appointment," said Angelix.