The fall of the Ihan-rii.
Disclaimer
Starcraft is the property of Blizzard entertainment.
Mass effect is the property of Bioware.
Any elements used in this story are used only in order to create a story for no monetary gain nor do I claim any ownership over them, beyond the names and characters unique to this story.
"By the will of our mentors, by the wisdom of the Xel'naga:
This records will aid you in the understanding of our kind young one, may they be of use to you:
Aiur: Homeworld of the protoss race, a world of mysterious jungles and deep secrets. It is here where the Khalai protoss rose to power, where the Nerazim were exiled and where the fate of the universe was sealed.
Xel'naga: Ancient beings of unknowable purpose, they stood as the pinnacle of all life, shepherds of the infinite cycle and guardians of all reality.
The void: realm of broken form and will made manifest. This is the constant that links all of existence. It remains as an endless space of ever shifting energy from which all of creation was, is and will ever be. Those who delve in its secret have unknowingly marked themselves with a curse beyond redemption"
-Of Nebulas forgotten, servant to Idris
Shuttle bay - Mentor's pride
Xiltar.
Respite.
That was his true motive for coming to the shuttle bay in the first place.
Any other executor could have done this task in their own right but Xiltar knew that his presence amongst their brethren would be appreciated more than them reporting to their superior officer.
As any other member of his race, Xiltar had been inducted into the spiritual structure of his people like all of their ancestors before him. He had been taught the complete truth of how their Xel'naga masters were the true gods of reality and like any other member of his tribe he had also believed that the elders and their will had to be the truest manifestation of the will imposed by the Xel'naga.
But as his tenure as a judge was coincidentally donde while he studied with the creed of the creators he understood the relics of their gods far better than most of his people and he also suspected that his knowledge on that matter was far greater than that of the other elders.
The Ihan-rii lived under a semi rigid structure in which they were incited to follow one of the sev… six creeds by which their people governed their spirits and used their time in the service of the Xel'naga.
He was a follower of three doctrines as he saw them under a particular light of pragmatism and functionality since his intent had always been to serve his people as a judge…
The creed of the guardians demanded martial prowess both in spiritual and material matters. Vowing to cleanse the stars of the enemy of his people and any threat to their realm, he had taken an oath to this creed as a way to strengthen his spirit.
The creed of the seekers had trained him into becoming an adept user of the void as his prowess on the control of its volatile energies allowed him to cloak his being like the seekers they sent to scour the stars in search of the gifts left behind by their lords.
And the creed of the creators had given him far more incite into the internal mechanisms of his people's technology while also giving him a better understanding of the truth of their gods.
A truth he felt conflict by.
The creators were trained to find their own conclusions and contrast them with reality. This had taken Xiltar down a path that had eventually lead towards a revelation which would have earned him a fate as a heretic as his body was purged for his sins and his name was struck for the records…
The Xel'naga may not be gods.
He shuddered as this tought coursed trough his mind.
Xiltar had kept this theory under heavy raps and always diverted the subject whenever his time as a creator was brought up.
Several elders had suspected that something was wrong with the youn one, but none had managed to find any evidence that would condemn him as a heretic since Xiltar knew how to cover his tracks farily well.
His rejection of the divine and sacrosanct would have been the end of him as even his own family may have been forced to strike him down under the edicts of the council of elders.
But he was an elder now.
And the umbral choir he was part of was not the same that would have him executed for saying these words.
…
Xiltar cursed his luck.
Even with this conditions he would not be able to express his theory without setting his race into civil war.
As an elder, his words carried the same weight as that of their gods and the Ihan-rii would only follow him unquestionably because of said divine mandate.
Holiness was strange from the other side.
Xiltar began to listen to the reports of each team as he had finally managed to engage with them in conversation. And as he listened to the reports that were given to him, Xiltar's expression grew ever more somber.
Most of the information recovered from the Moebius facilities made references to the obscene experiments that were made manifest in those haunted places as they spoke of the hybrid and how the flesh of his people had been perverted into those abominations..
Of those sent to scout Tal'darim outpost one cohort returned with something of substance, but worth the risk nonetheless, for they found a data core of great importance.
In this data core they found technology originally developed by the Khalai. Stolen during the war and now returned to those who would use it properly, but it would take time to recover whatever information laid within it.
But one of the others found something that perplexed him even more.
Somehow among the ruins of the world of Slayn they found a Protoss with skin so pale that it almost immediately confirmed to him his suspicions…
It was an ascendant of the Tal'darim.
Since he recognized the symbol of the chain to Amon adorning her armor.
In time they would take her out of the stasis pod she found herself in, but other matters required his immediate attention. So as the dark templar who brought this price to the Armada told him of how they found this in what used to be the stronghold of the last Highlord of the Tal'darim, Xiltar pondered how they had missed such a detail after their assault of that accursed place.
To find one in such a manner perplexed him to no end, but ordered the dark templar to take her to the detention center aboard his ship, the data core was to be returned to the Khalai for decryption.
Finally making his way to the group that his sister led he understood almost immediately that what they found along their journey terrified them.
He also saw Othan clutching a claw between her fingers, she did not take her gaze from it, not until he made his way to them.
"Othan?" Xiltar could see that her face was filled with concern by what had happened and he could also see that something had deeply troubled her mind "Is everything allright?".
Othan seemed to sheer slightly at the care shown by her brother but whatever was troubling her was something she clearly wished to keep a secret "Is nothing, Xiltar" she extended the claw of the warrior that had fallen under her care "Could you sanctify this one's journey".
…
Holiness was strange.
"I… Yes, little one" he grabbed the claw and clutched it with both of his hands "May your feet never cease its walk and may your standard be raised high amongst the ancestors" he raised it towards the ceiling "May the path of eternal processions be the fate of your endless soul" he lowered it and handed it back to Othan "May we meet again in the void".
…
There was nothing.
"Thank you, elder" Othan vowed, along with the rest of the Ihan-rii in her team.
Because of this the only people he could make eye contact with were the Khalai who serve in her team.
He could see that they were uncomfortable by such a display.
But he did not know that they could see the same in his own eyes.
"Now that his spirit is at rest" he interrupted their piety "Make your report".
Othan rose from and nodded at his command "Yes, my elder. The database from the Moebius lab was recovered in a satisfactory state, though we lost some information to a data purge we managed to recover a substantial amount of information regarding the experiments that created the hybrid" she explained "As we were getting ready to depart failed experiments of the terrans ambushed us, we don't know if we alerted any higher form of Hybrid bu…"
"What experiment…" Xiltar tried to ask what she meant but a sudden commotion rocked the vessel.
*BOOOM*
The bay shocked with such force that it made every warrior tremble, what followed was a blare from the alarms as the mothership's AI assessed the situation.
-WARNING! multiple hull breaches detected, multiple hybrid signatures detected, countermeasures engaged, WARNING! void worlds reports hybrid incursions, warp networked compromised. The fleet is under attack!- blared the vessel's AI.
*BOOM*
A host of hybrids broke through the wall, launching shrapnell and debri in all directions. As some warriors within the bay reacted and counterattacked others were killed by the surprise attack of the assailants.
What manner of beasts came through the wall was like nothing they had seen before. With a spider-like complexion they skittered and swarmed from the breach.
"Warriors, the hybrid have found us, clear them from our ship" ordered Othan, reacting quickly to the incursion. Xiltar knew there wasn't much time, Igniting his warp blade he charged along with the warriors towards the breach.
"They have no end, we have t…" came the words of a zealot before he was abruptly stopped as he was consumed by the horde, all remaining warriors fought with such ferocity at the sight of this that they managed to eliminate all the skittering creatures with minimal losses.
But there were losses all the same, for this incident was repeating itself across all of the ship and in a more devastating manner across the fleet.
"Warriors, we have to make haste for the archives. The Keystone may prove useful against this hybrid thralls'' commanded Xiltar, and as Othan and the other warriors cleaved a path through the corridors that lead to the archives they managed to reach the bridge that would take them to the archive chamber "We are almost there. Just a few more steps and we shall…".
"FOOLISH PATHETIC CHILDREN!" boomed a voice from behind them and as they turned a dark figure stepped from the shadows, looming over them.
A monster of immense stature, pulsating with such psionic strength that it hurt the warriors to even look at it, Xiltar knew of this beast, for it was such that by its hands that his clan was decimated in one fel strike.
A hybrid reaver.
"YOUR HUBRIS BROUGHT YOU TO THE HANDS OF OBLIVION" it started with a heinous grin "THE MASTER'S WILL CALLS FOR AN END TO YOUR SUFFERING, LET IT COME BY OUR HAND!" as it proclaimed this, it leapt towards the group.
Xiltar was launched towards the edge of the platform by the force of the impact, but before he fell towards the chasm below he grabbed onto the ledge. And as he tried to climb up he heard the voice of the monster "DIE FOOL… ARRGH'', it roared in pain and as he wondered what could harm such a powerful abomination a hand grabbed his arm and pulled him up.
It was the warrior Toidanis, he wanted to thank him but found himself turning his sight towards the battle. There he saw his sister launching glaive shots towards the monster's eyes, what remained of her cohort and the other groups were cleaving into its armor, in hope that this would manage to kill it.
"ENOUGH" roared the creature before it cleaved through the zealot in front of him, it reached with one of its back tendrils as it swayed it across the battle, knocking another two towards the edge, they unfortunately fell to their demise.
As Xiltar began to lose hope a dark templar leaped from the shadows and began to cut the tendrils at its backside. Toidanis charged and jumped towards the abominations head, as it was distracted trying to free himself from the pest at his back he failed to see Toidanis cleaving towards its face, cutting through his eye sockets and blinding him permanently.
Othan materialized next to her brother, making use of her mirror image "Brother, more of the beast are coming down the tunnel. Get to the archives and do whatever it is you need" she said to him and as she turned to see the plight of her warriors she gazed at Xiltar once more "NOW, GO". With regret Xiltar made for the archives as he saw that she engaged the being once again.
And as the gates sealed behind him, Othan's fate would remain unknown to him for a long time.
Inside the archives he could make the figure of phase-smith Exandra along with Centurion Jonus making a last stand against more of the abominations.
Xiltar wasted no time in brandishing his warp blade and began to cleave through the rear of the horde, slowly but swiftly they cleared the room and secured the Keystone once more.
And as they were allowed some respite, Jonus turned to him.
"We have been discovered, elder. The veil of peace reports extensive damage but my dark templar have cleared most of the hybrid aboard it, we should take the Keystone and make our escape" Jonus proclaimed, complete and utter terror in her voice.
"That may not be a possibility anymore, Jonus. The containment field housing the Keystone has been damaged beyond repair. We cannot move it" proclaimed Exandra kneeling, clutching her arm as the pain from a wound coursed through it.
"What would you have us do then? Wait and die with the rest of our kind?" she asked in desperation.
"Not if we act quickly, Centurion. We might be able to overload the Keystone so we can purge the abominations from across the fleet" stated Xiltar making his way towards the Phase-smith.
He helped her to stand once more "How so, Xiltar?" Jonus asked.
"By channeling void energies into it, with the right frequency we may be able to attack the Zerg part of their beings" Xitlar explained.
"Such a risk will surely destroy whoever is foolish enough to try…" Jonus claimed before realization struck her "Wait, you couldn't be considering…" she began before Xiltar stopped her.
"Let it be so this time, Centurion. I know that the endeavor will claim me. But at least it may give our kind some hope. And in time I know you will learn the secrets of the Xel'naga, and save our people" Xiltar said as kindly as he could while he rested his hands on her shoulder, knowing that as the last elder ot the Ihan-rii they would certainly turn against the rest of their kind without his guidance.
He knew that such an action would come with heavy consequences, but decided to act nonetheless "Phase-smith. If you can, please, calibrate the keystone to target the hybrid as I channel what void energies I can muster. I just hope that it may be enough" he ordered.
"As… as you command, elder" said Exandra, limping towards the keystone.
"Xiltar, I…" the words came meekly from Jonus, she still hoped for there to be another way, but in truth she knew what needed to be done "If this may be our end then now that it was an honor knowing you and your people, if we survive I promise you that we will avenge you".
Such words brought some peace to Xiltar's hearths, as he understood that Jonus accepted what was about to happen "Go find Othan, she will give credence to your words at the council. She may call me a fool for asking this of you, but please save her" as he asked this she ran towards the exit to join the battle and save Othan.
Xiltar turned towards the Keystone, it emanated such raw power that it would have threatened to overwhelm him, had he been someone lesser that is.
"We're ready to begin, Xiltar" spoke Exandra, scared beyond reason. But still willing to save her people.
"Then let it be so" Xiltar said grimmly.
Slowly but steadily Xiltar began to feed the keystone with what power he could muster, slowly it received the energies as he began to let it course through his being.
Slowly it began to vibrate with unrelenting power…
Slowly it formed a connection to the void through him…
And slowly something began to peer through…
Xiltar almost lost focus but as he turned his gaze towards Exandra, he quickly returned his focus on the task at hand.
And as he saw her frantically making modifications to the containment field he realized that too much was at stake for him to fail now.
(Hmm…) something whispered in his mind as it echoed across it like nothing he could compare it to. (So there is resistance to him still) it spoke in a serene, calm but tired voice.
He did not understand.
Resistance to whom…
Amon?
(There is much doubt left, but too little time to explain, even less so to act) Whatever this thing was, it didn't show any hostility towards him, that was good.
Yet he did not understand its intentions "Exandra there's…".
(NO) it interrupted him in a worried tone (Continue your work, i will try to save how much i can of you, child) But how could it do so?
What was this thing?
And how come it spoke through the void.
It couldn't be… could it?
…
Xel'naga…
As realization struck him something happened to the keystone, it began to crack with white light.
Before he could scream for Exandra to take cover it exploded with such power that it tore everything around it from reality.
Its effect was felt through all of the fleet, rending everything in its wake from existence, hybrid and protoss alike.
In that moment the universe fell silent, as the last of the Protoss were no more.
Afterword.
Holly heck, i didn't mean for this chapter to be so long, but damn did i over do it. Is there such a thing as overdoing it? I digress, anyway hope you are ready to meet some terrans again, I sure miss their constant bickering, and the hostility, and their lack of manners, the incessant complaining…
Do i miss them?
Edit - Reworked too. gonna do this for a couple more chapters.