Emmerich opened his eyes and found himself in a dark plain. The sky if it was the sky was just a lighter shade of black to the ground. What was this place? He'd died, that was it.
Was this the end of it all because he'd never had a faith. Some blank void? Was this really it?
He looked around seeing nothing around him. Just a void going to the horizon. At least he thought it was the horizon. As he came full turn he froze.
There was a dragon hovering in mid-air. A skull faced purple dragon. He knew little about the faiths of Sera. But he was sure not a single one had mentioned a purple dragon. With Ram horns?
He wasn't dead. He had to be having a breakdown. There was no blast destroying the Camp. He'd just lost his mind. He must have found his limit and gone way beyond it.
'Hello, my child.' The Dragon said. In perfect Tyran.
'I'm sorry.' Emmerich said, looking up at the creature, confusion clear on his face. That was beyond even insanity.
'It seems I've forgotten my manners. Let me step into something for you.'
That sounded ominous. Emmerich glanced down, seeing his Snub still in its holster. If he was having a breakdown. The Onyx would restrain him as he unbuttoned the weapon. As he looked back up from the holster however he found he was looking at a lithe humanoid figure but purple. Its body seemed to be radiating faint light as though it was on fire. It had horns like a ram just like the dragon.
'You do not seem humbled by my appearance.' The figure said, tilting its head at an impossible angle. 'Do you not feel awed in the slightest in the presence of your creator?'
'Despite being living in an orphanage I know who my parents were. And neither of them were horned figures living in darkness.' Emmerich said. Keeping his Snub at the ready but lowered.
The figure chuckled. 'I will admit. I have been rather distant from your world after I created it. My brother thinks he's the only one who can forge a world on his own.' The figure tilled its head the other way. Still at a sickening angel.
'That weapon will do you little good against me and you have no need for it after all. I'm here to apologize. Your end was the result of an… error on my part.'
Ok so his delirium was giving an apology. 'So you're saying you're a god. The god? And I'm dead? I'm not sure how I'm meant to react to that.' Emmerich said. Holstering his Snub.
'I am the creator of your world. And in a manner of speaking. You should be dead.'
'Should have died?.' What could that mean?
'Given the transgression that has taken place I've been forced to intervene.'
'Transgression? Did I do something wrong? Break a rule or something?' Emmerich said. 'So you're sending me to Hell?
'No. The error was mine. Your death was a result of something I had done in the past.' The figure placed its hands together. 'A fragment of my power was left upon your world when I created it. When it was agitated the energy within was released and destroyed your camp.'
'That blast was caused by a fragment?!'
'Yes I was traveling from another world. In my hasty departure I took a rather… direct route.'
'Direct meaning?'
'If you accept my request you'll see.' The figure stated hands open offering the bargain.
Emmerich was wary. 'You just said you were a god, why would you need to ask me for something?'
The figure's hands snapped shut. 'My brother and I have a few agreements and we find it's better not to break them.'
'So you want us to break it for you?' Emmerich was willing to believe that if anything here was real.
'No no no.' The figure said, shaking its head. 'You'll... push the limit of this agreement.'
'What are you asking me to do?'
'My I need you to be my champion.'
'Your champion?'
'Yes.' The figure waved a hand. Allow me to explain.
'My brother and I created a world, prior to yours. The humans that roamed it were born of four gifts. Creation, Destruction, Choice and Knowledge. For a time we lived amongst them. Until they were driven to rebel against us led by one we cursed. In a moment of weakness. I lashed out and did harm beyond your understanding. The humans upon that world are but a shadow of what they once were. As penance I left some of my power upon the world. Much like the fragment your people found. I wish to send you to this world.'
'And what would I need to do? If I'm a champion you have some kind of task.' Emmerich said mind racing.
'Unite humanity.' The figure declared arms spread wide.
Emmerich's train of thought was broken. 'Is that a joke?'
'Hardly.'
'I don't know how much you've been watching our world. But the only time we seem to unite is when something is trying to kill us.'
'If that's what you require to unify people then don't worry. My other creations will see to that need.' The figure said with a hint of mirth.
Stepping around what the other creations were. Emmerich decided he would need to know the rules of this task.
'I have some questions if I may?' Emmerich said. Rubbing his chin.
'If I take the offer. How I'm I meant to let you know when we're ready? Or will you just come when you think its done?'
'My brother left four gifts upon the world.' The Figure said. With a gesture four shapes faded into view. A staff, a sword, a lantern and a crown.
'Each holds power based on the gifts we bestowed. Should all four be brought together then we will be called back.'
'And I'm meant to do this alone? A world I have no way of navigating or explaining how I came to be?'
'No I will let you bring those who suffered the same fate with you. My brother's champion was sent alone but he had… Conditions added to his service.'
'How will I be able to unite the people of this world? Do they speak Tyran like you can?'
'Ah Tyran, that is what you call your language. My brother's champion was gifted so that would not be an issue. I see no reason why you and your fellows should be left with anything less. Their tongue and yours will be indistinguishable.'
Emmerich thought for a moment. If he wasn't just insane then he had to try. But just throwing them into this would do no good. 'I'll do it but may I make a request?'
The figure waited for a moment. Then nodded. 'Yes, what would you ask?'
Emmerich took a deep breath. 'I ask that myself and every Seran living and dead along with all their belongings and property be transported to a place that is not held by any government in this world.'
That would do it. If they were beyond any government there was a chance. He'd have a Settlement backing him. No matter how this world was, it couldn't be any worse than Sera. Could it?
There was a pause as the figure looked down on him.
'Granted. Every Seran living and dead will be brought with you to a land that is not held by any government.'
Emmerich took a breath. 'Then I'll do it. I'll go to this world as your champion.'
'Excellent. My brother bestowed gifts upon the world when he sent his champion Ozma. Your people have provided you with three. Creation, Destruction and Knowledge. I will provide the last one. Choice.'
The figure gave a tilt of its hand and a burst of purple light filled Emmerich's vision. When it cleared he was alone in the void.
'Ok then. Do I get a count down or…' Emmerich began. He blinked.
He was back in the Command Center. There was shouting from the Controllers. Each was trying to raise their assigned squad. The roar of static could be heard across the room.
The monitors clicked back on. Emmerich strained to see what was going on. The monitor flickered to a low light view.
Where the camp had been empty bar the patrols there were now shadowy shapes on every monitor. They were in a number of shapes. Some were like a man and wolf fused, Bulky shapes like bears and a half dozen more.
The shapes shared one thing. They were all attacking the people nearby.
'Situation?' O'Connor called over the space.
One of the duty officers turned to face them. 'Sir. Multiple contacts inside the perimeter.'
'I can see that. How did they get there?'
'Unknown we have reports coming in from all districts.'
Another officer turned. Contacts are amongst the perimeter teams as well. They're right on top of us.'
'Can we repel them?'
'Unknown. There's a lot of confusion. The network is down. Our sensors are local only. Connections unstable.'
'Do we still have any view from the air?'
'We're losing Watchers all over.'
'Can we get a feed from the Condor on the main screen?'
'One moment.' The officer said. 'Tac-com is still active. Connecting to the Condor now.'
'By the All Fathers.'
An overhead view appeared, it was rich with static, but they could all see the chaos. The camp was lit by fires and tracers. There were flashes of explosions in the streets.
The creatures were all over the camp. More could be seen these were winged creatures swooping down to slash at the Camp defenders.
All around was the din of battle. Tracers chased winged shapes across the sky. Some kind of storm was overhead. Clouds thick and dark like oil. Lighting bolts a dozen colors were dancing across them.
If this wasn't the definition of the apocalypse they'd be pressed to find a better example.
Emmerich's breath caught. What had he done?
'Port gun hit those Black-fin at bearing 90! 'Captain Shell shouted. The twin guns cranked arrond letting out a burst of fire dust rounds that blew the shark shaped Grimm from the water.
What the hell was happening? One moment they had been traveling round the Dragon's Tail, quiet weather and no Grimm far as the horizon. Next some mad storm unlike anything she'd ever seen bears down on them. The deck of the Journey Bound rocked as another wave slammed into them.
Shell looked over to her first officer. 'Situation below the water Mr. Mahogany?'
'It's a frenzy. The hunters are keeping anything that gets past the suits but they just keep coming.'
'Keep an eye on them. If the suits from the Pearl start to rise, get the team back. They've said no more charges but they might have other ideas if they get antsy.'
'Aye ma'am.'
Shell crossed to the window. Outside on their starboard was the Pearl of the Sea. She was far more elegant and grand than the Journey. All sleek lines with a silver on white color palette, taller to boot. The thing was a floating overpriced resort for the cream of Atlas.
Not to say it didn't have some means of defense. In typical Atlesian fashion the decks were protected by Hard-light barriers. The only real guns aboard were the ones built into their security androids. Silver and white AK-130's that were patrolling the ship looking for any Grimm that might have boarded. The Pearl let loose another wave of missiles from its launchers. Blowing apart a group of Nevermore that had been angling in.
The Journey was much more old fashioned. Its hull was imbued timber with metal backing. The decks were covered by folding armor panels. Others had opened to show the Journeys teeth. Forward was a heavy cannon in full turret. Either side she had twin automatic cannons good for hitting anything. A light cannon at the rear helped with the blind spot of the main gun.
She also had an aquatic Huntsman team WATR. All four were Faunus who could fight underwater. They were keeping the Grimm below the waves from reaching the ship. The Pearl relied on a team of divers in suits of armor to keep its vulnerable under belly protected. And depth charges. A lot of depth charges. Much to WATR's frustration. It was hard to keep your bearings when you could get pulped by friendly fire at any moment.
'Any bead on that other ship that passed us?' She called the communications officer. They and the Pearl were fighting together since they were alone out here. A cargo ship from Vacuo had been out there before the storm. Shell thought they had passed it but there was no response though the mess of static.
'No ma'am.' The officer reported.
'Keep me posted.'
Shell walked over to the chart table. Picking out and opening the chart for the Dragon's Tail. The place was a list of failures. Villages and mining expeditions had been tried for years. All the way back to the time of the kings. But the local Grimm saw any trespassers off sooner or later.
Her eyes ran over the coast. Crossed off villages. Small bays. No good for them or the Pearl.
There an option. A fortified Harbor built to shelter ships loading with dust. According to the chart the port had been evacuated not overrun. If the sea defenses were still intact they could seal the entrance. They'd only have to fight the Grimm inside the harbor. At least until the storm broke and the CCT link came back. Then it was just a case of holding out until help could arrive.
It was their only hope. And any hope would help keep some of the Grimm away.
She lifted her scroll and called the Pearl. 'Captain Ivor. I have a plan.'
The response came back, filled with static. 'Good to hear Shell. We're a bit thin on countermeasures at the moment.'
'You have your charts?'
'Yes I have them now.'
'Check for Blue Tide shipping. There's a harbor that was left with its gates intact.'
'I see it. Few years old. Think those gates are still there.'
'We'll have to see. If anything else we won't have to worry about anything bigger getting to us.'
'Agreed. We can do with some good news. Perhaps the eye of this blasted storm will make for better sailing. Pearl out.'
Shell switched to the PA system. 'Your attention please. All crew and passengers. Sorry we're having some trouble with the weather. We're making a diversion to a harbor to wait out the storm. Please remain in your cabins until further notice.'
Inside one of the cabins aboard the Journey Zane Serac was sitting with his son Erwin. He'd been trying to keep both their minds off the rolling of the ship and sounds outside. The storm had frightened them both before the Grimm arrived. Zane knew they needed to stay calm and focus on something else. The Captain and the crew knew what they were doing he was sure. While he let Erwin play on his scroll with the headphones over his ears. Zane's eyes glanced over to his luggage. There was no need to open it. No need.
The Camp was a mad house the fighting was everywhere. O'Connor had his hands full trying to respond to it all. The only positive was they were keeping any more of the things from getting in. The fighting was not limited to the camp it seemed some larger battle was taking place outside the walls. Who was fighting he had no clue but it was helping at least.
The Governor appeared at his elbow.
'Is there anything we can do to help?' Emmerich asked. He seemed on edge.
'Sir?' O'Connor said.
'The Onyx are still here do you need their help?' The Governor gestured to his escort.
O'Connor thought for a moment. 'I don't have anywhere to point them at the moment.'
'If we returned to the Admin center they could use the roof as a vantage point. We could also see about getting the network back up.'
The Governor seemed a little eager. But they could do with the help. O'Connor nodded. 'That would help they could get us some eyes on whats going on. If we can get the network back up it would be a massive help.'
'I'll speak with Sargent Durham and let one of your team know when we leave.'
'Good luck sir.' O'Connor said nodding. The Governor was on edge. Hell they all were.
Emmerich's heart was pounding in his ears. What had he done. They'd gone from one fire to another. Why had he agreed to that deal? Was there a deal? Was he just insane? The shadowy monsters outside were not helping narrow down which it was.
Emmerich spoke with Durham the journey was planned and they set out back to the Admin Center. Their drive was more like a movie. Gunners swung their weapons letting out bursts of rounds at monsters as they drove past. Some chased them most were more focused on clawing at the buildings.
Emmerich still numb watched as one of large bear like ones slammed its claws into the shutters of a housing unit. It ignored them until the first rounds from the roof gun slammed home and tore it to pieces. It must have caught fire because after a few moments its whole body began to smoke.
What ever they were. They didn't seemed to notice the convoy until it was right on top of them. It was like they were rabid animals chasing a scent solely focused on their prey.
Reaching the Admin center. Emmerich was guided to the building shelter. Peacemakers stood at guard positions ether side of the doors. How he hated those doors.
Rather then enter he walked to the console next to the doors. He requested a connection and waited. A staffer answered a moment later.
'Governor.' The staffers eyes widened. 'Let me get the door for you.'
Emmerich cut them off. 'No need to open up for the moment. Is Lieutenant Governor Evangelina there?'
The staffer gave him a confused look. 'I believe so one moment. Ah she's here connecting you now.'
The staffer was replaced by Evangelina. She looked stressed. 'Emmerich what's happening? The external network is down we're blind and deaf down here.'
Emmerich thought for a second. He couldn't say what had happened. Even if it was true they'd strap him to a bed somewhere because it was crazy.
'Some kind of new Swarm are attacking. We don't know how they got inside but we're containing them.'
'Good to hear. You need us to open up?'
'No I'm staying outside for the moment.'
'You're what?'
'Someone needs to get the network back up. And we can't both be inside the shelter. If something happens we could both be out of commission. I'd rather not leave anyone else in this mess.'
Evangelina sighed. 'Fair point. Just see if you can get the network back up. People are getting scared.'
'We'll see what we can do. I'll have an update shortly.'
Evangelina nodded. 'Good Luck.'
'Here's hoping I don't need it.' Emmerich closed the connection.
He turned to the Onyx. 'If anyone want's to comment on my decision feel free to do so.'
There was subtle movement as those present glanced under their helmets.
'Sir. We're you're security detail. I would advise you enter the shelter until the situation is over.' Myers said.
'Noted Lieutenant. But overruled. We need to get the network up and running again if not for O'Connor to see whats going on. Then for the citizens to see we're fighting. Right now all they can hear is combat if someone opens up to try and see what's going on they'll be at risk. My job is to see to the citizens first.'
'Very well sir. But how do we get the network back?'
'There's a backup network point. It can't handle everything but it can get us back online in the local area at least. I just need to turn it on.'
'If its that easy why has no-one done it already?' Hickman said tilting his head.
Emmerich nodded. 'I'd imagine Ramos is trying to get the network back up from her side. But the back-ups are totally disconnected to protect them from any overload. You have to turn it on physically and I'm guessing none of you have trained to do it.'
Inwardly he knew he could have told them how to do it. The process was written down on all the controls and color coded. A child could do it. But he just couldn't stay in a shelter again. Couldn't do nothing. He was responsible for this. He had to do something.
Myers waited a moment thinking. Then nodded. 'Very well then it seems you have your mission sir. Where are we going?'
The Pearl and the Journey were almost there. They could see the harbor gate in the distance. It was still open. Rusty but open.
Their underwater teams reported that the sub-surface defenses were intact. Vast lines of barbed chain were held in place outside the harbor. Any large water Grimm would tear itself to shreds if it tried to get inside. As they followed the path of the buoys and reached the interior a line of fire rose in the distance. Then another from another source. It was unlike anything most of them had ever seen. Cannon fire rising to strike some unseen foe. Who could waste that much dust out here in the wild?
As they drew into the harbor. The warehouses around began to fill with pin pricks of red light. Within each some pack of Grimm had made its home. They had woken as the storm descended. Watched as the flickers of light crept towards them.
Now they roared, bayed, howled and screeched. Each cry made the lights on the water flicker with fear.
It was intoxicating to the younger lesser Grimm. But the older wiser ones were not trying to scare the humans. It was a call.
Two others answered. One a roar from above the clouds the other a mighty rumbling that shook the earth.
A Sea Feilong dove from the storm. Its body alight with lighting. The Pearl unleashed a salvo from is launchers. The Feilong simply wove though the air twisting itself like some string in a breeze. The impact fused missiles pass it harmlessly. Having missed their target they detonated. The blasts lit the mountains in the distance. One of them was not a mountain.
It was a Goliath. The creature was massive. Beyond anything Shell had ever seen. Its shear size would allow it to move into the harbor and crush them.
She had known the Goliath was on the island it was all over the chart. But what were the chances that it would have been waiting here for them?
The Elder looked at the two ships. So full of lights. Small annoying lights. It felt its old hate building.
Here were things that it wished destroyed. Those foul lights rich with fear. So close and easily snuffed out.
Still it knew to wait. To watch. To learn. It would let the Serpent have the first blow.
The Serpent came to a stop in the air building a charge for its strike. Then just as it reached its apex it spat the bolt of lighting. The shot went wide.
The Elder turned to look at the Serpent. It was rolling away trying to dodge some strike. A lance of fire tore towards it. But not from the white ship.
Captain Shell watched in awe as a missile tore into view. Someone was further inland. Someone with some heavy ordinance. The Feilong once again twisted around coming about on itself to confuse the missile. This one didn't care about being on target it seemed. Rather than an impact fuse it exploded at its closest approach. The Feilong was cut in two. Both half falling to the ground already turning to the familiar smoke. A cheer went up amongst the crew who had seen it.
Several kilometers inland. Inside his ASP Strashilov muttered a curse. The weird Flock came apart on his display. This time they were so close together it looked like one big creature.
The weather was playing hell with their data-link and sensors. He was having to use the sights for the guns. At least whatever these things were they were they came apart like any other monster.
He set the sights over some bird, the range finder was off. If it was correct that thing had to have a wingspan of at least 10 meters. He pulled the trigger a burst of shells cutting the bird to ribbons. On second thought perhaps it was that big. He might add a kill mark for that one he thought turning to fire at the next target.
The Elder was interested now. It turned to face the way inland. How had such an attack been launched? The Humans had hunted it for years. It knew many of their methods and how to predict where they would be. How had they landed without it knowing? It looked at the ships. The lights flicked a little braver.
Reaching down with its trunk the Elder took a set of boulders from the ground. Each would have been the size of a cart. It drew back then cast its trunk out.
'Incoming!' Shell shouted. Taking cover from the hail of rocks. The was a series of bangs as the stones struck the Journey and the Pearl. Then a moment of silence.
'Damage report?'
'Light damage to the forward section. No major hits. It missed us' One of the crew shouted.
'It wasn't aiming at us.' Mahogany said looking out at their rear.
Shell moved over to the window. Her heart sank.
The gate was broken shut. The Goliath had trapped them in. It let out another roar that rang their ears then turned and walked inland. It wanted to keep them for later.
First it would kill the ones responsible for their hope.