20th Festive Moon, 908 – Edge of the Great Ruins
A chilling air rattled Count Victor's metallic body as soon as he and Terrowin passed through the boundary leading to the forgotten ruins. He felt as if he heard the whispering cries of ghouls warning him to leave lest terrible misfortune come his way. Terrowin, however, moved forward without a shred of hesitation.
"Coming here never gets easier," Victor admitted. "Why must we venture to this place?"
"If we want to retrieve the Logos Generator and reclaim Virdis, we will have to set up base here eventually. Learn to block out the negative atmosphere. After a while of living out here, your mind will adjust to it."
"Hmph." The Aegislash bundled up within his cape and gazed around at the withered, grassy grounds of the ruins. "Not much life, either. This place hasn't changed much since I was last here."
"It'll get better with time." Terrowin traced his wooden hand along the root scars covering the left side of his face. "Can't say the same for myself. My condition has been improved, but only as a temporary reprieve. Earning the trust of the Subterra Kingdom will be a mighty boon for Last Autumn. One step closer to completing Project Talos. After that, the Logos Generator will be within our grasp."
Victor closed his eye and sighed. "I still harbor concerns about trusting these…savages. They are an unrefined people, are they not?"
"Perhaps from your perspective as a Senbo resident, but I assure you that the Subterran people are a hardy race of warriors. The finest craftsman of ancient weapon, and perhaps the only people in Virdis with an easy access to pure elementium. The intense pressure and heat of the Underworld is the perfect grounds for it to refine itself naturally. Even Subterrans who live closer to the surface struggle to obtain such pure metal. The deeper you go, the more refined their culture becomes."
"…" Victor glared. "It's a curious thing how much you know about the ten kingdoms."
"I've been around for a long time, Victor. Longer than you can imagine." Terrowin covered his face and sighed. "Too long, you could say."
"…" Victor sighed. "I admit, I had some reservations about you when you first came to me all those years ago. The idea of uniting the ten kingdoms seemed…ludicrous. The things you spoke of were beyond my understanding. Your roots go back deep to the time of the Elysivine Kingdom. How much of your ancestral heritage do you know of?"
"…" Terrowin placed a hand to his scars. "I learned a lot from my grandfather, the eldest prince of the Elysivine Kingdom. I know enough. No struggles, no poverty, and no want. It was a peaceful existence for eight hundred years, separated from the outside world's influence." He glared softly. "A shame all that was ruined in the invasion, and how this land is wrought with violence and war. The elementium that naturally forms here is special. Beyond anything anyone could imagine."
"Given your age, I'm surprised you learned so much from your grandfather. He sounded like he could croak at any minute."
"Well…I did inherit a lot of information. Not just verbal stories." He sighed. "Not a lot of people know this, but Castle Ogden may just be the only place in Virdis that holds the true history of this land."
"But no one can get to it because of—"
"The negative atmosphere that haunts these grounds. The closer you get to the castle, the stronger its effects are. Only I was exempt from its influence…well, until recent years."
Victor glared. "The Crownless King."
"To think they've survived up to this point. Seems my family wasn't the only ones passing down old stories. They are the only thing that stands between me and reclaiming the castle. I only hold a mere fraction of Logos. The rest still resides there, along with the remains of the Logos Generator. Once we complete Project Talos, they won't be much issue."
Victor glared. "Fixing the generator shouldn't be an issue anymore. You still have our guest working with Cain and Bridget?"
"He's a lot more difficult to control than with Itzal, though we at least have other means of getting him to cooperate…so long as Harriet keeps her end of the bargain." Terrowin glared ahead. "Speaking of which, we're here."
The duo stopped, and Victor stared at their destination in confusion. It appeared to be an old stone house withered by the passage of time. The roof had long since caved in, and the walls had crumbled away leaving only the front of the house and the aged door standing.
"What is this?" Victor asked.
"It would take weeks for an unskilled traveler to find their way to the Underworld." Terrowin pushed the door open and led the Aegislash through. "But like I said, I've lived a long life, and I've been doing nothing but traveling before I assembled Last Autumn."
In the center of the destroyed home was sealed tunnel built into the floor. It was covered in a tightly woven mat of roots, duller but similar to the ones serving as the Sceptile's new arm.
Victor leaned down and touched the roots, knocking on them a few times. "It's like stone."
"My Inherited Will grants the roots I command a hardy exterior. And even after decades of drying up…"
Terrowin knelt before the vines and gently tapped the woven mat. A green pulse shined across the roots. Life seemed to spring back into their color as they retracted into the ground, revealing the tunnel descending into the underground.
"They still bend to my command."
Victor glared. "That's incredible."
Terrowin nodded. "The land doesn't provide much fertility for my plants, but they can still act with a small sampling of my energy."
"So, what would happen if you were to plant your technique somewhere with fertile ground?"
"…" Terrowin closed his eyes and descended into the tunnel. "I wish not to consider the implications. I wish to avoid as much violence as possible."
"…Oh my Arceus." Victor floated behind the Sceptile. "How many—"
"Count Victor, I have been alive for over a century. Do you really want to know the exact number?"
"…"
"Then we shall proceed down as planned. Brace yourself. In a few days' time, you will understand the strength of these warriors."
23rd Festive Moon, 908 – The Underground
The further down they traveled, the less meaning time had. Terrowin had a natural sense of time, thus only he knew how long they've traveled. They would stop for meals and camp before continuing on their journey downward. As expected, the tunnel served as a useful shortcut to the Underworld. Eventually, they could feel the difference in temperature.
Victor grimaced, feeling his steel body tingle from the heat. "I still can't believe there are Steel-Types that actually thrive down here. They bathe in magma to clean themselves? Such an action would kill me on the spot. How are you even remotely comfortable down here?"
Terrowin wiped his brow. "This isn't exactly a leisurely stroll for me, either. The creatures that dwell this far down have naturally adapted to the heat. It's a most unusual phenomenon. You will mostly find Fire, Rock, Ground, and Steel-Types down here, though even those weak to extreme heat have learned to thrive. It's all because of the unique minerals down here."
"Minerals?"
"You are aware of how the Subterra Kingdom dines on rock? Well, I've learned in my travels that the rock down here is packed with preserved nutrients. Millions of years of plants decaying and hardening. Add on to the unique ecosystem of Virdis, those plants eventually fossilized and mixed with the earth. The further you go down, the more minerals you'll find packed with nutrients. And the Subterrans were smart. Guess what kind of berries they discovered preserved down here."
"…" Victor glared. "Occa berries."
"A unique berry that grants resistance to Fire-Type attacks upon consumption, and in its most ancient form. Mixed with the elementium that forms naturally down here and millions of years of maturity, it became a staple diet of their culture. Eventually, they would gain a natural resistance to heat, and that biological trait would be passed down to their children."
"…But the Subterra Kingdom only existed for two hundred years. That means—"
"Even before the arbiters came to this land, the very first of the ancient Pokémon lived down here and adapted to the extreme conditions. Even when Virdis was invaded, the underground hardly changed. Only adapted. That is why they are, what I consider, one of the most dangerous kingdoms to face. Complete control of the underground. If they so choose, they could collapse the entire region in a matter of years. Maybe months."
Victor nodded slowly. "For a bunch of savages, they were thinking ahead millions of years ago. That's…incredible."
"Even in the earliest stages of our existence, our ancient ancestors demonstrated their own showings of brilliance. They truly are the Children of Groudon."
"…I am most naïve in the ways of history. Forgive me."
"You have nothing to apologize for. Even from our darkest points in history, there is so much to unravel. I wish for everyone to learn the secrets of Virdis' history…as soon as I take it back from these warring times."
Victor nodded. "I look forward to learning the secrets of this region."
"Hmm. You will be the first to know. I assure you, there is still much even I don't understand."
24th Festive Moon, 908 – Deeper Underground
It was roughly the morning, at least by Terrowin's account. The two travelers rested for the night, sleeping on a patch of soft earth. They've grown somewhat accustomed to the extreme heat, or at least enough to where they could sleep. Terrowin had himself cocooned in his own roots while Victor slept stiffly on the ground.
The possessed sword's eye suddenly opened, sensing movement in the area. He didn't move. His eye wandered in place, scanning as much as the visible space as he could. Though it was practically pitch black without a torch, a Ghost-Type could still see through the darkness.
His eye eventually spotted two shadowy figures armed with spiked clubs sneaking up on the pair. They clicked and grumbled in some language he couldn't understand, but their tone indicated trouble for him and Terrowin.
Before the two figures could act, Victor snapped his fingers, and two swords sprung out from under his cloak: a saber and a falchion. They hurtled themselves at the ambushers, stopping just before their necks. The ambushers froze as they felt a chilling aura surrounding them.
"Terrowin! We have company," Victor announced.
The Sceptile uncurled himself from his makeshift bed, twisting it back into his arm, and lit the lantern he had beside him. He lifted it, revealing the Sandshrew and Nidoqueen, both donning black stone armor with monstrous face guards. He saw that their shadows had sprung to life, phantoms of Victor's arms spawning below them and holding the swords to their necks. A thin line of shadow extended out from Victor's own.
"Who are you two?" Victor asked.
They both hissed, responding back with the same clicking and grunts that fell deaf on the Aegislash's ears. Terrowin held his hand out to the possessed sword. "They can't understand you either, but they appear to be magma warriors."
"Magma what?"
"They're the Subterra Kingdom's military. They must be on patrol."
"Well, how do we get them to leave us alone?"
"That might not be necessary. Do you trust me?"
"With my life."
Terrowin took a deep breath. "Hopefully my Subterran isn't too rusty."
Victor watched as the Sceptile responded back to the furious soldiers, who recoiled in surprise as he responded to them in their own language. There was clear stress in how Terrowin spoke compared to the fluidity and ease of the soldiers, though seemed to understand him well enough.
Eventually, the soldiers lowered their clubs and nodded, though reluctantly. Terrowin nodded back, then said, "Lower your weapons, Victor."
The Aegislash clicked his fingers and called the swords back under his cloak. He grunted. "What were you three talking about?"
"We're going to be publicly executed for trespassing."
"…" Victor took a deep breath. "So, about what I said about trusting you with my life—HEY!" The Sandshrew suddenly threw stone cuffs onto his hands. He tried to break them apart, but failed. "What are these made of?!"
"These are some of the greatest craftsmen in Virdis. The Subterra Kingdom know how to turn stone into artificial metal," Terrowin explained as he let the Nidoqueen slap cuffs onto him.
"Alright, now can you explain to me why you're allowing them to have us executed?!"
"Because in the Subterra Kingdom, executions are done in front of the king."
"…" Victor glared. "You better know what you're doing."
"I always do."
After the soldiers hooked stone chains to the cuffs, they marched down the tunnel and forced the two outsiders along. Victor fidgeted unsurely in his cuffs, but kept his composure. Regardless of what came after, he would dedicate the whole of his trust to Last Autumn.
He refused to let ceaseless war run rampant in Virdis.
The heat was nearly unbearable for Terrowin and Victor as they passed through the final tunnel. The closed-off tunnels provided moderate coolness against the intense heat, but now it felt as if they were stepping into a blast furnace.
Exiting the tunnel, they found themselves in a massive room akin to the size of a grand opera house. Rivers of magma flowed alongside a path leading to the end of the room. The floor itself was cracked with heat bursting out periodically with only solid black earth ahead that looked to be stable for the two trespassers.
Across the walls, which were lit by the magma and glowing stones imbedded into it, were hundreds of Subterran residents glaring down at them as they were escorted along the path. Many of them wore basic cloth and such as clothing to cover themselves up, likely not needing the extra clothing. As Terrowin rightfully deduced, despite the general population being made up of the expected species, some Grass, Ice, and the like were found in the crowd.
At the end of the pathway was a mighty throne that towered high off the ground on a pillar of steps. It, too, was made of solid black earth which poured magma out from the sides.
However, the one sitting on the throne took Victor by surprise.
It was a Carracosta.
A Virdisian Carracosta.
Similar in shape and build to its ancient brethren, the prototurtle Pokémon had skin as red as the magma flowing out from his throne. The rocks that normally composed the turtle's body were much thicker. Rock that normally covered just the face had completely formed around the head. Same for his shell and torso, leaving only part of the neck and waist exposed. Cracks of heat glowed periodically along his fiery body, and jets of steam erupted from the ports in his shell.
As for his attire, he was the only figure in the room donning metal armor. He wore dark gray armor around his lower half and pauldrons. He wore a crown of jagged black crystal atop his head that glowed with an eerie heat within.
Resting against his throne was a war hammer. Its pole extended a little over a meter, and the hammerhead attached to it had a pattern etched into its side resembling some kind of fanged demon. It seemed to give off a soft orange glow as it rested against the throne.
Terrowin and Victor, upon reaching stable ground, were pushed to their knees (or his blade, in Victor's case). As they kneeled, a soldier stepped forward. She was a Tinkaton dressed in a mishmash of armor pieces and wore an intimidating helmet that resembled an Aggron's armored shell. Her hammer was sheathed across her back, the weapon itself showing signs of upgrades.
"{Silence!}" she roared, instantly silencing the murmurs and shouts of the room. "{All rise for His Greatness, King Obsidian the Third!}"
The audience roared out with animalistic cries, their voices booming off the walls and making the duo feel like they were trapped in a pit of wild savages. However, with a simple raise of his flipper, the king silenced his subjects.
"{Bring out the translator!}" the Tinkaton commanded.
Victor gasped as a Lumineon suddenly jumped out from the magma, which dripped off his skin like water. He bounced between puddles of magma through the ground before emerging beside the towering throne.
"You've got to be kidding me," Victor mumbled.
"I told you they were a hardy kingdom," Terrowin whispered.
King Obsidian cupped his flippers together and glared down at them, his eyes burning with heat. "{Trespassers, you have been summoned to my throne room for illegally entering the domain of Subterra. How do you plead?}"
After the translator repeated back Obsidian's statement, Terrowin glared back. "O mighty King Obsidian the Third, please forgive us for entering the Subterra Kingdom. We are but travelers from the surface who wish to seek an audience with you. We plead innocence."
Obsidian scoffed. "{What foolishness. A surface dweller entering our domain under the prospect of an audience? You dare infiltrate my kingdom with such excuses?}"
"I mean no harm to you. I am but a humble old man, and I am familiar with the ways of your culture."
The Tinkaton scoffed. "{He doesn't look that old.}"
"{Silence, Alfhild,}" the king ordered.
She bowed up to him. "{My apologies, Your Greatness.}"
Obsidian resumed glaring at Terrowin. "{If you are familiar with our culture, then you understand your arrogance for daring to venture into the Underworld. You have some nerve seeking an audience with me. Only a surface dweller would display such hubris.}"
Terrowin sighed. "Yes, I admit my arrogance for believing I could speak with you, Your Greatness. However, what I bring to the Subterra Kingdom may be worth your time—"
"{I have no need of the surface's influence,}" Obsidian growled. "{My people have been tormented by the ways of the surface for countless generations. Your very existence reeks of war and violence. You wretched land walkers scorn us as savages for our ways, or are you not aware of the time where you hunted my people for sport?}"
"…" Terrowin bowed his head. "I am aware."
Victor winced. "Shit, I forgot about that…" Sensing Terrowin's gaze, he sighed. "I…confess my family has history with hunting the Subterrans. My father never partook in it, so I was never raised on the practice, but I am aware of it."
Obsidian scowled. "{Senbo, Algus, Wick, New Chariot, Great Gate…at least once in every other kingdom's history, you have thought yourselves as our superiors and treated us like wild savages, thus we returned your actions in kind.}"
"By imprisoning anyone who sets foot inside your tunnels," Terrowin stated. "Even children."
"{Surface dwellers cannot be trusted, not even the smallest of them. All of them are demons that hang above us. Subterra will live on forever. We are the true ancestors of this land!}"
"But wasn't your land assimilated by one of the invading kingdoms?" Victor asked.
"{If you mean to say we bent the knee to the fools who tried to capture our underground homes, you are mistaken. We met resistance, but the stories you heard of them making the underground their home were distortions of the truth. We maintained our pride, the only consequence being that it forced us to establish a concise order. We realized the danger we were in. We never had trouble with the old kingdom. They left us be. But these kingdoms sought what was below the earth, thus we needed to adapt.}"
"And thus born the Subterra Kingdom," Terrowin said. "To protect the enriched elementium that lays at these depths."
"{Indeed. So, do you come with this faulty claim of brotherhood just to be another snake aiming to take what is rightfully ours?}"
Terrowin shook his head. "You are mistaken, Your Greatness. We have no interest in taking the elementium. However, the promise of…brotherhood, as we say in our tongue, is the reason we came here today."
Obsidian glared. "{What matter of negotiation is this?}"
Terrowin rose to his feet and took a deep breath. "My name is Terrowin Ogden, and I am the grandson of the eldest prince of the Great Kingdom. I come here today to orchestrate an alliance with the Subterra Kingdom."
Obsidian's eyes widened. "{The old kingdom? You are the prince's…}" He snarled, slamming his foot down. "{You dare bring lies to this kingdom? You expect me to believe you are his grandson? The kingdom fell two hundred cycles ago!}"
"My grandfather and father lived long lives. The circumstances of my hatching are…complicated, to say the least. I assure you, I carry the spirit and blood of the eldest prince."
"{You look to be in your Fiftieth Cycle!}"
"I age gracefully." The old Sceptile sighed. "We're getting off topic. Your Greatness, I understand your reservations for trusting surface dwellers. The surface, for many decades, has been wrought with conflict and warfare. You, too, have been affected by the noise of war."
Obsidian scowled. "{My father, and his father, have dealt with the changing of the new world for the last two hundred years. We are aware of the monsters that dwell above us. The state of their land reeks of blood, and they call us savages? Trickery and bloodshed are the dominating forces of the nine other kingdoms. We Subterrans chose to isolate ourselves from the surface because surface dwellers cannot be trusted to command respect. They are a filthy people who seek to conquer what isn't theirs. The wars waged against us for our elementium have been recorded in the last two hundred cycles, and we know each of the nine kingdoms sins and acts of debauchery…including your own, Leader of Last Autumn.}"
Terrowin glared. "You know who I really am?"
"{It seems the information my spies collected wasn't unfounded. Last cycle, surface dwellers have been committing deals with the highborns, misusing our tunnels and violating the laws of our land. Any Subterran who mingles with the surface is banished from our kingdom!}"
Alfhild seemed to look away for a moment, as if remembering something.
"{However, my spies pointed to the source of these dealings: a criminal group known as Last Autumn. And their leader, the mysterious man known only as Terrowin. You are the man who has been manipulating my people and violating our domain's laws.}"
Terrowin, seeing he was defeated, sighed. "I didn't employ your subjects directly. I hire many gangs to carry out my dealings for me. However, they were under my payroll, so I take full responsibility for their actions."
"{And you came here under the notion of treaty? You're as foolish as any other surface dweller. Execution almost seems too good for you, but you will pay for interfering in my domain.}"
Terrowin glared. "If I may speak boldly, what I offer to the Subterra Kingdom is a chance to finally remove themselves from future conflict. I have the means to end all war in Virdis indefinitely, and I have the means to prevent another incident that led to the Ten-Ways Invasion."
Obsidian growled. "{I have no time for your propositions. You have meddled in my domain for long enough. You and your compatriot will be executed immediately!}"
Terrowin and Victor glanced on both sides of themselves as two Bisharp in rock armor approached the duo with giant stone axes in hand. Victor scowled. "I thought you had a handle on all of this."
"They are a stubborn people, admittedly," Terrowin muttered.
"Well, we've tried diplomacy. Now we're doing things House Westerberg style!"
Terrowin's eyes widened. "Wait, don't hurt them—"
Victor's cloak fluttered open and ejected eight swords hidden underneath, each one stabbing itself into the ground and spooking the executioners from advancing. The swords consisted of a saber, falchion, katana, claymore, scimitar, cutlass, flamberge, and dadao.
Obsidian stomped his foot down. "{Seize the Aegislash!}"
Electricity sparked through Victor's body and entered his shadow, extending out into eight separate tendrils and attaching themselves to the shadows of the eight swords.
"Eight Shadows Scabbard! Form the First: Eight Sword Style!"
The shadows wrapped around the swords, taking the shape of Victor's hands and grabbing the hilts. Right as the executioners went on the attack again, the shadows pulled the swords from the earth and struck back. The two Bisharp guarded with their axes, but were knocked off their feet from a sweeping attack.
Victor twitched a finger, commanding his claymore to spin through the air and strike on the center of his cuffs, shattering them to pieces. He massaged his wrists and scoffed. "Arrogant savages. You didn't even think to disarm me."
The magma bubbled around Victor, then dozens of magma warriors burst out from below armed with clubs and axes. At the sound of a war howl, they leapt into battle.
Victor clapped his hands, commanding his split shadow to swing his swords into the attacking party. The warriors stood their ground, striking back against the blades as they connected and powering through. Among them, a Pawmot was the first to break through the defensive line with his stone fists and charged down the Aegislash.
"Royal Riposte!"
The Pawmot went for the attack, but two swords flew into Victor's defense and blocked the attack, summoning a barrier of silver hexagons. The electric rodent flinched, feeling his strength wane through prolonged contact, but Victor didn't allow a second longer as he struck into the warrior and sent him flying through his brethren.
Terrowin worked to get his cuffs off, glaring at the noble swordsman. "You're taking a bit too much delight in this."
Victor chuckled confidently. "What can I say? My family has history with hunting these savages. Speaking of which—"
A Talonflame surged across the surface of the magma, activating Flare Blitz to ram the swordsman full speed. Victor commanded his cutlass to rise above him and swung it down. The Talonflame was stunned in place, feeling a brief vibration come over him, before screaming out in pain as he and the land split open from the invisible slash. Blood sprayed out from the shallow, yet agonizing wound going down the center of his body.
"New Shadow Wave," Victor whispered.
Two Carkol burst out from below the magma and drove circles around the Aegislash, firing on him with Rock Blast. Victor twirled his hand and commanded his swords to spin around him, battering the projectiles away.
"Eight Shadows Scabbard! Form the Second—" He reached out and caught the scimitar and katana in his hands. "Shadow Armory!" The remaining six swords rotated close by him, spinning on a ring of shadow swirling from Victor's. "New Shadow Blade!" He scraped the two swords together and empowered them in a blinding blue aura.
One of the Carkol bounced into the air and surrounded himself in Heat Crash, descending upon Victor. Without a wasted movement, Victor swung the katana up and cut through the Heat Crash like it was a bubble, startling the Carkol. He then spun around, hooked the minecart-like monster in his scimitar, and chucked him into his partner, throwing them both back into the magma.
To his right, a rapid-fire barrage of Ice Shards hurtled toward him. With quick movement, he slashed down each shard and sent their pieces scattering through the air. They all evaporated in mere seconds of touching the ground. He looked ahead and saw a Glalie in rock armor floating high above.
"{Water Pulse!}" He charged up the water orb, which hissed under the heat, and hired it.
Victor crossed his swords and launched toward the Water Pulse. He cut it into four pieces with ease, but the Water Pulse served as a distraction to hide the incoming Ice Shards. However, without missing a beat, Victor released his swords and grabbed the claymore floating next to him, instantly powering it with New Shadow Blade.
He struck into the Ice Shards and destroyed them in a single swing. As he spun, he grabbed his falchion and threw it into the Glalie, shattering the armor around his forehead and cracking his ice body. He roared out in pain and fell out of the air, crashing down into the lava.
Victor floated back down to ground level, tauntingly clanging his swords together. "Tch. I expected more of a challenge."
"{Land skitter!}" Victor turned his attention to the throne, where the young Tinkaton, Alfhild, stepped forward. She pulled out her hammer and glared the Aegislash down. "{You stand away from my brothers and sisters in arms! You shall face me instead!}"
Victor glared. "This one has some bite. Very well, tiny warrior. Show me the strength of a savage—"
"{Alfheim Cannon!}"
Victor's eye widened as Alfhild suddenly threw her hammer at him. He crossed his swords to block it, but was taken aback by the sheer amount of weight slamming into him. The hammer seemed to propel forward by an aura of sparkling pink dust flowing off it, and it struck with the force to bend his guard back.
He relented to the attack and let himself fall back. The hammer grinded off his swords and went flying into the other side of the throne room, digging a hole through the wall.
Alfhild calmly marched toward Victor as he picked himself up. She snapped her fingers, and the sound of her hammer dislodging itself from the wall echoed behind the Aegislash. He heard the hammer sailing past his head and watched it land back in the Tinkaton's hand.
Victor laughed quietly. "Alright. Now you have my attention." He caught his flamberge and claymore before rushing down the Tinkaton warrior.
Alfhind stomped her feet down and hardened her stance, letting Victor deliver the first strike. The grooves of the flamberge grinded against her spiked bracer. Gripping her hammer tightly, she swung into his exposed side. He saved himself by expertly crossing three of his swords together to block the attack, though the force still knocked him away.
He dug his bladed body through the ground to catch himself before rearing his swords up. "New Shadow Wave!" He sliced into the air.
On instinct, Alfhild raised the golden shield on her right arm and blocked the invisible slash, which sliced through the earth under her feet. She then raised her hammer and struck across the ground. "{Alfheim Storm!}" Upon striking the earth, jagged spires of rock exploded from below, flying toward Victor like a volley of harpoons.
"New Shadow Defense!" He allowed all eight of his swords to rapidly spin around him, conjuring a ring of silverly light around him. Once the rocks passed through the boundary of the barrier, they were sliced and diced into chunks and expertly deflected around him.
"{Alfheim Cannon!}" The Tinkaton spun her hammer before throwing it toward the defense stance.
Victor caught his claymore in both hands and swung into the approach hammer. "New Shadow Blade: Unbreaking Stance!" Applying a coating of King's Shield around the sword, he struck and endured the hammer's incredible momentum, the air rippling off between both weapons as they clashed.
Alfhild clapped her hands together and slammed them into the ground, causing waves of sharp rock to erupt outward. "{Alfheim Reload!}"
With a snap of her fingers, the hammer bounced off Victor's guard and spun toward the approaching rock. As it blasted through the rock, the hammer broke it down into smaller pieces and fired them with even greater speed into Victor. They flew like a hail of gunfire.
"New Shadow Defense!" Victor quickly deployed his defensive stance and shredded through the oncoming fire of rocks.
Alfhild rushed him down, catching her hammer along the way, and leapt into the air. "{Alfheim Crash!}" Dark energy infused around the hammerhead. She spun vertically through the air, flying down at the Aegislash.
"New Shadow Blade: Unbreaking Stance!" He caught his claymore and flamberge, crossing them together and intercepting the Tinkaton's careening strike. The attack hammered down on him, forcing his bladed body into the ground and splitting the earth open. Magma erupted from below, staved off only by the remaining six swords rotating around him.
Alfhild catapulted herself off from his defensive stance, though not before grabbing and swiping his flamberge out from his hand.
"What the—" he gasped.
Alfhild landed and gripped the sword like a javelin. "{Alfheim Spear!}" With dark energy encompassing the weapon, she lunged forward and tossed it with great speed.
"King's Shield!" No time to activate his defensive stance, he opted for the standard move, blocking the sword in the nick of time. However, right as he stopped the King's Shield, Alfhild rushed him down and cracked her hammer across his face, sending him flying across the stable ground.
"GAH!" He grabbed his scimitar and impaled it through the ground. He barely stopped himself from flying off the edge, feeling the heat of the magma against the back of his head. She's relentless. Tinkaton are only as powerful as their equipment, but this one…her defensive posturing makes her impossible to defeat in a battle of clashes. She'll seize any opportunity to counterattack or take advantage of a single second of vulnerability.
Alfhild gripped her hammer with both hands and rushed down the fallen Aegislash. Her hammer crackled with dark and silverly sparks, the weapon itself shining bright. "{Return to creation, land skitter!}"
Victor hurriedly grabbed his katana and saber. Shit! If that connects, it'll break open the ground and send us both into the magma!
Alfhild lunged into the air and reared her hammer back as she dove into Victor. "{Alfheim Cataclysm—}"
"Spirit-Binding Forest!"
A cluster of roots exploded through the air and sniped Alfhild out of her attack. It slammed her against the wall, rooting her down and disarming her of her hammer. She shook her head and glared toward the source of the attack, where Terrowin stood.
The Sceptile grunted as his scars twitched. "We'll discuss your unruly behavior later, Victor."
The Aegislash picked himself up and coughed. "Yeah, well…if it wasn't for me, we'd be—Terrowin, look out!"
He glanced to his left, barely catching sight of King Obsidian leaping from his throne with his war hammer in possession. He struck the ground, commanding a wave of magma to explode out in front of him and crash into Terrowin's wooden appendage. Terrowin immediately detached his arm, causing the roots binding Alfhild to come loose and drop her into the magma.
Terrowin hobbled back, gripping his wooden arm as the detached ends hissed from the brief exposure to the magma. He scanned the pathway of magma that burned across the stable ground, leading all the way to the bridge they took.
"…Impressive weapon, King Obsidian," Terrowin commented. "It's infused with alchemy, isn't it? I didn't think Subterra performed alchemy."
Right as Alfhild pulled herself out from the magma, Obsidian picked himself up, gripping the hammer in both flippers. He scowled lightly at the Sceptile. "…A miracle from the surface world. It fell below the earth and happened upon me some time ago. Though a creation of the surface, Groudon gifted me with its power. Its rightful wielder."
Terrowin glared. "So, you can speak my language."
"I dare not pervert my tongue with the words of a surface dweller, but I've learned all surface languages should I be required to make a declaration of war in their words. A king must know how to command respect in battle." He raised the war hammer, pointing it towards the Sceptile. "Your acolyte's strength amuses me. In Subterra, we earn respect through combat. You could've spared all this trouble had you allowed him to fight in your stead. Why refuse a duel?"
"…I'm aware of your customs, but I wish to avoid fighting where I can. And I didn't want to put Victor in danger. I only intervened to save him." He glanced at Alfhild, who brushed some magma off her shoulder. "She is quite strong."
Obsidian nodded. "1st Rank Magma Warrior, she is. Recently promoted after dealing with some troublemakers misusing our tunnels during a mandatory lockdown. One spurred because of your interference in our domain, might I add."
"…" Terrowin's arm regrew itself. He flexed his wooden claws, clenching his fist a couple times, before glaring at the fire turtle. "So, what happens now?"
"…" Obsidian scoffed, striking his hammer into the ground. "You have five minutes. Make them count."
"…Thank you." He took a deep breath, straightening his posture and looking the king in the eyes. "It's true that Last Autumn meddled with your kingdom for its own benefits. For that, I am truly sorry. Please, allow me to explain what I bring to the Subterra Kingdom so that both our factions may prosper in this uncertain future."
"Hmm. Go on."
"New Chariot wages war above us, and they plan to raze everything to maintain their power. They are a considerable threat, and they may not be the only ones to come. So long as the ten kingdoms squabble over their history and differences, so long as there is something to gain from either territory, war will never end. It's a fact of life. So long as there are two creatures in this world, and one has what the other doesn't, war is inevitable. However, I have the means to end war in Virdis forever, and maybe even end the very concept of war itself."
"…" Obsidian scoffed. "A bold claim. It can't be done."
"The Subterra Kingdom is one of the only places in Virdis that keeps a record of its history. Oral accounts of the past kept by your recordkeepers. You know of the secrets buried from the Great Kingdom's history."
"…" Obsidian closed his eyes in thought. "Hmph. Suppose we do, what is it you intend to revive?"
"You spoke of how that hammer came to you from the surface, correct? Imagine something like that for the surface world, something beyond our comprehension that has been buried in Virdis for millions of years. There are forces in this world we still cannot understand, and only a select few have peered beyond the veil of mortal comprehension. I possess a force of great power, one that could shape the destiny of this region."
"If you possess such power, why come to me?"
"There's something buried in the Great Ruins we require to see to this region's future. It was designed specifically to target the limitless power of this force. A creature known only as Logos."
"Logos, you say? That name strikes me as familiar." Obsidian paused for a moment, then asked, "What is it you seek?"
"A giant structure that collapsed below the earth two hundred years ago. An earthquake unlike anything ever recorded in history caused the land to split open and swallow most of the old kingdom." Terrowin glared. "A pyramid, if you will."
Obsidian's eyes widened. "A pyramid?"
"So, you know what I'm talking about? After all, it rests under the earth."
"…" He sighed, then nodded. "I have peered at the structure only once in my life. I could never reach it. It was protected by forces of greater will than mine. Not that it was useful to my kingdom. With the way it rests in the earth, any interference from us would cause the earth to further collapse and sink the structure until it fell into the magma pits. You would need flying Pokémon to pull it back to the surface. Tch, a task no surface dweller could pull off, not even those of Subterra. You could gather every flyer in Virdis, and they wouldn't have the collective strength to lift it."
"What if I told you I had the means to do just that?"
Obsidian raised his brow. "You?"
"We of Last Autumn are currently working on a project to perform such a feat, but it requires a lot of components. Among them, we need skilled craftsmen who can forge the body of this project." Terrowin closed his eyes. "Are you familiar with the legendary Talos?"
Obsidian nodded. "Talos. He was referred to as a creature made from clay, brought to life by the spiritual energies of ghosts. He was considered the blueprint for many Pokémon millions of years ago, among them being Claydol and Golett. Some say Talos was a Regigigas." He shook his head. "But that's an old legend."
"Legend or history, it doesn't matter. That is what I desire."
"You wish for us to create Talos for you?"
"I wish for you to create a thousand Talos."
"…" Obsidian glared. "You're building an army."
"I don't see it as such, but yes, I suppose it is. We have the materials to build them, and we'd happily provide. All we need from you are your skilled craftsmen and enriched elementium for the cores."
"Of course…"
Terrowin nodded. "I know how this sounds, but this is in the name of putting war to rest."
"Tch. And what does the Subterra Kingdom get out of this?"
"Complete detachment from the surface, just as your people wanted. You will be provided with resources so that you can self-sustain yourselves for countless generations, but you will be allowed to live without seeing a single surface dweller again. The underground would forever be your domain, and no one will bring your people harm again. You have my word."
"…" Obsidian gazed down at the ground, tapping against the handle of his hammer in thought.
"{Your Greatness?}" He looked over his shoulder as Alfhild and the rest of the magma warriors approached him. They dropped to one knee and bowed their heads to him. "{The translator has been providing us the short version of your conversation with the surface dweller. Whatever you decide, we will stand by your decision. For the glory of the Subterra Kingdom.}"
"{Glory to Subterra!}" the other warriors exclaimed.
Obsidian narrowed his eyes at them, then nodded. "Then I suppose I've made my decision. My people come first, and they stand by me." He turned back to Terrowin. "Very well, Terrowin Ogden. We shall help you in creating your ideal Talos, and you shall help us find peace forever after."
Terrowin and Victor bowed to the king. "Thank you for giving me a chance, Your Greatness. I will not disappoint—"
"However—" The duo raised their heads as Obsidian raised a fin. "You still trespassed into my home, and I have no reason to fully trust you. Thus, while I will have my subjects work on your project as soon as you bring the materials, there is a condition you must complete if you wish for Talos to be realized."
Terrowin glared in understanding. "Of course. What is it you will have me do?"
Obsidian propped the war hammer over his shoulder and marched back to his throne. "You mentioned New Chariot and their war going on above. They have been thorns in my side as of late. Recently, I invaded one of their camps to test my new weapon. It wasn't a declaration of war, but a warning of what's to come. However, you have provided the means to not put my men in danger."
"Yes?"
Obsidian ascended the steps of his throne before plopping himself down. Resting the hammer against the side, he cupped his fins under his chin and leaned forward. "Some of my subjects have been captured and placed into captivity in their colosseum. They've been locked away in that hellhole for years, and some most certainly died from the conditions. I've heard the horror stories of what the men endure in those fights, and of the torment the women have endured for their savage natures, as the surface calls it. Paraded and treated like lesser beings, used to satiate desire and greed."
"What would you have me do?"
"If you can stage a revolt to free my subjects from their capture, I shall accept your request. I don't expect you to free everyone across their territory, so focus your efforts on liberating them from their capital. That is where the most affluent and greedy reside."
"Telo Martius." Terrowin smirked to himself. "That shouldn't be an issue. I've been trying to get into contact with their emperor for my own reasons. He'll reject my invitation, but I'll find a way to enter the city."
"You will free my subjects?"
"You have my word."
Obsidian nodded, then looked down at his soldiers. "{Alfhild!}"
She saluted up to him. "{Your Greatness!}"
"{I'm assigning you to work with Terrowin Ogden as a representative of Subterra. He has been tasked with freeing our brothers and sisters from New Chariot's capital. Observe him and make sure he keeps his end of the deal.}"
She bowed. "{Yes, Your Greatness! I will not fail you.}"
Obsidian nodded. "{Good.}" He turned back to Terrowin and Victor. "Alfhild will accompany you to make sure you stay on track."
Victor rolled his eye. "Hurray…"
Terrrowin bowed. "Thank you for this chance, King Obsidian."
He waved his fin. "{Alfhild, escort them back to the surface. Send a report to me at the end of every moon during your time with them. Keep watch of our allies.}"
She bowed again. "{Of course, Your Greatness.}" She approached the duo and waved them along. "{Follow me, land skitters. To the surface we go.}"
Understanding her command, Victor groaned and followed behind her. "For the record, I was about to beat you—" His eye widened as she turned and stuck her tongue out at him. "Did you just—do you understand me, you wretched…?!"
Terrowin shook his head. He turned back one more time to Obsidian and bowed. "Thank you again for accepting this alliance, Your Greatness. We'll send the materials down to you by the end of next week." He turned and began to follow Alfhild and Victor out.
"Halt, Ogden!" Terrowin stopped and looked back at the king, who seemed hesitant about something. "…There is a second part to my condition I…ask that you resolve."
Terrowin raised his brow, sensing the sadness quivering off the normally stern king's tone. "King Obsidian?"
He sighed, exhaling a breath of embers. "There is a specific prisoner of New Chariot's colosseum I need you to look into. His name is Oddvar. He was a master rank magma warrior who served in our army many cycles ago, and he…is my dearest and closest friend."
Terrowin glared. "Okay?"
Obsidian covered his face, taking a moment to collect himself. "The thing is, I know Oddvar very well, and…I worry about his condition in the colosseum. You see, he is a member of the Savage Kin, and he had a feral attitude he struggled to control when we were young. He always pulled through." He glared softly. "He was captured over twenty cycles ago defending our people from New Chariot. He went down like a true warrior."
Terrowin nodded slowly. "I…see. You want me to make sure he gets out with the other prisoners?"
"You misunderstand. That much is obvious, so I wouldn't bother asking. No, I…request you do something for me should the worst be realized." The king closed his eyes, feeling tears drip down his rock-covered face. "Oddvar…if pushed to his limit, I fear he may regress back to his primal instincts just to survive."
"Reverting back to his savage roots," Terrowin said, now realizing what was being asked of him.
"If Oddvar has truly lost his mind to his instincts, then I ask you…when you face him, I ask you to execute him. Swiftly and mercifully. Put him out of his misery. Do this, and I shall assist you in realizing your vision."
Terrowin could sense the grief in the king's request. It was a difficult demand, asking a stranger that was moments away from being executed to complete an execution in the king's name. It made sense, though. The Subterra warriors viewed each other as brothers and sisters-in-arms. Asking any of them to save a fellow warrior from his own deteriorating mind via execution was…too much responsibility to bear.
The king would rather see his dear friend dead than lose to his own violent impulses he struggled and trained to contain.
In some way, he understood the king's plight.
With an honorable bow, Terrowin said, "Your Greatness, when I find your friend Oddvar, I promise you he will be put to rest. He will not suffer a second longer."
"…Thank you, Terrowin Odgen."