CHAPTER 01
Unity in Blood
MARAK
Our homeworld of Tuchanka was a testimony to millennia of battle and disaster, set against a harsh and merciless environment and blood-red sky. With my sister Megi, I stood in the middle of the abandoned wastelands and ruins, not far from Clan Urdnot's borders. Being the two hatched out of many unfertilized eggs and strong Clan Urdnot, we were icons of power and perseverance who had dedicated our lives to perfecting our fighting techniques and creating an unbreakable relationship.
I looked over at Megi, who had her gaze fixated on the horizon. She was equally formidable, recognized for her strategic thinking and unraveled fighting prowess. With each other, we commanded respect and fear across Tuchanka, making us a formidable force to be reckoned with.
"Megi," I hissed, my voice low and heavy with our shared past. "You ready for this?"
She turned to me, her face fierce and resolute. "I've been prepared from the day I could grasp a weapon, Marak. This is our moment to prove ourselves and show the clan what we're capable of."
I nodded, a feeling of pride filling my chest. "We battle for our future and the prestige of Clan Urdnot. Remember, this is about more than simply strength. It's about guile, strategy, and knowing when to strike.
"That's what makes us a dynamic duo." Megi smiled at me grimly. "You bring brute force, and I bring brains."
Our unsaid yet unbrakable bond was confirmed during a moment of silent understanding. My thoughts strayed to Urdnot Cigas, our elder brother, whose shadow had hovered over us for most of our lives. Cigas had always been the toughest and most ruthless, and I had spent my life trying to live up to him.
But now was our moment to make our mark in Krogan history.
As we went through the ruins near our clan's territory, I considered the coming challenges. Our tribulations put physical ability, as well as our core nature, to the test. Along with the hostile surroundings of Tuchanka, we would have to deal with the craftiness and savagery of the Krogan.
"Megi," I muttered, piercing my reverie. "What do you think Cigas would say if he were here?"
Her bright eyes blazed with intensity as they met mine. "He'd exhort us to fight with all we had, leaving nothing behind. And he would remind us that failure is not an option."
My jaw clinched so hard that I could feel my teeth grinding on another. "Then let's make sure we don't disappoint him."
We resumed our journey, the weight of our task bearing heavily on us. My mind was racing with ideas and feelings.
I recall my rite of passage like it happened yesterday. The atmosphere was filled with anxiety and the smell of blood. I was a young krogan, yet the clan's expectations weighed heavily on me. My goal was simple: overcome the obstacles and prove my value.
The first challenge was the Varren. The beasts were merciless, their teeth snapping and claws slashing against my armor. I fought with everything I had, my heart racing in my chest. Each varren that fell beneath my blade exemplified my strength and determination.
The Kilxen followed, their monstrous shapes larger than myself. They were slower than the varren, but no less lethal. I needed to be strategic, utilizing my surroundings to my advantage. I baited them into traps and struck when they were most vulnerable. It was a violent dance of life and death, but I came out victorious.
The final task involved the thresher maw. I had heard stories about these gigantic beasts with massive bodies capable of eating entire krogan. I knew I could not defeat it, but survival was important. I used my ingenuity and might to avoid its strikes by diving into rocky ground and using the surroundings to shelter myself. When the dust settled, I was battered and bruised, but I had survived.
Megi's rite of passage was no less arduous. She went through the same challenges guided by her strategic thinking and uncompromising tenacity. I recall watching her from a distance, my heart overflowing with pride as she fought with the same fury as mine. She, too, emerged victorious, her name immortalized in the annals of our clan's history.
Returning to the present, I stared at Megi, recollection of our childhood hardships still fresh in my memory. We had experienced the worst Tuchanka had to give and emerged stronger as a result. As we approached another obstacle, I knew we would confront it together, as siblings, warriors, and Urdnot.
The delicate tranquility that had fallen over our land was shattered one tragic morning. Clan Ravanor, led by the merciless Warlord Ravanor Tusk, launched an unexpected onslaught. The ground trembled as explosions shook the terrain, and the air was filled with the thunderous scream of battle cries.
The sound of the first explosion startled me into wakefulness, and my instincts took over right away. I rushed out of our refuge, taking my hammer and assault weapon with me. The sight that greeted me was absolute mayhem. Our soldiers were scrambling to protect themselves against the onslaught, but the sheer size of Clan Ravanor threatened to overwhelm us.
"Megi, let's gather the warriors together!" I yelled over the din of combat. She was already by my side, her biotic powers crackling like a storm.
"Let's show them what it means to challenge Clan Urdnot," she answered, her voice hard with purpose.
We jumped into action, uniting our soldiers and protecting our homeland with unprecedented zeal. The first combat was a savage clash of steel, biotics, and gunfire. My hammer swung with deadly accuracy, smashing our foes' skulls and sending them flying. I switched to my assault weapon, and the quick fire took out those who ventured to approach. Megi's biotic abilities tore through the enemy ranks, ripping away anyone who came close.
"Marak, on your left!" As Megi shouted, I turned to see a Ravanor fighter racing at me. I swung my hammer and sent him falling to the ground.
"Thanks, Megi!" I called back, my pulse racing with adrenaline. Despite our efforts, Clan Ravanor threatened to overpower us. After defeating one adversary, two others appeared to replace them.
"Fall back to the defensive line!" We needed to regroup, so I ordered. Our troops formed a tight line to defend against the attackers. The ground was covered in the blood, and the air smelled like death.
After tending to wounded, I surveyed the destruction. Our home was destroyed, and many of our warriors had died or were dying. Megi approached me with a stern but determined expression.
This is only the beginning," she murmured quietly. "Ravanor Tusk won't stop until he's taken everything from us."
I nodded, my jaw gritted with determination. "We will make him regret ever setting foot on our land." We'll need all of our strength and wit to survive this.
Megi pressed a hand on my shoulder, her gaze furious. "We will fight together, Marak. As siblings, warriors, and Urdnot."
I experienced a surge of pride and resolve. We had encountered many problems previously and will confront this one together. The turf war had started, and we would not stop until our home was secure again.
As we braced for the following wave of strikes, my thoughts drifted to Warlord Ravanor Tusk. Even by krogan standards, he was a towering figure, known for his ferocity and cunning. His armor was studded with trophies from his victories, and his eyes were filled with a fierce ambition.
Ravanor Tusk was much more that a warlord; he was a natural power. He had crushed anybody who stood in his path during his quick and merciless ascent to power. Stories of his conquests were whispered throughout Tuchanka, of entire clans being brought to their knees by his might.
Long before today, I was aware of him. He was noted for his strategic cunning, often outmaneuvering his opponents before delivering the ultimate, devastating blow. The Ravanor clan was fiercely loyal to their master, motivated by fear and respect.
"Marak," Megi's voice cut through my thoughts. "We have to be ready. Ravanor Tusk will not stop until he has seized all from us."
I nodded, becoming more determined. "We will make him regret ever setting foot on our land. We'll fight with everything we have, and we'll show him that Clan Urdnot is not to be trifled with."
Following the initial incident, there was heightened tension and uncertainty. We were aware that we could not take on Clan Ravanor by ourselves. We had to find allies quickly. We began by contacting Clan Jorgal, who have a long history of respecting tradition.
Megi and I ventured deep into Jorgal territory, facing both danger and anticipation. The terrain remained unforgiving, yet we preserved, motivated by the pressing need to complete our task. Upon arrival, we were met by guarded stances and cautions stares. Jorgal Tharak, the clan's senior leader, was waiting for us at the clan's stronghold.
"Urdnot Clan," Tharak greeted us, his voice rumbling. "What brings you to our territory?"
I walked forward, meeting his stare with unwavering determination. "Clan Ravanor has launched an attack against our home. We need an alliance to safeguard our territory and honor."
Tharak looked at us for a minute, his eyes narrowing. "And why should Clan Jorgal risk its warriors for your cause?"
Megi spoke out, her voice calm and assured. "Because, together, we can defeat Ravanor Tusk. Alone, we will ALL fall."
Tharak's demeanor remained impassive. "Words are simple, Urdnot. What guarantees do we have that this alliance will benefit us?"
Before I could react, Megi moved forward, her voice firm and confident. "Tharak, you, like us, understand Ravanor Tusk's boundless ambition. If he conquers Clan Urdnot, he will not stop there. He will pursue Clan Jorgal, Clan Nakmor, and any other clan that stands in his way. Securing the survival of all Krogan is the primary goal of forming an alliance with us, not merely aiding Urdnot.
Tharak's eyes shifted to Megi, a spark of respect in his expression. "Urdnot Megi, you speak with great knowledge. And you, Marak, have determination. Very good. Clan Jorgal will combine forces with Clan Urdnot. We fight as one.
With Clan Jorgal's help, our numbers expanded, as did our confidence. However, the fight was far from over. Meanwhile, Clan Forsan, commanded by its erratic and unpredictable leader, declared neutrality. Their presence brought pandemonium to the conflict. The Forsan leader's strange rules and abrupt judgements kept both sides on edge, never knowing when or if they might intervene.
As the turf war intensified, Megi and I put our strategic skills to the test. We organized a series of daring raids and ambushes to disrupt Clan Ravanor's supply lines and weaken their warriors. Each success, no matter how minor, strengthened our commitment and moved us closer to our ultimate goal.
However, the conflict was not without its costs. The frequent fights took their toll on our warriors, and we, too, carried new physical and emotional scars. The burden of leadership weighed heavily on my shoulders, as Megi suffered with the memory of slain companions.
One very intense combat remains out in my mind. We were outnumbered and besieged, with the enemy closing in from every direction. My hammer swung furiously, and Megi's biotics sprang froth with a brightness born of sheer willpower. But that wasn't enough. When everything seemed lost, a group of krogan warriors charged into the conflict, shifting the tide of the battle.
Clan Jurdon, longtime rivals of Clan Urdnot, have decided to join the struggle against Clan Ravanor. Jurdon Krag, their leader, approached us after the combat, his demeanor bleak but determined.
"We have a common enemy," Krag remarked, his voice raspy from years of combat. "Ravanor Tusk must be stopped. We offer a temporary alliance."
I exchanged glances with Megi, finding the same determination in her eyes. I extended my hand and said, "Agreed, together, we will bring him down."
Using the combined strength of Clans Jurdon, Jorgal, and Urdnot, we were ready for the big fight. The stage had been prepared for a conflict that would decide the fate of our region and our people's future.
The ultimate fight was slated to take place in the heart of Clan Ravanor's territory, a bleak wasteland filled with the remains of previous wars. Megi and I, together with our Clan comrades Jorgal and Jurdon, prepared for the decisive battle. The air was thick with suspense and the aroma of approaching battle.
The combined forces of Clans Urdnot, Jorgal, and Jurdon launched their assault at dawn. The battleground devolved into pandemonium as krogan warriors fought with ferocity. Explosions shook the landscape, and the sound of battle cries filled the air.
Leading the attack, I battled with unparalleled intensity. My hammer, with a mallet end as long as a sword and as broad as a shield, swung with deadly accuracy, knocking adversaries down. Megi, beside me, activated her biotic abilities and shot her gun with deadly accuracy, causing shockwaves and dispatching adversaries from afar. Our collaboration was a sight to behold, demonstrating our strong familial link.
"Push forward!" I yelled; my voice just barely audible above the din of fighting. We take the fight to Ravanor!"
Megi's biotics erupted, sending a number of Ravanor fighters flying. "Keep going Marak! We cannot let them regroup!"
In the midst of the pandemonium, Ravanor Tusk appeared, a towering warrior dressed in heavy armor. His presence was imposing, and his reputation as a brutal warlord preceded him. We realized that defeating him was crucial to bring the war to a conclusion.
"There he is," Megi exclaimed, her eyes narrowing. "This ends now."
Ravanor Tusk's contemptuous voice echoed over the battlefield. "Urdnot Marak; Urdnot Megi. Do you believe you are capable of challenging me? You're nothing but insects beneath my boot."
I took a step forward, gripping my hammer tightly. "Ravanor, your reign of terror ends today! We will not let you destroy our home!"
Megi raised her weapon, her biotics tingling around her. "You underestimated us for the last time, Tusk. Clan Urdnot has banded together against you."
Ravanor's eyes were blazing with rage. "As long as I AM ALIVE, I FALL BEFORE NO ONE!"
With that, the clash began. The battlefield erupted in a maelstrom of steel, biotics, and guns. Ravanor swung his big hammer, creating shockwaves throughout the ground. I barely managed to block it with my own hammer, and the impact reverberated through my arms. "He's strong," I growled, pressing back with all my effort.
"But we're stronger together," Megi said, her biotics swelling. She fired her gun, the shots hitting their target and stunned Ravanor.
I grasp the opportunity, swinging my hammer with all my strength. The strike landed, but Ravanor immediately recovered, his eyes flaming with rage. He replied with a tremendous punch, knocking me to the ground.
"Marak!" Megi's voice was desperate as she came to my side. Ravanor stood above me, waiting to inflict the ultimate blow. But before he could, Megi stepped in, her biotic energy propelled by desperation and love for her brother.
"Get away from him, pyjak!" She screeched, firing a biotic pulse that knocked Ravanor back. I rushed to my feet, strengthening my hold on the hammer.
With a last, united effort, we were able to defeat Ravanor Tusk. Megi's biotics kept him in place, and I struck my hammer as hard as I could. The final stroke proved to be effect, and Ravanor Tusk collapsed, slain.
With strained breath, I stood over him and gave him one final glance. "Go to hell, you quadless bastard," I spat, landing a fatal punch.
When the remnants of Clan Ravanor saw their lord fall, they withdrew, and the battlefield went silent. The win was hard won and costly. The ground was strewn with the slain, and the surviving had new scars.
Megi and I stood in the aftermath, our family tie stronger than ever, but our hearts heavy from our losses. "We did it," Megi remarked quietly, her voice laced with relief and regret.
I nodded, glancing across the battlefield. "Yes, but at what cost?"
"We'll rebuild," she replied, putting one hand on my shoulder. "Together, we'll honor those we've lost and ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain."
Megi and I emerge from the struggle, bruised but triumphant. I gazed about at the survivors, fellow Urdnot krogan, and our Clan Jorgal and Jurdon allies. Despite the losses, there was a tangible feeling of achievement in the air.
In their own manner, the krogan fighters rejoiced at the win. They yelled with pleasure, their voices ringing over the battlefield. Some hammered their chests, with others smashed their weapons together in a cacophony of metal. It was a savage, innate demonstration of power and cohesion.
"Urdnot Marak! Urdnot Megi!" One of the Jorgal warriors exclaimed, his voice full of enthusiasm. "You fought like true krogan!"
A Jurdon krogan approached and slapped me on the back with enough force to stun a lesser being. "We showed those quadless bastards what it means to face the might of the krogan!"
I had a burst of pride and commitment. We had overcome several hardships before, and we would face the future together, as siblings, warriors, and Urdnot.
As the sun sank over the lonely landscape, the krogan warriors continued to celebrate, their triumphant roars blending with the screams and the injured. The win was bittersweet, but it was ours. And we'd keep the memories of this day with us as a tribute to our fortitude and tenacity.
I DO NOT own the Mass Effect franchise or its content. I DO NOT make any money from the writing of this story. All rights belong to their rightful owners (EA Games and BioWare).
