The Second Dark Age

[Monk]

Have a tankard and a good rest on me, mate.

wish i could enjoy that, but it's not over yet.

[gandalf voice] the battle for Solace has ended, the battle for Solicous, has just begun...[/gandalf voice]

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Holy crap! It isn't over!

Cool. I was worried you would just kinda end it there.

But you can still have a tankard, in between writing new chapters.

[Gollum voice]My precious story... my precious...[/Gollum voice]

[Shadow]

Glad to know that it does stop here

[Monk]

part xxv
Stand

Ruins of Solace
Ruins of Industrial spire.
09:50 hours, first encounter +14

Aradiel quickly threw down the overheating energy pack on his lasrifle and slammed into its place another. A smooth sound emitted from the gun as the compressed energy within traversed into the machine; the ammo figure came up displayed in white text. He was ready. Yet as he looked around him all lights faded. The world seemed to disappear from his vision as a shade covered all he looked upon. His breathing heightened as he could feel fear and urgency creeping up his spine. He could still see a limited distance; and if the gods would help him his enemy would not take him again. Suddenly a scream came from the darkness; it started as a hiss, slowly churning its way around his head before rising in a shrill pitch that made his eyes want to water. He pointed his lasrifle directly to where he though the sound came; yet at that moment all went quiet. Aradiel’s eyes darted here and there, searching for movement; however to his misfortune the shadow was all consuming.

Another scream rose up, and then another, and then to his disbelief another! They were all around him. He could hear their twisted limbs clunking on the metal floor, moving in circles around him. They were toying with him. A creature darted into the light for a split second, the soldier’s eyes widened as he turned and fired quickly. Yet he was too slow. The creature seemed to meld back into the darkness disappearing, his shot missing amazingly. The soldier swallowed hard. This was it, he knew their strike was coming and he could do nothing to stop it. Suddenly from the shadows they all burst at once, their eyes growing like the fires of sunset. Aradiel mashed his teeth, anger overpowering his fear as he raised his lasrifle, he pull the trigger just as one of their arms thrust forward. A flash of darkness suddenly took his eyes and the sounds faded away.

Aradiel awoke screaming, he sat up in hasting looking around him; his eyes wide with fear and his breathing heavy. The soldier scanned the room; the solemn beep of the heart monitor beside him was the only noise. No dark hall did he see, no creatures, just the wounded of his unit lying around him in silent. Aradiel smiled weakly, he was safe for the moment. Now he remembered; he’d been wounded in the battle for Solace. Wait, his wounds? Aradiel threw back the light sheet covering him, digging under a torn piece of armor to see his ribs bandaged heavily, a red stain of blood in their center. Well, he was alive at least. He couldn’t help but give a soft laugh as he let himself lay back upon the worn cot. Drawing to him a deep breath he let his eyes closed. For some reason his muscles felt very tired.

Yet before sleep could take him, voices from the next room slipped under the door and found their way into his mind. The soldier’s eyes opened as he couldn’t help but listen. The beeping of the heart monitor a subtle distraction, but even despite it he heard them. “Look” said a hardened voice, the kind only carried by one whose life is changed by war.

“I sympathize with the ORDER’s…‘Request’. But I will not authorize such force.” Aradiel heard footsteps trace across the room before another voice made itself known. It was deep and menacing; it reminded him of a berserker he had once met.

“I agree.” said the second voice, “We have no way of knowing how they would react to a Nuclear attack. We might make them even stronger.” Quickly, a third voice spoke just as he finished eager to prove him wrong.

“Be reasonable! You saw what happened here six days ago!” it pleaded with the others. “We must use this opportunity to destroy the creatures, while they are still weak!”

Six days? By the gods thought Aradiel; the last memory he held to him was trying to hold back a wave of charging creatures when darkness overcame him. What had knocked him unconscious he did not know, but perhaps now that did not matter.

“Do what you wish.” The third voice said finally. “I still can’t understand why you’re staying. This city has been destroyed.”

“Time” the second answered, walking across the room and pressing his hands on a table, Aradiel heard the slight creaking in the wood from his spot on the floor. “The Solicians are evacuating their civilians to the north; they need a few more days to get away.”

“Right.” the first continued, letting out a weary sigh. “Even if the creatures don’t attack, we need to hold here just in case.”

“I suppose we all have our orders then.” The third responded to their statements, tired of speaking with them and not caring to stay and die. “Remaining mech units under my command are pulling out. We’ve got to regroup…” there came a long pause between the three voices, Aradiel was about to stop listening when the words “May the Emperor protect you.” shot from the silence suddenly. Silence came after it before the second voice answered him smugly.

“I’ve got all the protection I need in my axe” the first and seconded gave slight laughs at this. Though the third didn’t find it funny in the least bit, sneered at thim and then turned, opening the door and walking out. Aradiel yawned as he tried to listen some more but his tiredness was getting the better of him. Even as he tried to stay away he felt his eyes slowly closing. Before he even realized it he had been taken by sleep.

City Sector 2
Outlying CP for Ruins
18:53 hours

Octavius sighed as he surveyed the tumbled and ruined buildings lining the street. He and his squad mate had even set up a Command post in the ruins of one such building. The brick and mortar crumbled into dirt, steel twisted into shapes indescribable; his eyes took all the images in. The same images his mind had a hard time processing. It was truly amazing to see the city like this, thrown down and in ruins, the same city that had been called a candle in a sea of darkness was now no better than The Old City. As Octavius’ eyes searched the broken skyline of his home his squad mate sat upon a pile of ruble. The soldier let out a sigh and looked to Octavius. “No sign of ‘em, call it in.”

Octavius looked at him and shouldered his lasrifle, he walked over to the radio lying upon what used to be a windowsill and hit the send button. “This is CP zero-two, no sign of them” he spoke plainly; soon a voice came in response, a slight static in the background. “Roger that zero-two. Your next report is in 30 minutes, out.” The com link cut and the radio was perfectly silent. Everything seemed just fine; maybe the creatures were wiped out after all.

A gentle breeze picked up as Octavius sat down, resting his tired legs and his troubled mind. Yet as he took his seat, a strange noise could be heard drifting on the wind. There, weaving in and out of the sound of the wind there was a voice. As soft as a whisper but strangely alien, Octavius lifted his head as he heard it. The wind picked up yet the voice remained constant, neither rising nor being overshadowed. A chill creped up his spine as a cruel realization dawned on him. He’d heard that voice before…

“You hear that?” he said looking upon his comrade, and as their eyes met Octavius knew he was not alone in believing it similar. Yet even words escaped Octavius’ lips, a deep, menacing rumble overcame all other sound. The soldiers’ eyes darted about as they grabbed their lasrifles, putting them at the ready. They knew that sound, and as that fact appeared in their minds they felt fear crawl along the surfaces of their skin. Moving easily into their hearts and making a home for itself. The creatures were back.

“Call Command” Octavius said silently as he looked around himself, searching for his enemy. His squad mate nodded slowly and walked to the radio. His finger pressed down upon the button and a link up was established. However at that moment a dark object passed before him. Octavius turned in surprise as he pointed his rifle at his fellow soldier. “Pluvius?” he spoke hesitantly, the soldier didn’t move.

A scream filled the air as suddenly his squad mate fell to the ground, his head slipping from his body and falling to the ground rolling. Now before Octavius was a creature, of the same ilk raised by Uriel, it stood with saliva dripping from its teeth and blood flowing from its sharp claws and its eyes redder than the sky. The radio came screaming to life as a voice inquired “Zero-two, your transmission cut out, something wrong?” Octavius could not believe his eyes; his eyes were wide as he stood with his lasrifle ready to fire. However he could feel his muscles paralyzed by fear. He couldn’t even bring himself to pull the trigger. The voice on the radio spoke again, “Zero-two? Everything alright?” The creature stepped forward as a loud explosion overcame the silence the wind, one could hear stone being tossed about as loud snarls echoed in the city. They were coming.

Octavius swallowed hard and in that instant the creature charge, letting out a low roar and brandishing his claws. The soldier shouted in fear as he pulled the trigger in desperation, he watched his energy beam seem to absorb into the hide of the creature, not even cutting into it. The creature showed a sick smile as it plunged its claw deep into the defender of humanity, letting his blood trickle down over his now shredded armor. Octavius cried in anguish as he felt the creature slam another hand through his chest, and using its strength it ripped the man into pieces.

The radio was still on; even as his life force sprayed upon it a voice came through the speaker. “Zero-two respond!”

Ruins of Industrial spire
19:03 hours

The door slid open with a silent hiss as the captain stepped through, his face marked with the scars of battle and in his hand he held a lasrifle. His armor was slightly torn and around his neck, on a small necklace sat a piece of creature hide; it appeared to have energy burns on it. Taking a step forward the door behind him shut. Sounds assaulted him as he walked forward and listened, there were many soldiers sitting around control consoles, radio transmissions bursting from all of them and making it all hard to hear coming from so many directions. He looked around him as a sergeant walked up to him.

“Sir! We’ve got…” the man could not finish before the captain opened his mouth and spoke.

“Creatures?” the captain asked plainly, as if knowing the answer before hand. His silver lined green eyes settled on the sergeant, they were strange in both their color and their calmness. The horrors this man must have seen were numerous as the scars attested, and yet he spoke so easily. He stepped forward and placed his lasrifle on a line of controls. The numerous transmissions rising in varying decimal before a clear call to the captain came through.

“Command HQ! This is zero one!” it shouted over the com system, the sound of screeching followed by lasgun fire. “We can’t hold on! Retr…” suddenly the signal cut out wit ha sharp noise. The Captain sighed as he pressed a button. The radio came to life as his voice went over the waves. “This is HQ to all units…” he took a deep breath, pushing aside a sense of hesitation “fall back, I say again, fall back.” Yet there was silence, no acknowledgement came, it was unknown it anyone outside the now broken spire still lived.

ruins of Industrial spire
First floor
19:05 hours

A long corridor separated the main double doors, now reinforced with whatever could be found to keep them shut; from the winding stair case that led to the upper levels of command. Only four floors remained in what was once a high tower that some said touched the heavens themselves. The stairwell was the only way, the elevator behind disabled and other ways blocked by debris. Soldiers rushed down the stairs and as they reached the door to the corridor threw up their weapons, their eyes fixed upon the doors. However just as the troops reached their destination a loud bang echoed down the hall; the doors rocked back and forth slightly. The soldiers shifted in place as they felt fear churning inside them. Another crash sent the doors reeling, a large dent appearing in the metal surface; it wouldn’t withstand another. Yet just as the soldiers were about to run in terror, a men stepped from their midst.

He wore no armor at all, yet instead he had adorned all over his body, hanging from him, trophies. Eyes, teeth, pieces of ripped creature flesh. He had so many it looked as if he could assemble his own from the spare parts! The Solicians looked upon him in awe, who was this man? A third and final crash hit the door; breaking the hinges and sending the door flying inward, and from the opening they came. The creatures had finally renewed their attack on Solace. The soldiers each took a step back, unsure of what to do. But the man didn’t move. A soldier shouted “Hey! Get out of there man!” but he didn’t move. One by one he began to shed his many trophies until all he wore was his simple clothes, and in his hand he held a large axe; the blade of which glowed red like the fires that consumed Abbadon. The soldiers knew who he was at once, the axe was proof enough; he was a berserker.

The lead creature, one who was bigger than the rest but appeared of the same kind, stepped forward to him. Even its twisted mind knew what this man wanted, it brandished its claws and let out a low, tumbling roar that seemed to circle around the room and freeze the hearts of the soldiers. Yet the berserker just looked upon his enemy, a strange smile forming on his face. Suddenly he let out a scream and drove his axe into the floor, cutting past the tiles easily. Withdrawing his weapon and howling like a great wolf he spun around and drove his axe into the wall, slicing past the already weakened building and leaving a deep cut. “Come on!” he screamed as the creature looked upon him.

His enemy was quick to fulfill his request and charge him, its claws out to the side ready to attack from both sides. It let out a raging snarl as it got into range and brought down its fingers attempting to skewer the berserker, yet to his surprise all he hit was air. The Berserker leaped back slightly, dodging the strike and then bringing his axe along the ground he cut into him, slicing open its chest and letting loose his life force. Its body fell upon the ground, life still hanging by a thread. The Berserker cried in pure anger as he swung his axe around and slammed it into the creature’s neck. Ending his enemy’s life easily he looked upon the other creatures whose eyes were full of anger, he could tell they would charge at any moment.

The Berserker turned and looked at the soldiers “Get out of here!” he shouted loudly, his voice commanding and frightening to behold. “I can hold here, your captain needs you on the fourth floor!” Without another word, he charged forward into the fray, the soldiers unable to believe what they saw him do. All alone and against all odds he cut into the creatures; his axe cutting a path and painting the alls anew. The soldiers knew there was no retreat, if they were to die then on what floor did it matter?

They drew their power knives. Slowly a blue light entered each of them as they discarded their lasrifles. They had to hold out as long as they could, their families were counting on them. They shouted as loud as they could and fell upon their hated foe.

___________________

took me a while, been busy with social stuff. but hey, at least i didn't take a month right?

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Get back to work, lazybones!



Seriously, good work as always, Monk. I await further bloodsh- I mean, installments.

[Shadow]

Keep them coming

[Monk]

part xxvi
Betrayal

Spire Ruins
19:17 hours, first encounter +14

Lionus heaved a grenade down the stairwell with all his might, yet it felt like he had thrown his limb along with it. The small ball of death soared through the air and bounced off a wall, making a cold and metallic noise as it then tumbled toward its own destruction. The soldier could hear his enemy coming up even as his grenade fell to them; the slow, agonizing pounding of their limbs upon the stairs seemed to cause his head to pound slightly. Whispers coming from their hideous mouths and seeping into his mind, it only made the hatred in his heart burn hotter. Finally, after what seemed an eternity of waiting, they appeared. A creature of about his height turned the corner, blood falling from his claws and staining his hide. It bore many cuts and gashes which now dripped its life force upon the ground, as well as holding a red hue from the humans it had dispatched. Yet there was not one single energy burn, despite the heavy gunfire Lionus had heard from below.

The creature let out a low snarl as it opened its mouth, a large tongue dangled between its sharp teeth as it set its eyes to Lionus, the prospect of a fresh kill now in its near future. Yes this would be fun. However a strange beeping then started to draw the creature’s attention, as even more of its kind began to climb the stairs; it looked about trying to trace the annoyance. Suddenly it saw the grenade sitting humbly by its left leg. It looked back at Lionus and snarled in anger, but to its surprise the soldier was nowhere to be seen. It roared loudly just as the grenade exploded; a wave of fire shooting from the small device and flowing down the stair way, burning everything in its path.

Lionus took a deep breath as the ruins of the structure rocked; he looked down the stairs as he heard screams of agony being raised before falling silent. A smirk appeared upon his lips as he knew what happened. Maybe next time they’d think twice before attacking up the stairs. His eyes settled on a soft cloud of smoke that now resided where he had stood; a feeling of satisfaction came over him, one that seemed to make all the loss he had felt worthwhile. Lionus drew to him a deep breathe and let out a sigh as he stood at the ready; waiting for the creatures to reappear. The cool metal surface of his lasrifle seemed to deny any feeling of security it had once given him. He’d seen the creatures push forward and slaughter men even as they tried to gun them down. Something was changing, they were different somehow.

A pain filled screech sent his skin crawling; causing the soldier to raise his gun in the direction of the stairs. “Show yourselves…” he said in a ragged and weary voice. Gripping his rifle tightly his shifted his weight, getting a better footing. A subtle and short vibration traveled through the stairs, moving into his body and causing his hands to shake. It repeated itself again, only this time the rumble was greater. Lionus could feel his heart pounding faster with every moment as his eyes opened slightly wider; again he felt it, and to it he could now hear an almost masked breathing. The sound was horrible to behold, as if someone put their hand upon their mouth and then drew breathe, over and over as the great rumbling continued. Something was drawing closer to him.

The glow of two red eyes caught Lionus’ gaze and sent a feeling of terror rushing through his veins, though he was not sure why. They seemed to appear out of nowhere from the cloud of smoke and refused to move; as if studying him. The grey smoke began to clear and a dark silhouette slowly appeared as the creature took shape. Lionus gasped in both horror and disgust as he took a step back, he could feel his lasrifle shaking in his hands. Before him was a creature unlike any he had seen. It was clinging to the stairs, its arms thin yet holding their own aura of power. It had two arms and upon which four fingers, each long and sharp as they clung to the stairs. It had a long, thick body protected by a thick exoskeleton. If it were standing it would be twice the height as Lionus. As the human drew the courage to look upon its head, he could feel revulsion in the pit of his stomach.

The creature’s head was elongated like many of the creatures, yet where its mouth should be tentacles hung from its head. They were long and thick, moving about as if they had their own mind. And above them, red eyes that glowed with intense hate for Lionus. The soldier was frozen in place, his eyes wide as he starred upon the creature. His body was overcome with fear and yet he couldn’t find within him the wisdom to run. Sensing his hesitation, the creature sprung over the steps that separated the two enemies; too late Lionus learned its hideousness was only overcome by its strength and agility. Still gliding through the air the creature ripped into the soldier; Lionus screamed in anguish as he pulled the trigger, trying to fend off his attacker. Yet his incredible pain didn’t save him from the horror he saw, his energy beam absorbed into the creatures hide.

He fell back onto the stairs, squirming in pain and trying to get away. Yet as he grasped for the stair above him the creature drove its limb through his body; cutting his heart and lungs into pieces with one strike. Lionus could feel his body seize up, and at that instant all functions of his body failed. His life ended suddenly even as he tried to find safety. The creature withdrew its arm from his body and grinned sickly, knowing the human was all but dead despite his still open eyes. It cried loudly, letting out a shrill scream. Just at that moment numerous soldiers came rushing down the stairs; hearing the sounds of combat and ready to fight they had their weapons charged and ready to fire at a moments notice. Their eyes fell upon the strange new creature, causing them to stop dead in their tracks. It stood over their fallen comrade and even displayed his blood proudly on its hide.

Yet they did not have a chance to enact revenge; for at that moment a wave of creatures flooded toward them, appearing from around the corner of the stairs and seeming to turn into a wall of tooth, claw, and bone. The soldiers screamed in terror as they fired, only to see their shots absorb into the mass of creatures. Like a whirlwind the creatures hit them, and the soldiers were overcome and torn limb from limb. However that was not enough, the creatures could smell their victory over this pathetic human defense effort, all that remained was their command post.

Fourth Floor,
Command HQ for Solace.

The door was overcome by another crash and was visibly giving way as the captain turned to his communications officer. “Damn it!” he shouted in frustration. “I said get that transmission sent!” Already all the soldiers were lining themselves before the captain with their lasrifles pointed at the door. They were ready to make their last stand in the city of sorrow. With each crash that echoed upon the door, they couldn’t help but move in slight shock. For them it was truly like starring upon one’s fate about to be decided.

The communications officer continued to tur nobs and flip switches until finally he stopped, a look of confusion overtaking him as he looked back at the captain. “s…sir?” His voice was shaking as he looked upon his commander, his eyes overcome with terror. Yet it was not from the creatures…

“What is it?” the captain turned and looked at him, his own curiosity practically bursting from his armor.

“T..take a listen!” the com officer said frantically as he put what he was hearing on the speakers by him, quickly cranking up the volume. A field of static was overcome by voices, radio chatter of a bomb group. Talk of coordinates and the target, Solace, followed by a confirmation from their HQ. “Drop on grid 2185; Solace. Make sure the target is destroyed in the explosion”.

The captain closed his eyes and sighed, as the words “the emperor protects’ fluttered into the room, he knew his warning had been ignored. The ORDER was about to Nuke Solace. “God damned fools” he whispered to himself as he placed his hands on the cool metal surface of a control console. A final crash came on the door as a sharp talon ripped into the metal, tearing the door outward the creatures looked in. The soldiers opened fire upon them with no effect. Yet none of it mattered anymore, The sound of a rumble could be heard filling the sky as the creatures further torn the door open, finally opening a way for them to enter.

They seemed to file into the room, one by one even as the Solicians fired upon them, shouting angrily trying to push them back. Their eyes opened widely as fear overcame their souls. The captain however sighed as if a greater defeat was laid on his feet than it really was; he looked out the window at the still setting sun despite the chaos behind him. “Forgive us…my gods” he said as he closed his tired eyes. In that instant a flash overcame the creatures and caused them to scream in sudden terror, and following that flash a wall of fire consumed the ruined spire. The voices of both human and creature became lost in the earth shattering explosion that followed.

__________

your wish is my command ...or rather, my two/three/four hours spent typing...