To say that things had gone poorly for Lukka would be an understatement of the vastest degree - both in general and in this specific instance. His one chance at redemption, one chance at finally finding glory once more, had been thwarted - and once again, though no fault of his own. Some sort of interference with the plane of New Phyrexia had diverted his planeswalk, and instead of landing on the outermost layer with the others, he instead found himself helpless, ensnared in a trap like an animal. Worse still, he found himself face to face with his captor: Elesh Norn.
The Praetor grinned at him, the raw sinew and muscles of her face pulled taught by the expression. âLukka,â she purred, less like a cat and more like an engine, âhow lovely to see you. Our spies have told us all about you. Your heroics with the CoppercoatsâŠyour betrayal at their handsâŠyour pitiful existence now that youâve lost everythingâŠâ
âWretch!â Lukka snarled. âRelease me so I can cut you down myself, or at least die fighting like a warrior!â
âKill you?â Elesh Norn said. âOh, no, I donât want to kill you. That would be such a waste of talent. No, Lukka, I want you to join us, in glorious Compleation.â
âAs if I would betray my allies to a monster such as yourself,â Lukka scoffed.
Elesh Norn wretched out a sharp, keening noise, which Lukka quickly realized was a grotesque mockery of laughter. âYour allies? Donât delude yourself, Lukka. Do you truly think they respect you enough for you to call them allies?â
âVivien Reid recruited me to the strike force because she believed in my military experience,â Lukka growled through grit teeth.
A taloned hand cupped Lukkaâs chin, lifting his gaze up to meet Nornâs own. âVivien Reid recruited you because she thought you could use a win. She doesnât respect you, she just feels bad for you. Youâre a pity hire, nothing more.â
Lukkaâs gaze did not waver from Nornâs, but he said nothing.
âI, though?â she continued. âI see your true potential. I see that you deserve to have your skills put to better use than tagging along with a rag-tag band of pathetic whelps, destined to fail against the might of Phyrexia. I see your true potential, leading by my side as we spread The Great Work across the multiverse! Phyrexiaâs glory will be your glory, Lukka, if you simply join us.â
Lukka pondered the offer for far longer than he ought to have. Surely this was madness, taking Norn at her word. But yet⊠âIâm listening,â he finally replied.
âOur spies tell us that you are an incredibly talented Bonder, Lukka. Able to bend mindless beasts to your will with ease. And believe me, Lukka, the Vicious Swarm is full of mindless beasts in need of proper leadership. In fact, as a show of good faith, I will let you in on a little secret: while incredibly useful, Vorinclex isâŠdifficult to manage. But with your powers, able to steer the Swarm in the right direction?â
âYouâre offering me Vorinclexâs army?â
Elesh Nornâs grin slashed across her skinless face. âIâm offering you Vorinclex. Bond with him. Bend him to your will - my will - and you will become a Praetor. The highest honor in Phyrexia. For you, Lukka. Because you deserve nothing less.â
The cage around Lukka retracted into the floor. Elesh Norn helped him to his feet, then extended a handshake.
âSo, what do you say?â
Woe! Lukka rewrite be upon ye!
