The Venharan Lucario before me bows once more. “Thank you my Queen for taking your precious time to listening to what I have to say, with your word I shall leave presence.”
I nod my head, keeping a small yet gracious smile on my lips. “You have my permission to leave, my subject.” I dismiss. Upon hearing this, he rises to his feet and turns and walks out of the throne room.
As he leaves the entrance, two of my sapphire guards close the giant pair of doors. With no one except them as witnesses, I let myself sigh as a tired frown returns to my face. I slump in my throne, rubbing my forehead.
Although I’ve often been tired of audiences, as of late I’ve actually grown to appreciate them due to the...distraction they provide. I’ve had a pit in my stomach for the past few weeks, a dread that has been eating me ever since that fateful day of what the Sand Striders have found in the Dunefields of Den.
“I wish you were here, mother.” I whisper to myself. “You would handle this situation far better than I.”
The doors before me open suddenly, making my head perk up. Normally there would be an announcement of who it is that’s having an audience with me, so if there is no declaration being made...
I feel a grin form on my face as Tetishuri strides into the throne room, her signature cool smile on her face - and said smile widens somewhat upon seeing me.
“Teti!” I shout happily, standing up from my throne. Throwing courtesy to the wind, I run up to her and pull her into a hug - yet keeping enough distance so that we don’t impale each other with our chest horns.
“I see that you’re feeling better, Nefi.” She chuckles, returning my hug. Her gaze looks at my eyes, her smirk widening. “I see that your servants have done a great job with your makeup, since those bags under your eyes are barely noticeable.” Her eyes twinkle. “Still staying up late playing that handheld~?”
I pout, giving her a playful shove. “It’s not my fault that the games are addicting!” I say indignantly.
That handheld is a small gaming console from overseas, said device having been gifted to Tetishuri by a small Lopuny, in which Tetishuri then gifted to me. I’ve had such fun playing with it ever since I figured how it worked, and it has been the best form of distraction to keep me dwelling on...recent events.
“You still have your royal duties.” She chuckle at me, giving me a playful shove back. “It would be unfortunate if the Queen of Venhara were to oversleep after staying late playing games.”
This is one of the things I love about Tetishuri, for she treats me like a friend instead of a queen when we’re out of the public eye. She has been one of my strongest pillars in keeping me sane.
“But I haven’t come here for pleasantries, sadly.” Tetishuri then says, her smile turning to a frown.
And all pleasant things have to end, it seems. Can’t help but be unsurprised, as much as I hate to say. With a heavy sigh I turn and walk back to the throne, sitting down on the plush silk cushion and resting my hands on the armrests.
“Guards!” I shout to the Sapphire Warriors standing by the throne doors. “I shall be holding no more audiences for the day.” I glance at Tetishuri, and another thought comes to my mind. “You are all dismissed.”
They nod their head, but I could notice some of their expressions of disappointment. It’s very clear that they wanted to listen to whatever it is that Teti has to say, but they obeyed nevertheless. As the throne doors close behind them, my gaze turns back to Tetishuri.
“What is it that you have to tell me, Teti?” I ask, tiredness filling my voice.
“Sand Striders Abasi and Massika have returned.” The leader of the Sapphire Warriors speaks, straight to the point as always. “They have found more tracks, this time severa morel pairs of them.”
The pit in my stomach grows bigger. “M-More?” I stutter, my eyes widening.
She nods her head grimly. “It seems that whatever caused those tracks after that storm, there is more than just one creature.”
I grab my head. “By the Queens...” I whisper.
“The Sand Striders followed the tracks to the end, however the tracks ended just as suddenly as the first.” She finishes.
I’m not sure if I should be feeling this worried or not, but after being informed by the Guardians of Twilight of what they dealt with recently...
...I feel that I really should be worried.
They fought what seems to be a Scizor whose origins are completely unknown, possessing a power whose likes has never been seen before. On the day of its death, a large storm appears in Venhara followed by the tracks of something completely unknown.
Am I...overreacting? Am I getting incredibly stressed for no reason?
It is...a coincidence, for such events to happen within the same day. Perhaps something else caused that storm, such as a rogue Thundurus or Tornadus.
...Yet that doesn’t quite explain the tracks, and the concept of a rogue Legendary isn’t really that much better...
“...Tetishuri?” I eventually ask after a lengthy silence.
During this period the other Lucario waited patiently, and upon me saying her name she nods her head. “Yes, Nefi?” She responds back.
“I’d...like to ask you a question.” I slowly continue, my voice apprehensive.
“Ask anything, I am here.” She responds again, giving me a comforting smile.
I wait for several more minutes, contemplating my choice of words.
“Am I...making the right choice?” I finally ask, my voice hesitant.
Tetishuri walks over to me and pulls me up from the throne and into a warm embrace, allowing me to rest my head on her shoulder. “You are making the best choice from the information that you know.” She answers into my ear. “You are worried for your kingdom.”
I feel myself relaxing. “I’m not overreacting?”
She pulls away, looking me dead in the eyes. “We both heard what the Guardians of Twilight told us. You are no overreacting. You are acting in response to a possible threat to the kingdom, as a Queen of Venhara should.”
Whatever doubt that clouded my mind vanishes completely after hearing those words. “Thanks, Teti.” I say softly to her, a smile of relief forming on my lips.
“Anything for my Queen.” She simply responds back with a mischievous smile.
I give her a playful shove. “Come on, you know I hate it when you call me that.” I whine. “I have to deal with it enough when we’re under the watchful eye of the public!”
Tetishuri merely laughs in response. “But I enjoy the reactions that it brings!”
I stick my tongue at her.
She blinks at me before crossing her arms. “Sometimes you make me wonder how old you truly are, seeing how often you behave like a pup.”
A blow a raspberry for further measure.
She raises an eyebrow in response. “Yes, I often wonder indeed...”
As a formulate a retort, Tetishuri speaks up again - cutting my train of thought from forming a brilliant response. “Before I forget, I do have one more bit of news - positive this time.”
"Well, that’s a welcome change.” I sigh.
Tetishuri nods. “I’ve received word from the Guardians of Twilight. There has been a slight delay, but the Night Watcher that’s coming to investigate will be arriving in two weeks. They’ve assured me that it’s one of their best for this environment.”
Now this caught me curiosity. “Best for this environment?”
She nods again. “Their skills are considered unparalleled in desert climates among the Guardians of Twilight. If there is a threat in our kingdom, this Night Watcher will surely find it.”
More relief fills me. “That’s...very assuring.”
“I agree, however I feel that some of the Sand Striders will probably have a bone to pick with this Night Watcher.” Tetishuri smirks.
I blink. “Bone to pick...?”
Her smirk grows. “An expression I picked up during my most recent visit to the Guardian of Twilight’s Headquarters.” With that she takes a step back, bowing her head. “As much as I’d like to continue this conversation, I have a few duties left for me to attend. I will see you again later today, Nefi.”
Without another word she turns and walks towards the giant doors.
A scowl forms on my lips. “You still didn’t tell me what that expression means!”
No response came from Tetishuri, who is currently opening the giant pair of doors with a push of her hand.
“Teti! What does it meaaaaan?!” I shout before running after her, my behavior surely being something that would bring great shame to the Venharan Queens before me.
--------------
[Location: Venhara - Dunefields of Den]
[PoV: ???¿?¿¿?]
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[Location: Venhara - Venhara City; Temple of the Oracle]
[Name: Imenket, Oracle of Venhara]
[Species: Venharan Lucario]
I walk into my chambers - the circlular room of sandstone smelling strong of incense that my retainers had already prepared for me. Normally I would be in a calm state, but...my mind is troubled.
It has been a while since I have last received a vision - an oracle. Normally such a thing would be considered a blessing since very few visions have ever foretold of a pleasant future, only disasters and fates that need to be averted.
However I have a feeling - a gut feeling - that this peace is short-lived. Especially with the news I overheard from the Sand Striders of the silver monsters across the Dunefields of Den.
I walk over to a basin of water and stare into it, my dark fur barely illuminated by the dim candles surrounding the chamber. I can see my deep amber eyes gazing back with the green markings painted underneath, and my ornamental dress that is designed after that of a Xatu - attire signifying that my family is blessed by the first Oracle, Osiru.
I let out a sigh before cupping the water in my hands and washing my face, attempting to use the cool water to rinse my anxiety away.
The Queen is nervous as well with the news of the silver monsters, fearing that they may be a grave threat. As of now the Guardians of Twilight are sending one of their Night Watchers to assess the situation, but the fact I haven't received a single vision of the situation is...still concerning.
Does it mean that those silver monsters are of no threat?
...
I must meditate.
Using a hand towel to dry my face I walk over to the carpet placed in the center of the chamber, its placed around its edge are incense and candles. I slowly sit down in the center and spread out my robes, resting my hands on my lap.
With a deep breath, I close my eyes...
...
...
Barren landscapes of stone, metal, and glass.
The vibrant yellow dunes of Venhara are no more, leaving nothing but pillars of artificial structures that tower into the sky like carefully constructed pylons.
Silver machines walk across its surface, their cold red optics gazing upon their carefully crafted perfection.
Converted. Subjugated. Assimilated.
It is not just Venhara, but the world. Once a vibrant planet teeming with life is now but an anchor in this reality. An extension to their vast network, acting as a gateway that grants the entire collective access to this untouched universe.
The universe is to be eventually claimed in its entirety, nothing is capable of stopping something so endless as they. It was too late when the Legends got involved, the machines had already converted too much of the world to be stopped.
...
A four armed alien stumbles across the sand, in his clutches a curious Object. It is a stellated octahedron of various colors, its spherical black core disrupting its geometric design.
Once a vibrant possessor of Light, now dormant from having been disrupted by the vast journey across time and space.
The alien succumbs to its mortal wounds, collapsing to the ground just as a pair of Sand Striders stumble upon him. In his last desperate attempt to continue his doomed legacy he offers the object to them, deeming it Winter in his unknown tongue.
The Sand Striders argue amongst each other over the situation before begrudgingly taking the object, knowing that they need to report this to the Queen immediately.
They turn and make haste back to Venhara, leaving the corpse of the alien as he becomes buried underneath the rolling waves of sand.
...
An oasis in the center of the brutal desert, a small slice of paradise that rejuvenates all within before they must resume their grueling journey through Venhara's sand and sun.
But something stands within the center of its blue waters, something that was not there originally.
A large shard of electroweak matter and neutronium stands towering over the surrounding palms, its white surface standing out brilliantly amongst the greenery.
Yet even more brilliantly is that it radiates Light.
Light that burns away the Dark.
The shard glows brilliantly, unleashing a torrential shockwave of its blinding brilliance, giving life to the dormant Object once more...
...and thus giving birth to a warrior whose power allows them to combat the machines.
A warrior who can protect Venhara and this world.
A protector.
A Guardian.
...
...
My eyes shoot open with a gasp, my lungs burning for breath and my heart threatening to burst from my chest.
A vision.
And not just any vision, but one of the fate of Venhara and the world.
I feel dizzy, clutching my head as I try to comprehend all that I've witnessed.
The warrior standing within the light of the shard, the one who will become the Guardian of our world...
I must act immediately, there's no time to inform the Queen of the vision. I need to intercept the Sand Striders and obtain the object they've received and give it to that warrior, and then send them with it to the shard in the oasis.
Time is of the essence, the machines are already starting the process of converting our world into the anchor that connects to their network.
"Nephari!" I shout urgently, calling to my retainer that is waiting outside my room.
Immediately the curtain bursts open, the humanoid outline of my retainer hurrying in.
"What is it, Oracle?" She asks, her eyes wide with surprise. It is very rare that I call for her with any urgency, so for me to do so must truly mean that this situation is grave.
I look upon the Venharan Liepard, the candlelight illuminating her dark fur and the bright gold patterns of her body.
"A pair of Sand Striders are to return to the city very soon, Nephari." I answer her, preparing my instructions. "Intercept them just as they reach the gates, they are possessing an object of immense importance." My eyes narrow. "Bring it to me as soon as you can, this situation concerns more than we can ever hope."
She bows her head, clasping her hands together. "Of course, Oracle." She says, only to look up as her slitted pupils stare into mine. "...If this object is of importance, that means I can expect them to object. How should I proceed if they do?"
"You have my full permission to use my name and authority to retrieve it from them." I tell her. "Time cannot be wasted, I will explain everything to them and the Queen later."
"Of course, Oracle." She repeats before quickly turning and sprinting out of the room, her dexterous form far more agile than even Venharan Lucarios.
"Make haste." I whisper even though she is long gone, a new sensation in my stomach.
A pit far greater than before, anxiety having been replaced with full-blown dread and fear.
Our world is in danger.
I can still recall the form of the warrior that stood before the shard as it filled them with light...
...That warrior... A woman, her appearance that of a Bisharp and Medicham...
[Name: Zolviks]
[Race: Fallen]
[Affiliation: House of Winter]
[PoV: Zolviks]
...
The Vex ruins have long since faded in the distance behind me, my form slowly trudging through the countless dunes of sand. My lower arms continue to clutch against the wound on my side, the bleeding still not stopping.
I'm only moving now out of sheer will, my body aching and growing more numbed with each passing moment.
Despite the sensation of death slowly taking hold, I feel my gaze wander...
These dunes... They remind me of the various accounts of the Sol planet Mercury from other Fallen - how its surface is covered in sand, stone, metal, and glass. The planet itself was completely claimed by the Vex shortly after the Sol system's own Whirlwind, before the Fallen arrived after chasing the Great Machine.
But this place is...not Mercury. The star doesn't take up the entirety of the sky, instead being much smaller...and its heat less intense...
...And the notable lack of Vex structures around me with the exception of what surrounded the Transfer Gate I first came out of...
...Wherever this is, this world is not in the Sol system...
...
The sand beneath my feet shifts from a sudden gust of wind, my already poor balance from blood loss causing me to stumble before tumbling down the dunes.
An agonized hiss escapes me as the pain of my injury flares, my form finally resting at the bottom of the monstrous dune. I merely lie there, too weak to continue...
...But I can't stay here, I must...survive...
...
...I...know that survival is impossible, that hit from the Vex sealed my fate after all. I am going to die a slow and pathetic death - fitting for a lowly Fallen like me.
Fallen who is part of an extinguished house, foolishly and feebly attempting to continue its tainted legacy.
House of Winter...has committed many atrocities against its own people, the harsh and brutal leadership once stemmed from desperation only transforming into sheer cruelty as new leaders took the mantle.
Always stay in line, always follow the orders of your superior. Those are what allowed me to remain the rank I am, to hold some authority over the Dregs of our House.
...But I still remember the stories my mother told me when I was a Hatchling, stories that were told by the mothers of our mothers of once when the Eliksni lived with great prosperity... A Golden Age...
...Before the Whirlwind, before we became Fallen...
...
I slowly try to push myself up, only to find it difficult with what's in the grip of my upper arms.
The Vex weapon from the Vault...
...And the shell of the Ghost...
...I can't hold both of them any longer, my grip is too loose from weakness...so I need to choose...
...The sensible solution is to keep the weapon and abandon the Ghost that is most likely dead, so that I can defend myself against anything that might seek to finish me off...
...
But...for some reason...I couldn't simply leave the Ghost.
Despite all my resentment towards the little creations of the Great Machine - how it and their Given have slaughtered countless Fallen, something irrational within me doesn't want to part with it...
...As if I'm...afraid to lose it...
...
With a growl I drop the weapon, letting its brass frame fall into the sand. The wind continues to blow around me, swirling the grains and burying the weapon - leaving only part of its barrel and scope to poke out. Clutching the Ghost in my upper claws I push my form up again, standing on shaking legs as the wind continues to break against me.
I continue forward...
...
...
The star is setting, the intensity of its light lessening as I feel my bleeding frame battered not quite as harshly from its heat.
The blood flow has slowed substantially, but I know it's not due to the fact that it's healing...
Us Fallen are known to be resilient, our bodies surviving for far longer than possible for other species. The fact I'm still alive is merely a boon - or perhaps a curse - of that.
It's not slowing because of health, but because I am running out of blood to bleed.
My vision has been blurring for a while now as I'm having difficulty focusing, my steps turned to simply dragging my legs forward.
I feel my gaze slowly lowering to the Ghost in my clutches, my claws cradling it like a precious treasure.
...
...
The cursed fate of two entities - isolated by fate...
...A Fallen part of a tattered House...
...And a Ghost with no Given...
...Perhaps that's also why I kept it with me instead of discarding it like refuse, for I find a sense of kinship with the Ghost.
A Given-less, nameless Ghost...
...
I feel the Ether in my mask running low, my breaths becoming wheezes as the Life Air runs low.
My blood-covered lower hands pull away from my wound and reach for the vials of Ether in my pouch, my claws struggling clumsily to grab one...
...But after a few moments I give up, moving my hands back to my wound.
What is the point? I'm going to die anyways, so there's no use in replacing the Life Air...
Overtime my breaths become more labored due to the combination of my weakening body and the last remnants of Ether in my system being used up...
...
...
I just wanted to continue the great legacy of House Winter, I didn't want to abandon its banner to join the House of Dusk - even if all of the remnants of Fallen were uniting to survive a great threat.
House of Dusk didn't have any legacy, no reputation to fight for. Why should one abandon your history when you're merely joining a desperate amalgamation of forces under an unknown Kell?
Even if House of Winter was tainted and reviled, it still didn't mean that the other Houses were any better. Creating a new House won't suddenly absolve others of the sins they've committed either.
...
I...merely wanted to bring back House of Winter's greatness. I didn't want to be Fallen anymore, I wanted to regain the right to call myself Eliksni.
Some Fallen referred to us by the name of our race, but I see it as something that shouldn't be tainted by us.
We are scavengers.
Pirates.
Vermin.
Fallen.
...
Now...the legacy of House of Winter is going to die with me...
...
...
Sorrow starts to sink its clutches into my soul, my four eyes closing as my body continues to move on autopilot.
Perhaps this is the deserving fate of an unforgiveable creature like me.
Zolviks - part of a Fallen House, part of a Fallen people.
...
My legs buckle, my body collapsing onto the ground as my breaths become weaker.
Our legacy...
...My legacy...
I open my eyes - my gaze shifting to the Ghost that's still in my clutches. I cradle it gently, lifting it out of the sand as I look at it.
...Nameless Ghost...
...You are the sworn enemy of our people...
...But you...are the last hope of the people of Sol...
...And perhaps...
...The last hope...of a lowly Fallen such as I...
...
...You never found a Given...
...
...But...
...I don't want the legacy of my house to fade...
...I can't let it die with me...
"Winter..." My voice utters out, my tone faint.
...There...
...You are no longer a nameless Ghost...
...You are Winter, the last remaining piece of House Winter's legacy...
...If you are not dead, if you will possibly come back to roam once more...
...Know that you are Winter...
...
...Even if you are not Fallen...
...Even if you are not Eliksni...
...Carry the name of Winter to honor the last shred of my House's legacy...
...My legacy...
My eyes blur further, feeling my grip loosening on Winter's shell...
Yet through the corner of my eye I notice movement, only for my gaze to shift up.
Two figures are standing over me, but their forms are hard...to decipher due to the darkness created by the setting star...
...
My eyes focus slightly, trying desparetly to see who it is.
Given?
...Vex?
...
No... They are...black, wearing pieces of white clothing. They are holding weapons of gold...
...They are speaking, their tones hushed yet guarded...
...I do not understand them...
...
Whoever they are, they must be the inhabitants of this unknown world...
...
...I can't let Winter disappear into the sand, our legacy must...continue...
With the last essence of my strength I raise the Ghost to the figures, offering him to them in the palms of my open claws.
"Take...Winter." I faintly gasp, my words pleading. "Do not...let him...disappear..."
The two figures glance at each other, their expressions impossible to decipher due to my fading vision. It's not difficult to know that they don't understand me, they can't speak the tongue of my people like Winter can.
They hold a hushed conversation - an argument from their tones of voice - in the language I do not understand. This goes on for several long moments, my arms starting to shake as the last remnants of my strength fades...
...But finally they finish their argument and one of them nods, turning to me and...gingerly taking the Ghost from my grasp.
...
...With Winter possibly finding safety...
...I let my arms fall to the ground, my surroundings darkening...
...
...It is up to you now, Winter...
...As the last remnant of House of Winter's legacy, please...do not let us be forgotten...
...
...I am Zolviks...
...Fallen of House Winter...
...
...And it's time for me...to see my mother again...
After we brought back word of discovering more tracks to the Queen, many more Dune Striders have been deployed to the region of its location. Ever since then, more tracks have been discovered by not just us but the other Dune Striders.
Although at first it was satisfying to finally be proven right, the fact that the frequency of these tracks being discovered is only increasing is something that fills me with a great amount of dread. The number of possible entities that these tracks tend to group together range from one to over twenty, however none of us have managed to actually get a close glance at whatever left them. The most one Strider saw was a glint of metal, however it vanished just as they were upon it - just like Massika and I's experience.
Today we decided to travel further away, reaching near the borders of the Soa Wastes - a severally inhospitable region of both sand and rock. Many hostile Ferals live in this area, its harsh conditions and the fact that there's no point in crossing it making it a region where rarely any Venharan steps foot in it.
However due to the fact that the frequency of the tracks border the region, we both decided to push further in.
"We can't go much further, Abasi." Massika cautions me, drinking from her near-empty flask. "We still must make the trek back - something that would be dangerous due to our dwindling supplies."
I let out a sigh and take a swig from my own water-flask, feeling the warm water flow down my throat. With a gulp, I let out a growl of annoyance. "I know, but we still must find at least something. The creatures must have come from there, I know it!"
She gives me her own look of annoyance. "Don't let your emotions overrun you, Abasi. You are no pup just joining the Dune Striders, you know the limits of our bodies. The Venharan Desert will strip the meat from our bones and dry our skin if we push far beyond our bodies and spirit can manage."
I stash the bottle back at my belt with the rest, my fist clenching in frustration. "I know! I know..." I sigh again. "Yet I still want to find whatever created these tracks, so that our Queen may know peace."
Massika approaches and places her hand on my shoulder. "I understand, Abasi. However there is no need to push ourselves far beyond our limits. We are Dune Striders, not-"
I look at her, noticing her pause. Seeing her eyes narrow as she peer in the distance, I turn my gaze quickly to look at the direction. In the distance I see-
"There!" Massika shouts! "Follow!"
Immediately she sprints down the dunes, towards a shiny metallic glint. Without question I move into action, following her as swiftly as my legs can manage.
We scale dune over dune, moving across the land as effortless as Venharan Golisopods. As we get closer to the metallic glint, we start to make it out.
A metallic figure.
Just as we start to decipher the details, it flashes red...before disappearing.
Before I could exclaim my frustration, Massika's shout causes me to focus on her. "Further down!"
She continues down the direction, my gaze turning further down the landscape to see the same metallic glint further on. It teleported further into the Soa Wastes.
We continue to sprint, the sand dunes slowly changing to that of hard rock and coarse dirt. As we start to get closer to the figure, it vanishes in a flash of red before reappearing further away.
This chase continues for many many minutes, the hot Venharan sun already beginning to set as the air grows cooler and colors of the sky becomes that of red and violet.
Just as we get close again, the figure vanishes for the last time - disappearing for good.
I don't feel frustration however despite my exhaustion and aching legs, for before me and Massika is something we would have never thought to find out here.
As both of us slow to a stop - gasping for breath all the while, we couldn't help but gawk at what's before us.
The only thing that stands out in the Soa Wastes is the fact that it's nothing but flat lands of sunbaked clay and rock, its surface impossible for all except the most hardy and brutal of Pokemon to live. Yet standing out in the middle of nowhere is not dark brown and clay red, but green and silver.
Towering before us are numerous massive square-like structures and pillars, their surface coursing with light and shining with metal. Surrounding them are countless vegetation unlike anything we have ever seen, the flora glittering in the sun with bright greens and the occasional blue. Surrounding the structures and flora is a vast river, however instead of water it flows with a glittering white liquid - its consistency and colors appearing almost like milk.
As we continue to stare, we start to pick out other details. There are numerous metallic glints amongst the structures and flora, appearing to be made of a silvery metal. When we focus on them, we realize that they are humanoid figures.
"How?" I manage to utter, dumbstruck. "How does this place exist?"
The last time a Venharan has been out here in the Soa Wastes is months ago, the reason due to the fact that they were a mercenary hired to bring back the claws of an infamous feral Drapion. They never mentioned anything of a place like this during their time here.
"This could not have been here before." Massika nods, also dumbstruck. "We all would have known of such a change."
And yet here it is, something akin to an oasis in a desert. Yet this...is certainly no ordinary oasis.
"We must get closer." I tell her, my expression becoming determined.
"I agree." Massika nods, however her expression becomes uncertain. "However caution must be used, for we do not know how these beings will react to us."
We keep our bodies low to the ground as we begin our approach, trying our best to conceal ourselves despite the fact that there is no cover for us to hide behind. As we continue to creep towards the structure, a feeling of dread begins to well in my stomach.
This...does not seem right.
As we get closer, I notice that the texture beneath my feet is changing. The stone is slowly becoming more smooth, various lines and patterns replacing the material beneath me. It's becoming unnatural - artificial even, as if something has changed the very ground beneath us. Soon the ground consists of not only smooth stone, but metal wires and rods as well as glass.
At one point me and Massika stop, our gaze turning to the very ground in confusion. Slowly however our expressions become one of horror.
"The land is changing." Massika whispers, her tone betraying the increase in fear.
She's right, it's as if the surrounding landscape is slowly turning into whatever the pillars and vegetation consist of. Just as there are towering spires of glass and metal, the surrounding land is becoming more and more like it as it gets closer to the center of the structures.
At this point we have seen enough.
"We must return with haste, we have found where they reside." I whisper quietly, my tone filled with urgency. "This is not something any of us can handle, this needs to be brought to the Queen immediately."
Massika opens her mouth to respond, however it quickly closes as her gaze turns to look behind me.
I follow her gaze, uncertain on what she has seen...
...and I can only stumble backwards as I witness what can only witness as a sphere of flashing light.
As the sphere flashes, several dark clouds materialize around it and begin flashing with lightning...
...just like the sudden storm from a month ago...
Just as realization begins to hit me, something loud echoes around us.
A terrifying, terrifying sound.
With a final flash, the sphere explodes and countless figure appear around. They are all humanoid, possessing silvery bodies and a singular red glowing eye. Loud distorted screams and chirps come from them all as Massika and I realize that we are completely surrounded.
"RUN!" Massika screams and with that instant, the odd weapons in the hands of these machines begin to glow.
Without hesitation I dive past the intruders, making a full-blown sprint towards the way we came from. As the machines scream their distorted cries, I feel something hot as a red bolt of light streams barely past my head and strikes the ground, scorching it.
By the Queens, they're attacking us.
Both me and Massika duck and weave as we continue our dash for our lives, avoiding incoming fire as the machines shoot at us. With every amount of ground we gain, new tiny storms of lightning and light appear before releasing more of these machines.
My heart is pounding with every new batch of reinforcements, adrenaline pumping through my veins like no other as I try to evade their every attempt to cut me off.
At this point the 'Oasis' of the machines is far in the distance, yet they're still pursuing us.
My feet feel brittle, my legs becoming sluggish, my lungs burning like they're on fire. At this rate, I don't think I'll make it.
And yet, just as my fears start to overcome me...
...the incoming fire from the machines stop.
I still don't stop, continuing my mad sprint to get as much distance away from those things as I can. Only after what may have been hours of running did I finally stop, my chest heaving so hard that I could faint right this second.
With my eyes barely focusing, I turn and survey my surroundings. None of those machines are within sight as I'm well back within the Dunes of Den. Massika is right besides me, parts of her fur singed and smoking from the few bolts of energy that managed to graze her body.
"By Venharan's sun, what was that?!" Massika wheezes, her eyes filled with pure terror.
Although the immediate danger is over, a new set of fear sets its claws upon my heart.
These machines...
They can teleport.
They possess weapons unlike anything we have ever witnessed.
They have vast numbers.
And most importantly...
...they are changing the very land into whatever structures they are creating.
"We need to alert the Queen." I rasp, choking on air as my lungs continue to struggle to breath. "We need to alert our people."
It has been many days since Massika and I have found the previous tracks, yet unfortunately we have been unable to find any more traces. The winds of the Venhara desert are known to be frequent and strong, the brutal resetting the sands to hide any created tracks for the next day.
I let out a low sigh, my eyes squinting as the overbearing Venharan sun continues to beat down upon us with her harsh light and heat. I hear Massika taking another drink from her flask as I continue my survey, recovering her vitality with the water we’ve been supplied.
“It still confuses me greatly...” I mutter to myself, my lips quickly morphing into an irritated frown. “How can one simply disappear with no trace?”
Although tracks quickly wear away from the wind, there are still subtle details that we Sand Striders can find. If a creature begins flight or levitate, there are still signs we can see around the marks in the sand. Whatever left those unusual footprints, it truly looked as if they disappeared...
“I am refreshed.” I hear Massika speak, drawing me from my thoughts. I turn my gaze to her as she reattaches her water flask to her side, her gaze possessing a hint of fatigue. “Let us continue.”
Another sigh threatens to escape my maw, however this time I manage to restrain it. “Then let us continue our search.” I nod in agreement. “If the past Queens are smiling upon us, perhaps we may find something before we return.”
“That would be preferred...” Massika responds quietly, however she falls silent after that.
With nothing else to say, we begin sprinting down the dune and proceed further into the Dunefields of Den.
...
...
Time is running out, seeing the setting sun and the exhaustion that my body is experiencing.
We have been scouring the dunefields for nearly five hours now. Our rations are finished and our water is nearly there as well, and yet...
...nothing.
“Damn it all!” I growl, my anger slipping beyond my control.
“Abasi!” Massika hisses, her tone tired yet still managing to be sharp.
“It has been four days since the tracks have been found, yet...nothing!” I continue, my ire focusing on the other Lucario. “It is as if we are chasing spirits, leaving no trace of their presence or existence!” I stomp my foot, kicking sand into the air. “The other Sand Striders have found nothing, making us appear as deceivers.” My hands clench into fists. “They doubt us, Massika. They say that we found no tracks, to lie in order to claim fame and glory.”
At this Massika sighs, rubbing sweat from her brows. “I know, Abasi.” Her gaze turns to the side. “I know of the words they speak behind our backs, the scornful and demeaning whispers. However we do not do this for glory and we know of the tracks we have found.” Her gaze hardens. “Yet it doesn’t matter if they believe us. If Tetishuri and the Queen have faith in us, then that is more than enough to me.”
I hang my head, my own sigh escaping once more as my anger burns out. “You are right, Massika. But it is still insulting to be belittled by such pups.”
“It may be, however we our proud Dune Striders.” She nods, a tired smile forming on her lips. “We have trained all our lives to become the eyes of Venhara and her Queen. They are the ones who have faith in us, not our fellow Venharans. As long as we prove ourselves faithful in turn, then there is nothing else that matters.”
I feel my own smile forming. “Yes... In the end, that is all that truly m-” I stop, my eyes immediately locking onto something in the distance.
With the setting sun I manage to spot something across the shining amber mounds of sand.
A glint of metal.
Metal?
“Massika! Follow!” I shout before leaping towards the direction, sprinting across the dunes in my haste to cross the distance towards the glittering object in the distance.
I focus on only the sight in front of me, trying to discern the metallic object as I quickly cover distance. The closer I get the closer I can notice more details.
It looks like a figure, a humanoid figure clad in metal. It is hard to notice much else due to the fact that the setting sun causes it to reflect a great deal of light, but I know for a fact that is a creature.
I dive down another dune before kicking off at the bottom, launching myself above the next one in front of me. As I land I finally manage to see the entity from much closer, allowing me to see-
Just as I was about to figure out what it was, it becomes enveloped in red light. I blink, only to see that it is gone.
Where is it?
Where is it?!
Throwing caution to the wind I immediately approach where it once stood, only to see that there is no trace of it.
“Damn it all!!” I yell, gnashing my teeth and clenching my hands tightly.
“It left tracks!” I hear Massika say beside me, having been keeping up with me the entire time. She immediately kneels down, examining the markings in the sand.
It didn’t even take a glance for me to recognize the tracks. They are the same triangular foot with the two talon-like claws in the back, the tracks left by the mysterious creature that we have found earlier. Whatever that is that disappeared, it is responsible for said tracks.
However is it responsible for the mysterious storm that showed up weeks earlier...?
“Although they end here, it does come from somewhere else...” She mutters, drawing me from my thoughts again. “Yet where could it be...?”
I follow my gaze with hers, noticing that this creature have walked a great ways upon seeing these tracks span countless dunes, vanishing into the distance.
“Perhaps we can see where it came from.” I say to her, feeling invigorated. “Although it may have disappeared, we could perhaps discern its origins.”
“Indeed, then let us make haste! Before the sun sets.” Massika agrees.
The two of us quickly start backtracking, following the tracks on where this mysterious entity came from. The minutes continue to pass as we travel over countless dunes, the sun continuing to set as the amber glow of the sand starts shifting into a deep red.
As we continue trekking across, we immediately notice something else in the distance.
More tracks that are beside the entity we have been following.
When we arrive we could only feel confusion well in our stomachs...
...as well as dread.
“There are many of them.” Massika gasps, eying the sight before us with great concern.
Before us lay the tracks of at least eight pairs of legs, seven of which being the same as the first entity we found. The eighth however are different - it contains the similar triangular shape with two talons in the back, yet the main difference are an extra pair of talons on the front. They are a little larger, perhaps indicating that this new entity is of greater size than the rest.
The most important detail of all however are the fact that the tracks of these seven other entities ended suddenly, only leaving the tracks of the original one to continue onward from where it eventually disappeared as well.
Our eyes follow further to see where these set of eight came from, only to see that they started just as abruptly as they have ended. No source of where they truly came from, only them appearing just like how they disappeared.
No true lead of their origins, however...
“So it is not just a lone creature.” I say in a grave tone. “If there are this many, perhaps there could be many more. We must inform the Queen immediately.”
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