Gaia

A scent came upon the wind...heady, and moist. Damionell raised his head up, sniffing the air, golden eyes scanning the sky for a portent, perhaps. He and his half-brother Teklesh sat around a fire in the middle of an open field. Fortuitous it had been to locate such pristine a structure as this. Long gone were the frail trappings of the smaller-things that ran these lands, and only black stone remained.

"Teklesh. A scent upon the air. Grab thy bow, and pray hasten to the parapet. I shall head out to meet this interloper at hand." Damionell grunted, standing up off the ground. He hefted his shining, decorated helmet from the ground, and placed it over his snowy fur, the visor clamping shut loudly. Hoisted he his hammer from the damp peat under-hoof, and set about to raise the portcullis which blocked the way in, watching the road to the fort carefully for signs of whoever approached...

Teklesh simply grunted and did as he was told. Damionell had always been the superior of the two, for his brute strength was not matched so easily. But yet, the taurian ranger persisted for dominance between the two of them. Now, however, was not the time for a bloody squabble between siblings. There was a hunt afoot, and his keen eyes were needed.

Silently, and swift as a rushing river, the smaller minotaur grabbed his oversized composite bow and began to climb the rounding steps to the top of the crenelations. As he reached the top, his prized friend, a tawny and feather falcon alighted on a battlement next to him. Teklesh drank deep of the wind, and immediately discerned the direction of their prey that approached, and his sharpened eyes sharpened on the quarry...

...but what was this? A daughter of minos approached them? Perhaps a messenger, or a wandering reinforcement to their garrison? Nay...her weapon was drawn. Better to draw the bow now than be caught without a point...

Freja Ortega was almost right in front of the gates to the fort, when she noticed something. A male minotaur who seemed to ready to fire a few arrows at her from the roof if she came any closer to the gates. "What are ya doin' aiming that bow at me?! Do ya really wanna pick a fight with yer own kin?" the minotaur woman shouted.

Damionell rounded the corner to confront Freja, his solid iron maul hefted and his stance set to charge. "Kin of ours you are not! You do not bear the mark of minos, and a cow bell rings your neck! Besides!" Damionell shouted letting out a wet snort, "How can you call yourself a minotaur and avoid a fight?!" he bellowed. He scratched the ground once with his cleated hooves and blasted towards Freja, letting out a blood-curdling roar.

Surprisingly fast was he, especially on his open ground, and he flew towards Freja with a righteous fury. As he approached her, he slung his hammer over his shoulder into a single handed, overhand strike, in an attempt to crush the woman's skull. If the blow missed, the tip of the hammer would burrow into the ground, allowing him to brake his charge and whip his horns around in an attempt to gore her.

Teklesh took slow, steady breaths as he watched Damionell engage the misguided cow. To fight two on one was not honorable, but neither was it honorable to bear a sign of indentured servitude to the likes of man. This whelp would learn her place, be it from one of his arrow's or his half-brother's mighty horns.

For the moment, however, he held his arrow in its nock, the immense bow drawn and at the ready to fire if it seemed as if things were going badly.

"Fool! You ought to recognize a descendant of Asterion when you see one! I assure you, I am just as much a minotaur as you and your companion!" she said, quickly blocking the hammer with her axe. "This bell is just for decoration! I serve no foolish human!" she said, with a mighty swing of her axe.

"I know you look like a minotaur..." Damionell said, throwing his hammer out in front of him as it was blocked and twisting it to allow his heavy body to pivot on the spot. He used the momentum to smack Freja's axe away from him and used the opening to reach out with an armored hand to try and grab her by her right horn. "...and I know you smell like a minotaur! But your words...your thoughts...they are NOT minotaur! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggh!" he roared.

Damionell did that

"If that's how ya feel, you don't know me at all! Now let's fight! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaggh!" she roared, smacking his hand away and swinging her axe repeatedly.

Damionell's size advantage over Freja allowed him to keep a slight distance for her as she unleashed a chain of simple hacks and slashes with her axe. Sloppy fighter...had she only just been weaned? Anticipating her rhythm of attacks, he finally pushed his hammer forward and locked its thick haft on the haft of Freja's weapon. The bold moved caused the head of her axe to gouge his right arm, but his thick armor thankfully mitigated the worst of the damage.

All at once he raised a hoof and tried to plant a kick square in Freja's chest while jerking his body to the right to try and yank her weapon away from her.

Freja Ortega glared at Damionell. How could he be blocking so many of her attacks, she was the daughter of the mighty Antyllo, and leader of the Asterion Bandits. She would not give up, she would not lose to this man, she would not disgrace her name. She would not be beaten so easily.

With their weapons locked together, she raised a hoof herself and attempted to plant a kick to his gut, while attempting to turn the tides and disarm his weapon.

Damionell expended his kick to intercept Freja's own, but it put him off balance for a moment to do so. The female took this opportunity to pull back on her own weapon and try to reverse his attempt at disarming her. Ah...so perhaps she wasn't as unskilled as he had thought. He renewed his grip on his maul and twisted it sharply to the left, breaking free of the grapple and batting the flat of her axe away with the pommel of his haft.

Hopefully the surprise of the maneuver would leave her open for a moment. He held his hammer in a defensive posture as he took a step forward and attempted to butt her square in the head with a sharp scream of brutal rage.

Freja Ortega took note of Damionell's maneuver, and blocked the attempted blow to her head with an armored hand. She then tried again to deliver a blow to his gut, but this time with the blade of her axe.

null

Initiating final pre-voyage checks.

Cargo loaded? Check. Shields stabilized? Check. Energy crystals activated? Check.

Life support online. Defense systems online. Engines online. Comm’ systems online. All systems go.

All personnel to stations. Dimensional breach in… shatu… shinbali… mokhad…

Darkness.

Void.

Emptiness.

A flash of light.

Just outside the border of the Sirius system, a flash of light erupted in the dark emptiness of nothingness and gave chase to the endless shadows of space. A swirling vortex of purple, blue, red, and gold forged a violent tempest where there was once a calm blackness. The energies churned, gathered, dissipated, and thundered as a funnel in the fabric of space and time formed like a raging sea storm.. Blue and violet lightning illuminated the cosmic maelstrom.

A blinding light erupted from the vortex. Three enormous shapes emerged from the maelstrom in single file. Their surfaces were like golden diamonds that radiated with auras of shimmering light. The hulls of the vessels were crystalline and seamless. They hovered unhindered by the cosmic wrath of the vortex like three stars. Two of the vessels were triangular while the third bore a more rectangular shape. All three of the mysterious vessels rivaled the size of the asteroids that they brushed passed with little effort as they lumbered towards the center of the star system.

A few moments passed before the convoy settled into a high orbit over the world of Gaia. They would appear as a trio of new and particular bright stars to the inhabitants below - to be interpreted as any way they wished.

"Sire, we have established a stable orbit. What are your orders?"

"Send out probes. Map out any notable areas and search for the densest clusters of civilization. I want to know the locations of all major powers on that world within the hour. Have the magi calibrate the arcanogram and prepare for official first contact."

"Aye, milord."

Dozens of small golden spheres emerged from the ships. They hovered beside the vessels, unhindered by the gravity well of the planet and the abundant cosmic energies that drifted their the void like an ocean breeze. The spheres suddenly shot down to the planet like meteors without any sign of acceleration. Tails of shimmering radiance followed in their wake as they explored the globe in a grid pattern.

The Great city of Wer'Guawysvern sat bellow and the oracles and wizards of the mighty desert city began their works in the name of their great scaly Lord of the Southern Sands. Inikhethadaternock simply offered a toothy smile as he rose from his sandy throne and donned a silk robe to cover his bare sun-kissed skin. His elvish appearance he now took moved with grace as he took a scroll from a kneeling robed servant all the while his Hidden Claw strode right beside him keeping her silence until he was ready for her words.

"You know, Aurora, there is a fine line of wonderful news that I am willing to take." Inikhethadaternock commented as he unrolled the scroll and looked over the inscribed work only to smirk. "I was wondering how that assignment went. So you outright killed the man in public?" The Dragon quested slyly. Aurora simply nodded and kept her pace with her lord as they walked.

"I called him out for his betrayals and when he tried to deny them I silenced him." Aurora quickly commented. She kept her eyes forward as the two stepped into the daylight. "My lord what are you going to do about the newcomers who sit high above? Ra'Zahr and that wizard said that they would arrive but we have no idea as to what kind of force they have. Their technology from what I am informed is magical in nature but..." Aurora began to trail off the subject as her gaze fell upon Symir who only offered his own smile as he strode past the two.

"Aurora." The sand dragon chirped a bit as he continued to smile. "Go after that loving brother of yours and let him know that lunch will be served shortly. I expect him to be present during the festivities and for the arrival of our guests if they decide to come down from that lofty spot of theirs."

The Hidden Claw simply nodded and turned about to go after her brother. The King of Wer'Guawysvern simply continued on his way and began to look over his territory just to then bring his gaze up too the sky above. His keen vision brought a smile to his face as arcane energies began to flow heavily around him.

"Bring on the feast then."

Silence was all the Qenna would give towards the two, following quietly behind the King of the Sands. Qenna sighed inwardly as she strode along behind and listened to the words spoken between her sister and father 'Fools...the lot of them' She thought to herself as she leaned slightly on her walking stick, the Staff hummed with a power all it's own, her fingers brushing up and down the golden lines and runic markings while her gaze shifted to look at it 'I take it you already know a good deal about that thing in the sky dont you?' She asked, the tiefling would say while running her fingers through her hair to brush it from her face.

'Always...' The Staff replied as it said further 'It is a very curious design, however, I would need to interface directly with one of their minds to learn anything further. All I can infer is that their magic is almost superior to your own' Qenna nodded and would sway her tail back and forth gently as her gaze lifted up at the thought of a feast 'Great...another feast with the boring dignataries...wonderful of days' She said with a roll of her eyes and allowed her presence be known by a sharp rapping of her staff on the ground "My Lord...do you desire my contact with regard to those whom rest above our heads?" She asked him

Her face was practiced and even in tone, cold, steely eyes watching her Father while her grip on her staff tightened gently though she did bow her head "If necessary, I could arrange quarters for them and their number to stay within the city walls" Qenna offered.

The king of the sands simply turned to look at his wonderful court wizard only to frown slightly as there was still plenty to do.

"You know Qenna it is almost unbearable when you ask such simple questions." The sun kissed elf offered her a mock bow. His blue eyes seemed to glow as they held their gaze upon his half bread child. "I actually wish you to be present for when the new arrivals show themselves. After all Ra'Zahr and that large hatted wizard did promise me that those guests of ours would be most famished and tired."

Inikhethadaternock began to straighten himself up and popped his neck only to look over the vast ocean before them and the desert at their backs. "Have the people who work within my halls prepare a great meal and the dining hall. Make sure there is extra sand upon the floor and the cooling lamps in place, the blue flames. Once this is all done and over with I will require my maps and documents from our personal library to see what can be done with our new found friends to make them comfortable."

Qenna sighed gently while tapping the ground with her staff "Very well my lord but may I make one point known. How am I to know your will when you do not share it with me? I may be your advisor and a high tier Chrono-mancer but there are literally an endless amount of outcomes your will could be based on the current situation. Time is fickle like that" She said and would turn to head out for the servant's quarters to begin the preparations "Time...what is the nature of it?" She said to herself then snapped her fingers and disappeared as time itself froze all around her. even the Great Sand King would find himself immobile to her while she headed onward

'My Lady, you sound angry...' The staff hummed as the Tiefling nodded a little "I am Heim but now is not the time to be venting frustrations and troubles. Now, there is work to be done and perhaps once the evening has come, I may shed a tear or two in the oasis" Qenna would arrive at the quarters and snapped her fingers again loudly as time resumed and she began to organize the servants for the feast's preparations.

"Sire, we have located an adequate civilization and have synchronized the arcanogram. Shall we establish contact?"

"Aye, initiate the broadcast."

Several minutes after the conversation between the King of the Sands and his underlings, when the King was alone with his thoughts, a hum of magical energy stirred the air. The flames of the nearby fire flickered and churned with the hum. A blast of wind erupted through the room as the flames ascended several feet in the air. Cosmic energy flowed through the flames, warping and shifting them into a radiant golden yellow. An aura of soothing and calming tranquility and peace flowed from the fire place along with a soft tune that melted away anxiety and tension. The radiance flowed from the hearth and melded into a tall humanoid form.

The figure grew in size until it nearly doubled the height of the king's elven form. A golden brown mane surrounded his fierce and noble feline face and flowed down his shoulders and back like a shining waterfall. Long flowing robes covered the being's large and muscled body. His eyes shone like two stars that were illuminated with an aura of great wisdom, power, nobility, virtue, and honor. A massive jagged broadsword covered in glowing runes rested in his paw-like hands. He gripped the hilt and held it downward like a cane. The image of golden light and warm flame shimmered as he raised a clenched fist to his chest in a salute.

"Greetings, friend," the being said in a rich, strong, yet tender voice. "I am Neodin Shadowslayer, son of Lo'din the Fearless, King of Arydia, Head Councilman of the Khroniktan Alliance, High Priest of the Chosen, and Prophet of Leolik. On behalf of all the free peoples of Khroniktus, I extend a banner of peace and friendship towards you and your race. Please respond if you can understand me."

The King of the Sands simply offered a bow and a warm smile before he opened his mouth.

"A fine greeting indeed, Neodin Shadowslayer, son of Lo'din the Fearless, King of Arydia, Head Councilman of the Khroniktan Alliance, High Priest of the Chosen, and Prophet of Leolik. I also wish to extend a warm hand and embrace a wayward people to the lands of Gaia."

The sun-kissed elf offered his warmest greetings while straightening himself up. Inikhethadaternock could only smile as the opportunity that presented itself was to rare to pass up. With these new people they would need to know what this land could provide and its dangers as well. Asides from that the sand dragon began to ponder something more as he looked at the massive figure that stood before him.

"I am blessed by the luck of the Prophets it seems for I was foretold of your arrival actually. I wonder if you would be willing to accept my invitation to a feast in your honor Neodin Shadowslayer. You and your people have traveled far and I am sure that the splendors I have to offer would be a welcome comfort to such a powerful king."

Meanwhile in the lower city Ra'Zahr and Bigsby ate their own meals discussing the local politics of the massive sand dragon while Symir and Aurora went about on their own tasks. The massive city seemed to glow as the suns falsely set behind the clouds within the sky as the last light gleamed off the city and its crushed minerals that lined the crevices between each golden brick. Within the dragons main hall a massive feast was being set and prepared by the finest cooks and the air within smelled greatly of spices and fine drink. Many of the people within began to celebrate as the priests of the city began to spread word of the possible arrival of new guests and honored friends.

The Aryite King gave the elf a reassuring smile before inclining his head. "I accept the invitation into your household, Lord of the Sands, on behalf of my convoy and myself. We will arrive at the gates of your city by late afternoon on the morrow to ensure ample time for your staff to prepare. Until then, King Inikhethadaternock."

With that, the shimmering image of King Neodin faded and the flames returned to the hearth.

---------

The next day.

The massive crystalline vessels continued their orbit. Cosmic and arcane energies surged across their surfaces and formed ripples of pulsating light like waves on a golden sea. A dozen smaller ships crafted from the same crystalline material emerged from the ripples and descended towards the world below. They penetrated the atmosphere - leaving contrails of superheated ozone in their wake. Dry desert winds whipped against the smooth faces of their hulls.

The Khroniktan ships glistened like desert diamonds in the radiance of Gaia's dual suns. Some were rectangular like long sea-faring ships while others were more faceted. They approached the edge of the city before slowing to a silent halt. Galleys, the long rectangular vessels, descended to the ground while their sleek diamond-shaped Trireme cousins remained aloft like guardian angels. They took defensive positions in the sky - passive yet alert.

A single vessel flew ahead of the herd and landed at a stone's throw from the city gate. It landed with its broadside facing the city. The vessel hovered above the ground, causing a barely perceptible disturbance in the sand beneath. Swirling light resonated on the side of the ship.

Several pairs of armored feet emerged from the light. Gallant figures clad in golden plate radiated with an aura of mystical and divine energy. They towered head and shoulders above the residents of Wer'Guawysvern and were thick as boulders. Large broadswords, shields, maces, and bows were sheathed on their backs. Fur, ranging from a glossy black to pale yellow, covered the entirety of their bodies. The fur that adorned their feline-like faces and heads were neatly trimmed, tied back, or braided into dreadlocks. Other manes were gray and thinned. Large banners, bearing their gold and red standard, were gripped in the gauntlets of the two front Aryites.

The armor-clad lion-men marched lockstep to a rigid rhythm of snares, toms, and bass. However, none of the Aryite Chosen wielded any instruments among their arms. It was as if the cadence resonated from the air itself, or an invisible orchestra of spirits had materialized to guide the holy warriors. Two columns of ten marched with five paces between them.

“Shemot!... Imaki!... Shemo’ imak’ shemot!” barked one of the Aryites in sync with the cadence.

“Magtzeer!” he shouted. The columns and marching beat ceased at the order. “Lehuka nazeh makedat!” As one, the two lines pivoted inward and stood rigid with soldierly discipline.

“Ledaha!” The soldiers, in a robotic sync, stretched their gauntleted paw-hands behind their backs and unsheathed their large broadswords. Their blades resonated with runes of courage, righteousness, and virtue. They gripped the runeblades in both hands and placed the tips against the ground.

Another figure emerged from the ship. His mountainous body was wrapped in long flowing robes of royal purple, pure gold, and shining silver. A long furred tail swayed behind him. King Neodin Shadowslayer stood two heads above the other Aryites and towered at twice the height of the Gaians. A golden brown mane, laced with strands of silver and gray, surrounded his fierce and noble feline face and flowed down his shoulders and back. His eyes shone like two stars that illuminated an aura of great wisdom, power, nobility, virtue, and honor. He held a massive runesword in his grip. Runes similar to those carved into the blades of the Aryite Chosen, but much more ancient and powerful, glowed with a soft golden luminescence on the blade. Neodin wielded the blade like a cane - or a scepter. A crown of polished silver adorned his brow. The band was crafted of pure gold while studs of firm bronze fastened it and the silver body together. Crimson rubies adorned the tips of the headpiece.

The Aryite Chosen lowered to their knees and bowed their heads in deep reverence to their King and High Priest as he walked down the aisle between the columns. They rose to attention after his passing.

Several other figures followed King Neodin. Some were other Aryites dressed in fine silks and expensive jewels. Other, much smaller creatures, were interspersed with the Aryites. They stood shorter than the Gaians with their backs hunched. Long beaks protruded from beneath linen hoods while talons slid through the sand. The creatures rotated their heads every which way to take their surroundings. A large assortment of colors, ranging from forest greens, earthy greys, to electric blues painted their fine robes.

"Presenting King Neodin Shadowslayer," one of the Aryite's declared, "King of Arydia, Head Councilman of the Khroniktan Alliance, High Priest of the Chosen, and Prophet of Leolik; and accompanying delegation of the Khroniktan Alliance!"

The Sand Dragon watched from his keep the arrival of the Khroniktan Alliance. Inikhethadaternock glanced from the arrivals to the closed gates which slowly opened upon the oncoming entourage only to smile toothily as the parade and the festivities that ran down the main street dazzled with the suns brilliance as music and cheers suddenly accompanied the King Neodin Shadowslayer's announced arrival on the field. At the front of the gates stood the familiar sight of Ra'Zahr in his own robbed garb held his staff on high only to send out the first set of Snap Dragon Fireworks bursting forth from his hand sending several large fiery dragons on high just to explode in an array of colors and sparks.
--
"Welcome to The great city Wer'Guawysvern!" Ra'Zahr shouted with jubilation. "The people of the city offer you their finest hospitality according to the laws set by our mighty lord. Please come and partake in our festivities." The Rakasta Priest offered his own warm toothy smile as he approached the group of well armed soldiers who acted as their kings guard. "Your soldiers and your people are more than welcome to enjoy whatever they see fit within reach. The rules of hospitality dictate that good food and fine stories are always welcome on warm days such as this."
--
It was with those words that the smaller feline turned about and bid them to follow as he would escort them through the festive streets. Men and women alike of the merchant class would try their best to tempt the newcomers with fine spirits and ales along with good food while others would admire and marvel the newcomers from a distance. The celebration would not end behind them in their wake and neither would it stop before them. It was only when they drew closer to the main keep of the city palace that the royal guards stood ready in site.

Each man and woman who stood their guard held their Khopesh by their side and at the ready. Their armor gleamed with an enchanted aura and their skin glowed like polished bronze in the light of day. Before the group Aurora Urthador stood expectantly with her hands behind her back.

"My lords." Aurora spoke in a rather firm tone. She turned his gaze to the guard to her left which quickly dispersed. "The festivities await you in the dinning hall. Please feel free to make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the entertainment and meal that was prepared for you by our humble King." Aurora offered her courtesies and bowed for the noble lords only to show them the way to a massive set of ebony doors lined with silver dust that was set into its grain.

"A word of advice my lords." Aurora quickly spoke up as she opened the doors for them. "Our King is not what many expect at first." The warrior monk stepped away quickly as the scent of freshly cooked food filled the air along with the image of massive dinning tables lining the Hall packed full of a variety of foods and drinks. The head table faced towards a massive sand throne that sat above the sandy floor and upon the throne a rather massive Sand Dragon lay with bestial eyes upon the group that entered.

"My welcomed guests!" The massive creature bellowed with a toothy grin. In the beasts clawed hand was a large copper bowl filled to the brim with the sweetest nectar. "This feast is being held in your honor for your long journey! Take in my splendor and be at peace." It was with that command that the Hall was filled with its own music as bards of all kinds took to the floor while servants moved to welcome to the guests and escort them to their seats. Symir himself simply offered a warm bow to Neodin Shadowslayer and waved him and his entourage over.

"My lords. I welcome you to my Fathers party. If you would all please take your seats at the main table before his throne I am sure there is plenty for you all to discuss." Symir smiled and as he would escort the diplomats and their leader he was suddenly whisked away by a large hatted fellow who had some of his own questions that needed answered.

"Qenna L'Tone, You do me proud that you are here, I hope you have the documents I asked for." The Dragon asked his court mage. Inikhethadaternock sipped at the nectar within the massive saucer and awaited his answer before his guests took their seats.

Qenna had used her time quite nicely. By the time the morning sun had arrived on the horizon, she had completed all of the tasks set aside for her by her father and prepared them for his viewing. She scoffed at this and sighed "One of these days Heimdal, Ill be able to break the bonds which hold me here..." She said as she walked through the now frozen streets, finding herself a nice little pocket of time with which to move unimpeeded by the city's bustling streets. She could see the people's excitement in their frozen faces as she tapped a few with the end of her staff to part their ways from her as she approached the main city gates.

Her gaze soon fell to the frozen cat men as they began to walk through the city, each one larger then she could have expected. "My my...what large creatures these lot are" She said, slowly moving the frozen faces to look at them a bit more closely "Heim, what can you gather?" She asked, the staff humming gently 'They are not of this world, or any world we have seen with our greatest eyes. They are a powerful species well versed in magics we do not even know. It would be fascinating to learn some of these my lady. Perhaps they might be willing to teach you should you inquire' Heim stated as she nodded gently "Perhaps so...but not yet. This king looks like a wise man" She said and chuckled a little as she moved along her way but snapped her fingers quickly to make time resume as she could view the entirety of their tour from afar.

When the group made their way to the palace, Qenna snapped her fingers and stopped time once again to freeze the procession in place, quite literally "Now then, to grab father's papers" She said and headed for her room using a teleportation spell and snatched up the documents, then appeared at her father's side just as the procession entered "Of course my lord. Your papers are here" She said and used a levitation spell to make the documents hover before her King's eyes and leaned lightly on her staff as she watched the group with interest "Father, may I gather a bottle of the special reserve tonight? I think our guest would enjoy a finer vintage then what I provided" She said while moving some of her hair from her face, eyes turning towards King Neodin Shadowslayer with curious flickers in her irises.