Chapter XLII - Thorasoh'cahp ~Markior

The Spectrum was faster then the Protoss' vessels, though of course, time could be caught up when Artanis and his forces would enter Warp. They had been fighting off the Zerg to give the Spectrum a good escape, and when the creatures were slaughtered, Artanis once again took up contact with Zeratul.

Zeratul, this is Artanis. We have managed to protect them so far, but they have ventured beyond our sight. What does your stationary Observer tell?

Zeratul looked to the side at a different screen. They are on the planet "Rig'het Paht" at this moment, Praetor, by it's inhabitants called "Fa'Diel". I suggest you go to Warp immediately…sensors indicate a few stronger Zerg strains to have followed them there with a thirst for vengeance. Also, most importantly, sources indicate two strong presences there. Proceed with caution, young Templar.

Artanis nodded in response. Yes, patriarch. Our shields have been restored to 100 percent. Going to warp soon. I'll…contact you again when necessary. Artanis out.

Artanis pushed the holographical button in front of him. Within a matter of moments, the Protoss forces went into Warp.

~ Meanwhile... ~

6400 opened his eyes.

Was that a dream? Or a memory... he thought to himself, still floating in the air. Another piece to the puzzle I guess.

Just then he looked up to the sky and he saw something he didn't want to see. A group of Zerg units flying in the distance... But not just any units, a new strain. Yoshi6400 dropped down swiftly, and went to warn the others.

Guys! People! Everyone! The Yoshi God of Warriors called out as he touched the floor of the Spectrum.

Some of the poker players looked up. "What is it?" and "Not now, I'm winning here!" were the most common responses.

6400 motioned up towards the skies. "There's trouble. Some Zerg followed us, even here!"

Sapphire and a few others got up.

"Not again, these beasts are becoming so annoying!" Kaye called out as she walked into the room after hearing 6400, a small bandage wrapped around her hand.

Kyanosa grinned, "You know, this is just like that game…uhm…"

He got "the look" from the rest of the group, so he did a smart thing: stop talking. Ratch entered the cabin from the head of the Spectrum.

“Ok, I'll deal with this. I'm bored and need some action, anyway,” he said in his metallic voice.

He looked up to the roof-window of the Spectrum and leaped, leaving behind some dust-clouds after his jump. 6400, Sapphire, Kaye and Kyanosa followed shortly after.

"Exit warp in 5… 4..." the echoing voice of the computer mainframe called out. Artanis pushed a number of buttons. As the Proto-Overminds swooped down from the skies, the air above Fa'diel distorted...before the Protoss warriors burst into appearance. The sun was setting already, and two of the moons were starting to get visible.

Artanis mentally called out towards the group standing on top of the Spectrum: We're here to aid you. Be careful, warriors. These are not your ordinary Zerg!

After a matter of moments, the battle began. The Carriers let out eight Interceptors each from their hull, which swarmed their targets. Ratch pointed one of his rocket launchers at a Proto-Overmind, firing a barrage of missiles at the beast. In a matter of seconds, the beast exploded in a mass of blood and guts. Ratch grinned triumphantly (a thing he could do again, luckily, with his new jaw), and looked up at Artanis's scout.

"Do we look like we need help?!" he called, before getting knocked backwards by a shot of Acid spores from a Muta-Lurker, making him stumble backwards in surprise, green goo covering his metal plating.

6400 and Sapphire teamed up and took said Muta-Lurker out of the skies. Artanis didn't respond to Ratch's words; he took the controls and fired away at another Proto-Overmind, blasting a hole in its side with anti-matter missiles before tearing his Scout through the beast's body, making it explode from both impact and force. After minutes of battle, the Zerg had been disposed of, and Artanis landed his Scout next to the Spectrum. Ratch and Kyanosa were the first to stand at the yellow vessel's side as it opened up and Artanis leaped out of it.

Greetings, noble travelers. Once again we apologize for the earlier misund-

Ratch cut him off, rumbling, "Save it, gloweyes. We already picked up some of yer transmissions with that Zeratul person. If you want to team up with us and find Mister Xel'something, I reckon it's fine. Just keep out of my way."

Artanis widened one eye as if quirking a brow, then responded with a simple, Very well. We thank you.

Ratch had already turned around, waving dismissively. Artanis looked down at the grining face of Kyanosa.

"Can you do tricks?"

Artanis groaned mentally. This was gonna be a long day.

After retrieving his battle armor, psi-blades and communications pod from his Scout, he established contact with Zeratul.

Patriarch Zeratul. I am staying behind with the adventurers. I believe this course of action will prove to be the most useful in our quest to find Markior, and the Twin Crystals. With your permission, recall the rest of our forces back to Aiur.

Zeratul looked to the side briefly in thought, before responding: Very well. Your views have always proven to be...different from the rest of us, though there has not been a time you have made a wrong choice. I always knew you were the adventurous type, Artanis. Good luck. May the light of the Khala shine upon your path, yet may the Darkness always remember you of Shakuras, and your task at hand.

Black swirling portals of space-time energy appeared around the Protoss' ships, before they disappeared. Artanis placed his warp-blades around his wrists - only pods at this time since they were not activated, they didn't take up much space. After a brief discussion with 6400, one of the last sections of the Spectrum opened up, allowing Artanis to steer his vessel into it.

“...and now, Lich and Ark, plus a few others are gone to that village Potos, since there's a weapon there that the Twilight Council is after," Kaye finished, looking with interest at Artanis's mouth- and nose-less face.

Artanis nodded briefly. He was fully informed by now of the adventurers' current quest, and he was starting to like being part of the group.

Intruiging, he responded, before standing up. I think I'll go and meet up with these two brothers. I shall see you all later.

He stood up and moved towards the exit, stepping over a tied-up and gagged human.

After walking a fair while into one direction, Artanis came to the conclusion that...he was pretty lost.

I should've asked for directions, of course... he thought to himself, only to be disturbed by a rather loud yet cheerful voice.

"HEY now! What's with the thoughtful face, partner? You look like you going some places?"

Artanis looked up to a small hill to what appeared to be a short human with goggles, and wild spiky black hair. The human seemed to be pretty excited, since he kept bouncing on his toes. Artanis nodded slightly in response.

Indeed human. My name, he paused, is Artanis. And I am looking for a town called Potos.

The man grinned widely and scurried after the Protoss, pushing him up the hill.

"AAah, Potos, huh? Well that's might dandy, partner! You see, I just rearranged my special travel cannon towards that particular place, and since you so kindly volunteered, I'll let you use it for no charge at all! How does that sound?"

Artanis blink-blinked in confusion.

Dandy? Cannon? Volunteered? Excuse me, but...

Before he could say anything else, he had been placed in the opening of a colorful cannon.

Pardon, human. I do believe you're mista-

The man laughed heartily, "Don't worry, partner! Fire away! CLEAR!"

With a loud explosion, the cannon fired, hurling Artanis through the air, breaking through a few clouds and scaring away multiple birds.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaahhhh....

Lich and Ark arrived in Potos to find it in ruins. They stopped in Kippo first, but the rogues had already hightailed it to this town. The two brothers stopped in their tracks and looks around in disbelief. The town from which the Hero had come, which had gained so much fame from those events centuries ago, was now nothing more then rubble for the most part. Some houses were still standing. The two rushed towards the elder, who was laying on his back, seeming to have just regained consciousness. The old man was bleeding through his eyebrow.

"We're too late, Ark," Lich said, helping the old man up.

Ark looked at the elder. "Please, tell us. What happened here?"

Through his fogged state of mind, the elder didn't even fully recognise the two brothers for who they were. "Oh…it was horrid…they…they've come for the sword…is…is the sword okay?"

Ark and Lich looked at each other, before rapidly moving the elder to the aid of a female who was untouched by the ravage left behind. They ran towards the northwestern exit of the town, taking out their respective weapons.

Please, please don't let us be too late... the two thought.

Upon entering the innermost region of the waterfalls and rivers, the two came to a halt...

“It's gone…we're…too late," Ark said, looking at Lich.

Lich narrowed his eyes. "Shh.. Do you hear something?"

Aaaaaa...

Ark looked up. "Yeah, I hear it.. it's a psychic yelling of some sort…"

The two gripped their weapons tightly, looking around.

...aaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAHH!!! *THUD*

Apparently, the cannon operator had been a bit off. Because of Artanis's strong Left-path bias, the Mana Field's "cushioning" of his landing didn't have as much use as it was supposed to. Artanis had landed head-first into a stream, his psychic voice calling out for help. Ark and Lich, both surprised, rushed over and pulled the warrior out. Artanis grumbled and turned on his psi-blades.

If I get my hands on the spiky-haired hu…HUMAN!

Lich and Ark, for a moment forgetting about the disappearance of the Mana Sword, chuckled in amusement.

After a few moments of drying and cleaning his face and shoulders, Artanis stood his ground again. Ark and Lich looked at the spot where the Mana Sword once stood…

Artanis looked at the two brothers, asking, The Twilight Council has beaten us to it, am I correct?

Lich nodded in response. The three stared at the gaping hole in the river, which was slowly being filled with water, mud, and greenery...