Chapter CCCXLV: Artanis’ Arrival ~Markior

The vastness of space had grown little ever since the Firstborn, the Protoss, had implemented Recall technology in their Arbiters, and personally adjusted vessels. Influencing space-time to travel light years in mere minutes made it easy to cover large distances swiftly, if time so requested. Still, Artanis, the young Praetor in his Scout vessel, was getting bored quickly.

Whatever gravitational pull was keeping the Spectrum captive still has grip on me. I should be going a lot faster than this... and even now, I'm already light years away...

His eyes darted over the translucent screen in front of him. Data and statistics were displayed in a constant stream, the information showing obviously that the Spectrum, or rather, Artanis's point of departure, was inside the biggest pit of gravitational pull in the multiverse. Maybe... it could be the very centre of this universe. If the Spectrum is indeed in the very middle of it, it could be the reason why it's stuck. He looked at his graphic chart. Estimated time till arrival... 4 hours.

Meanwhile, back on G'lirer, Markior, in Archonic form, rested atop a tall mountain, the snow falling through him as his eyes were closed, hands held to the side. Meditations were his only moments of peace he knew. After Nonth’s departure, Lich had been in shock pretty bad. And Multehx's sudden arrival, lifeless as he was, seemed to be a catalyst. The Archon could understand, it all seemed too surreal; it could almost not be a coincidence... Again, as if by miracle, Ark was switched for Multehx in front of Lich's eyes.

While in meditation, his mind reached into the depths of space. Blurry visions came through him about the ones he thought of. He saw the bored Artanis on his travel towards G'lirer. He saw Ark, but his surroundings were unclear and unfamiliar... at least he wasn't dead. He saw others as well…Prismaya? She looked pretty peeved off at someone…good! That meant all was well with her, too. There were others. Humans, Yoshies, Robots... a wolf? What a strange planet they were on…He saw Nonth. Again, unfamiliar surroundings, and looking pretty satisfied with himself.

Markior opened his pupiless white eyes, looking out over the distant horizon of the planet. I should hunt him down. Every last one of them. None of the robots in existence can match my might or technique. If I'm the last one of the forces of Good who has near-immunity against their force, then so be it.

He started his descent, shifting back to corporeal form and sliding down the snow, leaving a track of molten snow and ice behind him as he rammed through numerous ice walls, which shattered in his wake.

After a few hours, Artanis was nearing the planet. Here it is, the planet Markior is on. His beacon doesn't pinpoint his exact location... but... The Scout lowered through the clouds... There is a village there.

With a loud humming sound, the Protoss Scout lowered gradually, until its landing plates extracted, the blue glow coming from its engines dieing down... Gradually, the Scouts' sounds ceased, and Artanis had landed on G'lirer.

Finally, I'm here, Artanis thought.

The cockpit opened, and the young Praetor climbed out of his Scout. It was when he was greeted by numerous spearpoints pointing at his throat when he realized something was wrong...

What by Adun?!

He looked through the village, seeing numerous Yoshians, or at least similar looking beings, staring at him. He recognised them as the species Markior was the guardian of.

"I'm looking for Markior," he mentally spoke. "MAR-KI-OR?" He repeated, looking around.

The Yoshians looked to each other, before motioning Artanis to the ground, the spearpoints never leaving their spots near Artanis's throat.

"Oh, just fantastic..." Artanis realized. "Wrong village…wrong tribe."