Book 5 - Interlude 1 - Krillisk - Shadows Looming

Book 5 - Interlude 1 - Krillisk - Shadows Looming

Off the East Coast of the main continent, a hurricane raged. Waves crashed against the rocks, cries, and hisses of pain echoing in off the cliffs of the isolated island.

The taint had been reduced within the Nagas bodies, causing them to fight against their captors. But they had arrived. Their pitiful minds were nothing before the might of the Swarm, their bindings too strong for them to achieve freedom.

The King Naga was a real challenge, even for Krillisk once the taint was removed. However, the odd daughters song allowed the Swarm to sooth its mind just enough to placate it and take control once more.

The water levels were rising, and the world was changing. Tartarus had lost its second city before Krillisk and his people could arrive, but now their pieces were ready. The betrayers had gathered, and Tartarus Champions were ready to oppose the Alliance.

Tens of thousands of undead marched, their bodies forming together. Undead flesh was knit, bones splitting and combining. A massive ship was being forged, a bone galleon of epic proportions.

Water was being pooled in a giant crater, the nagas mastery of water used to finish their preparations. Being forced to use the undead, Krillisk couldnt help but feel was a significant failure. With the curse gone, the levels of life in the air were constantly rising.

It wouldnt be too long before the undead would be unable to move without the aid of blight, bringing their forward progress to a halt. Soon, Tartarus would be forced to play a defensive war. Thus, they moved to finish things in one move.

Krillisks mind touched a new presence entering the vicinity, the magnitude of its mind shocking him.

What are you doing here?

The Apophis Champion Nevara was a severe Dark Elf woman, and her tone speaking to the newcomer matched. When Krillisks compound eyes met the powerful Enforcer, he couldnt help but wonder the same thing. His mandibles and wings quivered.

The figure stood over four meters tall, its face a sleek obsidian mask. Its body was built for war, its hardened stone-like flesh filled with scripts. The man did not wear armor; his body was better than armor. The towering figure had four arms, and held two large polearms.

The creature was an Enforcer, a monster forged by Tartarus for the explicit purpose of slaying Champions. Its Cost was more than one, and it had surely paid a substantial Price for it to be present. This was not even including the countless lives sacrificed and consumed to create and empower the Tier 3 being.

Its power was brought down to the first Tier, but aspects of its strength, skills, and essence persisted, despite the limitations; the powerful mind being a prime example of this.

Krillisk was connected to the Swarm, the powerful connection persistingthough limited. Loviatar demanded this world brought to an end, along with the valkyrie slain.

Nevara scoffed. The betrayers have proven weak aside from their mounts. The Death Gods failure has left them weak and useless. Their taint hardly grows, leaving many stuck at the zeroeth Tier. A thousand bugs are worthless, just fodder for the enemys growth.

Krillisk and the Swarm bristled. The Apophis Champion spoke with contempt when she mentioned bugs, slighting both his people and his Goddess. His knees bent, preparing to leap. She smiled darkly as a snake within her armor hissed, her bow and blades at the ready.

You bitch

The Enforcer interrupted, slamming a large axe between them. The rocky ground shattered and a wave of dark energy rippled out, sending a shockwave with the swing. In the distance, more rock shattered, the face of the mountain being cleaved by his swing.

Both Krillisk and Nevara were aghast. The Enforcers casual attack would have required significant effort for either of them to come out unscathed.

Enough. The Naga are strong, and the undead are empowered by this rising deathly energy. In the West, we will force a confrontation here. He pointed to the map, which remained unshaken despite his attack. All efforts will be to make them fight here.

Krillisk looked, and understood. If the stupid toad was aided by the Swarm, a final fight could occur there. It was clear the Alliances goal was to take the refugees away toward their headquarters. If they abandoned their defense, they could force them to fight.

Nevara asked, What of the East? The Champions party?

They have no choice. They must attack the Greater Rift. We will be ready for this. The Enforcer addressed Krillisk, pointing at the map. Prepare the Naga. We shall crush everything in one fell swoop.

Krillisk and the Swarm buzzed, sending their messages. The stupid toad native would lead the betrayers to accomplish their bidding. The loss of Cronus was unfortunate, crippling their recruitment drive of the reptiles.

The Alliance might think they had evened the scales, but they had only delayed the inevitable. Tartarus had gathered their Naga slaves and made their sacrifices, and they would soon be ready for their own offensive.

The beastkins cities would be swept under the unstoppable tide, unable to do anything about the Tier 2 being they had captured.

Even a Champion couldnt defeat an enemy nearly an entire Tier above them, and they certainly couldnt do it while facing betrayers, enemy Champions, and spawns from a Greater Rift.

That was if they could even handle being attacked by a mentalist. All minds were like brittle glass at this Tier, the Swarm would crush his simple mind under their might. The Champion Partys death would lead to a loss in morale, and the cities will fall one after the other before they could respawn.

Loviatar would have her revenge, and the Swarm would consume all life on Highlands. The meal would be delicious, and Krillisk could hardly wait.