Xeros, just how far must you go? It pains me to see you like this, so filled with hatred, when I know a glimmer of that righteous, passionate young man of the past still resides within you. Your dream is something wonderful, but this is not the answer. Look around you! Is this world of yours truly worth the anguish and torment it has wrought?”
Grand General Luxmi, former Ruler of Nox Caelum
———
Xeros
Memories. They are fickle, haunting, and yet, they are necessary. From them, we learn. From them, we rise. Without memories, The Grand General would not be here today. The foolish naivety of his youth, and the grief it brought, is what fuels his impassioned campaign to this dat.
But sometimes, he remembers his mistakes. He contemplates what could have been, but memories are mere echoes of the past. They are immaterial, and dwelling on the endless possibilities will only yield a hollow emptiness.
Ah, look at him getting sentimental like this. How long has it been since he’s felt this melancholy? Years…many years perhaps. It is quite the nostalgic feeling, but an unneeded one. It appears that he still has not managed to rid his mind of weakness, a most troubling thought indeed.
“We’ve arrived Grand General,” Luxanne reports from behind, interrupting his brooding recollection.
“So I see.”
The Overlord’s domain is steeped within a murky gloom, and the very landscape itself appears to wither and decay around them as Xeros and his entourage arrive at the tribe’s entrance. Reddish-brown soil covers the earth, and a sickly, pale fog engulfs the entirety of the settlement. Tattered huts and hovels occupy the space, and nary a soul is seen besides the occasional beady glance hidden from view.
Strange warriors begin to emerge from the fog and approach the vehicle. They are different from the rebel attackers, and instead of baring colorful cloth, they are bare chested with numerous tattoos and mystical symbols embedded onto their skin. A skull-shaped mask covers their entire face, and they move with an unnatural cadence, as if they are but mere puppets devoid of a soul.
“Wel…come,” they all whisper in unison. “Grand General Xeros, we have been…waiting. Yes, waiting. Follow us. He awaits your presence. He awaits your call.”
In an instant, they are surrounded by the clansman. There is no escape, the only path left is forward.
“…Lead the way.” Xeros grimaces.
The territory is as desolate as it appears from the outside. No roads, no buildings, only the starving and downtrodden are left to fill the land. They shamble around aimlessly as they live out their meager lives. Well, if you can even call such an existence living.
“Tell me, what do you see Luxanne?” he asks, leering at the slums around him.
“Corpses,” she mutters. “There is no light, no fire, within their eyes. They may as well be dead.”
“Quite so, quite so. Humans are greedy, fickle creatures, but their ambition is what gives them cause. It inspires them to reach towards ever greater heights, even if they must suffer in the process. It is the duty of a Ruler to fuel their ambition. To satisfy their selfish aspirations. We give them purpose, and in turn, they serve.”
“Your oh-so standard method of manipulation I see.”
“Indeed it is. Manipulation is but a tactic, one that works well to drive the masses. People are inherently lousy, but we have the ability to shape them into something so much more. To bring out their true potential is the responsibility of a Ruler.”
”…And why are you telling me this?”
“Because there is no purpose within these people, Luxanne. They are empty husks, devoid of what makes them human. This miserable landscape is what our world shall turn into if we allow complacency to fester and rot. The Overlord is feeble in both mind and will. He does not have the qualifications to be a Ruler, but the question remains. How did he conquer these lands with such a hollow army?”
“Because he’s strong?”
“Hmm, not quite. It is because he is ruthless, and that is the only trait he has befitting of a Ruler. Ruthlessness, Luxanne, remember that.”
The escorts suddenly stop and stand lifeless to the side as the transport reaches its destination. In front of them lies an entrance to the underground, and two stone slabs part ways to reveal a sprawling catacomb hidden deep beneath the earth. The entrance is narrow in size, and if they are to proceed, they must traverse by foot.
The hollow puppets before them gesture soundlessly towards the passageway while holding up two fingers in an eerie display of synchronicity. Do these creatures even have an individual will? Curious, very curious. Whatever the case may be, their message is clear. Only two may enter The Overlord’s lair.
“Hoh, testing me now are you?” he chuckles to himself. “Very well then, I accept.”
“How shall we proceed, Grand General?” one of the soldiers asks.
“Luxanne shall escort me. Have everyone else stand by near the war machine. Ah, and bring me the welcome gifts. We do not want to be rude to our host, after all.”
“Of course sir, we shall bunker down with due haste.”
“Excellent. Now go.”
The soldier scurries off and brings the severed heads of the rebellious tribe members. It is a shame that it ended this way for they appeared to be much more capable than these dolls before him, but there is no use in regretting the past. They will all serve under him eventually anyway.
“Your blade?” he asks as Luxanne prepares for the worst.
“Sharpened.”
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“Bullets?”
“Refilled.”
“Then we depart.”
Xeros briskly steps forth into the ancient tomb, Luxanne following cautiously from behind. Stone steps etch downwards while the faint flickering of torches on the wall illuminate the dim surroundings. They begin to traverse into the deep underground, passing by numerous murals and paintings that slather the walls.
“Oh? Interesting…” Xeros notes as he stops to examine a peculiar mural.
“What’s so intriguing about the scribbles of a madman?” Luxanne asks, slightly annoyed at their diversion. The air of the tomb is filled with an uneasy sense of malice, and she wants nothing more than to quickly fulfill their mission and get out.
“Ah, but these are no scribbles my dear girl. No…these murals are ancient. Far, far older than our nation’s founding.”
Xeros touches the image and runs his finger across the aged paint. The mural shows a drawing of a large, celestial figure surrounded by nebulas space. Galaxies flow down its wondrous curls, and its body is surrounded by a pristine, lustrous white. Grotesque abominations border the figure, but they are not closing in. No, they are running away. Unbridled rage and fury is spread across the astral being’s face as it cuts down the horde of nightmares before it.
“Is this supposed to be Cosmos?” Luxanne asks with disbelief. “She looks more…violent than what I remember.”
“Indeed. Curious, is it not? The records of other nations all depict the great mother as a being filled with love and compassion towards her creations, but it appears that The Steppe ancestors think otherwise.”
“I’m not even sure what this is trying to say. Who are the monsters that are running away from her?”
“…I have my suspicions, but it shall not be uttered here. Let us continue our descent. Perhaps the meeting with The Overlord will bring forth the answers we seek.”
“…As you command.”
Each step on the stone cobble echoes loudly as they proceed further into the tomb. Thud. Thud. Thud. One step forward. Two steps forward. Their metal greaves crunch on the ground below, and the atmosphere becomes heavier with malaise.
Finally, the two arrive at a massive gate. It towers over them, and strange, mystical symbols cover the outside of the slab. Xeros attempts to push it open, but the gates give way before he can touch it, revealing a grand room surrounded by ancient looking relics. Small candles litter the edges which provides feeble light that fails to pierce through the dusk that fills the room. A red fur carpet lays on the ground while ominous looking skulls hang from above. A large throne sits at the end of the room, its base made entirely of bones, and seated on top is a figure veiled in darkness.
“Step forth…” an aged, raspy voice calls out. “Xeros, Grand General and Ruler of Nox Caelum, how was your journey?”
“It was quite uneventful, save for some scurrying rats,” Xeros replies, throwing the bag of severed heads at the obscured man.
“Hehehe, rats indeed, always hiding out of sight. Always burrowing within the earth. You have done well, I thank you.”
The figure descends the throne and grabs the bag. The darkness parts way to reveal his body, and it is a disgusting, revolting sight. This thing is a walking corpse. His skin is black as tar, and bones jut out from his withered, emaciated body. And his limbs… they stretch out unnaturally, disproportioned from the rest of his body, and mimics a creature of nightmarish imagination than that of humanity.
Xeros can feel Luxanne trembling behind him at the grotesque sight. Indeed, this thing’s visage evokes insanity within the mind, but no matter of dark sorcery will change what he is. A man.
“You seek an audience with me, Ruler of the Nox,” The Overlord rasps. “What is it that you desire?”
“A pact. Lend me your aid, and I shall assist you with your rat infestation.”
Silence. The Overlord merely stands in place with an indiscernible expression before a shrill cackle begins to escape from his lips. He erupts into laughter, howls piercing through the entirety of the tomb.
“A pact you say…those are powerful words indeed. But do you really think I need such help from the likes of you?”
“I know you do. It has been…ten odd years since you claimed dominion over these lands? Ten years, and yet, your opposition remains.”
“Ahahah, you misunderstand Xeros. They are alive because I will it. To exterminate them all…what enjoyment would that bring? I relish in their hatred, in their fury. It is…a blissful feeling unlike any other. To see sons and daughters come to avenge their parents, only to fall into despair when they realize their end is nigh. That pleasure exceeds all else within this world.”
It appears that The Overlord is an even uglier creature than Xeros initially anticipated. How vile…but his nature is foolish. Manipulating him will prove a simple matter.
“If it is blood you desire, then you shall have it.”
“Oh? Do continue.”
“Polus has lost their shining beacon. It is only a matter of time before they fall before me, and when they do, I shall offer up their lives to you. Do with them what you wish. Torture, pleasure, it matters not. All I ask is that you divert The Arch Magus’s attention away from me.”
“…Now you have attracted my interest. We are kindred souls Xeros. Yes, I can feel it. Like me, you desire destruction. You desire carnage.”
“Then do you agree to the pact?”
“Perhaps. I really do like you Xeros. I truly do. But mere words are not enough for this covenant to blossom. I require a sacrifice, and their blood shall seal the bonds of our union.”
“Very well, who do you desire?”
The Overlord raises a bony finger and points directly behind Xeros. He couldn’t possibly be?
“The girl. Give me the girl.”
He waves towards the collection of skulls dangling above him. Each one’s expression is frozen in perpetual agony, and Xeros can feel the lingering remnants of their resentment trapped within the skeletal prison.
Luxanne trembles from his words and her hands instantly hover towards the hilt of her blade, ready to cut her way out of the tomb despite the overwhelming odds. That determination is impressive, albeit could do with a little less fear, and Xeros can’t help but feel a bit of pride at the display. That decisiveness truly befits that of a Ruler, much more than the corpse that stands before him.
“Luxanne is a commander. I can not give her to you,” he refuses.
“You ask a steep courtesy of me Grand General, and so my cost is steep in return.”
”Regardless, my answer remains. The hole left by her death would be quite an annoyance to fill, and I simply do not have the time to find a suitable replacement.”
“…How disappointing. I expected better from you Xeros.”
“And I, you. Why lust for what belongs to me?”
“My appetite is very difficult to satisfy. Only the blood of a powerful being is enough to sate it. Perhaps you would like to take her place?”
“I must decline. You are welcome to try, but you do not appear to be mindless enough to attempt it. I sincerely hope you prove me correct.”
The Overlord erupts into laughter once again. There is a faint hint of malice hidden within his cries, but he applauds The Grand General nonetheless.
“You have impressed me once again, Xeros. A pity, but this covenant shall not be sealed. However, in honor of your fearlessness, I will allow you to leave my domain alive. My offer shall be available to you at any time.”
“A pity indeed. May the Stars bless you with fortune Bhatu Khulan.”
“And they, you, son of Caelum.”
Xeros and Luxanne leave as the stone gate closes behind them. It is an unfortunate result, but not entirely unexpected. Xeros has gained much from this encounter, and The Overlord will regret letting him leave with such an abundance of knowledge.
As they climb back up the steps, Xeros can sense Luxanne squirming behind him, noticeably shaken from the meeting. The stupid girl has always been terrible at hiding her emotions.
“…I would have never taken the deal,” he mutters.
“…What?”
“No matter what he offered me, I would have never taken the deal.”
And for once, Xeros speaks with complete sincerity.