Lily was also really intrigued by the storyline of Conquest: Origins, and she could clock her play hours as ‘overtime’ which might look good to her boss anyway. She could use as many brownie points as she could get considering her rocky standing with the company.
At first she thought that Conquest: Origins would be some kind of mod or custom campaign for the original game, but quickly realized that it had its own story altogether that was set in an alternate past. As she played, she learned that the Earth was being threatened by a malevolent force known as the Leviathan, and she was enlisted by a group who called themselves the Watchers to help save the alien race of Malakhim from certain annihilation.
Lily was hooked instantly. She loved the gameplay of Conquest, but the plot didn't hold much interest for her. So Conquest: Origins gave her the chance to play Conquest, while giving her a compelling narrative as well. And it did not disappoint.
After changing into her blue duds, she entered the Arena and pressed on her right temple. Toggling to the last option, she selected Conquest: Origins. She was tempted by the Freeplay option, but she really wanted to continue the story. So instead she selected “Story Mode”. A new prompt appeared, introducing Level 2.
Level 2: Terran Outpost
In the ancient days of Kolob at the center of the galaxy, before the Great War, there was a time when the alien race of Malakhim lived in harmony with the spirits of nature. They worshipped a supreme being whom they called "Father". They were not gods, nor were they demons. These people were merely mortal creatures that were subject to their own desires and whims. They could not fly, nor were they immune to natural phenomena such as earthquakes. However, these people were blessed with the ability to share the gifts of the spirits. But then came the alien beast known as the Leviathan, and he brought with him the creatures of the deep called Voidspawn. The Beast had only one purpose: to consume the souls of all that was living.
Father created the planet Earth at the edge of the galaxy as a refuge from the Leviathan and his creatures of darkness, and granted special powers unto a select few Malakhim that He had chosen. These were the first of the Watchers.
Immediately following the introduction, the game launched into a new cutscene.
> From Kolob, to Earth. The planet that Father had created for us, the planet he had created for the humans, was under attack now. We could see it. It was at Jupiter now, the writhing blackness blanking out everything in the sky.
>
> It was coming. We were prepared. The primitive humans had their weapons, we had ours. Father had decided that we belonged alongside these savages, these failed experiments. As if we were not good enough for him already. As if he needed to populate this world with any more blasphemies against our form. At the very least, they would make good fodder if his ‘Firmament’ failed. After all, you don’t need to outrun the tiger, merely your companions.
>
> It drew closer. Speeding in the sky, impossibly fast, It drew ever closer.
>
> Past the asteroids.
>
> Past Mars.
>
> Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
>
> It stopped at the moon, a massive, inky botch of corruption on the pristine surface of Luna. It moved, ever so slowly, like a mantis coming closer and closer to its prey. Shifting, moving ever closer to the surface.
>
> Then, when it was close enough, it struck. It slammed against the Firmament. The entire thing lay against the sky, a massive ocean of pure blackness covering all else. Lightning crackled across it, bright light pulsing over the surface of the monster. It expanded, spreading across the sky and blotting out the sun.
>
> Between the lightning, eyes and mouths formed, chewing at air and staring hatefully at Earth. I could see the hate, the malice, in its eyes. The eyes formed and dissolved back into its form dozens of times with every wretched second. Writhing masses of bristled tendrils slammed against the Firmament. Maybe it would hold. Maybe we were safe.
>
> The first shot was fired. It was distant, the echoing report of a rifle. That report was followed by the roar of a hundred-hundred rifles. The thing screamed in anger, pressing ever harder against the surface of the Firmament. The lightning intensified, drowning out the flash of rifles and the sound of explosions. The smell of burnt gunpowder and the hair-raising static of magic remained. I could see the humans, the throng of primitive beasts, retreating as quickly as they could, trying to get to safety.
>
> The hulking beast tried to find cracks, searching with horrid, murderous intent. But eventually, it realized how vain its attempts were. It sulked away, lifting itself up from the barrier. The monster slipped back into the void, and there, we hoped, it would remain.
>
> For once, Father had chosen rightly in creating the Firmament. The primitive humans came out from the forest, whooping and hollering. I scowled at them and turned away. They hadn’t done anything. Just watched. Watched, and ran when they thought it wasn’t safe. Bloody cowards, all of them.
>
> The savages hugged each other and the others of my kind, everyone cheered and made merry. I removed myself from the situation, trying to keep my distance, lest any of the humans tried to get too friendly with me.
>
> I was happy, though. It was good to be alive, if nothing else.
The cutscene ended, and Lily found herself playing a new character. She was on the outskirts of Terran Outpost, where the first shots of the battle were fired. The Leviathan was still unable to penetrate the Firmament, but it was growing impatient. Every few seconds it tried again and again, screaming and spitting sparks of electricity across the Firmament.
She was running across the plains toward the outpost, trying to reach it before the Leviathan broke through. The Leviathan’s voice bellowed in her head, shaking her. It was angry that it couldn't break through. But she ignored it and focused on the goal ahead.
As she approached the outpost, she saw a small army of primitive humans marching towards the city gates. They were armed with spears and swords, and looked terrified of the approaching threat. The sight was almost comical. They were armed with ancient weapons that were useless in combat against the Leviathan's attacks. Their only option was to run.
But the doors of the gates were closed, and they refused to budge. For whatever reason, the primitive humans of Terra had barricaded themselves inside of their walls and were refusing to let the Malakhim pass.
Lily stepped onto a rock, raising herself above the rest of the crowd as she got a better view. In the distance, the Leviathan was hammering against the Firmament like a giant battering ram. If it broke through, it could devour the entire planet in minutes. Terra was far smaller than Kolob, so it wouldn’t take long.
Just then, the ground shook, and the walls began to crumble. Massive chunks of the wall crumbled away, leaving gaping holes in the fortification. The people behind Lily screamed as they fell into the abyss below. Those in front of her dove into her, pushing her aside as they clung to the walls desperately. One of them managed to grab her foot, and she lost her balance, falling backward. She slid along the stone floor and fell off the edge of the cliff.
Game Over
Cause of Death: Falling
A penalty lockout screen appeared with a ten minute countdown.
Lily let out a heavy sigh.
I might as well grab a bite to eat.
She pressed on her right temple and logged out.
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