The morning cold of the Desertum Maris lingered in the air, carried by an ever-present light wind. This spring breeze, chilled as it descended from the Murlan Skyrocks—a vast, sheer-walled mountain range splitting the continent in half—swept across the warm desert sands below. These winds forced both beast and man to seek shelter as they stirred small torrents of sand along the rugged edges of the Duradan ridge.
Close to this natural barrier lay the Oasis Magnus, a lush grassland and jungle oasis fed by a caldera lake atop an ancient volcano. It was here, on the fringes of this oasis, that the city of Yasumin Nanmin Dosi—known simply as Yasumin—stood as the gateway to the lands of the Beastkin. Due to its strategic location, Yasumin had become a fortress and sanctuary, protected by a newly constructed outpost.
The Beastkin people, once enslaved, had come together to build a better life. They created a militia for protection, yet their struggles continued under the harsh desert sun. Hope had nearly faded, until the day someone arrived—a human in a horseless chariot of steel, accompanied by the Outcast Guardian, a figure of legend and the symbol of freedom for demi-humans. They brought aid, nurturing the weary Beastkin, sharing knowledge, and helping them advance. Schools rose, new opportunities flourished, and with this progress came the realization: they needed a true army to safeguard their freedom. Thus, the Beastkin Unified Army was born.
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Yasumin’s outpost had just been commissioned by King Damius Raggedclaw. During the ceremony, he appointed Colonel Rjion Merryclaw—a seasoned warrior and the commander of the infamous Operation Raging Mouse, the mission that had ignited the Beastkin’s resistance against their old enemy, the Austorian Empire.
Now, Colonel Merryclaw moved briskly across the sand-covered grounds, clutching his jacket against the chill as he headed toward the Tactical Operations Center. A call from his Senior Noncommissioned Officer (SNCOIC) had woken him just before dawn, bringing news of an urgent, classified message from King himself. For his eyes only.
That alone was enough to unsettle him.
Entering the TOC, he returned the salutes of his officers and NCOs, then made his way to the coffee pot for a quick cup. Taking out a red access card from his lanyard, he inserted it into the Joint Communications, Video, Audio, and Intelligence Linkup (JCVAIL) along with his identification card. The screen flickered to life.
He took a gulp of coffee, feeling the caffeine hit his system, but nothing could prepare him for the shock of what he read next. His eyes widened, nearly spilling his cup. Turning to face his officers, his expression alone was enough to send a chill through the room.