Killrock; 70 hours prior Day One to landing at Killrock 2.1

70 hours prior Day One to landing at Killrock

1.          The rock named Killrock.

The planet was the first one of the nine in rotation around the sun in the system here; but its position was far enough for it to make its hospitable to Terran mankind. Its about the same position as Earth was to the Sun.

Killrock or its actual name was Selvan VIII; this system was named by Doctor Rani Selvan after its founder. Its about the same mass as Earth but its land coverage was the opposite of Earth's, it was equivalent to the sea measurement of area. Due to the smaller sea area, most of the inner path of the land continent was dry like this colony. Its desert like landscape composed of stratified layers of easily erodible siltstone, mudstone, and shale of the previous formation. These fine grained rock layers contain abundant minerals and metal compounds which provide the pigments for the various colors of the region. Thin resistant lacustrine limestone layers and volcanic flows cap the mesas. Numerous layers of silicic volcanic ash from the previous formation provide the silica for the petrified logs of the area; thus resulting in the erosion of these layers and the formation of the badlands topography. In some areas the remains of a forested trees have fossilized over millions of years. Wind, water and soil erosion continue to change the face of the landscape by shifting sediment and exposing layers.Even where there are lakes, the water are too harsh for consumption. The hot scorching sun had dried up almost all the rivers and lakes, leaving the larger ones on depleting depths. In addition to that, there were the strong cross winds that swept the land in random directions, causing sand storms and visibility can be masked by the dust and debris.

That was fifty years ago when they had surveyed and found mining of the abundant metal was the next best prospect even though it would bleed this planet to its crust and final demise. The colony was established for that purpose two years ago and found its purpose fulfilling within a year. The Federation looked to their colony like frontier outposts. So they allowed militia training for the settlers before they are placed in any colony. They are called Colony Militia.

Any settlers of over eighteen years of age, they are compiled to undergo basic training in handling weapons and close combat. Its an annual affair of two weeks in a year, but the attendance was not marked with strict compliance. In Selvan VIII, there was over a thousand settlers there with their families on an average of three person per family. Their attendance was less than half before the threat of an invasion was sounded out. Then the attendance went up to above average with skeptics still denying the invasion choosing to stay away. In addition to that, they were looking at the Guards to do the fighting. The statistics tells that only one fifth of the settlers are actually serious in their training; in Selvan VIII that add up to only two three hundred and fifty of them. Of these three hundred odd volunteers, only twenty was active in conducting patrols with the Guards. They are named Wolf Pack led by ex-Ranger Morales; discharged for physical liability, he lost his left lower leg to a cleaver in a bar fight. He trained them hard like in the Rangers. Their weapons are a mixture of the old and new rifles with some portable missile launchers.

The Federation placed at least some trained personnels there like in Selvan VIII, it was two squads of Colony Guards; a settlement protection division. They are mostly re-assigned Rangers or sometimes the Elite Marines who cannot see eye to eye with their Commanders. Its a cosy assignment with occasional calls to do search and rescue for missing settlers but since the Draconian have crossed the common boundary, the Guards have been put on alert but the number of settlements have stretched out the Guard Rangers very thinly. There was only forty eight guards among the two squads on Selvan VIII. They were commanded by Lieutenant Peterson who resented being posted here. His misgivings for the posting was his misconduct to punch the senior commander who called him a freak. He lost an arm in the War at Musgrave II and they gave him an artificial limb with a three finger grappling contraption.

2.          The Mines to Production

The dredging machine weighs over fifty tons with its claw designed extension that drags the soil on the hard surface on the 36^th level beneath the ground. The mine covers an oblong circle of over one kilometer with a depth of over six hundred metres. Its the work place for over three hundred miners who slaved over three shifts here. The works here is simple; dig and drag out the minerals, before the twenty ton loaders carries it for loading it on the trucks. If the surface is stubborn to be dug, then the drillers come in handy. Man suited up metal frame with the build in drill would stomped up to the area and drill strategic holes to weaken the foundation. If that cannot loosen the surface, then the next stage would be the 'Hammer drill'; a mechanical heavy vehicle with four heavy drills to penetrate the surface simultaneously. The vehicle is operated by two men; the driver and the driller.

Each shift should produced over ten tons of the metal which would be sent to the Mines Holding Stockpile prior to sending it over to the Production Facility. There it would be processed into the fine grade metal used for the building structures including deep space crafts. Its one of the twenty one sites in five systems, and they are rare by supply statistics. The production facility covers three sub processes; breaking, griding and refining. The final products are kept in the two warehousing structures

That's the text book understanding of the process, but the undocumented part are the poisonous gas that can be released from the soil as in its raw form, its volatile on contact with moisture. Once that happened, the whole mine would need to be evacuated and the waiting period can be as long as one full day and night before they can venture back in. They have portable fan units that can be moved to the mines to blow away the poisonous gas away from the Settlement.

On an average they have this exercise twice a month. The moisture could be anything from a drip of sweat to a change in the air that creates condensation. That was why the stock piles are placed over a heating plate that emits constant heat to removed the moisture.

Chief Stewart was the shift leader that morning just before the invasion, and he was in a grubby mood as his only child was sick. More to it, the miners are discussing on Tory V; a similar colony like here, which the Draconian invaded and been holding it since. The Federation are sending an armada there to counter the annexing of another colony at Tory V but the Draconian are holding it despite the numerous battles.

"These creatures are tenacious in their defense there. I heard we lost one division to the recovery." It was Miner Kinae who was making the comment. Such conversation are not conducive to the current mood of the miners. They are already complaining of inadequate benefits and allowance, and now they may even lose their livelihood.

"Shut the man up. He's been reading the wrong updates." That was Miner Rush, a man of brooding mood and advocate of the Federation supremacy over all aliens. He swore to protect the Federation and anyone demeaning the namesake would be dealt by him in a duel of fist fights. Why does he do that, nobody wants to know or cared unless they want to sample his brutality with the fists. Kinae in this situation kept his views to mutterings to those close to him.

Chief Stewart was relieved that Rush cut in as he had less patience to deal with those rumors. He was to check his updates on the pad, when Juggler, one of his miner passed by him. Juggler stopped by him and added in his comment.

"That man's right. We are in threat by the Draconian, but what's with the Federation" Ain't they going to beef up the defenses? We could lose the mine or even our lives; I tell ya. Them Federation cared nothing but their metals." The Chief had to slap Juggler on the hard hat to shut him up or he would go on with his physic woodpecker notions. The Chief pushed him on despite his grumblings on the treatment.

Juggler looked back at his Chief and showed him the middle finger. But the big man with the strength of the bison and like the mystical creature, his hunched frame made him looked like a charging one. Juggler smiled as that charging bison was now moving away from him. 

COTN House of Genoe Part 10

10. Present, Past and Future

Medi has already left with Silver who came back for her after the wolf left Malech at the city. Malech was to move on to find Cedi when he heard the call. He turned back to see his ex-apprentice holding onto to the tree trunk for support. He rushed forth to assist her.

"Kiring, what happened? I did not harm you that badly." He looked at the lady who is now bleeding in some places as tatters of her dressing covers her body. She slumped into his hands and fell unconscious. Malech pulled her to the shades of the bigger trees and created a bedding for her body to rest. He examined the wounds and noticed they are not of serpent bites but of Man and magical forces.

"Pipa?" Malech muttered to himself. Could she had done all of this or was it her new Master Lord Netsu. Kiring stirred in her state of unconsciousness, that caused the ex-Master to looked back at her injuries. It can be healed but it needs some proper place and potions. These are not available here but he knows of a place nearby; about half a day's walk.

Malech fashioned up a small sleigh that he can placed the injured lady on it. He then lashed the sleigh to a long vine and he pulled at it to the new location. Its not an easy task for a person of his age but he persevered for his apprentice. He pulled and walked with the burden behind him.

"Father, you could not resist her. That is the truth of the matter." The image of his son, Berhan appeared in his thoughts. Berhan who was then younger and learning the same magic with the girls. As he was my son, they were affectionate with him, but he had eyes only for Pipa. That led Kiring to work harder for his love, but the son is like the father; merciless and cold in the heart.

"No, I did not ...resist her.I needed a woman' comfort; any woman then aas I missed your mother very much. She came on very strong and I was weak. It was my body and not my mind working then. She saw you in me, and she approached me." Malech' body surged forth with the burden on his mind. He has some spells that can assist him in this task but they are limited in scope.

"No, Father. You were shameless in your deed. She is young and could had been a daughter to you but you violated her. I saw it coming and I saved Pipa from you. I could not save her. That was my regret and my secret that I had to bring to the Dome. I locked myself there to prevent myself being you. I hated you, Father." He can feel Berhan' pain as the truth is finally revealed.

"I came out to see Kiring to tell her the truth that day from the Dome, but she had in her mind to betrayed me. She killed me, Father. A stab into the heart and into my soul. It was then, I realized that I am also like you. We know no love at all. We lusted at what was there. You made a monster out of me too."

"No! My son." Malech stopped and fell on his knees. " I begged of you to forgive me. I did not violate her or any of the others. I love them all, as they are part of me. When we are together, I drew a part of them with me; it strengthen my strength. Its the way of the magic. It can be emotions, or .....physical. The last being more powerful as its from the soul and mind. I am so sorry, Berhan. I did not tell you this."

The old sorcerer cried out in anguish at the fate of his life as a sorcerer. There is no such thing as magical properties in the air; its the living things around them that provides it. Just like how Kiring controls the serpents; she draws on their soul and body. In isolation, Malech could not draw on any, until he had the Oracle to amplify his search. Artoo tried that on the Unnamed but he got was the negative strength. That was why he could not find the cure as yet.

"I am so sorry......" Malech broke down into flowing tears.

"Malech, please get up. Its me, your love Annette."

Malech looked up to see the soul of his love floating before him. She is Berhan' mother.

"I am back as both of you are here. The two of you brought me enough strength to come back. Just this time maybe to see you. I could sense your grief, but know this, my love. It was worth the sacrifice. For you and for our son. Do not despair, as we cannot control all the things in our life, but we can managed what had happened to prepare for the coming ones. Trust me, Malech. I love you. And always do."

The floating image disappeared as just as she appeared.

"Annette!" Malech called out but she is not appearing. Neither is Berhan. He heard another voice calling him.

"Master.... Are you here?" Its Kiring and she is in a state of delirious. Malech rushed to her side and held her hand. Her body is hot and she is squirming. He held her down and spoke out a spell to ease her pain in her. He got up to pulled at the vine to dragged the sleigh. He then saw Medi and her wolf.

"Malech, that is our enemy and you are pulling her to where. She deserved to die here." Medi brought up her spear to strike but the old sorcerer stood in between her and the serpent Queen.

"No, she does not deserved to die. She seek me to be cured and I would do that. If she comes to my side, I would accept her but if she go back to Seti, I would not stopped her. The first I have decided and the second is for her to decide. If you go against my decision, I would kill you." Malech eyes are like a set of raging fire as they stared at Medi.

"If not for Cedi, I would had killed you and her. Do as you want, but on completing it, come to the Golden Circle. Cedi awaits all of us there." Medit turned to go and then she stopped. "Where do you want to send her to?"

"Not far. There is healer near the edge of Dark Valley. She can heal Kiring." Malech looked at the Genoe warrior with a plea for help. "I may not be able to reached in time."

The Healer stayed isolated here as its one place she can do as she pleases, and she is also close to her herbs and plants for the potions. She is of the House of Canaan, but she is known to heal all who comes, if they can pay her price. Her name is Shana the Healer and she is one very old healer who saw the Serpent war as a older lady.

"Master Malech, I would need the Oracle as the price. I know you have it as the forest tells me. That for her life."

Silver have left the sleigh outside the healer house before leaving with Medi. It was already dark so Malech waited outside with Kiring for dawn before they meet the healer. The healer did open her door at the break of dawn but she ignore the duo who was waiting for her. She went about her chores and then only at noon was she willing to look at the injured apprentice. Shana came over to viewed the injured lady and examined the injuries. She then looked back to the old sorcerer and smiled. She had named her price.

"If that would be your price to cure her, I am willing to part with it." Malech reached for the Oracle to hand it over but the healer did not take it.

"So willing, yet you are known for deceit, Master Malech. Tell me what ails you to part with such haste a treasure that many of your kind would die for." Shana eye the old sorcerer while the one on the sleigh is squirming in pain.

"Kiring is my apprentice and she is also the Queen of the Serpents. I cannot explain my situation to help her, but I felt that I must. She could help me in the fighting this war with the Serpents. And Seti. You may had known him as Set then." Malech reached down to hold the injured ladies hand.

"Spoken like a lover yet you are too old for her. Do you really love her, Malech? Or you are doing it for her love to you? A part of me can read the emotions. Which is yours?" Malech looked up at the healer, and his face was drawn tight in anger.

"Do not take advantage of my generosity, Healer. Heal her or begone." Malech stood up and reached for the vine.

"Was it worth it? Annette died for you. Your son, Berhan died for you. Artoo was raised from the dead for your works. So now you seek her too? Why not me? That would had completed the circle. After all, you done all three of them from my life. So tell me, was Annette worth your love then. Or she could do better" Shana points to the injured lady. "Do you have any emotions in you? Or there is none in the first place, since Malent was thrusted to be the main descendant and you second in place."

"Do not mentioned my past, Healer. You were not there." Malech' hand glowed and then he held it down.

"I was not but Annette was. You confessed your sins to her. Soon after you loved her back without conditions. You are the bastard here. She told me so one day when she found her mother's comfort was more reassuring. So did your son, but never you come here to pay me a visit until now. I may not be Artoo' love but I was his daughter's mother." Shana walked back to her home in the forest, leaving the two of them still waiting outside.

Malech got up and pulled the sleigh to move away. Then he heard the voice again.

"You are ever the proud one, Malech. You never could be second or be left out. You had to be in control. Be a true person for once. Ask her again, and tell her you love me." Malech heard the voice but not the floating soul of his love.

Malech dropped the vine and walked back to the Healer's home. He could not find himself to beg but he pleaded with her.

"Shana, for Annette's love please help to save another life that could be saved. I have nothing to offer you except my real love for Annette."

Two days later, Malech took leave of the two ladies in the forest. Shana did her best and Kiring would need sometime to recover. More to it, she may never be the same as the poison has done some damages. She would be without her left arm, and her face is badly scarred on her left.

"Malech, my skills are good but not the best. Kiring need more than I can offer. There is one which can cure her,and also remove the toxins of the Serpents. She can be her old self but not complete as you can see now. I would take her there." Shana reached out and touched Malech' face. "You go on your quest, and do your best. Annette and Berhan would always be with you."

Malech left the Dark Valley to go on his own quest.

COTN House of Genoe Part 9

9. Reconciliation

Malech stood at the forest edge near the entrance to the underground caverns. He' been staring at the place for sometime since he came out here after his meeting with Neelan. He did not know what to do next but he is still pondering when the container at his belt vibrate. It's Artoo and he wants to come out. Probably to work out the issue that is on his mind. He reached for the container and was to opened it when he saw the familiar figure standing there.

"Pipa, this is a surprise." Malech looked at his ex-apprentice who just turned up. "This is an unexpected meeting. Did I not leave the place clean when I left. If I left anything out, I could come back but not today."

"Master Malech, I am not keen at you. I would on another day, but today I am here to locate Kiring. We have a matter to discuss." Pipa is dressed to kill; a dark robe over her armored suit of leathers vest and a number of magical potions in those pouches she had strung across her chest.

"Kiring was onto me and she brought a lot of friends with her. We had some arguments and as you probably know, we had a catfight." I looked around her and see many of her guards. This lady does not come alone without help.

"You had help. An unforeseen ally that we have not seen in a long time, perhaps a century or more. How did you manage that, Master? I am impressed. So was the Gryphon with the mongoose. You have strange friends." Pipa pulled out a dagger. "We are wasting time. Tell me where is Kiring?"

"I am here. I never left." Kiring can be heard from the nearby forest. She walked up still in her bandages but no scorpion with her. "Pipa, my pets are taking care of your guards now."

The guards are now fighting with the serpents that seems to be everywhere. They drew their weapons to fight but they are outmatched and are soon dead from the poisons. Kiring signaled the pets to withdraw and some serpents dragged their victim along. Kiring walked up to the old master and smiled.

"I don't think you have any more mongoose or flying Gryphon with you. I saw your Gryphon fly off sometime back. As for the mongoose, they are a young pair. I doubt they have any more adults nearby' they can be territory sensitive. More to it, I have still many more pets with me." Kiring looked at Pipa and smiled. "I did send that last assassin. It was someone else who disliked you as much. How is your father? If he was younger, I would had seduced him."

"You bitch!" Pipa lashed out some balls of fire towards Kiring, but the other had prepared a magical shield. She counter attack with her own kinetic push but Pipa have stepped aside. Pipa was to attack back when Malech step in between them.

"Stop, you two. I have enough of the both of you." His hands went out on both sides and the force of his attack pushed the two back by a distance. "I was weak then and disappointed by the two of you. You took advantage of my weak emotions then. Not now. Now I am back to my peak."

Malech stared at them in turns, and then he said to them.

"Be gone from my view. For now. I would sought you out in due time. Kiring, you tell Seti or Set. Pipa, you to Netsu. Tell them both I am coming for them. This time they would be chance of a re-emergence or re-living their legend again." Malech looked at his apprentices.

They both got up and stumbled away.

The container at his waist belt vibrate again. He shake his head and then reached for the container. He opened the container and Artoo appeared.

"Aargh! Sunlight. That hurts. Do you know what it does to my soul?" Artoo ran for the tree shades followed by Malech. "Next time, be nicer to me."

"So what do you want?" Malech was clearly upset and he was not in the mood for any snide remarks. "You owe those Unnamed an explanation."

"I know. That's why I came out. I may have your answer for them. I need your help. There is a book in my old chamber. They may had moved it to the Magic Library at Trivium." Artoo knows I also know that place. Its a buried achieve protected by magic from the elements that would contaminate or damaged the items there. It contains any item of magical properties or used by the magical elites."

Malech looked at the floating soul of his old master. He nodded and then walked off into the forest.

"Malech, I would be in the caverns if you need be."

Malech tried to stop it but Artoo is gone by then. Malech looked down and he can hardly see the floating soul. He walked back to the forest. He met Medi with the wolf.

"Were you worried of what you see?" Malech asked the young Genoe warrior. She smiled at him from beneath her hood as she stroke her pet.

"Silver would take you there."

Silver left outside the city while he went in under disguise as a peddler. Malech slowly make his way to the building that would take him to the Magic Library. He has be extra careful as the guards are doubled everywhere. The place he went in is a small warehouse near the Magic Library. He walked to the far end wall of the hall and he count the floor panes. He stop at a particular one and placed his palm on there. He pushed at it and then the wall in front of him reveal a magical doorway. Malech stepped into it and find himself in a tunnel. He walked on in the tunnel till he comes to another doorway. There is a locked mechanism that only a person who knows magic can opened. When he reached there, a figure appeared in front of him. Its a figure dressed in armor but its not of Man or Elve. Its an Orc and one that was known as Mwrik.

He was one creature or type that almost killed him many decades ago. Mwrik was a warrior of the raiding part leader while Malech was one at the settlement during the raid. Malech was an apprentice then, and the one who assigned him the task was Artoo. There were about ten of them in the Orc' raiding team and this is their tenth raid in the last moon. It was during the attack when Malech saw Mwrik about to strike a young elf when he grabbed the spear near him. He hurled the spear and chant a spell he knew.

The spear impaled into the Orc' back and out at the front. The spell made the spear pierced the thick armor, flesh and bones. Mwrik turned to look at the one who threw it and saw Malech.

"Young one, I would be back. As a spirit when you least expect it."

Like right now.

"Hello, young one. We meet again."The spirit of Mwrik is guarding the gateway.

"Orc, not tonight." Malech lashed out a spell that dissipate the spirit into its own dimension. Malech walked into the door and exit at the Magic Library. Its a huge place with thousands of shelving with multiple rows and columns. Malech stood there for a while as in this place, you do not search yourself but wait for the helper.

"Okay, what do you want?" Malech looked down to see a foot high pixie standing there. The pixie is a miniaturized version of the elf but they are fast on their feet. And also impatience. "Come on, we are running a game behind the place so tell me so I can go back to the game."

Malech told the pixie, and the small one rushed off. In short span of time, the pixie came back with the book.

"Its going to cost you." Malech hands over the pouch of gold to the Pixie in exchange for the book.

Artoo took the book and it slipped from his hands. He looked at Malech and smiled.

"Could you help?"

Malech looked at Artoo.

"You did not tell me everything. I read the book and you forget that I can remember well when under pressure. There is no cure for the Unnamed but there is a spell to resurrect the soul to the other dimension. You wanted to come back as before. I just happened to read it earlier."

"I thought I could do more if I am solid. I am looking for the cure there. I am looking for my last test spell. I was close to a cure but I died too soon. So do we work together or fight like what we used to do just before you leave me." Artoo

looked at the pages of his old diary as the wind moves it pages to their whims. He saw the missing pages removed recently. "Leave me alone here. I would figure out a cure as I got time on my side now. I am after all dead and I cannot die anymore."

"Malech, take the book. Use it in your fight. Netsu is strong and maybe stronger than you and me. You may need more allies or magic to fight."

Malech looked at his old master who have returned to the dark caverns again. This time maybe for good.

Killrock 48 hours to Day One descent to Killrock Part 1.3

1.          The incision of the Infantry.

Like other divisions, part of the infantry named as pathfinders or scouts are the first to be inserted so that they can create a landing pad for the rest. There were four squads given that task; Squad One to Four. The staging area was about six kilometres from the settlement.

They were further equipped with 'Thor's' personal four missiles launchers that the Ranger can fire from its shoulder, and mini twin barreled personal rotary guns nicknamed 'Loki' as its tricky to handle at times; the guns tend to get stuck on reloading.

"These are the initial reports that the Draconian have conquered the colony but we have new reports that there are resistance still at the colony. We need to trace those settlers, and relief them. That would be the job for Squad Five." Major Elijah Moshe briefed the five squads that was to be the advanced formation.

"Squad Leader Senior Sergeant Kadir, your squad would land on the area marked as 'Large Flat' while the rest would be at the foot of that mesa." Major Moshe smiled at Basilus. Then he added in the statement. "General asked me to you this. You are going to go rogue, please try to keep the casualties low."

Basilus salute his commander as the later walked over to speak to the others. His moment of silence thoughts was interrupted by Marc.

"Squad Leader, we are ready to go." Basilus nodded and followed the Ranger to the Trooper Carrier that carried two squads each but Pod 3 was with only one squad. Its a pod used to transport the infantry to war zone as its piloted by the craft system. It has no armaments as it not an attack craft but it does a have a solid shield in the front for those nasty guns that enemies used to shoot them down.

Basilus strapped in and close his eyes. He remembered all his descent in the pods; most of them ended up in a crash.

2.          The bronco ride never fails to surprise.

"System compensating. Auxiliary system kicking in." Basilus heard them all before. He wonders sometimes if the Intel section ever learned to filter their data before they released those reports. Most times, they get the blunt end of the damages and it cost them lives at times.

"Impact in five clicks"; The system kickbacks it thruster and tried to level on the nose of the carrier but Basilus knew its time to say prayer and hold the last meal down. He heard Marc voice on the comms; "nice to know all of you; just in case we do not meet on the ground."

"Shut up, Marc.'" That's Micheal; the ever confident squad member. He always doing the pep talks while Basilus screwed them from their butts to the eyeball with all the profanities of why we are going to die tomorrow. It helped with him around and those life saving speeches. Mist times the vets would just play no attention toit, but the new recruits were all numbed to which was more true.

"Impact in one click." The digital clock on the cockpit goes blinking as it does a countdown from sixty secs. Marc start his singing of the love he left back at the hills but no one pays any attention to him either. He had no love life at all; he just likes to sing the tune.

The impact came like any other; a whiff of signals rushing through your body and then the total silence as your senses shut down just before the vocal expression screamed for mercy but no sound would be heard. Then its all motion and black out in the vision. It would be a few clicks before the body suit system jabbed you to wake up with its fine pressure on the nerves centers on your body. Your mind would wake up first with a start and then slowly leveled down to trigger the movements on the body as the suit sends the drug into the body through the pressure points. It compensate your mind to the new surrounding and soon you are in for action.

"Aargh!" Basilus screamed out as he pulled at the straps on his seat which was holding him upright. Once the straps were off, he felt himself falling down. He landed on his face and then got up to crouch up for action.

"Damned!" The carrier had landed belly up but they are alive as he sees all his squad members are dropping like bird droppings from their seats. Micheal was faster in reaction as he gives out the orders to deploy. 

"Sniper to the perimeter." The four snipers of the squad all grabbed their gear and left by the side door which was opened on landing. "Gunners, take the guns and set up second line. The rest set up for recon on my mark."

Micheal walked up to Basilus while stepping on the original ceiling of the carrier and reported in.

"The numbers adds up." Basilus nodded and walked out of the carrier to have his first view of the hell hole they had just landed on that night at exactly 00:00 hours. The sensors tell him the air breathable, but its dry and filled with dust from the breeze of winds on the surface. Temperature was cooler than normal but with their suit, they are able to maintain at ideal working condition.

Basilus motioned for them to move out.

COTN House of Genoe Part 8

8. The Unnamed

Malech open the doors and came to faced with the serpents that laid in wait for him. His hands went to the new container on his waist belt which is now vibrating. He ignore that and looked back at the serpents. They are parting ways for the arrival of the two large dark scorpion with their Queen on board.

"You can run but you cannot hide from me." Kiring hissed at Malech from her seat on the dark scorpion. "This is Bertha. That is her twin pair. You caused her brother to die; the one who intervene on the deadly potion."

"Kiring, you are in the wrong House. Here we are the Canaan. You are a Karen."

"Enough talk. Attack him, my pet." The serpents came forth but they stopped on seeing a long streak of fire flame appear them. It is the Gryphon and its flying in the cavern while releasing the flames. It must had come back to look for Malech. Malech took the opportunity to run but where he did not care except to get away. He lashed out with his spell if he sees any threat. Eventually he stumbled and fell on the path. He see coming at him are some serpents then they stopped in their slithering moves.

Malech turned to look behind him and he sees the ones that scared the serpents. They are the unnamed; the misshapen elves who now dwells in the inner caverns. There are not one or two of them but a few dozen of them. They are also armed with weapons of all types including pikes and swords.

"Serpents! We hate them. They caused us these ailments. Kill those bastards." The cavern roared to life as more figures came out of the dark caverns to attack the serpents. They ran towards the serpents and kill those reptiles with no hesitation. Those who held the swords slashed at the, serpents while those who wield the war hammer hammering without stopping. They ignore the bites and pain; they keep on fighting till the poison coursing their body reached their heart or head. That can take a longer time as these unnamed infliction gave them strength and high tolerance of pain.

Three of them confront one of the dark scorpion with two at the fore and one at the rear. They are all armed with swords. The two at the front occupied the scorpion while the one on the rear jumped onto the back of the shell and thrust the sword into it lower spine. The unnamed twist the sword and severed the tail off the scorpion. The scorpion shrieked out while the two unnamed in the front strike hard at pincers. The one on the rear took up the severed tail and used it like a spear as it speared the bigger serpents with it. It withhold the pain as the poison dripped off the severed tail on its body.

Another one ran with a twin sword slashing the serpent as he ran around the place, until he tripped over a serpent tail. He got up to find a serpent jaw with twin fangs poised to strike at him. It was unforeseen in the attack that the unnamed lunged forth with the twin sword in a scissor formation and thrust it into the jaw before ripping it apart on the sides.

Malech who was then still running reached the stairs to go up. He removed some of them who was in his way until he saw the stairs is not the best option. He looked out and shouted out.

"Gryphon, I need you." He heard the roar and he leap off the stairs. His fall was short when he find himself on the back of the Gryphon. They both went down on the sudden weight and then the Gryphon compensate its flight towards the nearest exit out. The Gryphon let off a long streak of flames before they flew through.

Malech turned to look back and he sees more of the serpents going in to the cavern through the entrances.

"Gryphon, we got to go back. We can't leave the Unnamed alone. Take me down to the forest."

Malech got off the Gryphon and looked around him. He found what he is looking for; a particular plant. He went to the plant and pulled up its roots. He then looked back at the Gryphon.

"Find me a Mongoose. I know its difficult ...." The Gryphon have flown off.

Malech took out a piece of the roots and squeezed out the juice. He took out a small vial from his robe. He mixed it with the juice and that was when Gryphon flew back. He has not one but two mongoose. He dropped them on the ground and Malech freeze them from escaping. He went over to the mongoose and placed the juice into their jaw. Then he carried them over to the entrance over the cavern. He placed them down on the ground and called on the spell he remembers. Then he tossed the two mongoose in and then he shout out the last piece of the chant.

The two mongoose fell down on the flooring below. They got up from their fallen position but they are now growing larger to three times its size. Its sees the serpents and it went berserk on them. It grabbed and bite into the serpents with ferocity that its known for.

Malech looked down from above and tears came down his eyes. He had created an abomination that would need to be put down later but for now is giving the Unnamed a fighting chance. It was a chance encounter when he saw Kiring climbed out.

"Master Malech, this has just began. I would be back and you would not be able to escape again." She limped away while Malech did not give chase. He still has to clear the chaos down there. He took to the stairs and ran down as fast as his legs can take him. He stumbled over dead serpents and also there are pools of blood and whatever he has to contend with.

Soon he reached down and just in time see one of his abomination fell to it knees as it succumbed to the injuries. Malech ran to it and soothe down its fur near the eyes.

"I am sorry." The Mongoose looked at Malech and then closed it eyes. "You done your task and I am proud of you."

Malech turned around to see the carnage created by the serpent predator. He saw the second one is also limping towards him and soon it also fall. This time it was not Malech who approached it but the Unnamed ones. There are four of them who went over to the fallen creature and caressed it like a bruised child. The surviving serpents seemed to have withdrawn from the caverns. 

Malech over there and was met by one he assumed is their leader. He is like an elf and yet his frame is out of proportion. His head is larger at the back of the head and his eyes are a set of fish eyes that is as large as the ears lobe on its head. It upper torso is large and wide with equally proportion upper limbs but its lower limbs are short and long.

"I am Nelan. Who are you?" Malech would had been more careful if the Unnamed asking him is not holding a bloodied war hammer.

"Malech, I am a sorcerer." That drew a response unexpected. There was a gathering of twenty Unnamed besides Nelan suddenly drew out their weapons."Oh, hold on. I am not an enemy."

"The sorcerer was our enemy. He imprisoned us here. We were once like the people but we were infected by the serpents blood. Since then we trust no one of magic." Nelan has stepped back and held up his weapon facing Malech. "If we see Artoo, we would had him killed immediately."

The Unnamed was a result of Set on the Houses. He set about poisoning their water but Canaan House was last to know.; then it was too late. One third of the House was inflicted, and there was limited antidote needed by all the Houses. The antidote given to Canaan saved only a fraction of them. The antidote was too late for many of them.

Then the call was made. It was agreed by the Council of all the Houses to exterminate them for they feared they would contaminate the others. It was Artoo of Genoe who suggested that they be exiled while he search the stronger antidote. The inflected were then banished to the deeper caverns to avoid them coming forth.

Artoo visited them on regular basis to test his various potion but he drew on more false hopes than cure. The Unnamed began to resent the sorcerer and then evaded him when he comes. He convince the Council to sent Guardians to hunt them down until the Council decided to stop the cure.

The Council met the Unnamed and told them of their decision. It was a compromise that they would live a separate tribe and unprovoked by the others. It was agreed and by then, the Unnamed had gotten used to their new looks and life. It was a blessing in disguise.

"Nelan, you saw the massacre and yet you did not stopped it. Why? They are your people." Malech questioned the Unnamed.

"They are Canaan but we are the Unnamed. We are no more of Canaan; we just lived close to each other. They guard the entrances to out caverns, and we kill any who tries to come in. So don't question my loyalty. When they were gone, we came out to take what we need. They did come back but he hide back at the caverns. Then we saw the fights among them; between Houses. Its pathetic of them and when we saw their small numbers; we exterminate them. Its the way of the new life we are forced to live on." Nelan stepped on a dying serpent in its head.

"Nelan, the Serpents are back. They coordinated the attacks...." Malech tried to tell him but he was agitated.

"No, Malech. The attack was by Man. Its not a Serpent battle......"

"Then the one that laid for me was by Man. Do you think Man controls the Serpent? Its not the truth. The Serpents controlled the Man with their deceit and influences. I am here to seek alliance and also survivors."

"Its not our war. If the serpents come here, we would attack them, but we would not defend the Houses against the Man or even the Serpents. That war is over for us." Neelan walked away. "Go away, old man."

Malech stood there seeing the Unnamed walked away. They are right, this is not their war. They are the casualties of the last one.