Deep within the Verdant Maw, thick canopies loomed like towering sentinels and eerie specters whispered through the sand, there was also the sound of echoing drums through the valley.
The deep, ominous beats drowned out even the howling sandstorm that normally ravaged the landscape.
Within the valley was a village, where men and women had pale, almost ghostly skin calmly moving about. Half of them carried on as if nothing were amiss, but the other half moved with urgency, like they knew something was coming.
A lone figure dashed through the village, slipping into a towering, thick-branched hut. She was breathing heavily, her skin was pale and dry, her long hair were dust-filled braid, yet despite the harshness of her appearance, there was an undeniable beauty to her. Thick branch and cloth strips clothing covered her body, leaving much of her lean, battle-worn figure exposed.
"Not good, Uncle Solrak." Her voice sounded tense, and hurried. "The Marionettes actually came today. They've brought over a hundred men and completely barricaded the village entrance."
Inside, seated near a dim glowing pit, was a man with the same pale complexion. His face bore deep scars. He was Solrak who looked up, his brows furrowing.
"Why are they so fast?"
"Father Zareth and the others were caught off guard. They didn't expect an attack this soon. Most of the clan is already taking precautions, but…" Eshara stayed wide open.
As, At that moment, a wave of loud roar came from outside.
"Is the Ashborn Clan still unwilling to hand over your treasure?!" The voice was filled with mockery, and malice. "That's fine! Hand over all your resources, and perhaps we'll forget about the treasure! Hahahaha!"
A wave of laughter was heard from a distance. It immediately alerted the rest of the clan, terrifying them. But mostly questioning. What is happening and why are they attack us.
Solark eyebrows frown deeper... He suddenly understood why this "The Marionettes" group had come over to attack so quickly...
It was obvious that they were brought by another mutual clan as they recognized the voice, were certain this place had a treasure after the years both clans knew each other's.
In fact, they also brought the weird blue skin specters who's strenght were unknown. That any sane people here, would deduce that even if there was any sort of treasure, it wouldn't be that good anyway.
Still, the group need to see how true the treasure is on there own. It was suspicious what treasure was worth before that you were always in fight until now?
As to just give it away for some help, as yesterday the Ashborn clan had fought the blue skin Specters already weakening themselves, as the Specters came from the people of this Marionettes group.
"This group of wicked people!" Eshara said. nibbled her lips as her face flushed with anger. "i didn't think the Obsidian clan would join such a group… they already injured most of warriors now they have a The Marionettes on there side that will cause serious damage to us."
She sucked in breath from realization. It felt like a setup. Because she and some warriors, had killed those blue skin men yesterday, maybe the Marionettes took it as, a sign of war and it resulted in such a immediately attack.
Why would they be there for me to kill them, did they take it as a relation I attack first.
Additionally, what is Obsidian Clan doing to just give up the Marionettes. After they knew, done so much together for so many years.
"Those, blue skin specters move like they dont have mind, they has to be a weakness, but there seem to pose a threat up to... already Augment Exodite, maybe a bit higher alsotl they, have our defense on there side…i dont even know the proper strenght of the blue skin men, if its Augment that with such a line-up can take down three Baseline Exodites on its own. "
It wasn't the norm to call nor label other being by a grading, but there also a map on the CAD for a reason, cause it show what's needed. Also know before Specters have certian intelligence as it all depends on there species, strenght as they grow stronger there minds open up. Matching, beginning Exodites at Baseline
So it can said be the same for Exodites, getting stronger opens more path and opportunities, at which the grades are known by having CAD.
During they thoughts, everyone in the village started rushing outside, after hearing the voices outside the village.
And the war drums outside beat like the pulse of an impending storm. Eshara fingers trembled as she clenched them into fists. Solark was already securing his armor, preparing to step onto the battlefield. But she wasn't done talking not when the situation was this dire.
She took a deep breath and stepped closer.
"Uncle," she said, her cheat was tightening. "You know our warriors aren't in any condition to fight. The Marionettes Group didn't just come for the treasure… They came because they knew we were weak. The Obsidian Clan told them about us."
Solark adjusted his shoulder guard, his weakly grinned.
"I know…They must have told them about our secret. If they no longer care about the treasure, that means they have something even bigger in mind."
Eshara pressed on. "If they know about that, then we're in trouble. Our clan already struggling before this. We were perfect match clan at best. Maybe a little stronger than some of the smaller ones, but we're nowhere near the level of a true powerhouse. Still, they wouldn't move unless they were sure they could crush us."
Solark eyes flickered with understanding, but he remained silent.
"Uncle… just how strong are they?"
Eshara had been away, training in the second zone, sharpening her skills in secret. Even depper into the zone, she thought she had time. Thought she would return stronger before her father grew too old to lead. Before the clan's struggles have been slowly killing them.
Solark let out a slow breath. "The Marionettes aren't just some hired swords. They're a roaming force that's wiped out entire clans before. They don't fight like soldiers. They fight like predators."
He hesitated for a moment before continuing. "They appeared after you left, I heard there run by someone powerful that they keep kidnapping Exodites for they use, They thrive in chaos, and their leader… that bastard Arkas… he's not someone we can take lightly."
Eshara swallowed hard. "Arkas…"
She had only heard his name whispered in fearful tones by the elders. He wasn't just a warrior he was a tactician, a killer who knew when to strike and when to let his enemies destroy themselves.
"Those creatures… we barely managed to kill the ones we fought yesterday. And that was after losing so many warriors. If they have more…if they send them all at once…"
"Then we won't last the night."
The words were spoken plainly, without hesitation. It was a truth Eshara didn't want to hear, but she knew it was real.
"They have already barricaded the village's exit so we won't be able to escape even if we wanted to. Furthermore... perhaps we can still deal with the creatures with enough effort." As Solark said that, he stretched out his hands and removed a tooth wrist band. Soon after, his skin had the circuit board lines flowed red.
Eshara's eyes widened in shock. "That's…"
Solark turned his arm, showing her the bracelet. "These teeth are known as the 'Locking Light.' They suppress the clan's curse, stopping it from spreading… and from killing us when our strength explodes beyond control."
Eshara's breath caught in her throat. "Uncle, why would you…"
The Locking Light bracelet, It was a crucial piece of their clan's survival a tool that suppressed what was killing them, it prevented them from being consumed the power that surged inside.
He started slowly attaching, his bracelet on her wrist, her lines flashed briefly. "I know you're scared, Eshara. And I won't lie…I don't know if I'll come back from this fight. But I do know one thing. If we don't fight now, there won't be a home left for us to return to."
Eshara bit her lip hard, trying to keep her tears from falling.
"Then promise me… promise me you'll survive."
Solark chuckled softly. "I promise I'll do everything in my power to come back. But if I don't…" He said wiping her tears.
Beside her father, he uncles being her last on and the youngest who was closest to her she appreciated him also. Even will to go as far to think of her more as her than, her own.
Eshara head snapped up. "No! Don't even say it!"
Solark squeezed her shoulder. "Then you'd better pray that I'm as stubborn as you are."
With that, he turned, stepping toward the exit of the hut. The war drums thundered louder, the night filled with the eerie howls of the Specters in the valley beyond the village walls.
Eshara stood frozen as her uncle disappeared out in the sand. Scared wondering What's going to happen will he die? What can she do to help?
Though they clan is filled of Vortex Lancer Exodites, they didn't have enough Exo energy, it set them apart from other clans. It can be good and bad.
Even if the Ashborn were the oldest and longest running clan in this zone, they power lessened. Before they were the forefront behind every major war.
"Vertex Lancer...Aegis Ward. Two perfect combo cut from the same cloth."