Jasen stared at Zeratul. He was incredibly nervous at the moment.
"Uh, I'd like to confess to my crimes, yes I am the one who nuked the towns in Shakuras but I was going to be paid a lot. Kill me if you will." Jasen muttered.
"We don't have the time to kill you. I suggest that you leave now before I get second thoughts." Zeratul replied with anger.
"Zeratul, a transmission from Kaist/Zuu'man wishes to go straight to you." a Zealot informed.
Zeratul stared at Jasen once then looked at his viewscreen. "Go on." he said.
"Master, a creature of immense power is destroying everything! It seems to have control over a few of our men, meaning that it can control minds but it kills them after he destroys the area. We cannot sto-" the transmission cut off.
Zeratul closed his eyes. When he opened them he expected to see Jasen gone but he wasn't.
"Varaness huh?" Jasen asked.
"How do you know of him?" Zeratul asked.
"Heh, I heard about him before, heck I think I've seen him before. You see, I have or should I say had a partner who I saved from an alley before. Before I went there I checked out a dormant ship. It was a huge ship. I traveled through it and soon fell upon a prison area. I saw four creatures, of which you call Xel'Naga standing before a cell. A blue ball of energy on the other side. The thing began to chant something and the four Xel'Naga... well... I guess fell under his control." Jasen answered.
Zeratul raised an eye.
"That's why they never got to reach Dalomir... are you sure about this?" Zeratul asked.
"Yep. I almost fell under his control but I luckily got away." Jasen replied.
"How?" Zeratul asked.
"Heh, I fell into some kinda exhaust pipe. Good thing I got stuck half way. I had to blow my way through to my ship and I left as fast as I could." Jasen answered with a smile. He took out a blaster and Zeratul quickly turned on his shields.
"Don't worry, I ain't gonna shoot you. If I wanted to kill you, you would already be dead." Jasen said as he took out a small object from his blaster.
"See this? I found it in the prison cell after I got out of the exhaust pipe. I'm not sure what it would do me but here, you have it." Jasen handed the small rainbow colored crystal to Zeratul.
Zeratul stared at it then his eyes lit up.
"The 'Eye of the Xel'Naga'... how could he have gotten this..." Zeratul muttered.
Jasen stared at the crystal.
"Follow me. I will show you something." Zeratul ordered.
"Well mind giving me my helmet back? I really hate sunlight." Jasen informed.
Zeratul nodded and gave Jasen his helmet back. They both began their long trek towards a Protoss Temple to the East...
* * *
New Antioch, Shakuras...
Felicix stared out her balcony. The city was slowly rebuilding. The Zerg and the quake had caused so much damage. She wondered what the Zerg were doing now, for they hadn't done anything in a long time. Her question was answered when she saw guardians coming towards the city. Mutalisks behind them. She saw Zerg unburrow from the ground and head towards the city.
"My children, arm yourselves. The Zerg are coming!" she shouted.
The Dark Templar readied themselves. Syrans and Banshee waited in the skies, assassins and zealots hid and armed themselves, photon cannons powered up and dragoons stood behind them aiming up towards the sky.
On board an Overlord, the Queen of Blades stared out at New Antioch.
"Sinister, have you seen Duran?" she asked.
No answer came back. She turned around to see that Sinister wasn't there. Funny, she knew he was right beside her. She turned back around to see a gun up to her face, held by Sinister.
"It ends now b**ch." Sinister laughed.
The Queen of Blades was surprised. "What are you doing?" she screamed.
Sinister didn't answer. Instead he pulled the trigger. A bullet flew through her head and smashed into the inside of the Overlord. The Overlord shook from the pain. Sinister and Kerrigan's body fell from one side to the other.
The Queen of Blades' body fell out of an opening on the side. Sinister smiled then got up.
"Ah... my creatures... let us leave. We are not meant to harm. Let us continue our journey elsewhere. We are not meant to kill, we only assimilate what we can. We should protect lesser beings and learn from advanced ones. Listen to me my creatures... let us leave." Sinister ordered the Zerg Swarm.
The Zerg stopped then turned. They began to leave the area, heading for a better place. However, they would have to fight one more battle. Varaness had reached the city, carrying Kaist/Zuu'man's body. He flung the body into the sky and began his attack.
The Protoss were startled by the intruder and fell quickly. However, the unexpected happened. The Zerg that were supposed to attack them, helped them. Mutalisks began to group up and shoot their glave wurms. Varaness smiled then grabbed a zealot. He flung the zealot at a Mutalisk and hit it. The Mutalisk fell to the ground and the zealot fell on top of it.
Varaness shot a blast that split and hit multiple Mutalisks. Guardians behind the Mutalisks began to shoot their acid spores. Varaness only screamed and blasted them out of the sky as well. Overlords swooped by and began to save zealots that were trying to run away.
The Overlords filled with Protoss and Zerg flew off towards space, where they would be safe...
* * *
1 day later, out in space...
"Alright, mates. I suggest that we head out. It seems this merc ain't comin'." Captain Katarn suggested.
"No, let's wait. He'll be here. Please." Sue pleaded.
"It's been 3 days. We can't just sit here." Admiral Jane replied.
Sue sighed.
"Order all ships out. We're heading back to Joks 3. I think Thrawn might be there." she ordered.
The Captain acknowledged and the battlecruisers began to change course...
* * *
Protoss Temple, Auir...
"Amazing..." Jasen whispered.
The huge Protoss temple was filled with magnificent art. Pictograms and pictures of Protoss and Xel'Naga.
"What is this place?" Jasen asked.
"One of the first temples ever built by us, the Protoss. This is the equivalent of an old history book." Zeratul replied.
Zeratul pointed at one of the pictures of a hooded creature, it seemed to be missing an eye.
"There. That is where this should go." Zeratul whispered.
Zeratul put the small crystal into the hole and stared at the picture.
"I guess you were wrong eh?" Jasen asked.
"Wait." Zeratul ordered.
The walls began to make grinding noises and a huge hole appeared to Zeratul's left.
"Come with me. You have helped us greatly." Zeratul ordered.
Jasen followed Zeratul into a dark room with one table and a large book.
"This is it?" Jasen asked.
"I am guessing so." Zeratul replied.
Jasen opened the book.
"Hm... it's entitled 'The Matriarch'..." Jasen muttered.
"The Matriarch?" Zeratul asked.
"Yep... a total of 14 chapters including the prologue and the epilogue..."
Jasen added.
"What is it about?" Zeratul asked eagerly.
"Hm... from what I see, it talks about how important the Matriarch is. She is the mother of all. Anyone in her family or clan is somehow related to her... yadee yadee yadda.." Jasen continued.
"Yadee, yadee, yadda?"
"Oh, sorry. Nothing really special. It just goes on and-" Jasen stopped.
"What is it?"
"Varaness... here's an exerpt. This creature of great power is not of one... he is of the unknown ones. Even after Khas and the way of Khala these four of the unknown merged. The unknown were a secretive hybrid of dark and light energies... hating all of their own kind. The first two merged and became a blue creature. The other two did the same, but they turned into a red being. Soon thereafter, the two creatures merged into one. It has learned our secret. It has learned of our... story. This creature filled with hatred will rule for it has been fore told... exerpt from ancient Xel'Naga Gralixcs."
Jasen read.
"Unknown... dark and light energies... how..." Zeratul muttered.
Jasen just sighed then stared at the author of the "book".
"Oh my... this was written by, Jasen..." Jasen said startled.
"You wrote this?" Zeratul asked.
"Wait. You don't understand. I'm the third. You see there's Jasen the first, then Jasen II then me, Jasen III. Pretty wierd huh?" Jasen informed.
"Three of you?" Zeratul asked.
"Yep. We're all killers. The first one trained the second one. After I escaped my orphanage, I accidently killed a man, long story, but I was arrested. While in jail I met a guy who forcefully trained me to become the third Jasen. I know it's a wierd story but it's to piss off the people who think they've killed or imprisoned Jasen." Jasen answered.
"Oh..." Zeratul answered slowly.
"I wonder what the Xel'Naga means by it has learned of our story. What story is it talking about?" Jasen asked himself.
"There is a thoery about us being nothing but characters in some game. A Terran scientist once tried to prove this. Of course they were insane." Zeratul answered.
Jasen raised a brow under his helmet. "Funny." he remarked.
"I believe this book may have the key to stopping Varaness." Zeratul informed.
Jasen stared at the book. "It does..." he answered glumly.
"Well?" Zeratul asked.
"Well uh... it seems the Xel'Naga created a creature to stop things like Varaness. A creature of unimaginable power, even more than Varaness, will awaken to kill all of the Xel'Naga's creations... including you I guess." Jasen informed.
Zeratul shook his head.
* * *
3 days later, Joks 3...
Thrawn smiled as he stared at the Zerg leaving the planet. Maybe death wasn't inevitable in the Koprulu Sector he thought. He stared at his loyal soldiers, partying like there was no tomorrow. Thrawn let them have there party, for now. He took a long sip of his red wine and closed his eyes. The sun was beginning to fall down towards the horizon. He opened his eyes when he heard one of his soldiers calling him.
"Yes?" Thrawn responded.
"Uh sir, we're detecting multiple battlecruisers heading in our direction." the soldier replied.
"Ah, Admiral Jane. Took her long enough." Thrawn muttered.
"Uh sir?" the soldier asked.
"Nothing. Let them come to us. No use wasting our gas." Thrawn smiled.
The soldier nodded.
Thrawn took another sip of his red wine. I was wrong, death is inevitable... Thrawn thought to himself sadly.
A few miles off...
Admiral Jane looked at Captain Katarn, polishing off her plan.
"Good. The Blackhand will head East and a fake holo transmission of me will be played. If Thrawn falls for this we'll be lucky but I doubt he'll fall for it. I will head in to the southern part of their base with an expert ghost team. I'll try and get through as fast as possible. If Thrawn notices the transmission to be fake then run." Admiral Jane informed.
"I don't think so, mate. I'm a battler but I'll help you take out this larrikin named Thrawn and that's the dinky di, mate." Captain Katarn replied.
"Look Katarn. Just run. You don't know Thrawn. He'll notice quickly and send cloaked wraiths at you or something. The minute you see a ping on your radar, run... mate." Admiral Jane ordered.
"Then my men and me'll take out the wraiths, mate. Believe me, that larrikin isn't going to get away, mate." Captain Katarn answered.
Admiral Jane sighed. She looked to her left to see Sue coming down the hall carrying a sniper rifle.
"I'm gonna help whether ye like it or not. I've been trained as a sniper before and I'm thinking I still know how to use one of these." Sue informed.
Admiral Jane raised a brow.
"A sniper? Did that merc train you?" Admiral Jane asked.
Sue shook her head. "Nope. I learned it back on my home planet... before I met Jasen."
"Why would you risk your life to help a cause you don't even understand?" Admiral Jane asked.
"Oh I understand. I am a citizen of Umoja. People say it's a peaceful place away from the Terran Dominion but that's all a lie. The Umojan Protectorate is actually a dictator-like army. They control everyone. Even now there's a rebellion brewing up in that planet. I once led a small group but... I was caught. Almost beaten to death when Jasen came out and saved me." Sue explained.
"So... why don't you just leave him?" Admiral Jane asked.
"Because I owe him my life." Sue replied.
Admiral Jane nodded.
"Then let's go." Admiral Jane ordered.
Admiral Jane, her group of expert specialist ghosts, and Sue all got in their transports, which were going to head south.
* * *
Auir...
Artanis stared at the Zerg/Terran Hybrid known as Sinister. He felt anger pulse through his heart. The memory of Sinister stabbing his own brethren still fresh in his mind.
"I am sorry for the death of your brethren. I.. I was under the control of Kerrigan." Sinister informed.
"And? Kerrigan is still alive and most likely will kill us all in due time!" Artanis shouted.
"No. Kerrigan is dead. A bullet through her head. If it helps you any, your brethren from Shakuras are safely in my Overlords up above." Sinister informed.
Artanis stared at Sinister. The anger in Artanis began to cool off.
"Good." Artanis replied. With that, he turned and left. Leaving Sinister
alone to speak with Zeratul. Wherever Zeratul was, he thought.
Sinister stood alone, only Overlords above his head. Once again he was left alone, friendless, and lonely. He sighed. Why did he ever attract the Zerg to the Cicones...
Sinister saw something move at the corner of his eye. He quickly turned, tentacles ready and both his guns in his hands.
"Sinister?" The Dark Templar asked.
"Yes." Sinister replied.
"Follow me." The Dark Templar ordered.
Sinister followed the Dark Templar to an observatory near the East Base of Old Antioch. He was soon greeted by Zeratul who led him to the main room.
"En Taro Adun, Sinister." Zeratul said once again.
"In name of Adun to you to." Sinister replied.
He turned a corner and found a gun up to his head.
"What's the meaning of this?" Sinister asked.
"Heh heh, letting your guard down isn't too good, buddy." Jasen said aloud.
"You again?" Sinister asked.
Jasen smiled, then put his gun down.
"You were supposed to leave your gun there so I can check him." Zeratul said angrily.
"Trust me, he's a good man. Just... well neglected. Believe me, he's a good man. He wouldn't just lie unless he has to." Jasen replied.
The three sat down at a table.
"So now the peace treaty begins?" Jasen asked.
"Yes." The two replied.
"Well your, handsome, awesome, cool-"
"Just cut to the case Jasen." Sinister interrupted.
"Ok... well your witness is here." Jasen replied.
"Good. Then let us begin the treaty." Zeratul said.
A few miles off to the north...
Varaness ripped a Zealot in half and laughed. Fallen Protoss bodies littered the area. All the buildings were either destroyed or on blue fire. Varaness laughed again and shot a powerful burst of energy at a Gateway.
More Zealots and Dragoons began to pour out of shuttles and began their attack on him. Varaness only laughed louder and began to kill them. Any Zealots who were lucky enough to actually reach Varaness, only burned to death due to the powerful shield surrounding him.
"Come fools! My failed brethren! We shall all die!" Varaness screamed as he
shot another blast of energy at a shuttle, containing Templar.
A scarab flew at Varaness and exploded on him. Varaness' shields flared and a huge red blast flared across the field, killing over half the army.
"Fools! You dare use your techonoly against me? Don't you even remember your heritage?!" Varaness screamed. He blew the Reaver apart and blew another shuttle up.
Corsairs flew high above the battle and let out disruption webs, trying to slow down Varaness. The corsair pilots were stunned when Varaness broke the webs and began firing at them.
"Impossible!" shouted one of the pilots, before he was blown to bits.
"Retreat!" A Zealot shouted.
The remaining Protoss forces began to move back. Leaving their beloved town and heading southward. However, only a few were able to make it to the shuttles awaiting them...
* * *
Noghition Base, Joks 3...
"Admiral, the Blackhand is heading in our direction from the East. One of our hackers is picking up a holo transmission, sir." a technician informed.
Thrawn stared out the window and watched the sun set slowly over the horizon. He noticed that his reflection wasn't there. Death is inevitable...
"It's a fake transmission. She wouldn't be foolish enough to start saying out her plans during the attack. Send our cloaked wraiths in to harass those battlecruisers. Once in range, prepare to launch a nuclear missile at them." Thrawn ordered.
"A nuclear missile, sir? Don't you think that's over doing it sir?" the technician asked.
"To me, there is no over doing in war. Only surviving, or dying. Which would you choose?" Thrawn answered.
The technician only nodded.
"Good. Launch the fighters." Thrawn ordered.
Inside the base...
"I'm gone." one of the ghosts whispered as he began slicing the throats of marines who were sleeping.
"Good job. Sue are you in position?" Admiral Jane whispered into her com.
"Almost. There's more security here than I imagined. Why do ye think the alarms are still not on though?" Sue asked through her com.
"I don't know." Admiral Jane sighed.
A marine walked right past the cloaked Admiral and turned the corner only to be shot in the head by a sniper rifle.
"Move out." Admiral Jane ordered.
Outside the base...
Captain Katarn looked at his men. They were a rag tag bunch of men, only here to fight one man and a huge army. Thrawn had killed their former leader, his brother.
"Sir, they've launched their wraiths! They're beginning to cloak... and...
they're gone." one of the men informed.
Katarn stared at the Command Center before them.
"Aim our Yamato Guns in the general direction they were coming from." he ordered.
"Sir?"
"Just do it!" he repeated.
"Yes sir!"
The ships began aiming near the Command Center but not at it. Katarn stared silently out his window, waiting... finally he saw it, a reflection of a tree against the sky.
"FIRE!" Katarn ordered.
The Yamato Guns charged slowly then fired their huge blasts. Katarn's men stared out the window, thinking their leader had lost his mind. But they were proved wrong when explosions began appearing out of no where. The men stared at Katarn then outside, then Katarn again.
"How many explosions?" Katarn asked.
"F-f-fifteen, s-sir..." one of the men studdered.
"How many wraiths came out of the area?" Katarn asked.
"Fifteen, sir.." another man said.
"Then we got all them, mates. Now lets take out the beer and start our attack shall we?" Katarn said happily.
The battlecruisers slowly began to move towards the base perimeter...
Inside the base...
"All of our wraiths... Jane must be in the Blackhand... I was wrong..." Thrawn slowly said.
"Should we send the nuke, sir?" a technician asked.
"No." Thrawn replied cooly.
A few feet off...
Admiral Jane noticed a large amount of men were running out of the base and heading Eastward.
"Thrawn fell for it?" Jane asked herself quietly, amazed that the great Grand Admiral had fallen for a simple trick.
Jane and her elite ghosts headed for the main room, where Thrawn would be.
Near the main room, on the roof of the Command Center...
"I'm in position." Sue informed into her com.
"Good job. I'll be in the room in a few minutes." Admiral Jane answered.
Sue aimed her sniper rifle at a small window near her. She looked through her scope to see a tall, dark haired man, in a white suit, standing in the center of the room.
"Ye look just like Minister Jorgensen, ye son of a b**ch." Sue whispered to herself. She aimed at him and slowly began to pull the trigger but Thrawn moved out of her range for a second.
In the main room...
Thrawn stared at the technician.
"They're in here?!" Thrawn asked.
"Y-yes, s-sir. We've just stared to pick up transmissions running through the base that weren't ours." the technician answered.
"This... this can't be..." Thrawn slowly said.
He turned when an explosion rocked through the door and cloaked figures ran in. Thrawn quickly pushed a button that cloaked him.
Admiral Jane walked in to see Thrawn gone.
"Where i-"
Admiral Jane was cut off when she saw a gun beside her cheek.
"One move and she dies." Thrawn said.
The cloaked ghosts looked at Admiral Jane and saw a black gun with no one holding it beside her.
"What the hell?" one of them said aloud.
On the roof...
Sue stared in amazement when she saw the gun without an owner staring. Sue looked through her scope again and smiled.
"Computer? Change scope into heat vision." Sue ordered.
"Authorization code needed." the computer replied.
"Oh my gosh! Jasen put a code on his own sniper rifle?! What kind of paranoid freak is he?! Uh... let's see... oh I know. Jeezus Cripes." Sue shouted.
"Access... accepted." the computer replied.
The scope made a slight noise. Sue kept her gun in the same position.
"Which one is she?" Sue asked.
"Admiral Jane if ye can hear me, make a slight movement with ye're leg or arms." Sue whispered into her com.
A few minutes passed by. But finally she saw a slight movement and noticed a red leg shaking. Sue moved the scope around slowly and noticed that Thrawn wasn't all that close to Admiral Jane. She aimed at Thrawn's head, or what she thought was Thrawn's head. She slowly pulled the trigger... then with a bang, the bullet went through the glass window and hit something.
In the main room...
Admiral Jane moved the minute she heard a shattering sound then she heard a loud thud. She looked around to see the gun near her cheek was now on the floor.
"Close one there." Admiral Jane said into her com.
"Aww, and I thought I shot ye." Sue said aloud contently.
"Alright you URN pieces of trash. Order all your fighters back. The war's over. Your demented leader is dead. The UED is once again victorious." Admiral Jane ordered.
The URN troops had nothing left to do but surrender.
Admiral Jane heard loud cheering over her com.
"Katarn?" Admiral Jane said into her com.
"Yes ma'am?" Katarn asked back.
"You're still alive?" Admiral Jane asked.
"Yep. And we're drinkin' our beer. Oh and by the way, do you know what beer is australian?" Katarn asked.
"No..." Admiral Jane answered.
"It's Katarn!" Katarn joked.
Admiral Jane smiled, it was over now. It was time to try and head back home. Once again the main objective, whatever it was, was never reached.
"Let's move out." Admiral Jane ordered.
"Admiral. If ye don't mind. Can I use one of ye're wraiths or transports to head back to Auir or one of the Protoss planets?" Sue asked.
"No... we'll take you there ourselves." Admiral Jane answered.
Sue smiled. She smelt something smoking and noticed that the sniper rifle was smoking.
"System overload." the computer said.
Sue quickly tossed the rifle to the ground which quickly caught on fire.
"Boy, is Jasen going to be pissed." Sue said to herself with a smile.
* * *
Auir...
"Then it is over. One of our warriors goes with you in turn you leave this sector forever." Zeratul said.
"Yes." Sinister answered.
"Great. Now if you two will just sign these..." Jasen ordered.
Zeratul looked at the paper.
"I hereby give you 20 pieces of Khaydarin crystals?" Zeratul read.
"Uh... oops uh.. wrong papers." Jasen said as he quickly took the papers back.
"Ah, here's the real ones..." Jasen said while giving them new papers.
"D**n..." Jasen muttered.
"Excuse me?" Sinister asked.
"Nothing." Jasen answered.
Sinister and Zeratul signed with their blood.
"Eww, that's just plain nasty. I don't know why people just don't make pencils anymore..." Jasen said.
"Shut up!" Both Sinister and Zeratul ordered.
Jasen shut his mouth and sat still. Silence fell upon the room for a minute, when Jasen remembered something.
"S**t! I forgot to meet up with the UED fleet!" Jasen exclaimed.
"What?" Sinister asked.
"Forget it, they most likely left." Jasen replied.
Sinister nodded.
"Zeratul, you keep this paper and Sinister, you keep that one." Jasen ordered.
"Then let us leave." Zeratul said.
The three men left the building. Jasen shook hands with his childhood friend, Nathaniel, now known as Sinister, then watched him get on an Overlord and leave. Jasen sighed as he watched him go, Sinister would've been a perfect Jasen, except that he was Zerg. He looked at the Overlord pass by then remembered something.
"Zeratul, I found something out. It was in the book." Jasen informed.
"What is it?" Zeratul asked.
"Varaness can be defeated, but it must be done in like 3 weeks or it's over, the creature that's gonna destroy everything will awaken. We need to get a crystal, sort of like the Eye of the Xel'Naga. But this baby's harder to get. It's a crystal embedded into Varaness' forehead, it's got no name, but you have to penetrate his shields then destroy or pull the crystal from him." Jasen said.
"Destroy the crystal or pull it out? Then we will need Raynor's help." Zeratul answered.
"Raynor's?" Jasen asked.
"Yes, he can get a science vessel to EMP Varaness so that we may have a chance to get the crystal." Zeratul replied.
Jasen nodded in agreement. Jasen walked out with Zeratul into the fields.
"But who's gonna be stupid enough to just walk to Varaness and steal the crystal?" Jasen asked.
Zeratul looked towards the sky. "Not stupid... brave."
Jasen smiled under his helmet. The Protoss were indeed a brave race, and stupidy was not a word they would usually use.
"You may go if you wish. I must go in search of Raynor." Zeratul said as he cloaked.
"Oh that's great. Now I'm stuck here with no ship."
"You ship has been repaired." Zeratul replied.
Jasen nodded.
* * *
Maul, Auir, last real encampment left.
"Your ship is ready." Artanis said.
"Thanks. Good luck to you all." Jasen replied.
"What hope do we have? Only about fifteen percent of our civilization is alive and this is the only hope we have, this one encampment." Artanis said gravely.
"Don't worry man. Thing's will work out. I bet you'll defeat Varaness." Jasen replied.
Artanis only shook his head as he walked off. Jasen sighed then boarded his ship. It seemed like new. His ship flew off into space and Jasen dozed off slightly. He began to dream, seeing the past. He remembered the first glimpse he had of Varaness, the power in him, the mana he must of contained... the mana... Jasen sat up on his seat. He flipped through the pages of the ancient book with "The Matriarch" enscribed on it. There was nothing about the mana of the creature, meaning either that Varaness used another source for his incredible energy... or the book was fake...
Jasen sat and thought about it. His predecessor had told him that the first Jasen was killed by him... as a time honored tradition. How would a mind-controlled Jasen have taught another one? How could his predecessors have even lived in the time of Varaness... he flipped through some more pages. Two creatures melded into one... "Not of one..."
Jasen shook his head. Much of this wasn't making sense.
"What the hell is going on!" Jasen screamed.
Jasen sighed then laid back. "Computer, set a course to... no wait, just orbit this planet." Jasen ordered as he opened the book again.
* * *
2 days later, orbit over Auir...
"I think I got it!" Jasen exclaimed. He steered his ship towards Auir. If he was right, then the book wasn't totally fake.
Jasen arrived in Maul to see the city almost gone. He saw a zealot running towards the south.
"What's up with this place?" Jasen asked.
"He's here." the Zealot replied.
"Oh crap. I'm too late." Jasen said as he ran with the Zealot.
A few minutes later...
Jasen arrived to see one of the most bloodiest sites he'd ever seen. Protoss, Zerg, Terran, all of them, dead. A huge blue creature stood alone in the center. The Protoss were using everything they could on it.
"Where's Zeratul?" Jasen shouted.
"I am here." a voice said from behind.
Jasen turned around to see Zeratul forming before him.
"The EMP did not work. He hasn't even budged." Zeratul informed.
"I know why! He isn't all shields. He's filled with mana. His power comes from the mana within him! You need to get a dark archon to do feedback on him. It's about the only way! He has more mana than anyone can imagine. The book was a lie! The first part was true because the Xel'Naga weren't under his control, the latter part is just all a lie. There is no crystal in Varaness. It was a lie to mislead us. You need to get a dark archon!" Jasen explained.
"I am sorry to say this but most of the Protoss are leaving. Mostly the Dark Templar. I am one of the last ones still remaining here. I believed that we Protoss would be brave and stay but I was wrong... we are cowards." Zeratul sighed.
"No... my child... I... I cannot let this happen..." a voice said aloud.
Zeratul and Jasen looked in the direction the voice came from. A figure emerged from the darkness and Zeratul gasped. It was his Matriarch, Raszagal. Zeratul bowed before her on one knee.
"Matriarch... you are alive..." Zeratul gasped.
"Yes, my child... even now I am fighting the effects the... the Zerg and Ardarriss had given me..." Raszagal informed.
"But... I slew you..." Zeratul said.
"Let not our words guide us... we must merge... you will see all I've seen and I shall see all you've seen." Raszagal ordered.
"But merge with my own Matriarch? I can not have the honor." Zeratul replied.
"You do my child. Here... grab my arm." Raszagal ordered.
Zeratul did as ordered and he felt his body changing.
"I got a question. If a guy Protoss and a girl Protoss merge... well..." Jasen stopped himself from going on as he watched Zeratul's body disappear and red energy take his place. The same happened to Raszagal.
Jasen turned to see a blue blast heading for the merging forces. Jasen turned and spread his arms. The blast smashed into his armor and Jasen flew back, barely missing Zeratul/Raszagal. He flew into his own ship and broke through the ships thick armor and ended up in his own quarters.
Jasen got up and jumped out of the hole he made. He had to protect the last dark archon at all costs. He looked to see that Varaness was heading in Zeratul/Raszagal's direction. Jasen ran at Varaness then stopped in front of him.
"You fool. Get out of my way." Varaness ordered.
"Do you know me?" Jasen asked.
"You're a pitiful Terran. Or should I say was." Varaness said as he grabbed
Jasen by his throat.
Then it was a lie, if the first Jasen wrote that book, then Varaness would've remembered the armor.
"Let him go." a voice said.
Varaness stared at the red creature before him.
"Use your useless spell. You'll only succeed in killing your Terran friend here." Varaness smiled.
Jasen looked at Zeratul/Raszagal then nodded. He punched Varaness in the forehead and his hand sunk through. Jasen felt a crystal of some sort and his eyes opened wide. The book was telling the truth!
Varaness screamed in pain as the thing that created him was crushed slowly by Jasen. Zeratul/Raszagal thinking this his chance, raised an arm and casted feedback. Instead of two, four orbs appeared and surrounded Varaness and Jasen. They sunk into both bodies. Varaness screamed as his own mana destroyed him from the inside, his crystal no longer being able to protect him. He dropped Jasen, another fatal mistake. Jasen was still holding onto the crystal when he fell, he was unconsious, the feedback had effected him as well.
Varaness grabbed his head in pain.
"It is too late! Ha Ha Ha!" Varaness screamed as he exploded, causing Jasen's limp body to fly off into a group of trees. Zeratul/Raszagal stared at what was left of Varaness, a page of paper. They picked it up then floated towards the direction in which Jasen flew off too.
Jasen's suit was all that was keeping him alive. Life support systems were pumping everything it could into his body. His suit had camoflauged his body automatically, his mana may have been low but camoflauging his body was possible, thanks to the dense forests. His heart was beating slowly. His psi eminations were low, making Zeratul/Raszagal think he was dead... and maybe he was. Jasen stared off at the stars, he hadn't trained another Jasen yet, but that wasn't important to him, he hoped that Sue was still alive somewhere. Darkness fell upon him and soon he drifted off, his eyes shutting tight...
* * *
2 days later, ruins of Antioch, Auir...
"Then it is over... Varaness has been destroyed. Not because we casted feedback, but because a brave terran ripped his life essence out. The crystal was pulled from his body. But the Terran is yet to be found. We must not think the worse for him. For his spirit is out there with the great Tassadar himself." Zeratul/Raszagal said aloud.
A wraith landed not to far away and a young woman came running across the
darkened fields.
"I don't mean to interrupt but have any of ye seen a mercenary around here? He was last seen crashing towards here." she asked.
"Do you speak of Jasen?" Zeratul/Raszagal asked.
"Yes, do ye know him?" Sue asked.
"Yes. He... he is alive... in a way." Zeratul/Raszagal replied.
"What do ye mean in a way?" she asked.
"He... he's... supposedly dead. He stopped the creature." Zeratul/Raszagal answered.
"He's... dead? No! He can't be!" Sue shouted.
"We are sorry." Zeratul/Raszagal answered gravely.
Sue sighed, a tear falling from her eye. Sue ran off into the forests. Zeratul/Raszagal tried to chase after he but failed.
Sue kept running until she tripped. She sighed then got up to see a ring. A beautiful gold ring with a large crystal in the middle. She walked to it then picked it up. On the inside, were small letters, spelling out something.
"I love you..." she read. Sue looked up and looked around the forest.
"Jasen! Where are ye!" She shouted. She waited, expecting at least a faint noise, but nothing replied. Sue sighed. He's still alive, she thought. She stood up and walked out of the forest. She was expecting Protoss to be all around her, guarding her but she was wrong. Nothing was around. It was clear, and quiet, except for a continuos, light pounding noise.
She looked up to see a small blue flame, and she watched it get larger. The flame rose higher and higher then disappeared towards the sky.
"The Black Shadow!" Sue shouted.
She turned to see Zeratul/Raszagal behind her.
"Hallucinations?" the Dark Archon asked.
"No it was there! I saw it!" Sue shouted.
"It's ok. After a Terran goes into shock, it is natural to see hallucinations." Zeratul/Raszagal informed.
Sue shook her head then ran towards the Wraith she came in. Zeratul/Raszagal sighed.
"Matriarch, why must we see such... damage?" Zeratul/Raszagal asked itself.
The Dark Archon sighed again and shook their head.
* * *
One month later...
"Where is Zeratul/Raszagal?" Artanis asked.
"Zeraszgal? They are in the tomb of Tassadar." Mojo replied.
"I cannot believe we have survived all this." Artanis said.
"Neither can I. Who do you think will go with the Zerg?" Mojo asked.
"We must let Zeraszgal decide." Artanis replied.
"No. I wish to go. I will tell them now." Mojo informed.
"What? But why? You have yet much to learn and your are the scout leader of the Auriga fleet." Artanis answered.
"Auriga fleet? What fleet? The 5 scouts including me? Artanis, you can easily lead that." Mojo replied.
Artanis sighed.
"Good bye, old friend." Mojo said as he ran off towards the tomb.
Artanis sighed again as he watched his old friend run off. Many things had happened the past few months, or was it weeks? From the invasion of the Zerg to the destruction by Varaness. So much had happened, and yet many answers were left unanswered. Why had Varaness hated his own race so much? Artanis
sighed again then walked off towards a Cybernetics Core.
* * *
Tomb of Tassadar...
Zeraszgal read the page again. The page that was left after Varaness had exploded. No matter how many times they read it, it didn't make sense. They stared at the page again:
"The Protoss, our first creations, not only just a failure but also a danger to our race. They have fought amongst each other, breaking their connection. We wished them to be different, all of our other races that we have created had done the same. We hope to return again to see our Protoss well and together, but until then we must continue our journey...
After creating the first larvae of a new race, we have come to visit Auir once more. Their so called 'Aeon of Strife' is well over however, they still remain apart. We have found four of them that have been doing things that may reveal their true story...
Days have passed since we spotted this creature dubbed 'Varaness'. The four we had kept our eyes on had merged. They have broken through our most guarded library on Auir, and yet we cannot stop him, for the Protoss think we are gone. Varaness may or may not have found the book, there would be only one way to find out. We must send Khas'Moddan down to check on Varaness...
Much has happened since I last wrote in this journal for the Matriarch. Varaness has figured our secret. He has learned of the great creatures known as 'Blizzard' that have created us. He has learned that we are no more than characters in... a fictional game... We must stop him before he spreads this around. The last Terran that found this out had to be exterminated. Now it must be Varaness' turn!
This may be my last written exerpt to my Matriarch. Varaness has broken free of his bonds. He has controlled two of my brethren already. Now only my brother and I remain here. But wait- No! He's---"
The page ended there. Zeraszgal turned the page and read the back this time, it was about the hundredth time but they still couldn't believe it, this side
was what happened before the one they just read:
"We have reached Auir, Blizzard had ordered us to create this race so that they may make a... game. We did so, but at what expense? If any of the races that we have created... ranging from our version of Earth to here, had found out... then it will end... everyone will go into wars. We hope that no one finds this journal to our Matriarch. For only she will understand everything.
Even we, the Xel'Naga, were created by Blizzard. We were first made by them so that we can continue their legacy. From the humans and orcs we made long ago on Earth, to the Protoss we will make now. The humans had defeated the orcs long ago and created a thriving civilization, we of the Xel'Naga, nor Blizzard could bring ourselves to destroy them. Soon these so called 'Terrans' reached this sector. Unexpected things had happened but we must go on with our main objective...
We have done it! The perfect race! Soon we will go down to meet them. Tell them about us and if we get close enough, we may even tell them about Blizzard. But only time will tell...
The page ended there and continued on the other side, which he had just read before. Zeraszgal sighed. All just creations of a game... what was in the future for them? Is this what Varaness had meant by "I am the Ultimate Reality"?
Zeraszgal was soon interrupted by Mojo.
"Yes, my child? What do you wish?" they asked.
"Masters, I wish to travel with the Zerg." Mojo replied.
Zeraszgal turned. "You?" they asked, taking a step forward.
"Yes." Mojo replied, standing still.
Zeraszgal sighed. "Why?"
"Because, I have no more cause with the Protoss. I lead a fleet composed of five scouts. I don't wish to let another brethren go because they were voted to go. I wish to go instead of them... voluntarily." Mojo said as he shook his head slowly.
Zeraszgal nodded. "It is your choice, I cannot stop you, my child. May Khas'Moddan be with you."
"And may Adun be with you." Mojo replied.
"It will be sad to see you go." Zeraszgal said.
"Thank you. But I have yet one question to ask. Why did feedback not work when Kaist/Zuu'man casted it?" Mojo asked.
"The crystal. Jasen grabbed a crystal which weakened Varaness, allowing spells to be casted on him. If it were not for him, then our feedback would have been absolutely useless." they answered.
Mojo nodded.
"If a Terran that has nothing to do with us will help us this much, I believe it is time for the Protoss to group together as one. We know each other, we call each other brethren, and yet we aren't united... We must unite, now or we die. Mojo are you sure you wish to leave?" Zeraszgal asked.
Mojo nodded once more.
"Then En Taro Adun!" Zeraszgal said aloud.
Mojo ran off to inform the Auriga fleet of his departure. A few tears fell from his eyes. Maybe he had made a wrong choice... or maybe not. He wiped his tears and kept running...
* * *
A few miles off...
Raynor smiled at Artanis.
"Uh, in tawoo Adun, I think, Artanis." Raynor greeted.
Artanis nodded.
"What's wrong man?" Raynor asked.
"I... if I were the leader of the Protoss, I would leave Auir." Artanis sighed.
"Why?" Raynor asked.
"Look at our beautiful Auir... it's in ruins, broken. I don't wish to be a part of a race that destroys their own planet." Artanis replied.
Raynor nodded in understandment.
"But that would never happen." Artanis continued.
Raynor nodded again.
"Well, I'm guessing this is the last time I'm gonna be seein' you all around. I got a deal with the Kel-Morian Combine. I'm gonna be one of them now. I'm gonna travel all around the sector." Raynor explained.
Artanis nodded.
"May Tassadar watch over you." Artanis replied.
A few hours later...
Raynor waved as he boarded the Hyperion II.
"Later guys!" he said as he got on.
Zeraszgal nodded as well as Artanis.
"It is time for me to go as well." Mojo informed as he boarded an Overlord.
The Protoss sighed and watched their companions leave for space.
Zeraszgal looked at Artanis.
"Artanis, we wish that you become our leader. You will be the first leader of the Protoss after the fall of the Conclave, you are Zeal. There will no longer be a Conclave, only the Zeal. Make wise choices, and listen to our people. Understood?" Zeraszgal asked.
Artanis was stunned. He was now the leader of what was left of the Protoss.
* * *
About a month later...
Kentsville, Tarsonis...
Emperor Mengsk looked at the barren world on his viewscreen.
"Excellent... no more of those Hybrids are living now." Mengsk smiled.
"Don't you think nuking the entire planet was necessary? There were a few encampments of ours on that planet, sir." one of his royal guards asked.
"Of course it was necessary. Would you want those things destroying everything in sight?" Mengsk asked.
"Well... no sir, but... all those innocent people."
"Just shut up. You're a guard. Do what you're supposed to and just guard." Mengsk ordered.
The Royal Guard nodded.
Mengsk looked at his viewscreen and a face popped up.
"Ah, Senator Jorgensen. What brings you?" Mengsk asked with a grin.
"That's Minister, Mengsk. I want to know why you destroyed one of our moons." Jorgensen asked.
"Why... an accident of course. A... mishap of sorts." Mengsk replied.
"Mishap is right. You destroyed one of my best military encampments. Tell me the reason now, Mengsk, or this 'mishap' is going to be on the next 6 o'clock UNN news." Jorgensen threatened.
Mengsk's eyes grew into slits.
"If I go on the news then I'm not going alone. I wonder what all that military is for any way, Jorgensen. I'm not sure if you know who she is, but a woman named Sue McCalistor came in the other day and told me all about the 'peaceful' Umojan Protectorate and I'm sure UNN will love that." Mengsk said, his smile fading.
"McCalistor? I thought she was... fine, we have a deal." Jorgensen grumbled as the viewscreen flickered off.
Mengsk smiled. His vast empire would soon conquer Umoja he thought. With no Zerg or Protoss in the way, he would be able to concentrate more on offense against neutral planets.
* * *
Far off on Earth...
Lordaeron, North America...
"Good job, Grand Admiral Jane. You succesfully helped defeat the renegade United Russian Nations. I can't believe the old United Powers League would swoop this low to try and destroy us." One of the old five star Generals said.
"Thank you. But sir, didn't the United Powers League become the United Earth Directorate? That's what it said in our handbook." Jane answered.
"Ah... we... well..." he looked at the other Generals and they nodded.
"That's just a lie. The UPL did turn into the UED but that was just half of the story. The national UPL didn't like the international version, which later became us. That's when the big war raged, between the UPL and UED. You were in it, if I'm correct. But you were fighting the evil rebels, so to speak. You never learned of the true reasons why we fought. But that's all we can tell you." the General informed.
Grand Admiral Jane nodded.
"You may leave now." a General said.
Jane nodded again and left the room. She looked back as the door closed. What
other secrets were there behind those doors...
* * *
Shakuras...
Artanis stared off as the moon began to fall into the horizon. The Protoss had moved to Shakuras temporarily, and later they would move on. Zeraszgal had disappeared, once again, leaving Artanis by himself, to lead the Protoss. He was once again alone, Edwarg was dead, Mojo left with the Zerg, and Zeraszgal disappeared.
"Zeal Artanis, we have found a planet that is suitable to live in." Zenox informed with a bow.
Artanis turned and looked at Zenox.
"Can you feel it, Zenox?" Artanis asked.
"Feel what, Zeal Artanis?" Zenox asked.
"It isn't over... I can see it... I can sense it. It is out there." Artanis replied.
Zenox nodded.
"We must become what we once were, and soon. I know something isn't right. I felt it... the power is out there..." Artanis informed.
And indeed, something was out there...
