Chapter 13 - Battle in the Forest Part 2
Chapter 13 - Battle in the Forest Part 2
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and moss as Ivory and Jack Frost made their way through the forest, stepping over gnarled roots and weaving past towering trees. The Hive's glow shimmered faintly in the distance, a beacon of civilization in the wild expanse surrounding it.
Ivory's boots crunched softly against the leaves, the weight of the recent battle still lingered in her mind, but more than that, she was focused on the notification hovering at the edge of her vision.
[Level Up: Level 3 Reached]
[Every three levels until Level 100, you may select a specialization ability. Choose one of the following]
Jack peeked at her screen with feigned curiosity. "So, what're you looking at? Power-up options?"
Ivory nodded, stopping in a small clearing just before the Hive's perimeter. She extended her hand, and three ornate cards materialized in front of her, each with intricate, swirling patterns that pulsed with an otherworldly glow. The text on the cards was intentionally vague, as if the system wanted her to take a leap of faith besides being labeled with a number: #12, #8, and #15.
"Well, well" Jack mused, peering at the floating choices. "Mysterious numbered cards? Very cryptic."
Each card shimmered with faint golden light, the descriptions purposefully vague. Ivory frowned as she read them, trying to decipher their meanings.
#12: Adaptive Carapace(Passive) – "The Swarm endures. Become a shield that bends, not breaks."
#8: Rapid Evolution (Active)– "The Swarm grows, adapts, survives. Accelerate the process of change."
#15: Metabolic Boost (Active)– "The Swarm moves as one. Quicken the pace of battle."
Jack whistled lowly. "Damn, they don't exactly spell it out for you huh?"
"Nope" Ivory muttered, tilting her head as she analyzed them. Adaptive Carapace seemed like a defensive upgrade, possibly making her tougher or enhancing the Hive's resilience. Rapid Evolution sounded more like an ability that would allow the Swarm to adapt faster—could be useful in a prolonged fight. And Metabolic Boost? Likely increased speed, maybe better mobility for units.
Jack tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Okay, so break it down. What's your main priority right now? Strength? Survivability? Tactical advantage?"
Ivory exhaled through her nose, running her fingers through her dark hair. "The Swarm's still in the early stages. We're expanding, but we're not exactly battle-ready yet. Right now, we need sustainability—something that ensures we can keep growing and surviving long-term."
Jack snapped his fingers. "So that knocks out Metabolic Boost. Speed's great, but if your little bug-babies are dying faster than they can move, what's the point?"
Ivory nodded. "That leaves Adaptive Carapace and Rapid Evolution."
Jack grinned, crossing his arms. "Defense versus adaptation. Classic dilemma."
She chewed on her lip, staring at the glowing cards. Adaptive Carapace seemed safe, like a reliable choice that would make her and the Swarm harder to kill. But Rapid Evolution? That could be a game-changer in the right circumstances.
"Think about it" Jack pressed his ice-blue eyes gleaming. "Rapid Evolution means you can respond to anything. Your Swarm gets stronger faster, adjusts to threats faster. It's a wildcard, sure, but it's a damn powerful one."
Ivory's fingers twitched. He was right. Adapting meant survival. It meant ensuring that no matter what threats came their way, they wouldn't be wiped out.
A small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Jack chuckled. "Oh, absolutely. Watching you wrestle with existential choices? Prime entertainment."
Ivory rolled her eyes before reaching forward. "Alright, let's do it."
Her fingers brushed against the Rapid Evolution card, and the moment she made contact, the system reacted.
[Selection Confirmed: Rapid Evolution Acquired.]
A surge of energy coursed through her veins, and for a brief moment, she felt everything as it felt as if the pulsating rhythm of growth and change flowed through my body.
As the surge of power settled within her, Ivory took a deep breath, feeling the newfound energy humming beneath her skin. Her connection to the Swarm had deepened, and for the first time, she felt the rapid pulse of life, growth, and change coursing through the Hive's very essence.
Jack, ever the observer, leaned over her shoulder as the system screen flickered in her vision, displaying the full details of her new ability.
[Rapid Evolution]
Cooldown: 24 hours
Duration: 8 hours
Effect: When activated, the Swarm's evolutionary processes are drastically accelerated. Unit adaptations, mutations, and genetic enhancements occur at double the normal speed, allowing for quick responses to environmental or combat situations. Once the duration ends the Swarm will slowly return to baseline.
Jack let out a low whistle. "Not exactly sure what it does as its not super clear but eight hours of that sounds decently strong."
Ivory crossed her arms, considering. "It should be strong, but I doubt it will be entirely controlled, I think this is more on the individual scale to deal with each situation and speeds it up."
"Right, right." Jack smirked. "So basically, you hit the button, and for the next eight hours, your bugs start leveling up like crazy. Sounds fun."
Ivory rolled her shoulders, feeling the power thrumming beneath her skin and she glanced around at the shifting landscape of the Swarm's expansion.
The creep was slowly spreading across the ground, pulsing with life beneath her feet. The dark, organic substance made everything feel more alive, as if the earth itself had become part of the Hive's ever-growing body as around her, the Swarm worked tirelessly.
A small group of drones had stationed themselves in the clearing ahead, their scythe-like appendages slicing through thick tree trunks with mechanical efficiency. Some were chipping away at nearby rock formations, carving out resources for future construction.
Five additional drones had moved further out with more following every few minutes coming from the hive entrance, their purpose was dragging gathered materials back toward the Hive and without doubt.
"Looks like the workers are keeping busy" Jack observed. "Chopping, hauling, and… expanding, I assume?"
Ivory nodded. "We need more biomass. More resources. The faster we build, the stronger we get, soon enough we will have snowballed enough."
She and Jack made their way across the open terrain toward the main Hive, the heart of her growing domain.
As they stepped into the Hive's cavernous interior, the scent of damp earth and raw organic material filled Ivory's lungs. The structure pulsed with life, bioluminescent veins running along its walls, casting the chamber in a soft, eerie glow.
Near the center of the chamber, movement caught Ivory's eye.
Two of the dryad children were occupied with their own activities.
One of them, the oldest, was crouched near a cluster of budding Zerg embryos, tilting her head curiously as if listening to the faint hum of energy within them. Her delicate, vine-wrapped fingers traced the pulsating surface of a newly forming drone, as though she could sense the life inside.
The second dryad child, the middle one, was busy with something else entirely. She was playing if it could be called thatwith a Zergling. The small, agile creature skittered back and forth in front of her, seemingly intrigued by her presence. She reached out toward it, and though the Zergling flinched at first, it eventually allowed her to touch its chitinous head.
Ivory frowned slightly. The dryad children had never spoken, not once since she'd found them. She wasn't even sure if they could speak. But they were clearly intelligent.
Jack nudged her with his elbow not that she could feel it. "They're getting comfortable."
Ivory nodded. "Yeah. But they still don't have names."
"They're not animals, you know" Jack said, crossing his arms. "If you want them to be more than strays in your Hive, you're gonna have to give them a name.
Ivory sighed, rubbing her temples. Naming things was… not a strong suit of hers.
Before she could dwell on it, her gaze shifted to the youngest dryad child the smallest of the three.
She was still asleep, her tiny form curled up, wrapped in layers of soft vine-like tendrils. One of the larger drones had picked her up, cradling her in its clawed limbs as it carefully transported her across the chamber. The sight was strange almost endearing.
Jack chuckled. "I swear, that one sleeps more than she does anything else."
Ivory snorted. "She's young. Maybe still growing."
Ivory watched as the drone gently carried the sleeping child around the other two children. The drone seemed to make sure its movements were soft enough to not disturb the child's sleep. As she watched Ivory's focus was interrupted by a sudden notification from her interface.
[Hidden Quest Completed: First Sentient Kill]
The Swarm has eliminated its first sentient being, marking a significant milestone in its evolution. As a reward, you have unlocked the ability to spawn Abathur, the Swarm's Evolution Master.
Ivory's eyes widened in surprise, she never thought she would get Abathur, he was a unique being within the swarm but exactly for that reason he should not exist here.
Without hesitation, Ivory accessed the spawning interface and selected Abathur. The system displayed the resource requirements and while the requirements to spawn Abathur were steep, the potential benefits of having him here are to beneficial to ignore.
[Spawn Abathur Cost:]
Minerals: 300
Vespene Gas: 150
Time to Completion: 10 minutes
Confirming the allocation of resources, she initiated the spawning process. In the center of the chamber, directly in front of her throne and past the dais on the floor, the organic material began to coalesce, forming a pulsating cocoon. The pod, rich with genetic material, pulsed rhythmically as it nurtured the developing form within.
Jack, observing the process with a raised eyebrow, remarked, "So, you're bringing in the big guns now but what exactly does this Abathur guy do?
Ivory nodded, her gaze fixed on the growing pod. " Ivory nodded, her gaze fixed on the growing pod. "Abathur's knowledge will be a game changer. He will be able to start the swarm's evolution and kick it into high gear."
Jack nodded slowly. "Sounds like he'll be a game-changer. Creepy, but useful."
Ivory settled in her seat as the both of them continued to watch the pod mature as the kids played in the background. Ivory felt her leg begin to bounce as a surge of anticipation flowed through her, more then anything it was a chance to talk to someone else.
After a few moments of the chamber pulsing with organic energy as the pod in front of the Queen's dais split open, thick strands of mucous-coated flesh peeling back to reveal the creature inside. A low, guttural hiss echoed off the chamber walls as Abathur emerged from his cocoon. His grotesque form unfurled, long, sinewy limbs twitching, chitinous plating glistening under the bio-luminescent glow of the chamber. His multiple eyes, cloudy and unfocused, darted around the space, taking in his surroundings with an almost predatory wariness.
(Image)
For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a deep, guttural chitter, Abathur's body tensed. His claws flexed, his long, segmented fingers twitching, and his gaze landed on Ivory.
"Hello Abathur" I called out, stepping forward cautiously. "Recognize my command. I am Ivory, your Queen."
He did not respond. Instead, his posture remained tense, and his eyes flicked between me and the other entities in the room, including Jack and the dryad children.
Sensing the potential danger, I issued a mental command through the Swarm's link. 'Zerglings, form a perimeter around Abathur. Ensure he does not approach the children.'
The Zerglings responded instantly, scuttling from nearby passages and into position to encircle the feral Evolution Master. Their bodies formed a living barrier, preventing him from advancing toward the vulnerable dryad children who watched the scene with wide, or to escape the building.
Abathur's eyes narrowed, and with a sudden, fluid motion, he lashed out at a nearby Zergling. His appendage pierced the creature, and as he withdrew, the Zergling convulsed violently. Before our eyes, its form began to shift, muscles bulging and carapace thickening. It had transformed into a primal version of itself, more feral and aggressive. With a guttural snarl, it turned on its fellow Zerglings, attacking with newfound ferocity.
As the transformed Zergling convulsed and twisted into its primal form, a pack of standard Zerglings responded with instinctual precision. They leapt onto the aberrant creature, their claws and mandibles tearing into its mutated flesh. The struggle was brief; within moments, the primal Zergling lay lifeless, its form reverting to a more inert state. The victorious Zerglings stood over the corpse, their bodies heaving with exertion, before retreating to their positions around the chamber.
I turned my attention back to Abathur, who stood amidst the chaos he had instigated. His multiple limbs flexed and coiled, each tipped with sharp, chitinous claws. His elongated body, a grotesque fusion of sinewy flesh and hardened carapace, pulsed with latent energy. Multiple eyes, glistening with a greenish hue, darted around the chamber, taking in the surroundings. His mouthparts, a complex array of mandibles and tendrils, writhed as he muttered incoherently. "Overlord's presence... absent. DNA sequences... unfamiliar. Disruption... unacceptable."
Realizing that reasoning with him in this state was futile, I prepared to engage. Flexing my fingers, I my focus and small control I've gained over the past few days of training into my left hand, transforming the wooden structure of my finger into a claw. The sensation was both familiar and off-putting.
Abathur moved first, lunging toward me with surprising agility. His right appendage, a barbed limb reminiscent of a scythe, arced through the air aiming for my midsection. I sidestepped, feeling the rush of displaced air as his attack narrowly missed. Seizing the opportunity, I countered with a sweeping slash of my clawed hand, aiming for his exposed flank. The strike connected, carving a shallow gash and eliciting a guttural hiss from Abathur.
Undeterred, he retaliated with a flurry of attacks, utilizing his multiple limbs to press the assault. A whip-like tendril snapped toward my face; I raised my arm to deflect it, the impact stinging but superficial. Simultaneously, another limb struck my legs, forcing me to leap backward to avoid being swept off my feet.
Our duel continued, a relentless exchange of blows that tested both our endurance and combat prowess. Abathur's fighting style was unorthodox, a chaotic blend of calculated strikes and unpredictable movements, each of his limbs operated semi-independently, creating a barrage of attacks that kept me on the defensive.
Despite his aggression, I noticed moments of hesitation, as if an internal conflict waged within him. His earlier mutterings about the Overlord's absence and unfamiliar DNA sequences suggested a disconnection from the Swarm's collective consciousness, leaving him seemingly disoriented and volatile.
"Jack! I have him physically, it seems he isn't fully here yet focus on getting his connection with the swarm back."
Drawing upon my connection with the Swarm, I tried my best to focus my intent, channeling it through the psychic link, swiftly diving in under one of his pincers I slashed my hand across his leg projecting that intent into his being before rolling away as Abathur roaring in pain slammed his leg into where I was. With each successful strike against Abathur I willed him to recognize me, to remember his purpose within the Swarm, Jack flowed right next to me trying his best focusing on asserting a mental dominance back into his mind where it belonged.
The tide began to turn as my psychic influence seeped into his consciousness. His attacks grew less coordinated, his movements more sluggish. Sensing the shift, I pressed the advantage, delivering a decisive blow that sent him sprawling to the chamber floor. I stood over him, breathing heavily, my clawed hand poised for another strike.
Abathur gazed up at me, his multiple eyes flickering with a mix of confusion and dawning realization. "Queen... Ivory?" he rasped, his voice a guttural blend of clicks and hisses. "Recognition... returning. Disorientation... subsiding."
I relaxed my stance, allowing my hand to revert to its original form. "Yes, Abathur. You are part of the Swarm. You serve me."
He slowly rose, his limbs retracting to a less aggressive posture. "Apologies, my Queen. Emergence... caused confusion. Overlord's absence... disrupted connection. Unfamiliar DNA... led to defensive response."
I nodded in understanding. "The Overlord's presence is no longer as it was, but the Swarm endures. There will be ample opportunities for you to study and experiment as we adapt to these changes."
Abathur's eyes gleamed with renewed purpose. "Evolution never-ending. Challenges... fuel progress. Ready to serve, to adapt, to evolve."
As the echoes of the confrontation faded, I took a moment to steady my breathing, feeling the adrenaline ebb from my system. The chamber, though still tense, had settled into a wary calm. Abathur stood before me, his form pulsating with a subdued energy, multiple eyes flickering as he processed his surroundings.
Jack, standing a few paces behind me, broke the silence with a wry comment, his voice low enough to remain unheard by Abathur. "Well, that was a hell of a family reunion. Your new pet sure knows how to make an entrance."
I turned to face Jack, noting the mixture of amusement and concern in his expression. "Abathur is no pet" I replied, my tone measured. "He is a vital component in our quest for survival."
Jack raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "Vital or not, he nearly tore the place apart. Are you sure you can keep him on a leash?"
I sighed, acknowledging the validity of his concern. "Now that he recognizes me as his Queen, he will focus on his true purpose: evolving the Swarm, but you have a point he will be watched."
With the immediate crisis averted, I turned back to Abathur, who had been silently observing our exchange. "Abathur," I addressed him, "come with me to the Evolution Chamber. We have a lot of work to do."
"Acknowledged" he responded, his voice a guttural blend of clicks and hisses. "Evolution Chamber: nexus of adaptation. Optimal environment for genetic refinement."
Leading the way, I guided Abathur through the organic corridors of the hive, Jack following a few steps behind. The path was lined with pulsating walls, the very structure of the hive alive and responsive to our presence. As we approached the Evolution Chamber, the air grew thick with the scent of raw biomass and the hum of latent energy.
The Evolution Chamber was a vast, cavernous space connected directly to the Spawning Pool. Its walls were lined with membranous sacs containing various specimens and genetic samples collected from each new creature discovered.. The floor was a shifting mass of tendrils and organic matter, constantly in flux as it processed and reconstituted genetic material.
Abathur moved to the center of the chamber, his elongated body weaving through the tendrils with practiced ease. Once he reached the center of the chamber he settled into a depression where he was able to hide a majority of his body. He extended his limbs, each tipped with specialized appendages designed for intricate genetic manipulation. Before him, holographic strands of DNA materialized, glowing sequences representing the vast array of genetic data accumulated by the Swarm.
(Image)
Jack and I observed as Abathur began his work, his multiple eyes scanning the complex patterns with an intensity that spoke of deep focus. He manipulated the strands with his appendages, isolating specific sequences, splicing genes, and weaving new configurations with a precision that was both mesmerizing and unsettling.
"Analysis commencing" Abathur intoned, his voice devoid of emotion. "Assessing viability of genetic strains. Determining potential enhancements for Zerg units."
Jack leaned closer to me, whispering, "It's like watching a mad scientist at work. Only, you know, way more... squishy."
I couldn't help but agree.
After several minutes of silent manipulation, Abathur turned to face me. "Queen Ivory" he began, "integration of new genetic material will require time. Upgrades to Zerg strains must be tested, refined. Patience is necessary."
I nodded in understanding. "Proceed as needed Abathur. Keep me informed of your progress and any significant developments."
"Understood" he replied, already turning back to his work, his focus unwavering.
As Jack and I turned to leave the evolution chamber a sharp, piercing sensation shot through my mind, causing me to stagger. A psychic transmission, urgent and vivid, flooded my consciousness. Through the eyes of one of my Queen units stationed in the dense forest, I witnessed a harrowing scene: a coordinated group of highly skilled individuals ambushing our forces. Hydralisks and Zerglings fell swiftly under the assault, their deaths echoing through the psychic link.
Jack, sensing my distress, reached out to steady me but his hand just passed through my arm. "Ivory, what's wrong?" he asked, concern etched across his face.
I took a deep breath, grounding myself as the vision subsided. "Our forces have been attacking combatants that have entered the forest" I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. "It seems like a group of highly trained combatants finally showed up."
Jack's eyes narrowed. "Do you know who they are?"
I shook my head. "No, but their coordination and efficiency suggest they are no ordinary enemies."
Without hesitation, I accessed my system and pulled up the current Resource Stockpile and focused on the supply cap, the data appeared Infront of me seamlessly:
[Supply Cap Breakdown]
Total Supply: 72/98
Overlords: 11 (providing Supply)
Zerglings: 40 (20 Supply)
Queens: 4 (8 Supply)
Drones: 20 (20 Supply)
Hydralisks: 12 (24 Supply)
Assessing our available forces, I made a swift decision. I reached out through the hive mind, issuing a command to all units stationed at the base that were not currently deployed on scouting or hunting missions or most importantly defense.
In response, four Overlords ascended from within the treetops, their massive forms casting shadows over the landscape as they took up observational positions. Simultaneously, the ground trembled as ten Zerglings, six Hydralisks, and one Queen erupted from their subterranean resting places, while another Queen emerged gracefully from the entrace of the hive. They converged around me, their collective presence a testament to the Swarm's ability to snowball its strength quickly.
With our forces assembled, I led the contingent through the dense forest, guided by the lingering psychic imprint from the embattled Queen. The underbrush was thick, but the Zerg moved with practiced ease, their movements synchronized through the hive mind. The usual cacophony of wildlife was conspicuously absent; the presence of our swarm had driven the lesser creatures into hiding.
As we advanced, I sent three Zerglings ahead as scouts, their lithe forms darting through the foliage with remarkable speed. Their task was to locate the exact position of the skirmish and assess the enemy's strength. The rest of us maintained a steady pace, senses alert for any sign of the adversaries who had dared to challenge the Swarm.
Approximately thirty seconds later, a sharp burst of information flooded my consciousness as the scouts had spotted the enemy. Through their eyes, I glimpsed a group of highly coordinated combatants wielding advanced weaponry, systematically dismantling the surviving units of the hunting party I sent out before. The situation was dire and immediate action was imperative.
"Increase speed" I commanded, my voice resonating through the hive mind. "Spread out and prepare to encircle the enemy. Remain concealed until my signal."
The swarm responded instantaneously. Zerglings sped up and fanned out, their agile bodies weaving through the undergrowth to position themselves strategically around the unsuspecting foes. Hydralisks slithered into a diamond formation ahead of me their lethal spines poised for the impending assault. The Queens skittered right beside me prepared to act as guards.
As we neared the battlefield, the sounds of combat grew clearer the chants of magic, the guttural cries of wounded Zerg, and the disciplined shouts of the enemy combatants. Peering through the foliage, I observed the adversaries: a squad of elite soldiers, their movements precise and tactics well-rehearsed. Our remaining forces were losing, and I knew we wouldnt make it in time, including the beleaguered Queen and a handful of Zerglings, were valiantly attempting to hold their ground but were clearly outmatched.
"Overlords" I projected, "position yourselves above the enemy and our units to disrupt their cohesion."
The massive Overlords complied, their bulbous forms drifting silently through the canopy to hover ominously over the battlefield.
"attack"
____________________
(Dead Man POV)
The taste of iron lingered in his mouth. Blood—his own, maybe a comrades, or the sickly ichor of the creatures they had just cut down. He didn't know. His breathing was ragged, heart pounding like a war drum in his chest.
The battlefield was eerily silent now, save for the panting of the surviving warriors. Out of the original twenty, only sixteen of them remained. A brutal loss. The soldier tightened his grip on his axe, fingers slick with sweat and blood. Around him, his squadmates were catching their breath, standing over the corpses of the insect-like monstrosities. The ground beneath them was thick with viscous fluids, the foul stench of alien death mingling with the earthy scent of the forest.
The Iron Fang guild had been right—the city had no idea what it was up against.
And now, neither did they.
As he tried to gather his breath dark shadows moved against the moonlit sky. The soldier's stomach clenched in fear as he looked up.
The creatures pulsating forms hovered like grotesque specters, their tentacle-like appendages shifting lazily as they observed the battlefield. He had no idea what they were, but his instincts screamed that they were not just here to watch.
"FORM UP!" came the bellowing order of their commander, Captain Elric.
The soldier swallowed and immediately fell into place, joining the others in a tight formation around the mages. The dryads, their bark-like skin cracked and oozing sap-like blood, moved gracefully despite their injuries, whispering hurried incantations as their magic flared to life. The elves nocked their arrows, their sharp eyes darting from one floating horror to another. The dwarves grumbled curses under their breath, their runed weapons humming with latent power.
The soldier whispered a prayer under his breath, his knuckles going white around the haft of his axe.
Then, the sky came alive.
From the Overlords a pulse or howl sounded out from them that seemed to shake reality as the sound seemed to pound in his head. Out of the corner of his eye a fellow soldier dropped his wepon and curled up crying in fear. Momemts later the ground seemed to convulse as the quadarpedal creatures appeared again.
Zerglings.
They erupted from the forest in droves, their chitinous bodies slick and Their serrated claws gleamed under the dim light as they screeched and lunged forward, driven by what he can only assume their purpose would be—destroy
"SHIELDS UP!" Captain Elric roared.
The front line, including the soldier, raised their shields just in time to meet the first impact. The sheer force sent him skidding back a step, but he held his ground. A Zergling slammed against his shield, its grotesque maw snapping mere inches from his face. With a grunt, he shoved forward, knocking the beast off balance, and brought his axe down in a brutal arc.
The blade bit deep into its neck, severing its head in a spray of acidic blood. It splashed against his armor, and he spit as some entered his mouth, but there was no time to worry about that.
More were coming.
To his left, a dwarf let out a guttural roar as he swung his warhammer, crushing a Zergling's skull with a sickening crunch. To his right, an elf moved with fluid grace, her twin daggers flashing in the dim light as she carved through their foes with ruthless efficiency.
The soldier barely had time to react as another Zergling lunged at him. He twisted, dodging its snapping jaws, and slammed the butt of his axe into its side, sending it sprawling. Before it could rise, he stomped down hard, feeling the crunch of its ribcage beneath his boot, and drove his axe into its skull.
The battle was chaos.
Screams filled the air—both human and inhuman. Magic crackled and flared as the dryads unleashed vines that ensnared and crushed the enemy, while fireballs from the mages streaked across the battlefield, incinerating pairs of creatures at a time.
But for every one they cut down, more came.
And then, the ground shook.
The soldier barely had time to process the movement before the trees ahead of them splintered and fell, as some snake like creature barreled through.
A Hydralisk.
It was towering, its serpentine body undulating as it moved with an unnatural speed. Its bladed arms were long and wickedly curved, and its eyes—dark, soulless pits—locked onto them with predatory hunger.
The soldier barely had time to throw himself to the ground as a volley of razor-sharp spines shot from the creature's body, tearing through armor and flesh alike. A human soldier behind him fell with a gurgled scream, the spines buried deep in his throat.
"TAKE IT DOWN!" Captain Elric roared.
The archers loosed their arrows, but the Hydralisk was fast—too fast. It weaved through the assault, closing the distance with terrifying speed.
The Hydralisk slithered forward with terrifying speed, its muscled form undulating as it closed the distance between them. The air was thick with the scent of blood and burned chitin, and the soldier could hear the panicked shouts of his comrades as they scrambled to reposition.
Another volley of spines erupted from the beast's body.
"DOWN!" someone yelled.
The soldier barely had time to duck behind his shield before the razor-sharp projectiles tore through their ranks again. He heard the wet, sickening thud of impact—felt the tremor of bodies hitting the ground. A sharp, pain-laced cry to his left confirmed another casualty.
He turned his head just in time to see an elf archer collapse, multiple spines embedded in his chest. The light in his eyes faded almost instantly, his bow falling from lifeless fingers.
The Hydralisk hissed triumphantly.
A volley of arrows answered its call.
The archers had repositioned and loosed a coordinated attack. The sharpened shafts struck true, piercing through the beast's tough hide. It roared in agony as more arrows rained down, puncturing its exposed underbelly and the soft tissue around its throat.
It writhed violently, its tail thrashing, sending dirt and blood flying in all directions.
The soldier didn't hesitate. Seizing the moment, he charged, raising his axe high.
Before the Hydralisk could recover, another archer landed an arrow straight into one of its dark, soulless eyes. The monster let out a keening screech, its body convulsing in agony before collapsing onto the bloodied earth.
Dead.
A brief, fleeting victory.
The soldier had no time to celebrate.
A few paces away, one of the mages had turned his attention upward, hands glowing with frost-laced energy. His focus was locked on one of the monstrous floating creatures.
It hovered ominously above the battlefield, its grotesque form pulsating with an eerie, otherworldly rhythm.
The mage thrust his arms forward, and a barrage of ice bolts shot from his hands. The frost-coated projectiles struck the Overlord with brutal force, piercing its bloated body. A guttural, alien wail echoed across the clearing as the creature lurched violently.
For a moment, it hung in the air, its movements erratic. Then, with a sickening shudder, it began to fall.
The soldier barely had time to throw himself to the side as the massive corpse crashed into the battlefield with an earth-shaking impact. The ground trembled beneath them, dust and debris kicking up in all directions.
But there was no time to breathe.
The battle was far from over.
As he righted himself, he saw another soldier—a man he recognized, though his name escaped him—cleave through a Zergling with a powerful downward strike of his sword. The chitinous beast let out a strangled screech as it was split open, For a brief second, the soldier's expression twisted into something triumphant.
It was a mistake.
The moment his sword finished its arc, two more Zerglings lunged at him from the side.
"NO!" the soldier shouted, but it was too late.
The first Zergling clamped its jaws around the man's arm, its serrated teeth slicing through flesh and bone with horrifying ease. The second went for his exposed throat, ripping it open in a spray of crimson with it sickle like claws.
The soldier collapsed, gurgling, his weapon falling from lifeless fingers.
Rage burned in the soldier's chest.
He surged forward, swinging his axe with all his strength. The first Zergling barely had time to react before his blade connected, cleaving through its skull in one brutal motion. The second turned toward him, blood still dripping from its maw, but he didn't hesitate—he brought his axe around in a savage arc, catching it just beneath its jaw. The impact sent it reeling, but as it died it sent its claw into his thigh, its body twitching before it collapsed next to the other.
He panted, chest heaving, blood running down his arms—some of it his, most of it not.
Then, the forest shifted.
A new presence.
A cold dread settled in his gut as he turned toward the tree line.
They were coming.
Dark, towering forms emerged from the shadows of the forest. The soldier had never seen creatures like them before. They walked with eerie grace, their elongated limbs pulsing with raw energy. Their clawed fingers twitched as if sensing the battlefield.
And then
A pulse.
The air vibrated with an unseen force as the creatures released a surge of energy unlike mana. It spread across the battlefield like an invisible wave, washing over their fallen and wounded.
The Zerg began to rise.
The soldier watched in horror as creatures they had just cut down twitched, their wounds sealing, their bodies mending with unnatural speed. Zerglings that had been on the brink of death snarled as their strength returned, their clawed limbs flexing with renewed vigor.
He saw a Zergling, its ribs nearly split open before the healing pulse, rise to its feet with renewed vigor. Its beady eyes locked onto one of the archers, who had only just begun to knock another arrow.
The archer never stood a chance.
The Zergling lunged, moving faster than the soldier had ever seen, crossing the distance in mere seconds. The archer let out a strangled scream as the beast's claws raked across his midsection, carving through leather armor as though it were paper. The bow slipped from his fingers, and his body crumpled to the ground in a heap of blood and entrails.
The soldier tried to rise, to help, but his body protested. The gash on his thigh was deep and oozed crimson, the muscle likely torn from bone. His breathing came ragged, uneven.
He was losing too much blood.
The screams of his allies filled the air.
To his left, a Dryad warrior conjured a whip of thorned vines, lashing it around the throat of a Zergling. The beast choked and flailed, but before the Dryad could finish it off, a Hydralisk's spines punched through her back, forcing a gasp from her lips.
She slumped forward.
A Dwarf, bellowing a war cry, swung his hammer in a wide arc, knocking one of the creatures away from his downed comrade. He pivoted, his stance steady—until another wave of spines from the Zerg Queen embedded into his torso. The force knocked him off his feet, his war cry turning into a wet, gurgling choke.
The soldier gritted his teeth, forcing himself onto his elbows. His vision swam as he saw his remaining comrades falling one by one. They had been elite, trained warriors, experienced hunters.
And yet, they were being overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
The mages had barely enough time to cast their next spells before a pair of Zerglings leaped onto them, dragging them to the ground in a frenzied attack. Blood splattered across the dirt as their screams were cut short.
His breathing grew shallow.
His squad was dying.
The realization hit him like a hammer to the gut.
Of the twenty who had come into this battle, only a few still stood, and even they were barely holding on.
One final soldier—Captain Elric, a veteran with more scars than the soldier could count—slammed his shield into an approaching Zergling. He fought like a cornered beast, his sword flashing in the firelight, cutting down two more of the creatures.
But it wasn't enough.
A Hydralisk reared back and fired a spray of spines that thudded against his shield repeatedly before the tool failed and as a result, a spine impaled him where he stood. The shield dropped from his fingers, his sword fell, and he crumpled onto his knees before slumping over.
The battlefield was silent except for the growls and chittering of the Zerg.
The soldier exhaled sharply, his body growing colder by the second. He could barely feel his fingers now. The fight had drained from him.
Above him, the sky blurred into shades of twilight and blood, his vision dimming.
Then, footsteps, Soft, deliberate.
Not the clicking of insectoid limbs, but something else.
His fading eyes shifted to the edge of the battlefield.
From the tree line, a figure emerged.
She wasn't Zerg.
At least, not fully.
At first glance, she appeared almost human, but the details became stranger the more he focused. Her left arm entirely wooden moved as if it were flesh, the bark shifting and flexing with each subtle motion. Her fingers, sharp like claws, twitched idly as she surveyed the aftermath of the battle.
And then there were her eyes which were eerily bright, flicked over the remaining Zerg before she finally spoke.
"Gather everything" she commanded.
The Zerg obeyed without hesitation.
As he tried to focus his vision so he could see more of the figure who was at fault for all of his friend's death His breath hitched as he felt something grip his leg.
He was being taken, too.
Darkness claimed him before he could resist.