-"Actually, Nick, I do have a small assignment for you. You are to regroup with Steorra in Asgarnia. From there on, you will be part of another colonization attack. However, this will not be an easy battle. It will be you and her against a city."
I relaxed a little. Now I was truly the nexus of of all events in Kandarin, and perhaps even more. And to tell you the truth, I did not really like it. Perhaps it is time to do something in the field, and flex that arcane muscle of mine.
The books, it seems, were perfect for my preparation for the said event. They included many spells which I have never used before. In fact, I haven't used anything other than Necromancer spells, and a change of pace, so to say, was quite welcome."
--- --- ---
The cart sped through the thin streets of the Qim sector. Qim was very comparible with the slums of an industrial city: tall, monotone, silent buildings, covered in rust. The buildings were made of iron, it seemed, and were for the most part of a rectangular shape. This sector was the oddest one of all four districts in Kandarin. The entire architecture of all of the buildings vividly contrasted with the stone pyramidic edifices seen in Jovil.
The servant urged the horses. Qim was even more of a mystery to Kandarinian citizens than Sizri. The only movement here was seen from clockwork mechanisms doing maintenance work on the buildings. No one saw anyone enter or leave the buildings. Ever.
Apparently, some kind of intellectual life forms operated the buildings from inside. Who and what they were remains a closely-guarded secret, known only to the highest-ranking staff.
The cart approached the docks. Eerie silence broken only by occasional waves hitting the piers created a very tense atmosphere. A few hydrojump transports were present, all loaded with slaves and troopers. An empty one was standing by, reserved for the count. A servant was at the helm, ready to go.
-"We are all set, sir. We may depart when you board."
--- --- ---
The machines did not make another sound, attacked. Two of them, the rhinocerous and crocodile, pounced at Horus. The eagle one and the tiger one, on the other hand, dove for Draven.
Horus was still attaching the engine. Time, time... Never enough... he would need at least five more minutes before it is safe for him to act...
--- --- ---
Ein was curled up on the floor.
-"Marshall... Alex... Wat...er..."
His eyes slowly closed, and he stopped twitching. He was still breathing, though, and his skin started to turn reddish in some areas.
--- --- ---
Steorra peered at the city below her, being overrun by Kronos' soldiers. Perhaps soon, when Kronos took over Gaian, she would sit next to him, the Marshal of Kandarin... no... the Marshal of the World...
She thought back a little. Back when Vincent was alive. Back when she was so scared of Kronos... and for little reason. Kronos would never harm her, which was obvious to her now. Either it was because he was lusty for her body, which was the most plausible explamation at the moment... or he truly had feelings for her. She could not imagine why; he had not even known her for that long...
