StarCraft: Tyranid Empire

The weather turned cooler, and the cold wind blew all night but failed to dissipate the smoke and scattered dust that filled the sky above the Twilight Fortress. Under the dawn light, the ancient wall looked like a blackened skeleton, with its bent and curled limbs painfully stretched toward the sky.

When Augustus was walking on the Mayan pyramid-shaped stone steps of the Zakul Temple, he could still vaguely recall its astonishing grandeur and beauty, like a miracle.

Countless beautiful lines that follow the proportions of the Fibonacci spiral are inlaid on the stone steps of the temple that go up to the sky, just like the naturally generated veins of leaves. Countless crystal clear green crystals are carved on the temple as if they are breathing with ingenious skills. The organic rock walls are filled with green fluorescent lights symbolizing life, making you feel like you are in the divine world of light.

Standing on the top of the majestic obelisk of Twilight Fortress, Augustus looked around at the black scorched earth covered with huge craters. There used to be a lush, colorful forest here, with millions of strange plants and species, all masterpieces crafted by nature, and Augustus could only get a glimpse of those extremely rich things from the ancient Celestial Language. A name with poetic and beautiful meaning.

There once was a crystal clear river a few miles away, winding through Twilight Keep into a beautiful teardrop-shaped lake. But now the river water has long been evaporated by the high-energy rail guns of Colossus and Wolf Warrior, leaving only a long and narrow filthy swamp in which many destroyed mechas are buried.

Zakuul's ancient ruins and majestic Forbidden Texts were razed to the ground, a state of horror almost comparable to that of Aiur at war.

For humans, it would be a pity at best. Augustus regarded these ancient ruins as nothing compared to the lives of warriors. In the eyes of the protoss, this is an extremely painful loss. The temple cannot be desecrated, and they can dedicate their lives to guarding the ruins.

"The enemy is taking away everything we hold dear, and in your prophecy this is only the beginning," Augustus said to Zeratul.

"It's not my prophecy, Augustus, it's the Xel'Naga's." Zeratul replied.

This respected dark patriarch has repeatedly turned the tide in the most critical moments, but few people in the world know about his achievements.

Before the ancestors of the Mengsk family could reach the Koprulu Sector, Zeratul had already traveled around the universe. Even from the perspective of the protoss, he was already an old man. When getting along with Augustus, they were more like friends.

Augustus understood the Aspects, and he understood and tolerated everyone, which is why he was so popular.

The most commendable thing is that Augustus can even understand the burden Zeratul carries and firmly believes that the so-called doomsday will definitely come. What's more, he is just a short-sighted human in the eyes of the protoss, and even many people within the protoss believe that Zeratul is a madman who is obsessed with pursuing crazy prophecies and is unreasonable.

"It's all the same, Zeratul, to us, it's all the same." Augustus said: "I don't believe in the Xel'Naga, but I believe in you."

Looking into the distance, the fortresses built by the imperial army stand continuously on the horizon, next to them are the shining golden buildings where the Durham protoss jumped from other protoss worlds.

Even though Zakuul's war was relatively short-lived, the Tyranid Empire and the Dallam Protoss poured thousands of soldiers and machinery into the killing fields. Because so much armor was used this time, there were a large number of mecha wreckage scattered outside the forbidden literature area, and each place was marked with a giant cross made of birch trees.

It would take some time for the Imperial Army to recover damaged machinery, gather missing and injured personnel, and transport the dead back to Korhal. In addition, soldiers who fought fiercely all night can not only have a good sleep, but also enjoy hot soup and delicious food immediately when they wake up. This is probably their only comfort.

The new EMP weapons and powerful mecha equipment gave the main army of the Tyranids a certain advantage, but casualties were still inevitable.

"You know it," Zeratul said, "and you believe it."

"You said the dark future is coming, in five years or ten years." Augustus' eyes were deep: "Maybe by then, we will be too old to move."

Augustus was even more convinced than Aemon and Narud that the end was coming, but sometimes he had doubts about whether that day would come sooner or later.

If Narud is unable to create large quantities of the hybrid with the help of the Tyranid Empire, he may decide that everything is not ready yet. But his master Eamon may not be so cautious, and he still thinks that he can destroy the world as long as he gathers Troop A and goes there.

"Your worry is right. In terms of time scale, the difference between us and the Xel'Naga is unimaginable. When the Xel'Naga wake up from their sleep, the world has already changed." Zeratul told Augustus They all say:

"But I think that the invasion of the insect swarm is a sign that the end will not be too far away. I am coming back this time just to warn you."

"Do you think we shouldn't expend too much military power before the end?" Augustus hummed:

"But the zerg wouldn't agree."

"One thing can be avoided, and that is the grand plan of the Dalam Protoss to restore Aiur." Zeratul said.

"Are you serious?" Augustus glanced at Zeratul: "It's just for a doomsday prophecy that they think is illusory. But in the eyes of the Aiur stars, the catastrophe ten years ago was already Day of destruction.”

"I saw a future in which all things are extinct behind the void door left behind by the master's death. By then, even the brilliance of the stars will be obscured, and the universe will be dark," Zeratul said.

"But from the perspective of the Durham Stars, it is inevitable for them to recapture El. Everything is just a matter of time." Augustus pondered for a while and did not question Zeratul's words.

"You may have been away from Sagulath for too long. You don't know what a huge force the Dalam protoss have accumulated under the leadership of Tassadar." He said: "It was the golden fleet that made Dalam The protoss have regained the glory once lost in Aiur, and they urgently need to reclaim Aiur to unite the undercurrent of internal divisions."

"If the Durham protoss thinks that it will be easy for the golden fleet to recover Aiur, why would they stop just because of your words or a prophecy?"

"They may think that the swarm of insects is leaderless and not worth mentioning, but they have ignored the terrifying eye of the wind that connects to the void." Zeratul said: "That is the eye of the void. No one knows the void better than the Dark Templar." The horror of it.”

“We revere the void, not just because of its mystery and vastness.” He said: “Every time I return to Aiur’s Eye of the Void, I will find that the erosion of the void is getting deeper and deeper into the wasteland of Antioch after the war. Under the erosion of the void energy containing tyranny, hatred and hatred, it is difficult for anything to survive for a long time."

"Could it be Amon, the God of Darkness?" Augustus suddenly thought.

"It was Amon. Under the influence of this abominable will and the shadow of the void, Aiur's zerg became more and more violent." Zeratul said to Augustus: "And just when I want to get close again When I look into it with the Eye of the Void, there is always a voice telling me to stay away from there.”

"." Augustus nodded silently: "The scientific research station established by the Terran Empire in Aiur also detected the strangeness of the Eye of the Void. The surging void energy can even damage our detection drone. But it can be reached Now, I have to withdraw most of the personnel at the scientific research station because many of them have mental problems of varying degrees."

"What I'm more worried about is whether the hybrid is also related to this." Zeratul said: "If that is the case, the Golden Fleet is likely to step into a terrible trap."

"My scientists believe that the hybrids are the weapons that Amon used to destroy the world." Augustus said: "But obviously, it cannot be just hybrids, unless they are as numerous as the zerg."

"Furthermore, have you ever thought that not only do some of the Daram stars not believe you, they will also slander you or even attack you."

"Because of this, I must return to Sagulath and warn Tassadar." Zeratul said: "I must have a good talk with Tassadar."

"Those who are loyal to the people and eager to regain the glory that belongs to the Protoss will regard me as a representative of cowardice, and will even call me a traitor." He: "But I must do that."

"Even if no one believes you," Augustus said, "Even if a thousand people accuse you."

"Even if no one believes me," Zeratul said, "Even if a thousand people accuse me."

"But, Zeratul, politics is far more complicated than you think. Not everyone in the Parliament of Light and Shadow can see the risks hidden behind the expedition to Aiur." Augustus' voice was calm, but his heart was filled with sadness. it's not true.

"If you get involved rashly, you may be taken advantage of by someone with ulterior motives."

There is no harmony within the Daram protoss at all. The protoss of Sagulath believe that the Aiur protoss are plundering the resources of their homeland to build a fleet to regain Aiur. However, the young generation born on Sagulath can In the hearts of the Dark Templar, the home that only exists in the memories of their fathers is not as important as Sagulas.

In addition, a series of problems have arisen when it comes to the distribution of rights. The Dark Templar warriors, led by Vorazun, the daughter of the matriarch, believe that the overly strong El Protoss culture is eroding the power of the new generation of Sagulas. culture and tradition, and believed that the interests of the Nerazim side were harmed.

Although most of the members of the Golden Fleet are Aiur Protoss, and there are also a considerable number of Dark Templar warriors among them, there are also a considerable number of Dark Templar who believe that their compatriots should not be sacrificed to regain the Aiur Protoss homeland.

In addition, the rebellious Dark Archon Orega also has many secret supporters in Sagulath. At this time, if Zeratul suddenly appears and wants to prevent Duram from expedition to Aiur, it is likely to cause further divisions within Duram.

"After that, Zeratul, Tassadar may not be able to suppress the surging public opinion. Orega's wreaking havoc in the world of Duram has led to more and more impeachments against Tassadar in the Parliament of Light and Shadow. Ram is in urgent need of a great victory to boost his morale." Augustus saw it very realistically.

"In order to collect further evidence, I will set off to the next world to find fragments of the prophecy." Zeratul said: "The next world is Ulan. Legend has it that that dark and distant world hides unknown secrets."

"When will this kind of journey of yours end?" Augustus said, "Maybe, after everything is over, you can find a place to have a good rest."

At this time, a sound of footsteps came from the back steps. Executor Artanis came over with several Templars and Karai phase technicians, and Imperial scientists headed by Dr. Narud of the Tyranid Empire were also among them. .

"Artanis." Zeratul turned around: "Old friend, you are very sad."

"I ended their suffering with my own hands." Artanis said sadly: "This makes me extremely regretful."

The Zakuul Protoss, enslaved by the hybrid Maar, suffered heavy losses in this war, with very few survivors.

This was an extremely painful thing for both the Zakuul protoss who finally woke up and the Dalam protoss who had fought against them. For a long time, protoss fighting among themselves was thought to be something that only happened in the darkest ages.

The trauma that is deeply imprinted on the soul will affect the protoss throughout their life, and such pain can even kill them.

"This debt must be accounted for the hybrid Mar, and it must be accounted for Eamonn and his lackeys." Augustus was very sure that the hybrid Mar would face the most brutal and inhumane torture at his hands.

Now, the hybrid Mal has been packed and prepared to be sent to the Imperial scientific research planet to keep company with the cerebrates.

"Eamon! Did you hear that? One day, you will have to pay with blood!" Artanis shouted sadly and angrily.

"I am extremely heartbroken." Dr. Narud behind him also complained: "The Zakul protoss are all noble warriors, and they all died at the last moment before dawn."

"Death in flames." He said: "These were the last words said by those Zakul protoss before they died. They have all gone crazy and cannot be saved."

"This is very scary. If the hybrid can even control the protoss, then I can't even imagine what tragedy will happen if he turns against humans." Augustus sighed.

"Where are Zakul's protectors?"

"They have been sent into the stasis chamber." Artanis said: "By the time we found the protectors, they had fainted due to too much energy being extracted by the hybrid Marr."

"That's good," said Augustus.

"Your Majesty, we also discovered the spaceship of the Dark Archon Orega in the temple, and the scavenger pirate leader Alan Shezar and his men were also among them." Narud said: "That is really a great ship. battleship!"

Augustus blinked and said to himself that it was a shame that you could still maintain a newborn-like curiosity about the creation that you are so familiar with. You are indeed the most outstanding scientist in the empire and a pillar of talent.

"Okay, put them all on the prison ship." Augustus said: "Send them all to the resocialization plant in Korhal."