Prodigal Daughter
Chapter 6
A Mothers Earrings
“Every mother thinks her daughters are the most special girls in the world…. I am proud to have two that can prove me right.” Shu had said with a bright and lively smile, For standing beside the bed she laid in were two adult women who both bore a striking resemblance to her, Eris and Qhira
“All thanks to you and pa.” Qhira had said, with Eris nodding her head in agreement.
Slowly Shu would raise her frail-looking hands to her ears, unclipping a pair of large purple and gold earrings and holding them out to the two young women.
“Eris, you continue being amazing and helping our boys on the frontline. And Qhira, if I see you within the Crystal before this war is over, I’ll be having a talk with you.” Shu had said with a wide smile at her own humour directed to her eldest.
“Yes, ma’am!” Qhira had responded with a jovial smile of her own even as she put a fist to her chest in salute, albeit in a joking fashion.
The Eris of the present would sigh as the memory of her mother’s last time seeing her and Qhira together flashed through her mind. Gently she moved a hand to touch the Earring, wondering if her sister was also thinking of their mother right now.
“Are you alright, Eris?” Came the gruff but surprisingly empathetic voice of Zeraq, the man coming behind her and putting his hands around her stomach.
“Just thinking of my mother.” Eris responded with a weak smile, “You stop your bickering this instant young ladies, else a Sharin soulseeker be in your rooms tonight.” She mimicked a phrase from her mother when she was still a child
Zeraq didn’t say anything at that moment; he just held Eris in that hug.
The scientist let the moment stand for a minute or two, enjoying the comforting arms of her lover. Eventually, she made a gesture to stop and quickly regained her composure before tears started falling. “Thank you.” She whispered
“Of course, my love.” Zeraq said, “Now perhaps some work can distract you.” He suggested, his tone immediately turning to business.
“You finally got in touch with the Goblins?” Eris asked, her tone also shifting, the intimate moment gone as quickly as it came.
“Indeed, though it turns out they only escaped with one weapon, from the description of why they left, it was the Dark Nexus.”
“Brilliant…” Eris said, shaking her head "well, let’s go take a look.
Earth-46, Known by many as The Viper Den. a tertiary realm of the Nexus long ago taken over by a terrorist organization known as Viper. a perilous destination kept under the thumb of power-hungry maniacs. The worst part; the leaders of Viper were all copies, alternate versions of Nexus Champions. Even if that made them lesser versions, that didn’t change that they were incredibly skilled and powerful beings.
All had seemed hopeless until more alternate variants popped up in the place formerly known as the United States. Typically Resistance Cells were crushed within days, but as the weeks and months progressed, it became apparent that this particular Resistance bore the same advantage that Viper’s leaders possessed. The skill and power inherent within all those that held a connection to the original Nexus Champions
Yet as Viper learned, even amongst themselves, there is one thing better than an alternate, which was the real thing. And as the ruling class of an entire planet, they just so happened to have enough money to buy one of them.
Thus 3 figures, the 3 heads of Viper, stood in a dimly lit room, primarily a table between the three that showed a map. The Sidewinder, a woman in a red cloak with a sniper over her shoulder, Deathfang, a man in full metallic armour with a curved eastern weapon on his back, and the Imperator, full face masked figure with military-like chest and a bigger right arm clearly made of synthetic material.
They all sported a similar red colour scheme as was the rest of their command center, as what was lit up was either red or black. In short, it was the most stereotypical example of “hey, we’re evil” you could imagine.
Only one person present was not sporting this dark red and black colour scheme. That one person being the Bounty Hunter they had just hired, Qhira.
“Our intelligence reports indicate this resistance is spearheaded by 3 people, Pain, Shimada and the Firestorm.” Sidewinder began showing her disdain and annoyance that they were not being able to do this themselves
“Alternate plane versions of Deckard Cain, Hanzo Shimada and Miles Lewis.” Qhira interrupted, having done her research on these targets before showing up. Even if a part of her hated doing this, Viper was her best paying client in a very long time. Finding survivors before Zeraq’s cult was of the utmost importance, so she had to swallow her dead morals even more than usual. Thus, she stood hands behind her back, standing at attention like a good soldier taking orders from creatures that would have been her targets once upon a time.
Targets to be eliminated with extreme prejudice
“Indeed, And our intelligence reports that they are preparing a major assault, a hail mary of sorts,” Imperator said. “We are unsure as to why they are so bold.”
“It is simply desperation, nothing more.” Deathfang spoke up, “We will make sure this last stand ends for them. Hunter, your primary goal in the upcoming fight will be to eliminate the leaders; the secondary objective will be to ensure as many of the other resistance members die.”
“Fine,” Qhira said simply as the Imperator held out a hand for her to shake Qhira visibly grimaced. “Keep that arm away from me!” she hissed, disgusted before turning and walking away from the three tyrants.
The Huntress walked out of the tall building about to be besieged. She reached out with her senses, feeling the oncoming attack. Sensing an air of confidence and surety, it was hard to describe. Still, to a seasoned warrior, it was apparent that their foe knew something they did not.
The resistance fighters moved through the swamps surrounding their target. Most of these men and women sported camouflage-coloured clothing, rifles and whatever weapons they could get their hands on held ready. Yet two people stood out among them, not least of which for being the only ones with blades in hand rather than guns. The first is an ashen man with a light black shirt carrying a scythe and a dagger. Xul, a necromancer who has fought hell itself alongside his friends. The other, shining white and gold armour, with a hood that seemed to have no head. Tyrael, the Arch Angel of Justice himself. The angel had quite literally answered the prayers of Major. Pain. Thus, he arrived to meet justice in this chained world alongside a mortal champion. Though Viper had known that the Resistance was making a move on their main base in Lousiana, they were not yet aware of the new 'big guns" on their side. It would have been an easy and resounding victory was it not for the fact that VIper had a Nexus CHampion of their own.
“This? This is what you come up with!?” Zeraq would ask incredulously as he stared down at the Goblin before him. An Iresian Fusion Rifle, an antique weapon that might have been good in its time, but the kind of technology he could build for these fools out of literal scrap metal.
“Cool your jets there, big man. We couldn’t exactly do much else with that Lightning dude showing up. They almost killed all of us and did kill one of us.” Gazlowe responded annoyed
As Zeraq and Gazlowe talked back and forth, Eris would take a step forward and look at the Iresian Rifle in question. The weapon was in excellent condition, given the apocalypse that ravaged the world it was on. But that wasn’t the part that she noticed, no this piece of old technology spoke out to her through an inscription near the trigger “Defender of the bloodstained freedoms across this land.” it said.
“You stubborn old man,” Eris muttered before bringing her attention back to the two men discussing things just a few feet from her.
“You are certain of this description then?” Zeraq asked, having seemingly calmed down
“Kind of hard to forget!” Gazlowe responded, still very annoyed.
“Well, do with this what you want. It is worth nothing to u…” But before he could finish, Eris spoke up, “1000 gold and I will make you a sketch of the internal parts you can still attempt to reverse engineer from.” She said sternly as she held the rifle in her hand.
Zeraq turned to his lover, eyes narrowed, he made a move to speak, but Eris cut him off again.
“This weapon is a crucial piece of Iresian history… these sights saw the Raven’s Court invasion during the Nexus Wars of the Valerian Cycle!” Eris told him sternly before turning back to Gazlowe. “You can either keep this weapon for yourselves, or you can get a lump sum of gold AND blueprints from someone who knows how it was put together, your choice, Goblin!”
Gazlowe was usually one to try and hardball a negotiation, but he was also a pragmatic goblin. He knew it best not to look a gift horse in the mouth, and this man might get his woman under control if he tried to upsell them. So without hesitation, he accepted the deal.
“You know we are here to achieve Iresia’s future, not its past,” Zeraq whispered to Eris as she began drawing out the blueprints she had promised. Impeccable penmanship made it clear she had no intention of short-selling the Goblins or holding back on her promise.
“I gave up a great deal for your vision Zeraq… I will not give up my planets… or my families, history as well!” She sniped back.
Family History was a great thing in some cases. Noble warriors defending home, geniuses who would improve the lives of many, or simply good, honest and hardworking men and women. It took a great deal of time to build a solid and noble family tree.
But it only took one branch to taint all of those good deeds.
And if you asked Qhira, she would assure you she was that rotten branch now!
For there she stood right at the front, sword in hand, shoulder to shoulder with pure evil. DeathFang stepped beside her with his own sword in hand and Imperator readying his mechanical claw or whatever it was. The three of them stood at the front with several dozen soldiers in matching outfits and technological rifles aimed down their sights. Qhira took one deep breath and forced her thoughts out, focusing all her mind on her physical senses and… disconnecting, so to speak. In her mind using her focus to separate her conscientiousness from her ability… these men and women about to charge her position were nothing more than enemies on the battlefield. It didn’t matter what led them there.
And not a moment too soon, gunfire began booming at rapid-fire Qhira and Deathfang both casually reflected with their swords as finally, the Resistance CHarge came into full swing. Expexplosives were thrown but shot out of the air by Sidewinder, far back behind the others. Qhira continued reflecting bullets until her primary targets made themselves known to her. Firestorm led the charge with his flamethrowers. Just behind him, Cpt Shimada was shooting arrows with more power and accuracy than any bullet save for ones shot by Sidewinder. Behind all of them, Major Pain was firing his bigger weapon that doubled as a walking stick. Throwing vials of healing solution towards all of the Resistance. Qhira was about to thrust out her grappling hook and dive right into the fray, but before she could, a blazing light would force her to squint. Like the shining sun had graced the night sky with full force. Yet squinting into it, it became clear what that shine actually was. “Priority target identified, I’m moving in!” Qhira said brisk militaristic tone with only a slight underpinning of worry.
Whoosh!
Tyrael charged, but Qhira put herself in front of him and kicked him back. A shockwave was unleashed as the two bodies met, blasting dozens of Resistance and VIper soldiers onto their backs. Making it unmistakable who the titans on this battlefield indeed were.
The clang of metal would resonate even louder than the gunfire as El’druin would clash against the Chainsword.
“Once more, you find yourself on the side of injustice Bounty Hunter!” Tyrael exclaimed, holding the divine sword out as the two would case for only a moment.
“I have my mission, and it does not involve being judged by you!” Qhira responded before splitting her sword into numerous parts and attacking the angel from multiple angles.
As Qhira had Tyrael fixated on herself, The Resistance and Viper would likewise engage in brutal combat. Nameless soldiers dropping like flies as the alternates would show that even a fraction of their originals was still incredible skill and power. With the Resistance also having Xul at their back replenishing their numbers and Tyraels divine energy seeping into each of them despite his focus on the Huntress, It was obvious everything was going in favour of the good guys.
Darkness always comes before the dawn, however. And things were about to get very, very dark. For bright moonlight and dusk of the Sky over Earth-42 turned to a blood-red that would make even the Viper designers blush in how ironically evil it was. Crimson lightning began to strike, and thunder could be heard even over all the gunfire and explosions of the battlefield.
At that moment, only one person in the realm knew what was coming. “I Need to finish this fast.” Qhira thought just as Tyrael would manage to break through Qhira’s defences and grab her by the neck, flying into the air, he attempted to stab her in the face, just barely would the attack be blocked and redirected by a metal gauntlet.
Flipping her legs upwards so they were on the angel’s shoulders, Tyrael would feel an immense weight. Qhira altered her gravity, suddenly making the Huntress feel like the weight of Diablo was coming down on his shoulders.
He would attempt to drop her, but now Qhira was attached. She stayed resolute by the legs and punched with all her strength aimed at where the angel’s throat should be.
One backflip and one fell slice later, and the angel would explode into shards, indicating he wasn’t dead… but sent back to the Hall of Storms for a long time before regeneration would affect him.
Flicking her sword, she turned to the rest of the battle only to be met with something both horrifying and oddly inspiring. For overwhelming, most of the battlefield around her were a hoard of Dark Nexus rats, cannon fodder that knew no fear or remorse. Leading these deadly apparitions was none other than the Dark Nexus mirror of the Champion Alarak. The alien floating like a spectre of death over the field of battle.
With odds so against the residents of this world, an unspoken truce was called, forcing Resistance and Viper to stand back to back for the sake of their very survival.
Joining the defence, Qhira charged at the Alarak lookalike; however, she didn’t even register to the monster as he would telekinetically push her aside with one backhanded movement. Placing her right in the path of a literal wave of Dark Nexus rats forced her to her defensive back foot instantly.
The dark presence would continue moving, levitating like death itself as he would casually blast aside all the soldiers that would try to get in his way. Only when Xul was within reach did he finally show some level of emotion.
Scythe came down towards the alien, but the blade was blocked.
Xul would call on all his necromancer’s might, all his magic, but it wasn’t enough. As all the minions seemed to converge around him, he dropped his blade after being zapped by red lightning from the monster afore him. Lifted up with telekinesis… both Necromancer and Dark Nexus general would vanish, whisked away into nothingness.
Mission complete as it was, it would only be several more moments for all of the Rats to begin to dissipate as quickly as they appeared. Leaving only the bloody battlefield in their wake. In all its horrific splendour.
The smell of smoke, the sight of wreckage and lifeless bodies, an air of gray and silence invading the ears like a loud ringing drum. That was the sight, the calm splendour around them as both Resistance and Viper would rest a moment feeling that sentiment that the threat was long gone.
Whirr!
The electric purr of Qhira’s blade would whisk through the air breaking the silence as, without even a second thought, she would flick her blade and behead all three of the Resistance leaders in one fell swoop! Major. Pain, Captain Shimada and the Firestorm all fell.
The chain reaction would be heard as the realization of their true enemies would hit them, and the remaining Resistance grunts would be routed by the Viper soldiers and sliced to bits by Deathfang or blown apart by the rifle of Sidewinder. A terrible sight that made even the previous battlefield aftermath look tame and peaceful.
Yet Qhira, despite the knot in her stomach and the self-hatred flooding her mind she quelled it all, hid her emotions as she spun her blade back into rest position and walked towards the Imperator. “My reward!” She hissed, holding out her hand.
The masked man would nod, producing a large sack of gold from somewhere inside his arm. “Worth every penny. Well done, Hunter.” He complimented her.
To be complemented by a tyrant… “As you say,” Qhira said simply and dismissively as she turned her back and walked away towards the location she knew the Hall of Storms would be, going on her next mission.
It would be maybe an hour later, and the Hall of storms would ignite with incoming Nexus Champions. Two groups came to investigate what they both knew was Dark Nexus energy. The first group was from the Primary Realm known as Raven’s Court. As they rode, all three figures on the unadorned Palamino horses, Anduin Wrynn, a blonde young man in blue and white light plate armour, Deckard Cain, an old man in white robes with a book and a magnificent long beard. And leading them, seeming somewhat out of place, was none other than Lady Orphea, the current ruler of Raven’s Court. The girl looked barely into her teen years, sporting pitch white hai, black and purple robes and what looked like a coffin on her back.
These three figures would all dismount from their horses as they arrived at the scene where they had detected the arrival of the Dark entities. “There is no way this realm could repel a full-on invasion of the Dark Nexus, so why a,e there still people breathing?” Orphea asked as she turned up casually, even as several VIper Soldiers had rifles aimed at them.
“Maybe they were stronger than we gave credit for. I believe Tyrael was in this realm after all.” Deckard suggested walking up.
“It is possible, but Tyrael and Xul wouldn’t be enough to stop it this quickly,” Orphea responded simply.
Eventually, the two lighter remembers of this posse would turn their attention to these seeming angry residents, Anduin’s hands being engulfed in the bright gold element that was a divine spell. They would then be encircled by a protective translucent dome which repelled all bullets sent their way.
“We won’t be able to do any investigating if these fiends continue their attack,” Deckard said, old man obvious as he was.
Orphea, however, would simply nod as dark energy flicked in her own palms, and at her feet, a giant mouth would appear. The large teeth that embodied her power were about to engage these enemies when suddenly the building in which these fights were all situated would begin to collapse. Thunderous cracks signified it, but it all fell opposite, leaving the three visitors completely unharmed.
“Lady Orphea, King Anduin, Deckard Cain.” Someone called each of them by name and title. Turning their heads, they would see two figures in red and gold attire, one in a suit of sorts almost like that of a general, the other in a low-cut dress with one hand raised indicating the building collapsing was her doing. Orphea recognized the attire from books she had read about Iresian Culture during her youth.
“And you would be?” Orphea asked, seeming to act casual
“I am High Chancellor Zeraq, and this is First Maiden Eris. We are the former rulers of Iresia.” Zeraq said simply, “and it seems all of us are chasing the end of the world.”
