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 Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2017 5:04 am
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"And so the General returns," The silky voice rippled out from across the warrens, though at first its owner was not immediately apparent. Fortunately, Metis had long since grown used to recognising certain individuals, and this particular lion was of no exception. It was one of the Phantom Priests, one by the name of Lucivar no less... And an individual who on this occasion, had been required to stay within the warrens rather than to play a key role in the battles that had taken place far beyond their usual haunts. To say that he hadn't been impressed with the circumstances had been an understatement, the priest had been positively furious at the time and he had made this known.
He had quietened however, when he had been given other duties that had arguably been much more important. It wasn't that Lucivar desired glory, on the contrary he didn't need such recognition based on the favour he already had with the Prime. It had been the news that he wouldn't be able to participate that had infuriated him; as it would have angered any rightful phantom. It was their duty as a whole to ensure their success of their resurgence, and on that occasion he had been required to stay at home. He had always been one of their most effective and at the time, it simply hadn't made sense.
...Now though?
Now it made perfect sense.
"He does indeed," Metis replied smoothly, bowing his head to press his forehead against the phantom who had approached him. The greeting was a fond one, one between old friends to an observer, and certainly filled with warmth. What hostility might have been perceived by an outsider simply wasn't there, regardless of the tone that such phrases might have been delivered in to begin with. It was just as well that outsiders were not welcome, there would simply be far too many misunderstandings if they were. The more nuanced mannerisms of phantom culture would have been completely lost on any individual who hadn't been raised within these dark halls.
"Early, at that," Lucivar added with a raised brow. The shift caused an inquisitive flicker within his eyes and he nodded for the General to follow. They were given space, as was expected in their society, and the curious black bodies parted like waves as the pair slipped through. There would be time for questions later, time for a review of proceedings and the reason that the scourge had returned en mass. It had been unexpected, ever General had recognised that, but the Prime's decision had been effective immediately and no sooner had it been issue, than the warrens had become flooded with bodies once more.
...The scourge had come home without so much as a whisper.
More interestingly to an outsider, they had also returned home without much gossip. The reason for the return was simple, the Prime had issued the order and as such, the Scourge had turned round. What victories and gains they might have made were irrelevant; something had caused the Prime to recall them and for now, they would do as instructed. Clearly something had changed within the depths of the slumbering deity's mind, he had made a decision and the Prime had simply heard it - it was just that simple.
What the Prime said was final.
Thus, families had been reunited and life would continue as normal. Those with professions would pick up where they had left off, cubs would be born, and their education would continue. The lost would be found and brought in to the fold, but for now, the Resurgence had ended...until next time, of course.
"We were making gains," Metis remarked with a shake of his head. "But it seems like there is much in the world beyond this one that we do not entirely understand," he pursed his lips as he continued to walk. "I assume that the Prime has need to re-evaluate, but from the perspective of the Resurgence, the Justicars were not alone on this occasion."
"Allies?" Lucivar seemed to be intrigued.
"Indeed, another army built upon the shoulders of another nation," Metis paused. "Well I say nation, but it seems that the individual in charge was autonomous within that nation."
"So they have Justicars as well."
"Not quite, these individuals do not possess land or have substantial influence over the political landscape of their nation."
"I do not follow," Lucivar lifted a brow.
"Precisely," Metis replied. "If we are to succeed then we must fully understand this new landscape. If we are to face not just the Al-Siq's Justicars, but also their allies, then it would be advantageous if we understood the manner in which they function."
"So we are to gather intelligence."
"As always," Metis confirmed.
"But there is more," Lucivar pried.
"I believe so," Metis shook his head. "I can only remain vague as it is but an inkling, but I have reason to believe that the game will change completely. It seems the prophecy has come true -"
Lucivar paused midstep to stare at the General in astonishment.
"What?"
"But it seems that the heretics failed to enlighten the masses to the full prophecy," Metis chuckled.
"There's another side?" Lucivar certainly hadn't heard of it and he was a Priest within the Scourge; chosen by the very Prime himself to educate the masses. Suffice to say that up until now, he hadn't been aware that there was another part to this particular prophecy, one that sang the praises of the heretics and spelled 'disaster' for the phantoms.
"There may be, as I said I can only speculate," Metis turned to his companion and shook his head. "It is true that a Justicar has sired a white cub," he clucked his tongue. "But he also sired one of us too."
"You jest."
"As good as," Metis grimaced. "He has minor issues with his eyes, but one could surmise that may be due to his bloodline. However the rest of him is unmistakably scourge born."
"Well that certainly changes things," Lucivar sounded more than just a little intrigued by this point.
"It does indeed," Metis agreed. "We're just not entirely sure how at this point in time..."
Words: 1044
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