NationStates Jolt Archive

The Path of Light that Nav provides for us is not always easy, nor is it always obvious, but all who set their hearts to follow will find it... and sometimes the Path finds you. ~ The Prophet Hasab
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Commander Faal stared intently at the mountain range around him. He and his company were deep in a cavern south of Southridge in the ocean wilds. They had been called here after the successful Talaaxian Rebel victory on Pyria II. Rebel and pirate activity had stopped in this area for 3 months and then suddenly started again united and stronger then ever. Now Faal's Marines had to put out the flames.

"Sir, I've got something!" Kyn Dornal shouted. "Five degrees east of those large rock formations."

Faal zoomed in with his own scanner. Sure enough there, just visible over the ridge, was a rebel camp. "Good work Dornal." He handed the scanner over to his CO. "Have a look General Bolden."

The general took the device and looked at the area they were pointing to. "Excellent Commander. Prepare your forces to take the encampment." He ordered. "Call in your armor to loosen them up and cover our advance across the ravine."

"Yes Sir." Faal Signalled the Armored Lance of Aquilas. "Venture Lance, this is Commander Faal. We have located the enemy encampment. We need a strike and support at target location." He took out a laser designator. He targeted the encampment and waited for the response.

Three Aquila Battle Engines in flight mode roared over their heads heading for the other side of the ravine. Roger that Commander. We have the target, making our attack runs now. The Aquilas vectored off and came around firing their cluster missiles down onto the ridge causing mass panic.

Faal jumped up and waved his forces ahead. "Ok let's go!"

OOC: [tag] I have to go to work, I will reply to this later

OOC: This is a closed character development story line. But I'm curious...

IC: Faal and General Bolden walked through the camp. The three Aquilas had landed and were walking around covering the Marines as they rounded up the prisoners. Rebels were captured with pirates. For some reason these two factions that have never worked together before, are working together now. "I don't understand this General. I thought things were fine here."

Bolden looked around at captured Tidani. "Things were fine, until three months ago. Then all activity in this area, which used to be a rebel stronghold, suspiciously stopped. In the last few weeks they have started up again. Stronger and united."

Just then a marine ran up to the two leaders. "General! Commander! You need to see this. Quick come down to the caves."

They arrived at a cave the floor as they entered was slick with blood. As they moved in the lighting showed a dozen or so dead rebels disgustingly deformed and contorted. Faal bent over one of them. As he reached out to touch the mutated flesh flashes of darkness and evil taunted his mind. Visions of something he knew, no not knew, but had felt before. The same thing that had haunted him back in Southridge. His mind was suddenly shocked, a blinding flash of light and he jerked his hand away from the body.

"Quarentine all these bodies!" Faal shouted.

Bolden was watching Faal when the marine waved them in further. "We found them like this when we got here. We don't know what did this to their bodies or why they were all killed, but we think he did it." He pointed to the back of the cave where a rebel tainted like others was holding back a group of marines. He was wild and a feral fire raged in his eyes. He swung a sword at the marines who backed out of range aiming their rifles at him. When he saw Bolden approach, he calmed slightly and a smirk appeared on his face. He screamed an unholy sound and pulled out a plasma grenade.

"Everyone back!" Bolden shouted as they ran and dove out of the way. The beast activated the grenade and held it up to his head. The explosion burst through the back of the cave, vaporizing his body, but spraying many with a black slime.

Faal got off the ground and looked at Bolden. "What was that?!"

Bolden stared back into the rear of the cave. "That was Ooras. I trained with him at the Academy, later he joined the rebels. He used to be Tidani."

Faal left the others to get some fresh air. His mind was under siege and he needed some time alone to clear his head.

He climed up the canyon for some time trying to recover from the assault in the cave. He came to rest on a small outcrop of rock and looked out at the breathtaking scenery. It was then that a bright light surrounded him and figure made of light appeared in the water. Faal hid his face and fell to the ground.

The being spoke with a voice that sounded as clear as the wild water and carried like thunder. "Do not be afraid."

"Have you come to take my soul?" Faal asked.

"No. I have come to bring you a message from my master, whom I serve." It replied.

"What can I do for The Great Guide?"

"A long time ago my master sent prophets to your people to share with you The Path of Light. In that time they did battle with the forces of darkness for the hearts and souls of your people. For millenia the teachings of those prophets were enough to keep your people from turning to great evil. Now the servants of darkness have returned and threaten to corrupt and destroy the innocent. The faith of Tidan has faded. This evil cannot be defeated by the physical alone, the soul must be strong."

"I have seen this evil. It haunts my mind and torments my dreams."

"You have been blessed Faal. My master has again sent prophets to protect the people from darkness, and revive the spirit of Tidan. You Faal, have been chosen to lead these faithful."

"Me?"

"You have been chosen for this task. This is your destiny. Accept the knowledge and power of the light, and defend your people against the siege of darkness, or this burden will fall on another. The choice is up to you."

Faal thought for a moment. "I will heed the call of my god."

"Then so be it. Take what is given to you and once again share the Path with my master's people. Protect them from the agents of darkness."

The light entered Faal and filled him with knowledge and power. As the fog cleared Faal knew his purpose in life now. He was an agent of the light, destined to combat the darkness for the souls of his people like the prophets of old. His armor was gone, a brown robe in its place. He raised his hood and made his way back down the canyon.

Faal was on his way down the slope when an Aquila flying low and fast went right over his head. I must have seen him because it came about quickly and landed. The cockpit opened and Kela, his squad mate, shouted at him. "Faal come on! We need to get out of here."

Faal went over to her. He could something dark growing in her body. Still undectible to the senses, but Faal know it was there. "What happened."

Kela was paniced. "They all went crazy. The dead ones we found in the cave, they weren't dead. Maybe they were, I don't know but when we got them half way to the transport they jumped up and went berzerk through the camp. The prisoners broke free and they seemed like they had lost their minds. Even our own troops started doubling over in pain, and then turning on us. Two pilots managed to get into their Aquilas and tried to hold them back with their plasma guns, but were destroyed. The third was taken down on his way to the cockpit. They tore him to pieces. Everything went to hell Faal. I managed to get to the Aquila and got out as soon as possible. We need to warn everyone."

Faal took it all in. "I see... Then we must get to Navguard and warn the Senate." Faal climbed in behind Kela. He laid his hand on her shoulder and it got very warm.

She turned around and looked at him. "What was that?"

"Nothing. Let's go." Faal smiled. The parasitic darkness in her was gone.

When they arrived at Navguard, Faal headed straight for the council chambers. Two guards tried to stop them, Faal raised his hands to them indicating they should stop. They did, they froze and then returned to their posts and bowed in reverance. At this Faal himself stopped. He turned to one, then the other and motioned them to rise. "Do not bow before me my friends, for it is not my power that commands you. I myself am but a humble servant." The two guards rose to face the Tidani. They hesitated for a moment not sure what to do, then saluted. Faal smiled, then nodded, and placing a hand on each's arm he continued.

He entered the room, which was busy in conference, with Kela following timidly behind him. One of the Ministers turned to him and stood in outrage. "We are in meeting! Who dares barge in here?"

Faal turned to him, and removing his hood, revealed his skin which had changed from blue to as white as snow. His eyes were firy gold, they were eyes that had been opened to the mystery of time and the universe. "I am but a humble servant of the Almighty, the One we call Guide. I have been called to serve Nav in this age, which today has changed forever. For as you know I'm sure, your forces in the west have fallen."

A hush came over the Council as they wittnessed Faals transformation, then it broke into chaos of discussion. The Chancellor stood up and called for silence. "This we know prophet, what we do not understand how so few rebels could have overcome our Marines." He looked at the girl behind Faal then back to him. "Were you and your friend of those who fought that battle?"

Faal did not hesitate. "Yes, we were. You are not to blame for questioning my allegiance old one. You and your people have only just begun the Path of Light, and so are still new to its leading. My partner and I escaped the blood bath. If we had not done so when we did, none would have, and you would have no knowledge of what fate awaits you. For the enemy we face is not of this world. This unnatural fusion of parasite and mortal flesh is tainted by the evil plans of the Dark One. We have become weak. Once we were strong in our faith. Our minds were open to threats and our spirits sought what was true. Now our minds are clouded and lost, our spirit knows not its home. This is the time our enemy has chosen to strike. His pawns, infested and mindless, seek to destroy us all and win Heaven's war over us."

Chancellor Ryak looked down at his map and back up. "If what you say is true, how can we stop them? We have already seen and heard from you what so few can do to our soldiers."

"Fear not, for you have not been forgotten in your time of need." Faal closed his eyes as the message flowed through him. "Those with faith and the gifts of the power have been awakened once more, as they were five millenia ago. I have given them power to vanquish the evil that moves against you."

Faal opened his eyes again and began speaking quickly, as though he felt rushed. "Your weapons cannot stop what is only part flesh, but you can slow them down. Right now the flesh holds them together, they need time and energy to consume what remains and become much stronger. Send forces to aid Southridge, but do not engage them in close combat, use long range and explosives for they will do most damage to their forms. I must go now to the Temple but I will return in numbers to help you. They will not move right away, they need time to convert the fallen and recover their wounds. It will be several days until they fall on us. Hold out until then."

He turned to Kela. "Go to Southridge and help them fight, use your skills of tactics and leadership. I will be there in three days."

Then he turned and left with a fast pace. He headed for the Temple. As he left he yelled back. "They can be beaten, but it will take as much faith as force."