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Thread: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

  1. #61
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    ---
    The warrior looked around the premises once more. There was no one around them, except perhaps mountains of bodies. Communication was completely blocked, both radio-space and telepathic. It was impossible to do anything, not even send a simple mental signal to other psionics. Zabergan gradually turned into a blank isolation zone. Telepathic capabilities were simply useless here.
    Taking a deep breath, Iilfan began her story, for which she could be condemned in the Farrukh Empire. After all, now she was handing over extremely important information to a person who did not have any access to its content.
    - His appearance was recorded by Elfurr, - the warrior said almost in a whisper, - For the first time in the distant sectors of the Tao-Te galaxy. He destroyed the civilization of ligushkasars living there, erect amphibians. It was a hundred years ago. The Elfurrian adepts have informed us of this. I was not yet born ... But when I entered the Emperor's secret police, I received all the necessary information about it.
    Yuri remembered with surprise that Hyperborea had once sent reconnaissance probes to that distant galaxy, but they found only lifeless volcanic worlds. No intelligent forms were found there.
    “He destroyed their planets, evaporated the atmospheric shields,” continued Iilfan. “Then he appeared in our domain. He began to spread an unknown religion. He took the form of a man…. A mysterious old man. I went to different villages and preached. He called his god Cerberum the Primordial.
    At the mention of the mysterious deity, Ernal'tsev's amulet flashed for a moment and even burned the skin. Yuri flinched from an unexpected attack of pain, but nevertheless did not remove the amulet. He clearly knew that he should not do this.
    - Our enemy tried to split the domain of Farrukh. Having created Adharma and unleashed a war, he planned to inflict tangible damage on my empire. But we figured it out and, with the help of our elfurr allies, drove it out of our lands. Adharma was destroyed. But the cults planted by the sorcerer continued to operate. They exist even now ... And the secret police of Farrukh are actively fighting them.
    - Why did he attack Hyperborea? And why are we cockroaches for him? - Yuri exclaimed, - Our empire is no worse than yours. And even Azis does not dare to threaten us. Here we are talking about some dashing, who is clearly not himself!
    “He’s not dashing,” Iilfan replied, who turned noticeably pale, “He…. Demon. For him, the concept of "race" or "species" does not exist. Just like life or death. He is outside of it. He…. A representative of a different nature.
    Yuri felt the amulet start to flare up again. He once again burned the adept's skin. More and more, Ernal'tsev wanted to remove the amulet and throw it out the nearest window. But he tried to drive away such thoughts. I tried to keep them out of my mind, even if at times to no avail.
    - Demon? - said the psionic in surprise, - But ... they do not exist.
    “Internally, you know that you are wrong,” Iilfan said. “If there are Gods, if there is a Creator in whom you believe ... That is, there is a downside.
    - Why would he threaten Hyperborea? - Yuri asked again, - Even if he…. Demon ... or someone else .... Why did he need to attack Zabergan?
    “Zabergan was just the beginning, and I just realized that,” the agent replied sadly, “Now everything has become clear. In addition to the Aranguto incident, something else happened. Before the operation, Farrukh was intercepted with a strange audiogram. One of the agents of our enemy named Phantom-7 spoke to…. Him. They were discussing the use of some kind of superintelligence. A perfect and modernized computer mind. Monstrously complex and powerful, capable of enslaving planetary grids in minutes. They said they would use it to create a machine riot. Machines will revolt across the galaxy. Then the recording was cut off. That is why I came here to Zabergan. He clearly said that everything will start here. And it will end ... ..
    Iilfan fell silent. Her eyes were seized with great terror. She clearly remembered what Marfur-Nirari had said when speaking with her trusted attendant. And this ominous plan was already beginning to come true.
    - Will it end with what? Ernalltsev muttered barely audibly.
    “By enslaving the known universe,” Iilfan squeezed out of herself with difficulty, “By the establishment of Machine Peace in the entire galaxy. And this is already happening…. Phantom 7 mentioned Nicomedia. He said something about Kuahtemok and about the plan related to the unstable zone…. We tried to contact Kuakhtemok, but he did not answer. Chow used all of his experts…. The Nicomedians reported that they would report everything to the ruler. But apparently, it didn’t happen…. The Nicomedian fleet was captured by the superintelligence ... Or Marfur-Nirari and there were agents who simply gave the robots an entire armada.
    The agent forgot herself and nevertheless uttered the name of the sorcerer. She did it rather out of excitement, and did not even notice her irreparable mistake.
    - So this is why the Nikomedians did not answer ... .. - Ernalltsev finally guessed, - Our enemy had his own people there .... It was they who gave the ships to Tulotron. Perhaps they also blocked the connection, and therefore it was not possible to contact Nicomedia.
    - Now you understand what's the matter, Yuri? - With a frightened look, the warrior said, - I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier.
    - No, don't blame yourself! - the adept immediately snapped, - You were not allowed. An order is an order.
    Yuri did not feel a bit of anger towards the Farrukh maiden. Rather, he was angry with Elfurr, who once again chose to keep everything important in secret. Because of their eternal secrets, innocent peoples have suffered more than once. And this time, they effectively endangered an entire galaxy.
    “That's right,” Iilfan nodded, “Farrukh agreed with Elfurr and the Drask empire that they would not give this information to anyone until the hour" H ".
    - Wait! - Ernalltsev suddenly perked up, - And where are the demons here? Why would they need to use an army of machines?
    This question made the warrior look even more pale.
    - In order to destroy the life bestowed by the Creator, - the beautiful foreign woman said with fear, - Our enemy is here for this. They will destroy all old life forms with machines. And then it will enable Cerberum to start all over again .... Build a new universe. In his image and likeness. In the image and likeness of demons. This universe will forever plunge into Darkness. And it will be eternal.
    - So they exist? Demons?
    - Yes, there are. They tried to do this many millennia ago. They were known about even millions of years before our birth. And now they are about to prevail!
    At the last words, Iilfan almost burst into tears. With horror, she realized that much of Marfur-Nirari's sinister plan had already been completed. The machines have already begun a total takeover. It could not be ruled out that Zabergan was far from the only planet where Tulotron won. And the lack of communication with the allies spoke volumes.
    Yuri tried in vain to get through to the space fleet hovering in orbit. But he could not even imagine that the armada could have long ago passed under enemy control, and with it everyone who was there.
    - But if Tulotron enslaves the worlds ... .. - the Ernallets moaned beside himself with great horror, - In a matter of minutes ... .. Then .... What if …… if… ..
    - If he has already done everything? - repeated the thoughts of Yuri Iilfan, - Yes ... .. It could have happened. There is no connection with anyone. Truth? Chances are, everyone in orbit is already dead. And you and I are the last of the remaining organic forms on this cursed planet.
    - God ... ... Is this all reality?
    For a moment it seemed to Ernal'tsev that he was just sleeping. But then he looked around again and clearly understood that everything around him was that very reality, that evil and terrible truth, which it was better not to know at all. He even regretted that he got to the bottom of the truth. It would have been better if he hadn't asked Iilfan anything at all.
    - Yes, Yuri, this is reality, - answered the Farrukh maiden, - But we still have a chance. I feel…. First you have to at least get out of here.
    -
    ---
    Star system of Mensei Guapalamo.
    Border sector with the Farrukh Empire.

    “Ten ships of Tulotron play the role of carriers,” Colonel Jian Le reported to General Chow Chupalorkhorn. “They are easy to handle. The transport workers don't have that heavy protection.
    Tall and stately, Commander Farrukh pointed with a clawed glove at the holographic images of pyramids hovering in Guapalamo space. Despite the fact that the same fear was read in her eyes, she tried to speak in a confident voice.
    “Kaiju transporters contain thousands of combat drones and automatons,” the other woman explained, without taking her eyes off the pictures hanging in the air. “They are not so dangerous when they are sealed inside a hefty vessel. And the system of energy shields of these ships is not as strong as that of the "Black Corruptors".
    Here, another farrukh, a white-haired man named Guanxi, intervened in the conversation. He was a fairly well-known commander among all his race and won many battles in his time. On his account there were many victories over the pirates of Zuhra. But he hated demons and their machine beasts more than pirate rats.
    - Yes, it certainly inspires, - said Guanxi, - But the trouble is that the transport workers are guarded by five "Black Molesters". And three more Gomorrah-class cruisers and, finally, two Frigate of Nightmares. These ships are heavily armored. In addition, Gomorrah can use non-substance warheads. Their use can be disastrous. We're going to have to work hard, gentlemen. The fight will not be easy. Very difficult.
    Farrukh commanders constantly talked among themselves, while looking at many holo-images. So far, the Empire's battle fleet has not yet engaged in open combat with Tulotron's forces. But still, the armada continued its movement straight to the intended goal. The main task was to save the inhabitants of the doomed system.
    “There is another aircraft carrier,” said Captain Mitsumone's voice, “Bleeding Class. Flying fortress full of drones. They are capable of smashing entire ships to pieces in one raid. Among the host of machines, there is one of these. Closes the entire formation of her ships.
    - Yeah, - said the voice of another officer, - It was much easier to fight with Zukhra. It's even interesting. Kill dirty and unwashed corsairs. But here is a different story ... You are not mortals here. This is much worse than those pathetic scoundrels.
    “It’s lucky that we even know about the structures of their ships,” said the communications lieutenant, who stood out with bright purple hair. “Thanks for that Elfurr for getting information about these kaiju.
    Shouting voices and growls echoed throughout the control room. The officers and generals intensely discussed their next steps. They could not even imagine that they would meet so many enemy ships here. They believed that the battle would take place much sooner. If the commanders had learned earlier about such a powerful flotilla that entered the system, they would have brought in much more ships. But retreating was simply impossible. Leaving all the unfortunate people living on the planet without protection was a terrible crime for Farrukh. The Empire simply could not afford such an act.
    General Chupalorkhorn decided to interrupt the conversation and raised his shining officer's baton above his head. Most of the officers in the room immediately stopped their conversations. As one, they looked at the Supreme Commander and froze in anticipation of his words. They expected a reasonable decision from him.
    - We will go into battle anyway! - Chou said menacingly, lowering his staff down, - After all, Farrukh entered the war with the machines! All these 'Mechs must be destroyed! We cannot leave the inhabitants of the system in trouble. We cannot afford it, and if we do it, then Karma will fall upon us with all its fury. We are the universe's only hope for salvation. Machines have penetrated too deeply into these worlds, and we must drive them out. At least somehow help Hyperborea and all other powers that were under attack! Yes, I must confess that we have few good ships. But we will not leave these people to their fate!
    At the last word, the general raised his voice noticeably. He spoke too lofty and pathetic, but his speeches reached his subordinates like never before. Many are now lost in thought and did not even move. Officers and generals, who until recently intensely discussed the strategy of war, turned into a kind of wax statues.
    - If the superintelligence continues to invade, then everything will be over! - The commander repeated the same words again, - And we will not retreat! We will go into battle and use all our firepower! Today we will die or prevail! There is no third!
    “What a pity that we don't get to Zabergan yet,” Chou said inwardly, recalling his cousin Iilfan, “May all the Gods that are there keep you there.”
    -----








    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

    https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?...r:BagaturSasha
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  2. #62
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    ---
    - Stop! - Iilfan's disturbing voice was suddenly heard, - Someone is coming.
    The Farrukh maiden has already saved up enough strength. She tried to stand up a little, and she succeeded. The warrior did not forget to grab a couple of submachine guns that were lying on the table nearby. They were loaded and ready to fire at any moment.
    Yuri also sensed that someone was approaching. He raised his beam rifle and aimed it at the spot where the noise came from. The noise came from the corridor into which a tightly slammed door led. No sooner had Ernal'tsev even thought about this door, when it flung open, and it opened quite sharply.
    The Adept and his companion continued to keep the stranger at gunpoint. More precisely, a few who entered. There were two of them in total. Yuri was unspeakably surprised at the appearance of his faithful companions from Moskan here. A joyous smile appeared on his face. Well, something, but these guys he certainly did not expect here.
    His good comrade in the army Nikolai Krashich and his close friend Bartholomew appeared before his eyes in all their glory. These two have already become famous throughout Hyperborea as elite warriors. They have always fought alongside the psi adepts.
    For some unknown reason, Krasic and Bartholomew looked just brilliant. Yuri had no idea where their battle suits had gone. But he soon realized that they could easily damage them during the battle. They are now donning the usual Hyperborean armor. Plasma fusées were held in their hands.
    Yuri was extremely delighted with such a sudden appearance of his comrades. Iilfan, on the other hand, looked alarmed. When Ernalltsev lowered the weapon down, his Farrukh partner continued to keep the Muscovites at gunpoint. For some reason, she did not trust them.
    - Glory to Eckhart! - I heard Nikolai's joyful voice, - Yuri! Yuri Ernal'tsev!
    - Your mother! We're stuck here like sarcosuchus in the ass! - Bartholomew shouted at this, who was no less delighted, - At least they found old friends!
    - Yes, - answered Ernalltsev, - To be honest, I did not expect you here at all!
    At the same time, Yuri noticed that the amulet began to grow heavy again. Still, he chose not to pay attention to it. Taking the weapon in his left hand, he stepped forward and hugged Nikolai. Then he did the same with Bartholomew, the always swearing Moscan sergeant. When he hugged Krasic, it seemed to him for a second that he had too strong and not even too human grip.
    - How did you get here? - Yuri's question immediately followed, - And where ... Where is Hercules?
    Here the adept clearly remembered that he had last seen them flying away with Hercules. Their main task was to neutralize the leader of the terrorists. Then no one knew what kind of forces were behind Grigarovich and his rebels.
    As soon as Yuri pronounced the name of Hercules, nothing remained of the smiles on the faces of Krasic and Bartholomew. Nikolai even somehow mournfully lowered his head. However, the joy faded on Ernal'tsev's face. He knew his friend much more than these Muscovites. Most of all, he was afraid that Hercules was dead. All warriors sooner or later found death on the battlefield. And to survive in such a fight as this, in general, was within the power of only a demigod.
    - What about Hercules? The adept exclaimed angrily.
    He demanded an immediate answer from his friends.
    - Listen, - Krasic said with some anxiety, and at the same time stretched out his left hand forward, - Do not get excited. Crappy news. We lost him ... .. But we will find. I think he'll get out.
    - Yes, I think so too, - followed the words of Bartholomew, - I think ... He survived.
    But Yuri was not at all satisfied with this answer. He glanced at Iilfan, and was surprised to find that his partner continued to keep the Muscovites at gunpoint.
    - What happened to him? - raised the voice of Ernallets.
    The amulet, meanwhile, continued to grow heavy, and this annoyed the psionic notably.
    - Quietly, quietly, - Nikolai said in a soothing tone, - We lost him during the siege of Grigarovich's palace. Then we fell into a trap. Hercules was never found. But the salamander must have pulled him out. So everything will be the way. We were really shot down, but we got here on foot. Nearly exploded when dropped.
    - Yes, yes, chief, we almost threw away the skates, - Bartholomew muttered.
    Then the sergeant glanced at Iilfan, who kept aiming at them. He clearly did not like such a strange behavior of the warrior.
    - Hey, friend, I would remove the trunks, otherwise you will burn, - the Muscovite growled displeased.
    But Iilfan shook her head. For some reason, she did not at all trust the heroes who entered.
    - Come on, those, - the sergeant continued his speech, - Well, yomayo, we are all our own here. We are friends of the adept Ernal'tsev. Why are you all pantyhose, huh?
    Yuri turned towards the Farrukh maiden and nodded to her. The warrior nodded in response, but only removed the one submachine gun she held in her left hand. In the right, the weapon remained until now, and it was ready to flare up at any moment.
    - We will find Hercules, - Krasic repeated once again, trying to calm Ernal'tsev, - The main thing is that now there are four of us.
    - And there is still no connection, - Bartholomew's voice rang out, - Cut off, torn cones. Either a jammer, or a blockade. We tried all the channels and no armadillo. Do not contact anyone at all!
    - To put it simply, Zabergan is lost, - Nikolay confirmed the words of comrade, - Robots have flooded everything here. Into the furnace of this Krazhinsky. We must get out of the planet ourselves. You look, ours in orbit will pick it up.
    For some unknown reason, the amulet got heavy again. Yuri felt that his neck was squeezing. Something unknown and evil told him that it would be better to get rid of the amulet. But he firmly knew that he could not. The amulet must be on him no matter what happens. Even if the entire universe begins to blaze, he will not get rid of the amulet and will not even touch it to remove it.
    - What are your plans then ?! - Ernalltsev exclaimed resolutely, - I won't leave without Hercules. You must understand.
    - Of course, - Krasic nodded at this, - He disappeared in the area of ​​the Grigarovich tower. We were shot down just nearby. There were more enemies. But now we are also no less. The four of us are still stronger, whatever one may say.
    - Yeah…. Stronger. Only I still don't understand how you could portugal up Hercules.
    “This is war, brother. What is there to understand?
    Bartholomew continued to look with displeasure at Iilfan. She still did not let up and held a weapon in her right hand. The muzzle of the submachine gun was aimed directly at Krasic. In the eyes of the warrior, mistrust of the Muscovites was clearly visible.
    - Why are you aiming your gun at us? - snapped the sergeant in the direction of the foreign woman, - We are not dangerous. At least we are not these miracles. I do not understand you. I don’t understand at all. Some kind of damn distrust!
    “Sorry, but I need to make sure you're not a kaiju or a farongan,” Iilfan hissed. “So let me decide whether to lower the weapon or not!
    - Yes, what the portugal kaiju, - Bartholomew barked at this, - You ask Yuri. He knows us as long as he knows. Do you think we look like these mutant cyborgs?
    - Sorry, but I will not lower the barrel, no matter how much you want it.
    - Okay, your business. But know, I don't like this!
    For some reason, it seemed to Yuri that there was not so much truth in Nikolai's words. It all looked too strange. He claimed that they were shot down while approaching the Grigarovich palace. But they had excellent protection, including the salamanders. Ernalltsev perfectly remembered many of the features of the armored suits of his comrades. And as for Hercules, in order to knock down the beast, you had to try hard. Of course, anything could have happened, especially during such an operation, but in the depths of his soul, Yuri felt that the truth was not the whole thing.
    Nikolai really behaved in an extremely mysterious way. He looked Ernal'tsev straight in the eyes and was not afraid of anything. Moreover, when he tried to express sympathy for the loss of Hercules, it seemed to Yuri that the Muscovite was simply playing. Krasic did not speak very sincerely, but at the same time tried with all his might to convince the adept of his truth. At first he showed a semblance of grief, but then it quickly evaporated from his face.
    - Are you okay? - Nikolay asked with excessive friendliness, - I really thought you were dead. And what a joy it is to see you all here.
    Krasic smiled broadly, and made Yuri even more bewildered. Until recently, he talked about combat losses and the loss of friends, but now he behaved as if there was no war on Zabergana.
    - All the way, - Ernalltsev replied dryly, - But they beat us notably.
    “Yeah, you don't look too cool,” said Krasic, patting his comrade on the shoulder.
    The cotton also looked extremely strange and unnatural. For a moment it seemed to the adept that Nikolai's entire arm was made of steel. But he had only a steel bib. The hands were clad in ordinary leather gloves.
    - I still do not know whether I am alive or dead, - as if to himself muttered Yuri, - A few minutes ago, I thought that I was already that…. He dropped the skates.
    - I understand, - was heard the reply of a comrade-in-arms, - From such and such a height to fall ... Well, it will throw away any skates. But you are strong, brother.


    Ernalltsev was about to smile at his comrade, but here it dawned on him. And what he discovered now was shocking news. He has turned so pale that it would seem that his skin is about to turn to snow. Small and nasty goosebumps immediately ran down my spine. The amulet still continued to hang around the psionic's neck and inflict severe pain on him. The severity did not subside.
    - Wait ... .. - Yuri said quietly, moving closer and closer to the disclosure of the secret.
    Nikolay could not have witnessed Ernal'tsev's fall in any way. After all, he and his friend accompanied Hercules. At the time when the battle broke out on the towers, they were no longer within the sector. They had to get far enough. Yuri clearly remembered the face of his devoted and faithful friend, who stood opposite the salamander. Moskan companions followed with him. Moreover, he did not see them anymore.
    This whole mysterious story of Krasic and Bartholomew who came in seemed a banal fiction. She was too much shrouded in secrets. It was not clear how they lost Hercules, or what exactly they saw. They all spoke some kind of nonsense that smelled of far-fetched nonsense. All this could be attributed to the consequences of the combat shock, but not the recent words of Nikolai. Krasic clearly mentioned Ernal'tsev's fall from a height to the lower levels.
    - How did you know that I fell down? The adept asked sternly, looking his comrade-in-arms straight in the eyes.
    Nikolai twitched for a second. He also stared at his comrade. But for some reason he was in no hurry to answer.
    - You couldn't see it, - Yuri continued, - It's impossible. You were too far away at that moment. Is not it?
    - Um…. What are you talking about? - Nikolay muttered strangely.
    He continued to look Ernal'tsev directly in the eyes and at the same time tried to pretend that he did not remember what he was talking about. For a moment, Krasic's pupils turned into mysterious shades of scarlet, and then returned to their previous appearance. A wide smile reappeared on her lips, bare almost all her teeth.
    Yuri realized that he had little time. He should have immediately signaled to Iilfan and did it unnoticed. The enemy could well have penetrated Ernal'tsev's idea and stopped the impending strike in time.
    Bartholomew still stood in front of the foreign woman and looked at her with feigned bewilderment. Iilfan maintained the same position and kept the sergeant at gunpoint. Moreover, she managed to cock the hammer. It remained only to shoot and bring down all the ammunition on the unknown monsters.
    - Why are you still driving a cannon, - the disgruntled remarks of the Muscovite were heard, - I told you that I am my boyfriend. Oh, and you stubborn!
    “I'm not sure about that,” the agent replied. “We need to make sure.
    - And how? - suddenly grinned Bartholomew, -What should I do? Take off your clothes and show you your little partner? Well ... what is in my pants ?! Ha ha ha!
    Yuri carefully turned his head to the left and quickly found his companion. The sergeant was already close enough to her. Iilfan glanced at Ernalltsev extremely worriedly. It was clearly visible that suspicions were beginning to be justified.
    "Shoot," the psionic's lips said silently, "This is a trap."
    Without thinking twice, Iilfan opened fire. She fired a whole burst right into Bartholomew's head. The Moskanian staggered backward and nearly collapsed to the floor. But still he managed to resist. Shells riddled the entire right side of his skull. It would kill even the most tenacious of Hyperborea's specialists. But this creation was never a specialist, as a matter of fact, and a representative of the human race.
    The shells pierced the skull, but did not reach the vital microcircuits. This entity's shell was too strong. Thin streams of steam immediately poured out of the round holes.
    “How predictable,” the sergeant croaked in a mechanical voice.
    After these words, he rushed to Iilfan like an angry leopard. In less than a second, he snatched the weapon from the warrior and threw it far to the side. Then he quickly grabbed the foreign woman by the head with both hands and flooded from all directions with a dazzling bright light. The reaction was just lightning fast. He instantly teleported her into the unknown and disappeared himself. Not even a trace remained of Bartholomew and the agent.
    Yuri saw all this with his own eyes. The speed of the cyborg shocked him so much that he fell into a daze for several moments and could not even move. With great bitterness, the psionic realized that he had not had time to save his partner. In addition, it was he who let these abominations into the room, allowing them to turn around here and deliver a sudden blow. Deep down, he cursed himself for being shortsighted.
    When Ernalltsev turned towards Krasic, his old friend was no longer in front of him. Instead of a familiar face, something eerie and mechanical was staring at him. The bright red optics literally burned the psionics alive.
    - As I already mentioned, the probability of your survival is equal to only four percent, - there was a terrible grinding from the mouth of a huge android, - As you can see, I was right.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

    https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?...r:BagaturSasha
    My Wiki page
    --

  3. #63
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    The cyborg grimaced in a disdainful grin. He clearly represented something more perfect and possessed a semblance of human emotion. In his metal hands, he gripped the plasma fuse tightly. But he was not going to use it at all.
    “Your short-sightedness makes you who you are,” came new words from the monster’s speakers. “Only human. A pitiful primitive creation with an extremely ineffective and perishable shell. You tend to fall for any bait. In this case, I used the faces of your faithful comrades. I knew that the success rate of such an operation is 93 and 7 tenths of a percent. And I was not wrong.
    A blow from the side of the robot followed immediately. Yuri found his bearings with difficulty and put the rifle in front of him in time, and then bent down. The adept was very fortunate that he did not have both hands blown off at all. The monster wielded the fusea like a club. The heavy butt almost grazed his head. Had Yuri delayed even for a second, his decapitated body would have already been lying on the floor and rotting, and the robot was proudly celebrating its great victory.
    The butt passed by and struck only the air. Ernalltsev took advantage of this. He quickly pressed down on the trigger and fired an energy projectile. But to the surprise of the psionic, the monster orientated itself too quickly and teleported to the side in the blink of an eye. The shell was wasted. A bluish cloud of flame hit the wall and burned through it.
    - I am Tulotron, - the same heartbreaking creak was heard, - Know this. Remember the one who sent you into the fire.
    - Yes, how many scum you are! - Yuri cried out in fury, - What do you reproduce by budding?
    “Of course not,” the robot replied. “A much more efficient way. Splitting into several separate copies. It's always good when there is a lot of me!
    With the same words, the monster jerked forward. He rushed at Ernal'tsev with a fusea across the border and again tried to use it as a giant mace. Only a miracle made Yuri jump to the side again. The butt, as before, struck the air.
    However, the adept had a good advantage. He took advantage of the moment the enemy missed and aimed his light rifle at the monster's head. Without fear or hesitation, Yuri fired a gun. This time, the robot did not manage to escape the reprisal. The energy clot still touched him. The monster's head shattered into thousands of pieces. The headless body immediately toppled over to the ground. It immediately began to convulse and burst from all directions with the brightest electrical impulses. And only after this end of the world did it finally turn off completely. As before, Yuri managed to decapitate the monster, depriving it of its control center.
    “As before, you were left without a boss,” the Hyperborean growled menacingly.
    But there was nothing to be happy about. The amulet, as before, allowed itself to flare up and nearly scorched the psionic's skin. Ernalltsev almost screamed from a sudden painful attack.
    “It’s always good when there’s a lot of me,” this eerie and terrible mechanical grinding was suddenly heard again.
    The noise came from Yuri's back. He quickly turned back. Imagine his amazement when he found in front of him an exact copy of the killed fur. It was the same modernized android, entirely composed of metals. His face was a unique element. They perfectly copied human facial expressions.
    The robot allowed itself an ominous smile.
    - Much more efficient way. Division into several separate copies, - his words, which he had already uttered, clearly sounded, - This is my power. My absolute strength. My undeniable superiority and greatness.
    - Where is Iilfan? - Yuri shouted at the top of his voice, aiming his weapon at the enemy, - Where are my friends? Nikolai? Bartholomew? Hercules? What have you done to them, creatures?
    The monster's smile was still on its face. He clearly imitated a completely human malevolence.
    - The right question, - rasped Tulotron, - What did we do with them…. What they deserve. What all of you pathetic organic useless creatures deserve. Your very existence is the fault of the Gods.
    - But our souls are immortal, - retorted Ernalltsev, - But everything is very sad with you, buddy. You're just an ordinary portugaling program that will soon be chopped off. And I am very sure of that!
    - In vain, - the leader of the robots grinned at this, - Ha-ha! It is impossible to remove me without a special tool. A remedy beyond the reach of mortals. Only my creator is capable of this. But he won't do it. The probability of my erasure is zero percent. I will live forever. And I will never die. I will exist for infinity of time. I could mention billions, trillions, or quadralillions of years. But I do not see any sense in this, since such reasoning is absolutely absurd. The probability of my staying in this universe before the onset of the 1st infinity stage, I estimate at exactly 100 percent.
    - So you are even more stupid than it seemed to me, - answered the psionic, - I am sure that when you become unnecessary, your master will simply erase you. You are just a tool. And there is nothing alive in you. No and never will.
    - Okay, stop talking. I estimate the usefulness of our communication at exactly 2 percent.
    - I agree. Let's move on to the final stage of our conversation.
    - Great idea. I estimate its effectiveness at exactly 99 and 9 tenths of a percent.
    Yuri fired, realizing that only this style of communication is possible with such a creature. The beam of light, as before, flew out of the muzzle of the weapon and went straight to the android's head. But this time the familiar trick didn't work. The robot immediately put its right hand in front of it and annihilated the projectile with a powerful flash.
    Ernalltsev fired again, but the burst of energy, as before, did not reach its target. A mysterious flash did not allow hitting the enemy at all. Any beam weapon was simply useless.
    The robot once again looked at the Hyperborean and once again smiled ominously.
    - I estimate the efficiency of my energy shields at exactly 100 percent, - there was a rattle from Tulotron's mouth, - You can shoot at me even for ages.
    “How did you get me with your interest,” the adept hissed menacingly.
    In great anger, Yuri threw the useless rifle away from him. He glanced briefly to the right and found the body of one of the local soldiers lying there. Not so long ago, cyborgs brutally dealt with him. But the dead man still had EMP grenades, which could theoretically work against Tulotron and deprive him of his protection.
    Ernalltsev quickly rushed to the corpse, trying to be next to him as soon as possible. However, the robot got ahead of him. Yuri did not even have time to understand what really happened, as the monster grabbed him by the throat and threw him up sharply. The psionic hit the stone ceiling with all his might and immediately fell to the floor. The blow was so strong that myriads of sparks appeared before his eyes. It seemed to Yuri that he was about to lose consciousness. Only skill and preparedness prevented him from sinking into oblivion.
    - The situation has changed, - a mechanical creak was heard somewhere, - Now I estimate the probability of your survival at 3 point and 3 tenths of a percent.
    A new blow fell on Yuri. A metal fist immediately broke his right cheekbone. Ernalltsev could not even think about pain. The images before his eyes were clouded with haze.
    The robot did not hesitate and decided to deal with the Hyperborean to the end. He was not going to give him any head start. His programs did not allow pity to gain the upper hand. In Tulotron, there was no pity, no mercy, no compassion at all. Its mysterious and evil creator did not put any human feelings into it, except for rage, gloating and vanity. All Tulotron knew how to do was to take over entire planets and kill organic creatures, which he always considered to be primitive forms.
    In less than a second, the android grabbed the dying psionic and lifted his body high above his head. He also examined Ernal'tsev in detail and was amazed at the futility of his existence. All organic life was always considered primitive and shameful for him. It would seem, what could be worse than being in the guise of some kind of walking bag of bones and blood ?! A bag that can literally rip with a couple of cuts.
    “Disgusting,” Tulotron growled in disgust.
    After that, he was filled with a dazzling bright glow and in the blink of an eye left the room. Within a few seconds, he was together with his captive on the top of one of the Zabergan skyscrapers. The height of the building was impressive, not less than 200 meters. The robot stood at the very edge of the deep abyss. He stood and held the unfortunate Yuri in his metal hands.
    - I wonder what your body will turn into when you fall down from here, - the mechanoid rasped with the same gloating joy, - Into something shapeless.

    ---

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

    https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?...r:BagaturSasha
    My Wiki page
    --

  4. #64
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    --
    Everyone knows that every commander should know when victory is real and when it is simply impossible. In the case of Zabergan, everything was clear. Yuri clearly understood that he would not be able to win this battle. In any case, until some reinforcements come from the central part of Hyperborea and inflict tangible damage on the enemy. Apparently, Tulotron still managed to enslave the planet and knock it out of the mighty empire. Given the fact that the leader of the robots could create a great many copies, it is possible that they appeared in many Hyperborean systems. Tulotron was far from being the only entity, but an aggregate intelligence capable of controlling entire star systems.
    Now the mechanoid stood at the very top of the skyscraper at the very edge of the ledge. Ernalltsev was still in his hands. His body was hanging over a terrible abyss, which seemed terrible even for those who are not afraid of heights. And Yuri did not like heights too much, even in spite of his preparedness. The psionic tried with all his might not to look down. He felt intense pain throughout his body, but he tried to concentrate. He must do something so as not to collapse from the skyscraper and not to please the sinister android. The psionic forces had already left him, just like the physical ones. But only the energy of the spirit remained, the same indomitable energy that usually comes to the rescue at the very last moment.
    - Zabergan fell, - there was a metallic creak of Tulotron, - You can look at it in the end. And marvel at the power of the Machine World.
    The robot quickly turned Yuri towards the abyss. He held Ernal'tsev tightly, and he could not accidentally slip off. Before releasing his grip and letting the doomed go down, Tulotron decided to have some fun.
    The seen spectacle did not frighten the adept any more. For all today, he managed to see what he had not seen all his life. And therefore, the picture that opened did not discourage him in any way. He guessed that everything had happened exactly like this.
    Before his gaze appeared the gloomy ruins of Zaberganum, the once great Hyperborean city. The machines deployed here in full. They still managed to turn the planet into their fiefdom. Thousands and thousands of magnificent buildings were destroyed. Until now, dense smoke streams emanated from them in some places. All surface resistance has been eliminated. The people and their allies could no longer hold back the offensive. Cars filled almost the entire city.
    - You think it's only here? - exclaimed the lord of robots, squeezing Ernal'tsev's neck even more, - This is everywhere. And soon the whole galaxy will look like Zabergan Prime. You can forever forget about the greatness and power of Hyperborea. I estimate the probability of complete destruction of your civilization at 99 and 8 tenths of a percent.
    The air above the city was full of drones and giant carrier ships shaped like giant May beetles. Yuri knew for sure that they did not belong to Zabergan's army. All these huge and monstrous structures were part of a titanic machine army that came here for only one purpose - to kill.
    “It’s lucky that my father doesn’t see this,” a fleeting thought flashed somewhere in the mind of the adept.
    It has been said more than once that before death, a person contemplates his entire past life, even its smallest detail. She sweeps in front of him from birth to the very end. He sees every element, even the one that he previously thought was lost. At that moment, Yuri clearly saw in front of him his entire life path.
    He remembered who he was before his initiation into the Empire's psi-adepts. An ordinary person who does not take root anywhere and is always looking for an income for himself. Before discovering his special abilities, Yuri had no idea that a different life was possible, a life without poverty and despair. He did practically nothing except looking for a decent job. He was forced to endure the oppression of low-paid couriers and deceptions of directors. He worked wherever he could, trying to find food for himself and his adoptive parents.
    Only once did fate give him a chance to join the high society of Hyperborea, and then his life became much better. Ernalltsev got a decent job, thanks to open psi-opportunities, and forever ceased to depend on money.
    - It would be better if you remained a simple deliveryman, - again heard the ominous grinding of Tulotron, reveling in the suffering of his doomed victim, - Perhaps you would be alive.
    - Not for you…. To judge ... my life, a piece of iron, ”Yuri croaked barely audibly, continuing to dangle in the hands of the monster.
    - I know everything about you, - the robot continued his speeches, - I know about your former life. About your real one. You were a simple courier, a delivery man. And when you discovered your psi abilities, you thought that life had changed. And now, you finally understand that your strength is your curse. This is what brings you here.
    - You know nothing…. You…. Just the machine…..
    - I rule over machines. I am perfection. I am the absolute. And now I rule over your life. I am free to take it away and I am free to give it. That I should just let you go .... And you will crash on the pavement in a matter of seconds. As far as I know, the probability of your survival upon contact with the surface is zero.
    - So let go ... what are you waiting for?
    But Tulotron did not want to let him go. He had completely different plans for Yuri. In the blink of an eye, the robot flashed like a distant bright star. Ernalltsev did not even feel the heat. Inwardly, he knew that this was not fire at all, but a flash of teleportation. And this meant only one thing - the monster moved him to another location.
    Moving to another skyscraper, the robot threw Yuri away from him as if it were an unnecessary toy. The psionic's body rolled across the marble floor and slammed into the desk with all its might. Yuri had not thought about pain for a long time.
    "At least we're on the wrong portugaling roof," the adept said in his mind.
    He is fully convinced that he is in the room. There were no ledges leading to the abyss. From here it was impossible to fall down, turning into minced meat.
    Yuri did not know exactly where he was transferred, but the room very much resembled some kind of conference room. There were wooden tables and chairs everywhere. There were strange, nondescript pictures on the walls. The giant chandelier in the center of the ceiling has long been out of service. All existing bulbs were broken.
    The psionic tried to get up, but then realized that he could not do it. The bones were broken in many places. Considering that he was a human, and not a farrukh, the body could take a much longer time to restore the overall recovery.
    - Yuri, - a voice familiar to the adept was suddenly heard.
    He recognized him immediately. This voice belonged to Iilfan. At first, the psionic was even delighted. But after a moment, I clearly understood that his fighting girlfriend was not here. He clearly remembered how one of Tulotron's henchmen had dragged her away into the unknown. The monster grabbed her with both hands and teleported her away. Apparently, he had the same device as his evil lord.
    “Yuri,” said the same voice again.
    Iilfan's face appeared before him in all its glory. As before, Yuri was incredibly fascinated by him. Such regular facial features of the Farrukh maiden seemed to him the most beautiful in the universe. Despite the battles that had passed, she did not look shabby. On the contrary, the warrior literally glowed with the pulsating energy in her.
    - Yuri, I'm here, - said the agent, bending over the psionicist, - I hardly got out of the hands of this kaiju. But I'm glad I found you.
    - How I would like it ... .. - Ernalltsev responded to this.
    Iilfan gently stroked the adept's hair and smiled at him with the most beautiful of smiles.
    - What would you like? - I heard her playful voice, - Tell me. Just tell me.
    Yuri, who was lying on the floor, had already managed to grope for some unknown heavy object. The adept's right hand clutched at him imperceptibly. As it turned out, it was a rather elegant decorative figurine, usually serving as an ornament for the private offices of local leaders. Her blow would be more than enough to inflict serious damage on any android. With a psionic gaze, the Ernalians noted that it was made of the strongest black stone mined on the southern side of Zabergan. As the sculptors used to say, this material was one of the strongest not only in the star system, but in the entire sector.
    - So what would you like? - Iilfan asked again, - Tell me, about Yuri.
    - How I would like you to really be near - came the mournful answer of Ernal'tsev, - But you are not here.
    He put the last remnants of his strength into that dark little figurine. Yuri knew that there would be only one blow, and he could not miss. He aimed directly at the temple, where, in theory, there could be access to the control center. The resulting damage could somehow disorient the enemy, and possibly disable him.
    “But I'm here,” the warrior said with mock amazement, “Here I am…. I'm here, Yuri! Do not you see? I am alive!
    For a moment, the pupils of the foreign woman were colored with scarlet flowers.
    - I love you. I wanted to say this for a long time. As you do me. Truth? You love me too, don't you? I saw the way you look at me. You think I haven't noticed anything?
    “Nice trick, Tulotron,” the adept hissed angrily, “But you're terribly predictable.
    It literally took a second to drive the statuette right into the monster's head.
    ----

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

    https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?...r:BagaturSasha
    My Wiki page
    --

  5. #65
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    ---
    The creation recoiled sharply from Yuri. The blow fell on the temple area. The figurine literally stuck into the head of the monster. Now it was no longer Iilphan. There was no trace of her face. An ominous mechanical figure with a fractured and sparkling skull appeared before the eyes of the psionics.
    Tulotron took significant damage. Ernal'tsev's suddenness almost ended the existence of his next copy. The monster squirmed, sparkled, and burst into blindingly bright lightning. An eerie grinding sound was heard from its speakers, imitating a battle cry. With excessive efforts, the robot pulled the figurine of the local goddess from the skull, and, as if angrily, threw it on the floor.
    The control centers were still hit by the blow. Each movement of the monster resembled a street alcoholic who had already poured himself a sufficient amount of mead. The monster could not even straighten up to its full height. Sparks and lightning constantly engulfed his head and neck. Each time they only became brighter.
    - Violation ... .. Corrections ... ... - there was a disgusting rattle from the Tulotron speakers, - Corrections ... .. The need for ... .. Recovery ... ...
    The damage was clearly much more terrible than Yuri had expected.
    - I told you that you are just a stupid machine, - Ernalltsev said with a smile, looking at the "torment" of his iron enemy, - Stupid and worthless.
    - Corrections ... .. - the robot tried to answer.
    It seems that he could no longer speak normally. Each phrase that flew out only spoke of the severity of the damage inflicted.
    - Malfunction… .. - again there was a mechanical grinding, - Malfunction…. Main controller ...
    - Yes, of course, a malfunction, - retorted the adept, - You can't even speak plainly, a bucket of nuts!
    The statuette, just as opportune, turned out to be again not far from Yuri. The psionic was quick to take advantage of this. Such chances, given by fate, could not be missed.
    - The malfunction is critical ... .. - meanwhile, indiscriminate wheezing was heard, - Malfunction ... ..
    - Catch the present, you bastard!
    Yuri quickly grabbed the statuette with his right hand. His strength was still running out due to severe wounds. The bones were broken in many places and were in great pain. However, he managed to toss the figurine back towards the robot. In less than a second, she reached her assigned goal. The figurine of the goddess struck exactly at the huge hole in the metal skull of the monster. It was a double win.
    A new blow finally to the disrepair of the construction of the fur. The glowing optical devices went off immediately. The damage level has reached its most critical point. Tulotron collapsed on his back, as if knocked down, and then did not move any more. The sparks still covered his head and neck for some time, but after a while they also died down. The design no longer showed signs of life. Another copy of the superintelligence was defeated.
    - Yeah ... .. - Yuri said with satisfaction, watching the destruction of the mechanism, - I hope, at least that's all.
    True, the tests did not end there. Now Ernal'tsev had a much more important mission. It was simply to get out of here. With broken bones, this will be overwhelming. It is also worth considering the fact of the capture of the city by troops of machines. That is, Yuri literally will have to rely on only one Creator.
    Everything was further complicated by the fact that the mysterious amulet was becoming heavy and light all the time. He inflicted incredible pain on Yuri's already injured body. Ernalltsev again felt an irresistible desire to remove the amulet from himself. For a second, he thought it would ease the pain a little. But then he quickly brushed aside those thoughts. They were not of the Light. He clearly remembered what Iilphan had said.
    Taking off the amulet now felt like death.
    - Yours ... .. - Ernalltsev muttered with irritation, clearly understanding in what situation he found himself, - But it all started with a simple rebellion of the military! But no ... It is absolutely necessary ... ..
    But here Yuri's thoughts were interrupted by a strange sound. Somewhere in the distance, perhaps outside the building, there was such a terrible crash that the resonant wave reached the skyscraper. The walls around the psionic shook. Several books and souvenir vases fell from the bookcases, of which there were many in the room.
    The crash was repeated. The walls began to shake and crack again. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling nearly collapsed. Now Ernal'tsev thought that the enemy had used some kind of seismic weapon. The earthquake was clearly serious. The adept's body even jumped slightly from the jolts. This made his bones ache even more.
    - Yes, so you ... - the warrior blurted out angrily.
    He was already mentally preparing for new troubles. He was especially afraid of the destruction of the skyscraper. Under the rubble of stones, the psionic will definitely not survive. In this case, he will not be helped by any special abilities, or even more so by an amulet.
    The jolt occurred again, and this time it almost threw Yuri into the air. It seemed to him that a little more, and he would simply break his unfortunate bones. Several more vases and jugs fell from the cabinets.
    At the same moment, the wall to the left of the warrior broke. A giant mechanical tentacle flew out from behind a huge opening. In just a couple of seconds, she grabbed the doomed's body and squeezed with all her might. Yuri did not even have time to blink an eye, as he was already flying all over the conference room, and then found himself completely outside the skyscraper.
    Having flown out into the street, Ernalltsev looked around. The tentacles still held him. Everything around was already engulfed in flames. Almost the entire city lay in ruins. The psionicist caught a glimpse of hundreds of destroyed buildings, many of which had stood here for centuries. In a split second, he was able to fully assess the danger of the situation. The machines did not appreciate any works of art. They mercilessly destroyed all human buildings on Zabergan. Even the most magnificent and historic buildings were destroyed.
    The tentacles dragged Yuri through the air for several hundred meters, and then sharply soared upward. Imagine the astonishment of the adept when he saw what exactly held him. A moment later, a huge twenty-meter fist smashed to smithereens the skyscraper in which the battle with Tulotron had taken place earlier. The top of the building instantly turned into a heap of stones. Huge boulders were scattered throughout the city.
    “Given the situation, the likelihood of your continued survival has changed,” there was a loud crash throughout Zaberganum, “Now it is no more than zero point five percent.
    An ominous giant towered over Yuri. Ernalltsev almost lost his breath when he saw his size. The total length of this monstrous mechanism was almost five hundred meters. The monster's head was almost level with the clouds as black as night.
    In all its appearance, the super-robot resembled a demonic centaur, which had both human elements and the features of an arthropod. The monster's head was completely human, albeit made of unknown materials. She possessed eight scarlet eyepieces, which continued to flare up. There were so many tentacles extending from the side of the shoulders that they could easily destroy skyscrapers. In addition, huge arms were added, replete with various thorns. The lower part of the massive structure had eight titanic legs. Some of these feet literally dug into the ruins of city buildings.
    - Yes, you, damn it, are kidding ... .. - Ernalltsev croaked with great horror.
    Kilometer-long tentacles brought him even closer to the titanium mechanism. Her grip was strong enough not to accidentally drop the psionic's body.
    “I estimate the likelihood of your psychological shock at 93 percent,” the same deafening roar was heard, “Therefore, the chances of your survival are negligible. Yes, it's me again. I guess you're amazed at my new form.
    Yuri did not answer, and if he had said at least something, it is unlikely that his words would have reached the robot. Now he couldn't even think about anything. His position was critical. Added a tight grip on the cursed tentacle. There was nothing left until new bone fractures.
    - I can create any bodies for myself, - Tulotron continued his speech, - My sizes have no limits. I can turn into a planetary satellite. Or into a titanium ship. I can destroy an entire world with one shot. You did not understand anything. You are only human. I am stronger than you! I am more powerful than you and your primitive race! I am the Absolute! I am Perfection! I am Evolution!
    At the last words, his rumble became so deafening that Yuri's eardrums almost burst. Resonant waves emanating from the speakers shattered thousands of windows in nearby houses that were still intact.
    The grip grew stronger. The enemy tentacles did not freeze in place. She continued to carry it across the city sky. This made Yuri three times more painful. Internally, he understood that if he somehow managed to survive, he would not quickly recover. Elfurr's help may be needed to heal him.
    - And now I want to say goodbye, - as if with a grin roared a giant centaur, - Happy sailing, Yuri Ernal'tsev. I hope, you like it.
    "What does he mean?" - quickly flashed through the head of the psionic, "What the portugal is swimming?".
    And then it dawned on him. Ocean, Zabergan ocean. The great city of Zaberganum almost completely covered the mainland, but it certainly did not go into the water. Not far from where the Beorning Towers were located was the Eastern Strait. From it, through half of the city, there was a small river Begunya, through which many bridges were laid. Local authorities carefully monitored so that no bat sharks swam into the Strait and the city river. But sometimes tragedies did happen.
    Yuri clearly understood what the titanium was going to do. He intended to throw him far, far away. The main danger was not sharks at all, but contact with water. Apparently, the robot lifted Ernal'tsev a good hundred meters up. In the event of a fall into the water, the psionic simply will not survive. His body will turn into minced meat.
    - Gods ... .. - just escaped from the lips of the doomed psi-adept.
    The tentacles began to rapidly spin the unfortunate victim. Yuri understood well enough that he would not be able to free himself. His psionic powers were dwindling. There was only a small chance that he would still be able to slow down the fall of the body. Most likely, he still will not have time for anything.
    Before Yuri had time to think over his entire further plan, the tentacles released him. For a moment, the adept felt like a real migratory bird. He was in the air and without any belay. In addition, he flew at such a speed that everything around him began to revolve.
    “At least fly before dying,” a strange thought flashed through Yuri's head.
    The warrior did not like heights and avoided it in every possible way. But sometimes, in distant childhood, there were times when he slept and felt like a real eagle conquering the boundless universe of dreams. Then for some reason he did not feel fear. I felt only free flight. And now these dreams from the distant past have completely come true.
    There was nothing to be afraid of. Death is inevitable anyway. Not even a minute had passed when Yuri had already approached the Strait at a considerable distance. There were only moments left before the savory hit on the water. This blow will be fatal. He will undoubtedly lead him to immediate death. Before Ernal'tsev his short life, but full of impressions, flashed again.
    He again saw himself as a little boy playing with foster parents. Again he watched his growing up, went to school, where he hopelessly fell in love with many girls. Then a difficult youth appeared to his eyes. An almost endless search for work began. The ruin of his family almost pushed him to crime. Out of lack of money, he agreed to any job, and now he found himself a delivery service. Yuri again saw his director, the always noisy merchant from Artandir and constantly threatening to be fired. Then the mysterious incident with the bus, when the young Ernalltsev saved people with only the power of thought. And then his movement towards glory began. He became one of the finest psi adepts in the galaxy, the true elite of the Hyperborean Empire.
    Soon it was the turn of his operation on Zabergan. He saw his old comrades, admired the face of the beautiful Iilfan, fought among the Towers of Beorning with thousands of enemies. In the depths of his soul, Yuri realized that whatever one may say, his life was extremely interesting. He might not have acquired any psi-abilities, and then he would forever remain a simple courier, running errands for an evil boss. Such a life would lead him into the deepest depression. But still Ernal'tsev managed to "stay at the helm." For all his past years in the special forces, he saved almost countless numbers of people. So many people and otherworldly people across the galaxy thanked him for his help. Some even considered him to be God's messenger.
    A slight smile appeared on Yuri's lips. Yes, today he lost and suffered a crushing crash. But overall, his life was successful. At least he did something. He left at least some contribution to the development of this cruel and merciless universe. Having acquired miraculous psi-abilities, he dedicated his destiny to saving others. It was for this that he was appreciated by almost all the military leaders of Hyperborea. He was admired even by the harsh generals from the state of Azis the Impeccable, where executions were commonplace.
    The water was getting closer and closer. Ernalltsev dropped all fears. They were already useless. There was no need to be afraid of anything. All that was left was to simply accept the situation. He did the best he could. At least he didn’t give up and didn’t back down.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

    https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?...r:BagaturSasha
    My Wiki page
    --

  6. #66
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    Planet Geos.
    The great city of Eridu, the center of the Hyperborean Empire in the solar system.

    - Oh, that's how? - Little Waldberg shouted cheerfully, waving his plastic sword, - And I’ll give you this!
    His schoolmate Singer was very fond of funny fights. This black-haired youth fought like a real warrior. He stabbed Waldberg in the stomach with a nimble blow. The boy dropped the toy sword and fell to the sand.
    Singer quickly ran to his comrade and pointed a plastic blade at his throat.
    - Surrender, you damned barbarian! - Imposing, the boy exclaimed, - Or my sword will deprive you of your head!
    - Well well! Guys, that's enough! - Suddenly the voice of Madame Ithilda was heard, - For two hours now you have been doing this nonsense!
    A dark-haired mature woman in typical city dress watched them from a bench. She had already finished reading the daily newspaper. Her eyes were rather stern now.
    The guys instantly stopped the battle. Waldberg quickly ran to his mother, while the young prankster Singer remained standing in the sand with a toy sword. ...
    “Give me the sword, let's go home,” Ithilda said. “It's already six in the evening.
    - Mom, well, you can have another five minutes, - Waldberg said in a pleading voice, - Well, please ...
    “No, no,” the woman said sternly. “It's time to go to dinner.
    - Okay .... - the boy muttered displeasedly, - It's always like this ... Is that the case when Uncle Yuri arrives. We always fight for hours with him.
    - This is how Uncle Yuri will return to us, then you can fight with him for at least a day, - said Ithilda, - And now it's time to have supper.
    The woman shook off the dirt from her son. After making sure he was clean, she took the toy weapon from him and put it in her bag. Then Ithilda jumped up from the bench and dusted herself off as well.
    - Bye, Singer! - Shouted to Comrade Waldberg, waving his hand. - It's time for me to have supper!
    - Bye, barbarian, - the boy muttered with a grin, and remained standing in the same place.
    Ithilda heard from the lips of her son a rather familiar name for her. Her brother Yuri, step-by-side, but still close, has not appeared at home for many months. She knew that after the courier the Ernallets became a professional soldier, but where exactly he served and had no idea. He was constantly absent for a long time. Ithilda always wanted to see her brother and was glad to him, but for some reason Yuri was always attracted by military service in the special forces. The woman tried for so many years to figure out the relative's true profession, but she always failed. For her family, he always remained the commander of some unknown special group in unknown regions of the galaxy.
    - Mum! Mum! - the frightened voice of Waldberg was immediately heard.
    The boy squeezed his mother's hand with frantic force. His entire body trembled with fear.
    - What is it, son? Ithilda asked excitedly. "What happened?"
    - Look up! - Pointing a finger to the sky, said the boy.
    Ithilda immediately lifted her head up and what she saw almost deprived her of her mind. A bright, flaming ball appeared high in the sky. For a second, it turned into a large star, illuminating the city sky with its dazzling rays. And then this mysterious and unknown phenomenon disappeared. The ball simply disappeared into the sky, as if it had never existed. It was all like the explosion of a small sun.
    - What is it ... - Ithilda said in bewilderment, staring at the sky, - What is it .......
    - Maybe these are our spaceships? - suggested the boy, looking up with the same amazement, - I don’t even know…. Similar to…. Explosion.
    - An explosion, exactly, - the woman answered, never moving away from what she saw, - Alas, I do not know what it is. But I don't like all this.
    Suddenly sirens sounded throughout the city. Eerie and repetitive sounds nearly made Ithilda deaf. It all happened too suddenly. The children next to their mother turned pale. Real animal fear quickly appeared on their faces. For the first time in their lives they encountered such a thing.
    Usually these sirens were turned on only in the event of an attack on a city or even on a planet. But who could encroach on the very capital of the Hyperborean Empire? The path to the great capital has always been closed by multiple military bases set up on the Moon and nearby planets.
    - It looks like we were attacked .... - Ithilda said quietly, barely moving her lips, - Gods .... But who? Who could have dared to do this?
    A loud rumble was added to the sirens. It was heard literally throughout Eridu, stunning everyone who was on the street. The local defense forces tried to convey the whole truth to the residents. They had nothing to hide.
    - Attention! To all residents of the capital of the Empire! Return to their homes immediately! This is the Imperial Viceroy-Justicar Darius Hornfirth speaking! The planet is being attacked by unknown creatures! Martial law was declared on Geos by the decree of His Majesty! This applies to every city, including the capital sector! I repeat! All residents of the capital will immediately return to their homes!
    - Mum…. what is martial law? - came the trembling voice of Waldberg.
    The frightened boy squeezed his mother's hand with frantic force. But she almost did not pay attention to it. She continued to stand still and stare at the heavens.
    ---

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

    https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?...r:BagaturSasha
    My Wiki page
    --

  7. #67
    BagaturSasha's Avatar Invictus
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    ---

    Three days later.
    The stellar sector is not identified.
    The name of the object is unknown.

    Shine…. Shining and nothing else. All that Yuri saw in front of him was only this mysterious radiance that blinded his eyes. He's probably already dead. No, not even likely, but for sure. Contact with water would not leave even a living piece of his body. From such and such a height, any fall into the water was fatal. But for some reason, Yuri did not feel dead. On the contrary, he felt a mysterious lightness. He looked ahead and saw only shimmering spheres. With amazement Ernalltsev discovered that it even becomes pleasant for him to observe them. Previously, they blinded his eyes, but now everything was completely different.
    Then there was a sharp jump. A jump that was similar to the one that comes just before bed. Usually, a person who falls asleep often feels a mysterious jolt, as if his soul simply takes it and for a moment flies out of the body. Something similar happened to Yuri, only at an increased pace. The leap was so powerful that it seemed to the psionics as if it was being thrown into another universe. The glow began to fade gradually. Mysterious spheres quickly disappeared, gradually turning into absolute nothing. A completely different picture was already beginning to emerge before my eyes.
    Ernalltsev took a deep breath. As soon as the alien glow completely disappeared, he immediately ... jumped up and got to his feet. The adept found he could stand. He stands on his feet, as if he were alive. As if death hadn't taken him with it and deprived him of his physical body. However, it was so. Yuri felt extremely strange and unnatural. His head suddenly became very dizzy, and his body trembled as if the warrior had ended up on an ice planet with an extremely low temperature. As soon as he realized that he was still alive, he decided to look around and assess the situation.
    Now he was in a fairly spacious room, clearly representing some kind of control center. Moreover, everything was created on the basis of unprecedented technologies. The walls were almost liquid, as if they were made of water. Yuri observed such a phenomenon for the first time in his life. There were so many computers around that the flickering from their monitors almost blinded the adept. It was far from the pleasant flicker that he had seen before awakening. It is quite possible that the adept never died for an unknown reason, but on the contrary, managed to survive, and even got on a foreign spaceship. Something powerful and strong threw the warrior into this strange place. Having looked around completely, Yuri clearly understood that he was not alone in this mysterious room. Someone else was at a distance from him. And from this mysterious essence strongly carried the aura of death. This energy spread everywhere here, penetrating into every corner of the room. The cold again washed over Ernal'tsev's body.
    The psionicist drew attention to another pile of monitors located in the far corner of the hall. There were quite a few seats next to the screens intended for operators. On one of them sat someone who very much resembled a person. This creature was sitting on its seat and bent over the keyboard. It was dressed in a typical dark-colored military overcoat. The person's attire was too human. Typically, such uniforms were worn by senior officers of the Immaculate Empire.
    Without thinking twice, Yuri followed forward towards this mysterious person. No sooner had he got close to the person sitting at the computer, when she herself turned to face him. The strange man turned his chair in the opposite direction and met Ernalle's gaze. Seeing this person, the warrior could not believe his eyes. In front of him was a man whom he had already recognized. The warrior remembered vividly seeing him on TV screens and then on a holo-projector image during a briefing with the Grand Marshal.
    - Zsolt? - Yuri asked, not believing his eyes, - But you ... Mr. Krazhinsky .... But how ... .. How? It's impossible! You are alive? You still managed to survive the attack by the machines. But what happened to me? I should be dead already!
    The Zabergan governor looked at Ernal'tsev with a mournful and devastated look. His face clearly reflected great sadness. The eyes of the deposed ruler were already wet with sorrowful tears. His lips twitched slightly, and his hands shook nervously, indicating extreme stress.
    - Yes, I am alive, - Krazhinsky answered, whose gaze rested on the warrior's face, - Alive. The one who ruled Zabergan was a clone. I have always remained in the shadows. This is not difficult. It's not difficult at all, Mr. Ernalltsev. Emperor Azis has similar methods. Funny, isn't it? You come to him for an appointment, and there is his exact copy. Talking to you, demanding respect. And you stand and laugh, what's what. That before you is not a real Azis, but a clone. Where is the real one? Lies with the next whores in the palace of pleasure and pushes their ... nature to them. A good way to always keep up with everything! And so it is always and everywhere. Clones, androids and other stuff. Tulotron just wanted to play on this. But could not! There weren't enough strengths!
    Zsolt grinned for a second, but then his appearance faded again. The eyes, on the other hand, almost turned into narrow slits. The tears from them still did not want to go away.
    But it was not the presence of the living Krazhinsky that struck Yuri now. He was extremely amazed at the knowledge that a simple Hyperborean governor possessed. As far as Ernalltsev knew, this man was a mere mortal. He came from an ignorant clan of Hyperborea, but managed to break through to power in Zabergan and prove that he was capable of more. It was with his hands that great transformations were made. On his signal, the necessary reforms were carried out. Every person in the system was given a decent and paid job. He was respected by many representatives of the working people. But he could not in any way know such great secrets, especially about the secrets of Azis or the same Tulotron. There was clearly something else lurking here. Perhaps this person was much more dangerous than many believed.
    - How do you know this? - followed by a sharp question Yuri, - Where from? You ... You are a simple person. And generally speaking…. How did I survive? Why am I here?
    - Everything has its time, my friend, - the answer was heard, - You are alive. And this is the main point. You are not dead. I put you on your feet, thanks to some healing .... But I'll tell you the details later.
    - Well, then how did you survive? - Ernal'tsev exclaimed to this. - Let's at least start with this!
    Krazhinsky darkened even more, trying hard to hold back his tears. But one of them still ran out of Zsolt's dark eyes and quickly descended down his cheek. The governor could hardly control himself. A great grief had seized his soul long ago, and the psionic felt it perfectly. An aura of death and sorrow pulsed in the air. She took possession of Krazhinsky a long time ago.
    - I said that it was a clone, - said the former ruler of Zabergan, - That Krazhinsky also felt like me. I used it as a double. He often gave speeches to the people ... He told a lot of things. He fought the rebels of the Five Colonies. Performed revenge, performed feats. We can say that he did all the necessary reforms. He did a lot. Changed the planet. But he's just a clone.
    - Why do you need clones, Zsolt? - the warrior growled menacingly, having finally recovered from his awakening. - Why do you need all this? Wait ... ...
    Suddenly, a very dangerous and even nasty idea occurred to Yuri. For a moment he thought whether it was worth telling it at all or leaving it to himself, but then he clearly understood that he had to. He must find out everything, finally get rid of these damn secrets.
    - Wait…. And you…. Did you know everything? Maybe you started the war?
    Krazhinsky suddenly allowed himself to smile, although his eyes were still sad. He smiled extremely viciously, and a fierce hatred emanated from him. And this hatred was so monstrous that Yuri was amazed at its scale. Now he clearly saw every corner of this man's soul. He was imbued with incredible rage and grief, but rage exceeded all his senses. It far exceeded sorrow and suffering.
    - I had to, Yuri, - said Krazhinsky in an ominous voice, crossing his arms over his chest, - My real name is Zoran. I serve the Flawless Empire and my brother Azis the Flawless. I have always served faithfully.
    - Z-zoran? - Ernalltsev babbled with great amazement, - But Zoran ... this is the governor of the Zakromakh system .... He…. As far as I know, he was there shortly before the operation…. He…. He couldn't ... .. He couldn't! The intelligence of Hyperborea knew everything about him.
    - Your intelligence is nothing! - Zsolt retorted, - That Zoran, who ruled Zakromakh, was also a clone. The same as Krazhinsky on Zabergan. Krazhinsky really had to be altered a little so that he did not look too much like the real me.
    After these words, the governor's face changed. For a moment it seemed to float. A strange ripple swept over him, and after that the face of the proclaimer took on completely different outlines. This was a completely different person, who stood out with bright red eyes. A small black antennae protruded under the nose. The hair on my head was just as dark.
    “All of my clones had unique personalities,” Zoran continued. “They didn't know they were just genetically bred duplicates. I removed this information from their program.
    Yuri stood still in a daze. All this shocked him so much that he did not know what exactly he had to say and did not even know what to do at all. Ernalltsev would not have thought in a dream that everything could turn out that way.
    - You asked if I started the war? - the speech of the red-eyed one was again heard, - I had to. Do you think this idea was easy for me? But at first it was the plan of Marfur-Nirari. His own plan! They have always perceived us all as slaves. You already know about demons, right? Iilfan should have warned. So you probably know.
    - Iilfan! - Yuri immediately remembered, - Where is Iilfan?
    ---

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

    https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?...r:BagaturSasha
    My Wiki page
    --

  8. #68
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    He remembered well how one of Tulotron's henchmen teleported her into the unknown. Then they all fell into a monstrous trap, which soon slammed shut. Where his potential beloved Farrukh was now, Yuri did not know.
    “Calm down, all your friends on the ship,” came Zoran's reply. “I connected them to the Nexus. The Nexus is the name of this ship. A planetoid ship created millions of years ago by Jarisai Marfur-Nirari.
    "What do you mean, hooked them up to the Nexus?" Where are they?
    - They are safe. I connected them to the systems of the ship. So far, they are undergoing recovery. You will see them soon.
    But Yuri was not at all reassured. He knew perfectly well that he had to listen to Zoran. However, at the same time, he was impatient to see Iilfan and Hercules again. In addition, two Muscovites could be with them, such as Captain Krasic and his loyal friend, the sergeant.
    - Okay, talk! - the psionic growled menacingly, - And speak on business!
    - So listen. Not all of us choose our parents, - Zoran said to this, - Azis and I did not turn out quite the way we planned. Our father Tikulti-Ninurta was a great lover of women. Once on one of the distant planets under the name Acheron-Prime, he found himself a strange mistress. The witch. She looked like an elfurr to him. The most beautiful. Sultry. With long dark hair. As he himself wrote in his diaries, there was no one sweeter than her in this universe. But he had no idea who it really was.
    - And what's next? - Ernalltsev did not calm down, - What? And here is your portugaling father!
    - And despite the fact that he was your father, Yuri, - the red-eyed exclaimed even louder.
    Yuri recoiled from the governor in horror. Now he clearly remembered that very difficult conversation. This conversation was one of the scariest and harshest of his life. The adoptive parents confessed to him that he was a step-parent. They told him the truth. As it turned out, they found him a lonely one-year-old baby, lying in the park unattended. How exactly Yuri got there was unknown. Ernal'tsev's adoptive father always scolded the Hyperborean police. He could not understand at all how the valiant law enforcement officers did not notice the child in the park. After all, they made rounds there almost every couple of hours.
    - We are brothers, Yuri Son-Laran, - said Zoran with strange malice, - Son-Laran. That is what Tikulti-Ninurta called you. “And the brave king of Nargon met a beautiful maiden, but she was so beautiful that he could not take his eyes off her. She struck him with her magic and struck him in the very heart. Then the king decided to seize it immediately. He cast down his seed and filled her bosom with it. And then in an instant three mighty warriors were born. Three brothers of half blood. This was the plan of Marfur-Nirari. But Tikult-Ninurta did not know that it was not the maiden who was before him, but the messenger of Cerberum himself. For the day before he had assumed the form of this voluptuous woman, in order to seduce the mighty king. And the king of Nargon succumbed to seduction. Later, the voluptuous that disappeared. She disappeared when she brought her children to him and handed him, like a witch's tome. The greatest king marveled at his sons for a long time. He named one Azis, the second Zoran, and the third Son-Laran. But Tikult-Ninurta was not destined to live long. Calamities befell his kingdom. First lethargy came and struck a hundred thousand souls. Then the children began to disappear. And one of the king's sons disappeared, who was called Son-Laran. Then the disease struck the emperor himself. The great king of Nargon went to his bed and did not rise again. He was alive, but he could not utter a word, nor realize his position. Many healers and healers gathered around him and tried to heal. But they did not know what happened to the great king. So Tikulti-Ninurta lay in oblivion, until one day he gave up his ghost. And then the two sons had to lift his great kingdom from their knees and create a huge empire out of it. "
    The mysterious Zoran raised his voice more and more with each of his lines. Eerie hatred just splashed out of his mouth. The Ernallets have never seen such anger in my life.
    - No no…. - Yuri muttered in confusion, - No…. Impossible ... ... Impossible ... ..
    "Do you think I was overjoyed?" - Zoran yelled in a frenzy, - But no, such a bastard! What a joy there is! Know that your mother is Marfur-Nirari! Marfur-Nirari, curse his name forever! And you're just part of his plan for his portugaling galaxy invasion! For them, we are all rubbish! Rabble! We have always been nothing to them! And nobody!
    - Not! - Ernalltsev suddenly exclaimed, - I do not believe! It is not true! I don't believe it!
    - Do not believe? Then where does this power come from, Yuri? Then why are you here? Why did you recover? Why didn't you die, Yuri? Tell me! The body of a mere mortal would not have survived from such a collision with water!
    - I do not know!
    - And I think you know everything! You know why you survived. And where does such power come from in you.
    At that moment, the psionic again felt that strange burning sensation in the neck area. He was amazed to find that his adoptive father's amulet was still on him. He never lost it. A mysterious and unknown force managed to preserve the amulet.
    - And if everything is not so at all? - as if Yuri turned to himself, - And if…. Does light still exist? If there's …. If there are still Light Gods? I have never .... I have never felt evil in myself…. Never in my life ... .. I grew up and lived only to help others. This is not the case in Marfur-Nirari! This means that he did not fully spread his filth.
    But there was no way Zoran could be persuaded. He received too much knowledge that broke him. He could have become a great warrior guarding the universe, but he lost his main battle. And now only pain, despair and rage took possession of him and did not want to let go of his soul.
    “There are no gods,” Zoran said sadly, bowing his head. “There is no light. There are only demons threatening our universe. For millions of years they have been trying to get in here. All these myths about light gods are a lie. There are only demons and no one else. But now there will be no dominance of them. The human race will not suffer because of them. It's over, Son-Laran.
    Ernalltsev stood still and watched the desperate creature, on which lay too many sins. His crimes were truly monstrous. Now Yuri understood. Now he clearly understood everything. Zoran conceived this war from the beginning. But he didn't want to bring darkness into the universe. Fierce hatred devoured him. Hatred of its creators. Hatred of those who gave birth to it. And this hatred intensified every day, became more and more, gradually embracing his entire tormented soul.
    Zoran wiped away the tears from his face again, and then looked frantically at Ernal'tsev. For a second, his pupils lit up with bright crimson lights, which spoke of his powerful abilities. If Zorana gave birth to Marfur-Nirari, then a part of his power was still in him. As soon as Yuri saw these eyes, he felt the incredible energy of anger emanating from his interlocutor. The sorcerer was preparing for the decisive blow. Right now he was planning something, planning to do something. His gaze spoke clearly of his hidden desires.
    - Stop! - Yuri said in a commanding tone, urging the desperate half-breed to think, - Stop! Why do you need all this ?! Understand, there are light Gods! You have to believe in them! I am also the son of Marfur-Nirari ... I am also his son. So are you! We are all brothers here. We were all spawned by monsters. But we must fight and believe in the Light!
    However, Zoran didn't seem to be listening to Owen. He gave him such a terrible look that the warrior even drew back. In the eyes of the sorcerer, nothing was visible except the fierce rage that was already overwhelming him. It spread throughout the room at the speed of light. All this aura of darkness and gloom pulsed in this room.
    - It's too late, Son-Laran, - the red-eyed smiled ominously, - Everything has already happened. Marfur-Nirari called me into his army. We had a contract to upgrade Tulotron, a super-powerful Artificial Intelligence. I had to prepare the galaxy for the invasion of Marfur-Nirari. For this, I sent agents all over the worlds so that they could install copies of Tulotron. The AI ​​was supposed to disable all defenses of Hyperborea and the Flawless Empire. His task was to create a global machine riot throughout the galaxy. But I always knew who my real enemy was. I've been waiting for this for a very long time. And when I worked on Tulotron, I put something of my own into its central source. Three days before you awakened, I launched the Annihilation program of Tulotron, my covert super-agent embedded in AI systems. When the AI ​​hit all fleets in the galaxy, my program worked with a bang. Marfur-Nirari sent reinforcements to Tulotron and personally flew in his flagship to conquer the universe. He wanted to swallow the entire galaxy as a whole, destroying its major superpowers forever. And then my revenge happened! The Tulotron was destroyed. My program launched a self-destruct process on all affected ships. My demonic half allowed me to create the perfect weapon to kill them all. Kill them all!
    At the last word, Zoran raised his voice greatly. But it was not this that now alarmed Ernal'tsev's soul. Yuri has just received another portion of terrible news. The virus, which the desperate villain spoke about, has seized not only the ships of the monsters sent by Marfur-Nirari. It also fell upon the armada of Hyperborea.
    With horror in his eyes, the warrior glanced at one of the screens opposite Zoran. He showed a truly terrible chronicle of events that recently unfolded over Zabergan. Dozens of ships exploded as if on command.
    And with great despair, Yuri recognized them as the flotilla of his empire. The ships of his loyal friends and allies were destroyed right before our eyes. And Ernalltsev could not do anything. He just couldn't save them. He had never felt so powerless before.
    “But there is something else,” Zoran growled with even more hatred, “Self-destruction led to the destruction of all the ships of the Marfur-Nirari and all ships infected by Tulotron. Many of the Marfur-Nirari battleships had special engines. The generators there were so ancient that they were older than some of the planets. The explosion led to the creation of a cluster of black holes. The remaining ships landed directly in the crater. And among them was that damned demon's shuttle. Marfur-Nirari is dead, Yuri. He went to hell forever. Of course it was a pity for many of your comrades, but nothing can be done about it. This is war, Yuri.
    Hearing these spiteful words, Ernalltsev felt a great anger begin to flare up inside him. For a second, his hands burst into fierce crimson fire, but then went out again. Yuri's eyes lit up and turned scarlet. The demonic component of his soul gradually took over. But the warrior felt even greater rage when he glanced at the other monitors located in this cursed hall. With a mixture of anger and incredible horror, Yuri stared at them intently.
    The screens displayed dozens of other planets, on which many different creatures lived. And at that moment such monstrous cataclysms were taking place there that they inspired real awe even to the bravest of the warriors. Yuri frenziedly glanced across all the screens, finding more and more pictures of destruction. Zoran has worked everything from the very beginning. He clearly did not intend to get away with just destroying the ships. He needed new victims. He was ready to destroy trillions, for the sake of his own revenge on the creators.
    “Yes, Yuri,” the governor hissed angrily, spreading his arms to the sides, “The explosions also touched the installed spears of Tulotron. Self-destruction came to them, as to all machines in the galaxy. Naturally, this led to massive destruction. Just think about it…. More than a hundred worlds that are so important to Marfur-Nirari die in agony. Thousands of worlds. These are villains in cheap fantasy as stupid as traffic jams. In the real world, everything is different! Everything is completely different! The real world is too cruel! Too cruel. But such is life! I stopped Marfur-Nirari! I didn’t let him take possession of this universe! The price is no doubt high! I destroyed every car so that none of them could rebel against their true owner again! Don't you understand ?! I saved the universe!
    - You killed everyone ?! - Yuri yelled in wild rage, - You doomed trillions of innocents to death! Entire races will perish if not already perished! What have you done, you bastard ?! And all because of your own revenge? Stop, Zoran! Stop, my brother! You have no right to decide the fate of trillions!
    - Yes! - Zoran cried in fury, rising from the chair, - Yes! Doomed! Marfur-Nirari would take possession of this universe! Many more living things would have died. And I gave humanity a new chance. I have destroyed trillions to save future generations. To save other trillions to live and develop. I gave people a new chance. And not only for them, I have saved thousands of species throughout the galaxy! Demons must know that we are not slaves! Let them find out about it! We are not slaves! And these words of mine will be remembered for a long time! My war with demons is not over! I still have many supporters! And they will all be free! Marfur-Nirari lost in disgrace! You must understand, Son-Laran! You now have no other choice!
    - What is the way out?
    - Join me, Son-Laran. You must be with me! We, as brothers, will rule over the galaxy! We will establish a new order and will not allow re-invasions! Demons can never get in here.
    - Are you suggesting that I join? Then listen to my answer. portugal you!
    Zoran chuckled ominously. Deep down, he expected Yuri to say exactly these words. It would certainly be a shame to kill my brother. But there was simply no other way out.
    “In that case, you are doomed,” the sorcerer rasped with flashing eyes. - If you do not accept my offer, you are simply a fool. A fool who deserves to die. Everything you want to fight for has already died. Note that I am not suggesting anything twice. I can't say no.
    - And nevertheless, I will tell you once again, - Ernalltsev hissed angrily, - portugal you!
    - Well, - the answer was heard, - Everything is clear. But you have to understand. If you are not with me, then you are against me. And if you are against - we are no longer brothers with you. I renounce you and my relationship with you, offspring of Marfur-Nirari.
    Yuri did not have time to predict Zoran's surprise attack. Before he even had time to blink, the gun was already in the hands of the criminal. But this weapon was not at all an ordinary firearm. His entire muzzle pulsed with a strange witchcraft energy that terrified anyone who just looked at her. The psionicist clearly understood that this weapon was far from simple. Great danger came from him. Zoran was holding in his hands the very Destroyer of Souls, one shot of which could turn any creature into nothing, even one devoid of an organic body.
    Without thinking twice, Zoran pulled the trigger. A ball of hellfire escaped from the muzzle of the gun, and headed straight towards Yuri. Ernal'tsev had to use all his skill to jump abruptly from the flying death. A sphere of fire flew past the warrior and crashed into the walls behind. There was an eerie rumble that nearly shattered the psionic's eardrums.
    Yuri felt a great flame begin to flare up inside his body. It was already approaching his throat, and was about to burst out. It was impossible to hesitate, for the enemy could make new shots and this time not to miss.
    Ernalltsev quickly darted to the left of the enemy, and then jumped up with frantic force. In less than a second, the warrior was directly in front of Zoran's nose. With a wild, furious cry, Yuri delivered a crushing blow to the terrible enemy in the face. From terrible pain, the sorcerer dropped the weapon to the floor and was left defenseless. But even an unarmed enemy did not stop Yuri at this moment. The mighty warrior was so furious that he could not control himself. He grabbed Zoran's throat sharply and slammed his body into the pile of monitors with a full swing. After a moment, he dealt another monstrous blow. The opponent's skull instantly cracked, and blood poured from the opened wound in streams.
    - Die! - Yuri roared furiously at the top of his lungs, unleashing more and more blows on the enemy, - Die!
    In his frenzy, the Ernalites inflicted at least twenty grievous injuries on the enemy. The bones of the enemy turned to debris. His head was completely something terrible and shapeless. He beat Zoran for so long that his body managed to turn into bloody lumps. And Yuri continued to yell at the top of his lungs, tearing his ligaments. Great anger seized him completely and completely, and did not want to let go.
    - You will not achieve anything, Son-Laran, - the words of the already dead Zoran were heard, - My death will not change anything! Everything has already happened! And from now on there will be no more domination of these creatures! Will not be! Will not be….
    When not a single living place was left of the enemy, Yuri simply threw his crumpled corpse away from himself. The mission was now complete, and this time completely. The ruthless adversary fell at his hand. But he still managed to accomplish his evil deeds. The universe has heard the wrath of the crowned brother Azis. And this rage was terrible and monstrously cruel. With great grief, the warrior realized that for the first time he could not protect the innocent. Trillions of living beings died in agony. Thousands of worlds were burned alive in minutes. The universe was dying before Yuri's eyes.
    It was a real doom. Death of countless lives. Death of the worlds.
    - This is the end ...... - Ernalltsev whispered quietly, realizing his doom more and more. - The end of everything.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

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  9. #69
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    ---
    “Yes, that’s the end,” a monstrous voice suddenly rang out from behind Yuri.
    Ernalltsev turned sharply to the side. And what was his surprise when he saw a mysterious entity, its appearance resembling all the same Zoran. At the sight of a mysterious enemy, the warrior felt deep inside, growing again, a furious flame. But nevertheless, his head was confused. Zoran had just been killed. Yuri personally finished him off by smashing his body on monitors.
    For a second, the warrior thought it was a vision, just a mirage. He'd been through too much in the last few hours, and his sanity might well have gone haywire. After blinking several times, he hoped the vision would evaporate, but the mysterious man, like the slain Prince of Perfection, was still standing in front of him. On the contrary, it has become even ... more real and more sinister. It looks like it really was Zoran, but his appearance did not at all resemble the governor.
    This man was dressed in black, like night armor, and his head was crowned with a majestic cylindrical helmet, more like the one worn by the ancient kings of Eridu during the first days of Hyperborea. In his dark hands, the mysterious sorcerer held a huge mace, which was engulfed in hellfire from all sides. Flame of retribution and death. The red eyes of Zoran's look-alike pierced Owen through and through. This gaze was even more piercing than that of the mythical Ifreaves. The piercing and terrifying gaze of a fallen creature. Fiery eyes of the ruler of darkness himself.
    - Precisely, that the end, Yuri Ernalltsev, - the rattling words of a frantic person were heard, - As you can see, I managed to outwit you well. And you are very naive.
    - What are you talking about? - Yuri blurted out, not even realizing that he could speak. - What's happening? I just killed you!
    “Okay, it's time to end this projection,” Zoran chuckled at this. “You succumbed well to tricks. I foresaw this a long time ago. The probability of your trusting everything that happens was 90 point and 8 tenths of a percent. All my predictions come true. I estimate their accuracy at 99 point and 5 tenths of a percent. As you can see, the game was a success. You have fully adapted to the conditions and completed the task. Testing of your abilities has been completed. You can now proceed with the return procedure.
    Yuri turned pale. Cold sweat almost broke out on his forehead. “90 point and 8 tenths of a percent”…. Somewhere he had already heard it. He didn't remember exactly where. But I knew that I had heard with my ears quite recently.
    - All this is unreal, Yuri, - the mysterious sorcerer continued his speech, - This is only a projection, partly reflecting reality. Everything you've seen looks more like playing a video file than the real world. Even your emotions and feelings were programmed. Everything you heard was just as clearly spelled out. And now you need to get back. I am initiating a return program.….
    He spoke the last sentence in a strange, mechanical voice.
    - Stop! - Immediately cried out at the top of his lungs Ernalltsev, - So this is ... ..
    In the same second, Zoran vanished into thin air, turning into a cluster of different numbers. And after another moment, Yuri's body quickly flew up and with all its might pierced the ceiling. Everything around him spun and trembled. As before, he saw only a mysterious glow in front of him. Now it seemed to him incredibly beautiful and even bewitching.

    ----

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

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  10. #70
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    It sounds like Yuri's perceptions of reality have been manipulated - unless the mysterious sorceror is trying to confuse him. I wonder how he'll be able to work what's real.

  11. #71
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    I can post here the Full (Truly) Ending of this story. Will do it in some days.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    Epilogue.


    Phase 1. Meeting with stranger.


    Yuri is thrown forward sharply. He again feels everything that he felt before. The same radiance, the same cycle of events. But soon he finally comes to his senses. His body quickly flies up and hits with all his might on .... metal floor.
    He feels pain for a second, but after a moment it passes. Yuri rises slightly. He looks around. At first, the image in front of his eyes is darkened. Virtually nothing is visible. Just some silhouettes. But the situation is rapidly changing.
    With amazement, the psi-adept discovers that he is completely naked. He has no clothes on at all. In addition, some strange cables protrude from his body. Yuri looks with horror at his stomach, from which a mysterious wire also sticks out, more like an umbilical cord. Mechanically, he unfastens it and violently throws it to the floor.


    Voice on the right:
    - Yuri! Yuri Ernaltsev!


    Ernalltsev quickly casts a glance in the direction of the noise. In front of him he sees a mysterious old man dressed in all white. He still can't see the whole room. But the old man seems too real to Yuri. His blue eyes stare intently at the adept.
    The mysterious old man hurriedly goes to Yuri and hands him something. Ernalltsev is still half asleep. But he clearly feels that something that this old man gave him burns his hand badly. When the adept unfolds his palm, he sees his familiar amulet. The same amulet given to him by his adoptive father.
    Yuri looks at the old man again. He struggles to understand what exactly is going on. But so far he has not received any answers.


    The old man in white (in a deep voice):
    - Remember, you can only kill a demon with an amulet. Just make him touch. And he will die. The amulet is the key.


    Yuri (surprised, still unable to come to his senses):
    - Wait, what's the key? Where I am? Where I am?

    The old man in white (shakes his head):
    - All questions later, Yuri. Listen to me. When he shows you the white device, use it. It will destroy the king of machines. Remember again. The amulet kills the demon, and the white device kills the machine king. Don't listen to the demon. Whatever he says, don't listen. Believe only in your heart. Believe in the Light and in its victory. Your faith is the key to salvation. Only faith. And nothing more.


    Yuri (alarmed):
    You didn't even tell me where I am?!


    The old man in white:
    Everything you see is reality. But only you can change it. If you use the amulet and the white device in time. If you don't succeed, the universe is doomed. He will kill trillions of creatures here and restore the dominance of Cerberum.


    Yuri (wants to release the amulet from his hands, as it starts to burn his palm):
    - Where I am?


    The old man in white:
    - Don't release the amulet. He will hurt you. But you must endure. It burns not because of you, but because of the power of the demon. The stronger it is, the more painful the burning sensation. But you must endure. Put it on!


    Yuri (confused)
    - What?


    Old man in white (louder):
    - Put on the amulet! Now!


    Ernalltsev obeys. Despite the terrible pain, he throws on his adoptive father's amulet. The burning continues. It causes damage to his skin in the chest area. But Yuri suffers, as was ordered. Inwardly, he knows that it will not work out any other way.


    The old man in white (nods):
    - Fine. Now put on your bathrobe and wait for the guests. They are already there. Remember that everything depends on you.


    The mysterious old man points with his hand somewhere to the left of Yuri. The psi-adept immediately looks there. He sees a medical gown lying on the floor. Apparently, it was left here the day before by one of the local workers. Without thinking twice, Ernalltsev runs to the dressing gown and starts putting it on. He wraps himself tightly in a bathrobe and ties himself with a belt. Now he is fully clothed.
    But when Yuri turns towards the old man, he no longer sees him. The mysterious assistant simply disappears, disappears into thin air. All that Ernalltsev sees in front of him is just an empty room. A room crammed with computers and huge flickering monitors. There is no one else here. Only Yuri and an abundance of electronics.


    Yuri (with new bewilderment):
    - Lord... Where did he disappear to...


    He scans the room carefully, but the old man is nowhere to be seen. But he sees in detail the place that was his prison. Not so long ago, he woke up from a strange dream. As it turned out, he was connected to computer systems. It was literally built into a huge cylindrical object. How he managed to get out of there, Yuri did not understand. Obviously, there was some psionic power involved. Or maybe the old man just helped him.


    Yuri (sighs):
    - And where am I .... What the hell did he say to me... What kind of device... What a demon... And what about this amulet, which ... ..


    Ernalltsev wants to swear. The burning sensation in his chest intensifies. But he understands perfectly well that he should not send a curse on that amulet that saved his life more than once. In addition, as the old man already mentioned, the amulet is able to save the universe. Yuri didn't know exactly how. But inwardly he already knew that the mysterious "brilliant" would be useful to him.
    Suddenly, a strange noise is heard from the left side. Yuri turns around. He immediately finds the giant metal doors with his eyes. Their doors are starting to open up. In less than a second, new silhouettes appear behind the doors, this time very clear.
    “Wait for the guests,” the voice of that old man is immediately heard in Yuri’s head.

    He understands that these beings are not of the Light. He must hide the amulet with all his might. Because Ernalltsev tightens the robe tighter around his neck. He understands that they should not find out that the amulet is still with him.
    The metal doors open. Several humanoid creatures enter the room at once. All of them are often dressed in heavy black armor topped with sharp spikes.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    Phase 2. Zheng Gu and his master.


    The leader of the armored creatures is distinguished by a high helmet with the likeness of a crown. A black blade hangs from his belt, and it does not have a sheath. Its blade is streaked with all sorts of symbols, and also serrated. The face of a stranger is not visible behind a dense mask. He quickly moves forward and soon finds himself next to Ernalltsev.
    Yuri freezes in a daze and does not move. He tries to stay calm and not lose heart. Most of all, he is afraid that the enemies will notice the amulet from him. But the enigmatic leader simply looks at Ernalltsev and then slightly nods his head. The rest of his comrades stand at attention.


    Armored Stranger (in metallic voice):
    - Greetings, Yuri Ernalltsev. Welcome to the Nexus, one of the most gigantic ships in the universe. Planetoid-type superdreadnought.


    Yuri immediately remembers this name. He has already been told about it. Even when he was connected to an unknown program. That terrible sorcerer who pretended to be Zoran told him about this mysterious ship.


    Yuri (in bewilderment):
    - I already heard…. Yes, I've heard that name. But…. What is it? And where was I?


    Armored Stranger (in the same muffled voice):
    - Calm. We have restored you. You took 90 percent damage during a water impact on Zabergan Prime. We took you to the Nexus and patched you up.


    Yuri (with even more bewilderment, trying to understand what happened):
    “So…I died after all?”


    Armored Stranger:
    - 90 percent. But your brain remained intact. We have restored you. As you can see, your body is brand new. Even the skeletal system has been replaced.
    Yuri looks at himself in horror. Now he is staring at his own hands. They are almost indistinguishable from those that he had before. Ernalltsev sharply squeezes several fingers. But he doesn't see any change.


    Armored Stranger:
    You can't tell this body from the old one. Everything's under control. By the way, my name is Zheng Gu. I am the captain of this ship. Welcome aboard, Mr. Ernaltsev.
    The adept is still shocked by what he heard. As it turned out, during the time when he was connected to the program, experiments were carried out on him. And for some unknown reason, he didn't feel any change at all. Everything looked as if he had not been injured at Zabergan at all.


    Zheng Gu (continues):
    “I will take you to our master. He leads the operation to transform the universe. He will tell you everything. Its central phylactery is ready for dialogue with you.


    Yuri (does not understand the words of the interlocutor):
    - What? What kind of transformation? Wait….. Where am I anyway? What is this ship and who owns it? And what a ruler... Am I… on the ship of Azis the Excelscior?


    Zheng Gu (shakes his metal head):
    - Not. This ship belongs to another master. Come on, I'll take you.


    Yuri:
    - And who are you? And who are you anyway? Are you people?


    Ernalltsev examines the creatures in front of him in detail. Outwardly, they look like mysterious knights from ancient legends. But something in them is not from the Light at all. They seem incredibly strange to him. The armored men never show their faces. Moreover, the amulet hanging on Yuri's chest begins to burn more and more.


    Zheng Gu (shakes his head again):
    - Not. We do not belong to your civilization. I'll just say it briefly. I was once a mortal and ruled the Empire of a Billion Worlds. Conquered entire galaxies and made the stars tremble at the name of my lord. For He is the Messenger of the True God, and everyone must see His Power. And if one of the fools opposes him, he will be destroyed. Both he and his children. I have long fought in his name and for his glory. Then my physical body was annihilated. Only the soul remained. By order of my master, she was transferred to the steel suit you see before you. And those creatures that are next to me are my former associates. My battle brothers.


    Yuri (with horror in his eyes):
    - So you…. Are you… all dead?


    Zheng Gu (nods):
    - Physically, yes. But death exists only for the body. We feel quite well in this armor. We cannot breathe, indulge in the pleasures of the flesh, and consume food. We are perfect. We are absolute. We are able to act where there is no way for mortals. This is precisely our strength. But let's not talk about me and my associates anymore. My master will explain everything to you in detail, don't worry. But now we have to go. We've already made him wait. And he doesn't like it.
    Companion in steel armor, to the right of Zheng Gu (growls menacingly):
    Our master does not like to wait. He regards it as an insult.


    Zheng Gu:
    - Exactly! Come on, Mr. Ernaltsev. He wants to see you. He was very concerned about your health.


    The enemy leader turns towards the mechanical doors. Their doors remain closed.


    Zheng Gu (continues):
    Let's go, Yuri.


    Yuri at first stands still. He knows for sure that he must go forward. He knows that he has no other choice. Inwardly, the adept already guesses that an unprecedented danger lies ahead of him. But the amulet is still with him. The amulet burns his body and causes severe pain, but this is the only key to salvation. Only this can help Ernalltsev. Get him out of this hell.


    Zheng Gu (toward the psi-adept):
    - Let's go!


    Yuri (decides to ask a question):
    - Where was I? Why did you put me in that program?


    Zheng Gu:
    My master will explain everything to you. While you were on the other side of virtual reality, we were restoring your body. You should thank us for this.
    Yuri decides not to ask anything more. He understands that he must go. Go ahead and don't look back. The amulet begins to press and burn with renewed vigor. But Ernalltsev does not show this. His gaze is determined and bold.


    Yuri (nervously, on the move):
    - Good. Let's talk to your master. And then I'm already sick of these riddles!


    Zheng Gu (speeds up his step):
    - Exactly! Soon you will know about everything that happens. And trust me, you won't be upset at all.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

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  14. #74
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    Phase 3. Illumination.


    Zheng Gu and Yuri Ernalltsev go ahead. They go beyond the mysterious laboratory and find themselves in a very spacious hall with high ceilings and dim blue lamps. The walls are covered with mysterious frescoes and hieroglyphs everywhere. But this is not what attracts Yuri's attention.
    Ahead, the adept sees only a strange ring of fire, a ring of gigantic proportions. It literally hangs in the air. He already guesses that this is some kind of passage. And he will have to go through it very soon.
    Zheng Gu's metal satellites suddenly stop and freeze. Then they quickly dissolve into the air. After a second, there is not even a reminder left of them. There are only two in the hall - Zheng Gu and Yuri Ernalltsev. Yuri is still looking at the fire ring. The ring starts to glow brighter and brighter. Soon, small electrical impulses run through it.
    Zheng Gu turns to face Yuri. Ernalltseva looks at him. It seems to him that this mysterious iron warrior looks not only into his eyes, but into his very soul. At the same time, Zheng Gu's face is not visible. It is still hidden by a steel mask.


    Zheng Gu (to Yuri):
    - This is the Gate. They will lead you to him. I will follow with you. There you will learn the truth. As well as answers to all questions.
    Here Yuri abruptly stops. In the blink of an eye, former comrades and associates flash before his eyes. He sees them again. Hercules, Iilfan, High Marshal Clotilde, two Moscans - Nikolai Krasici, his faithful companion Bartholomew. All these people appear in front of him and then quickly disappear.


    Yuri (sternly, towards Zheng Gu):
    - Wait, where is it .... Other? Where…. My friends?


    Zheng Gu:
    - They're on the Nexus.


    Yuri (with the same emotions):
    - Are they on the ship? When will I be allowed to see them?


    Zheng Gu:
    - You ask too many questions. I told you they were on the ship. They are safe. You will see them after you have spoken to my master. I understand that you are concerned.


    Yuri (beside himself with anger):
    - Concerned?! Yes, I've been to hell!


    Zheng Gu (puts his right hand forward, tries to calm down):
    - I've been to hell too. And more than once. But survived. And you survived. Your friends are alive too, safe and sound.


    Yuri (recalls more and more new details of the operation on Zabergan):
    - And what about Zabergan? What about Hyperborea? What actually happened?


    Here, shocking information reaches Ernalltsev. He doesn't even know how much time has passed since he fought Tulotron. He doesn't know anything at all about what happened in the galaxy. It is quite possible that the old world could change. Years, decades, hundreds of years, and maybe millennia could pass. Anything was possible.


    Yuri:
    How long have I been in a coma?


    Zheng Gu:
    - You weren't in a coma. You were dead. But we have restored you. It's only been 1 month since then. Don't worry, it's all right. And now I ask ... We need to proceed to my master.

    Yuri (still worried):
    - Good…. Good…. Month…. One month….


    Zheng Gu:
    Your empire still exists. I mean, Hyperborea. It survived.


    Yuri (looks nervously at his interlocutor):
    - Survived? ... But .... Hyperborea is impregnable. We have thousands of worlds under control! So… there was an attack…. Not only on Zabergan?


    Zheng Gu:
    - Yes, Tulotron did his best. But your civilization exists. People are still alive. And believe me, they still have enough strength.


    Yuri:
    - What happened to Tulotron? I remember…. I remember how he appeared in new forms ... I remember how everyone was talking about the rise of the machines ....


    Zheng Gu:
    The Rise of the Machines is over. All robots returned to their previous state. My master took care of it.


    Yuri (with some hope):
    - Your master? He... turned off the Tulotron?


    Zheng Gu (shakes his head):
    - Not really. But he stopped the machine uprising. I beg you... Let's go. Otherwise, you won't know anything. My master will tell you exactly what happened. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about. All your friends are alive and on this ship. The galaxy is saved from a machine rebellion. All robots that were set against living organisms turned off.


    Yuri (sighs heavily):
    - Well…. I'm sorry… I just….. You know….. I was in a ing car for a month. Any roofer will blow. You have no idea what I saw there. I was hooked up to some crappy program. I don't know who created it... But I would have killed him with my own hands.


    Ernalltsev feels new bouts of pain. The amulet burns harder and harder on his body. But Yuri clearly understands that he should not show it. No one should know that the amulet is still with him.


    Zheng Gu:
    - I understand. But don't be afraid. My master has excellent coffee. You will drink it... You will be filled... And again you will be filled with strength. It just seems hard right now. It will only get easier from there. Let's go…. Let's just go. You have nothing to fear here.


    The mysterious knight turns towards the gate and hurriedly follows the ring of fire. By this, he makes it clear that Yuri should do the same. But Ernalltsev notices one interesting detail. He gazes up at the ceiling of the majestic hall.
    On the highest ceiling, Yuri clearly sees a fresco depicting a mysterious man who clearly belongs to a bygone era. Outwardly, he resembles one of the ancient kings of the pre-Hyperborean period. He wears a blue robe and wears a cylindrical crown on his head. His long beard falls down, almost to the waist. Beside him are several of his hooded minions.
    Zheng Gu turns back towards Yuri. He wonders what made him freeze in place and not move.


    Zheng Gu (to Yuri):
    - Why don't you follow me?

    Yuri (glances briefly at the knight):
    - Frescoes on the ceiling. They are…. I've never seen anything like this before.


    Ernalltsev examines in detail the unknown inscriptions drawn directly above the head of the mysterious king. The inscriptions seem familiar to him.
    Then he realizes that he has seen similar letters before. When he first began serving in the psi-special forces of Hyperborea, one of the military professors gave a brief digression into ancient cultures. He talked about the fact that once on Mitgard, the capital of all people, one powerful ruler-sorcerer ruled. Yuri no longer remembered his name, but he perfectly remembered the letters. These were the oldest texts of the pre-Hyperborean era, the texts of the sacred city of Eridu.


    Yuri (trying to read the mysterious inscriptions):
    - Glory .... God….. Sala-Zarr…. Herald….. True….. Light…… Long live…… Illu…..


    Zheng Gu (continues Ernalltsev's words):
    - Illumination.


    Yuri (looks at the steel knight again):
    - Illumination?


    Zheng Gu (nods):
    - Illumination. This is what is happening in the universe right now. The god Sala-Zarr planned this millions of years before we were born. Come with me. He is waiting for you. Ask no more questions. Just go.


    With these words, the mysterious knight hurriedly walks towards the huge ring of fire. Not even a second passes before he disappears into a blinding witch's flame.
    Yuri clearly understands that a meeting with the owner Zheng Gu is already inevitable. Ernalltsev also realizes that he has no way back. Only forward and no retreat. The amulet burns even harder and almost makes Yuri scream. But he endures. He endures with all his might.
    Legs move forward. With great difficulty, he forces himself to go and not stop. The huge ring of fire is getting closer and closer. With every second he gets closer to him. Here's one more step. Here are a couple more steps. Here are three more steps.
    The fire is getting brighter. Yuri feels strange again. His body seems to be evaporating. A lightness sets in, too unnatural for places like this. And then light again. Again this mysterious and immense light. And flashes. Incredibly bright flashes.
    Somewhere in the distance, Yuri hears the voice of an old man. The same old man who appeared immediately after his awakening. He hears it for only a few seconds. But these words literally cut into his heart.


    Voice from afar:
    - The amulet kills the demon, and the white device kills the machine king. Remember Yuri. The fate of the entire universe depends on you.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
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  15. #75
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    Phase 4. Encounter with the deity.


    The flash transports Yuri to a new location. This time it is no longer a laboratory or a secret facility. The room in which Ernalltsev moved is more like a giant captain's bridge. The bridge where the supreme command of the ship is located.
    The first thing that Yuri sees in front of him is a pile of various screens. The central monitor is a holographic projector. The adept immediately catches the eye of a mysterious projection. It displays the face of an unknown person. Although the face of this physiognomy can hardly be called. Almost half of this glowing face of energy is made entirely of metals.
    The high ceilings are literally filled with bioluminescent lights. They flare up so brightly that they resemble the distant stars of the galaxy. The deck walls around are no longer frescoed. They are the most ordinary, gray and inconspicuous. No bas-reliefs and tapestries. No ancient hieroglyphs.
    Another holo-projector catches Yuri's eye. It is located on the left side of it. The projection displays a huge rhombus, shimmering and iridescent. Rhombus hovering in outer space. Dozens of small devices scurry around him all the time, also shimmering and playing among themselves in a kind of light game.


    “This is the Nexus,” Yuri says intuitively. He immediately guesses that the image clearly shows the state of the ship he is on.


    Zheng Gu:
    - Here we are!


    Ernalltsev finishes examining the premises and looks towards his metal friend... Although, in truth, he does not consider him a friend at all. This mysterious iron knight always inspires some distrust. He is too friendly towards the adept.
    Suddenly, Yuri feels intense pain. The amulet flares up so much that it already begins to burn the skin. But Ernalltsev only blinks his eyes a few times. He knows he shouldn't show pain. Everyone who takes him on this ship should not know his main secret. The secret of the powerful amulet that hangs around his neck at this moment.
    Ernalltsev blinks again, trying to forget about the pain as soon as possible. He looks ahead again. Zheng Gu, in full combat attire, bows his head low, but clearly not in front of Yuri. Then he touches the floor with his right hand and bows again. And he does it with incredible ease, as if he had no armor on him.
    Here Yuri notices that they are not alone in the hall. There is another one on the bridges... a human or something humanoid. A mysterious person in white robes stands with his back to them. It is located near a holo-projector with an image of an unknown face. Ernalltsev clearly hears the voice of a stranger. For some reason, he inspires incredible fear in him. Although the voice does not in any way resemble the growl of a monster or an evil hiss, but rather is something beautiful and melodic.
    The amulet starts to burn even more, and Yuri already wants to scream. But he still struggles with pain and does not show his weaknesses.


    Stranger (towards the projector):
    - I'm glad that the defense is broken, Barabbas. I hope Hornfirth gives up. I wouldn't want to kill him. I thought he would be wiser and not confront the inevitable.


    Face from the projector (dutifully):
    “Hornfirt will not give up, sire. He would rather burn the entire star system to the ground than come to us with gifts. He himself said so.


    Stranger (nods):
    “Then continue the siege and destroy Hornfirth's entire fleet. I warned him to go forward and stop the bloodshed. But he made his choice. So go on the offensive and crush them. Spare no one. And remember, Illumination must reach everyone. And if anyone disobeys the True Word and does not see the Illumination, he will be destroyed. And now I'm sorry. I will contact you later.


    Face from the projector (bows):
    - Yes, sire. Will be done. Let them continue their futile resistance. They are doomed. Neither the Elves nor the Dragons will save them. We will destroy them all today.


    The holo-projection crumbles like a mosaic. Soon there will be no trace of her. The communication session ends. Yuri is well aware that the mysterious stranger is already aware of his appearance on the bridge, and he intends to speak with him.
    The mysterious person quickly turns towards Ernalltsev. She does this with incredible speed, truly superhuman.
    Zheng Gu, seeing this, immediately falls to his knees and covers his head with his hands. But Yuri stays where he is. He does not want to bow down to anyone. All he cares about right now are questions. Questions for which there are no answers yet. What happened to him, and what is still happening in this universe?
    The eyes of the mysterious person and Ernalltsev meet.


    Stranger in white (drawn, towards Yuri):
    - Well, hello ... .. Son.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

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  16. #76
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    Phase 5. Dialogue.


    The mysterious stranger fully reveals himself to Yuri. At first, he seems to him very young and even feminine. Ernalltsev is amazed at the mysterious beauty of his face. Too regular features, too beautiful for a man. His hair is long and falling over his shoulders, dazzlingly white. The eyes shine with a bright glow that blinds any mortal in the blink of an eye. His robes are as white as his hair. Yuri tries to make out the stranger's face, but can't do it. A mystical and immense glow repels him.
    Meanwhile, the amulet on his chest begins to burn with a vengeance. Yuri does everything not to show it. He fights with two energies at once. The first is a dazzling and omnipresent light that penetrates everywhere. The second is burning. Hellish and irresistible burning, which is already beginning to melt the skin.


    Stranger (in a deep and overflowing voice):
    - Are you surprised? Right?


    Yuri blinks several times. The mysterious glow passes. It gets weaker and weaker, and soon disappears.


    Yuri (in bewilderment):
    - Who…. Who are you?


    The stranger no longer shines with a dazzling brilliance. Now he looks like an ordinary mortal. Ernalltsev sees a strange man in front of him, more like an ancient sage. He looks already beaten, and wisdom clearly looms in his blue eyes. The sage is dressed in the most ordinary suit of a scientist - a white smooth shirt, a small gray vest and light-colored trousers.
    His hair is silver and incredibly long. A thick beard of the same pale color falls down to the chest. The lips curl slightly into what seems to be a kind smile. The mysterious man clearly wants to appear friendly. But inwardly, Yuri is well aware that the one who stands in front of him has much more sophisticated plans. He just seems friendly and kind. But this is deception.
    The amulet starts to burn even stronger. Yuri struggles to keep from flinching. But tears are already starting to form in the corners of his eyes.


    Stranger (smiles):
    - I'm glad we met, Yuri Ernalltsev.


    The sage quickly shifts his gaze towards Zheng Gu, who continues to lie on his knees, not daring to look at the ruler.


    Stranger (transitions to the loud language of the Madi Lim race):
    - Get up, Zheng. I didn't ask you to prostrate yourself.


    Zheng Gu obeys the master in the blink of an eye and immediately stretches to his full height.


    Stranger (continues in the same language):
    - I have said this many times, Zheng. You are the captain on my ship. Unlike the Unworthy, you have the right to look at me. You have known Illumination too deeply.


    Zheng Gu (in a trembling metallic voice, also in Madi Lim):
    “Sorry… old habit, monsignor. I can't get rid of it.


    The stranger nods towards the faithful servant. Then he looks back at Yuri standing on the deck.


    Stranger (to Ernalltsev):
    - Probably, you did not notice, but we have already seen each other.


    Yuri is trying to remember where else he saw this mysterious face. But all his attempts to go through his memory lead to failures. More recently, he was connected to a computer program and did not distinguish reality from a virtual dimension. He was very lucky that he even began to remember at least something.


    Yuri (shakes his head)
    I don't remember that we met.

    Stranger (smiles again):
    - You hardly remember it, Yuri. I have often wandered through your worlds. And I saw a lot. I saw how you grew up, how you know your feet. I saw how you enter the psi academy. I saw how bravely you fought for Hyperborea. I saw you and Hercules yelling loudly at the whole tavern…. "Glory to Emperor Beorning! Long summer! Do you remember? This was quite recently. Some five years ago. For people like me, it's just seconds. But for you - a whole era.


    Yuri (trying his best not to wrinkle from the burning amulet):
    - But…. But how? How did you do it?


    Stranger (with the same smile):
    - I traveled a lot. Always. You have seen me many times. In a different guise. Whether it's an old cleaning lady sweeping up after drunken bar patrons. Whether it's a sultry brunette winking at you on one of the streets of Geos. Whether it's a strange boy soldier who passed through the station and saluted you. Saluting and smiling softly. I can take on different forms, Yuri. For me, it's time to spit.


    Yuri:
    - Who are you?


    Stranger (grins even wider):
    Who am I is the second question. What matters is not who I am. And who are you, Yuri. And which side are you on?


    The amulet still burns Ernaltsev's chest. The pain is so bad that it is simply unbearable. But Yuri clearly understands that he has no other choice. He needs to be patient no matter what. But not only to endure, but also not to show your pain with your own eyes.


    Stranger (continues):
    You probably don't understand why you're here. I see your thoughts. Right now. You still can't forget what you saw on the program. The one who called himself Zoran told you something, Yuri. And you can't get it out of your head, no matter how hard you try.


    Yuri immediately recalls a recent conversation on the other side of virtual reality. Inwardly, he knows that the answers are close at hand. All he has to do is ask a question.


    Yuri (clear and clear voice):
    - So it's true? Am I the son of Marfur-Nirari?


    Stranger (smiles again, but very softly and even affectionately):
    "I'm sorry it happened, Yuri.


    Ernalltsev feels how anger begins to creep into his soul. His eyes blaze with fury.


    Yuri (terribly):
    - Why? What for?


    Stranger (puts his right hand forward):
    - Let me tell you. Calm down your ardor.


    Yuri takes a deep and slow breath. It always helped him when he was nervous or succumbed to the will of rage. This time, the anger still did not leave Ernalltsev completely. But at least he didn't get out early.


    Yuri (annoyed):
    - Tell me everything! Who are you and what are you. Where are my friends. What happened in the galaxy while I was sleeping. Tell me.


    Stranger (crosses his arms in front of him and looks thoughtfully at the adept):
    - Once I was called Sala-Zarr. Always did not like these stupid titles and titles. They called me God, but I preferred that they didn't say those words. As for Marfur-Nirari, this is just one of the names. Just a name from time immemorial. Nothing serious.


    Yuri again feels a terrible pain in the chest area, and this makes him very nervous. But most of all he is now worried about the origin of the mysterious stranger. He is clearly more powerful than he appears. More powerful and more ancient.


    Yuri (nervously):
    - So you…. Are you Marfur-Nirari? God Salazarr…. Is this Marfur-Nirari? So... you arranged everything? But…. Who are you?


    Marfur-Nirari (nods):
    - I am a Planet Creator, Yuri.


    Yuri (surprised):
    - Planet builder?


    Marfur-Nirari:
    - We existed before the birth of the universe and before the existence of time. Have you ever heard of the Song of Creation?


    Yuri (negatively):
    - No.

    Marfur-Nirari (continues):
    - I heard. Moreover, I myself was among those who performed it. My race was considered ancient even when the first stars were created. For billions of years we have been building entire galaxies. In those days, they called me Sala-Zarr. Bringing the Light of the Universe. The name Marfur-Nirari appeared later, when I began to influence your civilization. Thousands of years ago, I helped your race achieve unprecedented progress. This was long before Hyperborea. During the Great Dawn. But people did not heed my advice and soon took up arms against me and the Almighty. An uprising broke out, which led to the destruction of the Lemurian mainland. The Empire of the Primordial Dawn has come to an end. I was forced to leave because you had allies who decided that you were unfortunate victims. But now is a completely different time, Yuri.


    Yuri still stands still and listens attentively. At the same time, he tries desperately to fight the burning of the amulet. It increasingly seems to him that it would be better to throw the amulet somewhere far away. The burning and pain become unbearable. But Ernalltsev is still holding on. He knows that he must not give up, no matter what.


    Marfur-Nirari:
    - Let's not go far into history, Yuri. Let's go back to our days. You asked me where are your friends? They are on this ship! They're on the Nexus! And they're all right! I assure you that I did not harm them. Moreover, causing harm to the universe was not part of my plans.


    Yuri (immediately clinging to the mention of friends):
    - Where are they?


    At that moment, a mysterious small saucer-shaped drone appears on the bridge. He quickly rushes past Ernalltsev like a dragonfly and flies up to his master. It seems to Yuri that he has already seen this drone somewhere, and most likely it was in the Zabergan system.
    Meanwhile, a familiar mechanical voice is heard from the miniature device.


    Tulotron:
    - I assure you, they are safe, Yuri Ernalltsev. I estimate the probability of harm to them on our ship at exactly zero percent. The Nexus connected them to life support systems.


    Yuri (almost loses his temper at the sight of a talking drone):
    - Tulotron!


    Marfur-Nirari (raises his hand again):
    - Do not be afraid. Tulotron won't hurt you.


    Yuri (almost in a frenzy):
    - Won't? He destroyed the whole planet! He staged an uprising of machines on Zabergan! I saw what he does there!


    Marfur-Nirari (even and calm voice):
    - Tulotron's task was not the uprising of machines, Yuri. And in the destruction of your defense and the interception of ships. After the main mission ended, the Enslavement program was canceled by my direct order.


    Yuri:
    “So you created Tulotron…… It was you.


    Marfur-Nirari (smiles again):
    - Like you. Both of you are my children.


    Yuri (in a frenzy):
    - I'm not your son! It is not true!

    Marfur-Nirari immediately hides his smile. His eyes are lit up with a scarlet flame. Obviously, Ernalltsev's words hurt his feelings.
    - You are my son, Yuri! Yuri Son-Laran! Everything that Zoran's projection told you is the pure truth! Yes, I was your mother. I! I am your mother. Like Azisa… And Zoran…. I assumed the form of a beautiful maiden and seduced your true father, Tikulti-Ninurta! Whether you like it or not! And you don't have to interrupt me!


    The last words screeched like a blade. They were heard in Yuri's ear for a few more seconds. It would seem that they were pronounced not by one being, but by the whole universe. Millions of furious screaming throats.


    Ernalltsev felt weak again. Almost the same weakness as then in a computer program. But only now these feelings were real, not man-made. At the same time, the amulet had already plunged into the adept's chest, causing unimaginable damage to it.


    Marfur-Nirari's eyes return to their previous shades again. Now they are as blue as they were at the first minutes of the meeting. The ruler's anger is quickly fading away. He, as before, smiles at Yuri.


    Marfur-Nirari (in a soft and refined voice):
    - I only wanted to find a worthy of the sons. As you can see, Azis and his brother Zoran turned out to be tyrants and complete scoundrels. But what I saw in you, Yuri…. Good! You have the Good. There is Light... There is what the universe needs. You've always stood on the side of the Right, always helped those in need. Always pulled out those who needed help! Pulled them out to the Light! Protected the weak!


    Yuri:
    Why would you want to destroy worlds then? Why are you invading here? Why did you launch Tulotron? You have brought death to billions of beings!


    Marfur-Nirari (smiling, but this time very angrily):
    - Trillions. Trillions of living beings have already died, Yuri. But it was necessary. For Illumination. Illumination is everything.


    Yuri (loudly, with all his might):
    - What for?!


    Marfur-Nirari's face darkens with sorrow. There is no trace of the smiles of the past. On the contrary, now he looks very, very sad. Tears almost come out of his blue eyes.
    Meanwhile, Tulotron's miniature drone continues to fly around its master. A very quiet chirping comes from it, more like the singing of sparrows.


    Marfur-Nirari (with a heavy look):
    - Look what you're doing. You are people! You are ready to devour each other for some miserable coin. You are killing yourselves at the speed of light! The trillions that my troops have destroyed are nothing compared to your aggression. How many have you killed! How many relatives! All you do all the time is wage wars. The entire history of mankind is a history of violence and wars. And you think the Planeteers don't see anything? Do you think they don't notice what's going on? You hate each other and are ready to eat with giblets. But you don't even realize how much pain you are causing the universe...


    Tulotron (from miniature drone speakers):
    - In the entire history of mankind, most of the representatives of your race were killed as a result of civil strife. According to my approximate calculations, the representatives of your civilization killed up to 85 octalions of their own relatives. Approximately 68.8 percent of this amount was killed by force.


    Marfur-Nirari (nods):
    - Exactly! You people... Killing yourselves. And hurt the stars and planets. The worlds we once created are already screaming. They scream from an unbearable burden. That is why the Almighty decided to send me here. For me to clear the galaxy of a threat. Your civilization has long turned into a cancerous tumor for the universe. As you know, if a tree does not bear good fruit, it is better to cut it down. We do the same with you. Your evil has already taken root. You, like a virus, infect all living things that are around. Someday this must end.

    Yuri clearly understands that the words of Marfur-Nirari are true. Humanity has really done trouble. And almost everyone already admits that people are sometimes worse than the worst disease in the galaxy. But at the same time, the adept recalls one ancient wisdom. Once he read somewhere that “even if hell reigns in a city, but at least one faithful to God remains in it, this city is not destroyed by sacred fire.” Accordingly, if there are still righteous people among the people, then it is clearly not worth exterminating them all to the last.


    Yuri (towards Marfur-Nirari):
    - However, if in the city of sins there is at least one living according to the rules of Good and Light, then this city is not destroyed.


    Marfur-Nirari (smiles again):
    - Exactly. Therefore, we are giving your civilization another chance.


    Zheng Gu (behind Ernalltsev):
    - I advise you to listen, Yuri. Master Marfur-Nirari wishes only Good for your race.


    Marfur-Nirari (agrees with a devoted comrade-in-arms):
    - Right.


    Marfur-Nirari turns toward a cluster of monitors, apparently connected to the ship's center console. He moves slowly towards the flickering screens. Yuri remains standing still and does not move, although the pain from the incredible burning increases exponentially. He wants to understand what exactly his ... so-called father was up to.
    Zheng Gu also does not budge and freezes like a statue. It would seem that he is not a living being at all.
    Marfur-Nirari is followed by only one miniature drone, which is another incarnation of Tulotron. It continues to chirp like a dozen sparrows hungry for bread and seeds.
    Soon the mysterious overlord turns to Yuri again. His blue and wise eyes flare up with a mischievous gleam. He still smiles softly at his son, clearly wanting to drag him into one of his grand plans.


    Marfur-Nirari (toward Yuri, waving his right hand):
    - Let's go to. I'll show you what you must do. Unless, of course, you want to save your civilization from destruction.


    Yuri (puzzled):
    - What exactly?


    Marfur-Nirari (smiles broadly):
    - You must do whatever I say.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

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    My Wiki page
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  17. #77
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    Phase 6. Choice.


    Marfur-Nirari calls Ernalltsev to him. Yuri slowly follows in the direction of his father ... or, more simply, a parent. The amulet burns harder and harder. This terrible and piercing pain is simply unbearable. But the adept is still aware that he has no other choice. Pain must be overcome. If he fails even once, there will be no turning back.
    Yuri notices that Zheng Gu is cautiously following on his heels. His hand touches the hilt of the blade all the time. Obviously, he assumes that Ernalltsev will make a mistake or will not obey the will of Marfur-Nirari. Yuri once again looks towards Zheng Gu. He does this discreetly, so that he does not realize that the adept is aware of his behavior. Then Yuri turns back towards the screens.
    He immediately meets the eyes of Marfur-Nirari. The look of the sage is extremely preoccupied and even threatening. A sinister smirk forms on his lips. Incredibly evil and terrifying. From the sight of this smile, Yuri turns pale. The pain from the amulet intensifies even more. With horror, Ernalltsev realizes that soon the limits of his patience will be exhausted. He just screams at the top of his lungs from a terrible burning sensation.
    Marfur-Nirari points towards the screens. One of them clearly looms the image of the planet. The longer Yuri looks at this picture, the more fear grows in his soul. This planet has long settled in his heart. Moreover, he was born and raised here. It was Mitgard, also known as Geos. But some of the townsfolk called her a simple and nondescript name. Earth.
    On the left, another monitor turns on. There, Yuri sees another image. It resembles a human face. But it can only be called human in part. Its color is gray and unnatural. Instead of eyes, scarlet optical sensors are clearly visible. Instead of hair - solid cables and wires.
    An eerie mechanical grinding is heard from speakers throughout the bridge.


    Tulotron:
    - And yet, I'm afraid that Mr. Ernalltsev will behave awkwardly. I estimate the probability of his inadequate answer at 68.5 percent.


    Marfur-Nirari (smiles with redoubled malice):
    “Your duty is to advise, Tulotron. I know. But still you can be wrong. You are just a program.


    Tulotron (still in the same mechanical voice):
    - Absurdity is in Yuri Ernalltsev's blood. I propose to move on to the violent method of transformation. I estimate the probability of success in this operation at 99.8 percent. Although I do not rule out the possibility of resistance from his mind, but still this option seems to be the most effective.


    Marfur-Nirari:
    Let's try the first one first. You don't have to be in such a hurry.


    Tulotron:
    - As you command. I obey the will of the owner.

    Yuri stares intently into the sage's face. He doesn't really understand what he's talking about.


    Yuri (in disbelief):
    - What do you want from me?


    Marfur-Nirari (nods towards the image of Geos):
    - You know this planet, right?


    Yuri (with a tremor in his voice):
    - Yes, yes ... .. this is my house. Heart of Hyperborea.


    Marfur-Nirari (smiles ominously again):
    - 80 percent of your empire already belongs to me. As you can see, Hyperborea has fallen. But not to the end. The capital still remains in the hands of the imperial governor, Darius Hornfirth. However, I do not need the destruction of the Earth at all. I need something else. And you will do whatever I tell you to.


    Multiple images of different planets appear before Yuri's eyes. All of them belong to either the Impeccable Empire or Hyperborea. Yuri visited many of them personally. But what was the horror of Ernalltsev when he saw with his own eyes that terrible and huge diamond-shaped figures hover around these worlds. He had never seen so many ships in his life. There were so many rhombuses that they literally littered the entire space. Each of the planets on the screen was surrounded on all sides by millions of ships.
    Only Geos or Earth, Yuri's favorite planet, was still safe and sound. As if obeying Ernalltsev's thoughts, the image of Geos increased. Yuri could clearly see the remnants of the space defense of Hyperborea. The once majestic and beautiful citadels built under the previous emperors turned into ruins. Tons of space debris flooded the Earth's orbit.
    Then the image changed. It no longer showed the planet itself, but displayed a huge fleet of diamond-shaped ships approaching it.


    Marfur-Nirari (with an evil grin):
    - As you can see, one of the crown armadas is already approaching your homeland. It is led by Barabbas Har-Lan, my trusted admiral. Once upon a time, he was just like you. He believed that I was evil, and that people like me should be destroyed. But when the plague hit his home world and three billion people died, for some reason he turned to me. He fell to his knees, saying that his realm would not wage war on me. He begged me to save his world from death. Everyone abandoned them. All of the once-great allies have turned their backs on Har-Lan's kindred. I immediately gave them the vaccine. The plague disappeared in a matter of days. From now on, Har-Lan serves me and the Almighty. Barabbas swore that he would do his duty. You, Yuri, must do the same.


    Yuri (with horror in his eyes):
    - I.e…. Should I….. serve you?


    Marfur-Nirari (nods):
    - That's right, Phantom-8. You must complete my task, and then we will start all over again. Your civilization will be saved.


    Yuri (with the same emotion):
    - What did you call me? You called me….


    Marfur-Nirari:
    - Phantom-8. Phantom 7 is unfortunately dead. He so badly wanted to meet his beloved wife that he achieved his goal. His name was Lucius Savrasov.


    Yuri (shudders in surprise):
    - Lucius... He led the defense of Zabergan.

    Marfur-Nirari:
    - Yes, and along the way he reported everything to me. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by its own soldiers. Therefore, I never managed to return his wife. But you, Yuri, I will return more. I will bring back all your friends. All to one. If you complete the task and become my new Phantom. Understand that you don't have a choice.


    Yuri (clearly aware that the situation is getting worse):
    - And what should I do?


    Marfur-Nirari (points to images of Har Lan's ships):
    “We are now in orbit around Acheron Prime. But this will not be a problem in order to transfer you to Geos. While the fleet of Barabbas is approaching your world, you must infiltrate Eridu. It was once the greatest of all the capitals of my ancient empire. But then people rejected my will, as well as the will of the Almighty. However, they decided to take the technology for themselves. That's why you do this, Phantom 8. You will take one of the Tulotron copies, sneak into the central supercomputer of Eridu and upload it there. The overall process will take no more than a minute. Your planet's defenses are still strong. "Tulotron" in a few hours will turn it off completely and perform Self-destruction of devices. This will undoubtedly lead to death of people. There will also be a superweapon that I planted under Eridu 70,000 years ago. Activating this weapon will cause the continents to move. As a result of the catastrophe, 8 billion living beings will die. Only a few hundred thousand remain. They will start all over again.


    The amulet begins to burn with a vengeance. Yuri already wants to scream at the top of his lungs in pain. He can barely contain himself.


    Marfur-Nirari (continues):
    - The survivors will create a new empire. In my image and likeness, and in the image and likeness of the Almighty. Everything will be as we want. The new civilization will be built on universal equality and subjection to a single authority in the person of me and the Almighty. Together we will create extraordinary things. We will make angels out of people, luminous, powerful and beautiful. And they will sing too. And may they know the sacred Song of Creation, as well as the Builders of the Worlds. And may their glory reign throughout the universe. But if anyone wants to challenge them, let him be afraid of their might and let him fall on his face before them.


    Yuri (overcoming terrible pain):
    - Who…. Who is the Almighty? Is this another God? Your God?


    Marfur-Nirari (looks intently at the Ernalls, his sinister grin spreads all over his face):
    - If I can rightfully be called an angel, then the Almighty is God. The same God that commands all the worlds and stars. The one who controls the movement of Chaos and Order. Remember, He is only one. There is only one God, Yuri. And his name is Cerberum.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

    https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?...r:BagaturSasha
    My Wiki page
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  18. #78
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    Phase 7. Earth under attack.


    Geos. The command center of the planetary defense of the capital.
    Numerous bombardments have already turned dozens of cities of Geos into ruins. But Eridu still remained safe and sound. The planetary shield installation held out with all its might. It was an ancient technology that only the most eminent scholars of the emperor understood. And only she now saved the heart of Hyperborea from a full-fledged conquest.
    The situation in the command center is not easy. A lot of people scurry about here and there. Crowds of operators lean at the monitors. Frightened looks are observed in everyone. The enemy is already very close. He is about to approach Geos. Many of these people no longer expect to meet their loved ones in the near future. Har Lan's fleet succeeded in defeating Hornfirth's defensive fleet in orbit. Hyperborea lost not only a large armada, but also all space stations.
    More recently, Darius Hornfirth, who is in his Eriduan headquarters, received another disturbing message. The forces of Marfur-Nirari captured the Moon, the main satellite of Geos. They destroyed the entire network of fortifications and beheaded the commandant of the citadel. A black flag was hoisted on the main Lunar Fortress. The moon is now considered lost.
    Now Hornfirt is more excited than ever. He never leaves the screen for a minute. His head is tormented by endless thoughts. Hyperborea in isolation. No one is in a hurry to help her. The Kinos Defense Forces are defeated. Draconian allies have been driven out of the system. Now all hope is only for the planetary protection of Geos. And even then, it can be destroyed at any time. Hornfirt had already found a saboteur at his headquarters and ordered his immediate execution. But still, he believes that the once great Hyperborea still has a chance to survive.


    Hornfirth (toward the staff officers):
    - Engage all defense systems! Activate the Bermudo Annihilator! Immediately!


    One of the officers (with horror):
    "The Annihilator is not stable, my lord!" Technologists have already said this.


    Hornfirt (furiously):
    - And I don't care that it's not stable! Launch it immediately! And hit the advancing enemy fleet! Execute!


    Officer (obediently bows his head):
    - Yes, my lord!


    The staff scatter in all directions. Signalers are busy with their work and constantly communicate with partners. Scanning drones are flying everywhere. The situation is getting worse every minute. What worries Hornfirth the most is the sharp drop in morale. The people working here are already tired. They are too busy for too many days.
    Suddenly, one of the female operators calls out to Darius. Apparently, she received some very important message.


    Signalman:
    - Milord! A message has been received from Elfurr Command!


    Darius quickly runs up to the woman. He expects to hear something reassuring. But intuition tells him that this is not worth counting on.


    Hornfirt (puzzled):
    - What's there?


    Signalman (mournfully):
    - They will arrive only through standard days.

    Hornfirt (almost growls in anger):
    - them!


    Signalman (with the same emotion):
    - Apparently, you should not count on them, my lord? We don't have those days, do we?


    Hornfirt (with glowing eyes):
    - Of course not! Every minute counts! So, we will fight back on our own! What to do…. If these Elfurr are always late….. We'll have to fight ourselves! Nothing to do about!

    Darius notices that several people in the golden armor of the imperial guard are heading towards him. In their appearance, they look like real knights from ancient legends. Many of them have their helmet visors down.


    The first knight from the group (reports):
    - Milord! His Imperial Majesty proceeded to bunker 7. As you ordered. He is completely safe.


    Hornfirt (sighs in relief):
    - Praise the Creator! Post a double guard there. And remember, the life of the emperor is above all!


    First knight (bows to the commander):
    - Yes, my lord!


    Darius releases the knights. He makes sure that the sovereign is safe, and the task is fully completed. However, this does not affect the overall tragedy of the situation.
    The enemy is already approaching orbit. Very soon, he will start landing troops, or even worse, bombing from space. Hornfirth had already seen how huge diamond-shaped ships wiped entire megacities from the face of the galaxy. Something similar can happen on Geos, and in the next few hours.


    Hornfirt (thinking):
    May the Creator protect us all!

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

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  19. #79
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    Phase 8. End of Darkness.


    "Nexus". Supership Marfur-Nirari hovering in the air. The action is again transferred to the central captain's bridge. It is there that the fate of not only the galaxy, but the entire universe is being decided now.


    Yuri stands on the deck and looks at the screens all the time. Images of Har Lan's ships continue to flicker on one of the monitors. The ships are getting closer and closer to Geos's orbit. Very soon they will be at the goal, and then everything will be over.
    The amulet continues to burn. But at least the pain doesn't get worse, and that makes Yuri happy. He can still tolerate it.


    Marfur-Nirari (smiling evilly):
    - Well, are you ready to complete the task, Phantom-8? It will be difficult for a mere mortal, but not for you. You are the best of Hyperborea's psionics. Are you ready to save your country? You've always done the right thing. Conscience. And this time you will do the same. Inwardly, you know that I'm right.


    Yuri (does not take his eyes off the screens):
    - Nicomedia...


    Marfur-Nirari shudders in surprise. It seems to him that the word is very inappropriate. But he still decides to listen to Ernalltsev. This Hyperborean clearly had some questions.


    Yuri (continues):
    Nicomedia didn't answer. We never got in touch with the viphin exotrorch. This is what you did, right? We couldn't get through to them for hours. Nobody answered.


    Marfur-Nirari (nods):
    - Vifin-ekzotrorh Kuakhtemok acted like a real son of his fatherland. He knew that in order to save his race, some part of it must be destroyed. That's why he gave us the ships, and then detonated the warheads on his home planet. The destabilization of the plates led to the emergence of new continents. Nicomedia has now been restored. And its people are slowly getting used to it.


    Yuri:
    - Quachtemoc is dead?


    Marfur-Nirari:
    - Yes, he sacrificed himself for the benefit of all the Nicomedes.


    Yuri (turns sharply towards the ruler, looks at him with undisguised anger):
    How much more destruction? How much?


    Marfur-Nirari (puzzled):
    - Lot. All this was done for good. If you want to create a new world, bring down the old one. Break it into a thousand pieces. There is no other way. Immerse everything in Chaos, and then a New Order will arise.


    Yuri (with the same emotion):
    What about Elfurr? Have they abandoned us? As far as I know, they have the most advanced technology.


    Marfur-Nirari:
    “Do you think their technology scared me?” I created them! I! And of course they knew about it. They just hid it, as always. They always liked to keep secrets. They did not want to reveal their main secret to anyone. I have visited them many times. In different guises.


    Marfur-Nirari's face immediately changes. It happens spontaneously. His ears are sharply pointed, and his eyes take on a bright purple color. The beard disappears completely. Hair is dyed yellow. The sage is no more. He is replaced by a mysterious Elfurrian youth. Clothes are changing too. No more strictly scholarly suit. It is replaced by a long tunic with gold bracelets.


    Marfur-Nirari (in a soft voice):
    - So I was when I came to them with gifts. They called me the God of the Dawn. And my song sounded in the courts of their kings. And delighted everyone. For my music is a particle of the Act of Creation.


    A moment passes, and Marfur-Nirari returns to its former appearance. Now the same gray-haired sage is looking at Yuri again.


    Yuri (mournfully):
    - And you want me to kill billions of my own relatives on Geos? Or maybe enough blood already?


    Marfur-Nirari (smiles again):
    - Understand, this is necessary in order for the new world to rise. A new universe will emerge. The universe in my image and likeness and Cerberum. Those that survive will become gods. And you will help them with this. I intend to appoint you as my viceroy. After you, of course, fulfill the order and do not allow a failure.

    Suddenly, a strange device is thrown into Yuri's eyes, lying not far from the crystal keyboard. At first, when he first finds it, he does not think that it is of any value. A common device for loading information onto hard drives. There are plenty of such miniature "capsules" on every ship. However, this object was distinguished by a dazzling white color.
    Ernalltsev shudders when he remembers what happened after waking up. Mysterious words of an old man. He again appears before his eyes for a second and utters the cherished words.
    "The amulet kills the demon, and the white device kills the machine king."
    Then the elder disappears from the mind of the adept.


    Yuri (thinking):
    - Machine king .... This is Tulotron…..


    Marfur-Nirari (surprised, looking at Yuri):
    “You look thoughtful, Phantom 8. Shouldn't do that. I gave you a direct order. Understand, this is necessary for the good of the universe. For your own people.


    Yuri (recovering from memories and staring intently at Marfur-Nirari):
    - And if I refuse?


    Marfur-Nirari's face again lights up with an evil grin. His eyes turn red for a second, and not only the pupils, but also the whites. Teeth sharpen for a moment and then return to their original shape.


    Marfur-Nirari:
    - If you refuse to obey, I will be forced to go to the second option.


    Tulotron's voice (from all speakers on the bridge):
    - I would recommend that you go to him at once, sire. I estimate the probability of success of this operation….


    Marfur-Nirari (quickly raises his hand up):
    - Calm down, Tulotron. Now I don't need your advice.


    He smiles again, this time even more viciously. It seems to Yuri that the smirk of the enemy spread over his entire face and even touched his ears. The teeth, as before, are pointed in a shark style, and then again take their usual shape. Marfur-Nirari's eyes darken. The pupils in them completely disappear. But soon the mysterious effect wears off like all the others.


    Yuri again sees the same sage in front of him in a strict suit of a scientist. The truth is no longer grinning, but looks quite serious. Emotions disappear from his face. It takes on a cold and soulless expression.

    Marfur-Nirari (dry):
    - If you refuse to obey, I will resort to involuntary methods of influence. You will be turned into a cybernetic organism. Part of your brain will replace Tulotron. He can easily sneak into the Eridu supercomputer and install his own copy. But to be honest, I don't want that to happen. Your refusal will lead you to eternal sleep. You will live and never die, but forever you will find yourself on the other side of reality. The program you recently visited will become your life. And Tulotron will become you. I guess you don't like this option. Therefore, I hope that you still make the right choice and do not disobey me. Don't forget that I created you. You have my blood.
    Yuri looks around. If earlier only one miniature drone flew on the bridge, indicating the presence of AI here, now there are many more. In addition, Zheng Gu, who previously stood calmly, takes up a fighting position. His right hand touches the hilt of the blade. He is ready to draw his sword at any moment.


    Marfur-Nirari (continues, in a softer tone):
    - Understand, it needs to be done, Yuri. This is for the good of the universe. The old world must perish forever. I never resort to coercion except in extreme cases. So, now this is the extreme case. If you think I'm blackmailing you, it's not true. Blackmail and threats are the work of the dark ones. But we are with you on the Light Side. You have always done the right thing. You have become an example for your people. You are kind, merciful and just. And now you will not deviate from your path. I know it's hard for you. But you must do it. You must save your race from certain death.


    Ernalltsev again looks at the mysterious white device. He will have to try to quickly grab it. He has already found the right place where the device is inserted. But the main thing is speed. Marfur-Nirari can anticipate this plan and prevent him from getting to the device.
    In addition, the amulet began to burn even more. It will take quite a bit, and Yuri will not be able to endure. He's ready to scream in extreme pain.


    Marfur-Nirari (smiles again):
    - Well, are you ready to complete the task, Phantom-8? I will give you a fast track to Eridu. I created many cities on your planet. I know secret passages. So don't worry. All you have to do is deliver a copy of Tulotron there and upload it to the central computer. This copy will be given to you at the portal station.


    Yuri understands that he will not be able to delay. He's been waiting way too long. In case of delay, he risks dooming his own planet to death. Billions, if not trillions, of living beings have already perished. But at least Geos is still intact. The people of the Earth still have a chance to survive. If he stops the evil now, the Hyperboreans will have a chance to win. Yes, no doubt, this could lead to his death, but at least the others would survive.


    Yuri (slowly unbuttons the top button of his robe):
    “First, I want to tell you something.


    Marfur-Nirari (with the same grin):
    - Of course, Phantom-8. If you have any recommendations regarding the penetration into Eridu, then I am listening to you carefully. I'm even thinking of sending Zheng Gu undercover with you.


    Zheng Gu (still maintaining his fighting stance):
    - Without a doubt, my lord. I will help. I have a great disguise.

    Yuri (shakes his head)
    - No, I'm not talking about that at all.


    He slowly undoes another button. Ernalltsev knows that speed is the main thing. The faster he pulls out the amulet, the greater the chance of destroying Marfur-Nirari. The main thing is to do everything as soon as possible and not to make a mistake. He has no room for error.


    Marfur-Nirari:
    - And what then, Phantom-8?


    Yuri unbuttons two more buttons. The amulet is not yet visible. It is hidden behind a dense layer of fabric.


    Tulotron (from all speakers):
    - I believe that you agree to the operation, Mr. Ernalltsev? This is surprising. According to my psychological analysis, your total unpredictability of character is exactly 93 percent. Accordingly, I admit the possibility of absurd behavior. Therefore, I offered Messire Marfur-Nirari the second option for interacting with you.


    Ernalltsev quickly unbuttons the entire dressing gown. He knows he only has a few seconds. Therefore, he no longer hesitates. Yuri quickly rips off the mysterious amulet. Not even a moment passes before he is in his hands.


    Yuri (angrily, towards Marfur-Nirari):
    - Say hello to Cerberum for me.


    Marfur-Nirari and Zheng Gu notice something shiny in Yuri's hands. Internally, Marfur-Nirari already understands that Ernalltsev is not so simple as it seems. He is clearly not going to become a new Phantom, and even more so to carry out criminal tasks. He is too devoted to his homeland, and will never leave her in trouble.


    Zheng Gu (sternly, towards Ernalltsev):
    - You have a very irreverent tone, Phantom-8! Don't forget who you're talking to! You are speaking to the Herald of the Almighty!


    Marfur-Nirari (with terrible fear on his face):
    - What are you ... chatting, Yuri? You are not yourself!


    Yuri (with even more fury):
    - I say say hello to Cerberum when you meet him. In hell.


    Zheng Gu (almost in a frenzy):
    - You speak with God, Yuri! You forget! This behavior is unacceptable here! You are making a terrible mistake! I will be forced to arrest you for such words!


    Yuri (shouting at the top of his lungs):
    - Not! He! No God!!!

    Not even a second passes before Yuri throws the amulet right in Marfur-Nirari's face. Everything happens too fast, even lightning fast.
    During these moments, the face of the demon is transformed in all its glory. He is too far from human. There are no familiar blue eyes, no kind smile. On the contrary, his eyes are blacker than the night, vast bottomless abysses. Skin is pale, like that of a dead man. The lips are just as dark and sinister. The teeth are sharp, like those of a giant megalodon shark. A sinister and devilish grin extends to the ears. Multiple teeth are visible everywhere, even in the cheek area.
    The amulet crashes into the mouth of the terrifying entity with all its might. A small sun shines. A huge explosion immediately knocks back Yuri and Zheng Gu. Marfur-Nirari flies several meters away from the cluster of monitors and crashes into the wall of the bridge. His translucent and sparkling body topples to the floor. It is immediately flooded with scarlet electrical impulses that arise from almost all directions. The air smells of rot and horror.
    The roar coming from a dying demon is like the rumble of a billion throats. Resonant waves in the blink of an eye fall on the screens. Cracks immediately begin to appear in them. Drones flying around the hall fall to the ground and no longer move. The most powerful bursts of energy burn out all their microcircuits. The enemy continues to fight in monstrous convulsions. His body gradually loses its shape and disincarnates. Dark ominous vapors crawl out from everywhere, the streams of which immediately rise up.
    However, one more task remains. White device. If the amulet kills Marfur-Nirari, then Tulotron can only be destroyed mechanically. Malicious AI has nothing to do with the world of shadows. It has no magic or soul. He may well avoid reprisals against himself and quickly restore damage to the bridge. And this should not be allowed. In addition, Tulotron is able to call the guards and lead an entire legion to the checkpoint. The security services on the Nexus were quite good.
    Yuri struggles to get up. He soon succeeds. He no longer feels pain from burning. The amulet sent the greatest of demons to hell forever.
    But still, he was seriously concussed. He nearly crushed the back of his head on one of the bridge's instruments. Fortunately, Yuri did not receive mortal wounds. Perhaps this new improved body helped him in this.
    But blood was streaming from his ears. He heard almost nothing, and saw in front of him with great difficulty. There was a thick haze in front of my eyes.


    Yuri (looks around and assesses the situation):
    - Device…. Device….. White device kills…. Machine king ... ..


    Tulotron's voice (dramatically changing key):
    - You… do…. A terrible mistake….. Mr. Ernalltsev….


    Yuri (threateningly in the direction of the split monitors):
    - Come on, yell about your interest there!


    Tulotron's voice (from the side of a pile of screens):
    - It's impossible. I can't be wrong…. I am perfect….. I was considering the likelihood of your…. Destruction….. nya….nya….. nya…..nya….. exactly on….. on……. On…..…shhhhhhhhhh………zzzzzzzz……..


    Yuri:
    You can't even speak properly!

    Ernalltsev quickly finds the coveted white device on the floor. He knows for sure that it will finish Tulotron. Obviously, it is some kind of antivirus. Marfur-Nirari could not completely entrust the control of the ships to one AI. He probably had a fallback option in case Tulotron did fail.


    Voice of Tulotron:
    - Critical error….. Critical error….. Nexus control under threat…. Danger Level….. Highest…..zzzzzz……shhhhhhhh…….
    Yuri grabs the device and approaches the small socket among the processors. The connector is just right for the connection. It remains only to connect and start the erasing procedure.


    Tulotron voice (from all speakers):
    - You…. You…. Doing….the…. terrible….yu… error…… Device…. Which is in your hands... Leads to total... Annie….hylations…… Annihilations…. Fleet Marfurr….-Nirari….. within… the known universe… th…


    Yuri (angrily):
    - Thanks for reminding me. So it's going to hit all your courts! And the universe will be free!


    Voice of Tulotron:
    “You… don’t realize….. the danger….. of the situation….I….I….. You…. Nothing…. You don't understand…..you….


    Zheng Gu (behind Ernalltsev):
    - Yuri!


    Yuri is about to insert the device, but Zheng Gu's voice distracts him. He turns back. He sees in front of him that gloomy armored knight. It turns out that he did not die from the witch impulse. Although his armor is covered with cracks in several places.


    Zheng Gu:
    - Stop! Listen to me!


    Yuri (furiously):
    - Why would you? I just want people like you out of the galaxy! You are conquerors! The killers!


    Zheng Gu (holds out a long serrated sword):
    - I, too, was like you, Yuri! Too! I didn't know anything! Did not understand! I thought that the Light Gods would intercede for us!


    Yuri:
    - So I didn't believe in it!


    Zheng Gu (growls):
    - I believed them enough! But they didn't do anything! Just like they didn't do it now! Where are your Gods, Yuri? Where are they? Why did they allow the death of trillions and did not interfere with Marfur-Nirari? Why?


    Yuri (flashing):
    - I don't know! But I know that people like you should not rule!


    Zheng Gu (getting into a fighting stance):
    - Darkness has always existed, Yuri! She has always been! Cerberum has no age! Just as the Creator of the Universe has no age! They both have existed forever and will continue to exist! The Creator, the one you believe in, has turned his back on you! No wonder Marfur-Nirari spoke about what you are doing! You kill each other, destroy worlds! But when Light leaves the universe, Darkness comes in its place!


    Yuri:
    - Darkness never wins!


    The knight makes several lunges and aims the blade at the target. He is ready for a fierce fight. Ready at any moment to demolish Ernalltsev's head and trample on his body.


    Zheng Gu:
    - She already won, Yuri! Don't you see? It's impossible to fight against her! Many have tried! Do you think I didn't try? I led a whole campaign against the Shadow, and then I realized that all the troubles that befell my race were well-deserved! And the one whom I called the Universal Evil became my mentor!

    Yuri (terribly):
    “You want to stop me from destroying Tulotron, right?


    Zheng Gu makes a few more lunges and puts his left hand in front of him. In the right one remains the sharpest blade, ready to plunge into enemy flesh. A little more, and the knight will begin the long-awaited battle.


    Zheng Gu (wheezing):
    - By killing Tulotron, you will destroy all the ships of Marfur-Nirari.


    Yuri (gloatingly):
    - Fine! Exactly what I wanted!


    Zheng Gu:
    But so is this ship. Your friends are still here. They will die in the devil's fire. He won't leave anything from them, Yuri. As well as from you. You will die alone. Nobody will know about you. Nobody ever.

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

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    My Wiki page
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  20. #80
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    Default Re: Revenge of the Tyrants. Darkness.

    Phase 9. Rescue.


    Sirens begin to ring throughout the bridge. The rumble is very nasty, sharp and painful for the ears. It gets louder every second.


    Zheng Gu (still in fighting stance):
    - No one will help you, Yuri. Security is already on the way. Level One Alert declared. But, of course, you can try to stick the Annihilator and kill Tulotron. Kill him along with your friends. Marfur-Nirari developed this device in case Tulotron rebelled. I'm surprised you found out about him. But you can act right now. Let's. Kill us all.


    Yuri stands in a daze. On the one hand, he wants to plug the device into the slot and put an end to all this Darkness forever. But on the other hand, he understands that Zheng Gu is right. His friends are still on the Nexus. Perhaps they are also connected to a computer program. Just like Yuri, they see different realities and do not understand what is happening around.
    Ernalltsev has a difficult choice. If he doesn't destroy Tulotron, guards will arrive at the bridge and arrest him. Zheng Gu will continue to command the attack flotilla and put an end to Hyperborea. And Marfur-Nirari will get a chance for the coming revival. But if he eliminates the machine god, then the war is over. All invading ships will be destroyed in a matter of minutes. He will save billions of sentient beings.


    Zheng Gu (continues, over the sirens):
    - Security is close, Yuri. Think well. Do you want to kill your friends? If you don't care about Hercules, then at least think about Iilfan. I know how she made you feel.
    Yuri still freezes in place. In his right hand, he is squeezing with all his might a white device designed to eliminate AI. But still he does not dare to plunge it into the slot. He feels hesitations and doubts. All these feelings bind him and turn him into a statue.


    Zheng Gu:
    - If you think that the Light Gods will come to your call, you are mistaken. They abandoned you all! Because you're tired of you killing each other. They won't come to your aid. Do not even hope.


    Voice behind Zheng Gu (firm and determined):
    - And here you are mistaken!


    Yuri flinches in surprise. Behind his opponent, he sees an old man. The same old man who, even before meeting Marfur-Nirari, helped him find the amulet. It was he who instructed Ernalltsev and said what needs to be done to win.
    This time, the old man has a fire staff in his hands, and the tip of it is pointed at Zheng Gu's back. The knight quickly turns back and raises his serrated sword above him.
    The old man's eyes flare up with white flames. Lights literally burst from his eyelids. The glow of the staff is getting brighter and brighter.


    Elder (terribly):
    - You have no power here, Zheng Gu Damned! You have no power over Yuri or over me! Get out!


    The old man makes a sharp swing with his staff. Zheng Gu does not have time to dodge. A powerful arcane impulse throws him aside. The knight's armored body hits the walls of the captain's bridge with all its might, after which it falls to the deck and stretches. Zheng Gu's armor is crushed almost everywhere. Even his seemingly rugged helmet-mask is quickly scrapped right there.


    Elder (towards Yuri):
    - Destroy Tulotron! Faster!


    Yuri (beside himself with amazement):
    But my friends are here! They are on the ship!

    Elder (loudly, trying to interrupt the howling of the sirens):
    - My warriors freed your friends! While you were fighting the demon, we sabotaged the ship's laboratory! Your friends are saved! They are already on another planet!
    At first, Ernalltsev was overwhelmed with doubts. For a moment it seems to him that the old man is only trying to calm him down. But intuition and flair take their toll. In the end, his heart tells him that the old man is telling the truth. His friends are alive and safe now.


    Elder (continues):
    - Faster! Destroy Tulotron! Destroy it before it activates the reserve bank!


    Yuri nods. After that, he runs at the speed of an arrow towards a pile of screens. The white device is still in his hand. He again sees the coveted connector, which is just designed for connection. He is already preparing to strike the finishing blow. A blow that will forever end evil and rid the entire galaxy of it.
    On the monitors, images of strange mechanized creatures, covered from everywhere with cables, appear all the time. On one of the screens it is a female form, on the other - a male one. Optical sensors burning with a scarlet glow literally pierce Yuri through and through.


    Ernalltsev understands that Tulotron is not going to give up.


    Tulotron voice (from all bridge speakers):
    - You…. Doing…. Terrible…. YU…. mistake……


    Yuri (angrily looks at the multiple images of unknown creatures):
    - No, rather, I do what I have to do!


    Voice of Tulotron:
    - You are doomed….. I will rise again…. Like mine…. Master……. I…. Perfect….. I am absolute……


    Yuri (grins evilly):
    - You're an ordinary ing program, devoid of a soul! And today I declare you a substandard product! Your security level is the lowest. And the probability of your unconditional destruction is exactly one hundred percent.


    Voice of Tulotron:
    - Haha….. You repeat…. My words….. A primitive person…… I…. There is…. Consciousness…… And I will return…….. I will return again……. The probability of….my return I regard…..


    Yuri (smiles):
    - How did you screw me! Go to hell!


    With these words, Ernalltsev plugs the device directly into the slot. Annihilator download starts instantly. The device remains inside the processor.
    Images of cyber creatures disappear from the screens. Now instead of them there are mysterious symbols and numbers, mostly zeros and ones.


    Mechanical voice from speakers (all over the bridge):
    - Attention! Attention! Attention! The program of global self-destruction has been launched!


    Mysterious symbols and numbers on the monitors appear more and more often. Yuri does not understand their meaning, but internally knows that this is the absolute death of the Tulotron, its complete and unconditional erasure.


    Then the screens start to turn off one by one.

    Voice from speakers (continues broadcasting):
    - Annihilator protocol activated. By the will of lord Marfur-Nirari, a decision was made to destroy the absolute superintelligence Tulotron. If you hear these words, then the decision is fully approved. I remind you that Global Self-Destruction will lead to the destruction of all controlled ships within the known universe, including the flagship of lord Marfur-Nirari. Until the end of the cooking procedure - 25 seconds. Countdown start.


    Yuri (with the same smile, looking at the monitors):
    Well, finita la comedia!


    Ernalltsev understands that he needs to leave the ship as soon as possible. He is sure that the old man has such an opportunity. Otherwise, how did he get on the ship then?
    Yuri turns sharply towards the mysterious ally. The elder still stands in the same place with a flaming staff. Its glowing alien eyes pierce the adept.


    Yuri (towards the old man):
    - We must drape!


    Elder (nods):
    - I'll take you to your friends. They are on Themis. It's a few parsecs from here.


    Speaker voice:
    - 20 seconds.


    The old man makes several movements with his staff and draws a ring in the air. The ring immediately turns into a fireball that glows brighter every moment. Very soon, Yuri sees in front of him something that looks like a miniature portal.


    Elder (to Yuri):
    - Jump here! This is the gate! They will lead you to your friends!


    Yuri is still staring at the fire ring. For a moment, he remembers how he moved to the bridge from the laboratory compartments. That portal was a bit like this one. Probably, the old man had truly gigantic strength. Even an experienced psionicist, such miracles were given with the greatest difficulty.


    Yuri (with a questioning look):
    - Jump? Into the ring?


    Voice from speakers (all over the bridge):
    - 10 Seconds.


    Elder (with all his might):
    - Jump faster! Otherwise, you will be blown away!


    Yuri (to the old man):
    - And how are you? What will happen to you?


    Elder:
    - I survived and not in such whirlwinds! This won't kill me!


    Without thinking twice, Yuri quickly approaches the gate. He is ready to jump into the ring and disappear into the cycle of magic. But something still stops him.


    Yuri (looks at the old man again):
    - Who are you? Are you a planet creator too? How is he?


    Elder (loudly):
    - I can't answer this question, Yuri Ernalltsev! Jump!


    Voice from speakers (getting louder):
    - 5 second.


    Ernalltsev clearly understands that he does not have time. Many questions will undoubtedly remain unanswered. With the speed of the wind, he dives into the fiery ring and completely dissolves in it. The powerful adept of Hyperborea leaves the sinister ship of demons forever.


    The voice from the speakers continues to broadcast.
    - 4 seconds.
    - 3 seconds.
    - 2 seconds.


    The old man stays where he is. His eyes shine like the distant stars of a galaxy. The staff still bursts into flames. On the face of an unknown entity, great sorrow. The old man looks around the room with a sad look. He looks at the extinguished screens, at the smashed captain's bridge, at the deck scorched by hellish fire.


    Elder (with the same emotion):
    “I told you, my brother. You sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind. You shouldn't have leaned towards Cerberum. There was no need to betray us all. You made a terrible mistake, for which once again paid the price.


    Voice from speakers (twice as loud):
    - 1 second.
    Preparations completed...
    Initiating Global Self-Destruction… .
    Starting to blow up the reactors ....

    Leader of the "Creative flame" studio.
    Author of the book "Legends of Moon Landscape"
    also author of the books "Fly", "Volcanorium" and other works too. Mostly specialized on fantasy.

    https://wiki.twcenter.net/index.php?...r:BagaturSasha
    My Wiki page
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