Of Little Hope

by DE_K

Rating: teen
Tags: Human, Comedy, Tragedy, Adventure
Length: 6538

A Human Xisc has succesfully performed the first inter-planetary teleportation. However, while was certain of where he would arrive, it seems he's gone awry. But then he sees the vast and expansive opportunity to bereave this developing nation.

Un Drach An Yttierbein Dyn Chrassis. Chrassis has always been eager to advance, an aspiring agent in the fields of Intry, and a figure-head of success and good-will towards Man and Theirs. Towards Man and Theirs only. And quite recently, a student. He didn't however, ascend to being a student, only after he made one of the most asinine mistakes a leader of an inter-planetary empire could make. Luckily he was only charged with half of what he did so he was only demoted. To the start. But none seem sure of just what exactly it was he's guilty of. He has been through many horrible ordeals, but kept his sanity intact. Sure there may be a few cracks here and there but, crazy is only really a problem when it affects the Many and Individual. Right? No one can really BLAME him though, such power contained in only one being normally causes them to lose it MILLENIUMS ago. Of course he could always do something about that, but he says it allows him, if only, a glimpse, of all Beyond and Around. He's only just in the yellow, just barely teetering on xenocide. All with only a whisper.
None dare force his tongue. As it is his greatest tool, sharper than any sword, and deadlier than any poison.
The matter at stake here, is how he will play out his stay, and what will be considered fit for existence in his ever-changing vision, or deemed, unworthy and smite from the very memory of The Collective.
You can't be punished for murder, when said someone never even existed.
He has chosen the way none had thought possible, but all had darkly expected. He will return, he just needs more of everything their insignificant world has to offer. Whether it be material, Ethereal, or the power of Vox.
His presence will be known. His name remembered. His entity present. His being established.

But first, He has to. . .Remain.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-04-22 04:50:04 UTC

Shortcomings

"Ash kan dyn ihn kintal vahn shij ahl kaytauhrbaun vol alahn diesh qsp!" Chrassis' 'teacher' constantly barraged him.

'Yes! I know the mantra! Focus, concentration, Seek and Locate the Fountains, focus, perseverance, vigilance, strengthen, Influx the Source, and FOCUS!' Chrassis so adamantly thought, 'After all. I made it!' He thought without worry around such a strong Xisc as his current 'teacher'. That mattering because as his current 'mentor' was one of The Collective, he Wielded an array of different capabilities. Ranging from simple Telepathy to the devastating Oxidization Collateral, which rendered anything else besides the chosen agent within the atmosphere ineffective. Breaking it down to it's most base form of energy, which will then be transmuted into anything the Caster does choose.

But I digress, of The Collective and Collected, while The Collective were generally resolute and nigh unshakeable when it comes to speech, around the commoners, Chrassis, the last of the vastly celebrated Collected, was more lenient and didn't really see the need to care. It wasn't that The Collective couldn't so much as they wouldn't. Saying it was 'a disgrace and beneath them', even so far as 'a step backwards in the march of evolution'. It was also to be expected, on Chrassis' part, to be a willing subject of speaking the tongue of the natives when going on diplomatic business, or conversing with his subjects. As one commanding a great empire, as he was, it felt more mandatory than a pleasantry. Sure it also helped to improve his public image with the far and wide inhabitants, but what really mattered was that it helped pass a few choice "conceited" laws, and that's all the incentive he needed. Albeit it felt. . .different considering which language was used when Casting, same effect, but with small adverse reactions. And as he was a being of domination over the Intry, for which his their glorious empire was named after and founded upon, he was the closest to fully understanding and controlling Intry, which was a far stretch from ever being whole. He has burned through nearly every topic for every branch of Intry made, and has easily gone into making his own, dubbed, "Axwyrn", and has influence and a far reach over all subcategories, as they've become upon his discovery of Axwryn and the control over the metaphysical. This was of course after his return and he seemed to understand everything, and became quick with the sword and colder of the heart. But he always seemed a little cracked after his return. The citizens of Intirium had all shrugged it off and celebrated their beloved emperor's return and gave their blessings to honor the day. Such was the way of the people of Intirium, peace has plagued the lands and brought about his many devoted, loyal, and the unswerving allegiance of 56 billion souls, from many different Kinds, give or take 10 billion, census' are slow.

That number always made a head or two turn when discussing treaties between Intirium and its neighboring nations. Always seeming to settle the matter at hand and bring about instant disclosure. But Chrassis never seemed to notice this, either that or he felt it better to keep his discrepancies to himself. He could be a cold and calculating man sometimes. But not all of that number was human! Hence the 'Kinds'. Humans were far from the minority, but not taking the entirety of Intirium. And as custom, there was a hefty amount of Specieists who just couldn't stand the very presence of any other Kind among them. Killing them either covertly or on sight, extremists such as the "Dayn Vandaun" or the "Staz Tzar" are two prime examples of both cases. The Dayn on one hand were an exceptionally openly hostile group that had the numbers to back their "Just Embarkments". Which was really just drafting fellow civilians into their gigantic gang. Involving numerous Hexes, a large amount of Intry, and a massive cathedral for performance. That's why churches are banned,

~~'All further religious acts shall be henceforth conducted and incited within the confines of any and all personal abodes, any further infractions shall be considered an act of treason against The Collective and Arch-Priest Chrassis. Hereby punishable by death with no parole given; i.e. within shooting distance of local authorities.' ~~

That problem was resolved decades ago though, successfully purging any offending extremists from the ranks of the Guard. There were reports of the law being too extreme and they were right. But, they never had enough support and evidence to substantiate a case against The Collection (the combined of The Collective and Chrassis, they are, to the public, a single unit or body of command, with only slight deviations from one another) to actually start something. Also, numbers are numbers, figures are figures, and a body count's a body count. The remaining Activists had wisely decided to disperse, or keep their fucking ideals and standards to themselves.

Not to say that other species were saved, the Unmarked. They were the ones who not registered citizens of Intirium who either ventured forth to the Perfect Realms unknowingly walking into a kill-pit for all not included. The ones Unmarked were sighted easily and were treated as an invading strain of disease where the Marked acted as the Antibodies protecting their host, Intirium. Reprimanded brutally and viciously. Other Kinds were without knowledge of Intirium's devices, and either assumed they were living happily among The Rest or the wanderers were forgotten. There can be no light  without a darkness, and the greater the light the darkness becomes greater and grander. Growing in the outskirts of the mind and taking hold, festering within and encompassing the light without it being none the wiser. Manipulating were the light shines and where it avoids. As such and natural law dictates, this blossoming Utopia* must have the darkest light of all to overshadow the flood lights practically gleaming off of every surface one would find purchase. And Intirium doesn't just make treaties with any half-assed cultures. They need to prove themselves to be worth Intirium's attention. To place a noteworthy entrance, because Intirium's history has only ever been the grandest. It won't settle for peaceful resolves. Only those who stood, effectively, against the injustice that Intirium provided them. Intirium does allow the weak of heart or poisoned of mind entrance to paradise. And if they aren't going to fight for themselves, well then, they must not be worth existing.

Because while the Drruan was a peaceful empire (to fellow residents at least) it was one moved by war and bloodletting. It was an introverted killer with bodies in the basement, victims in the attic, and still have a family who were without knowing. And it was best. Best for the kids and the wife. Best for the People to delude themselves and cry "peace" instead of "war". Because if it weren't so, then the Kinds would unite and cry for "blood", they would then pay dearly for  the death of their enemies and carnage for their insatiable blood-lust. The disconnected spouse would...induct the children. Intirium would begin militarizing at the earliest opportunity, and as it being a subliminally violence driven empire, The Collection were all willing members of the military. Highest positions, complete with Commanders, Generals, Admirals, and Lieutenant Generals the whole shebang. They were only called upon in dire times though, and as a result few have seen action. But 'dire' in Intirium's position meant early or even preemptive strikes to completely obliterate the enemy. Sometimes for even just considering a...dilemma. Dilemmas don't happen in Intirium, Chrassis has made sure of that. He was behind it from the very beginning. All starting on one, little, insignificant, belittling, disintegrated, green, planet. He had directed and controlled Humanities progression through the stars, and laughed at the sides of fallen and forgotten friends, partook in the slaughtering of entire solar systems, and took the reins whenever the Reaper said it was too much for him. And as an Intirialite, he played resident better than any other in the great expanse of Drruan. He was the nicest guy ever, if not overbearing at times, around His and Theirs. But he put all the demons of Hell to shame. He had no demons. He was a self-made demon in and of himself.

"Qayl trepsine axwyn! Dwrein skansk Dyn!" His teacher impatiently reprimanded as his "student's" performance  steadily decreased.

"Yes I'm tired! And always to the Title with you isn't it? Rhetorical, don't answer that. You've all Stripped me of my Abilities...besides the ones you couldn't." Chrassis replied with a barely concealed smirk. "Vaugh`t!" He continued to supply his current project with Intry. In reality he wasn't even close to tired. He also just liked to piss off his 'mentor'. Just to spite him for being so belligerent and foolish. And he was still the most powerful being in existence and, as far as he knew, was incapable of something as benign as 'fatigue'. And before his "descent from the mighty", he had protected a few select Abilities, as insurance, with his more personal of Wards of the Mind. But he had promised not to use them until he 'reestablished his position among the legendary' or he absolutely felt counterproductive needed to. And even though The Collective were great and renowned throughout the Drruan, he was...even more branded. They were of near-mythical prowess, but Chrassis was near-godlike and dwarfed them to the lowly in comparison. Or, at the very least, was. Before the Power Strip. Which he by the way invented! It was a simple matter of mind manipulation and sectioning off access to certain parts of the brain. It was however, only temporary, and acted as a more benign version of amnesia. Worse considering who you were, because it leaves you with just enough to remember what you've lost. A problem if Chrassis didn't remember this. But Chrassis being Chrassis, it took all The Seven to...Swipe him. And even that would prove to only have half the desired effect, leaving his Protected to reside within his conscience. He will gradually begin to remember, but that could take weeks, maybe days, or even months. He never really set a margin for desired effects.

But all this just gives more to question. Why was he being subjected to such an abhorrent thing as a...a refresher course? Well that's up for debate. Some call it 'reformation' while the ignorant call it 'self-control courses'. He doesn't know why he's being treated so lowly for one simple mistake. Honestly, anyone could've made it! Anyone would have made it. But noo~ he had to be demoted of all things! Back to a simple Qarion no less!

"Quarn vannesh wyrn dohl! SEINT DREVI OLIGATH PUETH!" Imperria yelled as loud as his cloak burst aflame, leaving nothing but smoldering embers to mark its slow and steady progression.

"What wha- OH SHIT!" Our to-be-decided-tagonist so eloquently stated. "I'LL GET IT! WOLKRREN!" Chrassis shouted as a near zero gust blew through the chamber. "I got it out see? I was just...not focusing and lost track of what I was doing!" Chrassis tried to finish strongly, hoping his teacher what too occupied being angry to have properly heard him. (Seriously? Who hopes for that?)

"You weren't what?" Imperria said with enough venom to kill a small city, or a very large town.

HE'S SPEAKING IN TONGUES NOW! I better diffuse this bomb fast!

"Well, it wasn't really that I wasn't focusing! I was just, just ah, just-" Chrassis, always a man of few words, was mercifully cut off as his stand-in mentor was already prepared with a retort.

"NO! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT FROM YOU! I'VE HAD JUST ABOUT ENOUGH OF YOUR SKYLARKING!

And Chrassis always being true to his word, "Well wait just a minute! What do you mean 'enough of me'? What have I done to you besides spare your ankles from the itchy DRESS?"

"What did you call the Royal Cloak?" Again with the poison! One would think at a glance that he was a COBRA spittin' that everywhere the way he was! "I'll have you know that using that Abstract was strictly on JUST EMERGENCIES! REMEMBER? ONLY TO BE USED WHEN YOU HAVE RESUMED YOUR DESIGNATED POSITION! NOT LIKE YOU EVER WILL KEEPING THE PACE THE WAY YOU ARE!" Imperria, so gently put it.

'Way to diffuse the situation! Well, FULL STEAM AHEAD!'

"WHERE EXACTLY ARE YOU GETTING AT HERE 'ROYAL CLOAK'? DO YOU WISH TO DIVULGE THIS SECRET SOURCE OF DISPLEASURE OR ARE YOU GOING TO HOG IT ALL FOR YOURSELF?" Chrassis so delicately and placatingly put it.

"WHY, DO YOU HAVE TO ALWAYS RESORT TO SUCH PETTY INSULTS WHEN CONFRONTED WITH A PROBLEM YOU CAN'T OVERCOME? DO YOU HAVE THE INABILITY TO CONFIDENTLY SUPPORT YOURSELF? OR ARE YOU JUST TOO NAIVE TO SEE WHAT YOU SAY, JUST DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING?" Imperria knows where to hit. *Sarcasm*

"Imperria, you hurt me," Chrassis replied with mock indignity, "If it's because I accidently singed your 'Royal Leotard' I promise I'm truly sorry," he continued, his voice all but oozing sarcasm, "But if it is, I must say, you have a hair-trigger of a touchy subject there. I mean all I did was singe the hem of you cloak and leave the stale scent of burnt hair in the atmosphere." He diplomatically put it, "But if you're allergic to that kind of thing I understand. I'm allergic to terminal-velocity lead." Chrassis remarked sagely, thinking of what he could say next during the time given by catching Imperria off guard with his sudden tangent. A stupid grin flitted across his face as he thought of it, "Where's your sense of humor?" He suicidally asked. Anyone whose spent two minutes around Imperria with at least a two digit I.Q, on the low side, would note that he had no sense of humor. At least not unearthed by archeologist yet.

"HUMOR? HA! THAT'S FUNNY!" I stand corrected " Do you have ANY idea of what could have befallen unto my person? WELL? Do you?" Imperria stated surprisingly enough.

"Know? Know? Of course I do! Why would you ever ask such an inane question as 'do I know'?" It appears not only Imperria has a toucy subject.

"Well excuse me for insulting!" His...well councilor retaliated. "But it is sometimes easy to forget how someone such as yourself could have even the most meager of portions to power! Let alone rule, the entire EMPIRE!"

'How *did** I ever get there? I've often wondered that myself. Sure I'm hands down the oldest and most powerful being to have ever existed, but surely I should have been impeached or...wait, we don't have impeachment anymore. Well at least a petition for resignation!* Chrassis became lost in thought about why he was ever trusted with the power over so many lives, powerful powers, and multitudes of eager soldiers practically starting wars for the chance to fight that he never noticed his mentor prepare for another barrage of instantaneously-regretted words about to be spilt when the pneumatic locks on the door gave a soft but distinct whoosh as its catches released and its frame ascended into the frame without a trace, giving way to

"And as for-"  Was the farthest Imperria got before another rushed in.

"Quickly! You're needed in the vita-chamber! We've made a breakthrough with the Abstract Axwyrn and we need the whole of The Collection present! We'll explain when you arrive!" The unexpected lifesaving intruder pronounced.

"-self-righteous, pompous, bastard! Imperria apparently unabatedly and unimpededly finished.

"Wait, hold that thought Impp! We'll get back to that. We can continue this little...debacle when we find an open field void of Marked life! If they've made any discoveries with the Abstract then I am going to be there. But if you want to miss out on any amount of new Intry, well far far be it from me to deny you the opportunity to...deny yourself the opportunity to learn more of the Abstract and Axwyrn!" Chrassis concluded their discussion as he began running through the opening and down the chrome plated halls.

"Huh?" Imperria wisely questioned? Left behind in the Containment Chamber with only the scent of burnt hair in the air. 'It does leave a bit more breathing room for my feet though.'

"Well? What was so important that you had to demand my presence?" Chrassis inquiriously inquired, a small amount of hope becoming present, "Have we finally decoded that damned blue box!" He stated more than asked.

"Sorry Chrassis, we've searched it all very thoroughly and we still only know the 'whys' but are far from the 'hows'. She replied.

"Oh, well that's fine." Chrassis brushed off that little bother, "But it must be something good for us all have to be here." He finished happily enough.

He conducted a brief mental survey of all those present. His eyes looked upon all the current faces of The Collective and inwardly sighed. His mind skirting over memories of long-ago friends and previous Xiscs to have called Intirium home. Then it resurfaced from the past and settled on those before itself. Recalling what he knew of the present Xiscs and he gave a warm smile.

His gaze first paused on Zaanzbaeryn. The charming woman who inadvertently saved his person in the Containment Chamber. She was standing behind the main console and only gave Chrassis a brief look before returning her attention to the holographic screen she was assigned with handling. She had benevolent eyes of emeralds and hair of rustic-auburn. A pretty and endearing woman who donned a cloak with the shade of a lush forest canopy that, at a glance, appeared to consist of healthy and evenly hewn leaves that seemed to sway in a nonexistent breeze. She had accentuated points on her cloak the color of healthy wood, a deep brown that seemed to be of a rough and splinter donating material, but actually was a silk that danced on the perceptible senses.

Next he saw Druch to her left. A man who looked to be a deceitful person with his grey-toned skin and light black ensemble that suppressed his salt and pepper hair, and eyes the shade of stormy skies. He was a strange one though, even to Chrassis. Because he was the only one who didn't naturally hate or wish to kill anyone. He was the most benevolent of The Collective and they accepted that. He was given a hard time at first seeing as how he was actually open about it and trying to play missionary and convert others to peacefull resolutions! What a bastard!

Next Chrassis glanced at the closest person to his right. And he saw Breidÿn sitting in the next chair over from the closest. He motioned for Chrassis to come down and sit next to him. Chrassis was hesitant, seeing as how this was Breidÿn, who was a bit of a dick a perfect example of what a Xisc should be.

(Thank The Seven for small favors)

"Hey, I heard you and Imperria got into a bit of a scuffle in the Containment Chamber. Something about certain prohibited Abstracts being used." Breidÿn susurrated, apparently trying to go missing.

"No it wasn't a scuffle. We were just at...an impasse of sorts." Chrassis replied.

"Really?" Breidÿn asked in mock confusion. "Because I heard-"

"From who? Zaanz?"

"What? Oh no. I mean I heard! As in, through the walls."

"Through the walls? But they were Affected so no one could hear!"

"Well, yes and no. They are Affected, but that doesn't mean we didn't have a monitor in the room! I mean, you couldn't have honestly expected us to leave you, a fallen king with something to prove, alone with one of the Members who helped dethrone you!"

"What's that supposed to mean? You don't TRUST me with the life of a Resident? A member of The Collective no less!"

Well, we did trust you with a lot before, and look where you are now." Breidÿn concluded harshly. His eyes of liquid copper staring accusingly back at Chrassis. His onyx hair beginning to static alarmingly. It was, however, a blatant contrast with his cloak of soft yellow, with a single golden spun line as to accent his garb. He was an ass, but he was a talented ass.

Chrassis decided to move on and bypass that bit of nastiness and continue his observations. Over on the other side of Breidÿn was a significantly more pleasant man. Kahlundrich was a man of bearable company. He was a jovial, easy-going man who fit his strange eyes with an equally strange taste in drink. His eyes were so interestingly interesting because while one was orange, the other was a green-blue, the color of the ocean. He felt the express need to point out his differences by wearing an equally two tone cloak. And if two tones wasn't enough, he felt the need to wear an excessive, but well suited, belt-shoulder strap. Going across his waist as any other belt would, but then connecting on a solid steel engraved loop big enough to pull up the most of an average man's calf. The interlocking shoulder strap went from the right side of his waist, to over and around his left shoulder. As if this wasn't enough he Affected the loop to glow an obnoxious sky blue as if his already ridicules get-up wasn't bad enough! And while the main body of it was a steady and simple orange, it only went halfway up his shoulders, then the orange gave way to an oceanic blue to color the hood. Chrassis gave a halfhearted wave to him but he responded with an enthusiastic one, meaning either the lack of exuberance went unnoticed or Kahl didn't seem to mind his friends lack of happiness, content with being happy himself.

Chrassis then looked across from his current position and smiled when he saw Idyn. She was a lovely, soft spoken woman with gorgeous amethyst eyes and perfectly white hair. She made herself a cloak of a soft, velvety blue, with careful and precise designs and accents only a Xisc could make. When she moves it looks like the surface of a pond that had just been disturbed ever so lightly. She always kept up with her fellow Members but she was behind with the times and was unsure of herself. Keeping her thoughts to herself unless she had to share. Little was known of her, even by Chrassis. Because he only knew either the important matters or private business that he made sure to uncover. But as she was a Xisc and a Resident he refrained from inspecting into her personal life.

And then there was that empty chair beside her. Patiently awaiting a new host to take part in Intirium's future. Chrassis wasn't sure why, but seeing another empty seat like that filled him with a great amount of sadness, and guilt. But as Chrassis and the others were patiently waiting for the last Member to join them in the discussion of what was so important, he arrived not a minute late.

"I'm very sorry about the wait. I just had to...acquire a new cloak." Imperria stated with a cold glare to Chrassis with his piercing steel colored eyes. "But now that I'm here, we can continue with the matter at hand. Zaanzbaeryn, could you pull up that file?" Imperria asked of the woman at the computer console as he walked in, fiery auburn cloak billowing with every step, each individual gems from far away ports and lands that were now only a distant memory for Chrassis, forgotten by all others, unless Imperria's father had passd on the knowledge of the old worlds and their ways. Each individual stone glittering impressively in the light. His charcoal grey hair looked disheveled and smelled something acrid.

"Yes of course. I have it right...here." Zaanz said after pulling up a video and beginning to play it for the rest of the Xiscs to watch.

On the screen was depicted a view of hell or one would think it had been the frontline of a terrible war where both sides were at a deadly stalemate, resulting in no land lost or gained, that had been through too much in too little time to recover the bodies of the fallen. But one would be wrong. It was really a previously blossoming country on the outer edges of Intirium, a newly assimilated fairly garnered expanse of land rich in anything from what would be deemed necessary to an advanced frontline of Intirium.

"Yes? What of it?" Breidÿn commented, "This isn't the first time the outskirts of Intirium have been assaulted. The people alone will take care of any remaining aggressors. It looks like they have already!" He said with a low laugh, "They're probably either hunting down any surviving idiots or getting dinner ready!"

"No Breidÿn, the grounds aren't the focus here. Take a closer look at just who are walking on the grounds. Zaanzbaeryn, could you increase the screens current magnification?" Imperria replied and she followed suit.

The projection refocused on ground level and turned to the nearest individual. An Unmarked, missing an arm and most of his left side, carrying an Ionizer-Bolt-Rifle, fires one chamber of super charged radio waves...dispersing the acquired target...messily. But his condition and equipment weren't what caught their attention, it was the fact that he was carrying a flag, a Fallinestan flag. But even that didn't worry them, the Fallinest were one of the few Kinds stupid enough to openly declare war against Intirium. But the problem was that they had actually lived through their assault and then proceeded to defile Intirium soil with their fucking Fallinestan flag!

"What is this? How could they have made it this far to even stand?" Kahlundrich said, outraged, "How could the Fallinestans have overcome an Intirium nation? This this is absurd! As Breidÿn even said, 'the people alone' should have extinguished this unruly bunch!"

"I agree Kahlundrich, this is definitely an illogical turn of events. Which is why we are even having this discussion. We need to figure out how they managed this and when they will again." Imperria practically demanded, met with a roar of approval from all present. "We need to first send someone over there though to eradicate any remaining Fallinest and aid all Intirialites." Again met with a fierce cry of war, but next was what he was waiting for.

"So which one of us are going to clear the bastards out?" Breidÿn questioned.

"What do you mean 'one of us'." Druch said without any real conviction, still trying to keep a level head and prevent any further bloodshed, necessary or not.

"He means what he says Druch!" Zaanzbaeryn said pointedly, making her side of the argument very clear, "We need to go and destroy these damned heretics!"

"She's right Druch," Idyn placatingly put it, "we do need to respond with immediate action."

"Yes! Immediate action!" Kahlundrich agreed.

"My thoughts exactly." Imperria put simply

"Yes, immediate." Chrassis added with a near insufferable amount of disbelief.

"What is it now Chrassis? Do you side with Druch then?" Breidÿn said in an angry tone, "Although I doubt it. You've always been the first to call for an attack, or a counterattack, or even a preemptive strike if you feel especially disposed!"

"No no Breidÿn, you have me all wrong. I want to personally snatch them away from the loose hands of The First, deliver them to The Second, and walk him to The Third. But when you speak of immediate retaliation, well then that reminds my of how very young you all are!"

"And where, exactly, are you getting at with this?" Imperria impatiently asked.

"Straight to the end, no foreplay for you Imp. Am I right?"

"I would appreciate it if you would refrain from such vulgar language Chrassis, and if you would stop referring me to such an inane creature." Imperria seethed.

"Yes yes fine, I'm saying that we can't immediately rebuke. If we were to even begin the voyage now we would arrive not but a week late, at the soonest, and by then they will have already have established their positions and formed a line of defense, fortifying our fallen branch."

"All the more reason to leave immediately!" Druch said, dropping any pretense of 'peaceful resolves'.

"Yes Druch, but while Chrassis is stating the obvious, he's never worked more than required, unless there's something extra for him or he's got something he's not telling us."

"Very good Imperria! Now riddle me this, when is two ever one?"

"Impossible, Imp-" Breidÿn began.

"When you add another one," Kahlundrich answered, "what are you getting at here, and please, spare us the banter."

"Fine, you guys are no fun, just remember that."

"We'll keep that in mind." Zaanzbaeryn said exasperated.

"Good. Now for phase two of my wickedly amazing plan."

'Dear Second spare us this idiocy' Breidÿn thought.

"Shut up Breidÿn! I'm getting there! Now, in my...spare time, I have been...studying. What you ask? Well Intry manipulation, the extents of Axwyrn and simple teleportation."

"I think I see where you are leading with this." Imperria graciously and wisely put it.

"Up bup bup! This is my story to tell! No spoilers!" ''Third, how did I ever become the soul leader of Intirium? No seriously. How?

"Well, while I was perusing the older texts on the matter of Intry and the metaphysical itself, I stumbled upon a little insert on long-distance teleportation. It requires a minimum of Intry, but is less precise with only the bare bones. So, it only makes sense if it becomes more precise with additional Intry, making it easier to zero in on those diplomatic meetings. AND, as it being us it would make it all but too easy. Because we all know a single being can only funnel a finite amount of Intry at a time. And once you reach your limits and interconnect to my Abstract, I will also devout all my very considerate amount of Intry to the effort. Overkill? We're Intiriums! No such thing!"

"That's...actually not that bad." Idyn offered.

"I'd have never thought you would study outside what you were advised." Imperria said.

"Well done Chrassis! Well done!" Kahlundrich congratulated.

"That's a wonderful idea Chrassis!" Zaanzbaeryn pronounced.

"Yes, good job." Breidÿn noted as if it caused him pain.

"Oh don't be like that, I think this is a great idea." Druch agreed.

"Well then," Chrassis said while clasping his hands together, "let's get to it shall we?" This was received with a wave of approval from his fellow Xiscs.

"I'm going to get it started, and I'll keep it to just below the minimum, when I tell you to start I want you to all focus on my Abstract and pour in all the Intry currently available to you. Then I want you to find each others' Abstracts as well and boost those, the combined effect will give this Ability more than enough Intry to accurately deliver me to those Fallinests so I can deal with them accordingly. Alright?"

"Yes." The group resounded as a whole.

'That was oddly creepy, but I have their attention.'

"Ok then. Now we begin." Chrassis warned.

He began to Seek for all the nearest Fountains, it didn't take long as they were at the heart of Intirium. Once he Located the biggest Fountains he began to syphon Intry from them and forming a solidifying glowing green ball. Once it achieved its desired circumference ordered a stoic "Now! Now goddamn it this hurts!" and the rest began to tap into those Fountains unaffected or left with enough to spare. They located each other Abstracts and began to boost their considerate amount of Intry. Once they were all linked together, crackling bolts of energy began blasting from their circle spasmodically. Once they had become sure they had reached their combined limit they Sought for Chrassis' Abstract, giving off only static sparks compared to The Collected. They began rerouting their Intry to Chrassis' Abstract and they could feel it increase dramatically, as much as they could smell the distinct sheet of ozone that had descended upon them, as he acknowledged this change, swelling his Intry ball drastically causing it to begin to send resounding shockwaves throughout the air. The excessive large amount of Intry putting all their hair on end and giving them the sensation of their entire body being numb. All within the briefest time-spans of only five seconds. After the sudden surge and all had compiled their Intry together Chrassis' Intry orb grew to astounding dimensions, engulfing Chrassis entire body.

'Oh shit oh shit oh shi-hi-it! It burns! This bitch fucking hertz! It wasn't this bad the first time I did this! Why's it hurt NOW? Were Chrassis last conscious thoughts before darkness consumed his broken mind.

Chrassis has returned to the physical world.

When he regained consciousness he explored what senses he could before opening his eyes. Inter-planetary traveling rule number one. He felt a soft breeze tickling his exposed skin almost making him break his 'unconscious' ruse. He could smell...wheat and grass? Again another surprise making him want to see exactly where he was. But a few more to go before unwrapping the present, first he had to shake the box. Next he could taste...pollen, mixed with the bad taste you sometimes get when you wake up. He could hear the rhythmic sound of bird calls that were still wonderful although it had no discernable pattern. He could also hear the sound of other animals either calling or moving, he could hear a running stream, and even...a voice. After his brief inventory of the senses to get a clue to where he was, he was left even more confused. He decided to get up before the strange voice got any closer, 'less they be too stupid to notice his Intirium origins and find it wise to touch him, they would then find they've lost said offending appendage.

Chrassis opened his eyes and was immediately taken aback, the sky was a marvelous shade of blue and stood out like the programs of the Old World. He then uneasily stood up, feeling as if his entire body had been atomized and put back haphazardly, he's done that, or maybe he had died and then his soul had rematerialized into a body, or at least what it had to work with to make a body, he'd done that too. But when he regained his balance and stood observing the lay of the land, he noticed he was in a clearing, apparently, far inside a forest, plenty to work with if the case required. He remembered the voice he had been hearing and called out in the High Speech, "Ash ka dahl, vida dahn shaol. Vol Un Drach An Yttierbein Dyn Chrassis skan teld, dinh ka-shume Intirium. Zauhn din`tehl?" Or, in English, "Hello foreigner, well I may be the stranger. Anyways, my name is Un Drach An Yttierbein Dyn Chrassis of The Collected, soul leader of Intirium. What land is this, where is it, and who are you?"

He then began to feel foolish, 'It must've been nobody.' He concluded and began in the direction where the sound of moving water was coming from. But as he rounded a tree he saw a stiff-bodied, wide eyed, gaped open mouth, green horse who was holding its breath apparently. 'Maybe it's broke' Chrassis wise and ancient mind suggested. 'Whatever its problem is, it's an ugly bastard, that's got to be it's top problem. If it were a sentient kinda thing anyways.' He deducted with the skill the likes no one will ever know. He decided to stop and observe this little horse. The first thing he noticed was its abnormally obtuse eyes with pupils the size of pin pricks that had been following him ever since he noticed it and came over to it. Then he noticed its brand, it was difficult to make out in the ripples of shadow and the glare of sunlight that occasionally breached the canopy and shone into his eyes, disorienting his vision and leaving imprints of what he was seeing. Its coat was a little unorthodox but he'd heard of stranger ways to mark property, same for its mane, it was a bright yellow! What asshole would put such horribly clashing colors together! A blind asshole, because no one with sight would put such repugnant colors together! The very nerve! But bypassing fascist trends and blends as the old saying went, when in Drruan. But what stood out most to him was how tiny this thing was! He easily towered over it, standing at least a good three feet over it meaning the horse had to be around only four feet tall! But after staring at it to the extent his patience would allow when he was doing nothing important, the shine of such an asinine creature had quickly worn off, it would be safe to say he gave that midget bitch a wide berth. But while that would have been a safe bet, Chrassis was not a safe man. As he turned and began to walk around the counterintuitive abomination he was submitted to an ear shattering scream that pierced the mind and broke your will. He instantly whipped around and scanned what he could see, at equal height. Upon not finding the source of the soul desolator he dropped his gaze, slowly lowering until he saw, the horse.

Him being the ideal diplomat between the two contrasting...nation-universal empire asked, "Dinh anskavince?" Or, "What's wrong?" Chrassis falling into the easier, old habit, of speaking in the High Speech, when surprised, not noticing he was. The creature, not understanding (obviously, animals don't talk) what he was saying took that as it's queue to increase in pitch, being near inaudible to average ears. This snapped him out of his vocal rut and he said, "What the fuck's wrong with you? Shut the hell up!"  He was shouting by now to make himself heard over the horse, not expecting an answer but getting ready to either walk away or atomize it if it kept it up. Its screams quickly died down, but not gradually or because it was done, no that'd be too easy! It came to a hacking halt, much to Chrassis' pleasure. When it regained its "composure" it took long, steadying, calming breaths. And then...it spoke.

"I-I-'m s-s-sorry. I'm ah-actually a p-pony though. And th-this is the Eh-Everfree Forest, in Eque-Equestria. M-my name is-"

"Wait! You can talk?"

"Well yes, all ponies can talk. I know I haven't given the best first impression but I am capable of speech. I just didn't know you were able to speak Equish and I got so scared because I've never heard of anything like you before!" She, obviously a mare, said full of awe.

"Equish? You mean English, or Common Speach?"

"No, I've never heard of any eenglliss before. And as for common it is the majority spoken and written language on Terrascillan."

"Terrascillan? Well that's very interesting." Chrassis finished with a wicked thought in mind, "Very interesting indeed."