The dark tunnels of reinforced concrete resonate with the cracking of broken bones beneath me.
Every step forward is a stark reminder of the madness in Fettiyio's maze like underground passages.
The walls are coated with a paperweight made of burnt flesh, polymers of teared gear bathed in a musk of the deceased's muscles.
Dried blood emanates an iron odor that is mixed with the pungent stench of the oily moisture in the air, accompanying the dust, debris and smoke from the incessant explosions in this wretched battlefield.
Grenades, suicide drones, and anti-personnel missiles are a minor nuisance compared to the relentless barrages of the biggest threat we have to endure, the lethal Railguns.
Each hypersonic projectile is so hot, that becomes a vibrant shade of orange, like any tracer bullet would do. Though this metallic flashes are enveloped in an electromagnetic mantle of bluish green electricity.
The storming bursts of fire shatter the core of our formation. Not figuratively interrupting our advance. But literally, sweeping away my comrades.
They are pruned like corn sprouts in a field, not even having the right or the opportunity to think they are pigs on a slaughterhouse, because those animals squeal and scream before they die, and my allies don't have such luxury. Because like in any plantation, the crops are silent during the entire harvest.
{Since the moment i enter on Fettiyio, my perspective was swapped, learning what every person fears when a gun is pointed at them. I could have died there so many times, that i become numb to danger. But after the conflict ended. I bury my attentive sharp senses to integrate back onto Azthea's society…}.
I perceive footsteps approaching to the room in which i fall asleep. The motion is silent, fluent and cautious, yet charged with decisive resolution.
Memorizing and interpreting the gait of those around, is interesting and annoying, however, the stroll of this person is foreign to me.
{An individual who appeared from an anomaly?}.
The idea alerts me.
Awake, i sight a Female Farioth invading the room, aiming and firing a Plasma Rifle.
I roll back, dematerializing my ergonomic pillow, dodging the bolts of ionized gas with my monstrous speed and dextrous reflexes working in tandem.
Reducing the distance while evading the blasts, i disarm my attacker from her main weapon.
The Female Farioth immediately draws her secondary weapon, a Plasma Pistol that has a different design to the setting and aesthetic of her Species.
Which is evident with the power behind the new shots, greater, and faster than the Plasma Rifle.
Nevertheless, is inconsequential for me, avoiding the ionized bolts, reaching and pushing the Pistol away.
Although she is stubborn, rushing to stab me. But her grip on the knife is disastrous, the handle slipping from her palm, losing the blade, panicking for her mistake, as i pounce forward, suppressing her against the corridor's wall.
The multiple impacts of bolts had dent the building's stone, and the noise resonates among the area, bringing attention into the scene.
Which makes the encounter an unexpected view for the newcomers. Because it would seem like i am assaulting the Female Farioth.
Balalaika, Cadrissa, the Alt'Ver of Collette and the Synchronized Saintesses, along other three people and eighteen Farioth go out from the doors across the corridor.
"Yes!. Show that Mare her place!".
The Farioth vigorously cheer me up, men and women alike able to speak in Zaggrioth.
Two of them surely possess some degree of authority, since the Combat Exoskeletons they wear, are not a mass-produced model.
The astonished gaze of the Saintess is more dismayed than Cadrissa, who mutters a hint. «The Female Farioth is the one we rescue a few hours ago».
I remain stoic, despite one of the two Farioth Women who look like Leaders, must be the Mother of the female i am suppressing, as both share physical similarities."I think there is a misunderstanding here. She attacked me. I was just defending myself".
"That is obvious, Zaggrioth". Growls ferally the second womanly mature Farioth, her slit pupils narrowing as her irises spark intently with magenta Emts, tilting her head to the Farioth beside her. "Now impregnate Her daughter. Any female who starts, but doesn't finish a fight, is only good as a Broodmare".
"I don't deserve children. I'm better than my Father, but i haven't defeated him yet".
The Mother rises her voice. "Killing your Progenitor?. So you are the sole Inheritor, and Granter of your Bloodline Lineage?".
{I didn't say that}.
"This Zaggrioth appeals me!". Screams the Matriarch, while the Mother of the Farioth shows the same inclination.
The Saintess intercedes. "I can't help you to be with him…".
"Clearly not". Retorts the Matriarch Farioth, unimpressed by the Saintess. "A Man should never follow a Maiden's lead".
Collette's Alt'Ver replies. "The Customs of our two Species are too apart, Matriarch Fangmare. But understanding can be achieved if both sides are willing to integrate with the other. «How do we settle this unforseen inconvenient?». I'm certain we need to consolidate an Alliance".
"We must". Acknowledge the Mother. "But my daughter disrespect a Man, no Farioth would take her seriously if she does not take accountability for her actions. And the faults should be judged on the spot, «Cardumen!, What is the verdict?!»".
"Punishment!".
{Is this Populism?. Or do all Farioth really follow a Code, or Law they have to enforce?}.
The Saintess tries to meddle down the Farioth's candor with reason. "Before we proceed with this «Trial». I would like to know, Jaria Fangmare, «Why did you attack, Vurckair Vecturion?»".
"He wanted to sacrifice me to create a Niffler's Beacon!".
The answer leaves a lingering silence that is broken with the Farioth bursting into laughter.
Jaria is confused, and Cadrissa clarifies the misunderstanding. "It wasn't him. The Farioth are Unique Entities. Most Species are not, minimum having a Counterpart, or many Alternative Versions of themselves. This Vurckair Vecturion, an Alvzon, and me, rescued you from his Alt'Ver and a Box of Nifflers".
{If they were a Box. There must be other Three Boxes, and another Mirror Umbral out there}.
Balalaika's Alt'Ver enters the corridor, and Jaria, the Female Farioth is utterly confused by the sight, glancing repeatedly between both Balalaikas…