Kryscine's Lover

 Kryscine pulled her in closer to him. Taking her in his arms the Dragoon pressed against his love interest. Venus Katt-Shadowmend wanted him to stay, but duty calls. An insurgency had started in Castaria. She pinched him a few times with a serious expression on her face. In  her  crimson red wrap around dress, and summer hat, Katt gave a vampiric appearance. Yet it was more stunning that what stories say about Vampires. Short locks of black hair flowed down her ears, flanking a wonderful face. Her eyes held an angry tint in them. He could tell she was angry with him. Pinching him with her nails hurt him through the uniform. That was how angry she was with him. Looking at him with the angry eyes, Kryscine's lover warned him to come back to her. If he did not, the inner vampire inside will hunt him down. 

Platform Seas Cursed Unit: Former Pirate and Three Leaders

    Charging across the bridge his unit opened fire on thirty-seven occupants. Ten of his volunteers used up their ammunition after sending rounds in every direction. Twelve of them used up a portion of what they had left. Cailor charged in among the twelve volunteers who formed a circle. Those who used up their ammo clips landed on their bellies after diving down. Each volunteer were now reloading their weapons. His unit did not stop shooting until there was nothing else shoot. Among the occupants here was a column of regiment sentry bots. Just twelve volunteers slowly moved on their position. Lumbering on the sand these bots made for easy targets. Realizing they would waste ammunition just shooting at these bots his unit lobbed seven grenades at these mechanical sentries.

Making a mess of the 12 bot sentries the different grenades put an end to their assault. Out of the thirty-seven defending occupants just eight remained alive. All of them were ordered to raise their hands in the air. Using an authoritative tone, he demanded for them to say in their present spots. Cailor then demanded to know the whereabout of the leader to this island. A city watchman answered that he was on the other island. That turned out to be a lie immediately. A scraggly looking fellow came out of a building wearing a torn trench coat over a set of khakis. Looking at him Cailor could tell he was a former pirate. Not to anyone’s surprise this pirate was armed with a shotgun.

Clearly drunk to the abyss this pirate boss shot Joaner the claw fighter. He was hit in the stomach. The blast from the shotgun blew a hole in him. Joaner fell forward holding a stomach that was no longer there. Cailor’s unit shot up this drunk former pirate. The rest of these prisoners dropped to their knees. He urged his unit to bury Joaner’s body as a sign of respect to the young volunteer. Cailor took this time to roam around this settlement. Thugs, droids, watchmen, city-guards, and 14 others made up the 37 defenders. Among the dead lay five thugs, 13 droids, a watchman, a legion elite, some Mahadi cat folk, clawed demon, red furred wolf lion, a Yagnolith(humanoid that looks more like a mutated ox hybrid), a horned flesh golem, a herroman henchman, a drake demonoid, Narzong nightmare humanoid with grayish skin, Gold disgraced devil lord.

As for the ones still, alive they had two thugs, a watchman, 2 city-guards, a Mahadi Tiger folk, and two others. Acting more aggressive than a friar catching a thief, Cailor pushed for answers. How many are on the other islands? Who oversaw each one? Were there others like this Nerum? Do they have an allegiance to the Order of the Beast or this Chaotic Surprise? How long have they been on Calorn? Every question rolled off his tongue. He had eight prisoners of war on their knees answering questions. Despite how angry he felt Cailor still kept his cool Only two of these questions received answers. Next to Nerum was a cowardly mutant hybrid known as the Seer of Undervalued Pieces. He did get names of two of them. Falaster Fisk the Rogue Spy, and Scarla True Strike the short sheriff. Falaster Fisk urged Cailor to allow him to join the unit.

Nodding his head Cailor allowed him to join his unit of volunteers. As a prisoner Scarla requested to join him. He accepted then looked at the other prisoners of war. The two thugs, city watch, Mahadi Tiger, and city guards asked to join him and stay put. Each one gave their names to him as Tehen Votsk the female thug, Pao Yialoy female thug, city watchman Varvel Grin, Tigress Shakiwa, city guards Alfar and Gytha. He took a good look at each one. All because they were in the Order of the Beast each wore the colors of this faction. It did not matter whether they wore tunics, trousers, pants, shirts, outfits their clothing were brown and white.

“You have to stay here unless you want to fight the ones you once called friend.” Cailor warned the eight prisoners who now became turncoats. He did not have to report this to the superiors yet. After all his job was to assemble an army to fight the Gantronese in the Unknown Lands and in the Iperantosi Islands.

Allowing them time to decide he explored the settlement a little more. He even allowed his unit to rest as along, as they did not shoot their prisoners. While exploring the settlement he found plenty of buildings decorated.  As decoration to one house, he found three dead Gantronese soldiers, a door to a manor leaning next to the actual doorway. Further in this settlement he found a set of train tracks. A lion wearing a collar named Nommis greeted him. Shakiwa called this lion over. The lion companion nuzzled and licked his hand as he stretched it out. It had to be called again by Shakiwa. Nommis the lion joined her. Shakiwa was the one who tamed and trained this lion well to be safe around.

      Without any means of transportation, he felt like going back. Cailor had the feeling he would have to retake the islands after heading back and returning the next day. Home base or HQ rested on the second island of this archipelago which they cleared. According to his recently added volunteers they still had five islands to clear out. This small archipelago had more isles, but not all of them were claimed. If he paid any attention, he would have spotted three islands linked by land bridges sooner. Just two bigger islands blocked that from view. Taking his time to think Cailor pondered over what to do next. Inside his head he remembered the ferryman. Perhaps he could bring them over once he was back.

He first checked with his platoon of 22 alien volunteers. After losing another comrade (Joader) they looked ready to head back and give up. Then he realized most of them came from other worlds. Going back tomorrow sounded promising to them. Yet there was still a lot of work to do here. Cailor received a yes for pressing on with clearing the archipelago. Between the lot of them his platoon projected 34 clips of ammunition, and 31 grenades. Cailor ordered the more recent volunteers to stay put. He asked if the Gantronese left any armaments that can be used. Tehen answered yes, but was cut off by the crack of a whip. All their attention switched to a group of seventeen figures. Six partially clothing Iperantosi women, two humanoids clad in armor, a red haired fire mage, a hunched back fowl spawn, three cyborgs, a yellow skinned warrior, an octo humanoid, and a female drow prepared for something.

Ignoring Cailor’s unit the humanoids began making out with the native women. All the Iperantosi allowed them to touch their bodies inappropriately. Whatever this group was doing here they wanted no one watching. They immediately pulled all the Iperantosi women into some buildings. Cailor entered ascension to scour this island from above. Did they miss something? He could have sworn this was not happening, but it was as an orgy began. Just like the other islands this one had a few settlements, set of tracks, and a few docks they missed. He was in luck. He spotted one Gantronese troop transport floating at the docks they did not find yet. Cailor went on the move to seize that transport. Taking his unit to the dock on the other side of this island. He left the newest ones to deal with the orgy themselves.

Bringing them to the other side of this island had them facing north. The volcanic island could be seen, and so could the other islands they seized. On the beach docks they found the Gantronese troop transport. In the shape of an enlarged long rowboat with a cover the transport could hold 30 passengers. Loading up the transport cailor had Jiknar steer the vessel. On the stolen vessel they rode to the next island hoping the ruse would succeed. None of them could see the progress they made to the islands save for Jiknar. They felt the transport rock and sway as Jiknar steered it. Nobody believed it would go smoothly as many of them rode of these before during their early days against the Gantronese. Whoever thought it would go smoothly should be waterboarded at least once as punishment.

Jiknar’s name was shouted causing them to stop for a few moments. They moved again towards the destination hearing his name shouted again, praised, jeered, and heckled by scores of voices. Many of the voices they heard asked for the names of certain women. Zersan, Sterhen, and Osophi got mentioned among them. Right then Cailor just realized why the female volunteers did not march with them, but attended to other tasks. Their cover was pulled off to reveal Cailor’s unit, and not a bunch of promised women. On the docks of the island stood a gang of 68 humanoids, hungry for some sexual interaction. Cailor and his unit surprised these rapists. Before they could react Cailor’s volunteers put them down in a burst of gun fire.

A total of sixty-nine corpses lay on an elongated metal dock. His eyes spotted a dead Gantronese officer strapped to a piling. Its corpse had the Gantronese insignia on the helmet that still rested on its rotting skull. His unit just gunned down 60 lesser henchmen humans, hybrids, spawn-humans, and dark-skinned humanoids. The other dead included a winged green fiend, a chain wielding devil cyborg with no horns, one single quasi-demon grunt in light armor, a half nude Ice Demon, two Legion chain devils, some steer spawn humanoid, and a Brute legionnaire Pit Fiend. Climbing on to the docks Cailor’s platoon was greeted by 15 other humanoids and sentient beings. With Jiknar at his ear he learned their labels and race. A single Sun Elf Arcane Cleric, a Barban Spearman wearing plaid shirt, trousers. One axe man with a stubble, half shaven head, black tattoos, tan skin, and donning an orange-black surcoat under chainmail. Some Rogue fire maker in all black with red showing underneath, three Orc Archers in identical tunics under combat armor. A sentient falcon and hawk who just ate up a pack of rats during this encounter. Both sentient birds flew away. In the back he spotted three adventurers holding excited expressions. Each one wore a yellow or khaki colored explorer’s outfits. All of them wore a Gantronese helmet without the insignia.

Showing utter excitement to see them that appeared out of nowhere the Sun Elf Arcane Cleric introduced himself as Halamar Bluetemp. He helps Cailors unit out in hopes of joining him as a deal. Cailor hesitated for a moment before answering. His gaze checked out the settlement that covered this half of the island from his spot. Behind it he spied train tracks. Halamar introduced the Barban Spearman, a dark skinned who dressed in ancient attire, which explained the plaid. The spearman only scowled at them showing he was not pleased with the skoger and his volunteer of traitors.

Cailor requested he apprehend the Spearman for them so he would not attack them. He turned to the axe man who called himself Merregog the Gray Blade. Cailor gave him two options to join or become a prisoner of war. This Merregog snorted then accepted and brandished his axe. When he turned to the female rogue, he received spit in the face. Wiping it away he then slapped her in response. She was called Mad Maggie. Her day was ruined because she did not get to watch a gang rape happen. Having her apprehended he had her thrown into the stolen transport. The three Orc archers in leather under the tunics introduced themselves as Urgel, Karke, and Igmony. As for the trio of adventurers they called over three more. Abus Grimm, Vordi Green, Cen Vunei, Neig Gors, Ollea, Gerhadi the busty one urged the newcomers to follow them. Taken deeper into the town of metal buildings the found eleven more figures. Eight goblin infantrymen in hauberks under black hauberks, a Fallen Angel Knight, a fat Green Overseer, and a tusk wearing Ranger.

Every head turned to the platoon of volunteers. The adventurers gave their names for them. Only the eight goblins wanted their names hidden calling themselves the Miserns. Known as Zarel the fallen angel in chest plate armor and red brown robes wielded a bastard sword. As for the fat green skinned Overseer with an angler like head he wore an overly decorative black robe tunic. Called Overseer Giholl the ugly scary being was now getting hung by the Goblins. Left with no more support to control this island Black Mammoth Ranger Halamet decided to give up. Dropping to his knees this Halamet leader shouted he was sorry.

“I am sorry father I am a failure.” He screamed in anguish and despair. Defeated by skogers he began crying dramatically. Before he could finish his drama twenty of the leader’s former minions proceeded to beat him up. Allowing him to live the new members went over to different buildings. While they searched the houses a large band of Aquanne Hitto appeared. From the beach 101 armed Aquanne Hitto emerged out of the water. The aquatic foes rushed onto the island from the beaches. Watching them rush in like this provided an opportunity to the volunteers.

Cailor shot at these Aquanne Hitto grabbing their attention. The band of invaders stopped to turn on their attacker. He revealed himself to the hostiles forcing his unit to spring an ambush on the unsuspecting Aquanne Hitto. Decimating the band of aquatic humanoids revealed another hostile faction. Cailor’s unit and the new allies came out of their ambush positions feeling threatened. They combined forces then raced for an island in the center of the circlet. Not stopping to check any other structures they crossed the bridge. This island, which they came to warn the defenders was already overrun. One this smaller central island they found 31 Aquanne Hitto licking their wounds while sitting on the dead.

Thirty-one corpses littered the ground that did not belong to the Aquanne Hitto. One dead Gantronese used as décor, 28 unique warriors, one merchant fighter, and he leader of the island lay dead. Under the leadership of the Blue wolf Ranger these defenders took down a total of 91 of these Aquanne Hitto. Red Blood, guts, entrails, and blue blood soaked the dirt and sands. Without his word or command his unit butchered the rest of these aquatic hostiles. Leaving 122 Aquanne Hitto dead among the deceased defenders appeared to be the success of vengeance. Cutting through were a small set of train tracks. Following these tracks, they pushed for the third island in the circlet. Along the way they found a cache of Gantronese firearms.

Making their way to this third island was easy. However, the island held a walled in settlement. Resembling a small fort this settlement was encircled by jungle and watchtowers. With his enlarged unit Cailor knew he had to race against dusk. Going around the jungle they found a path to the settlement. His company found five humanoids impaled on spikes. Several newer members recognized these humanoids. Two dark elf rogues, two legion bone devils, and a demon spawn mount. Passing the dead, they came under attack by two centaurs. These pair of four legged humanoids are shot the moment they are seen in the path. At the gate of the settlement, they found a lone figure was found banging on the gate. They demanded to be let in so he the Mighty Olangerus could claim the sexy dancer. Olantherus did not get another chance to bang on the metal door. The Orcs loosed, arrows into his back silencing him. Cailor guessed he had an interesting background, yet it would see it filled with desires for sex with every woman. He doubted any of the ones he encountered would let this one near them.

Music emitted from behind the walls. Using his powers Cailor managed to get the doors open. Pushing these doors wide open his unit entered a circular settlement. Twenty-two figures seated at a dance circle watched a dazzling dancer entertain these figures. Among these figures Cailor saw two Goblin Commandos, three Orc Spearmen, Eight Goblins, three archers, three clerics, two wounded Paladins, two Rogues, and a knight. As they entered the fort these figures spotted them. Unsure if he could get all their names, but he accepted their invitation, and membership. As they took seats among their newly found allies Cailor looked around. His eyes found a mini assassin crushed by a hammer, a Bone-task-master they killed, a fat advisor that lay partially buried, and the Red Ranger leader lay dead. A hollow ship that had be dragged in was used as a lounging area. Uncertain these islands could hold against the Aquanne Hitto for long he asked if their new friends would like to get off now. All they told him was to relax and rest.

He watched the dancer named Magretta move and sway around. She rolled her belly, and swinging her hips. Magretta flirted, tousled hair, played with ears, massaged bald heads, rubbed herself against poles, and beams. The music playing was a recording of a drum emitting from speakers they set up. She danced to the beats with her hips and belly rolls. In all blue garments she danced on into the night. He explained who he was and the VUVR’s intentions in this region. All they told him was that many people and humanoids were dragged over here by the Order of the Beast and the CSO.

By the time darkness of the night settled with the stars the dancing ended. Getting acquainted was easy as both forces sough to get rid of this Order of the Beast. In the morning Cailor’s unit added more to their list of those who wanted to leave. Heading for the other islands his unit increased by a small margin while the rest prepared to leave. In a larger group the new allies reached the fourth island via land bridge. While on the fourth island they discovered a sixth island to this circlet. It was when they came to a blue hovercraft speeder that resembled a large, capsized craft with three others attached to it. At a closer glance they noticed this hovercraft had three engines. Its interior held enough space for a platoon. Magretta and the Orc spears took this one to get the wounded paladins to Cailor’s people.

Past the speeder they found a battle site. Outside a crescent moon shaped settlement, the participants of this battle lay dead. What was supposed to be 46 defenders only 12 still stood in the aftermath. A wizard sword master crouched down over a slain necromancer. Among hundreds of dead Aquanne Hitto an oily colored shadow figure punched to death, 4 Death Knights, an already dead Gantron, a Gray Goat Demon, Legion Demon Pig, Goat headed Demon, five feral looking humanoids butchered, a Tamed Demon, five death warriors, and 8 Orcs killed by the aquatic warriors. Three of these surviving figures charged at Cailor’s unit. Noting some of them were wounded his unit grenade the Shield Guardian, and the Demon Ram Golem. One of them shot the large Anno Hag dead before she could toss a ball of sand. Checking the rest of them his unit met the less hostile survivors. Meeting them they learned the name of one of them. Sylviras Gavikas a female archer tending to five others who fought the attackers. Four Elf Clerics defiled by these attackers, and a crippled Paladin could not give their names well enough.

Forcing the wizard to help he then allowed the Elf to join his unit. Ordering his unit to go back he sent them to take all the wounded away.  Sending his unit away with them was for the protection of the wounded. Alone again Cailor just has the elf to help him with the rest of their job. Giving her name as Helgan, this elf led him to the island’s governor. A leader with a skinned face called the Cultist who resided at his own metal villa. At this leader’s villa they found him fighting a heavenly dragon that just gobbled up an old hag. Chained to the walls and the ground this dragon was tormented before the Cultist killed it with a final blow. Helgan cried out loud in despair for it. Out of grief and the taste for vengeance she shot the leader in the chest with an arrow. She then charged over to cut the cultist to pieces before retrieving her arrow. Cailor allowed her to grieve for the white. Gold dragon’s death.

Pressing onward he almost left Helgan behind. She managed to catch up to him still wiping away tears. When they reached the fifth island via land bridge they ran into more inhabitants. A fireball shooting automaton and a dead Gantronese greeted them at the end of the land bridge. Both dodged the fire balls shot from its two cannon like arms. Giving it two targets to shoot at became the better strategy to deal with this threat. Helgan loosed an arrow that went into the eye piece, but did little damage to it. Cailor used his powers to toss sand and dirt into the exposed spaces. Jammed up with sand, dirt, and rocks the automaton shut down with violent jerks. Each jerk forced it come apart. It was guarding a path into the jungle on the fifth island. Pushing on the found more Aquanne Hitto fried, burnt, and dead from darts.

Six battle bot sentries lay destroyed among a pile of dead Aquanne Hitto. Passing the many corpses littered along the path they found a dead tri horned demon in fatigues from a strange world. A swarm of rats at the surface of the skin along with maggots, and other insects. Not too far from this lay a dead Kore Manshoon, the Marauder, and the metal village on this island. Entering this metal village in this jungle they came across more bodies filling the streets. A spy from Iperontos sent by the Gantronese leapt of their hiding spot. Startled and surprised Helgen punched him out cold. Glad she knocked him out Cailor searched him then went through the village to find more. The village occupants were both alive and dead. A total of 35 of them lay dead with scores of Aquanne Hitto that died in the battle over this village. These dead defenders consisted, two dead winged beige imps, a smarmy babawn (baboon-hybrid), maw demon with four arms, two legs, one Bull Demon, 8 tattooed Woadi humans, 4 big eared cougar-goblin faced Tessars, 4 humanoid thralls in gray fatigues, 4 Orc Demons, 2 necromancers, 5 Dead Warriors, 3 gold faced guards, which all lay dead from the battle.

As for the ones still, alive they came out when he knocked on each door to check on them. Four goblin hybrids, a wolfman, 5 galactic rangers, 2 trolls, and 4 half orc mercenaries exited what they claimed as their homes. Exiting his own dwelling the leader appeared. A dressed-up mutant with grotesque skin, signs of surgery, and experimentation on boiled, and scared pale complexion. He called for the blonde-haired trolls to eat them all. Both blonde, blue skinned trolls looked hungry to the point of eating anything. Turning on the other survivors they began to move on their old friends and swung at the others. The Rangers tossed some Gantronese grenades at the trolls. Seeing these grenades getting tossed around made everyone drop to the ground. Moments after the grenades killed the trolls, they got up to regroup a little. The wolfman bolted away making a run for his own life, and the mutant leader was shot by Helgan. She encouraged the rest to join Cailor despite the brief introduction.

Now leading fourteen new allies Cailor raced to the last island. Catching the names, he brought to a bridge. At the end hung a dead Gantronese warrior. Ignoring the Cadaver décor, they found 3 destroyed sentry bot swordsman. An 8ft tall triclops hovered above them. One of the Rangers cooked a grenade then threw it at the large beast, clearing the path with a bloody explosion. Going past the dead humanoid they are blockaded again. One lone duelist blocked the path to the jungle.

Naming himself Renar Nerumber the duelist was the only thing between them and the settlement. He was ganged up on by Cailor’s new friends as they beat him into the sand. His weapons were taken away and he was partially buried in the sand. Entering the jungle his party ran into a nesting crocodile, which they left alone. It was a massive mother croc, the type no one wanted to mess with. In the jungle they found a winding path, which they took. Cailor looked up at the skies spying one of Calorn’s moons before moving onward. On this winding path they found the carcass of a demon wolf brute and the body of a recently killed Bearded Devil. At a closer glance he noticed the thick black beard was braided to resembled horns and snakes. Over these bodies stood lightly armored Elite Dwarfs who decided to join them. Reaching the settlement felt impossible due to the amount of foliage and obstacles. When they did arrive, they found another dead body. A Deep Grounds Blade in full gear. Stepping over the corpse they came upon a standoff that ensued for some time.

Two quartets of Elf Paladins, and humans Clerics with a dead winged necromancer at their feet. Each fighter faced their former masters in this stand-off. Ten other figures holding an aviator captive egged them to take them on. A Gray Chaos warrior, 2 headed snake demons, some winged succubus, 4 deadly rogues, a blue skinned Woadi with orange hair, and Balar horned overlord. In the center lay a dead Demonlord that was killed recently. Leading these captors was a veteran Cyborg. Both sides exchanged words in languages he did not understand.

Cailor’s new recruits raced over to save the captives, and the rebellious ones. The Gray Chaos warrior was shot up, the two headed snake demon was cut up. Whoever the succubus was she went for a hiding place to escape the carnage. Five Super Elves burst out of the tenth house killing the four rogues. According to Helgan two of them were dead meat anyways. Someone shot the Woadi. Left with no army to command or lead the Balor capitulated to them. As for the veteran cyborg he grabbed the overlord then dragged themselves over to the side. Using a grenade, the veteran took his life and the overlord as well.

Cailor’s unit and new allies waited for more hostiles to show up. When no more came out of anywhere they called for the succubus to come out. She showed her tits to hypnotize them into letting her go on her way. Allowing each one to grope her she managed to take one of the aircraft on the island. Cailor still squeezed as though her tit rested in his palms. Their rescued aviator blue a whistle snapping them out of the trance. Her name was Captain Liona, an expert pilot, and navigator. Taking the other craft, she gave chase to the succubus for some reason. As soon as the aircraft disappeared, they claimed a strange foreign tank of the field.

For the rest of whatever week of the month it was he spent gathering up the poor souls he came across. On board a larger craft Cailor’s unit took time to rest. As a Major he commanded a company of foreign volunteers. Reduced to 147 volunteers his unit became a company. It saddened him a little to see Osophi, Chandra, Nibbers, Chammi, Advod, Rydel, and Crystal leave the volunteer company. He got to know them well enough to call them friends. Osophi did help him get Phebei out of this area and reunite her with family. That was his charge, taking care of her while her master searched for her. His unit went over 147 as Bria and Orvis joined him. Nineteen Privateers plus twelve others joined his unit. With 178 Cailor was sent to the front along the advance lines in the Unknown Lands. As the weeks progressed, he added the wounded warriors, paladins, knights, and clerics as they were sent his way through recommendations. As the year of 1844 of the modernizing era progressed his unit became a battalion of 900. Promoted to the rank of Colonel, Cailor spent half the year fighting the Gantronese and a Reptile-Lizard folk Empire. As a Zhenrai Knight, his own powers grew after each encounter.

Platform Seas-Cursed Unit: Cultists and Black Lizards

 No signs of the assassin except for the handy work said she slipped away. She could very well be hiding somewhere. He knew it was Crystal who did this. Cailor was impressed with how she managed to get this far and complete her own mission undetected. He wondered where she was now. Her scarfs had a silver that was a seal of her organization. To him it was just another faction. Picking up one of the scarfs he noticed it was a purple belt sash with a white symbol. A panther’s head in a field of purple. Cailor saw this symbol before during his early years as a knight. A certain institute came to mind that had this symbol. Within a university this institute for assassins hid. Made for assassins this institute was one of many that existed all over Calorn. Most were prominent in at least Vestrisia.

Before its name came to his thoughts more figures approached his location. Running over to this window he saw hundreds of robed and hooded figures swam the area. Each one was armed with either a staff, club, or mace. Some of them wielded knives. They spoke a language he did not understand. At first, he thought to check on who they were until he head the words. ’Focus on the infidels’ emit from a robed man’s lips. Those words sent shock through his head. Infidels was something he heard referenced in classes, and read somewhere.

This was the very first time he was called or referred as an infidel. Were these people fanatical cultists?  Hi question was answered when four entered the room he was in. One of them held a crude cartouche of a forbidden deity named Karduul. An ancient diet of the abnormality, mutilation, exclusion, and sexual submission. Karduul was one of many gods no longer allowed to be worshipped. Cailor froze as the cultists managed to subdue him. Something from the cartouche emitted from the symbols and wrapped around him. It was overwhelming for him as the smoky violet suffocated him. Blacking out Cailor did not get a chance to resist.

Someone woke him up with the smell of cooked meat in front of his nose. Right in front of his face a cultist had a piece of meat on a dagger like a kabab. Cailor tried to reach for it, but could not. He discovered the cultists tied him up. Forced to stretch out his neck he ate from the dagger. He was being fed like a baby or some animal that had no hands. He saw the others close to him. Katar, Myrlak, Vage, Benny, Kibull, Rezed, and the two Paladins were all tied up. Their battle master friend had be restrained and suspended by his feet. Eaching from the dagger he avoided the sharp point. When the cultist believed, he was done eating they were warned to leave.

A low-ranking member patted their heads. The battle master bit at him like a snapping turtle or beast trying ward off danger. Whoever these cultists were after it was clearly not them. One of the higher-ranking monks named Koad Kload said they were heading out to slay the rest of the Order of the Beast. Cailor sat in his bonds with his new allies watched over 300 fanatical cultists march for the eighth island.

Just watching these cultists made him feel numb. A force this big would take over some of these islands. He turned his head left and right to find the corpses of the cyborg, and the rogue. Next to him sat Myrlak who told him these cultists came out of the jungle. It was just him, Katar, Vage, Benny, Kibull, Rezed, the Paladins, and the Battle Master, Samone who were tied up as captives. These cultists belonged to a denomination called Karduul’s minions.

According to Myrlak these cultists had plans to cleanse this archipelago from this point to the last islet. Their force reached more than 300 mad souls. More likely these cultists brought 904 or more to this archipelago circlet. Because their time to accomplish this crusade is short. They chose to bull rush through the islands. For servants the cultists brough 738 thralls with them on large galleys. About thirteen were left to guard them. Once all the cultists marched out of the settlement Cailor wiggled around in his bonds. He fell on the ground in the attempt to loosen them.

“You will need a knife.” Katar said to him.

“I know that!” he snapped at the Ruhonthran. Cailor made a fool of himself, and he regretted that.

Rolling around was the Zhenrai could do. Just like a dog he rolled around in the sand and dirt. Doing that made for some comical entertainment. Even the thrall guards found this amusing. His new colleagues started laughing until they heard arguing that became fighting. Cailor looked up at the direction of the fighting. It ended with a brief one-sided shoot out. Now they had a chance to escape. Recognizing the sounds, the TM 13 and the new E7gas powered rifle he knew who came looking for him. Another guard ran towards their location. Gnom appeared into his line of sight with nine of his volunteers. Evirius, Monn Vag, Inngranus, Bemere, Pol, Red Puma, Jadar, Xillun, Margo, all left the base to save him. Cailor could not keep himself from smiling.

“By Gaivos am I glad to see you- what is wrong? Did we lose anyone?” Cailor asked loudly as they approached them. Showing somber expressions his rescuers cut him and his new colleagues free.

“We just lost Izor, and Zaros. Omurx was eaten by a jungle cat.” Gnom told him with a hint of sorrow, and defeat on his face.

“That is not good. Two of them had valuable intel!” Cailor divulged in despair. He got up feeling defeated. They were going in blind and clueless. Omurx was part of the inner circle between the Order of the Beast and the Chaotic Surprise.

Knowing the bad news was crippling to morale he told his unit who the cultists were. He also mentioned Crystal who disappeared again. Gnom already knew about the five prisoners he released. Nibbers, Changra, and Boag informed him. Taking in a deep breath they buried their sorrow with some relief. Relief of the cultists attacking the other islands made up for the loss. As they buried the dead, they heard shooting from the west. Whoever fired those shots did not last long against the Karduul Cultists.

“We will leave them to the cultists just pray Crystal go out.” Cailor sadly suggested. He fought back an emotion he did not want to show.

“I am right here sir.” A woman’s voice appeared from behind him. Cailor turned around to hug Crystal showing he was happy she was unscathed.

Leaving the other islands at the hands of the cultists was final. Cailor’s unit returned to base for the rest of the day. For a whole day his unit rested at the base listening to the Vestrisian fleet engaging some enemy vessels to the south, and the north. One late morning Cailor sat down to check documented lists on everything found. Some of the papers were dirty, but words could be transcribed, copied, and typed up. All the valuables found so far were put in footlockers, and chests they found in good condition. Every weapon they found was put inside a structure they found suitable to store weapons in.

For much of the day he sat at the table while his unit came and went around the other islands. The six islands they cleared had plenty of room for housing and storing. He just hoped they found personnel to be sent and volunteers willing to come here. Cailor allowed his unit to bury the dead. He wrote a report to his superiors Admira Kezef and Mysdran Vorske. They reported to their own in Forsym, and in Morgadra. In detail revealed the entire situation, and the factions. Names of each member in his unit were also added. The only person he did not mention was Phebei. Crystal took these reports to the pirates so it could be sent off to the high commanding officers. Seated at an alien desk carved from the local trees he leaned back to enjoy some hand brewed coffee. It came from some stash they found on the sixth island. His unit was careful not to mention the fuel station thanks to Chammi. Moments later Crystal returned to his office. She did not come alone. Holding her hostage was some black lizard humanoid wearing a sash tunic, bandolier, a pauldron on the left shoulder, and the right completely covered in armor made from various bones. Jaws, ribcages, and claws sewn together to make the piece of armor.

Against his better judgement he raised his arms in surrender. The black scaly lizardman held what appeared to be a nail gun at first mixed with a staple gun. At a closer glance he noticed the barrel missing, the grip and trigger were elongated. Along the grip he saw green glass material. Cailor knew what happened while he was inside. A new hostile force apprehended his unit by catching them off guard.

Whoever this lizardman was he looked pleased to capture Cailor. It was as though he knew who he was. Undoing his fatigues, he showed the captor he was unarmed. Forced to surrender was not his intension, but it would keep his unit alive. In silence they left the building to find all 37 members of his members captured by the Order of the Beast Members. Many of the Lizardman’s colleagues wore the badges of the OB. No more than 89 black lizard men, 100 scrawny-malnourished looking warriors, 262 scary mutant monsters, one Ape cyborg reaper, 30 goblinoids, 5 high Elf warriors from Miccado, a human rogue, Orc brute, one Primal Death gunner, and three wraith halberders made up the force that took his unit by surprise.

“We should call ourselves the Chaotic Surprise after taking you Skogers by surprise. Ha ha!” the bone pauldron black lizardman mocked him. He barked out some orders. “Bring the camera, the movie film camera!”

Several Goblinoids obeyed the leader. Those small humanoids took out pieces from their bags. Obeying the leader, they pieced together a filming camera. One of the older ones positioned it to face them. One of them switched it on letting it run for a few seconds. Two lights came one indicating it was recording them.

“Skogers, weaklings and pathetic wretches of this world! Your days of peace are numbered. When we the Order of the Beast crush the Gantronese and the Nazdar our tiny nations will be swallowed into our empires and domains! I the Great Overlord Kgha Nerum will lay waste to your armies, eat the children of your leaders. Civilians and peasants will become slaves to my armies. Your temples to speechless gods will be-“ the Black Lizardman’s voice was drowned out by the sounds of aircraft heading this way. Cailor’s ears picked up the sound of five engines from different aircraft. Two came from Evusia, old relics now, one came from Meze, another hailed from the vast factories of Cydnam. Just five different but modified aircraft drew attention from the captives.

Soaring through the skies these fighters broke formation to dive down for an attack run. Each one nosedived unleashing machinegun fire on the Overlord’s forces. Cailor could guess they probably looked like ants or bugs to their pilots in the air. When the aircraft flew in circles the Overlord’s minions scattered in terror. Cailors people raced for the buildings as chaos and panic reigned over the captors.

Nerum did not look phased at all. He gnashed his teeth and fired a flare into the air. From the dock’s emerged more of his hellish looking soldiers. In teams of six these Order of the Beast soldiers set up anti-aircraft guns, and makeshift flak cannons. The earth shook underneath their feet like an earthquake as forming. Cailor went into ascension as the five aircraft circled above like seagulls, and vultures. Despite the anti-air weapons, they continued their sweep attacks. He turned his attention to the volcano in the center. One behemoth ship rose up from the volcano’s crater. He looked from above and found the long troop transports docked along the second island. More shooting came from the new enemy as the behemoth ship kept rising. Getting out of ascension Cailor witnessed a miracle.

His own countrymen flanked from three sides. Seeing his own comrades come to the rescue warmed his heart. Over one hundred marines, soldiers, and troopers pulverized Nerum’s Order of the Beast battalion. All five allied aircraft pulled away to focus on the larger ship that was now floating above the volcano. Nerum shot at the Vestrisians several times before going down. His countrymen’s hail of gunfire wiped out the new enemy units. Bodies covered the ground, soaking the earth in red. Lizardmen, Orcs, Mutant monsters, Goblinas, thin humanoids, and monsters fell. Resembling a scythe blade cutting wheat the corpses fell. There was nothing glorious or appealing about the scene that unfolded. Just the relief it was not him and his countrymen. All five of the Elves were taken as prisoners of war. For them it was best to surrender and not be shot.

Nerum’s body lay lifeless the camera and camera operators lay shot up. He let his countrymen mop up the last of them. As he sat on the ground Cailor heard the turrets on several ships open fire. From the direction of the behemoth ship several explosive impacts clapped the air. Almost everyone had to cover their ears. His gaze faced the direction of the behemoth ship. Six portions of this plankton-roach shaped ship were hit. Each part that was hit smoldered, and showed signs of fires ignited. While their ships kept firing on the behemoth ship a curious long faced trooper raced past him. At first, he thought he had a simple box in his hands. This trooper held a camera and took photos of what he saw. He was more annoying than most tourists.

“Private Unners get your ass back here!” a bronze skinned Sergeant yelled after the photographing trooper. Cailor did not wait for this one to respond to his co. Soaking his boots in blood, and torn entrails Cailor fetched the private Unners. He found him it at the docks taking photos of the alien vessels. Cailor pounced from behind and lifted him up. Cailor scared the private a little as he carried him over to his unit under the Sergeant’s command.

“Thank you, sir. Private Unners has been a nail in my foot when he does that.” The Sergeant said the second Cailor put Unners down. There were not many places untouched by the corpses, blood, or entrails. Unners sort of lost it when he found himself sitting in grayish, and blue looking entrails of a mutant.

“No problem Sergeant, you are to salute my rank as it is Major. Major Cailor of the Volunteer Branch.” Cailor affirmed to the Sergeant who wore the infantry-trooper style uniform. Many units among the branches wore the blue uniform to show Union Colors. It was the standard before the current war broke out. Now new uniforms were issued to help blend in the environment. Some uniforms came in shades of green, brown, sand, tan, clay, white for snow, and all were issued camouflage. Every serviceman, and servicewomen have been issued reversable uniforms. It all depended on where they were deployed and the season.

“Sorry sir, I had no clue-“ Cailor cut him off just to spare him the apology.

“Can it for now. Who oversees this operation?” He demanded from the Sergeant. He referred to their little rescue.

“Admiral Kezef sir, Major sir. My squad was dropped off by Captain Casktapper of the VSS Sloop Perseverance aka Casktapper’s wife.” The Sergeant answered him. Although he was bigger than Cailor he showed signs he was nervous.

“How many personnel came with this rescue party?” He asked the Sergeant. Cailor made it sound like a command.

“125 personnel Major.” The Sergeant responded.

“What is your name, Sergeant?” Cailor asked curious about who this one was and where he came from. The Sergeant was about to speak when a familiar voice answered for him.

“Sergeant Vandern leave Major Cailor to his duties. Take your squad, gather the dead like the other units are doing. With the utmost respect bury the dead, and pile up all weapons and valuables.” Kezef commanded the Sergeant. He had hundreds of Sailors coming over to help with the dead. Sergeant Vandern left him alone. He took his private Unners with him, pulling him by the sleeve. Both Vestrisians Officers saluted each other.

“Congrats on your promotion Major. I see your cleared some parts of these islands.” Kezef commented on his progress. Cailor hoped he did not mean more enemies came in from behind him.

“Thank you, Admiral Kezef. Are really resorting to looting to fund this war?” Cilor had a loose tongue, but did not care. Such a question would be treated like an insulting accusation. All Kezef did in response was laugh.

“If you are bothered write one complaint to the Premviste, a second to the Mastar, and a third to a Cenator. Wait a month and you will see six different answers.” Kezef replied with a big smile on his face. He started wheezing with laughter.

“So, we are now pirates, burglars, and graverobbers.” Opined more to himself.

“Oh, Al-Hana stuff your mouth with unholy meat Cailor. Most of the treasures, and valuables we found come from other worlds and parts of another continent here. You see these Order of the Beast and CSO might be responsible for the destruction of Miccado, Vincani, and other allies near Damis.” Kezef informed him.

“So is that what happened?” Damis never said a word to our government!” Cailor grew frustrated, and afraid of this news. Their own allies in the continent of Estoras played a major role in bringing free states together. In the form of an alliance all the free states kept the conquest of Calorn at bay.

“It is most likely a ruse to throw us off balance.” Kezef assured him brushing sand off his uniform as the wind picked up.

“How will we know it was just a ruse?” Cailor gave him a comprehensive expression.

“I spoke with the Mysdran of our theater about this. A smuggler, and aviator are being sent to find out the truth. Gather your unit and never worry about our allies.” Kezef insisted to Cailor like a teacher to a student.

Heeding Kezef’s advice Cailor rallied his unit to him. Looking at the volunteers he asked who wanted to join him. Only 20 got up to finish the job. As for the rest of the volunteers how chose not to they were left under Gnom’s command. Eleven stayed behind to clean up and patrol the islands. Evirius, Monn Vag, Inngranus, Pol, Bemere, clawfighter, Red Puma, Xillun, Gorris, Margo, Jadar, Jiknar, Boag, Katar, Myrlak, Voge, Kibull, Rezed, Markin, and Ken followed him. Bria gained an extra crewmember. O Shar Mamone joined as a bodyguard. Remembering how long it took to walk he had his unit commandeer the vehicles they used.

On three working vehicles Cailor’s unit drove throughthe islands they cleared. Following the correct route they reached the walled in settlement. They brought the vehicles to a halt at a closed gate. Armed with guns, and melee weapons his unit brough enough ammunition. Preparing to enter ascension Cailor first watched the tower and walls for a few seconds. A single woman emerged from the tower. She stepped on the wall walk. Dark long hair draped over her shoulders and chest. She wore a white tunic dress as the looks of it. Their presence startled her when she turned to look over the wall. She did not expect them to be here. Wearing a purple white garment her nationality showed.

“Iperontosee woman are the cultists still here?” Cailor asked from the passenger seat.

“No, no don’t talk!” Another figure exited the tower. Cailor recognized him as a cultist because of the robe. On the hood was something he did not see on the Karduul Cultists he encountered. A green flat bar on the hood attached to the back of the robe.

Oblivious to their presence the male grabbed the Iperantosee woman. Being stronger the male beat her to her knees. He pulled something out and revealed himself to her. Using his hands, the cultist shoved himself in her mouth. Like nothing was happening he draped the robe over her. Forcing oral sex on the Iperantosee this cultist treated the act as a punishment. Eight forceful thrusts was all he could get before Cailor shot him. He watched the dead meat of a cultist fall off the wall. In his mind he hoped the woman was released and did not fall with him. Cailor got ready to enter ascension again. No chance came as the gate doors opened. The Iperantosee got up revealing she did not fall off the wall. She gasped for air for a few moments holding the wall.

“That glass of wine was a bad idea.” She admitted aloud. The woman held her head. She disappeared behind the wall.

Assuming she crawled her way back to the tower Cailor went ahead. Using his Zhenrai powers conjured an ancestor to open the gate completely. Screams emitted from behind the wall. Raising the alarm was not the problem. How to keep these followers from attacking was the issue. Twenty-one armed volunteers entered the settlement. Upon entry they were met with an orgy of coitus. Every woman was engaged in various acts of fornication. More than one hundred or so became involuntarily partners with hundreds of robed cultists before their eyes. Unsure on what to make of this Cailor’s unit stood idle. Their vehicles were too big to fit inside.

While he believed they were being ravaged some showed aroused joy. More than ten woman, pulled their hoods down. To the surprise of the watching unit these men were unscathed, smooth skinned males. Some were handsome, and the rest almost looked like boys or teens. Seeing they were too focused on Coitus he saw an opportunity. Putting one foot forward he began to move. The moment the Major took another step a loud voice boomed in the air. Echoing from the back this voice stopped the orgy in its progress. Cailor felt relieved that it stopped for some reason. He did not know how much longer he could take it. Coitus was not a problem, prolonged mass orgies was a little too much. Especially when it was frequent. A few times or once a month was fine. Looking down he waited for the orgy to stop.

When the same voice boomed, they all stopped coitus. Cailor let out a thank the gods under his breath. One more minute and he would shoot himself in the foot. Shooting them was not the idea. As the booming voice came again the participants stopped. In a domino wave they ceased. The owner of the voice became clear as an older male in his fifties came into view between metal houses.

“STOP WHAT ARE YOU THRALLS DOING? Only the ugliest of our brothers get the pretty ones. All voluptuous women must be copulated by the vile, ugly, and grotesque males. Our cult do not permit the handsome, non-ugly males to touch the women.” A black hooded cultist shout at the thralls. He pushed a taller thrall to the side. Both his hands grabbed his partner’s breasts. This uglier cultist squeezed, fondled, and pinched her breasts.

Waiting did not seem like an option. Whoever this cult was it had to die. Cailor tried to move but his body was stuck, paralyzed, and numb from shock. All focus rested on the fondled woman who did not look pleased. Gritting her teeth, the female pulled something sharp from her robe. Using it like a weapon she stabbed the ugly cultist in the throat. She sprung up then ran towards them. A single act of violence ignited an uprising of some sorts. Thralls attacked their cultist masters. Cailor led the platoon back to the transports. From there he entered ascension to watch 337 cultists come under attack by 723 angry thralls.

Despite being outnumbered the cultists put up a fierce fight against their rebellious thralls. All over the walled in settlement the thralls rebelled to overthrow them. For several minutes they waited for the overthrow to end. Six of the women informed them it was clear to go in. In no mood to talk Cailor pressed on with his platoon. The 337 cultists lay dead among 445 male thralls who died in the onslaught. One hundred four male thralls were free with one hundred seventy-three thrall women.

Cailor sent them the location of the Vestrisians. He allowed them to take their transports. Not bothering to ask anything else Cailor led his platoon to the end of this island. Just like the other islands this one had a bridge connecting to the next island. Wide enough for four vehicles to pass through this one was a draw bridge. Certain the cultists cleared more islands he called for some spectral powers to lower the bridge. He had no time to figure out the effing mechanics himself. Crossing over to the eighth island his platoon came to a base that was the site of a skirmish aftermath. Corpses littered the stretch of the walkway. Twenty members of the Order of the Beast lay dead.

A spiffy dressed lizardman wearing sunglasses, one female reptilian, a female drow beaten, a gray alien mystic bludgeoned, one reptilian gargoyle jungle lizardman, a carnivore with red scales, a robust lizardman, an odd alien, one newt humanoid, one shaman lizardman, four frogloids, an armored shock scorpion, a hag with a smashed in head, and a Battle Master lay dead. The only survivors were a female reptilian mourning hers sister’s death. A pair of gorgeous shape shifters holding each other, a comical looking lizard man holding two newts by their paws, a half elf cook arguing with a skinny blue devil, a shaman waving both to be silent, a single frogloid sitting in disbelief acting oblivious to the world around. A scorpion humanoid blades man who ran off to escape them. That was one leading culprit according to Jiknar who recognized him. A tall Gnoll from Garse welcomed them. Passing the survivors, they scared a lizard centipede from its prey. Found in the corner of two buildings was a Gnome inquisitor claiming to be a prisoner of war. Cailor ignored the soiled Gnome to glance at the carnage he passed. Scores of cultists lay dead. Those cultists did come back this way, but the survivors hid after the first wave passed through.

All the survivors followed him like he was some sort of prophet to lead them out of this. According to their tales they were forced to join the Order of the Beast. The Black Lizards leading them lay dead at the end of the walkway after the cultists came through here. How long ago this happened could only be set to an hour ago. For the cultists set off a day ago. Cailor gave them three options. Join them, stay put, or leave this area. Two joined them the reptilian female and the Gnoll. Ignoring any pleas or protests Cailor led 22 men to the ninth island on foot. Sure, enough they found two this leading duo dead in the middle with more dead cultists around them.

Focused on getting to the other islands he spotted the scorpion bladesman, and centipede reptile blocked by an Ape of some sorts. Locked in a conflict on a wide land bridge the trio blocked their path. In this trio’s background lay the island they needed to reach. Cailor facepalmed this who ordeal. Did the cultists manage to make it this far in so little time? This spat on what he wanted to do in a small amount of time. If those cultists were here, they either passed through or missed the Ape. Jiknar loosed an arrow with an expandable blade tip. They watched the arrow hit the blades man who was crushed by the Ape. Jiknar loosed another hitting the reptile. The reptile smashed the monster’s skull in. When both foes lay dead or crippled this Ape proceeded to smash the bones with it fists. After it pounded on its chest it went back to the island on its knuckles.

Cailor led his platoon to the next island that had two settlements along the interior center. A jungle forest divided the settlements. Catching up to the Ape they discovered more cultists lay dead. At the entrance of one lay a dead Flesh Golem experiment, some frog behemoth on the beach with dead cultists around them. Two more flesh Golems arrived from the other one to fight the Ape. All three kept hitting each other with no signs of a clear victor. Slipping past the endless brawl into the settlement they entered unnoticed. Pressing on they passed three dead brain looking things smashed to bits. In the street they discovered a long stretch of carnage down the street. Some Minotaur duo leaned against a wall, one dead the other was wounded. A wounded demon brute, three jelly fish looking droids lay destroyed on the street. One dead scorpion warrior lay on its back with its legs curled. Past them lay an armored shock scorpion severely damaged. Feet from this scorpion lay what his unit called an Orlacc steer, a lion man with horns. Heading their way with a lengthy blade an Elf Cleric in green and black armor raised it. He had other weapons but chose this long blade. Naming himself Firnusi he requested they do not shoot him as he approached the steer. Killing the demon and the steer minotaur he revealed himself to be Orland the Cleric.

“Glad you came those cultists made a mess, but angered our leaders.” Orland pointed out. He pointed at the scores of dead cultists all over the streets.

“Excuse us Orland we must pass through.” Cailor snidely said looking the elf in the eyes. Both his kills could have more intel, but Orland took that away.

“You may and I shall stall or slay that Ape Gantronese Experiment.” Orland showed off his blade. Cailor approved with a smile.

“Check the other settlement before heading to the next island.” Orland suggested to Cailor.

Taking his advice, the Major led his platoon to the other settlement on the island. Once they reached the end of the first settlement a crazy looking sorcerer sprung an attack on them. Gorris shot the sorcerer three times. The Gnoll mentioned something about insanity being in the sorcerer’s history of problems. No one lamented the dead crazy fool as they rounded the corner of the settlement’s end. In the sand and dirt they spotted a train track leading to the other island from the second settlement on the other side of the jungle. Surrounded by ten dead cultists lay a Death Lord in their own blood. Covered in stabs this one was known for prying around.

Entering the second settlement they were greeted by a Ragath warlock. Cailor did not hesitate to smack him and sent him to aid Orland. This Warlock rushed over to help the Elf Cleric. Pressing further to explore the area they discovered 8 broken bots, and 100 dead Gantronese troops used as a décor on the houses. Most of the dead were skulls rotted through. At the base of each building, they found signs of fighting. Next to three dead cultists lay a dead Skull Apprentice. Monn Vag recognized him. Past him and four homes lay a shot-up Penta Drone. Evirius pointed out the drone was shot up by the Gantronese before they got here. Moving on they discovered a butcher shop with a slithering black tracker snake lay cut up on a table.

Exploring other parts, they found more dead cultists and four more survivors. Some apprentice wizard shot in the shoulder; a pink skinned humanoid explorer named Danin sat tied up intoxicated. A warrior named Manugar the Axeman, and a retired villain who had medical skills. In the corner of their hideout lay a shot up Damned Coven Hag.

Seeing the quartet of survivors posed little threat Cailor’s unit left them alone for the next island. Cailor looked over his right shoulder letting his unit go on ahead. His eyes rested on the hideout for a quick glance. Limping for the hideout with help from the Warlock was Orland who looked battered by the encounter. Following the train tracks they soon realized the existence of an advanced locomotive here. Hundreds of footprints dotted the sand leading to a ferry which was under the sea now. There were rocks, islets, and thin land bridges under the bridge made for the tracks. In the center sat a rocky hill. Encircled by foliage, and dome structures it stuck out. Looking up at the skies Cailor chose the track bridge. At the end they found another Gnome Inquisitor from Cydnam. Before the Gnome spoke a human Paladin Guard slapped him down into the sand. Signs this cult was here could not be more evident. Being the third one they attacked Cailor noticed the scars, dents, and cuts on the Paladin. He told the Paladin of their fate which made him happy. Orgoss was the Paladin’s name. Happy as a man can be he led them further into the island. Passing a slain butterfly Drake and a dead Frog warrior they left the Inquisitor alone. Orgoss mentioned the leader of this island an Eagle when the Gnome caught up.

Gorris picked up a piece of parchment with Friengve’s name on it. On the back it read My Bitch. Orgoss told them to ignore that as they passed a dead winged fairy drow, a shot up programmed droid among slain cultists. Making their way long the track that connected these islands brought them to more objects on this island. They passed an APC, and 20 graves of Gantronese soldiers. Each grave was marked by a helmet on a stick. Whoever this Gnome was he climbed into the APC to start working on it. As Orgoss carried on they came to a two-story building. Outside it two elf archers buried a colleague, and a dead Noble from a planet called Illgood.

None of his unit bothered them as they passed more corpses. Orgoss brought them to a dwelling where a brown bear sat on its hind end minding its own business. Two corpses lay among the dead cultists A Warlock of Fiend an ancient order now last to time, and a Bald Bladesman who was a wanderer. Seated in a chair crowed a humanoid crow guarded and pestered by an ugly looking owl warrior. Teemuld grabbed the owl and punted it into the side of the rock wall of the hill. Cheering with joy the humanoid crow pointed where they could find the rest.

Going past the freed crow they came to a shed on a slope where an imp lay shot to death. Near the slope sat a nice clear space with eight buildings along the cliffs. A trail cut into the slope. A druid in ugly green robes sat there meditating showing his genitals, an Elf Warlock dragging a Six-foot dead Ogre, an Orc Elitist with a bloody nose helped the elf. Leaning against a metal house was a broken black droid. On the ground lay an Orc Boss who was shot with a few bolts. A wizard sat in a chair with a pipe in his mouth wearing dirty blue robes, and torn hat. When they came close the druid opened his eyes then got up. He shouted at Cailor and his unit. Cailor refrained from hitting him. A large Eagle swooped down from the hill. This caught everyone’s attention.

This Eagle slapped the Druid then had Ellus the wizard lead them down. Cailor caught the dire Eagle’s attention who said he was busy painting. Without giving a name this Eagle flew back up. Ellus led them to the other island that was said to be attacked by the “crazy monks” yesterday. It had been a few days since he was in their company. His platoon believed Ellus who took them to the bridge that connected the islands. The wizard took his leave at what was supposed to be a train station. Crossing the bridge, they scared off three winged cats. Not far away lay more dead cultists an Archmage shot with bolts, a human sorcerer, and a dead Gnome Inquisitor. Thanks to Orgoss they met Sorcerer Advod who asked if they had any women with them. Teemuld gulped and pointed out a dead black shadowy figure with big hands. She called it the Shadowy grabber. Every ignored Teemuld’s panic and pressed on to the small village on the island. Covered in foliage and volcanic rocks this island held a few settlements and a small port. Moving on the village they were greeted by a Drow known as Desmyr Shadow dusk. He wanted no part in Cailor’s unit. All he wanted was to go home.

Entering the metal village they found three dead swordsmen, a Drow lying dead in his own blood a dead minotaur setter, and an Elf Cleric Spearman preparing to bury them. She had four corpses halfway in body bags. Advod warned them to leave her alone in mourning. Outside the small village they found eleven yellow-green frog warriors. Six of them lay dead and the other five prepared to end their own lives on them. It was clear the cultists were behind this assault. Up ahead was lay another settlement. Checking the ground, he noticed the cultists did not go there. Advod mentioned the cultists brought canoes and rowed them to the other island. From the village a scorpion automaton came after them shooting darts at the platoon. Darts shot from its tail hitting Cailor in the leg. His unit shot it up in response. He fell on the ground keeping himself up on one knee.

Advod pulled the darts out and healed him when five strange sentry bots attacked them from the village. At a distance the bots tried shooting spikes. Monn Vag lobbed a grenade at the bots taking care of them in the process. Heading for the other settlement they saw it was connected to a bridge. Cailor still felt pain in his leg, but he blocked it out as best he could. Following the train tracks they saw it cut through the upper level of a complex of buildings resting on top of each other. At the entrance they were met by two skeletal Gantronese remains. One crypt Guardian of the dead killed by ten cultists who lay around him.

Inside this complex of structures it felt like an open tunnel leading to an outdoor cavern chambers. A lone figure jumped out of a corner alley only to get shot. Their name was Mirth the duelist who was spooked a little by all this. Moving down the narrow street they made their way down to a platform. It brought them to a set of other platforms. Some lay dead, others curled up and a pair of large creatures fought at the bottom level. An apprentice wizard clearing take from his own master held his side. He pushed himself against a door in pain. On another platform near them lay a kanine hybrid with hook claws for hands. Looking at it they spotted bullet holes. Feet from the kanine was a female figure holding a gun.

Moving a large group caused a commotion which scared the woman into shooting at them. Everyone ducked down in reaction to the shooting. Curses, threats, insults spilled from his unit’s lips. He got up and saw the woman panicked a little by their approach. She lowered the weapon when she saw who they were, and who they represented.

“Hi there I am Major Cailor of the VUVR’s Volunteer branch. We are here to just check out the area! Nerum is now dead.” Cailor shouted over to the woman, he was encouraged to speak to the woman by Jiknar who said he heard the shooting during the encounter with the sentries. He called her by name, Reva Mantlehorn.

“Yeah, hi there could I just um, grab my stuff and leave?” she requested from the Major. “Sorry about shooting at you.”

“You can leave whenever you feel comfortable.” He answered her. Cailor wondered if this Reva ever fired a gun in her life before this moment. In his mind he doubted that.

“Ah, okay well the kid is coming with me!” Reva shouted back. She entered an apartment. Taking her word for it Cailor’s unit moved through the town complex that held fifteen platforms one each level of this settlement. Each platform contained five apartments. Cailor split his unit up to cover more ground. Twenty-four searched 150-cylinder shaped apartments. Inside one they found a pink fat triple chinned lard humanoid his unit named Nuperbo. They arrested him and found the five leaders who were Eagle-hawk hybrid humanoids. These five were just humanoids with falcon heads. Two of them were shot and the rest taken prisoner.

He allowed his men to rest on the second level. They set up camp and made themselves at home. While his unit relaxed Cailor checked the scene still going on bellow. At the bottom of the complex, he found an alien behemoth frog eating a large demonoid whole. With some disgust and intrigue he watched the frog choke on the demonoid. Both died as a result. One choked on the other that had no air to breath. Calling it a night he was given a three-room apartment. Before going to bed he contacted Bria to bring her ship over to certain islands to pick up some individuals they encountered.

The next morning, he woke up at dawn. Bits of rays of morning light shined through the window. He was facing eastward. Progress was made in circumnavigating the volcanic archipelago. In his mind he realized they still had more islands to explore. Yet they were halfway to the other side. He rolled over to face the wall and the westward direction. It felt like he was facing northwest. Not ready to get up Cailor closed his eyes. Enjoying the peace and quiet he let his stomach grumble for food. Singing disrupted his peace. A little peeved at this Cailor got up. Whoever was singing had an operatic voice. They also had some nerve to do that here of all places. No one knew where the rest of the new enemy was or where the Gantronese were here. Eating a quick breakfast, he prepared for the next island. Since they were moving on he left nothing in this apartment. Outside he found his unit getting ready to move. Their new POW’s and friends had to be sent back with Orgoss.

“Alright platoon where is that singer?” he asked knowing it was none of them. He carried his pack on his back as he exited the apartment.

“Up there, sir!” they all pointed to the other island. Designed like the complex buildings the settlement there displayed itself to be bigger. It appeared wider, stretching farther over the next island. Four levels of buildings resting on a slope mount in the island’s surface. On one of the 44 platforms they could see a woman singing for a group of 23 people.

Taking his unit Cailor proceeded towards the next island in the archipelago. Getting down to the bridge that linked the islands they found another bridge they missed. Connected by bridges the settlements acted like a port on the flanks. Each one was draw bridge. Aside from the frog behemoth and demonic humanoid lay more dead cultists. Recalling the number of cultists Cailor realized they brought more than what Myrlak estimated. He did his best to avoid eye contact with him. Crossing over created a tense feeling inside. A close eye or ten on the gathered crowd added more to the growing anxiety. Was this a distraction or a bait to some ambush? Having a platoon sized force was sure to catch their attention. It made no sense for these defenders to stand idle like they did. Either this was a trap, or these defenders gave up.

Coming closer to the small, gathered crowd his unit kept their eyes peeled. Worried they would come under attack they kept to the walls. Keeping a tight formation, they did not want to get picked off by snipers. A blob of soldiers can bee, seen, but it kept the unit together. In his experience it was best to spread out during a firefight. In this case it was automatic.

One of the people spotted Cailor’s unit while singer kept going. They raised an alarm for the singer to cease. Drawing attention to the platoon encroaching on them. All heads in the crowd turned to his unit’s direction. Twenty-four humanoids clad in green and white clothing. Some had solid colors, others had stripes or spots. Whoever they or wherever they came from none of them showed any hostility. Cailor ordered his unit to lower their guard. He introduced himself as Major Cailor. Stretching out his hand to the one who called them out he was taken a back. A woman was the one who called them out. She appeared tall, and well built. The cropped auburn hairstyle could have fooled anyone because of the wardrobe duster. Especially with a face painted green and ivory. Upon a closer look her body gave her gender away. Introducing herself as Veteran Leader Katleena Virespear the female smiled.

She commanded five green skinned elf heroes, seven berserker axe men, two Elf Clerics of Gavos a world none of them knew, six Veteran Blades and three female berserkers. Her own command were celebrating the demise of the Order of the Beast and their last days with them. It was really the last days under their bootheel. She asked his unit if they enjoyed the berserker Melkorka’s singing. Nods and yeses were all they gave with grins on their faces. Eager to be on their way Cailor offered Katleen a chance to join his volunteers. Half of him expected no for an answer, but was given a yes. Their decision was yes because the wanted to stay put. Leading or governing this island was Buck Knight Sardor. He was going to have them move on the skogers soon.

Accepting 24 more into the ranks pushed his unit towards a company size. All he needed now was a ship big enough to hold them. He took his unit out of the complex portion. Past the complex the settlement transformed into more of a town column. Structures were either rectangular, box shaped, cylinder shaped, cone, domes, and basket shaped in a meticulously organized column. Along on street the found the aftermath of a battle that resulted in carnage. A Serpent Drake centipede lay cut up and partially eaten. On its neck was a metal collar that did allow speech to animals. Scores of cultists lay dead among strange scaly humanoids.

Two second glances was all they got when a pair of scared and traumatized figures ran into their line of sight. One single female Demon Battle Master in strange dimensional armor leading the other figure. Trailing at her heels was an agitated storm mage in purple robes. Cailor’s unit trained their weapons on the duo. Turning to face them the Demon Battle Master dropped her weapons in surrender. Angrier than before the storm mage pushed her aside. Using an invisible blast, he pushed her against the wall of a dome house. Cailor’s unit lit him up before he could attack them. Advod checked the Battle Master who was shocked by the betrayal. Her arm was also dislocated. The wizard stayed with her allowing Cailor to move on. She did provide the whereabouts of the Buck Knight. Just follow them train tracks. He will find the leader.

At the end of the town, they found a set of train tracks and a road. Pressing forth along these tracks they discovered another small settlement. No smaller than a village this one consisted of sixteen dome structures. In one of the streets lay a dead “crazy sword mage” Monn Vag knew. His name was never revealed. Monn Vag’s tale about him was interrupted when six sentry bots rounded the corner. Four grenades flew from his units’ hands destroying the smooth covered automatons. As a Major he would discipline his unit, but he was too relieved. Making sure the bots were out of action Cailor smashed some circuits with his cudgel.

Still following the tracks brought his unit to a forest. Passing through this dense jungle they found more structures. In the center of the island sat a three-story platform-palace. Surrounded by a wall this palace’s courtyard, patios, and gardens overflowed with overgrowth. Finding the gate was not difficult. One entrance in the wall had a hanging Gantronese skeleton. Entering the perimeter, they ran into a fight or brawl. Three partially armored “Death Warriors” engaged in combat against an Elf mounted on a Griffin. Two of the warriors lay dead while the others struggled. Armed with a lance halberd and a Griffin for a mount this Elf took care of the situation. Thrusting his lance into a foe’s neck the Elf turned the tide of this skirmish. His mount pecked at the other enemy caving in the helmet with several dents. The last Death Warrior stood alone.

“Intruder, I mean traitor, traitor in our ranks!” the lone warrior barked out to others in the area. His voice echoed all over the jungle.

Cailor’ unit rushed over to apprehend the Death Warrior. Claiming another prisoner of war allowed another turncoat to join them. Their approach caused more stress on the Griffin mount. Flapping, fluttering, and lashing out with its talons the Griffin expressed distaste and warned them in its own way. Just its behavior and expanding wings as a sign it felt threatened. The elf calmed it down with few strokes on its neck. Apologizing for his mount he introduced himself as Rydel Ralolar and his Griffin mount as Barrett. Barrett the Griffin acted more pompous and snobbish when it was calm.

Cailor added Rydel and the Griffin to a list before checking out the rest of the interior. Sending his unit to scour the wall’s interior Cailor allowed himself into ascension. While watching the unit he had to put up with Barrett nibbling at him. In the garden section they found a monk in a red uniform who slew a horned gold devil that charge at them. This monk used a projected pebble that imbedded itself into the skull. From the palace nine more figures poured out of the doors. A Green Hound monstrosity chased a woman out of the palace. This woman raced for the wall, leaping over obstacles in her path. Barrett swooped over to save the woman. Scooping her up the Griffin brought her over to them. These seven other monsters happened to be a moss hound mutant, and six demon hounds. Eight hound like mutated monsters went after his unit since their main target was taken away.

Howling like sick wolves the pack caught their attention. Cailor’s unit shot up these eight hound monsters. They put eight to four bullets in each one and made sure they were dead. Once they were certain the beasts were dead, they returned. Seeing his own unit come back he exited the ascension. Opening his eyes Cailor witnessed a scene that was found adorable. Barret the Griffin licked and nuzzled the woman they rescued. Rubbing the Griffin’s feathers this rescued female introduced herself as Reya Mantlemourne the Red Scholar’s niece. She tipped off where Buck Knight Sarlor and another humanoid with him. A succubus who took a liking to him or was planning something for him. Racing into the palace Cailor sprinted up the floors into the leader’s chambers.

Inside the Buck Knight’s chambers he found the leader mounting a pink skinned succubus from behind. Wearing nothing but an antlered helmet and loose shirt the Buck leader had succubus riding him sexually. Butt cheeks in his grasp the leader savagely thrust her into the air with his pelvis. Place her chest against his face the succubus did not notice Cailor enter the room. The Zhenrai used his powers to get her off. Tossing her across the room the Buck Knight was now his to deal with. Using his powers again he wrapped blankets, and cloths around the succubus then secured the bonds with belts and ropes. It made her into a humanoid wrap sandwich.

As for the Buck Knight’s fate. Cailor was doing the same to the Knight who then tossed a dagger at him. This forced Cailor to kill this Buck Knight. Wrapped up like a sandwich wrap the succubus insulted him called him names, and cursed him for ruining her interrogation. She had this Sarlor in her hands, and now he was dead. Curious about her origins Cailor dragged her along outside. Returning to his unit with a new prisoner of war he found them struggling to keep the death warrior alive. He managed to smash his own head open against the hard surface of the path. Advod was needed, but he was with the female Battle Master. Left with no choice Cailor grabbed the warrior’s weapon and killed him with it. As an act of mercy, he chose to end the death warrior’s life.

Leaving the area quickly Cailor’s unit handed the succubus over to the Griffin Rider. Allowing Cailor to command him, Rydel loaded the wrapped-up succubus on Barrett, Reya Mantlemourne climbed on with Rydel. Mounted and ready Barrett lifted off the ground. The winged beast flew upward taking the riders into the air. As for the monk, a Red Sun Soul Monk, he chose to join Cailor’s unit. Giving his name as Paongo Farfor, this monk guided Cailor’s unit to the next island. Exiting the jungle proved difficult since much of the path was overgrown. Forced to cut their way through, his unit came to a beach on the other side.

Crabs, shells, and debris littered the sands closer to the water. Waves crashed on the sand making it soggy and wet. Most crabs scuttled to their holes as the humanoids approached. Trailing along the jungle’s edges hid platoon made to a bridge. Ahead of them rested two more islands connected to this one. Consulting Paongo they learned about two leaders. Ruling over one island was a former pirate boss called Pituren. Governing and overseeing the other island was something out of a nightmare. A humanoid with no skin. Its name became stuck in his head upon hearing it. Nughzerb.

He flipped a coin that landed on tails face up, which meant the island on the right. Without consulting Paongo Cailor blindly crossed over to the one on the right. Leading his platoon to this island made his head spin around his brain. Taking his time, he brought a platoon of 24 across. Although it was the chosen island, he did not feel like this was the one they should clear first. In the shape of a mountain range this one had four distinct towers jutting up. Covered in grass, trees, brush, and other foliage this island appeared abandoned. The idea changed as they pressed further. Coming across a path revealed more signs the cultists attacked here.

In the path stood a large seven-foot-tall Guard droid. At its track-treads lay sixty-six dead cultists piled up around it. Built to resemble a heavily armored legionary elite this droid had hands in the shape of fists. Forced to face this killing machine Cailor ordered for some grenades. One large grenade was tossed at the idle automaton. Letting the grenade do its damage his unit waited for the right opportunity. Parts of the droid fell off, circuits, and wiring were exposed. Pieces of its armor were dented, and ripped apart. Eleven holes that pierced the guard’s metal skin crippled something in the inside. Waking up this droid was the last thing they wanted to do. However, it began malfunctioning and breaking down as its parts became active. Bolts, screws, metal nuts, pieces of metal flew off as it tried moving.

His unit watched it fall apart causing it to shut down completely. Nervous that it would explode Cailor used two specters to throw it as far away as possible. Caring more about his unit he threw the rest over the hill that flanked them. With one threat out of the way moving forward became urgent. Using the path Cailor’s unit penetrated deeper into the island. Constructed from a thick layer of sand, parts of wood, large flat stones, and pieces of metal the path was flanked by earthy walls. Both flanking sides jutted up the island’s hill this path and wall formation led the unit to a fork in the path. Coming to a dead end this one brought them tow a semi-flat clearing against a hill. Sixteen graves of Gantronese soldiers marked by helmets filled the clearing’s space. Still jutting into the skies, the towers cast a shadow over island. These were towers they could not get to.

Approaching the graveyard his unit kept their eyes peeled. Their presence scared a trio of rats, and a bat critter flew off into the trees. Staring at a crossroads that formed a capital T they had two paths to take. One on the right and another on the left. Taking either path would still bring them to the to the end of the island or to another dead end. He could go into ascension but that took up energy. Cailor fought off the urge to divide his unit up.

Forced to choose a path he planned to loop around the island. Going right they left only the graves, and critters behind. An older master he knew would have chosen the one to the left. For his own relief he told himself that master was not here. This path took them to another. Snaking their way to some switchbacks gave them a view of the beach bellow their position. Some train tracks ran through the beach. On this beach he spotted a skirmish progressing. As they kept going the scenery disappeared behind a wall of trees. Pacing themselves they allowed the skirmish to unfold and go on. Rounding another switch, a shadowy figure with big hands leapt out of the brush. Teemuld shot it up calling it the Shadow titty grabber.

Rolling their eyes, they dragged Teemuld along with them. Exiting the jungle forest, they found the combatants on the beach. Some reptile centipede, a froghemoth killed, and a scorpion human hybrid pushing its own advance. Covered in cuts, and gashes the reptile centipede rested on the sands showing signs it was injured. Blood seeped from its body on the sands. Sprawled on the beach the froghemoth lay dead with stabbings, and cuts. The bluish scorpion hybrid appeared bloodied up, mutated, and blood thirsty. Using its pincers, it finished off the centipede reptile. Seeing it had nothing else to fight the monster looked around its surroundings. Moving like some creepy thing it let out a rattled screech. Cailor’s unit shot it up. It danced, writhed, squirmed as they shot it to pieces. His unit left it on the beach to follow the train tracks.

Another building lay up ahead. Following the tracks brought them to a settlement. Since it was the first settlement, they found on this island put them on their toes. Each of them expected the new hostiles to ambush them here. On the other side of the hills and slope the settlement covered the other parts of this island. The same track cut through the extended settlement. Various buildings flanked the train tracks. Thirteen inhabitants exited their designated dwellings. Consulting the unit quickly he learned who was who from Frinas. Turning around he spotted a draconic hybrid mage, a green barbed deviloid, a dead legion ice devil a spined devil legionary, one demon called Mannuros, a Maw demon waiting for prey, some fat demon lord, a spear wielding demon with a beard, some Yagnolin brute, Thinhook crown, one purple spined demon and a pair of barded guards. All the demons and devils snarled and growled. Some even gnashed their teeth at them. It was said these humanoids would release hell on their foes, and violated the ones still alive. Once they approached, he chose to unleash their own hell.

“Now.” He ordered and his unit wasted the demons, and devils. Only nine of these humanoids died in their unleashed hail of gunfire. Four survivors dove for the ground. Seeing an opportunity to capture POW’s he sent the platoon ahead of himself. Grabbing the survivors up his unit presented the mage who surrendered, a crippled Mannuros, the Yagnolin Brute who was roasting a lobster, and the thinhook crown dog humanoid. Cailor cleared the crimes they committed before deciding their fate. He was not a judge, but he was the authority in charge here. He left them alone to snoop around if they wished. Cailor found another ferry to the other island. A ferryman called Meire Noi was forced into servitude. Looking at the four prisoners of war Cailor paced back and forth.

One of them tried to speak. It was the mage who looked a little worn out and bewildered. He cut the demon off with a backfist across the face. Cailor certainly did not want to hear anything about the dead rising from the grave. However, he did jot that down just in case. Asking them about the Skinless humanoid leader made two of them shudder. The draconic mage, and the thinhook crown cowered and begged to be left alone. Cailor sent the crippled Mannuros with Yagnolin and the ferryman. He prayed the ferryman would take them to the islands already occupied by the VUVR as instructed. That just left the mage and the thinhook crown spawn. Cailor asked for their names. Scared of revealing its name the spawn ran off only to get shot down by Red Puma.

Tired of all this resistance Cailor grabbed the mage. Forcing him up he made this mage led him to the leader of this island. Left to the mercy of this skoger the draconic mage lead up the street of this settlement. Flanked by buildings he spotted some bridges to the other island they planned to check out next. On the left they passed a trail that went up the hill. Fearing for his life this mage came to a three-story structure made from metal. As he stopped at the doorway a long dagger pierced him through the skull. In such force it caused blood to splatter on the walls and all over Cailor’s face. Out of the door emerged the skinless leader, clad in armor. Letting the dead mage fall this leader intensely stared at Cailor. No skin could be seen on its body the leader appeared nightmarish to look at. Cailor took a dagger of his own and shoved it under this leader’s chin.

Yanking the dagger out he prepared to return to his unit. Wiping away the blood he cleaned himself off using the mage’s robe. Grabbing his bearings first he crouched down for a moment. Just when the Zhenrai believed it was safe the skinless humanoid sprung back to life. It grabbed him and held him close to it while it lay on the ground. Drawing itself close to his ear it mumbled into it. Of course, he resisted, but to no avail. As it repeated its mumblings Cailor caught some words he did understand.

“You cannot find love for eight long years on your home world. Only in autumn will it happen on the eighth year of this curs that I lay upon you.” It released him falling back to the ground and staying dead. Turning around Cailor beheaded the corpse with anger.

“Major, are you alright?” he heard a voice ask from behind him. Turning around Cailor is faced with his unit seeing him like this.

“Yes let’s take the next island.” Cailor ordered his unit as he tried to calm himself a little more. He brushed his fingers through his hair like no one was watching. He had them check their ammunition first before letting them go onward. Although they were a platoon any of these other islands could have more than a company hiding in them. As he waited for them to check their ammo, he kept glancing over at the corpses. He explained his strategy to his platoon, one he learned while fighting the Zegrav. The ones with the most ammunition would charge in last. All the volunteers who charged in first had to dive to the ground or went for cover. During his early days of service that is what his company did.