Revenge of Tyrants. Storm of Souls.

[BagaturKhan]

Acheron Prime.
Capital of the Acheronian Galactic League.
Palace Consistory.

Admiral Lazitron, being a short Sozi-Daus, walked leisurely between what seemed to him gigantic columns of the decorative gallery. Each of the columns was something special. The symbols drawn on them belonged to a bygone era. They were applied with scarlet paint, almost bloody, so that everything looked awesome and clear. Lazitron knew them all. Every symbol, every hieroglyph, drawn on the columns of the gallery. He personally painted one of them. A five-pointed star surrounded by strange wavy lines. Inside it gaped three twisted nines. The admiral had exactly the same symbol on his right limb.
He slightly pulled back the sleeve of his long overcoat. The same sign was drawn on the bluish and flabby skin. Now it glowed with a mysterious greenish glow. It meant only one thing... He was there.
“Admiral,” a strange voice suddenly came from somewhere to the right.
The voice was quite even and calm. But something about him was repulsive. Lazitron almost fainted from surprise. He knew that the one who spoke to him never appears publicly and openly. If he appears, it is precisely when no one could have imagined that he would meet with him.
“My lord…” Lazitron muttered in fright.
He knew not to look him in the face. Not even Olmec R-Llandris, let alone some League admiral. Lazitron lowered his head and tried to incline it as low as possible, to the very floor.
- It is necessary to involve your Nycomedian, - said the one who appeared here just a second ago, - I promised him that Sinn would live. But for this he must do .... Do what he must.
Lazitron tried not to show that he was afraid. But fear enveloped him from head to toe. He could no longer control himself. From the terrible cold that appeared after the guest, the admiral involuntarily shook.
- Yes, sir.... Marfur-Nirari, - whispered the sozi-daus, - I will give him... a direct order.
- Let him blow up the station of the first line, - answered the one who was called Marfur-Nirari, - I have already read the spell. They can't call for help. And if radio communications are activated and a flotilla is called, it will be too late. Nobody and nothing can escape. This system will submit to the League. Or it will be destroyed.
The long teeth of Lazitron were already chattering from the bitter cold. The temperature in the gallery was dropping rapidly.
“Yes..... sir…” Admiral Ligi said with difficulty.
“Butt Trandott begged me for help,” came the voice of Marfur-Nirari from somewhere behind Lazitron.
Sausie-daws all this time stood and looked down. He did not know how his master moved. The owner could be in front of him or behind him. Could be here, next to him, or nowhere - at the same time. He is nothing and he is everything. He is omnipotent.
- Trandott begged me to save his planet from destruction, - the unknown guest continued, - the Elfurr Empire poisoned it and destroyed the Sinn civilization. The Nicomedians did nothing, as they were disarmed. Yes, and Sinn has always been known to them as ... a side form. secondary life form. Xinn continued to live in pain and suffering. The radiation from the Elfurr warheads had corrupted them. But I gave them a chance. If Trandotte completes the task, Xinn will rise again.
“You are merciful, ma'hatmah…” Lazitron whispered meekly, knowing that he would not be able to say otherwise in this case. “You… help others to get rid of the tyranny of Elfurr……”
- But I have a task for you as well, - continued Marfur-Nirari, - And don't think that I forgot about your... "successes" on Polonis.
The Admiral twitched again. It made his already fair skin pale. Goosebumps ran down his rough back with even greater force. And the symbol drawn on the right limb painfully pricked the skin. It seemed to Lazitron that a needle had been thrust into him, and so deep that they got to the very bones.
- Tell Trotskevich to prepare the fleet. And hit the Griffin Imperium once more. Let them support the attack. And remember, if you fail, we will have to change command staff. You've let me down once already. A three-day plan to capture Polonis.... Remember what he turned out to be. Remember how Dvorok planned to enter the capital and plant his flag. And in the end, thousands of dead soldiers. And then support with weapons from the obnoxious Coalition. Pumping weapons of the sub-state, which is actually a collection of warring formations. But you didn't do it either. Some small country has beaten you all!
"Yes..... milord........" Lazitron murmured in a barely audible voice, "I'm sorry.....
He clearly remembered the face of Trotskevich when he lost the campaign against a small state that covered only one small planet. He remembered how the master's fury had descended on them all.
“For those who fail tasks, I have a special gift,” said Marfur-Nirari with an evil grin. - Three months in the torture complex will make every faithful servant. But I hope that you and Trotskevich will prevail. And don't disappoint me. You have five days to bring me victory. This is with today. Work. Olmec, for example, is tearing his ass, look. And you don't cry.
  The last words of Marfur-Nirari sounded at the very ear of the sozi-daus. More precisely, at the ear hole, devoid of a shell.
- Everything will be ... done .... - the admiral answered through force, - We can handle it ..... We can handle everything.

[BagaturKhan]

- I remember, - Theophylact said, drinking another sip of tea, - I remember how in childhood we were also frightened by all sorts of ancient spirits and monsters. And we were afraid of them. They thought they were real.
- I, too, was afraid of monsters in my childhood, - Balderan, who was nearby, answered honestly, - I come from Nordan. And we have even more superstitious people than in your world. I remember when I was a child my father told me about the Jotuns. Ancient monsters, eternal enemies of mankind. When I went to bed, I was always afraid that they would take me and steal me.
- And I was so afraid, - the politician allowed himself to laugh, - Only now it’s not up to the stories.
At the last word, his smile disappeared.
  The temporary lord of the Griffin sat in his chair and sank into memories. Being in the world of the past, he received untold pleasure. All these thoughts filled his body with energy. Light energy. He remembered every detail of his past, enjoyed it. It saved him from the harsh reality. A reality in which nightmares have come true, and everything that previously seemed absurd has turned into a reality.
- We were all afraid of something..., - Balderan said thoughtfully, - And we are afraid. And we will be afraid.
  Theophylact escaped with a slight grin. After that, he put his cup on the table.
- You are right, - the ruler nodded, - But times are changing. And what you are afraid of, sooner or later, overtakes you. Even 6 years ago, I could not have imagined that the galaxy would split into pieces. That the mighty and indestructible, it would seem, the Coalition will turn into two warring factions, destroying each other without any pity. Then I could not imagine at all that this was possible. And then one day in February I woke up and realized that the world had changed. That there is a war going on. And not for life, but for death. That everything that seemed previously familiar and stable is forever gone. To be honest, not the most pleasant experience. Feelings when you get up in a completely new reality. A reality that seems impossible to you.
- But the reality can be changed, - Nordan said, - And this is the main thing.
  Theophylact allowed himself to smile again, if only for a moment.
- Undoubtedly.
- In any case, we will find out who is behind these collapses. We have already informed Elfurr through a special channel. And help will be here soon. So we can say that reality is under control. Soon they will be here and everything will become clear. It's clearly not worth worrying about. The portal network will be restored, like everything that was destroyed during the first attack of Lazitron.
Let's hope, my friend. You are lucky that you have a way to get through to our pointy-eared comrades.
  Balderan smiled slightly at the ruler. But at the same time, his smile was rather feigned. Deep inside, he felt great sorrow at the situation. Something inside told him of a worse outcome. And also pain... A strange unknown pain enveloped his soul and body.
- The Elfurr fleet will soon be, - the Nordan repeated his previous words once more, - They know everything.
- To be honest, - Theophylact suddenly said to himself, and looked straight into the warrior's eyes, - I want only one thing now.
Balderan looked at his interlocutor in disbelief. But then he realized what he wanted to say. And realized that he was repeating his own thoughts. However, he still decided to ask a question.
- What exactly do you want?

[BagaturKhan]

"I just want the war to end," came the immediate reply. - I don't need more.
  The swordsman lowered his head dejectedly. He was not going to reassure the planetary ruler. He was an adult and self-sufficient person who had gone through more than one military campaign. But Balderan also could not say something that inspires hope.
- And also these dreams .... - Feofilakt said quietly, as if to himself.
  The Nordan sharply shifted his gaze to the interlocutor. "What other dreams," whispered in his head. Lately, everyone has been talking about some strange premonition or sensation. Obviously, a story about a dream will not be favorable either. In the depths of his soul, Balderan already knew what Theophylact would say.
- Dreams, my friend, - said the ruler, crossing his fingers, - Strange dreams ....
- Can you tell me? asked Balderan with interest.
- I don't remember them exactly, - answered Feofilakt, - I remember only ..... Dragon .......
  The swordsman winced. More recently, Owen also said something about a mysterious dragon. But then he pretended that it was a mistake or an obsession. But Balderan always trusted what he saw and heard.
- A dragon .... - thoughtfully said the ruler of the Griffin, - Strange .... mysterious ........ beautiful ..... Incredibly beautiful ... Captivating .... But at the same time, very evil ..... She towered over me..... And just stared....


---

Space station-frigate of the first line "Fara".
The starry space of the Griffin Imperium.

Batt Trandotte has been throwing up for days. He constantly had to leave for needs. Captain Acharunka didn't like that very much. But he couldn't help it. Trandotte at one time saved the embassy ship from a pirate raid, on which the captain was, and single-handedly shot all the henchmen of John the Face. For this, Acharunka appreciated this strange blue-skinned alien. Butt was a member of the Nicomedean race, like the captain himself. But unlike the rest of the yellow-skinned Nicomedia, Trandotte had bright blue skin, which made him virtually a black sheep. He was Xinn, a mutated form of his ancestral civilization that had long since failed to recognize its distant kin. However, Batta was valued not only for saving the ship of the Nicomedia embassy. He was an excellent ship guard. He perfectly owned halberds and axes, and could hold back any boarding attack. But lately he has changed in a strange way. Often absent, showed unsociable behavior. Plus, the whites of his eyes turned red.
And also those mysterious vomiting urges that no one knew about except Xingn himself. Trandotte did his best to hide the reality from his comrades. He knew perfectly well that vomiting was not a disease at all. Today he vomited again. Stomach twitched from a sharp piercing pain. Its entire contents spilled into a pale-colored toilet with an automatic flush. Batt didn't even bother looking at what was there. Yesterday's food. Today's breakfast. Everything mixed into one nasty vomit mass. Feeling the strongest pain for the umpteenth time, he vomited again. Bloody terrible mass almost burned through the entire surface of the seat. He just realized that he forgot to raise the seat up so the vomit wouldn't hit him.
- Yes to ..... you ..... - Trandotte rasped with difficulty.
He clearly realized his mistake. Erasing all this mess in a matter of minutes is clearly not going to work. And if the ship's robots notice, they will immediately report to the captain. The acarunka can refer him to a healer. The doctor will undoubtedly undress him, and then he will see the symbol. And this could not be allowed.
- Yes, to you .... - Almost crying, cried Batt.
He threw up once again. This time the gastric juice is pinkish in color. Weakness has already set in. His last strength was running out. Trandotte climbed out of the toilet cubicle with difficulty. With excessive effort, he managed to get to the washbasin and mirror. Looking at his face, he was horrified. His eyes were reddened to such an extent that they no longer resembled living ones. His entire uniform was splattered with a pinkish liquid. The last stream of vomit still touched the robe.
- It's it.... it's all this symbol.... why.... - desperately muttered the Nycomedian.
He jerked up the sleeve of his uniform. The ominous pentagram symbol slammed into his skin with force. The blood was already beginning to slowly appear. Trandotte understood that a sign caused vomiting. Just this. Nothing more. Nothing could hurt him more.
Another attack of pain. And this time not in the stomach, but in the region of the right eye. The lacrimal sac burst and a lot of colorless liquid poured out. Eye as if pierced by a needle.
“Why didn’t Lazitron say…. that he would kill me……” Trandotte’s words were heard.
He spoke his thoughts out loud. He didn't want to say it. But still he said.

[BagaturKhan]

At the same moment, not far away, Acharunka was standing on the captain's bridge. The captain was talking nervously to Ricimerus Thavius, the human commander from a nearby ship. Tabius and the Draconian Empire retained the Griffin Imperium. Together they fought the League fleet and pushed it back. But now something has gone wrong again. Taviev reported a loss of communication with drones in charge of remote sectors of the system. Almost ten reconnaissance probes simply disappeared. And in addition, there were severe interruptions in communication.
"Communication with the drones is lost," Ricimerus's hologram spoke excitedly.
Taviev communicated with Acharunka using a holographic link. His face, with slanted eyes and bald head, expanded to full screen. The bluish image constantly vibrated. The Nicomedia captain noticed that such distortions had not been shown before. Communication was absolutely clear. But there were indeed interruptions. And it seems that the situation with them began to become more complicated.
- We have already sent three groups of reconnaissance probes to find out what happened, - continued Taviev, - They disappeared in the sector of the gas giant Asmeru. Although I doubt we'll find them. Perhaps they have already collided with asteroids or crashed into one of the satellites. To be honest, I don't like it at all, given the rest of the case.
- What about the other things? - the yellow-skinned man immediately shuddered, - are you talking about interruptions?
- Not only interruptions, cap, - answered the human commander, - We received radiograms about large-scale terrorist attacks of the League at once in different worlds. One of them is Sunbatarr-3 in Archaea. Destroyed the entire airbus of chairman Thorian along with the ambassador of Earth. I knew Thorian personally. Not without sin, but he was a good friend of mine.
  Acarunka lowered his head mournfully. He, like no one else, understood what it was like to lose friends. Just a year ago, his comrade from the academy was killed during another League air raid. He was simply torn to pieces.
- I'm sorry, - the captain said sadly, - I also lost those whom I considered to be friends. It hurts.
- It seems that many of us may lose friends, - Taviev said with hidden fury, - This bastard League ... A pack of war criminals and bandits. They shout that they are fighting for peace. And they only bring death.
- I understand, - Acarunka agreed.
But Taviev did not want the topic to turn into a discussion of the loss of Torian. He had another message, and again disturbing. In the last minutes, the former calmness completely evaporated into the unknown.
- It seems to me that the collapse of the portal network is somehow connected with the League, - suggested Ricimerus, - All this ... All these terrorist attacks began literally at the same time ... It looks like ....
The commander's hologram disappeared for a second, then reappeared. Taviev's face was strangely deformed. It turned into a terrible laughing grimace. His eyes were at the level of his mouth, and his nose and mouth were placed in a chaotic manner on his cheeks. But then the image disappeared again, and after a moment it appeared in its normal form.
Acharunka and the rest of the officers recoiled from the picture. What they saw almost blew their minds. They obviously did not expect to meet such a terrible and perverted face in their lifetime.
“Something is not quite right,” came the voice of the Neferiricarian Sentus, who was standing nearby, “I can smell it with my beard, Taviev is right. The league is about to stage another attack.
He got a job as a navigator a long time ago. It seems that this bearded dwarf was the only one who somehow retained normality. Everyone else was already beginning to panic and turmoil.
Acharunka looked at Sentus with unseeing eyes.
- And this Trandotte disappeared for 10 minutes, - the dwarf grumbled, - Where is the goblin wearing it?
The captain turned back to Taviev's hologram. The commander said something, but at the same time, his voice was not reproduced. The lips moved silently.
- Make that damn connection! - almost yelled Acharunka, - I can't hear anything! Make sure he speaks loud and clear!
- Yes, sir! - answered one of the signalers, who was sitting at the huge console.
- Stop, captain! - suddenly shouted aranguto, who served on the bridge responsible for data transmission, - Radars show something! Some movement in sector 9!
- What exactly?
- Already nothing! Gone! But it was, I swear!
- Yes to you! - roared Sentus, - To you all! What movement? How could it disappear?
Enraged by the absurdity that had arisen, Acharunka glanced at the hologram. His human comrade-in-arms continued to speak silently, but the Nicomede had no idea what it was. And then the image of Taviev simply vanished into thin air.

[BagaturKhan]

“It means that attacks are also taking place in your worlds,” concluded the hologram of Tutankhamen, the Elfurr governor.
This elf'urr's expression was more than agitated. His gray eyes were constantly changing color. As is known, in individuals of this race, these signs meant severe anxiety. The viceroy's lips twitched slightly.
- Not only attacks, - Mustafa's voice was heard in response, - Interruptions in communication. It was reported from orbit that reconnaissance drones were missing. And now the portal network is covered. And all this after the news of the mysterious preachers.
The stern, bearded warrior took another sip of Norlan wine. But now he was so tense that he didn't even taste the drink. He drank wine as if it were plain tap water.
"So you need help?" Tutankhamun asked,
- Not only, my lord, - Mustafa answered, rubbing his beard, - You understand that I feel something beyond .... We are from the psi-special forces. And our intuition is working with a bang. I feel cold. He penetrated me as soon as Isabella reported the collapse of the portal network. Strange cold. I haven't felt like this in a long time. A long time ago....from the last decade.
The commander nodded his head in the direction of the dark-haired warrior who was standing not far from him. As soon as he winked at her with one eye, she instantly rushed straight to him. The girl immediately took out something that looked like a green decorative crystal from the pocket of the officer's overcoat. It almost did not differ from those that are usually kept by lovers of alien artifacts.
Mustafa grabbed the object and brought it to the hologram of Tutankhamun glowing from the projector. The viceroy shuddered when he saw a rather unusual little thing. He felt powerful streams of magical energy emanating from her.
“Ah,” concluded the viceroy, “it looks like a draconian aurometer. Did you write down your feelings?
- Yes, - said Mustafa, - I want you to scan them. You can also reproduce them.
The commander slightly tossed the crystal up and released his hand. The magical item remained spinning in the air. He began to rapidly light up with an unknown glow, and then electrical impulses ran through him.
- You can see in them what I feel, - Mustafa said, - This is a special device. It records feelings, sensations, thoughts.
The crystal immediately turned into a flickering image of a rather tall man dressed in a green uniform, which is usually worn not so much by ordinary military men as by the highest representatives of the psi-special forces of the Coalition. The face of this elderly man was noble and wise. His eyes were the color of the incredibly blue skies of the icy planets. It was Mustafa himself. His own holo-double.
- I felt something similar in 1989, - Mustafa explained, - This is still classified information. But just then, a powerful psionic storm arose, killing at least 300 adepts. And this is only according to official data. Before the storm came, I felt the same way. Cold. Strange cold.
- I heard this story from the Grandmaster, - said Tutanmakhon.
- And yet, I want to tell it again, - said the commander, - Then I was on Nargon, and this planet, as you know, does not know severe winters. In Nargon-Kala it was +30 Celsius. But suddenly I felt something that made me cringe. Bitter cold. Just creepy. It was as if it was not 30 degrees outside, but -10, and at the same time I was in one T-shirt. I felt the same today. Isabella told me about the failure of the portal network. I quickly rushed over there, checked everything. And suddenly it started. Again. I recorded these sensations on the aurometer. Remember 89? After I got cold, something happened. Monstrous storm. It was a scream so strong that it drowned out everything. But only the gifted heard it. Ordinary beings had no idea what had happened.
  The image of the tall old man that hung in the air immediately disappeared. Then it began to transform into new forms. Now, before the eyes of those present, a giant spaceship appeared, resembling a giant diamond-shaped figure. Mustafa turned pale. It was not his memory. It was something completely different. Not at all what he saw and felt.
- Yes, what is it! he cried, not taking his eyes off the image of the ship. - What a mistake!
Isabella didn't know what to say. The mysterious ship filled her with a strange terror. She felt her skin begin to rapidly break out in goosebumps. She felt the same as her betrothed. Cold. Penetrating all-penetrating cold, from which there is no escape. However, the image did not bother Tutankhamun at all. On the contrary, he looked at him as if he were simply observing the panorama of his native city.
“Now I understand everything,” the viceroy quickly answered, “Believe me, you and I have both seen a lot. I will send help to you along with Admiral Ahmanet. She will arrive in standard 16 hours.
- So what was it? - Mustafa did not let up, - Do you know the answer?
- This is a harbinger, - Tutankhamun said mournfully, - Forgive me. I can't say more. Wait for reinforcements.
The hologram of the Elfurr representative vanished. He cut off the connection himself, and obviously did not want to share his innermost secrets.
Mustafa quickly shifted his gaze towards the shimmering crystal, where the strange ship had been recently. In its place, the commander's face now reappeared. The psi-adept looked at himself... And did not recognize him. That expression was not his own at all. It smiled wickedly. And his devilish smile could easily drive you crazy.

[BagaturKhan]

Ser'Qiraani smiled, showing her sharp, long teeth. She oversaw work on the bridge. Nothing and no one escaped the close attention of her yellow eyes, blazing with aggression and malice. Cosatti worked on her personal orders. Signalers assessed the situation around, passed commands to the artillery and missile decks. Radar officers carefully monitored the situation in space. The navigator hissed loudly at several young Kossatians who had signed up for the adventure, only to realize later that they had made the biggest mistake of their lives.
A graceful and tall killer whale, dressed in heavy armor, stood nearby at the platform and knew about everything that was happening here. And yet - it was on her personal order that camouflage fields were turned on. She understood that the enemy must not know of their arrival. However, Ser'Qiraani herself did not show herself. She has long hoisted on herself the mystical halo of the "anointed of the ancient gods." She was revered and feared by everyone around her. Even their own relatives involuntarily feared her wrath.
"Let's go at full speed," she said mentally. - Stealth system enabled.
Ser'Qiraani knew that Cha-Arun would hear her from everywhere. She didn't even have to open her mouth. He heard her thoughts anyway.
- Excellent, - followed the answer of the one who called himself a prophet, - To be honest, I still can't come to my senses after I woke up.
The killer whale smiled again. Her sharp teeth popped out of her mouth in all their splendor.
“What would you have done if we hadn’t awakened you,” Ser’Qiraani smirked. “I would have slept on that portugaling ship.”
She felt Cha-Arun sigh. She didn't hear it, but she knew that was exactly what he had done.
- It's lucky that your relatives are easily suggestible, - said the voice in her head, - Like everyone else. Grow a tree out of thin air, and they will take you and elevate you to gods.
- People are especially strong in this, - the Kossatian said with a grin, - Remember that village. And holograms. People thought that you were not alone, but together with other monks. But they were only robots dressed in holo-projection. They pretended that you are a missionary, and those who are with you are your novices.
This time it was Cha-Arun's turn to grin.
- But this is your idea, dragon, - said the stranger.
The last word greatly infuriated the Kossatian. She snapped. An angry hissing sounded from her mouth.
In less than a moment, she moved to the observation deck, where just stood the one who called himself the Prophet of Akh-Asura. Cha-Arun was no longer in his cassock. He was dressed in the same majestic and dense armor as the kossatian. In his hands gaped the same luminous rod that he used on many planets to create his miracles.
“I am not a dragon,” Ser'Qiraani hissed, glaring menacingly at Cha-Arun. “I am a kossatti!”
But Cha-Arun did not think to be angry. He continued to smile.
“I know,” he replied, “but once you were one race.
- Sometime! - the kossatian emphasized.
Cha-Arun laughed. Ser'Qiraani found his laugh offensive. She hissed again.
- Stop yelling at me! - the Prophet said with the same grin, - This will not help.
“I once sank my teeth into an elfurrka’s throat,” the Kossatian commander growled furiously, “For calling me scaly.” And I remember how I pulled the trachea out of it and chewed it!
The prophet seemed to have an idea. His pupils changed their colors to scarlet. He smiled even wider and sharply looked the alien woman in the face.
- It will be necessary to repeat the same thing, - Cha-Arun said playfully, - You will do it. You are delightful, but also dangerous... Isn't it so? To be dangerous and delightful at the same time! Even I can't do that.
He continued to stare at the kossatian intently. From such a look, the reptile even recoiled. She knew that when he looked at her, he pierced her whole soul through and through.
"Can't the Nicomede manage without us?" - having lost her former rage, she asked.
“No,” came the answer. “Of course not. It will blow up only one ship. But you need to hit more. And then our ship will deal with the rest.
Cha-Arun approached the kossati and touched her armor with a light movement of his hand. She felt the cold seep through her. But still she did not flinch, but remained standing still.
“Commander Taviev has a secret psi-adept on the ship,” said the alien, whose pupils changed their color to blue, “Her name is Vadim Branok. She is responsible for transmitting communications through telepathic channels. Plus, he commands the guards of the bridge. Knock her out the same way you killed the elfurrka.
Ser'Qiraani started up.
- So... make her bite into Taviev's throat? she asked in bewilderment.
- No, - Cha-Arun smiled all over his face, - Make her brain explode. You've killed so many, Kiraani. You crushed one elfurrka with a rupture of the brain center, without even approaching her. I'm sure you'll be fine with this.

[BagaturKhan]

Batt Trandot vomited again. This was already the ninth. The ninth time his stomach emptied its contents. He stood in front of the mirror, his head down to the sink. The sink was covered with blood and a disgusting pinkish liquid everywhere. The symbol inscribed on his hand gnawed even more into his flesh. The right eye hurt unbearably.
At that moment, a voice was heard in Trandotte's head. He knew exactly who it belonged to. It was Lazitron, one of the League's most prominent admirals. The one who sent him on this mission. The one who did not tell him anything about the effect of the symbol.
- The time has come, - Lazitron's voice filled the entire space in front of Butt.
He heard it as if it was all over the ship. It was as if it had been turned on at full volume.
- Why.... didn't you tell me that... he would kill me? groaned the Nicomede, barely audibly.
He hoped with all his might that the admiral would give at least some answer. He needed an answer more than ever. Trandotte knew that all this was for the sake of saving his homeland. He was promised that the world would be different, that radiation would disappear forever, and life would return to Xingn again.
- He does not kill ..... - spreading throughout the bathroom, the voice of the admiral sounded, - He makes stronger.
Another attack of pain shot through Trandotte's body. He hit his head against the nearest mirror with all his might. Then again and again. His skull almost cracked from such strong blows. But Batt remained alive.
- Say... You know what... - Lazitron's voice became louder many times over.
- A spell... - the Nikomedian almost yelled, - Yes.... But what will it do? I... Will I survive?
- I told you that you will become stronger .... - said the admiral. - He promised. Is not it?
- Yes! I will do! I'll do everything!
- He promised that he would save your world.
For a moment, Trandotte remembered. He remembered everything. I remembered how I lived and grew up on Xinh. How relatives died from serious illnesses caused by radiation. How his kin suffered pain and injury. How sick children were born with many different mutations. He remembered everything. His world was poisoned. It turned into one large grave for all representatives of xinn. But only the one who promised him everything can revive life there. He must endure this monstrous pain and complete the task.
This gave him some strength. A little, but still gave. He felt the significance of his task, its priceless importance.
“You want him to save Xingn, don’t you?” Lazitron's voice sounded again.
- You know ... yes .... - Batt answered through his strength.
- Read them.... Say these words... And everything will end. Say it... Say it... Say it.....
Trandotte vomited for the tenth time. His vomit, mixed with blood, spilled onto the sink, splashing it all over. There was no longer a place left that the Nicomedian's vomit had not fallen into.
Batt forced himself with great difficulty to look at the infernal symbol drawn on his hands. He knew the words. He knew what to say. After all, the one who promised him Xingn's salvation revealed the meaning of the spell. It will destroy the ship, but keep it alive. He will be reborn. He will become his eternal angel.
“Yatua,” Trandotte whispered softly, imagining in his mind a green and beautiful planet that was to become a new home for Xinn. A home without evil and disease, without radiation and death.
The pentagram shone with a blindingly bright light, and then jerked. It was like a supernova explosion.

[BagaturKhan]

- What is this? Explosion?
Disturbing news just arrived. Perhaps the most disturbing of the last month. The ship of Captain Acharunki, which was not far from the ecliptic orbit of the Griffin, simply evaporated. There was an incredible power flash, similar to the explosion of a star. Fragments of the exploded ship damaged the surrounding ships. The 'Antoinette' and 'Jafar' suffered the most. The wreckage hit the vital sections of the frigates, rendering them unable to continue fighting. One even hit the reactor deck, causing monstrous fires. Several hundred people who worked on the 'Antoinette' were simply thrown into space. Others tried to fight the fire, but to no avail.
The 'Jafar''s gravity system went offline. Thousands of people and aliens working on the ship just flew into the air. The blows were so strong that hundreds were smashed against the surface of the deck. The captain of the 'Jafar', Adil, a Nargonian, flew out through the porthole into outer space. The hole led to dozens of officers following him. A huge breach in the artillery deck sent all the available equipment into the airless space. Dozens or even hundreds of howitzers and heavy artillery batteries appeared in space in an instant. The crews did not have time to prepare for the strike. Hundreds of gunners repeated the fate of those who served on the Antoinette. And these were far from all the affected ships. Six Coalition ships sustained varying degrees of damage.
- Report! Ricimerus Taviev yelled at the top of his voice.
Although the entire broadcast was distorted, it was overwhelmed with disturbing messages. Communication with "Antoinette" and "Jafar" was completely lost. The rest just screamed in desperation. Taviev was very lucky that his ship was out of the affected area. Otherwise, it is not known what would have become of his ship. Although he had thick armor made of Neferikar alloys, it still could not withstand it. The explosion that occurred on the ship "Fara", owned by Acharunk, was so powerful and unnatural that not only damaged the ships closest to it, but also blinded several crew members. Taviev himself almost lost his sight from the brightest flash. He has probably never seen anything like it.
- Sir! - the voice of the Arangutan communications officer immediately rang out, - The whole broadcast just went crazy!
- Interruptions continue! - reported the second officer, already from the N'sai race.
- On "Ugarit" fire of the 2nd degree! I repeat! 2nd degree! They need help!
"Captain Harland is asking us to rescue Apollo 40!" They are injured! Lots of injured!
Taviev had not been in the midst of such chaos for a long time. Even the recent battle with Admiral Lazitron did not bring such losses. When he commanded the ship at the approaches to the Griffin, he acted clearly and clearly. His officers always followed his example. But now there was something different. Something incredibly scary.
Ricimerus glanced around quickly. He hasn't given any orders yet. For starters, I had to at least come to my senses.
Suddenly his eyes fell on a woman lying on the deck, waving her arms. She had a short, half-bobbed haircut that stood out from the other officers on the ship.
- Something happened to Vadim! shouted the ship's navigator at the top of his voice.
Taviev in the blink of an eye rushed to the lying woman. He bent over her and looked into her face, trying to understand what exactly was happening to her. Vadim Branok stared at him with completely empty eyes. She continued to wave her arms in different directions and beat her palms on the deck. Ricimerus noticed that a strange scarlet liquid was beginning to form at the corners of her eyes. It was blood, nothing else.
- Vadim! - the commander called out to the fallen woman, - What is the matter with you? What's going on with you?
Suddenly, Branok looked Taviev straight in the eyes. The pupils in her own eyes were not human-like. They were the pupils of some strange reptile. In an instant, she grabbed the commander with both hands by the throat and pulled him to her.
- You will die here, miserable creature.... - Vadim growled furiously. All of you will die today...
After saying that, she threw Ricimerus so far that his body flew over almost the entire area of the bridge. Then it hit one of the screens and quickly slithered down.
Branok rose abruptly to her feet. She grabbed the first officer by the throat and with all her might sent her on a long flight. The second tried to stop her, but received a strong blow to the temple. The third tried to wrap his arms around her and force her to lie on the deck, but all his efforts were unsuccessful. Vadim growled and literally bit into the officer's carotid artery. A scarlet stream of blood immediately splashed into her face.
The navigator, who until recently had been shouting to the entire bridge, pulled out an autopistol from his bosom. He shot the enraged woman 3 times. But that didn't help him either. The bullets hit Branoc's body, but did not strike her. A second later, Vadim was right in front of the navigator's nose. With a deft blow of her hand, she knocked the pistol out of the officer's hands, and then clung to his right ear. The navigator howled in excruciating pain. The woman continued to dig into his ear until she separated it from his head. Smirking, she began chewing on the severed limb in her teeth.
- Shoot her! - Frightened voices were heard from everywhere, - Kill her! Kill!
But Branok was not going to continue her massacre. Her mission was completely different. Not kill everyone on the bridge, but destroy the ship. Destroy it entirely.
The woman smiled wickedly, revealing her bloodied teeth. She spat the remains of the officer's ear onto the deck and laughed out loud. And then there was another explosion. Branok's body was torn into thousands of small pieces.... Together with the entire captain's bridge.

[BagaturKhan]

"Thatcher-3".
The starry space of the Griffin Imperium.

- We've lost contact with the 'Antoinette' and the 'Jafar'! shouted the Nicomedian Chaumarina loudly.
- No contact with Ouroboros? shouted the aranguto, who oversaw communication with the draconians.
- No way!
- Ser'Terazim is not answering!
- Tell the Griffin that we were attacked!
- Griffin doesn't answer either! None of the centers!
- The impression that EMP hit us! But this is clearly not it!
Captain Giuseppe was in such disarray that he began to think that all this was unreal. No, of course, all this simply could not happen. Sudden explosion of the famous ship, commanded by Acharunka, a Nicomedian. Then a blast wave that spread throughout outer space. But until recently they were all celebrating the victory over the League. Lazitron was destroyed and sent into oblivion. But the disasters didn't end there.
- We need to tell 'Biden'! came the voice of Commander Vintara.
He received his title just a month ago and has already distinguished himself as a brave hero. It was Thatcher-3 that was the first to break through the defenses of the League's asteroid base in the Dahomey-4 region. Then he successfully carried out a stealth attack, destroying an entire corvette in the Griffin system. "Thatcher-3" and his team were clearly not losers.
But now something has gone wrong. Vintara has never looked so "killed". His eyes darted in different directions. Hands and feet were trembling. Giuseppe thought the commander also thought it was all a dream. Yes, it would be better if it really was unrealistic.
- There is no connection! - the captain shouted at the top of his voice, - How do we inform "Biden" if there is no connection ?!
- The hyperjump program has failed! came the cry of Ensign Vanahi, a member of the pale-skinned Hecatoncheir race who had served on the ship for at least two weeks. "If we try to jump, anything can happen!"
- Technical team here! Giuseppe reacted immediately. - Live!
Vintara turned even more pale. However, the reason was not at all a hyper-program error.
The commander stared in horror at one of the Nicomedia communicators leaning over the monitor.
- Don't look like that, - answered Giuseppe's assistant, thinking that he was worried about failures in the system, - You are still an officer of the ship! I understand that we are in complete anus! But don't panic, please!
But Vintara did not react. He continued to stare at the Nicomedia with great fear. The captain realized that he saw a hidden threat and mechanically turned around.
The Nicomedian sitting at the monitor was literally bleeding. Blood poured profusely from his ear holes, nostrils, mouth and eyes. And yet it didn't bother him. He kept pounding hard on the console, as if in a trance.
- Hey dude! Giuseppe exclaimed instantly.
The captain quickly rushed towards the Nycomedian, still not understanding what to do. As soon as he touched the signalman's shoulder, he vomited. The alien vomited right on the monitor. The entire surface of the screen and part of the console was covered with a strange pinkish liquid.
Instinctively, Giuseppe drew a pistol from his bosom and pointed it at the Nicomedian.
- Boy! Look at me! Alive! - cried the captain, without removing the signalman from the sight.
The Nicomedian turned around. His entire face was a continuous mass of blood. Eyeballs have already managed to turn into a liquid in an unknown way and flow out.
“They are coming…” something rasped through the mouth of the alien, “Listen…. They are already near…”
Giuseppe pulled the trigger and fired. The bullet pierced through the head of a foreigner and flew out the other side. A solid stream of cerebral porridge poured out of the opened wound.
After that, the Nicomedia vomited again, this time on the captain. The pinkish liquid ignited in seconds. Soon, the entire territory of the bridge turned into a continuous fire show.

[BagaturKhan]

Griffin Imperium.
2 hours later.

  Giant fiery fragments were rapidly crashing into the surface of the Griffin Imperium. Many of them landed right in the central part of the city of Dane. This was clearly observed by almost all residents of the second capital. Balls of hellfire fell from the heavens onto the ancient doomed city, destroying countless of its structures. The roar from the explosions was simply deafening. The remains of unknown structures continued to bear colossal destruction. Everyone saw how a huge fragment, the size of the whole building of the capital's circus, collapsed right on the majestic castle of the city's majorate. The explosion that followed the fall of the fireball blew apart the entire dilapidated building, and then the shock wave engulfed the surrounding buildings. Many cars and stagecoaches immediately turned into pillars of flame. Only one space debris has taken the lives of at least two thousand people. The rest fell on residential buildings and automobile stations. Due to catastrophic destruction, Dane was rapidly losing its population.
  Desperate cries of people were heard everywhere. Chaos reigned on every street in Deina. One of the fireballs turned the city park into a blindingly bright cloud of flame. All the trees that have grown here for centuries burned out overnight.
  At the same time, Mustafa and Isabella, along with their companions and friends, were already in a giant square located directly in front of the Propraetor Palace, where the residence of the provisional government was now located. They left the building, fearing that the fiery debris would fall right on top of it. But this was avoided. In less than an hour, the burning remains of unknown structures stopped their fall.
More from heaven, nothing fell on the city, which had suffered enough. Owen the Scorcher and Balderan felt exactly what was happening now. They felt the pain of millions. At least fifty thousand people suffered in this disaster. Almost thirty thousand of them died instantly. Perhaps there were even more deaths than many thought.
  Ser'Naveh wondered what the wreckage was. He knew there was an entire Coalition fleet in orbit around the planet. At the far end of the system, the Dragon of Eternity hangs. Even if the connection was "covered", the draconians in space would still notice something was wrong and immediately came to the rescue. But the Coalition armada in orbit around the Gryphon is beyond saving. Some evil force managed to destroy it, and it is likely that the fireballs were the remnants of those ships. But those ships were armed with nuclear warheads. They could well hold off an entire armada of League forces if they decided to attack. Why didn't they survive? Why did they fall apart, burying thousands of brave warriors under them.
- Who did this .... - Mustafa said with horror, looking at the terrible picture of destruction.
Half of the second capital was simply destroyed. There was no contact with anyone at all. For some reason, it seemed to Owen that this was not only in the capital. There was a great amount of debris, and they collapsed not only on Dane. To believe that only one city was affected would be unreasonable. The Scorcher felt the incredible pain emanating from millions of people on the planet. He knew that many more innocent creatures had died than could be imagined. It wasn't just Dane who fell victim to the devastation. Burning debris fell on other cities, destroying almost all of their population. Such collapses did not happen even during the time of the Ara-Niya invasion. This was back in 2350.
  The two Tramontian veterans were most horrified by what was happening. Prada and Osvaldo could not even think of such a monstrous disaster. Almost an entire city was destroyed right before their eyes. Even the Griffin City during the attack of Lazitron was not subjected to such terrible destruction. The armada did not have time to finish off the capital, as it was destroyed in time by the help that came up. But there was something else here.
However, with the realization of the horror of the situation, new fears came. Owen sensed that this could very well be happening not only on Griffin, but on hundreds of other worlds. He heard somewhere in the depths of the universe cries of despair. Billions of voices were crying out for help and salvation. Billions of human voices.
- Half of the city is destroyed.... - Prada admitted with wild fear, not taking his eyes off the ruins of buildings, - Half of the city.... He stood here even before the system entered the Coalition, and before the arrival of Elon Musk's probes. And now it's just not there.
"Most of all, we don't know who did this," came Ser'Naveh's snarling voice.
This dragon-like commander was already in the company of his kin. He had discussed the past destruction with them, and now he intended to talk about it with his human companions.
"Whoever it was, they're responsible for the power outage," Owen said here.
The Scorcher's eyes lit up with a flame of sadness. He mourned for the departed who died today.
- Yes, at first the portals disappeared, then electricity, then the connection disappeared, - Balderan said, - Now thousands of space objects have fallen on the planet. Would like to know what it is. It looks like a meteor shower, to be honest.
“We would have been warned in advance,” the draconian said here, “but the last message from the main fleet that we received was only about a stable situation. All my relatives in orbit did not feel any threat.
"It's all because of these missionaries," Isabella said.
The warrior has already heard about the appearance of mysterious preachers in all the Far Worlds. They appeared in a very strange way. Deep inside, the girl felt that it was they who were responsible for what was happening. She did not understand why she felt it, as if she simply knew it and did not know where it came from.
- I do not believe that wandering monks have created all this, - Prada's voice was heard, - There is something else here.
"Maybe it's their God?" Osvaldo suggested.
Many of the people from the Coalition gathered in the square immediately turned in his direction. This question excited them in earnest.
- Who knows, - said Owen, - The saddest thing is that we can't do anything. We stand and watch this portugaling rubble destroying cities. We just stand and look at it.
- We should go and help the survivors, - Mustafa's sharp voice was heard here. “After all, this is the only thing we can do now. But I am clearly against empty talk. Thousands of people in this city need our help!

[BagaturKhan]

This proposal was now the most correct. Guessing who exactly caused the collapse was a truly stupid undertaking. And the thousands of wounded and shocked people of Dane really needed help and support. But alas, this venture was not destined to come true. A new threat prevented the valiant warriors of the Coalition and their equally brave friends.
  Suddenly, high in the grayed sky, the Coalition warriors and their allies saw a strange glow. It flared up brighter and brighter, and then released several flying objects from itself. No doubt teleportation. It was her. But who exactly did it? Right in front of the eyes of those assembled, an air battle began to unfold.
  The first to fly out of the glow was a round aircraft, similar in appearance to those used by Lazitron during the first siege of Griffin. The shuttle flew out of the light bunch at breakneck speed and followed forward. Its engines ignited with bright red alien flames, and the object increased its speed even further. But he was not alone in this smoke-blackened city sky.
  Following him, several more flying vehicles shaped like throwing discs flew out from the same cloud of light. The bodies of the objects were painted bright red, as if they were going to participate in the parade. They also accelerated their engines and headed after the globular shuttle. But they did not accompany him and did not protect him, but on the contrary, they tried to destroy him. They tried with all their might to bring down the apparatus. They followed exactly the enemy trajectory.
  Two disc-shaped fliers fired bright streams of flame from their guns, which immediately headed towards the enemy. But the spherical object soared sharply into the air, and none of the charges hit their target. This shuttle was too fast and maneuverable. Realizing that the enemy could not be dealt with in this way, the flying discs used rocket weapons. They fired several luminous projectiles at the enemy. The rockets set off at breakneck speed in pursuit of the enemy walker.
Mustafa and all his companions, eyes wide with amazement, watched the battle. The gray-bearded commander of all forces relied on those who controlled the flying discs. He knew that the one who controls the spherical object is clearly not serving the Light. He had seen such craft before, and he knew they were League fighters.
- Let's shoot him down! - Mustafa shouted at the top of his voice, - Shoot down this dick!
Approving hails were also heard from the side of the commander's comrades-in-arms.
Before Mustafa cursed furiously, the rockets fired by the flying disks reached their cherished goal. They hit the enemy in the right engine and blew it up. An incredibly massive explosion followed. The blast wave occurred so powerful that it covered the disc-shaped apparatus. Several objects controlled by unknown allies immediately veered off course. Obviously, the pilots simply lost control, and sent their flyers straight to the nearest skyscraper that managed to survive during the fall of debris. Right before the eyes of all the gathered people and otherworlders, five air cars crashed into a giant building. New explosions followed, which finally destroyed the skyscraper. Its burning fragments immediately fell down.
  All of the disc-shaped craft died overnight, but they managed to destroy the League's battle shuttle in the process. This globular object was destroyed by a missile attack. He ceased to exist forever.
- My God, - the words of Balderan, who was watching this scene, were heard, - They shot him down!
- But at the same time they themselves died, - said Captain Prada, - They were chasing one, and all were blown up.
“Maybe they were drones,” came the voice of Ser'Naveh, who was looking intently at the sky, “Who knows. If drones, then no one died. But I have only one question - who did all this? Judging by the ship the flying saucers were chasing, it was one of the League shuttles. The work of Sozi-daus masters. But who saved us then? Whose devices were disc-shaped?
“We already have a thousand questions,” Theophylact barked at this.
The head of the provisional government was also among those gathered. Until now, he had just watched in silence. But now he decided to express his thoughts. In addition, he was greatly shocked by all these destructions.
- We have a thousand questions, - the aged leader continued his speech, - For a whole week this planet has been suffering a catastrophe. First, Lazitron attacked, then you tell me about these missionaries, and finally, I see the next disasters of my home world.
  This man was clearly out of sorts. And he could be understood.
“I can only say,” said Owen the Scorcher, “the shuttle, which had a spherical shape, belonged to the League. I remembered. During the third siege of Betelgeuse, it was precisely such devices that attacked the main fortress of earthlings. As far as I remember, "Johnson-2"! We had to miraculously pull out their general and crew members. Lucky we saved at least three hundred. Yes, of course, it was the League. Her work. Her ships. But who controlled the flying saucers, I do not know. I have never seen such spaceships.
“And most importantly, there are no such ships in the fleet of the Dragon Empire and Artandir,” Ser’Naveh concluded, “They are not ours. Our race does not use such constructs. President Cedric, even more so. It wasn't us, but someone else. Perhaps the allies of the Coalition, which we do not know about, or maybe something else altogether.

[BagaturKhan]

- It's good that you've arrived! - the excited voices of the soldiers were heard, - Glory to Lucretia!
Infantry General Invictus Fryazin managed to get to the defense command center. He had to suck all the power out of his armored car in order to reach his goal as quickly as possible. He reached this gigantic building in just half an hour. But even in such a short time, he was very worried, because there was not a second to lose.
  Fryazin nodded his head to the fighters who took up posts at the gate, and proceeded to the territory of the majestic building. He was heading straight for the control room, which was considered one of the main rooms of the command center. It was there that the central communications room was located. In this room, communication was maintained with all military fortresses and bases. Dozens of Griffin's computers and radios were located there.
  Entering the huge hall, where negotiations were always held, Fryazin was amazed at the huge crowd of people. There were many officers in blue military uniforms and black caps. Invictus also observed people dressed in the yellow uniforms of technical teams. They carefully examined every appliance in the room.
- Lord! - the general exclaimed loudly, - Lord officers!
Many of those present immediately turned towards the commander-in-chief.
- We wish you good health, - voices were heard from all sides.
The officers tried to respect their superior commander and salute. Busy with work, only the technical teams remained. They didn't even turn towards Invictus, and they were understandable.
- Put aside the formalities! - said Fryazin, - The situation is not suitable. Colonel Syndro! Report!
A short man in a blue uniform with epaulettes immediately jumped up to the commander-in-chief. His eyes showed fierce concern. From the face of the colonel one could understand that the matter was rubbish.
- Chief, - Sindro said, - Glad to see you. But we're in trouble. All equipment was out of order. No contact with anyone. Neither in orbit nor on earth. Even the phones don't work.
- As in the palace, - said Invictus, sighing heavily, - What I feared happened.
- But we're trying to fix the instruments, - the colonel reported, - Don't worry, chief, we'll fix everything soon.
- Hardly, - said Fryazin, - Aliens made us deaf. You have to act like you did thousands of years ago. Use messengers.
- We have already sent a scooter team to the location of General Fenoglio, - the voice of one of the officers was heard, - But they have not returned yet.
“What about Colonel Jasir of Nargon?” - the commander-in-chief immediately asked, - Didn't they send messengers to him?
- No way, boss, - answered Sindro, - But we can do it right now.
- So send, - the general ordered, - His fighters will obviously not interfere with us.
"That's right," said the Colonel.
Sindro instantly glanced at the faces of the two young officers who were also staring at him. The faces of these young men were extremely worried. One of them even trembled nervously, like a recruit facing an insurmountable obstacle in a training exercise.
- What are you staring at? - Sindro exclaimed angrily, addressing the young military men, - Quickly to Fenoglio!
“That’s right,” the two officers dutifully replied.
As soon as they heard the order, they instantly ran towards the exit from the control room. They ran as fast as their legs would allow.
- Do you know who attacked us? - asked one of the servicemen, - What are these ships in the sky?
“Chief, chief,” an alarming voice of one of the officers in the hall was suddenly heard, “Look out the window. There's some construction in the sky! She released something!
Many of the military present here instantly rushed to the windows. The first to do this was the commander-in-chief himself. Invictus quickly flew to the nearest oval window and looked up at the panorama of the city.
A giant, saucer-shaped alien construct was hovering in the skies nearby. So far, she has hardly moved. The ship remained hanging high. An unknown ship that threatens the city with complete destruction. But this is not what attracted the attention of the military now. From the direction of the huge ship, a bright luminous projectile flew out. He flew at a truly terrifying speed. It was heading straight towards the command center of the Griffin army.
- What is this? - the frightened voices of the officers were heard, - It looks like fireworks ....
- What the hell fireworks, - one of the repairmen swore, staring at the object, - It looks like a torpedo.
- Damn it, - said Fryazin, finally realizing what exactly flew out of the ship, - She's flying right in our direction!
- Yes, what are you?
- PRO is not functioning?
- All systems cut off!
  The glowing enemy projectile was clearly visible. He approached the building at breakneck speed. His speed was truly incredible. There were only a few seconds left before it hit the building.
- Urgently leave the room! - Colonel Sindro yelled furiously, realizing at the same time that he was waiting for everyone around him in case of delay, - Leave the command center! General alarm!
- How do they know that we have a command post here .... - Invictus hissed softly, his head filled with millions of thoughts, - Someone is clearly leaking information to them ....
  Having spoken these words, the commander-in-chief instantly jumped away from the window. His gaze focused on the doors leading to the exit from the control room. He quickly ran to the exit of the room. The rest of the Griffin officers followed him. Once at the door, they almost knocked each other down.
- Fast! - Shouted Sindro - Everyone out on the street! Everyone on the street!
But the speed of the enemy's luminous projectile turned out to be much faster. The weapon, used by an unknown enemy, was ruthless to its victims. In less than ten seconds, an enemy torpedo crashed into the command center building.
The resulting infernal flame instantly engulfed the entire structure, leaving not even bones from its inhabitants. All the valiant military of the Griffin in an instant turned into nothing. The command post shattered into a thousand pieces. The last thing Invictus Fryazin saw before his death was a diabolical scarlet fire devouring everything around with furious force. He didn't even feel pain. His body simply split into atoms.

[BagaturKhan]

Suddenly, a blindingly bright flash of light appeared right in front of everyone's faces. It was formed so suddenly that many of those who ran into the square from the territory of the palace immediately fell to the ground, while covering their faces with their hands. Several people almost went blind from this. Even the experienced draconian warriors closed their eyes sharply. Angry curses were heard from the Coalition and their allies. People and people from other worlds are already tired of surprises. In particular, anger filled the fighters of the Coalition, who also perfectly understood the whole situation of closing the portals. They were all cut off from the big world, locked up on this planet engulfed in flames. All this caused them only rage and despair. The resulting flash of light did not give them a fighting spirit at all. On the contrary, they felt depressed.
  Such a bright light confused even psi-adepts like Owen and Balderan. Even they could not withstand such a bright alien glow. It was truly incredibly beautiful and at the same time promised future dangers. No one knew who exactly could emerge from it.
- My God, - heard the furious cry of Mustafa, who did not open his eyes, - When will this end!
“Probably never,” Isabella said quietly, also on the verge of despair.
The glow grew brighter every second. It spread throughout the ruined city, still full of surviving people. The inhabitants of the second capital watched the mysterious alien light with great amazement. It penetrated every corner of this ancient city at breakneck speed. The glow was so dazzling that it seeped even through closed eyelids. People just couldn't stand it. Many of them even went blind from such a mystical phenomenon.
  However, the outbreaks ended as suddenly as they appeared. They disappeared in just one second. Mustafa was the first to feel noticeable relief. Of course, his eyes hurt a lot from the sight he saw, but still his vision began to return to him. Isabella followed her lover and opened her eyes too. Then all the rest of those gathered in the square stretched out to their full height. Those who fell on the pavement began to rapidly rise and dust themselves off. The mystical phenomenon simply evaporated. Not a single trace remained of the glow. Everything they had seen before the light began to come back.
  And again before their eyes appeared the panorama of the destroyed Dane. Only now, a mysterious foreign structure was hovering right in the city sky. It was a huge flying object, made in the form of a gigantic rhombus. The same rhombus that Mustafa dreamed of. This mysterious and floating structure, made of unknown metals, was flooded with dazzlingly bright lightning literally from all sides.
But only to whom it belonged, no one knew at all. This building was clearly not the property of the League. Mustafa had already seen a lot of alien ships hovering over the cities of various planets, but now he was stunned. This mysterious rhombus hanging in the air was incredibly beautiful.
- Where did it come from? - breathed the astonished voice of Captain Prada, - What is this flying rubbish in the shape of a rhombus?
“I have no idea,” Osvaldo barked, “But I will say one thing. It is beautiful, like our Queen Georgette. I am simply fascinated by such a wonderful invention. Whoever created him is God and not dark at all.
“Don't be so sure,” Ser'Naveh interrupted the Tramontian immediately. “Skins can be deceiving. I have never seen such a ship before. Obviously, some other civilization came to our aid.
  Mustafa turned his attention to Owen the Burner. The psionicist somehow strangely looked at the ship of unknown creatures hanging in the air. His eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and incredible amazement. But Balderan, on the contrary, admired such a marvelous design. His emotions were similar to those of Sergeant Osvaldo now.
“I feel something powerful here,” Owen said, as if in a trance, without taking his eyes off the ship, “That is what controls all these structures. "Diamonds" flood the universe. Every corner of it. Every planet.
- What's wrong with you, Owen? - Balderan said in bewilderment, seeing the strange behavior of a comrade, - You seem to be delusional.
- No, I see them, - the psionicist answered, - I see ..... The dragon is close .....
  Many of those gathered in the square were amazed at the similar behavior of the Scorcher. For the first time, he began to seriously frighten them.
"She's around here somewhere," Owen said cryptically.
- And who are they? - Suddenly voices were heard from the camp of the temporary ruler.
These people, dressed in the typical camisoles of advisers, were pointing their fingers in front of them.
As soon as the Coalition soldiers looked ahead, they immediately pulled their pistols out of their holsters. The Propraetor's guards and foreign allies followed the example of their comrades-in-arms and also prepared weapons for battle. Their spears and shields were put forward, and they were ready to use them at any moment. Mustafa and his closest associates drew their blades from their scabbards. They did not take their main weapon, due to the sharp appearance of burning debris, but still, without weapons, they never appeared on the street. They always had good blades in their belts, which saved their lives more than once. Owen and Balderan prepared for battle. They didn't have good weapons, but psionic abilities could help in any situation.
  A small detachment was moving straight towards the assembled humans and draconians. It consisted of seven mysterious creatures resembling humans. Judging by their appearance, they did not have weapons, with the exception of only luminous staffs. They looked like ancient monks guarding countless treasures in their monasteries. They dressed in long hooded robes and slowly followed forward. But at the head of them was an entity, much more majestic than all these mysterious monks.

[BagaturKhan]

Walking ahead of his fellows was a rather tall man with brightly glowing eyes. In his hand he held a huge staff, the tip of which was crowned with a round magical sphere that shone brighter than the sun itself. The man was bearded and had extremely expressive eyes. His pupils constantly changed their color, like a farrukh's. The mysterious entity was approaching the crowded people and otherworlders. Gradually, she quickened her pace, and moments later, this person was at a distance of ten meters from all those gathered.
  People and otherworlders did not take the aliens off the sights. They still kept them at gunpoint. But many of those gathered felt incredible warmth. These monks were clearly sorcerers, and serious ones at that. Incredible waves of magical power emanated from them. Owen and Balderan immediately discovered in them a truly gigantic power. These monks, led by their mysterious leader, were no longer human. Perhaps they no longer belonged to any race, but were something completely different.
"Hail Akh-Asur!" Our Father! - Loudly said the head of the procession, - Hallowed be his name! And may his Light not be extinguished!
The people and people from other worlds who had gathered in the square did not answer the monks. They continued to stand and keep them at gunpoint. At any moment, the warriors were ready to open fire and smash the aliens into thousands of pieces.
- Who you are? Owen asked menacingly, glaring at the arriving preachers with a fiery gaze.
- We are those who serve the True Light, - the leader of the monks answered, - And He sent us to you. We have come here at His command, and we are ready to carry His Divine Word throughout the universe. And the whole universe will submit to Him. And so be it. And there is so. My name is Cha-Arun. I am a prophet, messiah and shepherd for all of you. And I'm happy that I came to this planet.
"Hail Akh-Asur!" Our Father! - the monks said in unison, - May his name be hallowed! And may his Light not be extinguished!
Mustafa was the first to step forward to the assembled astonished people and their allies. This grey-bearded warrior was not from a timid dozen. It was impossible to break him with voluptuous speeches. He was terribly distrustful of these preachers. Even when he first heard about their appearance, he immediately felt strange sensations in the depths of his soul. His beloved Isabella fully agreed with him.
- Is it you who made this madness? - I heard the question of Mustafa, - If so, why?


The Prophet looked at the warrior with an extremely perplexed look. There was even some resentment in his eyes. The preacher was clearly surprised by such a question from the commander.
- No, there was no madness here, - answered Cha-Arun, - We prevented a monstrous collapse.
- Prevented? Isabella's furious voice rang out here. "Half of Dane is destroyed." It is not known what happened in other cities. This is a real catastrophe on a planetary scale!
- A catastrophe could happen, - the Prophet objected, looking menacingly into the eyes of the girl, - But our fleet, which is in orbit, managed to prevent it. There could have been many more dead.
  Theophylact again decided to make a speech. After all, he was the head of the planet here. Although he presented himself as the leader of the interim government, many already believed that it was he who would be entrusted with the burden of complete power.
- With all due respect, but you came to my world, - the elderly ruler said here, - My name is Theophylact Eusebius Lucius. I lead this planet, and I did not expect you to appear! Who you are?
- You said that your fleet is in orbit, - immediately came the voice of Ser'Naveh, - But what about our ships?
The Draconid was increasingly worried about his own comrades, and with every second his anxiety grew. There was no communication with the orbit for a very long time, and it is likely that all his brothers and sisters could simply die. And yet, he also distrusted the arriving monks.
- It is with great sadness that I have to inform you, - the Prophet said to this, - A sabotage group of the League made its way to your world. At first, they managed to use weapons that disabled the ships of the mighty dragons. And then they attacked the ships of the valiant warriors. They used torpedoes of destructive power. I ask all draconians here to accept my condolences. Your brothers and sisters died glorious deaths. We didn't have time to save them!
- Died? Ser'Naveh cried out in despair. "Are they dead?... Ser'Terazim!" Ser'Fintari!.... Are they killed?
This news brought him into a real shock. But even greater horror flooded the hearts of all other people and lizard-like creatures. They realized that they had just completely lost their cosmic protection.
- They died like heroes, - Cha-Arun said, lowering his head, - Like true brave men. And Akh-Asur the Lightbringer will rest their souls. Hail Akh-Asur! Our Father! May his name be glorified! And may his Light not be extinguished!
  The prayers were immediately repeated by the rest of the preachers. They spoke them with incredible care. Each of their words spoke of the firmness of faith and unwavering devotion to their deity.
- He who Brings Light has brought you a new army, - the head of the missionaries continued his speech, - The Pious swore allegiance to Akh-Asur, and granted him a whole fleet. The ships of the Pious managed to cope with the sabotage groups of the Devil's messengers. And it was they who sent these wicked people to the very hell. One of the servants of the infernal forces tried to escape from us, but the fighters of our faithful brothers caught up with him and destroyed him. True, and they died a glorious death. Before his death, the servant of the Devil managed to blow up his shuttle, and the fiery wave killed the valiant pilots. May Akh-Asur rest their souls! And may they find peace in the heavenly mansions! And may they be forever happy and blessed!
- May Akh-Asur rest their souls! - the voices of the rest of the monks were heard, - And may they find peace in the Heavenly cloisters! And may they be forever happy and blessed!
  Now it became clear to many of those gathered. They distinctly recalled that aerial battle that had taken place in the city sky not so long ago. Particularly vivid memories flashed before Mustafa's eyes. He again saw that incredible battle that broke out in the sky, and the incredibly powerful explosion that followed it. The blast wave then occurred so powerful that it covered the disk-shaped apparatuses of those same servants of Akh-Asur. Their ships went off course, and the valiant pilots simply lost control, and sent their flyers straight to the nearest skyscraper, which managed to survive during the fall of the wreckage. Mustafa again remembered how five air cars crashed into a giant building, and then more explosions followed, which completely destroyed the skyscraper. All this again happened before his eyes. Mustafa was sure that all those present had the same thoughts and memories.
- In that case, it is worth saying that your pilots are brave, - said Balderan the Swordsman, - I saw that battle. It happened right in front of our eyes.

[BagaturKhan]

- And I have a question, - the voice of Owen the Burner was heard, - Who exactly led that sabotage group? As far as we know, the greatest commanders of the League, known under the names of Lazitron and Trotskevich, failed. It is possible that the government of the League sent them to a pre-trial detention center. That's what they do to those who fail the operation.
  The Prophet looked into Owen's radiant face with a rather strange smile. Now he looked like a truly mysterious creature.
- Their commander was called Dvorok Trotskevich, - answered the Prophet, - Yes, the one you named. He caused a lot of pain in this universe in his time. But now he's dead. It was he who tried to escape on that globular shuttle, but our warriors destroyed him. Now this servant of Gloom went to his infernal lord. He will never appear again in this universe.
  However, when Mustafa himself heard this name, at first he did not believe the preacher too much. As far as many knew, Trotskevich was a big face in the military hierarchy of the League. Many said that he was aiming at least for the position of head of the General Staff. It was he who was responsible for the destruction of thousands of arangutos on Sekheb, and at the same time for the death of an entire planet inhabited by a primitive race of hibiscus. Something clearly didn't add up here. Trotskevich would hardly have dared to personally go with a group of saboteurs. He always preferred to hide behind a dense layer of armor. He had never personally commanded a fight. Once on Protego, Dvorok did indeed lead a battle group, but as soon as Elfurr was announced for reinforcements, he immediately teleported to another system.
  Glancing briefly into the eyes of the other brothers, Mustafa was convinced that the same thoughts flashed through them. Isabella did not trust the prophets at all. There was something unnaturally strange about them.
  - Trotskevich? - I heard the question of Owen, - Personally? Sounds kinda weird...
- You know how he treats his reputation, - came the answer of the Prophet, - I will not now reveal his whole story. Trotskevich is not just a general, he is also a sorcerer. He wanted to infiltrate here and perform an ominous ritual in praise of his ancient god, whom he worships. And at the same time blow up a couple of warheads of unknown strength. Such a weapon could tear apart the Griffin's earth crust in a matter of minutes. If we had not arrived in time, all the inhabitants of Griffin would have gone into darkness. Dvorok wanted to destroy all the people here. Kill billions of living beings. But the Irresistible and Pious Akh-Asur prevented him from doing such evil. And praise his name! And may his Light reign!
These news seemed more plausible. Although distrust of the aliens still reigned among the soldiers of the Coalition.
- From now on, we protect this world, - Cha-Arun said proudly, raising the rod above his head, - From now on, Akh-Asur will take care of the entire population of the Griffin! This ship hovering in the sky will be your shield against all League threats!
  He nodded his head in the direction of a giant floating structure that looked like a diamond. This gigantic spaceship looked truly bewitching. He attracted everyone who looked at him.
So you are our friends? - concluded Captain Prada, still doubting the words of the Prophet.
- Yes, - answered the head of the preachers, - We are your allies. And we will not let you offend the forces of darkness. Our comrades-in-arms will help the unfortunate people of the Griffin in restoring their homes. And we will heal all the wounded in a few days. Rest assured, you are safe from now on.
  Theophylact and the members of the council felt a noticeable relief. This time they really felt completely protected. Judging by the words of the Prophet, one could understand that a powerful deity stood up for the whole world. Ideas about a new religion flashed through Theophylact's thoughts. Perhaps, knowing Akh-Asura closer, they could all bow before his might.
  But Owen and several other representatives of the Coalition still felt mistrust of the Prophet and his brethren. They appeared here too suddenly, spoke in a strange and mysterious way, and also mentioned the death of Trotskevich. The burner became more and more distrustful of the aliens' words. They didn't say anything and hid something.
- But now I must inform you, - the Prophet loudly said, lowering the wand down, - the Great and Irresistible Akh-Asur, the Bringer of Light, wishes to receive guests. He wants to see the warriors that managed to defeat the mighty forces of the League. Owen the Burner, Balderan the Swordsman, Farinni Prada and Osvaldo should come with us.
  The four warriors whose names were mentioned by the preacher looked at each other in bewilderment. Particularly strong confusion seized Captain Prada and his friend the sergeant. Here they were mere mortals, and could not at all be of interest to the Gods. Whether business Owen with Balderan. After all, they were powerful psionics, and quite suitable for negotiations with an alien deity.
Why not Isabella and I? - Mustafa asked almost in anger, - We also piled on the soldiers of the League! Do you know how many bastards we put down with my swallow?!
- Your names were not mentioned, - answered the preacher, - I'm sorry. The Great and Irresistible Lord Akh-Asur did not say a word about you.