Dark Heresy RP: Purge of the Heretic, the Mutant, the Xeno

[Dodes]

Inquisitorial Vessel "Gecko"
Dodes/Metalus
Jhessail/Albia


   The reserved crew was silent and looked to Metalus for direction on how to combat the unknown enemy.

   "We set bait for the orks at next light, we'll use the artillery section as the bait and we'll need transport to a good over watch position, at all costs we find who, or what, is directing the orks." Metalus said.

   Albia let out a long breath and nodded, clearly still unhappy.
   
   "Very well, Inquisitor. It seems a sound plan", she stated and sat back down - both eyes still staring daggers at Captain Landskull, as if trying to probe his brain and reveal some sinister heresy, while her hands dragged out the small icon of the Emperor hanging at her neck, her fingers slowly running over it again and again.

    Great displeasure took over Captain Landskull's face and he made a gruff sound as he left the makeshift meeting. "I'll make the appropriate calls to have your damnable wishes fulfilled my lord." Landskull stated as he stomped out of the hold and left the ship.

     Metalus turned to the others waiting in the hold. "He won't be a problem." Metalus paused. "We move just before dawn, we're finished here. Dismissed." Metalus said as he rose from the table and left.

   That night was unusually long and Metalus stirred throughout, and eventually decided to not try to sleep anymore. Metalus knew that this was just the tip of the iceberg, but he was resolute in finding the source, and when he did find the scourge, he would gut the corruption out of the flesh of the Imperium and restore purity and safety to Pragia.

[Dodes]

Inquisitorial Vessel "Gecko", Eastern Krell Landing Station, Pragia


Dodes/Serverous Metalus
Dodes/Captain Landskull

   Metalus noticed the time after preaching his fifth litany to the emperor and rose out of his submissive and hunched form. He wore nothing but a pure-white tunic and stiff khaki-colored flight pants. Lighting several herbs, the confined pilot's quarters quickly became a temple of battle and the walls seemed to disappear. Metalus become one with his armor as he slid on a protective metal hood that locked firmly into place with his collar and reinforced cheeks. The formerly cold metal floor took on a warm, welcome feel, and Metalus knew that this day he would not falter in faith or battle. Metalus braced the back half of a carapace breast and torso piece against the rear wall and used the straps provided to connect the front half of the armor to the back so it rested upon his shoulders. Metalus finished by attaching the sides and as the armor was firmly bound to his body he made the sign of the aquila.

   Even though the practice of arming oneself was such a sacred art, Metalus was on the move as he locked two elongated pauldrons onto the carapace armor. About to leave his quarters, Metalus paused to grab his power claymore and sheath and chained both his refractor field generator and inquisitorial sigil around his protective collar and over his pitch-black armor. Finally he wrapped around his waist his holster that held his bolt pistol and wrapped a few extra  bolt gun ammunition around his thigh and legs.  And as always, Metalus' skull probe bobbed up and down behind him like a household pet as Metalus left for the hold.

   When Metalus entered the hold it came apparent that he was the last to arrive, yet he still marched right through the hold to the exit ramp and summoned with his hands for the others to follow.

   "Suffer not to let the xeno die this day" Leisurely said Metalus as he embraced the early morning retreating darkness outside of The Gecko.

   Captain Landskull was waiting outside, gruffly positioned against a three-row speeder with four small engines planted on the ground. Landskull went to attention as Metalus exited the landing platform where The Gecko was stationed. Without words Landskull slid around and entered the driving position as Metalus joined him in the front row and the inquisitor's party filled in the rear seats. Before starting the oval speeder with the four VTOL engines, Landskull turned to Metalus and the party.

   "Despite the protests of the military board, I've had your wishes accomplished and the 14th's artillery section has moved to an unsecure location near areas were orks sightings are still common. It's only by my high standing that I've managed to get us endangered like this. This plan better work." Said Landskull with obvious grumpiness in his speech. "Now hold on tight."

   The engines roared to life and soon after the open-topped speeder fled away from the station and was high above Krell. Landskull was clearly enjoying himself and leaned in on the turn that took them away from Krell and headed north towards the infestation zone. The plains below turned to the great tall trees and the smell of fertilizers and pesticides changed to the pleasurable scent of pine. Metalus wasn't sure why they were getting the first-class treatment suddenly as compared to the second-rate trucks that were used before. It definitely brought thoughts of suspicion it Metalus' mind.
   They landed an opening in the foliage and everyone could hear the booming of the basilisks thundering through the forests, they left the speeder after covering it with a camo-cloak that was stored in the trunk and promptly hiked a short distance before they found a plateau off the road where the basilisks were staged. The party camped on the outside of the concentration of the six large mobile artillery guns and the occasional booming was the only thing of note. Metalus remained reclusive and the party mostly kept to themselves despite some moaning and groaning. Captain Landskull was always to be found right by his men, even though he wasn't their regiment's commander.

   Hours had gone by when Landskull rushed over and nearly everybody came to life out of their boredom and habits.

   Metalus marched over to meet Landskull. "Orks?" Metalus uttered.

   "No." Landskull said, out of breath. "Worse, the capital was just hit by a series of bombs, PDF and guard units are temporarily moving back and the adeptus arbites are on the scene already with police units in tow. We aren't sure if it's a xeno or dissident attack but multiple streets have had explosions blow the cement right out under pedestrians."

   "We're moving now." Metalus yelled and the team followed him and Landskull back down to the speeder.

Metalus tore off the camo-cloak and jumped into his seat and the rest of the team either hopped in or slid across the back and front to quickly get in. Landskull noticed that the comm button on the speeder's dash was blinking so he put on a thin headset with a small microphone and filtered the information to Metalus and crew.

   "Planetary defense reports that orks are storming out from underground and attacking the planetary governor's compound." Landskull reported and then paused, switched channels, and got another incoming message. "My lord! The artillery section back on the plateau is reporting an ork attack almost word-for-word of what hit us in the convoy before." Landskull seemed a bit panicked but in control. "We're spread too thin, we need a command, should we gun for the capital or run back to the artillery?"

   

[Dodes]

Ork Infestation Zone, Great Northern Woodlands, Pragia


Serann/Livana

   Livana stood in line with the other Seraphim as the sisters of the Order of Argent Shround were given orders. The Seraph Superior of their squad, who also had the good sense to wear a helmet, was quickly explaining situation and orders: "The main force is bringing the purifying light of the Emperor to the heart of the orc infestation. We will wipe all spores out, that may have survived the cleansing so far. Our duty will be to hunt down orcs trying to escape the purge. "Be wary: even in their most primitive state orcs can and will be dangerous. their ranged weapons... that is to say: throwing rocks and spears, shouldn't be able to harm us, but an orc's direct attack can prove fatal. Now: every second could be spawning more orcs. Move out. The Emperor is with us."

   Like the rest of the squad Livana remained silent as they distanced themselves from the main attack force. It didn't took long before the fire was clearly visible, even from the distance and black smoke was rising to the heavens.

   "We got a first group." The Seraph Superior let her squad know, and their jump packs took them into the air.

   Smooth flying through the woods, it didn't take them long to spot the small group of fleeing orcs. While the sisters came down on them, blasting through their ranks, Luviana noticed something.

   Other than the rest of her squad, even when direct engaging the enemy, she kept at least one eye on her surrounding and noticed... a shoota?

   "Disengage!" She just shouted into her communicator before several looted and restructured guns began firing.

Had the orcs already raided armories or crafted their own equipment? The other Sisters of Battle noticed the gunners a second too late and several hits were landed, though Livana wasn't sure how many actually pierced their armor. At least one would die because she wasn't wearing a helmet. She was sure of it.

   Within the same moment, the sister superior gave the same order: "Disengage! Regroup outside the forest!"

   After that it only got more chaotic. There were several orc shootas firing at them and their formation broke in favor of mobility and making harder targets. Livana jumped over one of the shootas and fired several rounds into his barely protected body. She had to get out of the forest. She did several jumps, covering easily hundreds of meters when had to land. Upon trying to do another jump, an orc jumped at her from behind, holding what looked like an axe made of rock and wood. Livana wasn't mobile enough with her jump back, but luckily it took the hit for her.

   The strength of the blow made her stumble forward but she quickly turned around and sent several bolt rounds into its head. The orcs were everywhere already? Or was it just an unfortunate incident? She quickly made another jump in what she thought would take her out of the woods when it lost power in mid-jump and almost crashed down again. Quickly strapping the jump pack off, she had to realize that it had been damaged and the fuel had leaked out. The communicator couldn't get in contact with the other Seraphim. Were they dead? Was her signal somehow interrupted? She noticed an orc sneaking closer from behind and quickly spun around and aimed her pistol at it, but then she had to realize that the noise would attract even more greenskins. She dropped the communicator and quickly pulled out one of her combat knives which she threw at the beast. It hit the greenskin right in the neck, it stumbled and fell. They were everywhere and she had to move. Quickly picking up the communicator again, she ran on, trying to reach anyone at all.

[Dodes]

Ork Infestation Zone, Great Northern Woodlands, Pragia


Greatsword/Morphis Skelt

   Morphis rode in the speeder, till they reached the artillery position they had set as a trap. He sat reclusive with the group and so climbed another tree as before and scanned the landscape below the plateau. The foliage was dense, too dense in fact to allow clear view, he switched the optics in his visor to thermal, he spotted faint glimmers of heat, but he took it to be native wildlife, then later Morphis swore he could hear shooting in the distance, but assumed it was one of the patrols killing a few stray orks or destroying a collection of ork fungi embryos. Suddenly  the Inquisitor decided they make a move towards the speeder again, as Captain Landskull had reported Orks attacking the capital. The camo-cloak swirled off and Captain Landskull got another report that Orks were assaulting both the artillery position and also the planetary governor's residence.

   It was then when Morphis spoke up."My Lord, if I may, the Artillery depot is the lesser of the two priorities, I feel that we could easily split into two fire teams and complete both of our objectives."

[Dodes]

Ork Infestation Zone, Great Northern Woodlands, Pragia


Dodes/Serverous Metalus
Dodes/Captain Landskull

   "Excellent plan, it would be best if you could save as many guardsmen as possible from the greenskin onslaught." Landskull said.

   "It is not wise that we divide our strength when we face an unknown assessment of xenos." Metalus retorted.

   "You can't just leave the section to be decimated after you chose to lure the orks out!" Landskull protested venomously.

   "I will act on acolyte Skelt's plan to repel the ork attack on the basilisks, but only because we have been waiting to investigate another attack of the same sort that ambushed us." Metalus grimly spoke without mercy.  "The mission must always be the priority. Sister Albia. Guardsman Varro. Krieger 6. You three are to accomplish this task."

   "And save as many as you can from the ferocious greenskins, kill enough of them as if I was with the men as well." Added Captain Landskull as he began to take off the speeder to the capital.

[Dodes]

Ellcium II


Ulfhedinn/Novus

   Leaving the grey building of the bureaucrats behind, Novus headed for the nearest communications hub. The information he had discovered regarding the missing cargo, unimportant as it seemed, still had to be reported. Fortunately, Ellcium controlled by the Adeptus Mechanicus as it was, enjoyed an uncommon amount of technological infrastructure and communications lines criss-crossed the entirety of the world, digging deep into the earth of the planet.

   It did not take long before Novus stumbled upon a suitable establishment. In a small back alley, devoid of any other businesses, he saw a single inviting neon sign "Red's Communications Center: The best this side of the Galaxy." He could discern no other patrons as he entered the derelict enterprise, cheap metallic furniture greeted his eyes as he slowly looked across the lobby.

   "My Lord, it is an honor to have one of such standing visiting my humble shop." The proprietor, a pencil thin man, wearing some manner of ancient glasses offered as he moved out from behind the counter where he appeared to reside normally. Yet unlike most he did not seem overly concerned with the cybernetic nature of his new guest. He was no young man however and given his field of work he had in all likely encountered some member of the Aeptus Mechanicus before.
   
   "Enough...I have not come for your petty prostrations. I do however...need to rely a message."

   "Of course, of course." The man replied, smiling happily as he gestured towards an empty and secure room. "What encryption level will you be needing? I have some of the best available in the business, even the damned Inquisition will have a hard time cracking them...unless of course they are particularly interested in finding out what you send."

   "That...will not be necessary."

   "Yeah, as I said, I have the best equipment this side of... er...what?"

   "I did not ask for an encrypted connection...I simply require one that is in...functioning order."

   "Suit yourself." The owner offered tiredly, shrugging his arms as he ushered Novus into the sparsely decorated room. "I am not going to try to tell an adept what to do...no sir indeed."

   As the heavy metal door slammed shut, Novus' mechanical eyes slowly moved across the room searching for any listening devices or similarly impolite implements. With nothing registering the Tech-Priest, turned towards the console and watched it curiously as the machine buzzed to life with a light humming sound. Curiously, the Tech-Priest made no effort to connect to any particular channel or even access a specific function. He instead lay a hand gently on the worn machine and from the vox-caster that had replaced his vocal cords, came a bursts of noise, it sounded like a strange twittering sound, like that of a machine's as opposed to a human's.

   "Northstation. Package is confirmed. Pragia. Pursuing."

   It was a brief and efficient message, yet it would tell his superiors all they needed to know should he fail in his task Novus knew.

   He waited silently leaving the ancient communications system idly buzzing, he doubted anyone had noticed the brief transmission and even if they had none but the Adeptus Mechanicus would be able to understand it, such was the power of Binary.

   He was not long in waiting and a similar mechanical burst of noise escaped from the machine.

   "Confirmed. Errant. Proceed with all haste."

   Brief, simple and concise. It was as he had expected. Now there was only the matter of securing some inconspicuous source of transportation...

[Dodes]

Ork Infestation Zone, Great Northern Woodlands, Pragia


Serann/Livana

   Livana was anything but pleased to see a rather large group of orks moving, clearly intent on getting somewhere, she thought that they were running from the firefight, but instead they were clearly heading into a certain direction and ready to fight and most of them weren't paying attention to her. She also saw ork shootas in the backs of their ranks. They were already running, and therefore didn't notice her, even when she began to follow them. Regrouping with the other sisters would have to wait, the greenskins' behavior clearly meant that something more important was at hand. She followed them for a while, then the shootas who she was closest to who were running stopped and prepared to fire. Between them, she could see that they were taking higher ground on a plateau, and it sounded like there was a real fight going on between las rifles and Ork autoguns.

   She managed to make out the cannons of a few basilisks pointed at the sky . This was insane! Why would they set up their artillery this close to the Ork infestation? Livana thought of a bold plan when she holstered her pistols and drew one of her combat knives. She grabbed one of the shooters by the shoulder, jumped over him and landed with her feet on the two orks' guns, causing them to lose their aim when they fired and the two orks were obviously surprised by this. Stray shots fired from the orks' guns even hit the ork crowd that was charging what appeared to be guardsmen.

   Before they could recover from the surprise Livana slit the first ork's throat and then jumped off the barrels of the guns, which were still firing wildly, and away from the surviving one, who then raised his rifle to blast her from close distance. Livana simply leapt around it and rammed her combat knife through the ork's chest. He screamed out in pain and stumbled back, apparently not dead yet. Livana let go of the knife, drew her pistol and shot the greenskin in the head before retrieving her blade.

   However, this entire elaborate feat of action had made a few of the other orks aware of her, who then turned around to attack her, screaming "Get da shiny git!". One of them was obviously hit by one of the shootas and was all the more angry for it.

"Now would be a good time to have my sisters with me." She thought, glancing at the artillery position and fighting guardsmen.

[Dodes]

Grain Belt Region, 16.5 Miles From Capital City Uriah, Pragia


Dodes/Serverous Metalus
Dodes/Captain Landskull

   The VIP transport speeder dashed just over the amber fields of grain, parting it as it passed over with its four roaring VTOL engines like a boat parting the water as it drives along the sea. They were finally closing the last reach of distance to the besieged capital city, they had already passed by other shuttles, both fleeing the city of Uriah to nearby Krell and forces rushing to the aid of Uriah from Krell. This was the most daunting, organized, and unexpected attack that the orks had ever attempted, it would have been even more devastating if the orks still remained in the numbers they had when their rok first impacted Pragia. Reports were consistently coming in over radio chatter that another series of explosions had gone off or another onslaught of Orks had emerged from underground. Only the inquisition and the command staff of Pragia had knowledge that there was an unknown enemy force behind the recent ork incursion and Metalus was determined to catch the perpetrators whoever or whatever they might be. There would be a massive footprint left behind from something registering on this scale of attack and planning. Metalus was sure that he would be able to follow a left behind trail and finally end the investigation and redeem his merit.

   A series of plumes of black smoke rose from the city that stood up from out under the fertile land. The city was composed of sleek skyscrapers and industrial granaries with sunlight flying buttresses and built-in statues of sacred founders. The peace and tranquility normally found on an agri-world had been interrupted by the chaos that the orks had caused.

   "I'm bringing us as close as I can manage"  Landskull yelled ineffectively over the wind and engines. "I got reports of a good LZ at Victory Plaza, I'm taking us there."

   The VTOL engines turned so that the craft hovered over the ripped streets and gothic housings. The engines dimmed in intensity as Landskull brought the vessel a vertical descent. A tiled plaza and a underground rail top-side station loomed below. Several police transports and shuttles formed a ring around the plaza with accompanying officers and special ops enforcers. A few sporadic las bursts shot down alleyways and streets, but other than that, the police forces seemed to have a secure position within the city. The VTOL set down with its engines still active just outside an opening with the enclosure of cars, shuttles, and trucks. Metalus, Sven, Griswald, Morphis, and Landskull hopped out of the shuttle and dashed into the center of local resistance. Police forces seemed relieved to have intimidating friendly forces as one of the senior officers approached Landskull.

   "Commander is down in the underground rail terminal, he'll want to talk to you." Spoke the unknown officer as he motioned to the stairs leading under the plaza.
   
   "Thanks soldier, now make Pragia proud." Landskull replied.

   The group headed down, passing many cowering civilians and crying children. They eventually made it to the bottom platform where the rail trains were stopped and being used as makeshift quarters for more of Uriah's populace. In the middle of the terminal was a helmetless spec ops operator with grey ruffled moustache, buzz-cut white hair, and cybernetic left eye.
   "Command Operator Klightus." Said the aging spec ops operator with a salute to Landskull.
   
   "What's the sit rep soldier?" Landskull shot back.

   "Orks out of nowhere, main command has us holding ground for now and to prevent any brute greenskins from killing any more civies." Said Klightus. "I can't give you much, but I can give you a transmitter and a tour while you're visiting beautiful Uriah." Klightus joked.

   "That'll do CO" Landskull said as he turned to face Metalus.

   "I think it's best I stay here and direct the relief forces and evacuation Inquisitor." Landskull said.

   "Very well Captain, let us deal with the green menace, you've done more than you've been commanded to do." Metalus replied.

   "Thank you Inquisitor" Landskull said to Metalus, but he was already moving fast out of the station.

[Dodes]

Ork Infestation Zone, Great Northern Woodlands, Pragia


Jhessail/Albia

"The Emperor protects, Inquisitor", Albia responded and turned over towards the nearby plateau.

"Come on then, Varro and Six, the Guardsmen await their saviors!" She commanded and sprinted up the path towards the guns, the two men following barely able to keep up with her spirited run.

In a very short time the trees opened up and the fury of the Basilisks reached them. On a wide plateau, a battery of artillery was still firing, though most of their crews were using lasguns in a desperate attempt to stave off an Ork attack. The sturdy greenskins were running uphill with amazing ease. Albia charged around the battery, making a wide sweep and taking in the scene. The Guardsmen were not going to be able to hold off the Orks for long, that was certain. Albia spotted an unmanned heavy bolter among a supply cache a couple of meters away from the closest basilisk.

"Six, operate that heavy bolter, we'll create a little room down there for Varro to help organize the Guardsmen!" She shouted over the constant high pitched whine of lasguns and low rumble of the cannons.

[Dodes]

Ork Infestation Zone, Great Northern Woodlands, Pragia


Serann/Livana

   '6' gave cover fire. The roaring noise of the bolts being fired joined the orchestra of noise and gave Livana an idea. She fired several bolts at the orks, causing the smarter ones to try and evade the shots and the dumber ones to drop dead. A few seconds that allowed her to make her way to the artillery position. The orcs quickly gave chase, making them a good target while they rushed down the hill.

   Livana hoped the gunner at the artillery position would also notice this. While running she ducked, to not get hit by spray bullets herself. She raised her guns and shot down any orcs getting in her way while going for the imperial defensive position, finally getting closer to the guardsmen trying to hold their ground. She swore she saw another Sister of Battle, possibly one of her squad. She quickly directed her attention back to the orcs, leaping over a low wall of sandbags and reloading her pistols.

   "I'm on your side." She merely said to the guardsmen next to her, before taking aim again

[Dodes]

Capital City Uriah, Pragia


QuailLover/Sven Tyranus 

   Sven followed Serverous Metalus. He wasn't too sure yet, where his skills would be most needed. But he also needed to learn from the inquisitor. His burning anger against xenos, wants him to go to a place where his heavy flamer would do some use. But...

   Then there was his unknown benefactors that assigned him to Serverous. Sven was still tentative about investigating Serverous. Having to complete his final stage of his penance, wouldn't be to bad, but that would take time. Time he may or may not have depending on how well he does here. He would have nothing to report anyway currently. The inquisitor hasn't had any dealing with demons or xenos as of yet. Hopefully it stays that way. Anyway, willing to learn, and needing something to clear his mind he turned to the inquisitor.

   "Master," Sven asked, "Is there anything you would have me do? Any task, or do you wish me to continue accompanying you?"

[Dodes]

Capital City Uriah, Pragia


Dodes/Serverous Metalus

   Metalus was marching up the rail station's steps when Sven asked if he could help in any way.

   "Tyranus, it would greatly assist our endeavors if you could find a way into the sewers, even use one of the street sinkholes that the orks emerged from. I want you to find the source of where all these orks are. Speed is of the essence, as hopefully we can catch the perpetrators who are behind these ork attacks." Metalus replied to the ruthlessly eager acolyte. 

[Dodes]

Ork Infestation Zone, Great Northern Woodlands, Pragia


Bobthehero/56-93-6

Six kept on firing with the heavy bolter, sending a hail of bolts into the thickest groups of Orks he could see. This would not last long however, as a fouled up bolt became stuck in the heavy weapon, forcing the Krieger to try and get it unstuck. His efforts were vain, as the Orks pushed their advantage and a lucky shot hit the heavy bolter right in front of his face, sending small shards of metals on his skull shaped faceplate.

''6'' didn't waste anything picking up his gear and joined up up with the rest of the Imperial forces. ''The heavy bolter's been taken out, hold the line! The Emperor protects!'' said the Grenadier as started taking precise shots at the oncoming green wave.

''We're pushing them back!'' said a guardsman.

''Shut it Riley, keep firing!'' answered another soldier.

The green wave did seem to be thinning, and a few Orks ran back to top of their hill, ''6'' decided to aim for those still in the fight, blowing the top of the head of a greenskin that was taking potshots at them.

[Dodes]

Capital City Uriah, Pragia


QuailLover/Sven Tyranus

Sven bowed his head slightly, "As you wish, Master."

He started to make his way to the nearest street, and looked for one of the sinkholes the orks had used. Most of them had either been completely obliterated or sealed unusable by the work of artillery strikes and krak grenades. Other sinkholes intrepid guardsmen had  tried to seal or fill with large objects. When Sven found a sinkhole that he could enter he voxed the information to Serverous Metalus.

"Tyranus here. I've located an usable sinkhole. I'm entering it, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to send or receive vox transmissions while in there."

Sven dropped down into the sinkhole. There was a tunnel that was rather large. The stench of both orks and human filth assaulted his senses.

"This probably leads to the sewers" thought Sven.

[Dodes]

Capital City Uriah, Pragia


Dodes/Serverous Metalus
Greatsword/Morphis Skelt

Metalus, Sven, and Morphis exited the underground station to the surface and the plaza. Citizens, police, and guardsmen scurried around. Black smoke rose in the distance above the skyline of the tenements and townhouses that surrounded the plaza. Yells and crying filled the civilians' mouths as their guardians remained stalwart and prepared for an assault by the orks. Metalus watched Sven navigate his way through the shifting crowd and as he disappeared Metalus received a hail via vox  from Captain Landskull.

"Inquisitor, from what I can gather the orks seem to center around the planetary governor's compound, which is the most heavily fortified position in the city, I suggest you move there as the governor may be the target behind this attack." Metalus acknowledged and checked his rear that Morphis was still behind him, then made a gesture for the Vindicare assassin to follow him.

Moving down a boulevard towards the center of the city and the governor's residence, it was evident that orks had created a trail of destruction. Broken windows, burning buildings, shot up motor cars, dead men, women, and children. The farther they moved away from Victory Plaza, the more shooting, rumbling, and roaring could be heard. Soon it was just Metalus and Morphis amidst concrete rubble in an otherwise open street.

Then the ground opened up. Metalus was forcefully knocked aside as bits of concrete and dirt flew upwards and came tumbling back down. On his back with his palms on the ground, Metalus felt a sinking feeling and then slowly started to slide. Metalus flipped himself and grasped desperately for an edge to cling onto, but all he could feel among the dust-filled air was flat pavement. The road had been split in two and now what was previously flat ground was breaking off and about to fall. Metalus was helpless and his body, armor, and gear all slid down into an opening far beneath the road.
Metalus came too feeling as though he had fallen high enough that even water would feel like concrete. His ribs ached and he felt like his body had been lathered in chalk. Metalus slowly lifted himself up and gave as cough as he came high enough to take a knee. Metalus looked up to see he had been a foot away from being smashed, but a slab of road had wedged itself and gave Metalus his life. Continuing to assess his new surroundings, Metalus spotted a peep hole in the ceiling of the underground pocket and decided to see if he could contact Morphis.

"Acolyte! Do you hear me?" Metalus shouted up into the light.