Volume IV of Legacy: Quest for the Cosmic Cores, Part 1
Copyright© 2025 by Uruks
Chapter 26
When Sifa took hold of the Orb, though her intentions were mostly pure, a tiny seed of darkness had buried itself deep within her soul. Sifa’s desires were not entirely unselfish. She had defied the dire warnings of her master. Despite her intention to bring about peace, this was still an act of rebellion. But worse than this, her heart was drawn to Lexandar. She knew that he could not be trusted fully, yet a part of her hoped that perhaps she could change him with the power of the Orb. If such a thing were possible, he could be released from his cell, and they could pursue a normal life together. This one spark of selfishness born out of unrequited love was all it took. The Orb amplified this seed of darkness within her, drawing power from the source of all malevolence in the universe – the Shadow Realm. With the Orb of Creation, the greatest source of energy in the Physical Universe, now linked to the Shadow Realm, the specter known as Shadow Claw was able to manipulate the Orb to do his bidding. He siphoned energy from it to empower himself, renewing his strength. Then he bound his spirit to Lexandar in order to tether his power permanently to the Physical Universe. And thus, was born the first Sacred Vessel of Corruption, a being who would eventually become known as the Dark Dragon Lord.
Savin was annoyed. He knew that they never should’ve trusted those bungling Shark creatures or their bureaucratic Siren allies. And then they go and put the whole operation into jeopardy with their impulsiveness. All it took was the slightest whisper of Elemental involvement, and they lose their nerve like weakling politicians. No discipline. No principles. Not Morlock. Only Morlocks were pure. Only Morlocks would prove themselves worthy of the Ascension.
Savin growled in his throat, realizing that he was committing a cardinal sin, even if it was only in the confines of his own thoughts. The Dark Dragon Lord had taught the Morlocks a long time ago never to be weakened by anything, not even racism. Oh yes, animosity towards all enemies of the Eternal Coalition was needed, and that usually meant peoples who were not Morlock. But Morlocks should never let themselves become idle in their pursuit of perfection. To think one’s race as absolutely superior to all is to lose the benefit of learning from other races. Learning from their tactics and weapons. Learning from their battle skills and supernatural abilities. And yes, even learning trivial things, like their politics and sense of art. What better way to defeat an enemy than to get to know them on a psychological level? Sometimes if the right pressures were applied, the enemies even end up defeating themselves with minimal military effort ... as was proving the case with the Atlanteans.
For the fruits that their rapid evolution had borne, a Morlock must never stop learning. A Morlock must never stop growing. To do so is to invite stagnation. Stagnation meant death. No, worse than death, for death must come to all, even the strong as per the will of the Dark Dragon Lord. No. To die of stagnation was worse than death. It was shame of the highest caliber. Denying the Dark Dragon Lord the pleasure of killing your people off in the Final Reckoning because you’re so stupid that you commit societal suicide before his scheduled Ascension ... this was the way of most weaklings populating the tainted cosmos. This was the way of the Atlanteans who were currently being exploited for their weakness by more enlightened beings. But such naïve ways of thinking that put limitations on the mind and body, this was not the way of the Morlock. Evolution was the only path forward. Morlocks must evolve in order to survive – in order to live long enough to witness the end of the creation. Life for death. Death ... for the Dark Dragon Lord.
Savin closed his eyes and sighed, realizing that he had inadvertently committed another sin (and not the useful kind like slaughtering scores of heretics in a blood rage). The Morlocks were not alone in their service of the Dark Dragon Lord. It was not a foregone conclusion that the Morlocks would win the Test of Ascension and stand at the Dark Dragon Lord’s side at the end of days. Indeed, many other races had now joined with the Eternal Coalition, and some had even proven themselves worthy rivals to the Morlocks. Though Savin wasn’t sure of some of the recent initiates, like those Werecats for instance. Time would tell if they might prove themselves worthy for military service like the Morlocks and the Shadow Drakes, honored kin of the Dark Dragon Lord. If they did not, then they would join the countless races who now worked as Mind-Slaves in the great mines of the Forbidden Galaxies. Or perhaps they would earn an even greater dishonor for themselves and simply become fuel for the Harvesters. Only the Dark Dragon Lord alone could foretell such things, and he did not share his knowledge lightly. Although Savin was fairly certain that neither the Sharkfolk nor the Sirens would make the cut.
Having now committed three slights against the Dark Dragon Lord’s will in the form of prejudice towards potential allies, Savin held up his palm for punishment. Extending the fingernail in his index finger to make a blade, he cut himself three times on his palm. He made the cuts deep so that he would remember, and so that the Arbiters would see the injury and give him an extra lashing during Mental Communion. Precious blood dribbled from his palm to stain the dark metal floor. A Morlock’s blood must only be of service to the Dark Dragon Lord, even when that blood is shed to keep oneself from courting heresy. His blood would be absorbed by the vessel, converting his biomatter into energy. Nothing went to waste on a Harvester.
Captain, said Commander Magna with his thoughts when he sensed Savin’s displeasure as they stood at attention next to each other. Is it wise to do Atonement here? The Water Dragon Lord will sense the loss of blood. He will know that something troubles you. Any sign of doubt on your part could be grounds for demotion or execution.
Savin suppressed a growl. He did not like being questioned by his subordinates. It usually meant that they either needed a Mind-Purge or a Life-Purge (he usually opted for a Life-Purge as a Mind-Purge was too much of a hassle). But Magna had served faithfully for many, many years, so he was entitled to a little leeway.
I hide nothing from our Lords, replied Savin mentally without hesitation. If he decides that my actions warrant punishment, then who am I to object? Lord Dredge is kinsman to our great and terrible master. He is a god! If my misgivings wrought from the howlers of our new allies give him cause to slay or torture me, then may every drop of my blood paint these hallowed halls and fuel the Harvester’s cleansing fire!
Out of his peripheral vision, Savin perceived Magna give the slightest shrug as he responded telepathically. It would be a waste if he did choose to kill you now. The Corps. would be weakened by the loss of such a capable Morlock. But I will not complain as I will likely attain your rank. And I will learn from your mistakes so that I may ascend to Master General in your place.
Savin almost smiled. Magna was brutally honest as usual. That was one of the only reasons that Savin hadn’t killed him yet.
Throughout their exchange, Savin nearly forgot to pay due diligence to the Water Dragon Lord who worked nearby, another sin that would likely require Atonement later. One must always be attentive in the presence of one’s gods. Savin never dared to dream that he would serve directly under one of the Five Dragon Lords. Even if it wasn’t the Dark Dragon Lord of Shadow, it was still an honor that he had not considered himself worthy of attaining. It also paved the way for many possibilities that were impossible up until now ... namely perhaps gaining the right to fight in the Great Games in the War Dimension and prove himself worthy of becoming a Master General. Everyone in the Coalition knew that one of the ten seats of the Master Generals was up for the taking. There was no way that the Dark Dragon Lord would let Vexar the Bone Collector keep his seat after he botched that campaign against the Televite Rebels. Vexar had to call in some of the Elites to help squash the rebellion, something that should’ve been unnecessary given the force that he commanded. Nothing earned the Dark Dragon Lord’s ire more than wasteful incompetence. Another Game would be called soon, and Savin would make sure to gain enough Merit to compete. And then, if he succeeded, he might be granted the greatest honor of all. The chance to stand in the presence of the Dark Dragon Lord himself as a Master General. Some said that just being near him brings about instant death if one’s soul is too weak. Still, the honor of having one’s life snuffed out by the Dark Dragon Lord personally was too great a chance to pass up. But better yet, there still existed even the smallest chance of earning the Dark Dragon Lord’s favor when one became a Master General. Nothing would stop Savin from ascending those heights and taking that chance. Not even their Honored Adversary, the Light Wielder himself, would stand between Savin and his destiny. Though Savin was among the Nameless for now, that would soon change once his deeds became known.
Lord Dredge, who had been steadily typing on his holopad as he hovered in a gravity chair near the ceiling, suddenly went quiet. From his vantage point, all Savin could make out was the large gray metal throne and Lord Dredge’s pale tail as it dangled beneath him. Magna tensed, but Savin stood up straight. Whatever happened next, he would face his fate unflinchingly as a true Morlock – a true servant of the Eternal Coalition and its great founder.
“Captain Savin,” said the Water Dragon Lord, a veritable god bound to mortal flesh. “You cut yourself. I can smell your blood. You are Atoning for rebellious thoughts? A minor infraction, I presume. Otherwise, your companion would be cutting off a hand, or even a head.”
“Yes, my lord,” responded Savin dispassionately, knowing that his next words may be his last, but such was the life of a Morlock. “I have ... doubts about our new allies, especially in light of their recent tactical errors. However, I realized that it is not my place to question such things. If you feel that greater punishment is needed, I leave it to your wisdom, my lord.”
Lord Dredge gave a pleasant laugh. Savin had heard that the Dragon Lords often laughed like that before bringing down divine retribution. However, death did not come for Savin as Lord Dredge resumed his typing. Magna seemed to relax slightly as he sensed the atmosphere cool. Savin felt a strange mix of relief and ... disappointment. He supposed that a part of him was always in anticipation of his eventual death. They said that in death, before tasting oblivion in the flames of the Shadow Realm, the Dark Dragon Lord himself smiles upon you and whispers your name. Even though death meant eternal damnation in the Shadow Realm, as is the fate of all who served the Dark, Savin still longed for his own demise just for the slim chance of hearing the Desolate One’s voice. Still, even though he was always ready for it, he would not rush to his destruction needlessly. There was just too much work to be done before the days of the Final Reckoning.
“You Morlocks are still such a strange bunch to me even after all these years,” said Lord Dredge musingly as he continued typing. “Though I’ve had a hand in recent genetic updates to your biochemistry, I confess that your culture is largely a mystery to me. But that is to be expected as you were groomed by our lord for many centuries before I joined Eternal Coalition. Your people are greatest soldiers I have ever developed by far, but I still don’t know if it is because of your zealotry or despite it. I, myself, never believed in God before I became Water Dragon Lord, and yet I am worshipped by all of you as deity after passing mein Lord’s test. If there is a God, it would seem that he has peculiar sense of humor.”
Magna went stiff beside Savin, knowing that a wrong response to such probing could mean heresy and death, but Savin was of a different mind. He had always been taught that if he was fervent in his desire to learn for the good of the Eternal Coalition, that the Dark Dragon Lord would not be angered by his inquisitive nature. Indeed, curiosity in certain aspects was encouraged in Morlock society. How could they hope to become the perfect killers and the perfect lifeforms if they did not inquire and learn when the opportunity presented itself? Not even the risk of angering the Water Dragon Lord could quell Savin’s insatiable hunger for evolution.
“I have heard it said that some among the Dragon Lords do not consider themselves gods,” admitted Savin.
Magna looked at Savin questioningly, no doubt wondering why his commanding officer felt so bold as to converse with one of the Dragon Lords as if they were equals. Even Lord Dredge stopped his work to look down upon the two Morlocks, his four glowing eyes beneath his hood growing brighter with curiosity.
Savin stood transfixed by that unholy gaze for a moment, but quickly collected himself as he continued calmly. He promised himself that he would live and die as a true Morlock, and a true Morlock always courted doom joyfully. “But it matters not to us Morlocks. You and our great master, the Dark Dragon Lord, shall bring an end to this tainted cosmos. You shall usher forth a new age for all as oblivion comes down upon the universe. Regardless of your origins, that act in of itself is godlike, for you are destroying the works of true gods should they exist. But where others can only boast of such works, the Dragon Lords have the power to bring about their desires. All we Morlocks wish is to help you in your mighty work and perhaps be counted as worthy to stand by your side during the great Ascension.”
Both Magna and Lord Dredge were openly staring at Savin now. For a moment, Savin wondered if he’d said too much – if perhaps he had annoyed the Water Dragon Lord somehow and would bring down reprisal upon himself. He had heard that some among the Dragon Lords could be short-tempered, especially Lord Penance or Lord Servakii. But again, Lord Dredge chuckled to himself as he turned back around in his chair and continued typing.
“You are interesting specimen, Captain Savin. I look forward to studying fruits born of your development.”
At first, Captain Savin did not know what to feel at such a compliment from the Water Dragon Lord. As he considered whether he should feel anything as most useless emotions had been purged from his body via the genetic augmentations, he decided to adopt one of the more useful emotions that remained within him. Elation. Savin chose to feel elated at Lord Dredge’s praise, taking it as a sign of divine mandate. Truly he was meant to soar to even greater heights for the glory of the Eternal Coalition.
Lord Dredge said nothing for a while after that. Savin and Magna went silent as they didn’t want to disturb Lord Dredge in his calculations, both standing at attention with their arms behind their backs. Surprisingly, the Dragon Lord himself broke the silence as he said, “Out of curiosity, what do you think should be done of our Sharkfolk and Siren friends after their botched attempt to kidnap das Royals?”
Savin and Magna shared a look. Savin nudged Magna to respond as he wanted to give his subordinate a chance to earn Merit as well. Magna hesitated, that is until Lord Dredge suddenly said, “You may both speak freely. I wish to know your thoughts. I am not like Lord Servakii who will kill you on whim. If I kill you, it will not be because of emotional outburst on mein part, but to use your corpses to further mein research or to further the goals of our Lord. Also, I will inform you beforehand if I decide to take your lives, so there is nothing to fear.”
Magna shrugged, finding his courage at last as he said, “My first instinct would be to kill them as they violated your orders. But if we slay our scapegoats, that would escalate a confrontation with the Elementals a bit sooner than scheduled, so perhaps re-education would be more prudent.”
“Re-education. It does appeal to the professor in me. Reminds me of mein days at university when I still served the Triumvirate,” mused Lord Dredge. “Though it goes without saying that our schedule has already been altered by their meddling, you are correct. We cannot simply kill them ... at least not all of them. Their absence would accelerate situation to become even more unmanageable. Besides, their corpses can do little for mein research, and I am loathe to use violence as a punishment. Any other suggestions?”
Magna went silent as he awaited Savin’s contribution. Magna had already taken Savin’s most important suggestion, much to his chagrin. However, Savin’s previous thoughts did bring up an important topic that needed some discussion. “The Sharkfolk and the Sirens have both said that they wish to join the Eternal Coalition as military assets. That’s all well and good so long as they prove worthy. This campaign on Atlantis is partially meant to be their testing ground, though their recent mistakes call into question their usefulness to the cause. They should be reminded of the test. They should seek Atonement.”
“Seek Atonement,” repeated Lord Dredge with a dark chuckle. “Yes, I like the sound of that very much.”
A quiet chime rang out through the dimly lit metal chamber. Their guests had arrived. Savin gestured to his second with his chin and Magna obeyed the silent command, inputting the codes on his wrist communicator. The heavy security doors parted slowly, allowing entry to six individuals. Three Sirens, one male, two female. Three Sharkmen. Among the newcomers, only General Umtha perhaps posed a slight physical threat to the Morlocks. Next to consider was Medeza, a Siren with some power in Sound Elemency. But as she had lived the pampered life of a soft politician, she had little training or experience in actual combat, making her less dangerous than Umtha. But of course, no being or weapon within the entire solar system was a threat to the Water Dragon Lord, so Savin felt at peace with whatever came next.
The reinforced metal doors hissed vapor and shut with a loud thud! causing a couple of the Sirens to flinch. The six aquatic beings glanced around nervously, no doubt feeling uncomfortable outside of the water. Like the Sharkfolk, the Sirens all had small aqua respirators over the gills on their necks, allowing them to breathe. Savin wondered what kind of amusing faces they might make if those little toys were confiscated from them.
The newcomers’ eyes scanned the dark chamber, only barely perceiving the two Morlocks, and then the Water Dragon Lord who remained above all their heads in his floating chair. Lord Dredge had the back of his chair to the aquatics as he faced a large, blue-tinted window that overlooked the seabed. Many colorful sea creatures swam before the window, their graceful movements making Savin think that the animals were performing a dance solely for the enjoyment of the Water Dragon Lord. Savin’s master continued typing without acknowledging his guests.
General Umtha looked to the Morlocks as they were the most familiar to him at this point. “Captain ... I-I know that you may be displeased by our recent actions. But I can assure you, we did what we did for the good of the alliance. We didn’t think the Elementals would be allowed to come. All projections indicated that their ship wouldn’t make it in time if they even came at all. That jump should’ve been impossible ... even for Elementals, it was a million to one!”
Savin said nothing as he stared down the Sharkman, showing his discontent through silence.
Growing uncomfortable, Umtha continued. “When our Queen heard that the Elementals had arrived, she knew that the Siren Senators might be pressured to push for a settlement. If we had the whole Royal family as hostages, not even the Elementals would dare move against us. It was decided-”
“Don’t you dare put this on us or the Queen, you chum-eating oaf!” screeched Medeza as she slapped Umtha in his burly arm. “You and your Sharkmen barbarians are solely responsible for this affront! Isn’t that right?!”
The Sharkman, for his part, did not flinch under the beratement as he stood stone-faced. Savin noted Umtha’s compliance. Even if he was acting under orders, he was still the commanding officer of the operation. As a soldier, he knew that much of the blame lay with him.
The enraged Siren addressed the two Morlocks, not yet realizing that she was in the presence of a being whose status went beyond mere royalty. “Look here, you silent brutes! This whole fiasco is the Sharkmen’s fault! No one else! We Sirens have done our part faithfully! We’ve tied the Aquatic Alliance up in litigation so that you all can finish your excavation of the site in peace! The arrival of the Elementals is a complication, but if we play our cards right, we can use it to our advantage and gain more sympathy from Aquatic Alliance members who are on the fence about their allegiance to the Merfolk! What better avenue for us now that we are besieged by the ‘dreaded’ Elemental bullies?”
“That route becomes a tad more difficult now,” said Lord Dredge softly without turning from his work. “To apply a more nautical phraseology, ‘that ship has sailed’. In beginning, we were able to utilize growing resentment towards Atlantean government to stall a response on their part. But now that you’ve pushed them this far, it is far less likely that das Sharkfolk can continue pretense of fashioning themselves as resistance fighters against an oppressive regime. Public sentiment is quickly turning against you, so is only matter of time that das Elementals will be sent here with Merfolk’s blessing. Worse-case scenario, das Merfolk actually develop some backbone and start fighting their own battles.”
Medeza seemed to notice Lord Dredge for the first time as she looked up in disgust at a being that could bend planets to his will. The Siren flicked back her black hair dramatically as she said, “And who is this uncultured swine? I wasn’t aware that you Morlocks were taking orders from some Gorgon bottom-feeder.”
Magna twitched in outrage, nearly raising his arm to slay the Siren bitch for her disrespect. However, Savin gave him a telepathic command to remain still. Lord Dredge hadn’t given orders to punish the newcomers. Until that order came, or until the guests threatened Lord Dredge, the Morlocks would wait and watch. Besides. None of their new allies had been told of Lord Dredge, so their lack of decorum was not entirely their fault. Only Umtha seemed to notice the slight shift in the Morlocks’ postures as he glanced at them warily. Savin might have to start reevaluating his opinion of the Sharkman. He had taken him for a brainless fool when they first met, but now the creature was showing some cunning. Perhaps, unlike Medeza, Umtha sensed the noose slowly tightening around their necks.
“Bottom-feeder,” said Lord Dredge good-naturedly. “Yes, I remember your peoples’ colorful names for mine. Gorgons and Sirens never did get along. Though I can’t quite call myself a mere Gorgon anymore.”
The young female Siren was completely unaware of the grave she was digging for herself as she continued heatedly, “Are you going to tell me who you are or-”
Lord Dredge suddenly stopped typing, spinning his chair around to stare down at his belligerent guest. Medeza went silent as his four glowing eyes gazed down on her. Savin knew that she felt it then. She felt the very same thing that he had felt when he first caught sight of those glowing orbs. She knew then that she might as well be a rabbit caught in the jaws of a wolf. She realized how insignificant and pathetic she was compared to the cosmic power of this being who towered over her both physically and mentally. None could resist the gaze of a Dragon Lord, herald of ancient power that transcended the universe itself. Even Savin (whose emotions were constantly suppressed) nearly lost his sanity to the horror of it all. For a child like Medeza, there was a chance her mind might break entirely, especially if Lord Dredge exerted his power in any way.
“Now,” said Lord Dredge slowly, no longer sounding good-natured. “I am going to ask you some questions. You will answer truthfully. If you lie, I will sense the change in your pulse. Nod if you understand.”
Medeza - in fact, all the aquatics - nodded in unison. It seemed that all six of them were now hypnotized by Lord Dredge’s spell. He wasn’t using telepathy on them. The power of the mind was not Lord Dredge’s forte. But because of the sheer magnitude of his psions, he could overwhelm the senses of lesser beings if he wasn’t constantly suppressing his power. It was even rumored that if a Dragon Lord got angry enough, he could drive weaker mortals to the point of insanity simply by being near them.
Lord Dredge grew less tense as he leaned back leisurely in his seat, his judgement suspended for now. “You used the harmonic devices I gave you to control Zombie Whales, yes?”
Umtha nodded slowly, seeming to be in a trance. “Yes.”
“You knew that Zombie Whales were not to be diverted from their mission of exploring ocean depths, but you defied our wishes and used them anyway, yes?”
“Yes,” said Umtha, his rumbling voice echoing slightly off the walls.
“And you used the Siren’s spy in palace to put up dampening field and manipulate their Gateways, yes?”
“Yes,” answered Medeza this time, though with obvious terror painting her voice. “We ... we wanted to make it seem like an animal attack. The Merfolk don’t know of our connection to the Zombie Whales. They think that they’re just a natural mutation. If everything had gone to plan, it wouldn’t have been traced back to the Sharkfolk, let alone us Sirens.”
“This is beside point as things obviously did not go to plan. We cannot change what has been done. We can only react rationally so that damage is minimalized,” said Dredge in an insensate tone. “Now, I have one last question for you all. Did your Siren Queen authorize this operation?”
For the first time, the entrapped beings seemed to hesitate to answer. When Lord Dredge’s eyes glowed brighter, the atmosphere grew heavy with the power of his presence. All six aquatics gasped in pain as Lord Dredge raised his psions ever so slightly. They panted heavily, their eyes wide with terror; some went to their knees beneath the weight of his power. Even Savin and Magna felt woozy despite being more accustomed to the Water Dragon Lord’s presence at this point.
Tears falling down her cheeks, Medeza gasped out, “Y-yes. It was done under the Siren Queen’s command.”
Lord Dredge hummed to himself as he lowered his psions, gaining a combined sigh of relief as the tension lessened for all the lesser beings in the room. Gesturing to Savin with his bony hand, the Morlock Captain immediately gave a salute as he keyed in the frequency for the Siren Queen. In truth, Lord Dredge had explained ahead of time that they might have to contact the Siren Queen as he had suspected her involvement in the whole affair. Though what the Water Dragon Lord intended to do, not even Savin could be sure. But he was certain that it would be interesting to watch.
Setting his holopad on his armchair, Lord Dredge swiveled his floating throne around once more. The shades drew over the large window overlooking the ocean. After a brief moment of darkness, a large holographic image began to materialize in front of Lord Dredge.
“What ... what are you doing?” asked Medeza in alarm.
“Mein Morlocks took liberty of hacking your system and obtaining emergency codes to Siren Queen’s personal chambers. Quite fortunate for us that you are favored relative of hers. We are contacting her on your private line.”
The other Siren maiden next to Medeza gasped as she brought a hand to her quivering lips. “But ... but why?”
Lord Dredge sighed loudly as the feed continued to fizzle in and out. “Understand how distasteful I find what I must do now. Such a waste of a young, healthy body. But unfortunately, it is necessary for good of operation as a whole ... and mein continued research.”
The Siren male raised a hand in alarm and stepped forward, saying in a surprisingly deep voice, “No! No, you can’t-”
That was one move too far. Savin’s next action was not meant to protect Lord Dredge, for the newcomers posed no threat to him. No. This was a punishment for the disrespect. Without a word, Savin sprang forward faster than the human eye could detect and took the Siren’s head ... literally. He just swiped it right off the poor aquatic’s shoulders using a move he’d learned in his academy days. The body of the Siren male twitched a bit before falling to the ground. The other five aquatics yelped with varying degrees of terror as Savin held the severed head in one hand. A bit of the spine had come along for the ride and dangled beneath the neck with blood dripping on the metallic floor. Savin gave a cursory glance to admire his handiwork, finding a slight bit of amusement at the eternal look of surprise and horror now frozen on the young Siren’s blue, humanoid face.