Firstborne

Prologue

It was the worst alpha storm that the land of Fiden had seen in hundreds of years. Entire forests were torn from the ground, and houses were reduced to kindling in a matter of seconds. Lightning constantly clawed at the skies, and Thunder sent quakes rumbling through the earth. Rivers flooded far past their shores, swallowing entire towns in their greedy feasting. Lightning flared across the sky, throwing flickering, white light across the desolate, rain soaked cliff face. Seconds later, thunder let out a deafening bellow, shaking the entire cliff and sending dust and sand trickling down to the land far below. A lone figure was dashing across the slick stoney surface of the cliff, slipping as they fled from an unseen pursuer. His breath came in heavy labored gasps, he blinked the rain from his streaming eyes, anxiety and fear tight in his chest. He let out a cry of shock when a white bolt of lightning split a pillar of rock in front of him in a brilliant shower of white sparks. He flinched as another, rather louder clap of thunder came barreling across the cliff, and he felt his very bones shudder beneath his skin. Then, when the thunder had barely subsided, there came another noise, not nearly as powerful as the thunder, but far more bone chilling. A piercing howl rang through the air, cutting through the waterlogged air like a knife through water. The figure swiveled his head in its direction, his pupils contracting in fear. They were after him. He quickened his stride, bolting across the cliff haphazardly, slipping here and there. Just a little further, and then he could transmit all of the valuable data to the magistrates. Lightning flashed again, and he could see the outline of several figures in the distance in the fleeting light. He continued on his path, and before long it led him to a massive drop off into a canyon, with a river glittering far below. He slammed his feet into the ground, sending droplets of rain water flying in front of him. He skidded to a halt right on the edge of the canyon. He looked down at the river far below, hesitating for a fraction of a second. But then the sharp howl came again, a lot closer than it had been before. That gave him the extra motivation that he needed. With a deep breath, he backed up a little bit, and vaulted over the edge. He seemed to hover in the air for a second, before gravity took hold and dragged him down. He felt the wind whistle around him, pushing against his downward descent. Then, with a bone rattling crash, he hit the surface of the river. Everything immediately became wavy and distorted, and he blinked groggily. He sunk into the water, feeling the tickle of bubbles swirling around him. He kicked to the surface and broke through, coughing and sputtering, blinking water out of his eyes, knowing that the rain would still blur his vision. The impact had not hurt that much, he knew that if a human made that jump they would splat like a ripe berry, but Min'eral were made of tougher stuff. He struck out toward the shore, and he felt his feet squish into the soft mud of the riverbed. He hauled himself out of the water, still coughing and gasping. He clambered down the bank, yanking his feet from the mud's clutches with each step. He trudged on through the muck, the rain trickling down his body and washing away all of the river algae. The thunder boomed and sent ripples across the surface of the water as he clomped on by. But as he walked, he did not notice several pairs of slitted, coppery eyes following him from the top of the canyon, eyes that did not blink. They stared at him as he dragged himself along the river, and a soft, guttural noise came from deep inside one's throat. This was immediately followed by a hard jerk of the chain attached to the thick metal collar clamped around its neck. The beast, which was reminiscent of a scaly wolf, fell silent, to the satisfaction of its master. The bulky burley handler looked to the tall, slim figure standing next to him, and gave a questioning jerk of his head to the Min'eral below them. They turned to him, and he flinched. Their eyes were like the coldest arctic oceans, a chilling, pale white blue that could stop the most stalwart heart. They pierced his own mud brown eyes like chips of ice, and he shivered. He stared at the handler for a couple more seconds, before giving a small nod, his eyes glittering with a cruel anticipation. The handler grinned, and then released the chains that restrained the massive lizardy wolf-like monsters. In a flash, they bolted after the figure fleeing below them, letting out snarls and loud hissing barks. He looked back at them and he let out a frightened gasp, picking up his pace and his heart beat like a terrified bird in a cage. He went faster, nearly tripping over the goopy mud. One of the monsters lunged and slammed into his back, sending him face first into the mud. He felt the razor sharp claws rake his back, and he yelped in pain and terror. He felt the pressure suddenly lift, and the beast jammed its horned head under his side in an attempt to flip him and receive access to the more vital organs. Thinking fast, he rose on all fours and swerved, slamming his heavy tail into the beast skull. It let out an ear splitting screech as it tumbled away, splattering the wet earth everywhere. Another came soaring at him, claws outstretched and mouth agape, revealing jagged shark-like canines. He ducked as it soared over him, then wrapped his arms around its middle and used its momentum to send it cartwheeling into the river. He could see the blazing eyes of two more approaching, and he turned and began to flee. The first one had already recovered and was pursuing him, howling and snarling like a demon. He needed to find a way to get these things off his tail, and fast! He sensed something behind him, and he instinctively leaped aside as the massive brute flew by him. It slammed into the ground and spun to face him, eyes glowing with hate and drool hanging in slippery ropes from its maw. A chittering hiss filled the air, and he saw its jugular pulse with each beat. His eyes caught the thick chain around its neck, and as another pulse of lightning flared across the darkened sky, an idea suddenly materialized in his head. He looked behind him, and saw several more of the monsters splashing down stream toward them. The river he knew fed directly into the ocean, which meant it had a great deal of salt water in it. The beast crouched lower, still growling, watching him with those primal eyes. Then, with the speed and ferocity of a striking snake, it leaped, claws glittering wetly in the dim, mouth open in a ringing roar. Quickly he dropped and rolled, and as the monster soared over him he reached up and snagged the chain that was attached to its collar. With a grunt, he heaved the beast around and sent it crashing into the river. It screamed as it was swallowed by the cold water, tearing at the river around it. The others were nearly upon them, howling and snarling, eyes like copper flames against the cold gray stone. Thunder came again. Any second now. And when the monsters were ready to close it for the kill, he felt the air charge with ozone, and with one swift movement, he threw the chain high, high into the air. Even the monster's eyes seemed to follow it, as it rose into the air, glittering like a long silver snake, before beginning to fall. Then, lightning flared from the sky in a jagged bolt, streaking toward them and striking the chain. There was a flash as millions of volts of energy arched through the chain into the river, and straight through the beasts. Their triumphant roars turned into screams of agony as they thrashed and jerked, the electricity searing the very flesh from their bones. The acrid smell of burning meat and skin assaulted his nostrils, and he gagged, covering his snout. Then the last of the lightning faded away, leaving several charred, black bodies floating lifeless in the river in its wake. He sat there panting for a few moments, before dragging himself to his feet, winching at the pain in his tendons. He continued his grueling journey, keeping to the shadows, away from spying eyes. After what seemed like several very wet and painful years, he spotted the transmitter station rising into the sky. He could have cried in happiness and relief, but he was too exhausted. He clawed his way with the path, each step growing heavier and heavier. His vision was beginning to grow blurry. How bad had those claw marks been? The monster had probably nicked an artery. Finally he reached the station. Its massive spire rose high into the air, and the crystal port was empty. Perfect. He stumbled over, wiping rain from his eyes. Leaning on the dashboard, he groggily removed a pulsing, blueish-green crystal from his satchel, and gently inserted it into the port. It immediately flashed, and blue lines curled from it and wound their way up the station, and he knew that the signal had been transmitted. He had completed his mission. "A pity you won't live long enough to see the fruits of your labor, my friend." said a cold, sharp voice from behind him. He froze. Knowing exactly who the voice belonged to. He slowly turned, and saw a slim, tall silvery figure standing several meters away. He moved with a dangerous grace, like a panther slinking through a forest. His skin glittered like polished silver, and a long, bladed tail swung silently behind him. A flash of lightning revealed a slim, snake-like head, bristling with sharp curving blades, the biggest two curling up like the horns of the devil himself. A good representation, he thought as he leaned more heavily against the port. The figure continued to advance, and his razor sharp talons sent sparks skittering across the stone ground, though they were quickly extinguished. His cold blue eyes glittered like diamonds in the storm. "You're too late, Guillotine." Rodack rasped dryly with a little cough."The information is long gone."

Guillotine's face was curved with a smile, a smile deadlier than the angriest scowl. Despite himself, Rodack shivered, and not from the cold. "Information that we will soon gather, no less." he mused, moving closer to the shivering, dying figure before him. His eyes stabbed into Rodacks, and he found that he could not look away from his hypnotic gaze. "But fortunate for you, I have always admired bravery, a trait that is noticeably lacking in those sniveling cowards you try to protect." he hissed, his voice growing colder as he finished that sentence. Rodack let out a wheezing laugh, a noise that was so very faint in the ruckus of the storm. The wind whipped their faces and the rain beat hard against them, and while Rodack stumbled, Guillotine remained standing. "Humans know far more about courage than you ever will, snake." he jeered, staring him right in the eyes, and though his body was weak, his spirit blazed like a forest fire. Guillotine's smile faltered a little, but he kept his composure. He was now only feet away from Rodack. "You stand your ground, even at death's door. As I said, I have always admired courage. That is why I shall make your death quick."

Guillotine struck fast as the lightning that tore the clouds apart, sinking his scythe- like talons into Rodack's shoulders. Rodack managed to let out a bellow of anguish before Guillotine' tail whipped around and punctured his chest, stabbing through his heart and through his back. Rodack crumpled, and Guillotine flicked his tail out of his corpse. The Min'eral fell slowly sideways, toppling off the ledge and landed with a thud on the ground below, greenish blood welling steadily from his shoulders,back and chest. Thunder roared. Then, there was silence. Rain quickly washed the blood off of his glittered tail, and he stood looking at the corpse, before turning to look up at the transmission station. The blue light bounced off of his silver skin, throwing reflections around the sodden cliff. The sinister smile was still present on his face, but it was now tinged with unnerving satisfaction. "Sharpen your weapons and gather your armies." he whispered, amused. His eyes gleamed with a hungry anticipation, and his claws were thirsty for more blood. "We will be ready."