Meanwhile, Kelemak watched dozens of creeping Dread Whispers only a few feet away from her. She was perched on a tree limb directly over the crowd of gray, as of yet unnoticed. The female Grell complimented herself on her extraordinary climbing agility over other Aelo-Lorinthians. The skill suited her well for her current mission; discover the status of the Grell Ismet and Old Tideme and recover them if at all possible. Her location was in the recently evacuated shelter district, or what remained of it. This was where the two missing Grell had last been seen. Kelemak peered through the darkness at the shattered, splintered remains of wooden shelters and the gathering hordes of Dread Whispers. As the horde continued to grow larger she regreted her decision of staking out at this nonrefundable location. She cursed the Moon as she realized the dire mistake she had made. There was no way to reach the ground again without being seen, and it was only a matter of time before she would be seen perched above.

Hamaer Ka'bal thought he had imagined it, or at least, hoped he had. Blue eyes in the distant darkness marked unmistakable danger. He was alone now, the departed messanger's omen was not fast enough for Ka'bal to escape whatever danger he warned of. Run. The idea pierced through his fear. Run. At the moment his Lorinthian feet began to move the distant monsters raced towards him. Hamaer did not see this but he knew it through the whispers the demons made is they raced toward him. He ran faster, his only hope was to find help. He begged to see another Lorinthian, anyone. He felt as if all his race had fallen and only he remained, and there was no present evidence that this could not be the actual case.

Short legs of Aelo-Lorinthians restricted movement through deep snow and Hamaer fell, hard. After impact he opened his eyes revealing half a dozen wicked forms surrounding him from all sides. But this was not what caught his attention when he stood up, as the creatures slowly moved towards him, the weary Grell saw another form in the distance. A grotesque silhoutte with menacing red eyes of crimson hatred and defiance. As this new participant stepped out of the dark shadows it revealed more horrid features. It was an enormous creature, the size of a bull. Six spider-like legs danced in the snow moving the massive torso forward. It was not gray, but jet black, the color of pure night. Two long, thick arms swung along its side with clawed hands. The head was gigantic; huge fangs dripped from the top of the mouth just below the vicious, red eyes. It had overgrown eyebrows and a mane on its back like other Dread Whispers but, unlike those who had longer, darker hair on those places, it had boney extensions of the skeleton. Gigantic horns rose from its head and jutted out along the spine. Although over 50 yards away, Hamaer Ka'bal was repulsed by the beast's abominably wretched figure.

Hamaer could not flee, he was surrounded by Dread Whispers on all sides to prevent that. He could only watch and wait as the horrifying creature crept towards him. The color of it was so black that it would have been completely camoflaged in the night if not for the reflection of the moonlight on the slick hair and the pointed red eyes that focused upon the Grell as it moved.

As the great Dread Whisper approached Hamaer only yards away he could see the vile menace in all of its gloriously horrifying detail. It appeared somewhere inbetween a spider and a bull. It was slunk over as if it could not bear the weight of its massive horns. It snarled and spat as it drew closer to the trapped Lorinthian. Gigantic red eyes occasionally blinked uncertainly.

Every ounce of courage was drained from Hamaer Ka'bal, Grell of Security. Nor was he afraid, the situation was simply too horrifying for him to feel any fear. The only emotion that remained within him was wonder. Wonder of what could possibly come next in his dire predicament. Perhaps, finally, answers to all questions raised since the beginning of the dreaded affair.

The creature was now directly in front of the imprisoned Hamaer Ka'bal. The Lorinthian could see its gnarled form hulking over him. He heard its raspy breath and felt its heat. The empty, crimson eyes gazed upon the Grell without compassion. The creature bent its enormous head forward in Ka'bal's face as if it expected him to speak to it.

There was a momentary pause of pure silence.

"...all shall be with us.....Aelo...Lorinthiansss"

Kelemak had enough trouble escaping from the groping claws of the Dread Whispers alone without having to drag Ismet's wounded body along with her. She was able to rescue the Grell of Aelo-Religion from a batch of the grotesque demons after he had somehow plummeted through several walls of shelters. She knew that logically it was inconvenient and too much trouble to save Ismet now, but she could not abandon her fellow Grell.

Bulmer held his weapon poised to fight while sitting in the snow. He had lost control of his lef after it was nearly bitten off, and he was losing blood fast. He was certain that his death was inevitable, all he could do now was defend what was left of his body against the Dread Whispers. He sat still breathing heavily, ready to lash out at anything that approached him. He could already hear the whispers surround him. It was a bleak situation as many had become during the later part of the battle. His eyes glared menacingly as Death approached him from all sides....

"You speak?!" Hamaer could barely stammer out the question at the bull-like Dread Whisper inches away from him. The demon remained still and solemn, fixing its gaze on the Lorinthian commander of Serenity Hill.

Countless stars dotted across the black sky. Stars from galaxies far away, from worlds unheard of. Billions of miles from the small blue planet with the crimson Moon orbiting around it. An infinite distance across space. Yet despite the distance, all these celestial bodies now overlooked the mortal events that presently took place on a lonely planet, lost in the universe. All observed carefully the occurance, from their usual position in the audience.

"You...are not missstaken, Lorithhhian...we are capable of thiss...and much..more"

Somehow, reality was restored to Hamaer. He was able to think rationally again. The source of this realization was unknown yet gratefully thanked. The Grell recalled of what he had already known of the Dread Whispers. The gatherings at the Gibbus meetings which supplied the limited information over the enemy. Hamaer recalled the tales of Galeb Ref's early accounts with them and Old Tideme's ancient tale. A tale where these savage creatures knew only how to destroy, not to speak or think like intelligent creatures. Where did this mistake come from?

"How? How is this possible?" Hamaer then realized answers from asking the question. This new characteristic explained so much. The ambushes, the battle strategies, how they knew how to destroy the Hibernation Apparatus. These were not violent, oblivious animals, they were a very clever race of conquerors. Hamaer Ka'bal cursed himself for not realizing it all along.

"...Why..have you...ressssisted usss....Lorinthiansss?" it hissed the question with compassion and fear. As if the Aelo-Lorinthians were the cruel ones and they were only struggling to survive.

"What do you want from us?" he asked immediately. There was a definite pause. The spider-like legs paced the beast around in the snow.

"...We..want...you......you to become...a part of ussss....jusst as countless races have become before yourss.." the King of Dread Whispers drew back, "..it isss true...when we fought againsst your race...so long ago....we were nothing more than vicous animalsss...without thought...without our giftsss...."

Fear was forgotten in Hamaer Ka'bal. The instinct of survival escaped from him and replaced with wonder and curiosity. Questions were finally being answered.

"I don't understand? Why are you doing this? What good is it to slaughter others?"

The demon king stopped shuffling and looked at the Aelo-Lorinthian. The expression on its face changed. Although it would be impossible to tell, Hamaer could swear he saw it grinning.

"...We..do not slaughter races....we are parasites...we learn from others...grow from them....gain new talents, new wisdom with each fallen race.....the species falls but their uniqueness remains ...a part of usss....forever.."

"And that is how you became able to speak and rationalize?"

"..Yesss....a gift from those who sssubmitted to usss....we cleansssse thisss world....remove from it the tainted racesss...but keep their unique ability within usss..."

To them, it may appear a sensible motive, Hamaer thought, but to any other people it is evil. Evil is what the Grell of Security found familiar to reality while in his bizzare dream. The concept of evil rescued him back to realize his dire situation. He was still alive, if only temporarily. Perhaps, there is still a way out. He looked around. The other Dread Whispers that had surrounded him had backed off a ways and were not giving his meeting with their lord much attention. Hamaer saw a broken blade only feet away, hidden buried in the snow.

"What gives you any right to do this?" he asked merely to add distraction to the demon.

"In our time....we have been called...'Harestia ru Venmazu'...the parassites of god. We wipe out all the racesss...the tainted racess..from the earth...and assimilate its unique traitss...into ourss....they all become one ...with usss.......thiss planet..we assimilate its lifeformss...into ourss...we cleanse it....it is our holy crusade...given to uss by god." the horned creature stepped forward, "..give in to uss...Aelo..Lorinthianss...do not ressist the will of god.."

Dismissing the creatures belief as madness, Hamaer concentrated on a plan for retrival of the broken blade that lay near him. All while holding his ground against the vile menace in front of him.

"We will not submit to you."

The black behemoth seemed humored by his defiance.

The Aelo-Lorinthians of Serenity Hill could not fight any longer against their enemy. They concentrated now on buying time, that was their only hope ofr survival. Instead of offensive attacks they built barracades and trenches to shelter themselves against the dangers. Those who were not building defenses were either wounded or tending to the wounded.

"Ismet? Please speak to me." Kelemak spoke to the wounded Grell.

"Kelemak? Is that you? Where am I?" Ismet wearily responded.

"You're okay now, just hang in there." Kelemak looked around until she found a Lorinthian who was recently on the battlefield, "is there any word about Bulmer or Old Tideme yet?"

The regretful warrior shook his head.

"..We...Lorinthians and uss...are much alike...concerned with the welfare of our own race....resentful to the outsssiderss....why should we not join together?"

That was about all Hamaer Ka'bal could take from the grotesque monster. He then made his move for the blade. Diving quickly, unexpectedly into the snow near him. With one swift motion he grabbed the blade and swung it around at the beast above him. It severed several fingers on its left arm. The Dread Whisper reflexively swung at the Lorinthian, tossing him into a tree.

Hamaer immediately rose and took off down the hill. Hopefully he would find the other Aelo-Lorinthians near, if any were left. He ran so fast he was unsure if he were being chased or not, presumably he was. His wounded arm ached as he flew down the hill, nearly stumbling all the way. His large, brown Aelo-Lorinthian eyes searched the area for any signs of life. He saw neither Dread Whisper nor Aelo-Lorinthian, dead or alive. Occasionally, he would pass peices of tattered cloth from earlier battles or wooden remains of shelters or the water transporting weapon used against the Whispers.

After an undistinguishable amount of time, Hamaer did see a figure in the distance. A lone Aelo-Lorinthian standing in the snow with his back turned. Hamaer called out to him, but he did not turn. Naturally, he wondered what this Lorinthian was doing all alone in the snow, but dismissed such matters as irrelevant compared to the dire of the current situation. Ka'bal kept calling to him as he quickly approached the Lorinthian, only when directly next to him did the figure turn. It was Gildur Etrask, Grell of Foreign Affairs.

"Ah, Hamaer! So good to see you are alright." Gildur spoke merrily.

"Gildur! What happened?! Did you get to Tuskagua?"

"Hamaer, so sorry. What happened here?"

"Never mind that! They're after me! Where is the Galome?! Are the Tuskageries coming?!"

"....sssss..." the two Grell turned and saw the great Dread Whisper before them. Hamaer was shocked by the large devil, he had not heard his pursuit.

Black liquid dripped from the snarling abomination's severed fingers and disappeared on the snow.

"..I see now that...your plan for Tuskagery aid has failed as we have planned.....Surely, you did not think it would be so easy?"

"I see you made a friend, Hamaer." Gildur said acknowledging the King of Dread Whispers by nodding his C'dowe, "I'm afraid there will be no Tuskagery aid in this war."

"Why? What's going on?"

"...We could not allow...Tussskagery intervention in this...we presssently cannot conquer their race....not yet...not until we firssst abssorb yoursss...just as we conquered the Malgarianss...moons ago.."

"No! You are wrong! Gildur was just at Malgaria days ago and they have not been attacked!" Hamaer was suddenly cut short as a sudden realization sunk into him.

"Maybe I did go there," said Gildur, "or maybe I needed another reason to sneak out of the colony and arrange another visit with the enemy."

"Gildur? Why?"

"Oh, you wouldn't understand. You and the rest of those pathetic Lorinthians hiding from the world in that colony. What a waste. It was my position to travel to places away from the colony, and I've seen many things unknown to your simple minds. Things you would never understand, Ka'bal. Such as my friend here," Gildur graciously motioned to the great Dread Whisper standing silently, "him and his people, they are going to end the long overdue existence of this colony. And I, Gildur Etrask, have been aiding them all along! Who do you think has been giving them information? Who do you think opened the gate for them into the colony? Where do you think I've been going on my trips, like my recent visit to Malgaria?" Gildur chuckled at his ironic comment.

Disbelief washed over Hamaer Ka'bal, but as it faded he once again realized the danger of his situation, "You were behind all of this Gildur?"

"Yes! It was all my doing that led to this!"

"...You were indeed...valuable to usss..Gildur Etrassk...but your assistance is no longer needed.."

"Right and you are welcome! I'll be on my way now, there is a whole world waiting for me!" Gildur bowed with the statement.

"..you ssserved us well..in our holy crussade..Aelo..Lorinthian Gildur..but now..you shall rejoin your raccce.." and with that the large Dread Whisper charged at Gildur like a bull, with it horns out in front of itself. Gildur was too surprised to dodge and he was caught between a horn and an icey tree. He was impaled on the horn and instantly killed. The king of Dread Whispers shook its gigantic head until the lifeless body of the traitor slid off its horn.

Hamaer tried to use this opportunity to escape again. But this time, as he turned, he felt himself rise above the ground. The lanky arm of the gargantua picked up the Grell and held him, unable to move. Hamaer was forced to look into the creature's eyes inches away.

"..Etrassk hass sstopped your friendss from reaching Tuskagua...you cannot win against uss now..All you can do now is increase the power...of the parasitesss of thiss world.." he paused momentarily, "the unique character of the Aelo Lorinthian...has long been our goal..with it...there will be no stopping of our holy quesst...all we need is for you..to be with..usss..."

The grim beast slowly opened its mouth wide enough to engulf any size Lorinthian. But before it could finish off the hopeless Grell another Aelo-Lorinthian crossed its path.

"Stop! You and your horde will no longer harm my people!"

Hamaer turned, "..Galeb?"

The young Aelo-Lorinthian stood defiant in the face of the massive creature, unwilling to back down.The Vemnazu Lord lost its interest in the Grell of Secuity and discarded him. Hamaer was thrown into the snow. The creature focused its attention on the young Lorinthian before him.

"...What is thisss? You think that you can ....ssstop me, young one?..How touching..."

"No," Galeb R'ef admitted, "It is important that I know when I cannot win. I cannot stop you. But they can!" A long spear flew through the air and stuck itself in the side of the parasite king. It wailed and spun around snarling, searching for the unwelcome pierce's source. It turned to face the several dozen Tuskagerian knights ready for battle.

The beast scowled. The Tuskegarian knights were unmoving, standing dressed in blue and gray pieces of armor, the colors of their royalty. A brigade of pikemen lined the closest row, next were archers, axemen, swordsmen, horseriders, and other small groups of warriors. Blue flags were blowing in the wind, planted in certain places within the formation. All remained still with weapons drawn, waiting for the monster's next move.

Whatever cruel expression the beast seemed to carry before was now only an average countenance compared to the scowl it glared at the those who would disrupt the well-laid plans of its race. It now sported a grim, malicious scowl spilling with hatred of hundreds of years of cruelty. Centuries of resentment to the other races boiled onto its face. Generations of spite, countless deaths, a reality of only destrcuction and hatred, these values now manifested onto the figure and form of this mighty Dread Whisper. He was not happy.

With a low hiss, blue lights blinked on in the darkness behind it. The king summoned its own army who immediately appeared in the darkness as if they were there all along. The Dread Whispers hissed and stepped forward next to their lord into the light.

The mysterious crimson Moon hung low in the black sky. Dark night would pass soon and morning light would swallow the land. The Moon intended to fill the sky as long as possible. The raging blizzard had shrunk back into the gentle snowfall, nature's tantrums could no longer compete with the chaos of mortals, and seemed to give up.

Tuskagua, was a lesser kingdom of the Great Domarius Empire which engulfed the northern and eastern areas of the continent of Keryl. It was a kingdom home to several thousand people. A race of humans with some ancestry of sylvan elves. It was one of the two only citices that ever communicated with the introverted community of Aelo- Lorinthians. Tuskagerians during this dynasty had a stable force of military. Never before had so many filled the Tashmine forest, it would take a great catastrophe to rile them enough to focus their attention near the small colony of Aelo-Lorinthians.

Expectedly, the battle shifted. The few Aelo-Lorinthians joined the ranks of the mighty Tuskegerian warriors whose hastily constructed army rivaled even the numerous Dread Whispers. Although the demons new adverseries were seemingly more powerful than the dwarved Aelo-Lorinthian, they still had an advantage; they have fought with humans countless times before. The wicked, wirey forms knew how to dodge the slow blows of the humans, and they knew to find chinks or openings in the armor to sink their teeth and claws into or simply remove the bothersome metal. Still, the Tuskegarians were quite skilled and were well matched with the horde. Arrows shot, swords swung, and axes struck, often missing the slippery creatures but an occasional blow was all it took.

The violence climaxed like the rapid, orchestrated ending to an opera. The remaining battles were quick and deadly. The gray and blue armored forms charged screaming battle cries eons old at the new enemy. Generals and commanders led troops through the snow, wiping out the Dread Whispers one by one. Despite all odds, in some situations, the vicious creatures would wildly slash at anything near them in a storm of hopeless rage, they never gave up without fighting.

"Are you sure you do not need rest now, Isba?" Galeb asked Hamaer who was sitting behind him on a horse much to large for a Lorinthian. They were still in the field of battle but were within a heavily guarded formation.

"Not yet, Galeb. I want to see this through to the end." The two Aelo-Lorinthians were approached by a lightly armored, tall figure on a graceful white stallion. He wore shiney blue armor with crests of griffins and runes. With a thick brown beard and worn face he appeared middle-aged.

"I presume you are the commander of the Lorinthians?" the man asked extending a black-gloved hand to Hamaer Ka'bal.

"Yes. Hamaer Ka'bal, Aelo-Lorinthian Grell of Security."

"Captain Aroden of the Tuskagua calvalry," he said shaking the Grell's hand, "it looks like we have arrived too late. This young one raced into our kingdom with news of an attack of the harestia ru venmazu. Luckily, my brigade was prepared after returning from a previous engagement."

"After I escaped from Gildur I was able to find Tuskagua on my own. Gildur had not counted on that, it was pure luck," added Galeb with some pride.

"We all were very lucky. The Tuskagerians have been awaiting an attack from the venmazu for generations. Sorry they had to get to you first."

"You know of these creatures?" Hamaer asked.

"Yes. The harestia ru venmazu are an unnatural race of supernatural beings. They were created through dark magic many years ago. They intend to "cleanse" the world of all other races, which was the purpose they were created for. But they cannot exist alone, they are parasites after all."

"Who created these creatures?"

"No one knows for sure. Something evil long ago, now past on and forgotten. Only these creations remain. They are not a natural part of this realm and should not exist here any longer. They have plagued this world for far too long," Captain Aroden scratched his beard.

No one spoke and Aroden continued, "Thank you Aelo-Lorinthians. Now we are able to put a stop to this race. If only that could compensate for your losses. Still, Mr. Ka'bal, R'ef, I think you should wait within the safety of the shelters You have done enough."

Galeb looked at Hamaer, who then agreed with the Captain.