Chapter 6: High Queen Noxlia

Who was the first one to step up and say enough is enough. Empress Chiara. Not to be confused with Empress Chiara the 3rd our current Empress but Empress Chiara the Conqueror. The Ruler, Wisewoman, Heavenly Angel Chiara as enemies and allies alike called her. For she gave off an aura that could not be denied. One that our imperial rulers have tried to emulate to this day. It is said none ever stood to her power well almost none. In the days before he was the Hero. Apollo Kan started off as a farmhand. A farmhand who turned into one of the greatest hero’s our Empire has ever seen. A hero that his descendants strive to follow. But how can man walk on the same path as giants?

Entry from Early Empire. A history book on the founding of the Empire.

She took a deep breath before slowly releasing it and gently laying down the figure before her. The High Queen looked down in contemplation at the oldest prince of the Artis bloodline and shuddered in pleasure as her power increased. The tiny spark of divinity within him was so, so, pleasurable. Soon this planet would join the ranks of their breadthen and maybe just maybe the High Queen and her race would be allowed into the inner sanctum. A place where they could truly consume and adapt.

“Two more shards are left upon this world before we enough to grab the attention of the Inscerium.”

Noxlia looked down with a smile on her face her features were like the Warrior Princess so much that someone could mistake them for sisters. Or a mother and daughter.

“High Queen is it not time to change yourself to a new husk?”

A man appearing to be in his mid-forties appeared and began to remove the body never raising his head as he began his task. One does not look High Queen Noxlia in her eyes.

“Thank you Noxan but if you take care of your husk then your husk will take care of you. Beside this one’s soul is still plenty strong.”

The High Queen walked to the balcony of the former Artis Empire and gazed out at the silent and endless horde of people as they gazed back. Occasionally a person would twitch but no sounds would even come out. Sometimes a body would drop, and a mist would dissipate into the air.

She looked upon the lower caste members as they kneeled at once and held their palms together flat and facing upwards. The High Queen let out a breath and a mist were released, which began coalescing into an individual water like drop before falling into the hundreds of thousands waiting hands.

“Live forever,” the High Queen said.

“THROUGH US,” the crowd shouted back.

“BE TOGETHER,” the High Queen shouted.

“With us,” although it was said in their normal voices the synchronization of so many people at once turned it into something more.

Their bodies began to vibrate and expand with black veins appearing upon the skin of the lowest caste members and golden veins appearing on those selected as commanders and leaders. The ones who received a slightly bigger drop.

Then the screams began as some of the bodies began to crack down the back of the people. No matter if they were daemons or humans. No matter if they were young or old. Red veins appeared and glowing eyes looked through the back of the deformed bodies. Red blood spilled onto the ground and the scent became thick within the air.

“Join,” the High Queen said as Noxan came behind her and sat upon his back as he hunched upon all four.

“TOGETHER WITH US,” a roar came back as the bodies burst open and two face creatures emerged from the bodies with red veins.

“The Noxcani, those of you with the black veins. You have barely passed but have been deemed expectable. Most of you will be leaving but the ones who stay let it be known that there is glory to be had!”

“The Noxbani, those of you with golden veins have exceled and truly learned what it means to be TOGETHER with us. You must guide our lesser brethren whether it be to our new home or to the battlefield. Let your names ring ethereal.”

The High Queen began tapping her foot as she looked upon the monstrosities that emerged from the red vein humanoids.

“The Noxani, you have failed. You have not come to understand what it means to Join Together With Us. To Be Together With Us and finally, to Live Forever Through Us.

You. Have. Failed.”

A few moments passed as everything grew even more silent and the gazes of hostility were cast upon the red figures that outweigh the two other cast.

“But I am a generous High Queen. I am not like my mother High Queen Noxli. I am High Queen Noxlia the Forgiver. You shall be the soldiers to end this war and bring this planet into the Inscerium. Where our race will join my mothers and so many more.”

“Bring me the final members of the Artis bloodline.”

The Noxbani immediately began shouting orders to the lower caste members as the High Queen returned to her chambers to recover her strength and ponder on the falling star that fell within the Endless Mountains.

Her spies recently reported unusual activities within the mountains but had yet to confirm anything. Nothing could go wrong however, and no god had descended to save the last of the free willed.

The High Queen tightly clenched her petite fist and her gaze looked towards the Last Kingdom. The Last Kingdom, the last source of divinity on this planet just out of the Far Reaches. The Last chance Noxlia would have to ascend. She laid flat on her grand bed and looked up at the mosaic on the ceiling depicting the ancient gods of Prima descending and giving life to the first species of the world.

“Carhu, Demani, Johun, Arlo…”

“All that is left is Arlo the Wayfinder. The traitor.”

High Queen Noxlia face warped as she fought for control. The other soul that occupied her body looking for an opportunity to break free.

High Queen Noxlia began to chant.

“Join together with ME.

Live forever through ME.

Be together with ME.”

Her voice warped and a gargled word erupted through her lips before she settled down.

“NO.”

The High Queen face twisted in rage as the husk she occupied refused her. Did she not see that together they could be so much more. So much stronger, so much better, so much faster, prettier, and all the beyond. Why couldn’t she just let go.

Taking a deep breath, she called for Noxan.

“A world seed is germinating, and a world heart shall be birth soon.”

“My High Queen such a joyous occasion. Have you detected the location?”

“The Endless Mountains hold the key. It is there the rumors of a meteor crashing also originated from. Even more reason for us to hurry. I’ve tried divination but ever since the meteor arrived nothing has been clear.

Call for the Noxzani Guards and have a few deployed to help with the search.”

“Yes, High Queen.”

Never looking directly at her Noxan swiftly removed himself from her service and the High Queen returned to studying the mosaic.

Soon soft snores could he heard coming from the chamber.

Noxan looked at the three humanoid looking beings in front of him. in truth there were 5 caste of the Nox. Starting with the High Queen as the highest and most powerful being within the race. Just underneath her was the final and hidden caste. The ones who were prepared to get their hands dirty no matter the job. The Noxzani who were just one step down from truly embodying the Nox way of life. To truly join with the husk and become one together. The Noxzani were formed from the people willing to truly become one with a fight or even hesitation and they were very dangerous.

“The High Queen has ordered the three of you to be dispatched to the Endless Mountains. You will search for the world see germinating there and grab the world heart once birth. If any get within you way… eliminate with extreme prejudice.”

Noxan did not hesitate to look each of the Noxzani within the eyes. Showing his superiority as in turn they looked down one by one. A piece of flesh dropped from the cheekbone of his husk and a blood red eye stared out.

“Tsk. These things never last me long. I will have to find a new one soon. This was the captain of the guard of the Last Kingdom. Hopefully I can find someone up to par.”

Noxan looked up surprised as the three Noxzani were still present.

“Go.”

Without so much as a disturbance in the airflow the three were gone physical bodies moving them far beyond the speed of a normal human. Noxan jaw fell to the floor, and he sighed moving to pick up the quickly rotting limbs as the High Queen did not like to be disgusted.