Somewhere in the veil

A group of Azarian priests floated within a massive temple depicting Mael in all his glorious splendor. A large Arch Priest covered in a glimmering golden shroud lazily gestured to the High Priest in the center of their group.

"High Priest Alkaresh, You are to handle the livestock called 'fellis'. You may take your disciples and your combined armies. We will also allow you to take a portion of Queen Sarkesh's horde to use as your fodder. If any of her horde mature, send them back to her immediately. As for the failures, leave them."

Alkaresh splayed his tentacles to his sides and bowed his face. "Yes, lord Sann. By god's will, I will completely scour the livestock species and send them to the brood universe."

Sann shooed away the lesser High Priest and brought in another one. This time another Arch Priest beside Sann spoke. Its body was clouded over with some yellow haze, only a few tentacles were visible for it to gesture with. "High Priest Xene.... You must devour the Razerian Alliance... I will gift you with four hordes... Tell Queens Mallas and Sel that I have... Commanded it in the name of... Mael... They are to deliver two hordes... Each."

Behind the slow and raspy speech of the Arch Priest, there was something... powerful. Xene could not help but let his tentacles quiver in fear as he bowed his armored face to his better. "Yes... I will comply and exceed your expectations, lord B'aele. By gods will." As soon as he finished his sentence he flew away from the trio of Arch Priests.

Finally, the last Arch Priest waved two High Priests over with his grotesque, and mangled limbs. "High Priests Akatakan'Sha and Zente. You will be given the hardest task. You will focus your disciples and the hordes on this 'GC' They have already received the demon's assistance, so failure will be expected."

The Arch Priest lifted its shroud, revealing its grim, scorched face to the High Priests and its voice dropped an octave lower. "You are only expected to stall them on this front until reinforcements arrive. Their universe is still... constricted, so it will take some time before your reinforcements arrive. I will gift you all thirty-eight stagnant hordes. Use them as you will, they are simple fodder as it is. Now, GO! Perform the will of god to your best efforts and be rewarded. Or, fail, and be felled by the demon's blade."

The two High Priests answered in unison, "Gods will be done, Arch Priest Alenai!" before floating off into the golden clouds surrounding Mael's temple.

The three Arch Priests looked between one another for a moment before Alenai let out a deep sigh. "I will take the task. I am the most familiar with the demon's capabilities so it should be I who fights with it once more. It has already withered my body into this... husk... So this next battle will likely be my last. If I should be struck down... Ensure that it is not a waste to our glorious lord."

The other two nodded at Alenai and Sann spoke. "Your sacrifice will not be forgotten, brother. Our lord requires him to be stopped and he can no longer intervene in that universe after his last attempt. You are our best option."

B'aele waved his tentacles at Alenai through his golden haze and bid him farewell. "Good hunting... Brother... You will be... Favored by god..." With that, the final three Arch Priests dispersed and left the temple, sinking into the golden clouds.

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Within Basillius' palace.

Basillius and Amaranth stepped through the dark, gothic corridors of the palace, heading towards the throne room. Eventually, the two stood before the massive door depicting Basillius, standing firm before a backdrop of several worlds.

Basillius pushed open the doors revealing a massive hall with runes in the language of the gods etched everywhere. Every single pillar, floor tile, and ceiling tile was etched with some sort of rune. Concentric circles were etched into the hall with the throne as the center.

He sighed as he looked around, "The only room in this whole damn place that serves an actual function aside from the storage... Well, I hope it never has to be used. Still, couldn't hurt to use something other than the black-gold marble... Much as I like the color, it feels too... edgy?"

Amaranth burst out into raucous laughter for a few moments before catching her breath and saying, "I... I can't believe that this is what feels too edgy! Aha! Everything you own and everything you have ever used is as edgy if not edgier than this!"

Basillius looked somewhat awkward as he mumbled, "That's not my fault though... The veil just turns everything into an edgy version of itself. I also can't help that they look cool... in moderation..."

Amaranth grinned at him, "Right right... It's the veils' fault that you're an edgelord."

Basillius sighed and waved her off, stepping towards the throne. He sat on it with a 'huff' and gripped the arms. A virtual interface popped up and he navigated the menu for a moment before selecting his choice.

The concentric circles began to glow with a faint red light indicating that he was connected. His voice would now reach wherever he wanted it to.

"Attention. I am relaying a new mission to all those currently on active duty and for those who are no longer active, I would like to welcome you back into the ranks with your consent. We are faced with a new invasion. Even though we've beaten the Azarians back out of our original territory just recently... Mael has revived. He has regrouped his scattered forces and redirected them at a people that he thinks will be our weakness." Basillius frowned heavily and his voice dropped to a near whisper.

"That bastard... He has declared that he will annihilate the other peoples of this galaxy simply to get to us. He's going to repeat the tragedy of our own near extinction with a group of races that are all too familiar, yet alien. Fucking alien Terrans... We found bipedal mice, dogs, cats, birds, etc... And the second we found some new friends... Mael declares that he's going to inflict upon them, a pain all too familiar to us."

His body flashed green with veil energy and pale-green fires erupted around him, illuminating Amaranth. His somber tone was replaced with one of anger, "Your new Empress, the goddess of death... She has granted me the power to defeat Mael for good! So, fight with me! Fight with me one last time! To all my wonderful soldiers! Come assist our wayward brothers scattered across the stars! Don't let them experience the same pain and horror we did!"

He settled back into his chair and the fires died down. "Please... Don't let them experience that pain. You all know how much of a sadistic race the Azarians are, these people don't. I would rather keep it that way."

His somber mood returned and he decided to finish his speech. "For those of the Terran coalition... I have never asked anything of you other than for you to stay safe, and out of this war. The war brought upon all Terran kind, by us, Humanity. I apologize for this, but I may have to ask you to leave the worlds we created for you... I may have to ask for your support. So please, if you are willing... prepare yourselves. I will know whether this is something Humanity can contain soon."

The concentric circles dimmed, and Basillius sighed. A determined look flashed across his face as he looked out towards the doors. "Amaranth... I really don't want to have to involve the other Terrans. I am going to get my sword. Will you cover my back while I clear away this infestation?"

She gave him a warm smile and wrapped him in her arms. "Of course... I would go with you no matter where you decide to go. I would protect you without you even having to ask as well. If not, could I really say I loved you?"

Basillius smiled at her and returned the hug, "Thank you. It's time to go save some poor souls that Mael has set his eyes on."