Oppression, "Divine Might," and Release

Deep within a pitch-black sector, a dark red planet slowly moved along an elliptical orbit, like a festering wound in the universe, and this

was Char.

This once-prosperous Federation Core World had now become a Purgatory overrun by the Zerg.

Thick volcanic ash covered the surface, while the intense radiation of the binary star system stained the atmosphere a sickly orange-red.

At perihelion, the entire sunward side became a boiling sea of magma. At aphelion, the lava solidified into jagged black islands.

Despite the harsh environment, the Terran Confederacy had launched several colonial wars over the abundant heavy-metal deposits here. Now, only the Zerg writhed amid magma and sulfur.

Suddenly, the space within Char's gravitational range began to distort violently—

Whoosh—whoosh!

Hundreds of warp trails bloomed almost simultaneously. In the next instant, a Fleet of terrifying scale by StarCraft standards gradually emerged, numbering no fewer than five hundred ships.

Moreover, the Fleet's primary vessels were Behemoth-class Battleships, on the level of the Hyperion. Every ship deployed in a perfect wedge formation, their prow particle cannons charging as blue-white energy danced at their muzzles.

Smaller vessels continued warping in without end, quickly forming a visible forest of steel within Char's gravitational range.

At the center of the Fleet, Valerian Mengsk stood silently before the panoramic viewport on the bridge of the Gorgon-class Battlecruiser Bucephalus.

The Terran Dominion's crown prince wore a deep crimson robe trimmed in gold. His platinum-blond hair was neatly bound by a black headband.

His slender fingers unconsciously stroked the antique longsword hanging at his waist, while his eyes reflected the eerie glow of Char's magma seas.

No emotion showed on his handsome face. Only his slightly furrowed brow betrayed the gravity in his heart.

The prince stared at the boiling sea of magma beyond the viewport, as