Orega

Augustus was deeply moved by Raszagal's words, not just because he was inspired by the determination and courage in them.

Currently, Haj's Xel'Naga Gateway, under the control of the Revolutionary Army, connects directly to the Dark Templar's homeworld, Shakuras. This means that if the Zerg invade this world again, they will inevitably face the wrath of the Dark Templar.

If the Confederacy Fleets invades Haj, Augustus could also seek help from Shakuras —although he believed the Dark Templar were unlikely to intervene in human internal conflicts, they would certainly not allow a Xel'Naga Gateway connecting to Shakuras to fall into the control of the Terran Confederacy.

"Mother, I am willing to participate in this expedition." At this moment, Vorazun, the daughter of the female chieftain Raszagal, walked towards her mother and said softly.

"I am glad that you will fight alongside the warriors of my people. You will grow and be tempered until you return to your people." Raszagal readily agreed.

"Zeratul." She then turned to the Dark Prelate beside her.

"I hope you can lead these brave warriors far from Shakuras and their kin; the young Dark Templar need the guidance of elders."

"This is my responsibility." Zeratul accepted the matriarch's appointment.

For a long time, as the Dark Prelate, Zeratul has been traveling in distant worlds far from Shakuras, following in the footsteps of the Xel'Naga. Compared to the highly respected Dark Prelate Mohandar, Zeratul has almost never managed the affairs of his people.

After speaking, Raszagal looked at Augustus and Tassadar and asked them to follow him to the top floor of the tower.

Augustus, accompanied by Tychus and Faraday, followed Raszagal up a spiral staircase inlaid with green and crimson crystals to the top of the tower, where shuttles and aircraft were docked.

This spire is the second tallest building after the Xel'Naga Temple, its windswept peaks standing above the thick fog that blankets the entire city. Thousands of glittering spires shimmer in the hazy mist, while hundreds of giant, stacked circular floating transport and docking platforms resemble clusters of mushroom caps.

Shakuras is a world in twilight, where the light from the city's illuminating crystals never ceases, making it impossible to judge time by sunrise or sunset.

As Chieftain Raszagal preached, more and more airships appeared above the city of Tamateros, and Dark Templar and Nerazim civilians who had been meditating in their residences also emerged.

Raszagal simply stood on the edge of the top platform, gazing at the city shrouded in mist through the energy-shaped walls.

"We will soon be able to gather enough volunteers; the Dark Templar are the finest and bravest hunters and warriors in Nerazim," she told Augustus and Tassadar.

Before he could finish speaking, two Dark Templar clad in black armor appeared before Raszagal amidst rising black smoke; their attire was identical to Zeratul's.

Dark Prelate Azma, Dark Prelate Zoraya.

"The Dark Templar is ready, Patriarch," said a Dark Prelate.

"Dark Templar hoping to participate in the expedition are gathering in the central square of Tamateros, numbering over ten thousand. Our phase technicians and starship craftsmen also wish to contribute their strength to this expedition."

"Thank you for your support," Raszagal said.

"Orega of the Alasa Tribe requests your summons," said another Dark Prelate.

"Orega? The last time I saw him was in the Temple of Wisdom (a great library preserving the history and ancient arts of the Dark Templar) on Elna (a dry Dark Templar, the holy site of the Dark Templar), as an apprentice of Kryska. Even then, his hatred and loathing for the Aiur Protoss and the Templar Knights was quite astonishing," Zeratul said.

"Over the years, Orega has become increasingly extreme. He left the Holy Land of Elna and instead spread his ideas among the Dark Templar of Shakuras," Vorazun said.

"Rumors circulated that Orega had violated Elna's rules and was therefore expelled, but his teacher, Master Kryska, did not want to reveal too much, only fearing that Orega might harm himself and his people because of his hatred."

"The Orega of the past was not like this. He was intelligent and meticulous, dedicating his youth to the Temple of Wisdom of Elna. He was devout and simple, and all the Dark Templar met Orega were willing to befriend him." Zeratul's deep mental fluctuations were like a sigh.

"Mother will not support his extreme views. Although we have been persecuted and exiled by the Aiur Protoss, there is no need for us to have any more contact with them out of hatred," Vorazun said.

This is the internal division among the Protoss Shakuras. Some Dark Templar have forgotten their past history of being expelled from Aiur by the Conclave, while others still remember that time vividly. Orega of the Alessar tribe among the Nerazim is an example of someone who harbors extreme hatred towards the Templar Knights.

Just as Raszagal was about to say something, he told Orega, "Tell Orega."

A Dark Templar, kneeling on one knee, appeared before the crowd. He wore a dark blue robe and veil, and his severed nerve bundles were bound together with dark gold hoops and other ornaments.

"Who allowed him in?" Vorazun demanded sharply.

"I have come for this expedition." Orega remained kneeling, looking down at the ground. "I will fight for my people, to defend our homeland. The threat of the Zerg must be eliminated, or they will one day find Shakuras."

"Templar Knights?"

As the Dark Templar Orega slowly raised his head, he noticed Tassadar and Augustus standing beside him out of the corner of his eye. Tassadar's gleaming gold and blue armor and blue eyes stood out from the Dark Templar, quite conspicuous among the dark black and dark gold armor.

"Why would Shakuras have Templar Knights —an Executor? Has the Conclave's executioner found Shakuras?" Orega narrowed his eerie green eyes and slowly raised a hand.

A long staff inlaid with green crystals appeared in Orega's hand. With a series of crackling sounds, two long, curved, green scythe-shaped Psionics blades appeared at the ends of the staff, like two symmetrical crescent moons.

The next moment, the Dark Templar in his blue-black robes appeared in front of Tassadar, his curved blade grazing Augustus's body as he swung towards Tassadar.

Despite not anticipating the attack from the Dark Templar, Tassadar reacted swiftly. He clenched his right fist, unleashing a blazing blue Psionics blade that clashed with the incoming green Warp Blade, producing a crackling sound like sparks exploding.

Tychus Finley and Faraday rushed toward Augustus to protect him, but Augustus remained calmly standing still. Augustus terrified; he was simply certain that with so many Dark Templar masters and Chieftain Raszagal present, he couldn't possibly be harmed.

The battle between Tassadar and the Dark Templar Orega resembled a duel between swordsmen, moving forward and backward with fluid and elegant steps over a distance of only a few steps. With graceful skills and terrifying precision, their wielding of psionic blades possessed an unbelievable speed and power far exceeding that of humans.

Augustus had studied swordsmanship since childhood, and he was certain that his swordsmanship and strength were superior to those of ordinary people. However, if he were the one facing Orega, Augustus would not even last two seconds.

The blades of the Psionics clashed against each other, separating and striking again several times. Every move Tassadar and Orega made was artistically deflected by their opponent, like dancers performing in an opera. It was an artistic and aesthetically pleasing battle.

Under the watchful eyes of Tychus and Faraday, Augustus put his hands behind his back, suppressing the urge to shout, "Stop fighting!"

"What exactly happened? They've started fighting amongst themselves?" Tychus looked on with amusement. "I knew these Protoss weren't a united front."

"Ha ha."

The Dark Templar present were all surprised that Orega could be on par with an Executor, even though he was originally just a scholar rather than a veteran and powerful Dark Templar.

"Put down your blade, Orega. This is not a place for you to act recklessly before the chieftain." Zeratul appeared between them amidst rising black smoke, separating Tassadar and Orega.

"You're going to stop me, brother?" The green flames in Orega's eyes blazed even brighter as he spoke incredulously.

"He is a Templar Knights, our mortal enemy!"

"High Templar Tassadar is not an enemy of the Dark Templars; he understands our culture and customs," Zeratul explained to Orega. "He has broken with the High Council and is no longer an enemy. On the contrary, Tassadar is now our ally."

"You actually believed the Templar Knights's sweet talk!" Orega's emotions were almost out of control. The overflowing void energy billowed his silk robes, and his powerful strength even made the matriarch Raszagal take notice.

"You betrayed Nerazim! Zeratul! You traitor!"

"Step back, Orega, this is my decision." Raszagal sternly and firmly dismissed Orega.

"This is your decision. Let this one who once persecuted..." Orega looked very respectful of Raszagal, but stepped back resentfully, announcing loudly to Tassadar and the Dark Templar.

"Templar Knights, if you intend to harm my people, I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth. I will never forget that our ancestors were driven onto the Xel'Naga ships by you and forced into exile in space." He looked at Raszagal.

"The expeditionary force must cooperate with this Templar Knights?"

"If it must be done," Raszagal replied, "the Zerg are a threat capable of devouring the entire universe, and I will not, nor will I allow, to wage war against the Aiur Protoss."

"If this is your approach..." Orega remained silent for a long while, then, thinking he understood, said, "I understand. Now is not the time to wage war. The Protoss of Aiur are still very powerful."

Although Raszagal's power has begun to weaken in recent years, her meticulous thinking remains beyond the comprehension of others. The Shakuras Protoss do not have Khala, so they are more likely to have disagreements and misunderstandings with each other Aiur Protoss.

Before Rasagal could say anything more, Orega had already vanished without a trace in the rising black smoke. From beginning to end, Orega paid no attention to Augustus beside Tassadar; all he could see was his rage towards the Templar Tassadar.

"Orega is simply too deeply immersed in the pain of the past, which has created an unhealable rift deep within him," Raszagal sighed.

Tassadar sheathed his Psionics blade. "I understand him, Chieftain."

"I don't think I can allow him to participate in this expedition again, otherwise it could very well trigger a conflict between us and the Templar Knights," Raszagal said.

"That Protoss named Orega is dangerous," Augustus warned those around him. "But for now, we don't have any dealings with him."

Next, Dark Templar continued to come before Raszagal to report on the latest developments of the expedition. Thousands upon thousands of Dark Templar swore to join the expedition, and enthusiastic Protoss warriors from Shakuras flooded the plazas and streets. There were so many Protoss warriors that Raszagal eventually had to limit the number of recruits.

Augustus, who was visiting Shakuras, couldn't wait there for the expeditionary force to assemble. By the time a large number of shuttles and warships filled with Dark Templar were preparing to enter Haj through the Xel'Naga Gateway, Augustus and Tassadar had already returned to Haj through the Xel'Naga Gateway in the same Protoss shuttle they had come in, and rested for a night at the governor's mansion in Geladi City.

The following day, Augustus informed that the Dark Templar of Shakuras had warped into a city near the Xel'Naga Gateway in the northernmost part of Haj, and that Fleets consisting of approximately twenty Nerazim warships, larger than battlecruisers, and thousands of shuttles had jumped into Haj.

The Dark Templar's carriers are not as old as those of the Tassadar Protoss Expeditionary Force, which were built in the later stages of the Aeon of Strife. They were all built several centuries ago and are limited in number. The Shakuras Protoss, after all, are a branch that separated from the army a thousand years ago and do not have the massive military power of the Protoss Empire's invincible Fleets.

However, according to information Augustus received from Zeratul, these warships and ships carried at least 40,000 to 60,000 Dark Templar. Considering the Protoss's small population but extremely powerful individual combat strength, this was absolutely a world-destroying force.

Previously, Zeratul and his hundred-odd Dark Templar had already caused the Overmind to lose two Cerebrate. Tens of thousands of Dark Templar were enough to make the Overmind reassess the war against the Protoss and the Revolutionary Army.

Augustus spent another week in Haj, ensuring that the Haj people who had been displaced by the Zerg invasion had been properly resettled. He set about rebuilding agriculture, mining, parts manufacturing, and the military industry, planning to build Haji into the Revolutionary Army's future military factory by relying on its rich resources.

Augustus then decided to hand over the governorship to a career politician named Korhal IV, a member of the Pan-Terran Revolutionary Party, who was a senator and a staunch supporter of Angus Mengsk's revolutionary ideas and new policies.

On January 16th, Augustus decided to return to Antiga Prime, to completely eliminate the Zerg in that region.

This is exactly what Tassadar and Zeratul are planning to do. They won't return to Aiur now, firstly because no one believes Aiur will fall in a short time, and secondly because if Aiur return, the Conclave will immediately turn against them.

This time, however, Augustus already had two massive Protoss Fleets behind him.