Twilight

For a moment, Augustus, Aldaris, Zeratul, and Artanis fell silent at the resolute tone in Tassadar's words.

"It's not time yet!" Zeratul seemed to be in the dark void, his long purple veil and cloak sewn with animal hides fluttering in the surging astral winds.

"At that time, Adun was caught between the enraged Dark Templar ancestors and the arbitrators of the Conclave. To prevent a bloody conflict between the two, he had no choice but to sacrifice himself and stand on one side to attack the other," he said.

"But you are no longer alone, Tassadar."

"There is no time to hesitate any longer, my friend." Tassadar raised his head, blue Psionics swirling around his fluttering executive robes.

"There's no time to try any other plans. We only have one chance, and this is the only way I can think of that can deliver a fatal blow."

"You are brave and fervent, loyal to our people and the Empire, on par with the great Adun." Arbitrator Aldaris was shaken, and his fellow arbitrators should be ashamed of their past actions. "The arbitrators once suspected you of betraying everything you swore to protect, but now, we all believe you are the destined Protoss savior."

"Tassadar, is there really no other way?"

In Augustus's memory, Aldaris was once the epitome of arrogance and prejudice in the Conclave, but it turns out they also possessed noble qualities. In Conclave, the Confederate Congress of the Terran Confederacy was full of cold-blooded reptiles, greedy vampires, and selfish maggots.

"The power of the Void can harm the Swarm Overmind, but when combined with the Templar Knights's energy derived from the Khala, it can unleash a hundredfold or even a thousandfold power," Augustus pointed out as Tassadar sighed.

"In other words, as long as these two powers can be released and merged together, the effect of Adun's Twilight Ascension can be achieved. It's not that you're the only one who can do this, possessing both of these different powers simultaneously," he said. "Individual heroism is certainly respectable, but my upbringing tells me that the power of the collective is equally important."

Regardless of any grand principles or other factors, to be fair, Tassadar was Augustus's best friend among the Protoss, and Augustus did not want to lose him.

"Even after endless wars and destruction, our warriors remain in high spirits." Artanis continued, picking up where Augustus off. "Tassadar, the Templar Knights are ready for the final battle."

"Let me hear your plan, Augustus Mengsk, you are a man of great wisdom," Tassadar said.

"If we can combine the power of the Templar Knights and the Dark Templar, we might be able to kill the Overmind." Augustus nodded. "If we gather all the High Templar and the masters among the Dark Templar and unleash a terrifying Psionic Storm at the same time, such a powerful force will annihilate everything."

"It's unimaginable that such a bold plan could be proposed by a human. It seems the human brain is far more developed than the Protoss believe." Before Tassadar could speak, the Arbitrator representative Aldaris, who was listening to Augustus, interjected, "I don't know why, as a human, you know so much about the secrets of the Templar Knights and the Dark Templar."

"But I must tell you, it's not that simple." Even though Aldaris was 734 years old, which was considered old age among the Protoss, his voice showed little sign of aging.

After Aldaris acknowledged the Conclave's error, his words were even quite convincing. "Someone must act as a guide and anchor to direct this terrible force, or this unparalleled power will destroy those who released it."

"The person who acts as the guide and anchor must be able to briefly guide this power and withstand the damage it brings; even Tassadar cannot do that."

Even among the Khalai Caste Protoss, who haven't received much training, every Protoss possesses a powerful latent Psionics energy. If they don't connect with the Khala and learn how to control this energy, it can cause immense destruction.

Greater power is not necessarily a good thing for the wielder. Among humans, who are much younger than the Protoss, a higher level of Psionics Psionics is a disaster in itself.

The reason why Protoss High Templar can unleash Psionic Storm is simply because they have mastered the method of coordinating and releasing the Psionics energy within their bodies.

"If any of us are capable of doing it, it is only the Templar Knights Archons and the Dark Templar Dark Archon."

At this point, Zeratul said, "After sacrificing themselves and merging with each other, the Templar Knights and Dark Templar have, in a sense, become substantial Psionics beings. Only powerful archons can withstand this power, and their power is comparable to that of gods."

In the Protoss, High Templar and Dark Templar are already extremely powerful, but they still manage to merge into one through self-sacrifice.

Two High Templar and Dark Templar can merge to become a powerful Archon. Their merged body exudes terrifying Psionics power capable of destroying everything. It is a pure Psionics being, composed of the remains of a body and a vortex of anchored Psionics, like a brilliant star floating in mid-air.

The Protoss will only sacrifice themselves in extreme despair, anger, or even for noble purposes when they are isolated and helpless.

"Gentlemen, Protoss leaders, what would happen if a High Templar and Dark Templar merged to become Archon?" Augustus asked intently.

"No Protoss has ever done that before," Tassadar said at this moment. "Of course, for thousands of years, Templar Knights and Dark Templar have rarely had the opportunity to meet, let alone fight side by side."

"I foresaw that scene." Zeratul's bright green eyes shone even brighter. "It will be the Twilight Ascension of Adun, where everything will be purified in the pure twilight that dispels darkness. Their souls will ascend and return to Adun."

"This is feasible because although the Dark Templar have been separated from their fellow Aiur for centuries and have different traditions, their knowledge is still passed down through generations, and the methods for merging into Archons are similar."

"Someone must give their life, make a sacrifice." Tassadar stared at the center of the screen. "Rather than let the warriors die, it is better for me to sacrifice myself."

"You are the leader of the Templar Knights, the Heir to the will of Adun, and you bear the responsibility of leading your surviving people to rebuild their homeland after the dust settles," Zeratul said sincerely.

Zeratul left the Protoss Empire's true rulers, the Conclave, sidelined, but the latter offered no comment. The Arbitrators saw this as a clear display of the Dark Templar's ignorance; they were unaware that the Executors were merely military leaders under the Arbitrators, and that no one understood how to govern the Protoss Empire better than the Arbitrators.

Those Protoss who had never been to Shakuras believed that the Dark Templar were still in a primitive tribal era, extremely backward.

Let's forgive the Dark Templar's ignorance for now; the Arbitrators won't take it to heart. After all, they won't stoop to the level of a distant relative still in a state of ignorance.

"You bear a greater responsibility, Tassadar," Augustus reminded Tassadar.

"Remember those hybrid monsters Hybrid of Protoss and Zerg genes, that we encountered on Luria IV? Even if we kill the Overmind, the future we face will still be a dark universe with endless threats, a threat even greater than that of the Zerg," he said.

"We need you no matter what. You are a leader, Tassadar. These are dark times, and the Protoss need you to live!"

"That is true glory, Tassadar, and that honor is what all Protoss desire," Aldaris said.

"Twilight Ascension, that is the highest honor in legend, the sublimation of the soul, a glory that all the Firstborn yearn for."

"That is also the glory of the Dark Templar. The legend of Adun's Twilight Ascension and his salvation of humanity has guided generations of Dark Templar through the darkest paths," Zeratul said.

"Leave this to our warriors to decide." Artanis's sky-blue eyes burned with a fierce flame.

"Tell the warriors that I need the bravest of the Templar Knights to harness the power of Twilight."

"The heroes of the Dark Templar are also ready to fight for Aiur, paying homage to Adun," Zeratul said.

"Pass down the order, the time for the decisive battle has come." Augustus only to the Protoss present, but also to all the Revolutionary Army in the channel.

"The significance of the Battle of Aiur is to defeat the enemy of humanity. Fight on, warriors of the Revolutionary Army! Aiur is now the center of the world."

"Fight, warriors whose souls belong to the Khala, in the name of the stars of Aiur." Tassadar was persuaded; he knew he bore a greater responsibility.

If Tassadar hadn't seen the Hybrid of Luria and witnessed the threat lurking in the darkness, he would still have remained stubborn. Tassadar, who truly loved everyone except himself, would have silently dedicated his life.

One by one, the images on the screen disappeared, leaving only a battle map of Aiur, with a background of a curtain woven from green lines and the Protoss -Terran combined Fleets and countless flying Zerg in Aiur's orbit engaged in combat.

"Connect to the Hyperion's channel," Augustus said to the Adjutant on the holographic screen.

"This is Jim Augustus." Raynor's image appeared on the screen, wearing a wide-brimmed navy hat and with his hands behind his back. "How is it on the ground?"

"These past few days, the insectoids have launched a fierce attack on the Fleets in orbit. We've lost many ships, and many of our good brothers have perished."

"The Army and Marines are about to launch their final offensive, Jimmy. I want to talk to you about what will happen after the Overmind is killed," Augustus.

"It seems you have a plan, Augustus. What do you want to do? I'll do whatever you say," Raynor nodded.

"I need you to dispatch all the transport ships to help the Protoss transport the refugees," Augustus. "You also have the mission of helping Colonel Horko guard the Xel'Naga Gateway on Aiur, which is our only way to escape Aiur and our lifeline."

"I understand. I'll protect it even if it costs me my life," Raynor replied immediately. "The Fleets and the Revolutionary Army Raynor's Raiders ' paratroopers will defend that Gateway with their lives."

"But if we can kill the Zerg Overmind, the entire Zerg will be thrown into chaos." He paused for a moment, then voiced his doubt. "At that point, maybe we can still hold out against Aiur."

"You're right," Augustus didn't refute Raynor: "But the Swarm, having lost its Overmind, will inevitably descend into uncontrollable rage; they will surely crave revenge. Withstanding the Swarm's offensive will inevitably inflict enormous losses on the Allied forces."

"We are here to save the Protoss of Aiur, not to help Protoss reclaim it."

"I understand," Raynor replied, his final response before ending the communication.

"I am Tychus Finley. What do you want me to do, Marshal?" Tychus's fierce, scarred face appeared on the screen.

Tychus's troops were tasked with protecting the Revolutionary Army's rear logistics points and transportation lines, but as the command center moved forward, even the rear became part of the battlefield.

"All the Protoss refugee camps, hospitals, and other facilities are retreating towards the Xel'Naga Gateway. I need you to protect the retreat route," Augustus.

Tychus was a fierce general under Augustus, a raging beast and war machine on the battlefield. Augustus usually deployed Tychus on the front lines, but this time the latter was tasked with protecting civilians.

"I thought you were going to send me to the battlefield? To be honest, being a babysitter for the engineers and technicians in the rear isn't easy either. Sometimes I have to put on a smiling face and serve the Protoss lords—it really makes me sick." Tychus replied, "Well, I like being a babysitter."

"Your troops are the only ones that haven't been deployed to the front lines yet," Augustus stated, revealing a shocking fact.

"Tychus, do your job," he continued. "If I ever hear Harnack say you've been stealing alcohol from the supply depot again, I'll skin you alive."

Tychus was the first person to receive this honor.

"Damn Hank kid." Tychus quickly left the channel. "Let's not talk about pigs when we're crows."

"Summon my guard," Augustus then said.

"What are you going to do?" Kerrigan ignorance.

"Fight," Augustus.

At this moment, outside the command center window, the last batch of the Revolutionary Army soldiers were boarding armored personnel carriers and heading to the front lines, followed closely by giant armed robots even larger than ordinary Goliath. These were the more elite Revolutionary Guard Goliath, who were loyal only to Augustus and his Mengsk Family.

After a flash of intense white light, a deafening roar pounded in Augustus's ears—it came from a crashing Carrier.

The sky had become overcast with dark clouds, and in the unpredictable climate of Aiur, a storm carrying thunder and rain was approaching.

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