Song of Kor-shakal

"That's so stupid."

Using her Psionics, Rohana's body floated a few feet in the air. She wore golden armor and a flowing scarf and ribbons, revealing her enormous, four-legged, animal-like feet. Augustus would never have imagined her to have delicate, lotus-like feet.

Rohana scrutinized Raynor, feeling a surge of anger at his crude thinking. The latter knew the Protoss were currently probing his mind, so this amusing Ma Sara cowboy stuffed his head with blue and purple-skinned long-nosed elephants.

"Simple-minded and primitive, still communicating with their mouths, they stand proudly aboard the Miracle Ship, carrying the hopes of the Protoss. High Templar Radnaknis, you brought them in." Lohana's voice sounded far less gentle and melodious than that of a young girl.

Who is your executive officer?

"It's a monkey invasion, ma'am." Raynor shrugged.

"The human brain is ten thousand times more complex than yours, alien," Kerrigan said, one hand on her hip.

"How arrogant!" Augustus exclaimed.

"It is the great Tassadar, our leader." High Templar Radnaknis knelt on one knee to show the highest respect to the Supreme Protector, Lohana.

"How does he compare to Adun?" Rohana's tone wasn't quite as arrogant and condescending as the Conclave's arbitrators, but it was still very uncomfortable. And as the highest Preservers, even the Conclave had to listen to their opinions.

"The Protoss have the bravest and most fearless warriors, but if those who lead the Protoss in the apocalypse are reckless and foolish, even the Ark will be of no use."

"Tassadar and Adun were unparalleled in military talent in their respective eras," Ladenaknis said.

"I know Adun. He was a highly respected general in his time, but even genius generals have flaws in their character, or they die prematurely due to catastrophes beyond human control." Rohana ignored the humans in front of her.

"Tell me what's happening on Aiur. I sense the upheaval in the Khala. Right above the Spear of Adun in the Heart of the Conclave, the Protoss are killing each other, and everything seems to have returned to that foolish and sorrowful era of Aeon of Strife."

"Supreme Preservers, this catastrophe cannot be explained in a few words. The answer lies in the Khala. All the Protoss are simply fighting for the survival of their race." Ladenaknis didn't want to waste any more time. He stood up and said to Rohana.

"Now, we must awaken the sleeping phase engineers here and fire the Spear of Adun. The Protoss Empire is already teetering on the brink of collapse under the invasion of foreign enemies, and civil war could very well destroy the Empire permanently," he said.

"I will seek the truth myself." Lohana glanced at High Templar Radnakenis and walked toward the Stasis Chamber on one side of the War Council Hall of the Spear of Adun.

"In the endless darkness, the starlight has dimmed, and all is silent. That is the time to awaken the Spear of Adun. I possess the memories and military insights of the Protoss, and can offer advice to the leaders of this era."

A control panel emanating from blue light and shadow appeared before Rohana. She stretched out her hand, and blue Psionics rippled outwards like waves on water. The dozen or so stasis chambers immediately dimmed, and after a while, two Templars wielding battle axes and wearing Templar Knights, along with Khalai phase engineers, emerged from them.

"Supreme Glory."

"By order of Khas," the two Templar Knights of the Protoss Empire's Golden Age said with a death-defying resolve.

"Let's go, we're running out of time." Augustus's gaze swept over the Templar Knights ' armor, and he felt a pang of envy.

"We must activate the Spear of Adun as soon as possible and concentrate the Protoss ' power to fight against the Aiur's Zerg."

Aside from the Crystal Matrix, which humans cannot replicate, the craftsmanship of the Protoss armor is worth learning. This is what the Revolutionary Army's chief engineer Rory Swann, and his team are doing: continuously improving existing CMC Power Armor with the help of the Protoss. This has gradually made the Revolutionary Army's Power Armor production line's technology different from the standard armor of the Terran Confederacy.

"That's how it should be," Ladenaknis said to the Golden Age Protoss who were several times his senior in seniority, yet whose bodies were still in their prime even in a state of stasis.

"You actually listened to the advice of such a primitive race, High Templar, your position is the commander of the Templar Knights." Rohana was incredulous; in her eyes, what had just happened was utterly absurd and surreal.

Even now, Rohana still can't accept the fact that a group of humans appeared on the Spear of Adun. She had probably imagined countless possible scenarios in the apocalypse, but she never thought that a group of primates would be jumping around in front of her and even pointing fingers at the Protoss commander.

"The CEO once told me that humans also have noble souls and are equally worthy of respect. Even with your already high level of understanding, you know that the wisdom of even a blade of grass or a tree is worth learning," Ladenaknis replied.

"Yes, old man, you still have a lot to learn. My father said that even high-ranking officials and nobles have to learn how to grow potatoes from farmers." Raynor clicked his tongue.

Rohana didn't want to say anything more; she was more concerned about Kerrigan and Augustus beside her than the armed human soldiers.

Because Rohana had never seen such powerful Psionics energy in any race other than the Protoss, Kerrigan's power even surpassed that of many Templar Knights. In Augustus, Rohana saw only the spirit of a respectable leader, but she wasn't sure if it was a facade.

As for Raynor, his thoughts and soul could even be described as simple and easy to understand. Raynor was very upright, but not so rigid as to be easily broken; such people often manage to overcome life's crises in human society.

A mobile platform descended from the sky and landed outside the War Council hall, large enough to accommodate all the Protoss and humans.

This mobile platform, powered by a crystal matrix, carried Augustus and the others toward the bridge at the top. The entire interior of the Spear of Adun came into view, with countless magnificent cities and golden buildings below. The space inside the ark was large enough to support a complete ecosystem.

As the mobile platform ascended into the expansive bridge of the Spear of Adun, the dazzling golden light almost blinded Augustus. This wasn't the first time he had nearly been truly blinded by the various creations of the Protoss.

A truly harmonious and melodious tune caressed Augustus's eardrums like a taut bowstring and a raised harp string, the harmonious notes bringing comfort and peace. Multiple rectangular or polygonal matrix arrays made of white silk threads unfolded around Augustus like bubbles, then quickly burst. The magnificent bridge, composed of multiple bridge platforms, was surrounded by light, and the silent statues spoke of the pride of an era.

The bridge of the Spear of Adun was wide enough to support the massive Pylon and the statue of the Great One Khas, whose magnificent Protoss script symbolized the Protoss ' reverence for their civilization's mentor, the Xel'Naga.

Augustus strode across the metal deck of the bridge until he arrived at the familiar Spear of Spear of Adun star chart array platform. Not far from the star chart platform were the portholes shaped by energy and the ship's hull facing the central compartment, the light from the crystal matrix shimmering like white waves rippling on the sea under the sunlight.

The bridge of the Spear of Adun is located close to the ground, and its bow itself is a magnificent tower that rises above the ground. Through the bridge, Augustus can see the majestic domed towers of the Heart of the Conclave Kor-shakal, which rise and fall like mountains, and the statues that seem to hold up light and the sun.

This city, built brick by brick by Khas's original followers, has stood for thousands of years, defying even the threat of the Zerg. The Heart of the Conclave is like a city forged of gold, its brilliance surpassing even the sun's rays.

As Augustus stepped onto the Spear of Adun, the Heart of the Conclave was burning, towers were collapsing, and on each golden tower, Protoss Templar Knights were fighting one another.

Artanis and Fenix did not lead many Templar Knights; clearly, many Templar Knights stationed there had joined them. However, the Conclave's tenacity exceeded Augustus's expectations, and numerous Council guards remained steadfast in their defense of the Council.

It seems Zeratul's Dark Templar have not succeeded; at least the Conclave has not been completely eliminated, and some council members are still commanding the guard forces.

"All five batteries of the Heart of the Conclave have been activated, the Solar Core is functioning normally, and it can be ignited and launched at any time." A Protoss Empire phase engineer who had awakened from a stasis pod came to the star map array platform. He simply stretched out his hands, and the entire bridge was filled with starlight. Everyone seemed to be in a miniature interstellar space, with brilliant starlight and countless galaxies and cyclones like rivers.

"The Solarite have enough energy to propel the Spear of Adun into the sky, but the Protoss Empire abandoned this energy source long ago."

This Khalai phase engineer master from the golden age of the Protoss Empire appeared cautious even before High Templar of later generations; he almost dared not look directly at the burning Heart of the Conclave. It was not out of fear, but because it all seemed like a dream.

During the Protoss Empire's golden age, every member of the Protoss Empire was extremely confident, with an arrogance far beyond what the Protoss can match today. But today, the glory of the Protoss Empire has faded, like an immortal star falling.

"Activate it." Ladenaknis was thrilled that he actually had the authority to command the Spear of Adun to take to the skies.

"Hold on tight." Raynor held out a hand to Augustus, indicating that the other could hold him steady as the spaceship took off, but only earned a glare in return.

Augustus could feel a hum and tremor emanating from within the Spear of Adun. The incomparable behemoth roared as it rose, its bridge flashing with dazzling light.

Like a surging wave and storm, the Spear of Adun was launched into the air from the launcher, and the entire earth was quickly thrown into the sky until it reached a deep abyss below.

The Spear of Adun was so massive that the energy it propelled caused a powerful earthquake at the Heart of the Conclave, sending cities and mountains trembling as the Ark's artificial star engines roared. Her majestic leap into the air made the Sky King return to her throne, and even the Protoss fighting below could not ignore this magnificent ship, stopping to look up at the sky.

All the Protoss had heard of the Ark's existence and its great mission, but her appearance now only tells those Protoss who still harbor illusions that the end times have truly come. Legend has it that since the Ark's ascent, the Protoss have been on a long voyage and will begin an eternal wandering thereafter.

In the time indicated by Augustus's Power Armor, only a few minutes had passed before the Spear of Adun smoothly left Aiur's atmosphere and came to a stop on its high-altitude trajectory. The Spear of Adun continued to operate and move forward, Aiur was now right in front of Augustus.

Not far from the Spear of Adun was a Revolutionary Army Fleets, the flagship of which was the Hyperion.

"This is the Revolutionary Army warship Emperor's Wrath. I am Colonel William Wozowski, Protoss warship, reporting for duty," a man in a neat Revolutionary Army naval uniform appeared on the Spear of Adun's communication screen.

"Good day, Marshal Augustus Mengsk." The young Revolutionary Army naval captain carefully chose his words; he came from a noble family in Korhal and had received a strict upbringing.

"What are you doing on the Protoss warship? Is this something you just picked up?"

"Shut up, Wozowski, if you say another word I'll smash your mouth." Augustus had one hand behind his back, thinking that he was lucky to be able to scavenge for trash in Aiur; the Ark was the Protoss's treasure. However, given Augustus's current relationship with the Protoss, if he ran into trouble, he could easily call for the Protoss Ark's support.

"I really do want to take an Ark from the Protoss, but that's just wishful thinking."

"Tell the truth or you'll get retaliated against." As a close friend, Raynor was happy to see Augustus get his comeuppance.

"You all really don't understand anything," Kerrigan defended Augustus. "You have no idea how hard it is to be a patriarch."

"What's the situation in the space battle?" Augustus asked.

"Not entirely satisfactory," Colonel Wozowski replied. "However, the Fleets didn't suffer too many losses; we were just firing from a distance."

"Prepare to retaliate." Augustus looked at High Templar Radnaknis: "Is the Ark ready to fight now?"

"The Spear of Adun is ready to fight at any time." The answer came from Rohana inside the Spear of Adun, her voice resolute and cold.

"Immediately search the Spear of Spear of Adun for any unidentified intruders." Ladenaknis dared not mention the Dark Templar in front of Rohana.

"Unauthorized intrusion detected." A dozen seconds later, the phase technician said, "But the intruder has already left."

"I am Artanis." At this moment, the face of the Protoss Executor Artanis appeared on the main screen. Upon seeing Augustus and Ladenaknis, he said joyfully, "Thank the gods, it is you who have taken the Spear of Adun."

"Artanis, now that you have time to contact us, the battle on the ground should be over by now, right?" Augustus asked as well.

"Most of the Conclave members have been brought under Zeratul's control, while the rest have died in the conflict." Artanis felt no joy whatsoever for this victory.

"The remnants of the council are retreating. My reports indicate that the surviving arbitrators are preparing to activate the Pride of Otaris beneath Mundara to escape Aiur."