Brood War

"Lord Azma-- "

The Dark Prelate Azma sat amidst the intertwined branches of a towering tree, overlooking a lush, verdant forest, its canopy layered with vibrant orange-red and purplish-red flowers and fruits of flowering plants.

Occasionally, a long, rough roar would echo through the forest, bringing with it a sense of vastness and remoteness.

The sky's color is between blue and indigo, indicating that the planet's atmosphere contains a high amount of methane and nitrogen, and also proving that its vegetation has undergone a considerable evolutionary process.

Everything on this strange planet was vastly different from the Shakuras familiar to the Dark Templar.

The vast landmass stretches from the planet's North Pole to the South Pole, covered with a rich variety of higher ferns and dense forests. The planet's continental plates are still quite active, with numerous active volcanoes erupting from time to time, so the peculiar scene of large-scale volcanic eruptions and surging lava in the lush forests is not uncommon.

Here, numerous and expansive lakes replaced the oceans of the early planet, and dense clouds and strong air currents brought abundant rainfall. The diverse ecosystems formed by factors such as latitude, altitude, sunshine, and water flow have created a vibrant yet perilous primitive world.

"The wormhole opened by the Overmind has been closed, and all communication connections have been interrupted." A Dark Templar clad in purple robes and black armor appeared amidst the swirling black mist in the treetops, landing as lightly as a bird accustomed to perching on branches, standing steadily without needing any support.

This is a Nerazim Dark Templar from the Zeratai Tribe, whose armor is covered with enormous Zerg teeth and a bright red crest. The warriors of this tribe are renowned hunters who are keen on hunting Zerg and collecting their sharp teeth and claws for decoration, to compensate for the Protoss's overly rounded and lacking angular features.

In the war against the Zerg, this Nerazim warrior was one of the most proactive in fighting.

"I have completely lost all connection with Shakuras, as if the entire void lies between her and me."

Having said that, the Dark Templar master fell silent, as still as a black boulder.

"High Priest, I have discovered thousands of plant species in this area, many of which are poisonous or extremely aggressive. Many ferocious creatures inhabit this place, and incredibly, almost all of them are Predator; cannibalism among their own kind is extremely common." Another female Dark Templar, draped in multiple layers of deep purple gauze, appeared on the other side. The Xel'Naga on her robes indicated she was likely a respectable and knowledgeable scholar.

Among the Dark Templar, the distinction between leaders, warriors, and artisan scientists is not clear; anyone can be a powerful warrior.

"I've also found that even species that are extremely different or even completely dissimilar share similar characteristics, which means they may have shared a common origin millions of years ago," she said.

"These powerful creatures are constantly fighting and battling each other to the death, generation after generation, without end."

Just as the Dark Templar were conversing, a sound of snapping branches and fierce fighting suddenly came from the distant treetops. Amidst sharp hisses, a monster with two pairs of membranous wings was tearing at another creature that resembled a snake but was not.

The former looks more like a winged lizard than a bird. It also has the robust body of a reptile and rough, light green skin. The tip of its broad snout is speckled with light gray, and its sharp, massive teeth seem designed specifically for slicing through anything. This monster has several pairs of reptilian, golden, vertical pupils, each hidden in the folds of its thick skin, and when they are open, they are enough to send chills down your spine.

The other was a creature with a long, slender, serpentine body. Its vibrant color indicated that it was either deadly venomous or extremely dangerous. Several pairs of nearly ruptured, vein-like membranous wings on its arched back thrashed wildly, their spiky barbs thrashing about, trying to pierce their opponent's body.

In just over ten seconds, the strange lizard used its thick, powerful jaws to crack the long snake's skull and devoured it as quickly as if it were sucking up a spicy snack.

Immediately afterward, to the astonishment of Azma and the other Dark Templar, the lizard underwent an incredible transformation after swallowing its prey. Its skeleton beneath its thick skin visibly sculpted, resulting not only in a change in size but also in the growth of more wings, eyes, and even venomous stingers.

These transformations caused the reborn monster to roar triumphantly, as if it were invincible.

"Incredible." The female Dark Templar left silently, and a moment later returned with this creature that horrified and shocked the Protoss Dark Templar.

It was bound within a static force field generator entwined with void energy, struggling violently and desperately trying to attack the surrounding Dark Templar.

Nevertheless, this still cannot change the inherent disadvantages brought about by its turkey-like body size and relatively short limbs.

"Evolution? It has accomplished in such a short time what other races took hundreds or thousands of years to achieve," said the Dark Templar scholar.

"Unheard of. Some species in other places may not change much even after tens of millions of years due to unchanging environments and a lack of competitiveness," she said.

"This is a species with unlimited potential. If their evolution has no upper limit, then..."

"That's another kind of Zerg." Azma stared intently at the screaming monster. "It could even evolve on its own into a super-creature like Leviathan, or something even more terrifying."

"Is there a civilization at a higher level of evolution here?" Elder Azma asked.

"There are vast communities that gather together in large groups—the tribal chiefs and the most powerful members possess considerable intelligence, and they can even speak a special language," the Dark Templar replied.

"Although they don't possess Psionics, their perception of Psionics is extremely acute. I suspect these creatures have already discovered me."

"That must be it. This is the original birthplace of the Zerg, Zerus. These creatures are very likely distant relatives of the Zerg, although they diverged on the path of evolution thousands of years or even longer." Dark Prelate Azma stood up, but his movements were no longer as sharp as before the expedition.

"Just like the Protoss of Shakuras and Aiur today."

When the Overmind opened the wormhole, High Priest Azma was probably the Protoss closest to it.

At that moment, Azma had already plunged his Psionics blade into the Overmind's newly opened giant eye, causing the newborn creature to let out a terrifying mental roar that no human could hear. He was also severely injured Overmind the Overmind's terrifying Psionics power.

However, that was not enough to kill the awakened Overmind, whose power was beyond the reach of any Dark Templar.

But for a long time to come, the Overmind will likely remain wary of the Dark Templar Dark Templar. Now, whenever he senses their presence, the Overmind dares not open his eyes.

After that, Azma led his Dark Templar through the wormhole to this strange planet without hesitation. Even though he was seriously injured, he and his Dark Templar kept a close watch on the Zerg's every move on this alien planet.

They had no spaceship, so they could neither leave the planet nor warn their people.

"When I Overmind the Overmind's hideous giant eye, I had a brief contact with its mind," Azma said. "I learned that this is where the Zerg were first born in the Overmind's young mind and memories."

"The Zerg were born in Zerus, then left it, and never returned for a long time. In the chaotic consciousness of the newly Overmind, a terrifying and irresistible voice commanded it to flee Char immediately, and so this still-developing monster panicked and ran indiscriminately."

"My lord, where did that voice come from?" the female Dark Templar asked Azma, driven by her insatiable thirst for knowledge.

"From the Void" Azma felt a chill run down his spine, which filled him with deep shame.

"After the Overmind awoke, the void energy awakening within it briefly broke through the boundary between the void and reality—I don't know what it gained from that."

Azma, the Dark Prelate, holds a high position among the Dark Templar. His years of experience and knowledge have endowed him with formidable combat skills and wisdom.

He had seen bright but short-lived young stars born from nebula collisions, incredibly hot blue stars and gradually cooling red dwarfs, and also witnessed terrifying neutron stars and supermassive black holes at the centers of star clusters.

But there was only one thing that could make this priest tremble with awe—the void.

Reverence for the void.

"The Xel'Naga. Who else could it be but them?" The Dark Templar was also a scholar of Xel'Naga theology. Before her people summoned her back, she had been searching the universe for any trace of the Xel'Naga's existence and discipline in the sands and ruins.

"The Xel'Naga came from the Void, and if they are gone, they should return to the Void. After all, they are immortal; they are gods of the Void."

"It's an omen." Her glowing green eyes flickered like flames. "But without other signs or prophecies, I can't figure out what it means."

"I have no way of knowing," Azma simply said. "Perhaps it's just a Overmind the imagination."

"If that's Xel'Naga, then I don't understand—why he never responded to us so clearly, never gave us any guidance." Another Dark Templar had been lurking in the shadows, couldn't help but step forward and say:

"Haven't we done enough?"

"We disappointed the Xel'Naga, so it's understandable that they haven't paid any attention to the Protoss since," said the Dark Templar scholar.

"But on what grounds? And on what grounds do the Zerg have to act?"

"Sizzle--Sizzle--"

The sound of trees snapping echoed through the forest, and the entire forest immediately erupted into chaos, as all sorts of bizarre Zerus creatures scattered like birds.

Dark Prelate Azma instantly appeared at the top of the tree canopy, with Dark Templar appearing behind him one after another.

"The Zerg have bared their fangs; this world is about to be destroyed," said one of the Dark Templar.

At the edge of this forest, numerous Zerg structures with brownish-black exoskeletons are rising from the ground at an alarming rate. Deep purple Creep spread like wildfire through the lush green jungle and primeval forest, instantly turning the land into a monotonous, sickly gray.

Beneath the thick, blackened clouds and sun, stained with volcanic ash, the Overmind has taken root in a vast jungle. Hundreds of millions of Zerg are traversing the jungle, while the sky is filled with Overlord and Mutalisk that blot out the sun. The clattering, rustling, and ferocious roars of the Zerg' shells are enough to remind those enemies who once fought against them of past fears.

The Swarm is expanding.

Based on their bright red and purple carapaces, they can be distinguished as the races of the Cerebrate Daggoth and Yarck, Tiamat and Jormungand, the creator dragon and the world-devouring serpent.

By simply referring to the names humans have given these Swarm based on fear, one can get a general idea of their combat style and how terrifying they are.

At this moment, Azma is unsure whether the strongest Cerebrate, Daggoth, or the newly formed Overmind is currently commanding the entire Swarm. Clearly, the newly formed Overmind is far inferior to the previous Overmind in terms of intelligence, ability, and prestige.

"But the creatures of Zerus are uniting." Azma looked to the other side.

Driven by a shared hatred of a common enemy or by other means incomprehensible to the Protoss, the Zerg's distant relatives Primal Zerg of Zerus, are uniting. Multiple massive tribes, each led by a powerful Primal Zerg chieftain, are gathering and emerging from beyond the horizon.

Compared to the Zerg, the Primal Zerg are more like green dinosaurs, their protection consisting of hard leather rather than chitinous shells. Many Primal Zerg share similar appearances, but their sizes vary greatly. The giant Primal Zerg comparable to the Ultralisk are like small mountains, but compared to those unparalleled Zerg, they are as insignificant as stardust.

A truly mountain-sized Primal Zerg led most of the Primal Zerg of Zerus. Its size was so Overmind that the ground collapsed under its weight.

For Zerus's Primal Zerg, this was a battle for survival.

"We will remain here until we make contact with our people," said Azma, the Dark Prelate. "Hopefully, my old friend Zeratul will find us."

"Raszagal, please protect us."

At this moment, the Char Swarm and the Primal Zerg, each occupying half the sky and half the continent respectively, collided violently, like two colors of ink blending together. Instantly, roars shook the heavens, and blood and flesh flew everywhere, all of which were thrown into the air.

Neither the Primal Zerg nor the Char Swarm will cease their struggle until one side is completely destroyed.

The ability to continuously absorb superior genes and rapidly evolve is manifested differently, yet equally terrifyingly, in both of these Zerg.

In an extremely short time, even just the time it takes to swallow a piece of raw meat, the Primal Zerg gained a new form by consuming the Char Swarm. The Char Swarm, in turn, acquired a long-forgotten genome from the Primal Zerg and spawned entirely new and powerful variants.

One of them will perish, and the other will be far worse off than before.

1.7 million words, that's not easy.

Also, I'm continuing to recommend this StarCraft: Nerazim's Mystery. I forgot to add the title when I recommended it, how stupid of me.

--A Protoss fanfic, depicting the Dark Templar of the Protoss, also set in the Koprulu universe.

The author is a long-time reader of mine. They supported me when I first started writing, so I remembered their ID and actively promoted them after I found out.

I usually only recommend books by my friends. If they abandon a project, I can criticize them.

Let's chat about other things. I've actually been trying to avoid talking about topics outside of this book.

This is a topic worth writing about.

The genre of interstellar fanfiction is quite broad, encompassing stories of interstellar systems traveling to other worlds and popular universes. Many of these stories have achieved good results, including some truly excellent ones.

There's nothing to complain about, is it really that niche?

I used to think my book didn't do well because it was niche, and I complained and complained incessantly. Later, I realized that it did have significant flaws.

Being niche is not an excuse; it's that I'm not strong enough. And it remains so now.

Warcraft has novels written based on a complete world view, so I wondered why StarCraft couldn't have one.

However, fanfiction based solely on the Koprulu universe suffers greatly because the readership is severely limited; those who can't understand it simply won't. Without knowing the plot, they won't get the exciting parts.

Recommending books during the new book launch period always backfires; no one can compare.

This book wasn't even featured in any category's top recommendations. Let alone any of those "six-frequency," "three-river," or "top recommendation" lists—it didn't get a single one.

I can't do without your support. In just one year, my average subscription has increased from 400 to over 2,000. I can see hope now.

This shows that this subject matter is still worth writing about.

Without such results, I think I would have given up on this career.