Ihan-rii Protoss

Through the portholes on the forward bridge deck of the White Star, the dazzling white flashes of the Aotearian Rift rapidly receded behind them. One magnificent Imperial battlecruiser after another formed long columns in the rear, bow to stern, stretching beyond sight. The entire fleet blazed with lights, the illumination tracing each warship's outline and making their insignias and hull numbers especially striking—a truly spectacular sight.

Below the Imperial fleet lay the massive Purifier fleet, its orange lights flickering like a rushing torrent of white-orange fire.

Through the portholes on the other side, the immense hull of the Spear of Adun filled the entire view. Its magnificent prow alone resembled an incomparable golden city ablaze with lights. Glittering Void Rays passed through the arkship's azure matrix veil like golden-blue swords thrusting toward the heavens.

"An ancient Protoss Empire that is awakening?" Artanis's eyes widened slightly, his expression clearly saying, How had I never heard of this?

The leaders of the Terran Empire, the Daelaam, and the Purifiers had all gathered aboard the White Star for the prewar conference convened by Augustus, where they discussed the next phase of the battle plan.

Many people stood on the spacious bridge, with the Protoss' towering figures particularly conspicuous. Essentially, every leader from every faction who could attend had come. Such an occasion was indeed rare.

"The Ihan-rii Protoss may have split from our people a million years ago, leaving Aiur without hesitation to follow the Xel'Naga. But regardless, the Ihan-rii must not have found the Xel'Naga. They could only have stopped at the very edge of the known world and founded their empire there," Zeratul said. "Only one thing is certain: they are Protoss—our kin."

"There may be no small number of kin scattered among the stars before and after the Aeon of