The Empire's Twin Heroes

Pulaier woke leaning against the massive head crest of a Hunter Killer Hydralisk. Its blood-red eyes, still open in death and bleeding, remained fixed on him.

Before him, a huge Warhound mech dragged several Roach corpses past with steel cables, leaving streaks of blood behind. Not far away, Zerg carcasses and bones were piled ever higher, accumulating into mountains.

Monlyth's golden sun was rising, bathing an Imperial flag in brilliant gold. Farther away stood towering cliffs, beneath which lay a tranquil sea. Daylight had just broken, warm breezes blew gently, and the deep purple sea shimmered with rippling light.

Burial Ground. Though surrounded by deep sea, it remained a barren, desolate land. Only sparse, withered vegetation and thin tree shadows could be seen across the flat gray-brown wasteland. Like a forgotten world seeing daylight again, winding roads crossed ancient temples, while ruined walls encircling the entire highland and colossal statues soaring into the clouds silently spoke of its former glory.

Countless years ago, most of this land had not yet been swallowed by the sea. Through the clear water, one could still see ancient cities like Atlantis. Mysterious symbols carved upon the altars still shone with crystalline violet-red light, as though time had remained frozen in an age beyond antiquity.

When he opened his helmet's visor, Pulaier could smell smokeless powder, ionized air, and rocket solid propellant lingering in the air, along with the nauseating aroma of scorched flesh.

His army had already cleared Monlyth of Zerg, driving the last remnants of the brood forces here.

Monlyth's broodmother had tried to make a last stand using the underground caves here—the Swarm would never surrender.

To reduce needless casualties among his men, he had ordered the other cave exits sealed, high-purity high-energy gas pumped inside, and then ignited. Yesterday, he had