It was the end of the 11th millennium of the Holy Calendar, a calendar that had begun on the day the God-Emperor of Mankind ascended the throne after a brutal, planet-shattering war that nearly drove humanity to extinction. In the wake of that harrowing conflict, the Emperor had unified Earth's fractured peoples under one indomitable rule, marking the dawn of humanity's holy era. For ten thousand relentless years, humanity surged forward in endless crusades against countless alien empires, mutant rebellions, and heretical uprisings. Battle after battle, campaign after campaign, they had conquered and purged vast regions of the galaxy, until nearly every star system fell within their grasp.
Now, at the twilight of the 11th millennium, humanity stood unchallenged, supreme, and seemingly invincible. An unprecedented era of peace had finally begun as mankind paused to consolidate its vast dominions, an empire whose borders stretched across almost the entire Milky Way. Countless worlds had been meticulously terraformed, transformed into thriving paradises and vast industrial hubs. Great cathedral-ships patrolled the starlanes, monuments to mankind's ceaseless vigilance.
Yet, unknown to humanity, an ancient threat lurked silently beyond their sight, hidden deep within the infinite blackness between galaxies. This was the Verdant Swarm, an immense hive collective led by a singular entity—a Mother Empress, a creature of unimaginable scale and intellect, a being whose physical form rivaled planets in size. Under her dominion, the Swarm had already consumed its own galaxy and begun colonizing another, spreading relentlessly through the cosmic void.
Driven by an instinctive, insatiable hunger to expand, the Mother Empress dispatched her offspring, powerful queen-creatures, across the intergalactic gulf. These queens traveled hidden within massive, hollowed asteroids hurled across the endless emptiness between galaxies. Silently, these rocky vessels entered humanity's galaxy unnoticed, slipping past vigilant Imperial patrols due to the sheer immensity of space and the deliberate caution of their stealthy approach.
Upon impact on remote worlds, these queens immediately began their sinister work, burrowing deep beneath planetary surfaces to establish subterranean nests. Like twisted colonies of ants, they expanded swiftly beneath the soil, birthing vast numbers of worker and warrior drones—nightmarish creatures, bred purely for function and ferocity, with no concept of fear or remorse. These colonies reshaped their environments into deadly, verdant ecosystems perfectly suited to the Swarm's biological needs. Flora and fauna mutated rapidly into aggressive, hostile forms, each new generation of life more deadly than the last.
Initially, humanity noticed little of this hidden invasion. The galaxy was vast beyond comprehension, and the Imperium's attention was focused inward, confident in their unchallenged supremacy. Yet slowly, scattered reports surfaced—remote colonies going dark, entire settlements vanishing overnight. Imperial forces dispatched minor expeditions, brushing off these events as minor incursions by lingering alien pests or isolated rebellions easily contained.
But soon, the true horror revealed itself. Three advanced scouting fleets of the Verdant Swarm arrived at the galaxy's fringes, each with a specific, ruthless purpose. Fleet One, known ominously as the Pale Tendril, executed small, probing raids against lightly defended human colonies, testing Imperial defenses, learning their tactics, measuring humanity's responses. Fleet Two, the Silent Root, silently claimed a remote, uncolonized planet as its hidden fortress, establishing vast underground hives untouched by human detection. Fleet Three, the Verdant Needle, captured a lifeless moon, transforming it into a bio-factory, a living fortress quietly birthing vessels of monstrous flesh—vast, dish-shaped bio-ships that would later descend upon Imperial fleets, ramming and overwhelming them with sheer, unstoppable numbers.
The Imperium finally responded, dispatching minor scouting forces. They destroyed some Swarm ships, but underestimated the true threat, overlooking hidden queens safely entrenched deep beneath planetary surfaces. Orbital bombardments left shattered surfaces seemingly sterilized, yet beneath the scorched earth, life stirred anew, resilient and unrelenting.
Over the years that followed, the Swarm silently spread, infiltrating key systems, capturing agricultural worlds, and rapidly evolving to counter every human tactic. Sector Aetherion became a brutal warzone, as more and more Verdant bio-ships arrived, disgorging uncountable hordes of warrior drones onto the Imperial worlds below. Humanity fought back desperately, deploying massive fleets led by the God-Emperor's Angelic Children, godlike beings who managed to achieve tactical victories—yet each victory proved hollow, each defeated Swarm queen swiftly replaced by another.
By year forty, humanity had come to realize the stark truth: this was a war unlike any they had faced before. The Swarm's true power lay not just in its adaptability or ferocity, but in its relentless, unending numbers, and its total disregard for life or loss. The Imperial forces found themselves trapped in a grinding war of attrition, confronting a foe seemingly limitless, driven by a single, all-consuming will.
And even as humanity struggled desperately against the relentless tide of the Verdant Swarm, another sinister presence stirred silently on the opposite side of the galaxy, sensing opportunity in the chaos.
Far from Sector Aetherion, at the very fringes of Imperial space, lay Sector Helion—a peaceful frontier, newly established and mostly untouched by war. Within it rested Achios, a jewel of a planet, its surface a tapestry of emerald plains, crystal lakes, and pristine cities. A paradise world, home to billions of citizens who lived in harmony, blissfully unaware of the galaxy's brewing storms.
Achios was not merely beautiful—it was vital. Vast agricultural complexes sprawled gracefully across continents, managed by advanced technology and careful stewardship. These agri-domes and biodomes, filled with genetically perfected crops and rich, nutritious harvests, fed countless billions across the Helion sector. It was a breadbasket, a keystone of Imperial stability.
Yet Achios was not defenseless. Above its cloud-wreathed skies, orbiting silently, lay sleek and vigilant space stations—each bristling with sensor arrays, missile batteries, and laser turrets concealed gracefully within their ornate hulls. Farther out, orbital defense platforms, designed for subtlety and grace as much as lethality, drifted silently, humming with quiet readiness.
It was from one such station, the orbital monitoring platform "Vigilance Prime," that the first alerts whispered softly into existence.
Inside Vigilance Prime's dimly-lit command center, sensor screens flickered urgently. Senior Operator Marcus Aurelian, a seasoned veteran whose career had until now been comfortably uneventful, leaned forward, scanning the data with a frown.
"Something wrong, sir?" asked the young technician seated beside him, voice barely above a whisper.
"Unclear," Marcus replied softly, eyes narrowing. "Sensors are detecting an extragalactic object—multiple objects, in fact. Biological signatures mixed with metallic alloy... Unusual. Alert the ground stations. Let's keep this discreet for now. Inform Planetary Defense Command to quietly begin preparations."
His voice was calm, composed—Achios had never seen true war, yet its defenders were far from incompetent. Protocol dictated quiet readiness in uncertain situations. Marcus had spent decades training for moments precisely like this, even if they had never before occurred.
On the planet below, the silent order rippled outward discreetly. City defenders across Achios received subtle signals, quietly heightening readiness. Beneath the picturesque landscapes, hidden bunker entrances were silently unlocked, defensive systems ran quiet diagnostic routines, and automated turrets woke gently from their peaceful slumber. The vast planetary shield generators, buried beneath lush fields of flowers, hummed softly, slowly charging in standby mode.
In Mikri Poli—a gleaming city known for its flower-filled parks and crystal-clear canals—ordinary citizens continued their peaceful day unaware, while beneath their feet, military units quietly donned battle gear, moving swiftly through underground corridors, eyes sharp and vigilant. Surveillance drones lifted silently into the skies, invisible to those below, eyes trained upward.
Meanwhile, far above Achios, the Pestis fleet drifted slowly toward the unsuspecting paradise. Grotesque bio-metal ships of sickening green hulls trailed streams of infectious spores behind them. Their engines burned a deep, malevolent crimson, illuminating their fungal-encrusted exteriors. Within those vessels moved beings of terrifying joy—twisted alien creatures, smiling grotesquely as they sang haunting lullabies that echoed throughout their halls. Their voices, wet and rasping, coughed and wheezed songs of infectious delight, promising an eternal happiness found only in decay and rot.
"Come, come, come to us," crooned a towering Plague Commander aboard the flagship, his alien visage stretched into an unnerving smile, fungal tendrils writhing from his cracked armor as he wheezed through corrupted lungs. His voice was a melody of broken notes and sickly joy. "Our lullaby will cleanse your fear. Our spores will gift you eternal joy. Let us show you paradise—forever."
His alien warriors, inspired by pestilent devotion, echoed their commander's twisted joy, their minds filled with the singular, infectious purpose of spreading Pestis's plague-song across the stars. They had waited millennia for this moment.
They descended now, singing softly, descending toward the paradise of Achios—a paradise prepared, vigilant, and quietly awaiting their arrival.
On the tranquil surface of Achios, in the heart of the elegant city of Mikri Poli, the day unfolded as peacefully as ever. Bright sunlight bathed pristine streets lined with blooming trees, where gentle breezes carried the scent of countless flowers through the air. White towers crowned with delicate glass domes rose gracefully toward the cloudless sky, their upper gardens lush and vibrant beneath the golden glow of summer.
In a secluded corner of Mikri Poli's central park, Lili Achion sat quietly on her favorite bench, a bouquet of freshly-picked lilies resting gently in her small, delicate hands. Barely four years old, Lili radiated an innocent beauty, her silky, pale-blonde hair cascading softly over petite shoulders, framing an angelic face that seemed untouched by the harshness of the world. Her large, deep-blue eyes observed her surroundings with quiet curiosity, though she seldom spoke, always careful not to disturb others.
Today felt special—not only because the lilies had blossomed especially bright, but also because both her parents were free from their usual duties, a rare joy she cherished deeply. Her mother, Elenya, sat beside her, a beautiful young woman just eighteen years of age, petite yet possessing a strength earned from the rigorous training common in Imperial society. Her long blonde hair fell elegantly about her shoulders, her vivid blue eyes always watchful, loving yet firm in their careful supervision of her daughter.
Lili glanced at her father, Darius, who stood nearby scanning a datapad, his expression calm and thoughtful. In his early twenties, tall and powerfully built, Darius was a respected doctor, known for his gentle demeanor and reassuring presence. His golden hair caught the sun, his icy blue eyes narrowing in thoughtful consideration as he read through medical reports from the local clinic. To Lili, he was nothing less than a hero, a gentle giant who could heal wounds and bring smiles to even the most frightened faces.
Quietly, Lili focused inward, feeling the gentle, secret warmth of the hidden magical core inside her chest—a softly glowing, invisible power intertwined with her physical heart. Carefully, so as not to draw attention, she guided its gentle energy down through her fingertips and into the lilies she held. Instantly, the delicate flowers responded, petals shimmering softly as their strength renewed, their blossoms subtly brighter and more vibrant. Lili smiled gently, pleased with her secret magic, though still too shy and uncertain to share it with anyone.
Her mother's voice broke through her gentle reverie, softly stern yet undeniably affectionate. "Careful with the flowers, Lili," Elenya advised gently. "They bruise easily."
Lili nodded obediently, pulling the lilies protectively closer. Around them, Mikri Poli's daily life continued undisturbed—children playing by sparkling fountains, families sharing moments beneath shaded trees, airspeeders gliding quietly overhead.
Then, unexpectedly, the peaceful hum of daily life was interrupted by a quiet yet urgent chime from Darius's datapad. Lili looked up curiously, noticing her father's expression darken slightly as he read the incoming alert. Another chime followed, then another, softly echoing from devices carried by citizens all around the park.
Darius's eyes narrowed as he swiftly processed the information. He turned toward his young wife, his voice calm but firm. "Elenya, an alert from Planetary Defense Command. An unknown fleet has entered the Helion Sector. They're advising everyone to seek shelter immediately and evacuate off-world if possible."
Elenya's expression shifted instantly, a brief flicker of worry crossing her usually composed features. She nodded quickly, placing one protective hand instinctively over her gently rounded belly, pregnant now by several months. "We should head to the spaceport then," she said decisively.
Darius agreed with a reassuring nod, reaching down to gently take Lili's small hand. "Lili, come here quickly, sweetheart."
Lili slid carefully off the bench, clutching her precious bouquet tightly, her heart beating faster with confusion and concern. She moved quietly toward her father, feeling an instinctive sense of safety at his side.
"What's wrong, Papa?" she asked softly, eyes wide with quiet apprehension.
He knelt down, placing a comforting hand gently on her tiny shoulder, his voice reassuringly calm. "There's nothing to fear, Lily-pad. But we must go home, quickly."
Around them, the atmosphere shifted subtly yet significantly. Quiet murmurs replaced relaxed chatter, calm footsteps quickened as people moved urgently toward designated shelter entrances or hurried toward the nearby Metro stations and the city's main spaceport. Screens throughout Mikri Poli displayed clear yet gently worded instructions, urging citizens toward safety without inciting panic.
Elenya gently took Lili's free hand, guiding her protectively as they moved swiftly toward the nearest Metro entrance, joining the orderly but anxious flow of fellow citizens. As they walked, Darius lifted his daughter gently, placing her securely upon his broad shoulders—a gesture Lili cherished, feeling safe and comforted by his strength and warmth.
From this elevated vantage, Lili glanced upward at the perfectly clear sky, unaware of the distant struggle beginning to unfold far above Achios, where the planetary defense fleet cautiously maneuvered to intercept the approaching unknown vessels.
Her large, deep-blue eyes narrowed slightly as she gazed upwards, perceiving far more clearly and sharply than any normal human could. High above, almost invisible against the brilliance of the morning sky, flashes of dazzling light began to erupt silently—bright pulses of energy as the orbital cannons fired their opening salvos. Though others around her carried on oblivious, to Lili the flashes stood out starkly, each tiny burst vivid and intense.
She gently tightened her grip around her father's shoulders, silently communicating her unease. Her parents were fully aware of Lili's extraordinary senses, attributing her exceptional health and gifts entirely to divine favor and the purity of her genes, ideals deeply revered within Imperial society. They had accepted these gifts quietly, grateful but never boastful, always keeping careful watch over her well-being.
Just then, a low, authoritative siren began wailing through the city, starting quietly but quickly rising to a powerful, urgent crescendo. Immediately following the sirens, calm yet decisive voices echoed clearly through hidden speakers positioned throughout Mikri Poli:
"Alert: Threat confirmed. Citizens, immediately proceed to the nearest shelter or evacuate via the Mikri Poli Spaceport. This is not a drill. Repeat, immediate evacuation or shelter mandatory."
With the alarms now sounding, the serene city around Lili transformed rapidly, and she watched with silent awe from her perch atop her father's broad shoulders. The gleaming white towers, which moments before stood serene and elegant, now shifted dramatically as their crystalline surfaces swiftly withdrew, replaced by thick plates of matte gray metal, armor sliding into place with mechanical precision.
From the newly fortified rooftops, massive planetary defense batteries emerged, their colossal barrels angling upward toward space, glowing softly as their capacitors charged for firing. The previously tranquil streets shuddered under Lili's small frame, a deep vibration that reached deep into her chest, making her cling even more tightly to her father.
Far below, sections of ground seamlessly split apart with loud, mechanical groans, revealing enormous metallic walls and fortified towers rising steadily into position. Armored doors opened swiftly within the city's parks, allowing vast Imperial Guard tanks and armored vehicles—Leman Russ battle tanks and Chimera troop transports—to roll forth with deep, rumbling engines and imposing guns swiveling into defensive readiness.
Lili watched in stunned silence as disciplined soldiers clad in heavy protective gear and intimidating gas masks emerged quickly from hidden underground passages. Their movements were swift, coordinated, and purposeful, calmly directing civilians toward shelters beneath the Metro lines or guiding groups swiftly toward the safety of Mikri Poli Spaceport. Their presence transformed the peaceful, lush parks into fortified strongholds, a stark contrast that filled Lili with quiet awe and uncertainty.
Despite the chaos unfolding below, her vision once again drifted upward. High above, the planetary shield system fully activated, bathing the atmosphere in a breathtaking deep-blue glow, rippling gently with electric energy, forming an impenetrable barrier around the planet. To Lili, the sight was mesmerizing, beautiful yet strangely comforting.
Beyond the protective glow of the shield, Lili's exceptional eyes glimpsed the unfolding battle clearly, far more vividly than anyone else possibly could. Silent explosions flared with intensity, bright streams of defensive fire from the planetary fleet clashing against the sinister shapes of unknown vessels lurking far above. Each bright flash and dazzling burst held her rapt attention, filling her innocent heart with quiet awe and subtle dread.
"Lili," her father's voice broke through her silent observation, gentle yet urgent, "hold tight now. We have to hurry to the spaceport."
She nodded silently, clutching her lilies tighter in one small hand and gripping her father's shoulders securely with the other, still gazing upward as they began to move swiftly through the rapidly transforming city toward safety. Her heartbeat quickened, both with quiet apprehension and a sense of unspoken determination, as the distant battle high above Achios grew ever brighter, its silent fury etched clearly into her exceptional, innocent eyes.
The massive planetary defense cannons atop Mikri Poli suddenly opened fire, their deafening booms rolling across the city like thunderclaps from angry gods. Each powerful blast sent vibrations rippling through the air and deep into the ground, shaking the world beneath the panicked feet of thousands of citizens now rushing desperately toward the spaceport. Lili clung tightly to her father's shoulders, her small fingers gripping firmly as the immense sound seemed to block out everything else—the panicked voices, urgent footsteps, and even the distant alarms.
From her elevated perch, Lili could clearly see the rapid changes overtaking her peaceful city. The gleaming towers, once symbols of serene beauty, had transformed into armored fortresses, their massive guns now firing fiercely into the skies above. The brightness of each blast was nearly blinding, yet her perfect eyesight allowed her to watch clearly as each volley of cannon fire raced skyward.
Her mother, Elenya, hurried close behind, one protective hand cradling her pregnant belly as she moved with swift determination toward safety. The city was awash with terrified humanity, yet through it all, Lili remained quietly observant, her wide blue eyes filled with a mix of awe and fear.
Suddenly, from the sprawling complex of Mikri Poli Spaceport, the planetary defense air forces roared to life. Sleek fighter craft and heavily armored bombers burst upward, their powerful engines screaming defiantly as they rocketed through the glowing planetary shield toward the fierce battle unfolding in space. Watching them climb bravely toward the enemy, a quiet surge of pride welled up within Lili's tiny chest. Silently, almost shyly, she pumped her small fist into the air and whispered softly, with quiet determination, "For the Imperium."
Far above, her enhanced eyesight revealed the stark reality of the conflict clearly, even from her distant viewpoint. She watched with silent horror as enemy vessels—hulking, grotesque constructs of sickly green metal and pulsating organic matter—hurled themselves recklessly against the valiant planetary defense fleet. Imperial ships fought bravely, their powerful cannons firing valiantly, their shields flaring with each devastating impact. But one by one, they succumbed to the enemy's brutal, reckless tactics as hostile vessels slammed into them, tearing through hulls and unleashing swarms of enemy boarders that overwhelmed their crews.
Orbital defense platforms and the massive space station fired relentlessly, brilliant volleys of energy lancing through the dark expanse, destroying several enemy vessels in fiery explosions. Yet the enemy pressed forward relentlessly, their sheer numbers and reckless determination slowly overwhelming Achios's defense. The valiant fighters and bombers streaking upward from Mikri Poli struggled desperately, their courageous pilots diving fearlessly into the fray, yet even their heroic efforts gradually faltered.
Then, as the last Imperial vessels struggled desperately in orbit, a massive enemy ship broke through, its grotesque, misshapen hull leaking streams of dark fluid and fungal spores. As it approached the planetary shield, its twisted surface split open, releasing a vast cloud of shimmering green spores. Lili watched in silent awe and horror as the cloud drifted forward, slipping effortlessly through the shimmering blue barrier of the planetary shield as if it were little more than a gentle rainstorm passing through an open window.
Below, panic erupted across the city. People screamed and surged desperately toward the long metallic ramp leading into the towering blast doors of Mikri Poli's fortified spaceport. Imperial soldiers stood along the ramp, rigid and disciplined, their unreadable faces fully concealed behind intimidating gas masks. They gestured urgently, guiding the terrified citizens toward safety, their weapons held firmly and ready.
Lili's parents moved swiftly yet carefully through the surging crowd, joining the frightened masses ascending toward the spaceport entrance. From atop her father's shoulders, Lili's innocent eyes remained fixed on the eerie spectacle above—the strange, sinister spores beginning their slow, graceful descent. The spores drifted down gently, falling like snowflakes, their bright green color vivid and beautiful despite the terror they inspired.
Lili extended a tiny hand involuntarily, mesmerized by the haunting beauty of the spores, captivated by their ethereal dance.
Her delicate fingers reached instinctively upward, drawn irresistibly toward the gently drifting flakes of sickly green mist. Each flake shimmered softly as it fell, deceptively beautiful, like emerald snowflakes descending upon a world unprepared for their arrival.
The moment the first flake touched her skin, it melted instantly, vanishing beneath the surface with alarming urgency. A searing heat exploded through her hand, radiating sharply up her arm. She gasped softly, her small body tensing as unbearable itching clawed furiously beneath her skin, sending waves of painful discomfort through her delicate nerves.
Desperately, she rubbed at her palm, panic rising within her—but before the pain could overwhelm her, something stirred deep within her chest. A comforting pulse, gentle and warm, flowed outward from her hidden core—a radiant force nestled secretly beside her beating heart. It surged calmly through her veins, washing swiftly and powerfully over the invasive corruption, cleansing her body effortlessly. The feverish heat faded rapidly, replaced by soothing calmness, the invasive spores repelled instantly by the mysterious inner light she carried within.
Yet, as relief filled her small frame, Lili's deep-blue eyes widened with growing horror as she realized those around her did not share her hidden immunity.
Her father rounded the corner swiftly toward the towering spaceport entrance, carrying Lili atop his shoulders, her mother following closely behind. Ahead stretched a vast, metallic ramp, crowded by tens of thousands of desperate civilians, shuffling forward with painful slowness. Their faces were pale with fear, eyes wide and filled with desperate hope. Above, the massive planetary cannons continued their thunderous volleys, their booming reverberations shaking the very ground beneath her.
Lili's keen eyes swept quickly around, her extraordinary senses pinpointing small pockets of potential refuge—the darkened entrances to buildings, the flickering neon lights of the sprawling food market—but each seemed unreachable, distant islands of fragile safety amidst the surging mass of humanity.
Clinging tighter to her father's coat, Lili's tiny fingers gripped fiercely, heart pounding with silent dread as she watched more spores descending, their density increasing ominously with each passing moment.
Then, she saw it—a single spore landing gently upon the back of her father's exposed neck. Immediately, his skin reddened angrily, swelling rapidly into a grotesque pustule that pulsed sickeningly, as if something sinister and alive lurked beneath. Her father, unaware, reached absently to scratch it.
"Father, no!" Lili gasped, eyes wide with terror, watching helplessly as his fingertips brushed the swelling. With a sudden, sickening pop, the pustule burst open, vile green ichor splattering across Lili's small hand and pristine white dress.
"No, Father, stop it!" she cried again, her voice small yet desperate. But already, her father's normally gentle blue eyes had turned vacant, glazing over as if lost to an unseen force.
All around her, Lili heard a rising chorus—a horrific symphony of wet, popping sounds. People writhed and cried out, clawing frantically at their skin as pustules burst open, releasing sprays of infectious green fluids. Panic quickly turned to agony, and agony to confusion, as the infection spread rapidly through the crowd. Families tore apart, strangers turned violently against one another, each infected individual losing themselves swiftly to madness and pain.
Elenya stepped back in bewilderment, her hands rising protectively to her pregnant belly, eyes wide with confusion and dread. She stared at her husband, her voice trembling as she asked softly, fearfully, "Who… who are you?"
"I… I don't know," Father replied, his voice trembling and broken, eyes wide with frantic confusion. "Who am I?"
His words sent a chill down Lili's spine. All around them, similar cries rose into the air—voices filled with sudden, gut-wrenching despair and bewilderment. People questioned their own identities, clutching at their heads, gazes darting frantically, their sense of self slipping through their fingers like grains of sand.
Nearby, a nobleman in once-fine robes staggered forward, his face drenched in sweat, his clothing now sodden with dark, vile fluids. "Please," he begged hoarsely to the soldiers guarding the ramp, "I must board immediately! I—" He faltered, confusion clouding his eyes, words failing abruptly as he stumbled to his knees, unable even to recall his own name.
Then, in one horrifying instant, tens of thousands of people collapsed simultaneously, as though unseen strings had been cruelly severed. The massive crowd dropped to the ground in eerie unison, their bodies convulsing silently, limbs twitching grotesquely. Lili, still atop her father's shoulders, suddenly felt his grip fail entirely. His powerful arms went limp, and she toppled helplessly forward, landing roughly upon an elderly woman sprawled below.
She scrambled in panic, small hands pressing against clammy fabric soaked with a sickening green ichor. Lili froze in shock, her wide, innocent eyes staring directly into the old woman's face—foam bubbling horribly from parted lips, eyes rolled back into unseeing whites.
A deep, guttural groan filled the air, rising slowly, terrifyingly from the convulsing mass of bodies—a sound unlike any she had ever heard, filled with an inhuman agony and hunger.
Then, with nightmare swiftness, the transformations began.
Lili turned just in time to witness her father's body contort unnaturally, muscles writhing beneath darkening skin. Grotesque veins bulged visibly, pulsing sickly green, while beneath his flesh bones shifted horribly, pushing outward into cruel, sharpened spikes. His hands twisted and elongated into monstrous, clawed talons, twitching uncontrollably as if possessed by some terrible new instinct.
"Papa—no…" Lili whimpered softly, helpless and frozen in shock, tears filling her wide eyes.
She turned desperately toward her mother, hoping for safety, for comfort—but what met her gaze sent cold horror piercing deep into her heart. Elenya, once beautiful and gentle, now transformed terribly—her elegant fingers fused and sharpened into spear-like appendages. Her lips melted away, leaving behind a permanent, skeletal grin etched in madness, her beautiful blue eyes now hollow and lifeless.
All around her, humanity was dissolving, replaced swiftly by monstrous parodies of life. Flesh twisted and broke with sickening snaps, bones rearranging themselves with ruthless purpose, reshaping victims into unspeakable horrors. From the innocent to the strong, the old to the young, none were spared. Screams of agony gave way to guttural growls and choking, bestial roars.
On the edges of the chaos stood the Imperial soldiers, still protected by their featureless gas masks, frozen briefly in abject horror. Their rigid postures betrayed raw fear beneath disciplined exteriors. Slowly, deliberately, Lili heard the unmistakable click of safeties being disengaged, a sound sharp and clear amidst the madness. Rifles rose swiftly, training their barrels upon the horrific wave of corrupted bodies rising inexorably to face them.
Clinging desperately to a shred of sanity amidst the nightmare, Lili cowered silently among the fallen, her innocent heart pounding furiously, her small form trembling uncontrollably. Around her, the world she had known crumbled to ruin, leaving her tiny, fragile figure huddled helplessly amidst a sea of monsters—alone, terrified, and utterly powerless as the soldiers prepared grimly for battle.
Lili's wide, terrified eyes focused upon a single soldier standing near the ramp, his lasrifle aimed unsteadily at the monstrous forms writhing before him. Even beneath his gas mask, she could sense his overwhelming fear. His hands shook visibly, the rifle trembling, his muffled voice quivering as he called desperately to his commanding officer:
"Sir… what do we do? Do we shoot?"
The commander, a towering, imposing figure in a peaked cap, stood momentarily frozen, the silence stretching painfully. Then, finally, came his grim, resolute reply:
"Yes."
A searing bolt of lasfire sliced through the oppressive silence, its flash vivid and intense. The shot burned directly into the chest of one transformed victim, searing through twisted flesh and mutated growths—but the creature barely faltered, its limbs twitching grotesquely as though untouched by the mortal wound.
Then, as though triggered by some unseen command, the infected surged violently forward. Their movements were chaotic, unnatural, bodies lurching spasmodically, limbs snapping with sickening audibility. They did not walk—they convulsed forward, propelled by some hideous, primal impulse. Their tortured, glistening eyes stared outward from beneath rotting, corrupted flesh, filled with an agonizing awareness.
And they laughed.
It was a sound Lili had never imagined could exist—a ghastly, piercing cacophony of shrieks and twisted laughter that mocked the very concept of sanity. It echoed horrifically through the city, chilling her to her very core.
The soldiers reacted swiftly, disciplined reflexes taking hold as they unleashed a torrent of lasfire upon the advancing horde. Bright bolts of energy tore through corrupted bodies, yet the infected pressed relentlessly forward, their twisted forms regenerating rapidly despite devastating injuries. Flesh knitted back together, limbs realigned unnaturally, and still they advanced with unending, inhuman vigor.
A soldier screamed sharply, his voice abruptly cut short as a clawed, mutated hand shattered his protective visor, dragging him violently into the surging mass of corruption. His desperate cries vanished beneath the seething swarm.
Instinctively, driven by primal terror, Lili turned and ran.
Her small feet moved with swift, desperate agility, carrying her across convulsing bodies littering the ground, weaving nimbly between collapsing soldiers and fleeing citizens. Her heart pounded fiercely, breath sharp and rapid, her vision narrowed to a single overwhelming imperative:
Escape.
She fled from the twisted figures that had once been her parents, now lost to monstrous transformation. Away from the horrid laughter and grotesque grins. Away from the chaos and madness that had devoured her entire world.
Gunfire roared behind her, mingling with desperate shouts and chilling laughter. Soldiers desperately attempted to hold the spreading horror at bay, their disciplined fire struggling futilely against the relentless tide. All around, the proud white towers of Mikri Poli loomed like ghostly sentinels, overseeing scenes of unimaginable devastation.
Her enhanced senses forced upon her anguished cries she desperately wished she could ignore. A woman reached pleadingly toward her, eyes wide with agony, her skin erupting in blistering pustules. But even as Lili met her gaze, the woman's face twisted horribly, her terrified expression morphing swiftly into the same haunting, insane smile that had taken the others. Her laughter echoed sharply, following Lili's frantic sprint.
She pushed past countless others—a nobleman begging incoherently, unable even to recall his name; a mother clawing desperately at her own face, bloodied fingers leaving deep gashes as she laughed uncontrollably, eyes wide and pleading beneath a mask of madness.
Finally, ahead loomed the enormous glass doors of the sprawling food market—bright neon signs flickering dimly amid the chaos, offering a faint hope of sanctuary. With every ounce of remaining strength, Lili hurled herself through the doors, her small hands fumbling desperately to manually lock them shut.
The heavy doors groaned under her frantic touch, resisting stubbornly before finally clicking firmly into place.
For a brief, fragile moment, silence surrounded her—a temporary reprieve, however small, from the nightmare raging just beyond the glass.
Then Lili spun around sharply to look upon the world beyond the doors, gasping desperately for breath—and nearly screamed in renewed terror as she did so.
Beyond the heavy glass doors, the infected rose once more, their broken and twisted bodies cracking audibly as dislocated bones snapped grotesquely back into position. Arms and legs hung limply before abruptly jerking upright, heads rolling lifelessly back before snapping forward again, faces grinning hideously, eternally frozen in expressions of twisted joy. Their eyes, however, betrayed the torment within—glistening with pitiful tears that spoke silently of trapped souls pleading desperately for release.
A woman in silk robes, now stained darkly with corruption, approached slowly, clawed fingers trembling as they scraped gently against the glass barrier. Her once beautiful face turned toward Lili, her eyes filled briefly with tragic, desperate humanity, a silent plea for salvation. But almost immediately, the terrible madness returned—her lips curling back into that sickening, permanent grin as laughter poured forth uncontrollably, harsh and discordant, mocking sanity itself.
Others joined her swiftly, forming a grotesque chorus, their monstrous voices blending into an unbearable, cacophonous symphony of madness. Lili's heart froze within her small chest, her breath hitching painfully, terror nearly overwhelming her senses.
RUN.
The command surged powerfully through her mind, shattering the paralyzing fear that gripped her. Driven purely by instinctive survival, Lili pivoted sharply, sprinting headlong into the cavernous darkness of the sprawling food market, desperately leaving the haunting laughter far behind.
Rows upon rows of shelves stretched endlessly before her, towering aisles stacked with countless products beneath a vast, vaulted ceiling that arched high overhead, like the exposed ribs of some immense, slumbering creature. Overhead lights flickered erratically, casting shifting, jagged shadows that danced unsettlingly across the polished floors like phantom shapes pursuing her tiny form.
Lili didn't pause.
Didn't dare look back.
With swift, silent urgency, she darted swiftly into the produce section, her petite figure slipping easily through the narrow gaps between towering shelves piled high with fresh fruits and vegetables. The rich, comforting scent of ripe produce surrounded her—an agonizingly cruel contrast to the unimaginable nightmare outside.
In a moment of desperate instinct, she lunged forward and flung herself into a large, soft mound of fresh strawberries, burying her small, trembling body deep beneath their cool, fragrant surfaces. The soft fruit pressed gently against her skin, offering a fleeting, fragile comfort against the horror she'd just fled.
She lay hidden, utterly still, waiting in agonizing silence.
Her breath came in shallow, quiet gasps, heart hammering painfully within her chest. Her tiny fingers clutched tightly at the delicate white flowers she'd carried faithfully all this way, their soft petals trembling alongside her own frightened frame.
Outside her hiding place, she heard distant sounds—a muffled shuffling, guttural groans, and horrific, insane laughter echoing faintly through the cavernous market. She closed her eyes tightly, focusing inward, feeling the gentle warmth of the secret magical core nestled within her chest. It pulsed softly, offering quiet reassurance, steadying her nerves just enough to keep her from breaking completely.
In the tense, waiting silence, she listened closely for signs of movement approaching, heart beating in frantic, silent prayer that she might remain undiscovered amidst the delicate sweetness of the strawberries.
Outside—beyond the aisles, beyond the thin barrier of glass—the infected laughter surged again, rising into a sinister chorus, an unending, nightmarish hymn of madness. Just as the terrible singing reached its peak, massive explosions ripped through the air, sending violent tremors cascading through the market. Lasrifle fire crackled sharply, signaling the Imperial soldiers' desperate and defiant counterattack.
Even buried beneath the soft strawberries, Lili's heightened senses captured every detail with brutal clarity. She heard the relentless thunder of artillery, felt each impact reverberating deeply through the building's foundation, mingling with frantic gunfire and the urgent shouts of soldiers pleading desperately for reinforcements. Yet beneath it all persisted that sickening, twisted lullaby, relentless and mocking:
"Join our song, sing along. Celebrate our sickness…"
Their voices distorted horribly—some rising into high-pitched, manic shrieks, others rumbling in deep, guttural growls. Still more gurgled horribly through throats clogged with blood, their laughter blending grotesquely into their horrifying chant:
"Through our bile, we will smile. One and all bear witness—"
Then—BOOM.
An immense shockwave rattled the entire market, making shelves tremble violently. Lili flinched sharply, pressing herself deeper into the soft pile of fruit, her heart hammering frantically as something enormous moved steadily closer, just beyond the fragile barrier.
The mechanical roar of a massive engine filled the air, accompanied by the heavy grinding of immense metal treads crushing everything beneath them. It wasn't simply rolling—it advanced relentlessly, mercilessly crushing the infected beneath its unstoppable bulk. Sickening sounds of bodies breaking, flesh tearing, and bones snapping echoed grotesquely, flooding into the market interior. But the infected, twisted beyond humanity, only laughed harder—joyfully, ecstatically—as their tortured bodies broke apart.
"More, more! Crush us!" one infected figure cried gleefully, voice twisted with hideous delight.
"Yes! Yes! We'll smile for you—" another shrieked in perverse joy, cut off sharply by another thunderous explosion.
Another massive blast shattered the air, shaking the building violently. Glass shattered from above, cascading down like deadly rain from the broken skylights, allowing cold, harsh wind and distant echoes of desperate evacuation efforts to rush inward.
Lili bit down fiercely on her trembling lip, hands clenching the delicate white flowers against her chest, trying desperately to block out the overwhelming cacophony—gunfire, laughter, screams—all merging into a relentless, unbearable storm of terror.
Then, suddenly, a deafening roar drowned out everything else—the Imperial tank positioned outside fired its main cannon, obliterating the market's façade in a fiery explosion of glass, metal, and stone. The massive war machine surged forward defiantly, its powerful engines roaring desperately against the overwhelming horde of infected.
Yet even the mighty tank was quickly overwhelmed. The infected swarmed swiftly over its armored hull, their twisted claws peeling back thick plates of metal with unnatural strength, exposing the vulnerable crew inside. Lili squeezed her eyes shut tightly as anguished screams echoed from within the tank, silenced quickly by horrific, wet sounds.
In that moment, she felt the soldiers' last act of defiance—a muted series of clicks, the distinctive sound of grenade pins being pulled within the breached vehicle. A brief silence followed, stretching painfully before an immense explosion engulfed the market in devastating fire and shrapnel, shaking the very earth beneath Lili.
The powerful blast hurled shelves to the ground, shattered remaining windows, and triggered a chorus of frantic, wailing alarms. As the fiery chaos subsided, an abrupt, terrifying silence descended upon the market, broken only by faint crackles of distant flames and the soft, chilling sound of distant, lingering laughter.
Buried beneath the strawberries, Lili trembled silently, her heart pounding painfully, her small body frozen in terrified stillness, waiting helplessly within the sudden, deafening quiet.
But the silence was fleeting.
Footsteps echoed softly, rhythmically, through the devastated market—slow, deliberate, unnaturally synchronized. Lili's heart froze painfully in her chest as realization dawned: the infected had breached the store.
She curled tighter, pressing her delicate face deeper into the crushed strawberries, their sweet fragrance mixing sickeningly with the faint yet unmistakable odor of rot and corruption that drifted nearer with every passing second.
Then, softly at first but growing stronger, the infected began their horrifying melody again:
"Join our song, sing along. Celebrate our sickness.
Through our bile, we will smile. One and all bear witness,
To our unifying sickness."
Their haunting chant seeped insidiously into her mind, coiling gently around her thoughts like dark, seductive tendrils. For a fleeting instant, it seemed almost soothing—strangely comforting, reminiscent of the lullabies her mother had once hummed gently when stroking her hair at bedtime.
But this… this was twisted, distorted. Dangerous. It wasn't her mother's gentle voice—it was something corrupted, something malevolent. Poison masked by sweetness.
Deep within Lili's chest, something stirred in defiance—a tiny, resilient spark, her hidden core of pure warmth and gentle light. It resisted fiercely, pushing back against the dark allure of the infected's siren call. Yet still, the melody persisted, coaxing, whispering gently but insistently, promising solace and unity in madness.
Her small lips parted involuntarily, breath trembling as the first whispered note nearly slipped from her tongue—
No!
With a desperate surge of determination, she clenched her tiny fists tighter around the delicate white flowers, petals crushed within her trembling grip. She would not surrender; she would not allow herself to be claimed by this nightmare. Not now, not ever.
Closer now, the infected drew nearer, their heavy, deliberate steps punctuated by rasping chuckles and wet, wheezing breaths, sounds echoing ominously through the shattered aisles of the market. They approached with inevitable certainty—closer, always closer.
She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, every muscle in her small frame rigid with unbearable tension. Her heartbeat thundered deafeningly within her ears. At any moment, she knew those grotesque, clawed hands would plunge through her fragile hiding place, dragging her out screaming to become one of them.
She waited in helpless silence, her breath shallow, body trembling. The footsteps paused close by, shadows falling across her hiding spot, blocking the pale glow of the shattered skylight above.
They were here, but then suddenly, a deafening explosion tore through the market, violently shaking the ground beneath Lili. The shockwave rattled the shelves, scattering fruit and sending crates tumbling to the floor. The cacophony of battle surged anew, shattering the oppressive silence with harsh, defiant shouts and the relentless, echoing snap of lasrifle fire.
"For the Imperium! Die, mutant scum!" echoed a fierce, determined voice, resonating from the market's center. Immediately, a chorus of battle cries rose defiantly amidst the crackling roar of flamethrowers and searing lasgun blasts. The infected shrieked in rage and pain, their grotesque lullaby abruptly shattered by the soldiers' desperate assault.
Through gaps between the fruit piled atop her, Lili glimpsed brilliant flashes of fiery light slicing violently through the gloom. Imperial soldiers surged forward, emerging swiftly and mercilessly from the metro entrance, their grim figures clad in heavy armor and gas masks that rendered their faces unreadable yet filled with ruthless determination.
"Purge them!" shouted their commander, his voice distorted by his mask yet unmistakably resolute. "Hold the line at all costs!"
A savage roar rose from the infected ranks as they charged headlong, tearing recklessly through market aisles in frenzied, relentless waves. A brutal, desperate battle erupted in earnest—lasrifle bolts cracked sharply through the air, flamethrowers spewed roaring torrents of flame, and anguished screams blended into a nightmarish symphony of violence.
Lili lay perfectly still, barely daring to breathe, her heart pounding in terrified silence as explosions erupted above her hiding place, showering down debris and burning remnants. Every sound, every harrowing detail, reached her heightened senses with terrifying clarity—the desperate, defiant shouts of soldiers, the wet, wrenching sounds of infected flesh torn apart by disciplined fire, and the crackling flames rapidly consuming the market.
Yet despite their valor, despite their fierce defiance, the soldiers were soon overwhelmed. The infected surged relentlessly forward, heedless of losses, drawn irresistibly toward the sounds and flashes of violence like moths toward flame. Soldiers' weapons overheated in their hands, their fire becoming erratic as ammunition dwindled dangerously low.
Then came a final, desperate roar of defiance—a soldier's last cry as explosions erupted violently, shaking the market once more. Grenades detonated in rapid succession, toppling shelves, shattering glass, scattering infected bodies across the floor in smoldering heaps. Soldiers began to fall back swiftly, forced into a desperate, disciplined retreat toward the metro entrance, their shouts growing more distant with every passing moment.
Gradually, the sounds of brutal conflict faded away, leaving behind an eerie, oppressive quiet. Lili lay utterly frozen, her small, frightened face pressed deeply into the soft, crushed strawberries, their sweet fragrance now sickeningly mixed with the acrid stench of burning flesh and smoldering ruin.
She choked back quiet sobs of helpless frustration, her tiny body trembling violently with fear and sorrow. She was just a child, forced to endure this nightmare in powerless silence, abandoned to a world suddenly consumed by madness.
The echoes of battle continued retreating further away, leaving Lili utterly alone amidst the smoke-filled ruins and the haunting, lingering quiet.
Finally, the chaos subsided, leaving an oppressive, uneasy silence in its wake. The distant, intermittent thunder of planetary defense guns still echoed faintly—a quiet reminder that somewhere, despite the overwhelming horrors, resistance endured. But now the infected had moved onward, drawn away by the distant promise of other prey, leaving Lili alone, trembling quietly beneath her fragile sanctuary of strawberries.
Time passed slowly, agonizingly, though Lili had no clear sense of how long she lay motionless. Minutes stretched painfully into hours, the oppressive quiet thickening steadily as day slipped silently into night. Her body began to ache, muscles stiffened from remaining frozen so long beneath the soft, crushed fruit. Finally, driven by a quiet urgency deep within her, she cautiously raised her head.
Her limbs protested painfully, heavy and sluggish, yet something resilient inside her urged her gently onward. Blinking rapidly, she strained her eyes to pierce the oppressive gloom filling the shattered market. Weak, flickering emergency lights cast pale, erratic shadows along the aisles, barely illuminating the devastation. The sickly green glow of the unnatural spores outside filtered eerily through shattered windows, bathing everything in an unsettling, ghostly hue.
Slowly, Lili rubbed her face, smearing away dried tears and sticky strawberry juice, feeling the warmth within her chest stir gently. That hidden, comforting core of mysterious power awakened quietly, sharpening her senses, allowing her keen eyes to pierce the darkness more effectively than ever before. She began to make out faint outlines clearly—the toppled shelves, scattered produce, and remnants of the chaotic violence.
With a quiet, deep breath, Lili carefully emerged from her hiding place, her small hands trembling slightly. Her eyes darted anxiously around, noticing immediately the shopkeeper was nowhere to be seen. Everything around her lay in ruin, unmistakably marked by the violence and terror of earlier events.
Feeling an instinctive need to survive—balanced by her mother's gentle lessons in honesty and compassion—she delicately gathered a small handful of strawberries and leafy greens, placing them carefully in her pockets. She took only what she felt she truly needed, mindful to remain good even in the face of such overwhelming despair.
Her tiny footsteps whispered softly across the cold, polished floor, careful and quiet as she navigated through the devastation. Each step was cautious, deliberate, her small frame moving gracefully between the fallen shelves and scattered debris. The distant echoes of battle continued intermittently, a faint backdrop to her uncertain path.
Yet despite everything—her fear, her loneliness, her exhaustion—a quiet resilience bloomed gently within her, steadying her fragile heart as she stepped bravely forward into the unknown darkness ahead.
As Lili moved hesitantly toward the darkened metro entrance, her sharp, reluctant gaze fell upon the scattered remains around her—bodies of the infected twisted grotesquely, forever frozen in their horrific, unnatural smiles. Even torn apart, reduced to mere fragments, those terrible grins remained intact, haunting reminders of the nightmare that had overtaken her world.
Her heart lurched painfully, forcing her to quickly avert her gaze, her small breaths quick and shallow, filled with trembling fear. Her eyes desperately sought refuge, focusing instead on the entrance to the metro. Yet there, at the foot of the stairs, lay a grim testament to violence—a fallen soldier's form sprawled awkwardly, blood splattered violently across walls and floor, the body barely recognizable following the grenade's devastating blast. Several infected lay twisted nearby, evidence of the soldiers' fierce, desperate last stand.
Swallowing hard against the rising nausea, Lili hesitated briefly, summoning the remains of her fragile courage before stepping slowly downward, descending into the oppressive darkness of the metro tunnels. Each step felt heavier than the last, the shadows below swallowing her tiny frame as if eager to consume her entirely.
At the bottom, her heart caught painfully at the sight awaiting her—three soldiers, their bodies intertwined in a final, desperate embrace, a tragic and silent testament to their valiant effort. They had sacrificed everything, attempting desperately to collapse the tunnel to halt the spread of infection, but their heroic attempt had claimed their lives as well, leaving behind only ruin and sorrow.
Before her stretched a chaotic wasteland of collapsed concrete, twisted metal, and scattered debris. Blood smeared starkly across the tunnel walls, the acrid scent of death thick and choking in the stagnant air. The crushing weight of despair pressed relentlessly upon her small chest, a sob rising painfully in her throat. She yearned desperately for her parents—for the warmth of her father's reassuring embrace, her mother's gentle, protective eyes, anything to shield her from the encroaching darkness.
Yet, just as hopelessness threatened to overwhelm her completely, a small, resilient spark ignited deep within her heart. She remembered clearly her father's calm, steady voice reminding her to always be brave, to never surrender. Her mother's gentle eyes filled her memory, silently urging her onward through the pain and fear.
With newfound determination, she clenched her small fists tightly, drawing strength from memories of their love and guidance. She had promised to endure, to be brave in the face of overwhelming darkness.
She would survive—she had to.
And with that resolve burning softly within her chest, she stepped forward into the shadowed depths, determined to find a way through the nightmare.
As if responding directly to her newfound resolve, Lili's small, trembling hand brushed softly against a stone lying amidst the cold, scattered debris—a stone that pulsed gently with an unexpected warmth. Surprised yet curious, she carefully picked it up, her delicate fingers wrapping instinctively around the rough surface.
Almost immediately, the dull gray stone began to transform slowly within her grasp, its harsh surface smoothing and shifting into a radiant crystal, glowing softly with a pure, comforting light. It shimmered gently in her palm, casting a warm, reassuring glow upon her frightened features—a tiny, fragile beacon of hope amidst the overwhelming darkness.
Mesmerized, Lili felt the warmth seep into her skin, radiating gently through her veins. A newfound confidence filled her small frame, steadying her trembling limbs and calming her racing heart. Emboldened by the gentle glow, she took careful steps forward, each movement growing stronger and more assured as the tunnel slowly widened before her.
In the distance, barely visible yet unmistakably present, a faint, golden glow appeared—soft, flickering lights accompanied by the gentle murmur of distant whispers. Her heartbeat quickened instantly, a tentative hope blossoming within her chest. Could it be? Were there others down here, survivors like herself?
With cautious eagerness, drawing strength from the steady glow of the crystal held tightly within her hand, Lili moved forward into the unknown. Her heart fluttered gently, buoyed by the fragile yet determined hope now stirring strongly within her young heart.
She moved steadily, the crystal's warm, reassuring light guiding her steps forward, toward the uncertain yet hopeful glow ahead—toward the whispers, toward the possibility of finding others, toward survival.