With orders having been given out to Garrus and Veridian and the people set to work, one of the companies to be sent back to Lithos escorting the new recruits. One had to wonder why hasn't the Union come to remove this growing threat with in their very borders. It is with rumors coming from villagers who come to Lithos to seek shelter that strange creatures have been sighted. Creatures that moved on all four, pale as snow, and move supernaturally fast.
So far these rumors have just been speculation, tall tales. Until when a patrol was sent out from Lithos to the borders of it's domain. It was there this patrol of Legionnaires saw them with their own eyes. The Pale Ones they are called, it was only two sighted that seemed to be watching them with a cold intelligence. What was strange is that these creatures would not cross into the domain of the Obsidio Ordo. Creatures of sinew muscle, black claws seem to be made of metal, teeth that extend two inches, bone spike that protruded along its spine. The muscles of this creature were thick and corded allowing to move the way it did and the capability to tear the limbs of a grown man. The Pales One did not see with eyes but could see with heat and sound, they did not feel fear.
It is the Pales Ones after Corvin's escape from The Crucible that were disturbed, with the collapse of structural beams revealing sealed tunnels and caverns these creatures that laid dormant were awoken. They were not solitary hunter but pack animals, it is The Pale Ones that the Union has been trying to contain with in the mines and hence why they never sent a force to quell the growing threat that is Corvin because they couldn't spare so many men. The largest reason why the Union had such trouble was because their ability to quickly regenerate, wounds stitching together at a visible rate.
And the other reason and possibly even more important is the Union's geographical position they never had to deal with nightmarish creatures the rest of the continent deals due to the mountain chain sealing them off except the northern and southern borders and the ocean to the west. It is why their military isn't as strong as it should be and why they only ever used mercenary armies to fill their needs. And now this decision has come around in full.
With the creatures coming up from the deepest parts of the mines throwing everything into further chaos. Many of the slaves took advantage to escape from this hell, many slaves were still slaughtered by the creatures as the Union would use them as bait to buy time. Still many others escaped into the surrounding areas, while some set forward towards Lithos. Lithos is about to have a massive influx with people while also needing to plan for the eventuality of these creatures doing more than just watching.
By time word of this reached Lithos it has already reached Corvin due to the Flock Link system, now more than ever did the second keep need to be built. Corvin would have two companies from Iubeo detach and go to Lithos along with the escort to reinforce their first keep. Another company would patrol the roads between the two to provide protection for material transport and workers. While doing this they would expand towards the opposite direction of the The Crucible as well, taking control of any quarries and mines along the way.
Another company based out of Lithos would also remain on patrol with in the norther domain of Lithos, The Crucible was tens of miles away to the north of Lithos well outside it's domain of influence and Iubeo to the west of Lithos effectively cutting off the norther Union and their southern end. This provided a barrier for Corvin to begin expanding to the south as well. They needed much more manpower both military and labor while also acquiring more resources for construction and outfitting troops.
It was during the transfer of the Earth sorcerers that they discovered that their magic tied to the earth has been laced and enhanced from obsidian magic from using their magic and being with in Corvin's domain for an extended period of time. Their spells are now structurally superior, faster, and possess the cold precision that defines the Imperium. They are producing Obsidian-enhanced materials for Obsidios Iubeo at an even greater rate than initially planned, further accelerating the construction timeline.
It was during this time that one of these sorcerers also outperformed his peers in both obsidian earth based magic and a wider scope of abilities. Showing a far greater talent then the rest of them, from forming obsidian blocks faster than others, any structure made by his blocks were far more durable than others. Once they reached Iubeo he received the full Raven Mark for not only his raw talent but also his ambition to keeps improving and contributing to the Nyx Imperium. His name Vesper Thorne shall lead his peers to building Obisidos Iubeo and other future Observas.
Every influx of slaves from the Crucible was screened by Garrus' legionaries as they approached the gates of Obisidos Lithos. Adding to the already growing population and strain of feeding more mouths, luckily Iubeo had a store of food so they would not feel this immediately however this problem would need to be addressed sooner than later. Just as before slaves were officially freed upon entry to Lithos and given the option to join the Imperium, they would need to work and contribute to earn their keep but they would be guaranteed safety and shelter. Many chose physical laborer as they had no other skills, others the forging hall, others construction under Obel. Others who had fighting experience pledged services to the Legion.
It was during this period that the Legion's total force broke two thousand men including new trainee who had to be broken in. With each new legionaries their capabilities to flex their military might grew, now if they wished they could garrison both cities with one thousand men. The Nyx Imperium was growing, but so were the threats and obstacles to any growing force.