For a long time, Artanis's voice broke the silence, sounding even lower than before: "So this is the future Zeratul envisioned."
"It isn't just a future he saw," Raynor chimed in, pointing toward the now-dimmed crystal. "He also saw the key. In the final fragment of the prophecy, right before he lost consciousness entirely, I saw Kerrigan's face.
"Zeratul told me in his earlier warnings that she is the key—the only variable capable of turning this outcome around."
"The Queen of Blades?" Matriarch Vorazun's voice was laced with clear mistrust and disgust. "That Zerg monster who slaughtered countless numbers of our people? Zeratul would claim she is the 'key'?"
"She isn't the Queen of Blades anymore," Raynor drew a deep breath, deciding to reveal the whole truth. "On Char, we used a Xel'Naga artifact—the Keystone.
"It reversed her transformation. Right now... she is Sarah Kerrigan: a human, or at least far closer to one.
"However, this has brought about a new problem."
He looked toward Artanis: "She is currently imprisoned by a human faction calling itself the 'Farstar Union.' Their leader goes by Osiris.
"This man... possesses technology beyond our comprehension.
"He has a warship whose main battery can obliterate the largest Zerg hive on Char's orbit in a single strike. Kerrigan is aboard that ship right now, serving as his 'research specimen.'"
"You want us to help you rescue her," Selendis said, her tone a statement rather than a question.
"I need help, yes," Raynor admitted candidly. "But that ship... conventional force might not be able to stand against it. I've witnessed its power with my own eyes. We need strategy, wisdom, and..." He paused. "...we need the methods of the Protoss that do not rely on brute force alone."
Artanis turned back to face the holographic star map.
His fingers slid across the image of Aiur, which was heavily marked with icons indicating fleet rally points.
"Commander Raynor, your arrival comes at an ill time, yet perhaps it is precisely when it is most necessary," the Hierarch's voice carried the heavy weight of deliberation. "The Daelaam Protoss are massing the Golden Armada, preparing to launch the campaign to reclaim Aiur that we have awaited for years.
"Every Carrier, every warrior, and every resource has already been allocated to this sacred crusade.
"Zeratul's prophecy... jarring though it is, depicts a vague future. Aiur, on the other hand, is our concrete past and future."
"Yet if that future comes to pass, even if Aiur is reclaimed, it will only be swallowed by the darkness once again," Raynor persisted. "Doesn't a warning bought with Zeratul's life merit a portion of your attention?"
"It does," Artanis conceded. "However, not in the form of a major military force. The Golden Armada cannot be split; victory in the Battle for Aiur must be absolute."
He pondered for a moment before turning his gaze to Vorazun. "Matriarch, the Dark Templar fleet is not fully integrated into the organization of the Golden Armada. Furthermore... Zeratul was one of your own. Though he was in exile, his prophecy deserves your consideration."
Vorazun remained silent, her dark green eyes fixed on the dimmed Ion Crystal.
After a long pause, she spoke: "Zeratul slew the former Matriarch to free her from the Overmind's control, even though the cost was her life.
"He paid for that sin with his own exile. Yet his wisdom... was never questioned.
"The Dark Templar can send a small elite force to investigate this matter and assess the risks, provided it does not impact the primary campaign for Aiur."
"That is insufficient," Selendis shook her head. "If that human warship possesses the kind of power Raynor describes, a small-scale force would merely be sent to its death."
"Which is why we need a plan, not brute force," Raynor seized the opportunity. "Osiris's objective doesn't seem to be merely holding Kerrigan captive. He possesses an intense desire to research Xel'Naga creations and those ancient secrets.
"Perhaps... we can leverage that. Create a point of contact, a negotiation, or a 'deal' he cannot refuse."
Artanis looked at Raynor, then back at the fleets assembling on the star map. Ultimately, he reached a decision.
"Convene the High Council. Representatives of the Templar, the Dark Templar, and the Archons. We must deliberate on this prophecy and... how to address this potentially far-off threat while reclaiming Aiur." He looked at Raynor, "Commander Raynor, you will attend and present everything you know regarding Osiris, that warship, the Keystone, and why Kerrigan is the 'key.'"
"And what about the rescue plan?" Raynor pressed further.
"If the Council recognizes the urgency of the threat, we will find a way," Artanis's gaze grew resolute. "The Protoss will not ignore the warnings of a prophet, nor will we blindly rush toward an unknown destruction. We will devise a strategy, Raynor.
"However, you must understand—between the glory of Aiur and a vague prophecy, the priorities of the Protoss are clear."
Raynor nodded. This was already the best outcome he could hope for.
At least the Protoss hadn't turned him away at the door. At least Zeratul's warning was being treated with gravity.
Meanwhile, just as the Protoss High Council began to assemble, Osiris's preliminary analysis of the Keystone aboard the Eternal Seeker had just reached a troubling conclusion: deep within the artifact, energy signatures exhibiting subtle deviations from the known physical constants of the universe were detected.
It appeared to be more than just a tool; it was far more akin to a... beacon.
At the core sanctuary on Shakuras, the Protoss High Council rarely convened in full strength unless facing a monumental crisis.
The circular crystalline hall hung suspended above the planet's orbit, where twelve levitating platforms held leaders representing every stratum of Protoss society.
The Templar delegation was led by Artanis, clad in golden armor; the Dark Templar delegation was headed by Matriarch Vorazun, her skin bearing a dark hue; beside them stood Archons, Preservers, and fleet commanders representing various tribes.
At the center of the hall, a holographic projection replayed key segments of the prophecy from the Ion Crystal on loop.
Raynor stood upon the presentation platform designated for visitors, feeling the scrutinizing glances cast from all sides.
Some among these Protoss were open-minded toward humans, while others harbored deep-seated suspicions—after all, the history of humanity in the Koprulu sector was rife with chaos and conflict.
"We have witnessed the final foresight of Prophet Zeratul," an elderly Archon spoke, his voice sounding like grinding stone. "The visions are indeed unsettling. Yet too many riddles remain unresolved: To what specifically does the 'Voice in the Darkness' refer? What form do those unrecognizable enemies take? And where on the timeline does this prophecy fall?"