?


    Since Ashton''s group was infiltrating through heavy Xyran borders, it was deemed essential to have a small group, as arge group wouldn''t have been able to go deep within Xyran territory without being detected.


    As such, only Ashton, Flintmace, Vulcan, Frank and Lycaon were the ones to embark on the mission to find Drac and the twins. Even though many were willing, Ashton knew it was a mission of utmost importance, and as such, only the strongest warriors should have to take on the quest.


    [I can''t believe a like Nefarion was reduced to this state.]


    "What do you mean?" Ashton inquired as he flew in the dark skies of the, looking for the mine that was Drac''s final coordinates before his disappearance.


    [Nefarion was one of the uniques in the Ombra sector. It was like a hidden gem, with thriving wildlife, prosperous people, and magnificent infrastructure. Master Seraph used to say it was a heaven located at the heart of hell... just like Earth.]


    As he listened to the description, Ashton''s heart sank. He was almost able to envision the''s former magnificence and peace.


    [Now... it''s be hell.]


    "Indeed," Ashton whispered, his gaze focused on the lonelyndscape below. The''s formerly colourful life was now reced by tragedy and despair. "We''re here."


    Ashtonnded on the ground with a faint thud, taking safety among the debris of a fallen building that overlooked the mining site. The scene before him was unlike anything he had ever seen.


    Massive machines, gargantuan in size and strength, rivalling the neighbouring mountains, unleashed a vicious-lookingser, piercing deep into the ground. The force of their drilling shook the ground, sending shockwaves throughout the lonelyndscape.


    A swarm of aliens of various speciesboured tirelessly around the scene, their features carved with despair and desperation.


    They toiled under the watchful gaze of the Xyrans, who stood tall and formidable, assuringplete control over their crew. Ensuring nothing went out of control, and there were no rebellions from the overworkedbourers.


    "Any ideas what they could be mining here?" Ashton asked Astaroth as he should''ve known the answer to the question.


    [Blood Glyphs... At least, I think it''s those.]


    "Blood Glyphs? What are those?"


    [Blood Glyphs are known to be strong and ancient artefacts. They are supposed to be infused with the essence of powerful entities.


    The Xyrans think that by collecting these symbols from the''s deepest depths, they will be able to harness the unimaginable potential and continue increasing their strength unnaturally.]


    "Essence of great beings... meaning the precursors?"


    Ashton''s eyes widened as he pulled together the information. If great beings produced the Glyphs in the distant past, those entities should have been the Precursors. After all, no other species should have been able to store their wills in a''s heart.


    [That''s correct. Legend has it that the glyphs contain the Precursors'' memory and wisdom. They can potentially cause enormous problems and disasters if they fall into the wrong hands.


    The Xyrans'' thirst for dominance pushed them to utilise these artefacts, even if it meant enving and abusing others].


    "Well, there''s nothing new there," Ashton mumbled while silently counting the Xyrans around the mine. "It''s a known fact; the strong will always abuse the weak."


    [That''s true.]


    "But about these Blood Glyphs, how were they even imprinted around the''s core? And even if they were, how are these Xyrans extracting those without harming the?"


    [Who says they are not harming the? Did you think wars were solely responsible for turning Nefarion into this excuse of a world?]


    Ashton silently contemted the weight of Astaroth''s words. It was confirmed that the Xyrans were the strongest species in their gxy at the moment and also had ess to Precursor technology.


    With all things considered, it wasn''t a surprise that the Xyrans were hungry for more Precursor-rted tech.


    [As you know, the Precursors were beings with unimaginable power. They could manipte energy and matter on a cosmic scale. The imprints of the Blood Glyphs were a testament to their advanced technology and knowledge. Something no other species has achieved to date.]


    ''The more I hear about the Precursors, the harder time I have believing that my father was one of them...'' Ashton thought to himself as he was still hiding that information from Astaroth. "So the Xyrans are using Precursor technology to extract the glyphs?"


    [Not entirely. Once defeat was upon the Precursors, the Dwarves took matters into their hands and destroyed most of the tech Precursors had built over time, as they did not want such technology falling into the hands of the wrong people.]


    Astaroth continued, [The Xyrans reversed engineered what they could from the scraps and have been looking for more Precursor tech to perfect the tech that they do have.]


    "So they turned ruthless and careless in their pursuit of power. They do not care for the consequences of their actions as long as they achieve their goals. The well-being of the and its inhabitants be damned."


    [That summarises Xyrans to the point.]


    "So they are destroying Nefarion as well?" Ashton silently questioned.


    [Unfortunately, yes. The Blood Glyphs are deeply connected to the core of Nefarion, and the extraction process inevitably disrupts the''s equilibrium, causing instability and damage. Soon Nefarion will be so unstable there''ll be nothing left of it.]


    Ashton clenched his fists as another thought popped into his head. "Does... Earth has those glyphs as well?"


    Astaroth was silent for a moment. Since Earth was constructed as an adobe for Precursors and their heirs, the humans, it was obvious they would have ced even more glyphs around the Earth than any other. Finally, after a while, Astaroth answered.


    [Yes... the glyphs on Earth are undoubtedly the most desired amongst the Xyran populous. However, since Earth had hit rock bottom a while ago, the Xyrans were in no hurry to extract those glyphs as other civilisations were advancing rapidly and took priority over Earth.]


    "I see..." Ashton whispered coldly. "I have a final question, then. Do you think Xyrans can be turned into werewolves?"


    [Wait... you don''t mean-]


    "I no longer wish to stall my ascension..."