Aldred sensed the hesitation within the Xyrrathi assembly, their collective consciousness a whirlpool of thoughts and memories. "Your kind has faced the demons before," he said, his voice resonant within their shared mental space. "Thousands of your worlds were consumed by their darkness. You fought bravely, yet the cost was unimaginable."
At the mention of their past conflict with the demons, the assembly's luminosity dimmed, a shadow of sorrow passing over them. The Xyrrathi leader, in particular, flickered intensely, its form becoming less stable, as if stirred by a storm of emotions. The memories of that ancient war were etched deeply into their being, a scar upon their collective soul.
"Many of you are survivors of that war, or descendants of those who witnessed the devastation first-hand," Aldred continued, his tone gentle yet unwavering. "The threat we face now with Lord Malgorth's weapon could eclipse even those dark times. We seek not to reopen old wounds but to prevent new ones."
The leader's form suddenly blazed with a crimson light, turning chaotic and turbulent. The energy around it crackled with raw emotion, a reflection of the rage and pain that the mention of the past evoked. "We remember," it transmitted, the words heavy with grief and anger. "We remember the fires that consumed our worlds, the lives lost to the abyss."
Aldred, feeling the weight of their sorrow, chose his next words with care. "Then you understand why we must stand together now. The demons' ambitions have not waned; they have only grown more cunning, more dangerous. If we do not act, the past may repeat itself, on a scale we cannot yet fathom."
The assembly, influenced by their leader's display of emotion, began to resonate with a unified energy. The once serene and detached beings were now united by a common purpose, their decision crystallizing in the face of Aldred's appeal.
"We cannot stand idly by," the leader declared, its form stabilizing into a vibrant hue of determination. "The Xyrrathi will join your cause, traveler. We will lend our knowledge, our power, to prevent the annihilation that looms over us all. But before that, who are you?"
"I am the leader of Celestial Platoon."
"You're a human?"
Xyrrathi did not 'see' with their eyes. They used their other senses to detect him. However, they did not detect human. It was something else.
"Not exactly. But the humans have accepted me as if I am their own."
"Really? That's surprising. They used to be extremely xenophobic."
"They still are. But perhaps time can slowly change that."
"Hmm, I am not sure about that. Back to topic, in this war, who else do you plan to invite?"
...
The landscape was a vast wasteland of scrapped ships and twisted metal, a graveyard of battles past. The air was thick with toxins, a noxious cocktail that could kill a human in mere moments, while the gravity and atmospheric pressure were so intense they could crush an adult human instantly.
This was the orkish world, a planet where survival was a testament to strength and resilience of their species.
As Aldred landed on this harsh, unforgiving world, his presence did not go unnoticed. The orks, a warrior race renowned for their ferocity and love of combat, immediately perceived him as a threat.
"It might grow and involves the entire galaxy."
The orks cheered again, louder than the last one.
"So when will this war begin?"
"We have 10 years to prepare."
The cheers turned to depressing "Ahh" in an instant.
"Then why are you here? Come back to us in 10 years."
"I said preparation. That includes attacking the enemy."
They cheered again.
Aldred couldn't help but smile at the orks' simplistic yet fervent reaction to the prospect of war. Their spirit was indomitable, their joy for battle undisguised and pure. It was this very essence of the ork race that Aldred sought to harness in the coming conflict. "The war may be years away, but our preparations start now.
We will strike at our enemies, disrupt their plans, and ensure that when the war comes, we are ready," Aldred explained, his tone serious yet infused with a hint of excitement that he knew would resonate with the orkish nature.
Gruk'rag, the ork leader, scratched his head, a massive grin spreading across his scarred face. "You speak our language, stranger. We orks live for the fight. Tell us where, and we'll bring the war to them!" The orkish warriors around him nodded and grunted in agreement, their earlier hostility replaced by a newfound respect for Aldred.
"Good. I will coordinate with your leaders and inform you of the targets. Remember, this is not just about battle lust. It's about securing our future," Aldred reminded them, his gaze sweeping over the gathered warriors.
The orks, though not known for their long-term planning or strategic thinking, understood the gravity in Aldred's voice. Gruk'rag stepped forward, extending a massive, calloused hand towards Aldred. "We will follow you into this war, stranger. For battle, for glory, and for the future!"
Aldred clasped the ork leader's hand, feeling the immense strength and roughness of his grip. "Thank you, Gruk'rag. Together, we will face whatever comes our way."
As Aldred turned to leave the orkish world behind, he felt a surge of anticipation for the next phase of his mission. The alliances he was forging were diverse and complex, each race bringing its unique strengths and perspectives to the table. The Xyrrathi's wisdom and power, the orks' ferocity and zeal—each would play a crucial role in the battles to come.
His next destination was shrouded in mystery, a race known for their elusive nature and advanced technology. The Sylphids, beings of air and light, rumored to possess the ability to manipulate time and space in ways that even the most advanced races could scarcely understand.
Aldred knew that convincing the Sylphids to join the alliance would be no small feat. Their isolationist tendencies and disdain for the conflicts that plagued the galaxy made them unlikely allies.
Yet, Aldred also knew that the threat posed by Lord Malgorth's weapon transcended individual prejudices and fears. It was a danger to all life, a shadow that loomed over the galaxy, threatening to engulf it in darkness.