The Tonovian Empire

There lay a vast underground cave system that extended for kilometers. Delving even deeper, one would discover an immense cavern—a colossal pocket hidden from the reach of sunlight. Despite its depth, water managed to find its way, freezing into ice formations.

At over 16 kilometers beneath the surface, the temperature remained frigid, with any semblance of warmth emanating from geologic activities, such as magma chambers. Within this dark, cold, and humid environment, an extraordinary race of humans resided, measuring an average height of 8-9 feet.

These inhabitants had ingeniously carved their dwellings into the cavern walls, creating a world within the pocket. To illuminate their surroundings, they harnessed the radiance of crystals, utilizing an artificial light akin to triboluminescence.

In one of the highest chambers of a meticulously carved stone dwelling, there stood a towering figure, measuring an impressive 10 feet in height. His flowing gray hair cascaded down to his waist, matching the length of his well-groomed beard. His eyebrows, extended past his eyes, framing a pair of light brown eyes that emitted a youthful glow despite his advanced age. Standing near a window, he gazed outwards, contemplating the future with a mix of wisdom and concern.

"Oh, revered Father of fathers," spoke an 8-foot man with white hair and pale blue skin, addressing the taller, elder individual in a language unfamiliar to the surface world. "What shall we do if those Hellish monstrosities appear once more? Just five of them decimated hundreds of our brethren. I understand that our people are enduring a separate calamity hence why our mightiest warriors remain entwined with the embrace of the earth. However, witnessing the terrifying capabilities of those beasts, I believe it would be prudent to awaken our most knowledgeable warriors and impart their wisdom to our present brethren."

The one referred to as Father of fathers contemplated, deep in thought, weighed the words of one of his people brightest youths, the concerns etched upon his aged countenance.

Standing next to the leader, there was another male, towering at around 10.5 feet in height, surpassing even the impressive stature of the elder figure. His hair, as white as snow, cascaded down his broad shoulders, contrasting with his darker blue skin tone. His muscular build hinted at immense strength and power, making him a formidable presence within the chamber.

A couple kilometers away in the same pocket was a group of men and women all around 8 feet tall, most had white hair, some gray and a few around 5 feet with hair as white as snow. As the women shed tears, they walked towards several mounts scattered across the ground, each one resembling the giant physique of their people.

In this solemn gathering, the group of men and women, adorned in simple garments, mourned the loss of their loved ones. The tears streaming down their faces mixed with the red soil as they carefully dug into the earth, revealing the remains of their departed family members. Each individual took part in this ritual, collecting the soil that had absorbed the essence of their fallen kin.

Among them, the women who had children passed the bag of soil, containing the remains, to the eldest member present, signifying the passing of the ancestral lineage. It was a poignant tradition deeply ingrained in their culture, a way to honor and remember those who had departed from their earthly existence.

However, it was a bittersweet moment, for many of the women had no children to continue this ancestral connection. Their sorrow was palpable, a poignant reminder of the calamity that had fallen upon them.

In this underground world, their diet primarily consisted of stones and rocks, supplemented sporadically by scorpion-like crustaceans or shrimp. With no insects to decompose the bodies, the earth served as a natural resting place, consuming the remains and allowing life to find balance in its own unique way.

Fascinatingly, the peculiar petrification process that occurred upon the death of these humanoid beings resulted in a profound effect on the surrounding ground. The interaction between their bodies and the hardened earth yielded a deep red soil, rich in nutrients and highly fertile. This unique soil played a crucial role in the sustenance of their community.

In their observation of the environment, they noticed a curious phenomenon. Certain crustaceans that came into contact with the soil exhibited signs of illness. However, when consumed by these humanoid beings, the sickened crustaceans transformed into a delectable and succulent delicacy. The consumption of these creatures brought nourishment and satisfaction to their diet.

However, they also discovered if the crustaceans ingested the red soil themselves, it would send them into a near-death state. This intriguing observation prompted further exploration and experimentation among the elder beings of their society.

One of the wise elders made a remarkable breakthrough. They found that by combining a small quantity of magma with the red soil and rapidly immersing it in water, they could produce unique glass-like crystals. These crystals possessed a distinct digestibility that allowed them to manifest their Will.

After the customs were completed, the elderly man, referred to as the esteemed "Father of fathers," turned around, his face set with determination. He spoke with conviction, his voice carrying the weight of wisdom and authority. "I have sought counsel from the spirit of our revered previous Father of fathers, as well as our esteemed Forefathers,"

He announced. "Loh' Polieus, it is imperative that you embark on a journey to the surface. For countless millennia, we have purposefully avoided contact with the surface dwellers, and for good reason. Their numbers are nearly infinite, while we, regrettably, celebrate each successful birth as a miraculous event. However, the situation we now face is dire. The enemy will return in even greater numbers within a mere seven days. You must depart this very moment. And, accompanying you, shall be my firstborn, Asoto' Tinneius."

Upon hearing this, both Loh' Polieus reacted instantly, his voice filled with concern and objection. "What do you expect me to tell those surface-dwelling shrimps?" Loh' Polieus protested fervently.

"If the impending attack on our people is as imminent as you claim, allow me to stay and lend my assistance. I may not possess the strength of our formidable warriors, but I am still a Tonovian. Oh, great Father of fathers, you understand better than anyone the strides I, Loh' Polieus, have made in deepening our connection with the mineral world." Loh' pleaded, his words a blend of determination and a deep sense of loyalty to his people.

The imposing figure of Usto' Tinneius, the Father of fathers, swiftly silenced Loh's objections. "It is precisely because I hold your brilliant mind in high regard, Loh, that I am entrusting this task to you," he asserted. "If anyone can foster a diplomatic relationship and persuade the surface dwellers to aid us, it is you."

Reluctantly, Loh nodded his head in acknowledgment, but his thoughts churned with an undercurrent of bitterness. "Yeah, that's only because my teacher is locked in hibernation right now," he muttered to himself, his inner voice tinged with a hint of resentment. Asoto', prepared to follow in Loh's footsteps, but he paused as Usto' motioned for him to stay a while longer.

"Asoto', I didn't want to burden Loh with the weight of this truth, but both of you HAVE TO succeed in this mission," Usto' spoke his voice laden with grave urgency. "The very fate of our people hinges on your success. Son, I may not be here when the two of you return. That's why I want you to take this." Asoto' opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it, choosing instead to receive his father's gift in solemn silence.

Their eyes locked, conveying a depth of understanding, and they embraced tightly, aware that it could well be their final embrace. Asoto' exited the room, hastening to catch up with Loh, his heart heavy with the fate of their homeland.

Days later, a profound sense of foreboding pervaded the Tonovian empire as deserted roads and vacant buildings became the somber backdrop of their home. The silence hung heavy in the air, amplifying the eerie anticipation that gripped their hearts.

Occasionally, loud rumblings reverberated through the land, accompanied by tremors that shook the very foundations. Above them, a frozen waterfall cascaded through a narrow crevice, its crystalline beauty shattered each time an earthquake jolted the land, sending torrents of pristine water into a vast lake below. Such natural phenomena were a familiar sight to the people of Tonovia, but today, something troubled a bald Tonovian warrior.

"Great Iron Goeh', does our mother lake appear peculiar to you?" he queried, his voice filled with a sense of unease. He beckoned to another Tonovian warrior, both of them halting along the towering walls of their Citadels. The looked towards the cavern, which was their world stretching out before them.

The empire of Tonovia sprawled across extended cliffs at the very precipice of the colossal cavern. These cliffs soared majestically, reaching a staggering height of nearly 6 kilometers, with only a few kilometers separating them from the cave's ceiling. Meticulously carved into the sheer face of the cliff, the sprawling city of Tonovia stood as a testament to their ingenuity, providing a sanctuary for over 50,000 citizens.

Perched atop the towering cliffs, the Tonovians maintained a network of military outposts, strategically positioned at intervals of every 2 kilometers along the vast expanse. While the cave stretched a staggering 80 kilometers in length, the cliffs themselves covered a mere 16 kilometers, and the city nestled within occupied just 9.

Consequently, there were only eight fortified strongholds scattered throughout the territory, with the seventh outpost, situated fart from the city's core, this outpost was under the Great Iron warrior, Goeh' Tahleow's command.

Though the Tonovians' eyesight was not their greatest attribute, their uncanny ability to detect even the slightest movement was unparalleled. In silence, Goeh' Tahleow gravitated toward a colossal stone monolith, standing at an impressive height of ten feet.

The stone, meticulously sculpted into a crystalline form, balanced gracefully upon a mount crafted from deep red soil. Approaching the monolith, he extended his hand and gently rested it upon the stone's surface, closing his eyes in deep concentration. It was as if he engaged in an unspoken conversation, his mind communing with the majestic rock.

As moments passed, sparks of energy crackled around the stone, casting an ethereal glow. The intricate runes that adorned its face hummed with an otherworldly vibration, pulsating as if yearning to break free. Building to a crescendo, a resounding clap echoed through the air, and in an instant, Goeh' Tahleow vanished, reappearing Kilometers away at the precise spot next to the sacred mother lake.

The transition was seamless; one moment he stood within the confines of the seventh high post on the Tonovian cliffs, and the next he emerged beside the tranquil waters of their revered sanctuary. This was the awe-inspiring power bestowed upon them by their advanced mineral technology.

Goeh' Tahleow proceeded with measured steps, his gaze sweeping over the serene surface of the lake, mirroring his own tranquil demeanor. Stripped of weapons or tools, save for a small pouch secured to his waist, he relied solely on his keen senses.

As he began to turn, preparing to retrace his path, a ripple in his peripheral vision seized his attention. In the blink of an eye, a creature burst forth from the water, its eyes burning crimson and its skin shimmering with a metallic sheen. Its lightning-quick movement left Goeh' Tahleow with no time to react, as it closed the distance with astonishing swiftness.

Though towering at an impressive height of 9'2 feet, Goeh' Tahleow found himself dwarfed by the monstrous entity, its massive frame nearly twice his size. The creature's hand loomed above him, its intention to sever his head from his body all too clear.

Despite the overwhelming speed of the attack, Goeh' remained poised, deftly evading the beast's grasp by calmly ducking beneath its reaching hand. Seizing the moment, he swiftly retrieved the pouch from his waist, leaping into the air with a fluid motion. Mid-jump, he consumed a small blue crystal, instantly landing in a poised stance.

Frost materialized upon the ground beneath his feet, while a swirling mist of cerulean hues enveloped his body.

Descending upon him once more, the beast aimed to strike, but this time Goeh' matched its incredible speed. Agile and nimble, he deftly evaded its attempts to capture him, his movements a choreography of precision.

Seizing the opportunity, Great Iron Goeh' unleashed a flurry of five powerful punches before creating distance between himself and the formidable foe.

As he surveyed the scene, a lingering thought echoed in his mind, "Phew, that hurt my fist. What on earth is this creature made of?" He examined the spot where his punches had landed, noting with intrigue that frost began to encase the points of impact.