4 Another one, Network (1)
Chapter 4: Another One, Network(1)
—(3rd POV)------
Far from the ravages of war, nestled in a shadowy corner of the massive Hive City, lay a medium-sized landfill site. Once a place for the discarding of trivial excesses from the opulent upper layers, it now bore witness to the grim consequences of a world consumed by conflict. In these desperate times, luxuries were but a fading memory, and the cold, gnawing fear of death lurked around every corner.
As the conflict raged on, the landfill transformed into an ominous cemetery, a morbid reminder of the relentless toll exacted by war. People struggled to find a suitable resting place for the ever-increasing number of bodies, seeking to maintain a semblance of basic hygiene and disease prevention, even amidst the chaos that surrounded them.
The war for the Europa Star System was an aberration, a haunting rarity that shattered the long-standing peace that had graced the system for centuries. It was once a realm of relative tranquility, marred only by the occasional outbursts of gang violence and terrorist acts. The flow of trade had nourished the system's prosperity, with its abundant raw resources and security fostering a sense of wealth and well-being.
But all of that had been irreparably altered. The once-majestic military force, equipped with tanks, aircraft, and formidable arsenals, now stood depleted, its strength sapped by the relentless onslaught of war. Europa III, a harsh planet that orbited closer to the unforgiving sun, had held dreams of becoming a Forgeworld—an industrial hub supported by the unwavering presence of the Mechanicus, a beacon of safety and stability in dark times.
Yet, those dreams now seemed like distant echoes, drowned out by the ceaseless cries of suffering and the unyielding march of war. Europa's aspirations were eclipsed by the black cloud of uncertainty that hung over the star system, obscuring any hope of a return to the prosperity it once knew.
In this forsaken realm, the promise of industry and safety had crumbled into the gritty wasteland of a war-torn world. The grim tone of Europa's reality echoed throughout the Hive City and beyond, a haunting reminder of the fragility of peace and the unyielding grasp of conflict.
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Deep in the desolate expanse of the 'cemetery,' where death permeated the air and the ground lay littered with countless lifeless forms, there rested a figure that seemed almost camouflaged amidst the gruesome landscape. Though its form was almost lost among the mountains of corpses, a keen eye would discern its eerie 'green' hue, an unnatural shade that stood in stark contrast to the lifeless greys and browns surrounding it.
This medium-sized mountain of death presented an unsettling sight as it appeared to be an amalgamation of bodies, arranged in a grotesquely organized manner, giving the impression that it was a single monstrous entity. The entire mass writhed and pulsed with an uncanny synchronicity, as if it were a living, breathing organism in its own right.
A grim and haunting aura surrounded the creature, for any unsuspecting fly or insect that dared to approach its form would be swiftly ensnared, consumed, and assimilated into the collective whole, each tiny addition increasing the massive entity's size by an imperceptible degree. The constant assimilation of life only added to its repulsive nature, as it oozed and exuded unknown fluids, mingled with blood and other viscous materials, causing a gruesome display of dripping and splashing.
Despite its undeniable vitality, the figure remained eerily silent and oddly unresponsive, resembling a being in a perpetual coma, surviving solely through primal instinct and self-regulation, lest it collapse into a nightmarish pile of disarray. This macabre creature, a true behemoth of fleshy might, exuded a raw and grotesque beauty that would appall the minds of the sane but might be twistedly mesmerizing to those unhinged.
"Graaaugh!"
A low, resonating growl emanated from deep within the beast, its cadence both alien and strangely familiar, as if the multitude of souls that comprised it had melded into one collective voice. Gradually, the rhythmic writhing morphed from a languid, almost breath-like pattern to a more animated and alert motion, hinting at the resurgence of this terrible thing, ready to unleash its abominable presence upon the world once more.
___________________(1st POV)____________________
I felt tired....
Waking up again I thought I would have had a burst of new energy, willing to take up every challenge that came my way and sort through them with vigor; but reality often disappointed expectations.
Man, this whole transmigration thing is messing with my head. I mean, I'm not just some Flood proto anymore; now I've evolved into a full-blown Gravemind! It's like I'm stuck watching these horrifying scenes unfold, and it's not just unsettling—it's like I've got giant boulders jammed in my throat.
Seriously, it's messed up having to be aware of all this madness and even play a part in it. I feel so damn tired and sickened by it all. It's like each messed-up little detail is worth years of therapy, and I don't even know how I'll recover from this mental mess.
it's freaking wild!
I'm constantly on edge because if I let my guard down, my own body and mind could get hijacked. Can you believe it? Even though I'm part of the Flood, I'm not immune to their corrupting effects. How messed up is that?
And the worst part is, I can't figure out if it's the Flood messing with me or if it's my inner consciousness that's all twisted. Like, am I losing myself to this messed-up situation?
Gah, it's driving me nuts! My brain feels like it's being squeezed, and I can't even put it into words properly. It's frustrating as hell, but there's nothing I can do about it except accept it. But I don't wanna just give in, you know? I wanna fight it somehow! Argh!
–Suddenly!
To my sheer horror, my body suddenly springs up from its laid-down posture, seemingly beyond my control. Its ghastly mouth opens, ready to speak, and I'm left trembling in fear at this inexplicable display. It's as though I'm a helpless observer, witnessing my own body come alive with a will of its own. This is anything but normal, and a wave of unease washes over me as I grapple with the terrifying reality before me.
"Calm, young one."
–Huh?!
'Who the heck are you?! And why are you talking through me?!' I was already freaking out, grappling with my existential crisis, and now there's another voice chiming in like it's just a casual chat. How on earth am I supposed to handle all of this? It's getting too bizarre to handle!
Seriously, when did my mind turn into a party central?! It's like I'm suddenly hosting a crowd up there, and I never signed up for this! Can someone, anyone, give me some answers, please? I'm dying here!!
"Young one, I urged your calmness to stave off panic, but it appears my arrival was too direct. Perhaps a subtler approach was in order. Nonetheless, let us set aside these musings for another occasion."
The voice spoke with a solemn and compassionate tone, akin to that of a caring father–mother? I couldn't tell since it was using the mouth of a gravemind, and those things looked like they had seen better days. It appeared to be attempting to calm me, which was quite different from the approach of 'Hunger,' which sought to devour my consciousness and take over my body. Nevertheless, I couldn't let my guard down just yet. I suspected this voice might be trying to deceive me, aiming to lower my defenses. Indeed, I must remain cautious, refusing to be swayed!
'Who the hell are you, and how the hell are you using my body?' I demanded, my frustration and fear pushing my guard to the absolute max. I was sick and tired of being at the mercy of some mysterious entity, constantly battling for control over my consciousness. It was humiliating, terrifying, and, most of all, infuriating to go through this time and time again.
Why couldn't I maintain my dominion over myself? Why did I have to be so weak, crumbling like sand every time the onslaught of insanity struck? I just wanted some damn peace! Why couldn't they just leave me the hell alone and let me be? The questions echoed through my tired mind, but there were no answers—just a suffocating sense of helplessness and despair.
"Apologies, young one, but I shall be brief. First, know this—my compassion is no trick to disarm you. Such a crude ruse would find no purchase here. Second, attempting this physical form proves taxing, and my will fades with every passing moment. I must depart swiftly. Third, would you consider conversing with me within the vast expanse of the 'Network'?" The entity's words came at a pace I could grasp, allowing me to ponder my choices. It claimed its compassion was genuine, but I couldn't help but doubt it. Wasn't that exactly what a trickster would say to deceive me?
Then, it had the nerve to say controlling my body was taxing. That sounded like utter bullshit! 'Hunger' effortlessly seized control of me, body and soul, devouring me without care. So why would I believe this entity's claim of struggle?
And the third thing—it wanted me to meet in some unknown place, a red flag waving brightly. It clearly held vast knowledge and power, far beyond my understanding. Why would I willingly put myself in such a vulnerable position with an entity likely stronger and wiser than me?
–Fuck no!
...…. That is what I would have liked to say, but the entity answered my doubts faster than I could voice them! But before I could even finish my thought, the entity responded, as if it had already anticipated my doubts, leaving me utterly speechless. It was like it had a direct line into my mind, a step ahead of every question and protest I had in store. I felt my frustration mounting, trapped in a conversation where my doubts were snuffed out before they even had a chance to breathe.
"If you seek knowledge of the child you name 'Hunger,' it is imperative that you come to me, young one, for I hold the answers you yearn for. Doubt my sincerity if you wish, but know that your destiny, should you not heed these summons, will be naught but sustenance for 'Hunger'—a certainty not to be questioned." As the entity bailed out of my body, it felt like a load off my shoulders. But then this weird emptiness crept in, and my muscles started freaking out, trembling like crazy. The next thing I knew, my body just slumped back down, leaving me feeling all out of sorts and kinda defenseless, trying to wrap my head around what the heck just happened.
–Wow
'That motherfucker just came out of nowhere, dropped an atomic bomb on my head, acted like it was none of their business, and just threatened me?! Destiny? Sustenance? Certainty? If I hadn't chosen language as my minor, that bullshit would have gone right over my head!' By this point, frustration had eclipsed any lingering worries about my life. Seriously, there's only so much bullshit one person—or, well, thing—can take in less than 24 hours before they're about to explode. My patience is wearing thinner than paper, and I'm ready to go off like a pressure cooker at any moment.
"Fine! I will go! Even if I die, at least I will try to sucker-punch that son of a bitch!" Anger consumed me, a seething fire fueled by my utter powerlessness, my fragility, and the overwhelming sense of being out of control. It pushed me over the edge, the last straw that broke the camel's back. I couldn't stand any more of this mind-numbing bullshit. Enough was enough. I reached my breaking point, and I made a fierce and desperate decision—I was done with uncertainty. I was determined to get the answers I sought, even if it meant risking my life in the pursuit. I'd face whatever it took, no matter the cost. It was either answers or death—I had no other option but to fight with everything I had.
I had enough of being a pussy!
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NOTES: Hello everyone, came here with an early update, how have you all been doing? I am sorry if the fanfic hasn't gotten to the fun parts you want to read, I am still building up and Warhammer is just that universe where if you gloss over things, you really lose out on the potential fun you could have had. Just a reminder, this is my passion project so I am going to make controversial decisions that some of you may not agree with, what are those decisions? Well, you'll find out! I hope you all stay with me on the journey, but I can't expect to satisfy everyone. Soon, in a of couple chapters, we will have some fun goodies like creating Flood bioforms and even some custom non-cannon bioforms (give me some ideas for bioforms you want to see in the comments, I would love the intake and will see if I can/am capable/willing to make it).... HAVE A DAMN GOOD DAY!
