Observing the End, Volume 3: Protagonism

Chapter 7: Destination

Observation Log: 153439

Observer 131, reporting on Michael’s situation.

As usual, Michael has spent most of his free time impregnating or simply ‘playing’ with the orcish females. He refrains from even naming his children now, since there are so many of them. However, I feel that it is also a method to prevent himself from becoming too attached. After all, he only has so much time and energy to spend on taking care of offspring.

If you are curious about how two different species could mate and reproduce, there are actually many factors involved. Michael’s seminal fluid includes many Rapture-727 nanites. These nanites are able to alter the chromosomes of both the egg and sperm, to create the most efficient and healthy organism out of the many possible genetic combinations. Cythereans were a species that evolved beyond their original biological limitations and were able to have the appearance of whatever they could imagine, though they rarely went through the effort to change themselves to an absurd degree.

Their virtual reality technology was advanced enough that most of their population had long since given up their original bodies, in exchange for a nearly immortal, virtual form… They were able to experience countless years, through many lifetimes, but would eventually fragment to the point of deletion.

Theoretically, Michael could reproduce with any mammal that he could also mate with. Guardian was technically a bird. While both Kelsey King and Cassandra Healy were infertile. Otherwise, he likely would have produced many children with them already.

However, there is a danger with the Rapture-727 nanites. Even if they are seemingly docile and beneficial now, there is no guarantee that they will stay that way forever. It is entirely possible that a cataclysm like what the humans on Earth faced, will also occur here on Orcheim. Perhaps the nanites are simply waiting until they have more potential hosts before engaging their mutation and assimilation protocols.

Of course, it is more likely that nothing of the sort will ever happen. Regardless of their ultimate fate, it is likely that Michael and I will be leaving this planet long before then. Although Michael may be able to survive here, there are certain limitations due to the natural environment. The gravity is too low, the air is too thin, he needs to consume a massive amount of food in order to stay healthy and keep from running out of energy. Even if he was placed on a planet with stronger gravity and a denser atmosphere, it would likely aid his growth. The longer he stays on Orcheim, the weaker he will become. The only saving grace, is that there are the low-levels of ambient mana-radiation.

“What the f**k is that? A fallout shelter?” At Michael’s shout, being on the mountain for 80 days, they had finally managed to reach their destination. There were massive steel gates, which were sealed shut, built into the face of a sharp cliff. To the left side, there was a waterfall, which poured into a small lake. On the right, there was a wide open area, where hundreds of leather tents were set up. There were also many temporary homes created from sticks and leaves.

Various orcish tribes were gathered together and occasionally, bloody disputes would break out and people would kill each other. However, the survivors would always make sure to remove the bodies and dump them into the forest, out of sight. Among them, the Obsidian Tribe had nearly 400 members, while the others only amounted to 200. Including Michael’s combined Greystone and Riverstone Tribes, there were a total of roughly 700 orcs. That is of course, if his children are counted as well.

“Hellstorm imminent! There are 72 vacancies for children! All Prophets please gather your tribes together now! There are only 2 days left for you to decide which children to bring with you! Castrated males who can perform manual labor are welcome, but there are only 13 job openings! Please make your decisions swiftly, because there isn’t much time left!”

As we arrived, a loudspeaker near the door made an announcement in a high-pitched, feminine voice. Of course, the language that they spoke was not English. It was a modern Cytherean dialect that I had not heard in a very long time. From what I can tell, only the three ‘Prophets’ were able to understand it. They went on to relay the message to the other orcs.

There were no albino or deformed orcs present. Only ones that had their own Prophet to lead them. I assume that the smaller tribes were unable to understand the announcement or perhaps, knew that they would be unable to participate, even if they decided to come here.

“What the f**k was that? Sounded like a mouse being mauled by a cat…” Michael muttered to himself, while letting Talia ride on his shoulders. He had stopped wearing his armor, after it was nearly destroyed by wyverns several days ago. It had already lost most of its usefulness and durability. However, he did not abandon it. In case there was an emergency that would require one last usage.

“Daddy, Fat Green Mommy said that there’s a scary storm coming and… Only the other kids and Uncle Rock can go with her… Fat Grey Mommy is bringing your grey babies and some of those grey guys.” Talia is now old enough to speak coherently and if she was a human, her body structure would indicate that she was a toddler, nearing childhood. She was wearing some black fur shorts and a brown leather vest that Michael had created for her several days ago.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me…” It only took him a few moments to discern what was happening, even without the extra context that I was given.

“No, Daddy, I’m super serious! Fat Mommies really did say those things!” Talia shouted in English and attracted the attention of the other tribes. Obviously they did not understand the language that she was speaking, but that made her stand out more. Still, with Michael serving as her mount, they quickly turned their gazes away in order to avoid gaining his ire. The Obsidian Tribe’s Prophetess had spoken several times with the Greystone and Riverstone Prophetesses. Thus, it was not strange for the news of his ferocity to spread.

Michael let out a long drawn-out sigh, as he watched his children grunting and crying, while fighting against their mothers. Similar scenarios were playing out over at the other camps as well. However, the older children and adolescents were much calmer.

Eventually, Adam walked over to Michael and hugged his chest. His wavy black hair was tied back in a ponytail by some leather straps. Although he was still a prepubescent boy, he was nearly as tall as Michael already. He was also fairly mature.

“Dad, you need to take care of Mom. Okay? Promise me you’ll protect her…” As he let go of his father and stepped backwards, Jane was the next to hug Michael. However, she was actually the same height as he was, so her crying face nearly knocked Talia off of his shoulders.

“Daddy, you gotta promise you’ll take care of Mommy! We’ll see you again soon!”

Michael frowned, then turned towards Adam and said “Wait a damn second. I feel like I haven’t taught you brats about one of the most important lessons of life.” He walked over and grabbed the Green Prophetess by the wrist and pulled her over to a secluded area next to a massive green bush.

She growled “What’s wrong?! We need to hurry and make sure that our children are first in line!”

Before Talia, Adam or Jane could translate what she said, he asked “What the f**k is going on? My kids ain’t going anywhere until you explain what the hell exactly is happening. That bunker, what are the conditions inside? You’ve been there before, right? Who are the ones controlling it? How many of them are there? What are their weapons like?”

Adam grunted “Dad wants to know what’s happening. He says he won’t let us go anywhere until he knows what’s going on. What it is like inside the bunker? Have you been there before? Who are the people controlling it? How many people are there inside? What kind of weapons do they have? Why can’t Mom and the others come with us? Why can’t we stay out here with them?”

“This is the Holy Sanctum of the Great Goddess! The Emissaries of the Great Goddess give us shelter and aid whenever a terrible disaster is about to occur… I received a vision of the approaching Hellstorm long ago. A warning from the Emissaries that we would need to return and that our children would be given sanctuary. When we were on the verge of extinction, Silver Champion came and saved us. But you’ve already done your part. You can leave now. I must take the children with me to the Holy Sanctum. The Goddess demands it! If they are lucky, then they will never need to venture out into this harsh and barbaric world again! Maybe some of them may even be chosen to become Emissaries and ascend to the Realm of the Great Goddess… I truly hope that at least one of them will be so fortunate.”