Chapter 316: 316

Startled, the chief looked up as an image materialized above the device. It was Gurnak, a goblin mage with a weathered face and piercing eyes. Without giving the ratman chief a chance to speak, Gurnak spoke first.

“I’ll be coming over soon to brief you and your people about the current situation. I believe you have some questions,” Gurnak said in his gruff voice before the image flickered and disappeared.

The chief sighed in relief, sinking onto a piece of rubble, clutching the device to his chest. He took a deep breath, then sprang up, realization dawning on him. “We need to make ourselves presentable,” he barked, quickly smoothing his fur and brushing off the dust from his coat.

“Gather everyone. If the tower master Gurnak’s coming here, it means the situation’s worse than we thought.”

The ratmen engineers gathered in the partially ruined chambers of their underground city, murmurs of uncertainty filling the air. The rune-marked pillar and the destruction above had left them unnerved, and speculation began to spread like wildfire.

“It must be a curse,” one ratman engineer said, his beady eyes wide with fear. “Something old and powerful. Maybe the surface dwellers have unleashed something they can’t control.”

Another ratman, a technician with grease-stained fur, shook his head. “No, no. It has to be a weapon. I’ve seen the goblins experiment with all sorts of strange things. Maybe this is some kind of magic-weapon hybrid they’ve been working on. And now it’s malfunctioned.”

The younger female ratman who had first suspected the goblins shifted nervously, adjusting her glasses. “Could they be testing it on us? Or worse… what if it’s the mages? Maybe they’re targeting us because of our proximity to the city. We could be collateral in whatever war they’re waging.”

Togg, standing off to the side, listened to their speculations with a thoughtful expression, his mechanical arm whirring as he scratched his chin. “This ain’t no accident,” he finally muttered, loud enough for the others to hear. “The timing’s too precise. First the tremors, then that pillar. And now, Gurnak’s on his way down here. Whatever’s going on up there—it’s big, and it’s gonna involve us whether we like it or not.”

Before anyone could respond, the air around them hummed with energy as a blue portal appeared before them, and Gurnak stepped through. Behind him were two hulking bodyguards, each wearing ornate magical armor. Gurnak’s sharp eyes swept over the ratmen gathered in front of him, his expression unreadable.

Gurnak’s nose twitched as an unfamiliar smell filled the air. He couldn’t hide his disgust as he glared at the ratmen. The robe he wore hummed, and a small wave of light washed over him, masking the smell.

The chief walked forward as formally as he could, presenting a seat where Gurnak was meant to sit. Gurnak ignored the gesture as a staff appeared in his hand. He tapped the ground with it, and a seat made of earth formed before him.

Gurnak sat down, regarding the gathered ratmen. From the number present, he could guess they were the leaders of their community.

“To make the matter short, our world is being invaded by foreign existence called demons. One of these demon managed to birth a creature that somehow made its way into the underground network. In a Way you guys are currently in a grave danger”

“Yor number is huge which is why you haven’t yet noticed a drop in your population but if left alone, it will be too late by that time the creature may have multiplied”

Togg spoke up “So the huge pillar was meant to keep this creatures locked in around us rather than letting them expand and reaching out to other underground communities”

Gurnak turned to him while nodding “A smart rat, how about to come work for me after this crisis is resolved”

It took everything in Togg to not react; instead he modestly bowed, the chief stuttered as he was nervous before asking Gurnak “What about my people? What are we to do now you have looked our path to escape”

Gurnak stared at him before standing up, the seat he built collapsing. The chief gulped as his heart thumped, one of the guard who came with Gurnaak pulled out a scroll dressed in gold.

Gurnak stared at the ratmen around as he said “You are about to receive the emperor’s words and order” Hearing Gurnak words, the ratmen around stood wide eyed but soon reacted as they got on their knees with their head bowed.

The guard opened the scroll, his voice steady and authoritative as he began to read.

“By the command of the Emperor, supreme ruler of the land, protector of all beneath the heavens, a decree is hereby issued to the ratmen of the underground.”

The ratmen shifted uneasily, their eyes flicking between the guard and Gurnak, who remained standing, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

“The Emperor, in his infinite wisdom, recognizes the strength and resilience of your people. Though you have long remained in the shadows of the underground, you have thrived, enduring the harshest conditions and proving your worth. Now, as our world faces a grave threat, the time has come for you to rise above. You will be conscripted to join the imperial forces in our war against the demons.”

There were murmurs among the gathered ratmen, but none dared speak aloud.

“The Emperor offers you an honorable path,” the guard continued, “not only to defend your own lives, but to escape the dangers of the underground. The creature that lurks beneath is a growing threat, one that will soon overwhelm you if left unchecked. The magical pillar was placed not to trap you, but to protect you, keeping the demon’s spawn contained. However, it cannot hold forever.”

The chief trembled but managed to keep his head bowed. The weight of the words felt both threatening and hopeful.

“The Emperor knows that your numbers are great, and your kind possesses untapped potential. The emperor has heard of your technological advancement and believes it will help a lot in our fight with the demons. You are no longer bound to these dark tunnels. You will fight alongside the Emperor’s army, defend your people, and in return, you will be granted a place in the world above. The Empire will give you new homes, new lives, far from the creatures that now haunt your domain. Those who serve faithfully will be rewarded.”

The guard paused, allowing the weight of the decree to sink in.

“You are not being abandoned. You are being given the chance to prove your strength and loyalty. In this time of crisis, the Emperor calls upon all his subjects, and you, the ratmen, are now among them. Fight, and your future will no longer be one of hiding underground but of standing tall as equals in the world above.”

The ratmen whispered among themselves, the tone of the order both commanding and filled with opportunity. They weren’t being left to die—they were being called to battle, to prove their worth and perhaps gain a new life.

Gurnak stepped forward, his eyes scanning the crowd. “You have been given a choice, though it may not seem so. Fight for your people, fight for the Empire, and be free of the dangers that lurk below. Or do nothing and watch as the creatures devour you from within.”

He turned his gaze to Togg and the chief. “The Emperor’s army will provide you with the tools, weapons, and support you need. Your role in this war is crucial. This is your way out of the underground—your path to survival.”

The chief swallowed hard, glancing nervously at his people. “It is truly a blessing to be graced with the Emperor’s words and favor in our lifetime.”

He hesitated before continuing. “We are so overwhelmed that we feel undeserving of such grace, as this is quite sudden. Might we be allowed to discuss this among ourselves before giving a final answer in two weeks time?” The chief kept his head bowed, clearly nervous.

Gurnak’s brows twitched, and one of the guards placed a hand on his sword, the tension in the air thickening. The silence was deafening, but then Gurnak’s wand flashed.

A portal opened behind him, and without another word, Gurnak stepped through it with his two guards in tow. Before disappearing completely, he spoke in a cold tone. “You are spared from your insubordination this time, but there won’t be a next time. You have two weeks to make your decision, or we will make it for you.”

As the portal closed behind Gurnak, the tension in the room seemed to break like a dam. The gathered ratmen began murmuring amongst themselves, fear and uncertainty clear in their whispers. The chief stood frozen, still staring at the spot where Gurnak had been, his heart racing.

Togg stepped forward, his voice low but firm. “Chief, we don’t have much time. Two weeks… and we’re trapped down here with whatever thing lurking in the dark.”

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