The following is my short story entry for @benjojo's Nanomancer creative writing competition. If you are not familiar with this project, it is a dynamic fantasy/sci-fi story he created that will evolve over time based on character development and story-lines contributed by Steemit users.
This project is about working together to create a world by building a body of work that anyone can build upon which will hopefully inspire and entertain us all. - @benjojo
Nanomancer: Fall of the Dwarves - Part 1
Long after the bitter war for the Mountains of the Sky, a land of beauty and peace, and home of the Goblins had ended, an uneasy grudge was held by the Dwarves. After their defeat, they remained isolated in the vast network of caverns and tunnels running under the Northern grasslands and forest regions. The loss was never forgotten, one day they would have their chance to rise again and take the lands of the Goblins.
That day would never come to pass.
One evening, as the various tribes of Dwarves were preparing for their nightly feast, a massive shock-wave rippled through the psyonic energy field that emanated throughout the planet, the energy that powered the incredible abilities of all the living things on Gethyra. The surge was strongest near the Caverns of the Dwarves and all those closest to the entrances dropped to the ground holding their heads in excruciating pain.
Fearing it was a surprise attack from the Goblins, the Dwarves near the entrances gathered all their strength and all their mental energies started to combine as they desperately tried to summon the ancient powers of Gundenbroc. The ground started to tremble and heave as they began to connect with the rocks to form a defensive position to guard the openings. At that moment, a second stronger surge pulsed through the psyonic energy and threw the mighty Dwarves backwards to the ground. Weakened and disorientated, they had no idea of what was to come.
A high-pitched crackling sound, not unlike white noise, grew louder and louder. It was the sound of millions of nanobots swarming down upon the helpless victims.
This was the day Nanomancer arrived on Gethyra.
Long flowing robes fluttered in the wind exposing its pale metallic-blue skin, long limbs and razor-sharp nails. Its face was shrouded in a cybernetic headpiece with wide-set optical lobes, its large pulsing brain clearly visible through a clear encasement at the top. Its eyes were dark, black as night, but it was obvious even to the less intelligent Dwarves that this creature saw the world through its technology. As it began to connect with the planet's psyonic energy, the optical orbs began to glow, and images of death and destruction flashed in the Dwarves' minds. Terror and panic raced through them as they retreated deep into the caverns.
Just then, the energy surges had stopped, this was the break they needed. Dozens of Dwarves joined together at the tunnel entrances to summon Gundenbroc. This time they successfully connected to the rocks of the caves, becoming as one, and creating a solid, immovable wall. The others, frightened and not knowing what was going on, were now safe inside - for now.
As the hours passed, the noise echoing down from outside subsided, and an eerie calm settled around them. The defending Dwarves released their energy connections with the rocks and slowly opened the passage ways. The morning light filled the caverns as a small scout team went ahead to survey the scene and search for survivors.
There was nothing. No survivors, no bodies, no grasses, no trees - nothing. The land around the caverns was stripped down to the bare rocks. A fine black powdery residue covered the ground and puffed up into the air as they walked around trying to comprehend what just happened.
There was a smell, a smell in the dust kicked up that was disturbingly familiar - like singed flesh and burnt metal. As they breathed in the fine dust their lungs began to tingle. It's just dust, they continued to look around.
The invasion had begun. The Dwarves had no idea the Nanomancer's nanobots lay dormant in the dust. With each breath, they sealed their fate.
To be continued...
Original Story Created by: @benjojo
"Fall of the Dwarves" Short Story by: @steempowerpics
Word Count: 693
Original Nanomancer Character Concept by: @artwatch
Nanomancer Character Changes by: @steempowerpics
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