BXBX NOVEL Chapter 254: The Zerg Are Coming 2
The wild beasts on the planet tried to escape but were hopelessly outmatched by the swift scouts and massive soldiers who didn't hesitate for even a moment.
These Zerg drones were nothing short of relentless predators, programmed to find and devour everything for the Queen.
The Zerg's efficient destruction caused the planet's environment to rapidly decay. With every organism they devoured, the ground grew darker, the skies began to dull, and the once vibrant landscape started to rot.
Flowers wilted, trees collapsed, and streams of clear water turned murky, poisoned by the energy-draining presence of the invaders.
As the initial scout forces moved further from their drop pods, they split into small groups, covering as much ground as possible.
One scout snarled as it dug its claws into the earth, its mandibles snapping in excitement as it tore apart the spiritual veins in the ground and absorbed the raw energy that flowed from it.
The energy was then stored in their stomachs, which seemed to have endless capacity, able to absorb anything.
This is something only the Zerg can do, similar to worker ants who help the Queen collect resources.
"More!" it growled, its many eyes gleaming with satisfaction as it observed the devastation through the hive's vision. "Leave no creature alive."
(A/N: I forgot to mention that the Zerg do have a different language, but I felt it would be too confusing to add that and then translate it, so I scrapped the idea.)
Every Zerg present worked in an organized way due to the many times they had done this before; their actions synchronized like a well-oiled machine, each member knowing exactly what to do.
The larger soldier drones lumbered across the landscape, crushing boulders and uprooting trees to clear the path for smaller units.
Some of the drones were dedicated to absorbing the minerals within the soil, draining every last ounce of energy from even the ground they walked on.
In one area, a pack of drones surrounded a massive tree. The tree, ancient and strong, held a dense concentration of energy within its roots.
Without hesitation, the drones sunk their claws into the tree's trunk, their bodies pulsing as they absorbed its life force.
In moments, the tree shriveled up and crumbled to dust, its energy absorbed into the hive and the Queen waiting far away.
One Zerg scout, small and agile, found a hidden group of creatures huddled together. The creatures tried to hide, trembling, but it was of no use.
With a swipe of its claws, the scout dispatched them and absorbed their energy, leaving nothing behind.
The ground where they stood became cracked and barren, no longer able to sustain any life.
The Hive Master continued watching from its throne on the ship, observing as the world, which was brimming with life, slowly decayed.
"This world weakens quickly," it observed, the low rumble of its voice filled with dark amusement. "So fragile. So easy to break. Such a waste of space."
Beside the Hive Master, the lieutenant tilted its head thoughtfully. "Not much fight here. Just more fuel for the Queen's next evolution."
It turned, watching the energy readings on the ship's screens as the numbers rose with each creature consumed. "If every world we find is this easy, we'll grow stronger in no time."
The Hive Master's mandibles clicked in agreement. "Perhaps. But we need to stay on alert, as there are still races in this sector that can annihilate our hive if we provoke them."
Hearing this, the lieutenant nodded, also aware of the Hive Master's caution.
According to what the Queen Mother had told them, they were at war with one of these races, and from the information received, the force they were fighting was small.
This alone had made them divert most of their combat Zerg, and also the reason for them to go around gathering energy, as the Queen Mother had been producing new, more powerful soldier Zergs.
Back on the ground, the environment itself started to react to the Zerg's overwhelming presence.
Forests fell silent, the usual rustle of leaves and chirping of birds replaced by a haunting stillness.
The Zerg drones' relentless consumption drained the life energy not only from living creatures but also from the planet's very core.
This extraction process spread outward from each Zerg as they harvested all they touched. Soil lost its richness, becoming gray and cracked.
Rivers dried up, and once-clear lakes became stagnant, lifeless pools. What was once a thriving ecosystem now lay in ruins, covered in an air of death and decay that clung to every inch of the land.
The Zerg felt no remorse, only satisfaction as they devoured everything in their path. In the skies above, massive Zerg ships hovered, each filled with cargo chambers, taking in the energy accumulated from the planet below.
One soldier, towering over the smaller drones, let out a guttural laugh as it tore into the ground with its claws.
"Weak world, empty life," it growled, amused by the pitiful resistance. "Nothing strong, nothing worth the fight."
Another hulking soldier scraped its claws along the ground, picking up what little remaining energy was left. "All food for the Queen," it replied with grim satisfaction.
As the swarm closed in on the planet's last pockets of life, the once-green and vibrant landscape transformed into a barren wasteland.
The Zerg forces, having drained the land, air, and creatures of every last drop of energy, stood amongst the destruction with little left to consume.
Inside the hive-ship, the Hive Master watched the final reports flash across the screens, detailing the planet's depleted state.
Satisfied, it leaned back, its eyes glinting with pride. "Prepare to retreat," it commanded to its lieutenant. "We've taken all this world has to offer."
The lieutenant acknowledged the order with a slight nod, signaling to the other Zerg on board. "Retrieve the pods. We return to the Queen with our harvest."
One by one, the Zerg scouts and soldiers began their retreat, pulling back toward the hive-ship as their pods activated, ready to pull them up into the main vessel.
Some of the drones hesitated, clawing at the remaining soil, trying to extract the last remnants of energy. But there was nothing left. The planet was empty, lifeless—a hollow shell.
As the pods started lifting back to the hive, the Hive Master looked back at the view of the planet on the screen.
What had once been a place teeming with life and beauty was now nothing more than a scarred, gray wasteland. "Another world for the Queen," it murmured, a satisfied growl in its voice.
Just as the last pods were being pulled in, one of the hive's navigators stepped forward, its eyes sharp and alert.
"Hive Master, we've detected another world nearby. Similar life signatures, even stronger energy readings."
This piqued the Hive Master's interest. "Another world? Show me."
The navigator pulled up a view of the new planet—a world of oceans, vast landscapes, and towering mountains.
It was Nexara, though the Zerg had no idea of the world's significance or its inhabitants.
The Hive Master's mandibles clicked in excitement. "A stronger source… promising. Prepare the swarm. We move to devour this new world."
Beside it, the lieutenant's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Perhaps this one will offer a real challenge," it hissed, eager for the thrill of the hunt.
The Hive Master leaned forward, its voice dark with hunger. "Let us see if this world holds anything worth our time. Ready the invasion pods. We begin again."
The hive-ship shifted direction, its massive engines powering up as it locked onto Nexara's coordinates.
Inside, the Zerg buzzed with anticipation, their claws twitching and mandibles snapping in excitement.
The Hive Master, watching the new world approach on the screens, allowed itself a twisted grin.
"Another feast awaits us," it murmured, voice full of dark promise. "And this time, perhaps we will find something more… fulfilling."
With that, the hive-ship surged forward, carrying its swarm of hungry invaders toward Nexara.
But what they thought would be a easy planet would soon become their worst nightmare, it's just that they don't know that yet, but they will soon.
....
A/N: Hey there, from this and the last chapter, you must have been wondering why the Zerg were able to find a living planet, which was supposed to be rare, and these types of planets are rare.
But what the Zerg found is something different from Nexara, which is that this world does not have a race as the overlords.
This is where the difference comes: without a race inhabiting the world, the world's will cannot be born.
This makes the worlds with no World Will similar to a resource planet with abundant resources.
I hope this solves any confusion that you might have.
Thank you.
Author.