One by one, small creatures began to emerge from the depths of the soil, their tiny forms clawing their way to the surface. They assembled in precise, orderly rows, their eyes gleaming with an eerie intelligence. As they gathered, the earth continued to tremble, and gradually, larger and more formidable beasts broke through the ground, joining their smaller counterparts.
The procession grew increasingly menacing as the minutes passed. The air thickened with tension as hulking creatures—each more monstrous than the last—rose from the earth, their footsteps sending tremors across the land. Soon, a cacophony of roars echoed through the grasslands, the sound carrying for miles in every direction. The ground itself seemed to shudder beneath the weight of their collective voices.
But as swiftly as the symphony began, it subsided. The monstrous chorus fell silent, replaced by a tense, almost oppressive stillness. Towering behemoths, some as tall as ten, twenty, even fifty-story buildings, stood shoulder to shoulder in disciplined ranks. Their eyes, glowing with untamed power, surveyed the area with a strange calm. This was an army capable of ushering in an apocalypse, yet they remained docile, their ferocity held in check by an unseen force. It was an unnatural sight, one that defied reason—a mass of destruction, hidden away in a secluded grassland, awaiting some unknown signal.
Hours passed, the army of beasts standing as still as statues, their patience unwavering as if they were waiting for something or someone of great importance.
Then, from the earth, another wave of creatures began to rise. These new arrivals were small, like the first wave, but they did not join their kin. Instead, they lined up in front of the giants, their presence sparking a ripple of unrest among the towering beasts.
A 40-meter tall tree-like monster, its bark twisted and gnarled, took offense at the intrusion. With a growl that sounded like the groaning of ancient wood, it lashed out with its massive roots, slamming them down towards the small creatures with the force of an avalanche.
The other monsters remained still, showing no concern for the tree's actions. In fact, they stepped back, expressions of disdain and irritation flickering across their fearsome faces. The tree's attack was seen as nothing more than a petty outburst, unworthy of their attention.
Suddenly, a small rabbit hopped forward, its soft fur a stark contrast to the titanic beasts surrounding it. It glared at the tree, and with an almost casual flick of its paw, spat at the monstrous plant. The tiny creature's voice, high-pitched yet dripping with scorn, echoed through the silence. "A stupid tree dares to..." The rabbit's words trailed off as the globule of spit sailed through the air, moving as if in slow motion.
The spit reached the tree, and in an instant, the towering creature was reduced to nothing more than a pile of ashes. The remains of the tree disintegrated, scattering into the wind, leaving no trace of its existence. The other beasts looked on, unperturbed, as if such a display of power was an everyday occurrence.
The rabbit tapped its feet impatiently, its small body radiating an aura of authority that belied its size. It glanced around, satisfied that order had been restored, and the tension in the air eased. The monstrous army remained, vigilant and waiting, their purpose still a mystery, but now with a renewed sense of discipline, as if reminded of the true power that held them in check.
A figure emerged from the shadows, his dark cloak flowing around him like a shroud. Embroidered on the back of the cloak was a sigil that seemed to draw the very light from the air—a red and dying sun, its rays twisted and jagged, casting a palpable sense of dread over the land. His presence was commanding, almost suffocating, as he faced the droves of beasts before him with a cold and indifferent gaze. The monstrous horde, despite its size and power, seemed to shrink under the weight of his aura.
Without a word, the figure raised a gloved hand, summoning a small meerkat from the ranks. The creature approached with a confident stride, its tiny form seemingly out of place among the towering beasts. Yet, there was a sharpness in its eyes, a cunning that belied its size.
"Do your thing, Tempo," the figure commanded, his voice low but carrying an undeniable authority.
"Understood, Lord Umar," the meerkat replied, its tone filled with respect. Tempo swept its foot across the soil, causing the ground to rise and form a crude podium. With a dignified air, the meerkat climbed atop it and surveyed the vast audience before it.
"Ahem," Tempo began, clearing its throat with a theatrical flourish. "Creatures of the underworld, it has been too long that the lesser humans have crowned themselves kings of our planet."
The crowd shifted, a murmur of discontent rippling through the ranks. Tempo continued, its voice rising with fervor. "The overworld beasts, those poor imitations that resemble some of our kind, are treated as mere toys for human amusement, breaking the natural order of the world."
The words struck a chord, and a low growl of agreement spread among the beasts. Tempo's eyes gleamed as it pressed on, "Are we to let their arrogance continue any further?" The meerkat raised its claws, gesturing to the masses. A pause followed, heavy with anticipation, before the beasts responded with a thunderous roar. The sound was deafening, a unified cry of affirmation that shook the very ground, sending shockwaves through the trees above, causing them to sway and splinter.
Yet, as the echoes of the roars faded, a subtle tension remained. The beasts, despite their eagerness for action, seemed to harbor an underlying indifference. For centuries, those of the underworld had looked down upon the surface dwellers, considering them insignificant, unworthy of their attention. The roars soon died down, replaced by a heavy silence, as the creatures contemplated the significance of their impending actions.
Tempo, sensing the hesitation, narrowed its eyes and resumed its speech with renewed vigor. "Now," it declared, its voice sharp and commanding, "the time has come for the hairless apes to experience the real world—to experience the apocalypse!"
The meerkat's final words echoed across the clearing, resonating with a sense of finality. With a swift motion, Tempo collapsed the podium beneath it, the earth swallowing the makeshift structure as if it had never existed.
Umar, still exuding that oppressive aura, turned on his heel, his cloak billowing behind him. "Follow me," he said, his voice as cold and decisive as ever. Without waiting for a response, he strode forward, his steps measured and unyielding. The army of beasts moved as one behind him, their collective might shaking the ground with each step.
Near the back of the colossal procession, an elephant lumbered alongside a tiger, its massive form dwarfing the feline. The elephant's eyes flickered with uncertainty as it asked, in a low rumble, "How come we're being led by a human?"
The tiger, its eyes narrowed with a mix of respect and wariness, growled in response, "It doesn't matter. The Lord is powerful, and he knows the true world. That's all that matters."
But before the elephant could ponder the tiger's words, a sudden wave of exhaustion swept over it. Its strength drained rapidly, its massive legs trembling as it struggled to keep up with the march. The elephant's eyes widened in confusion and fear as it fell behind, its once mighty steps reduced to a slow, faltering crawl.
At the same moment, the red and dying sun on Umar's cloak began to glow ominously, pulsing with a sinister light. The energy that had been sapped from the elephant surged towards a multi-faced leaf that floated beside Umar. The leaf's three faces—a bear, a human, and a newly formed elephant—shifted and twisted, absorbing the stolen power.
A thin smile crept across Umar's face, his cold eyes gleaming with satisfaction. The tiger, having witnessed the scene, felt a shiver run down its spine. It understood now—the true nature of the man who led them. Fearful and uncertain, the tiger chose to remain silent, its earlier confidence shattered.
The army continued its march, an unstoppable force led by a being of unfathomable power. The beasts moved with purpose, their initial indifference replaced by a growing understanding of the terror that walked among them. And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land, the world braced for the chaos that was about to be unleashed.