Juggernaut knew of Noctua, and he got the gist of what it contained, echoing through the Hive's chatter. A world without walls. No ceiling, only space, stretching outwards eternally, beyond time and sight.

He had heard of Noctua, and Juggernaut knew it would break him.

He had returned to the chamber he'd been created in. There was no shattered remains of a chrysalis. Not a speck of clearstone dust in sight. It was as if he'd never been born - he simply was, and would be forever.

It'd been so easy to forget beginnings and endings. Perhaps that was part of her design. But Juggernaut had a beginning, and he would have an end. This was the nature of life now, as it had been for millennia. He was flawed, and he would die, and he would die flawed. The inevitable failure of his mind and body.

Better luck next time.

Three stones in his possession. He'd collected them in his own time, stashing them away in the crevices of his own immense anatomy. They rested in front of him, where he'd estimated his own chrysalis had formed. Slowly, he stretched a single tendril outward, focusing the potential within him towards a sliver of black spinel first.

He could not see it, but he felt the magic flow outward and into the stone, and he knew it had worked. A chill rushed through him, ruffling his many white feathers - magic was frightening in its unfamiliarity.

It shifted towards the next stone, a large block of Phrenite. This one would be mighty, like Juggernaut. It hoped it would not inherit its weakness, too.

Easy. And the last - a shard of shigaite, a similar colour to the tendril that stretched toward it now.

He was reminded that magic was not something he practiced, as it puttered and nearly failed altogether, the effort sapping his strength. But it was done, and he would not have to strain any further.

Chaos had reclaimed all but one of Mother's caves, and they lurked within them still. Waiting for her to return so they could snuff her out.

Juggernaut looked at the forming chrysalises. When she did strike, they'd be ready, with three more soldiers at her side.

He hoped they'd make it further than he had.

exit/end