The first war machine, created by the first Architect. Predating even the First Sentinel. This, is Prototype Chorus.
Standing at a staggering height of 15 meters tall (its frame built in such a way to maintain such weight without toppling,) it towers over most other creatures through all the lands. Its rounded body built to allow it to traverse deep beneath the magma with little difficulty. The plating on its main body able to open up, extending its exhaust to assist in expelling noxious fumes gathered from its main fuel source, the magma itself, as well as to keep it cool enough to allow it to remain beneath the magma for incredibly long periods of time. Four limbs extend from its main body, arms, that have omni-directional joints to allow for precise movements. Each arm ends at a four fingered claw, that can combine into a single, powerful drill. The centre of the claw is able to channel the magma it uses as fuel, expelling it into a powerful magma laser that can easily melt through the hardest of rocks. Under its main body, it has a thorax-like mid-section. This series of joints is incredibly flexible, improving its movements even further, as well as being as heat resistant as the rest of its body. Its abdomen-like lower part supports the entire upper body, as it contains many pistons and gears within. Two long legs protrude from its abdomen, pointed at the top, and made from a sturdy alloy that can withstand the entirety of its mass. Its head protrudes from its main body, attached via a small, very strong neck-like joint, that allows the head to rotate and turn freely. Its eyes are simply visors, that of which are able to detect tremors deep beneath the ground, even deep under magma it has a full map of the area, allowing it to see rocks and creatures alike. Finally, its streamline, sleek form allows it to move nearly completely silently under and through liquids, including magma.
Created firstly as a line of defence for the newly founded Pharloom, it stopped a multitude of large forces that attempted to halt Pharloom's creation. Once the city of silk was established, Prototype Chorus was adjusted for other means, namely terraforming. Utilising its magma beams to superheat the rock, allowing for it to drill into the much more maleable molten rock, digging out large tunnels in minutes that regular bugs would take years to do. Throughout its time, it was able to dig out the entirety of far fields, deep docks, and the marrow, opening them up to the areas previously founded, and allowing for a clear path to the citadel itself.
However, on one particular day, where it was getting repaired and updated by the Second Architect, they made a mistake. While infusing its core with more souls, the echoes of the voices of the souls became infused into the chorus itself, granting it a semi-sentience, and allowing it the ability to disobey orders, even from those with administrative privileges. Due to this mistake, Prototype Chorus, and the now 50 voices that make up the chorus, were forced to witness itself being taken apart, its own core meddles and tampered with, its entire form worked on inside and out, all so that the sentience that took hold could be removed. Despite all the attempts, its consciousness could not be removed. It was then deemed "Defective" and cast down into Far Fields, where it mindlessly continued its duties, trying so hard to be recognised, foolishly attempting to be loved once more, as it had once been before. Though multiple upgrades, through multiple repairs, more and more voices were added, ripping its identity apart more and more, until all that was left was an echo of who they once were.
One day, after a particular repair, Prototype Chorus sensed another life-form within themself. Ejecting said life-form, they found a Winged Cogworker, incredibly small, yet seemingly happy to be there. Lining its stomach was the words "Chorus Cogworker", and from then on, Prototype Chorus and Co-co were the best of friend. Co-co was a powerful machine, capable of lifting and moving incredibly heavy rubble and debris, even capable of lifting Proto Chorus themself. They were a powerhouse, one happy to do as it was told, one seemingly unaware of the dangers of the world.
A few years pass, Proto has met and said goodbye to quite a few different bugs and machines. It slowly stopped seeking the affirmation and love of the bugs of the citadel, instead showing its own love and affection to bugs that seemingly give it freely. One day, Proto and Co-co were simply resting among Far Fields, when they encountered a particularly red creature. It was small, about twice the height of Co-co without its wings outstretched. It carried itself with a pride and prejudice matched by none. Proto took an immediate liking, treating this new being with all the love and affection it could. To its knowledge, the red creature grew just as attached to it. All was good.
One day, Co-co, the Chorus Cogworker, flew down to the red creature, panicked. The red creature tried to discern what Co-co was attempting to say, but Co-co wasnt having it. The small mechanical bug grabbed the red creature within its legs, lifted it up, and zoomed its way through many cracks and crevices of Far Fields, deep beneath the magma, until the two entered a massive factory, the old homeplace of the architects, where Prototype Chorus itself was created. Flying deeper yet deeper, the two enter an incredibly open room, a massive arena lined with magma, and hanging by ropes of silk, platforms surrounding it on all sides, tubes of sickeningly electric blue liquid attached to the joints and midsection of Prototype Chorus itself. Many bugs, ones all wearing a deep blue robe, the only marking being a blue butterfly embroidered on the back. The red creature and Co-co launch into battle. After a hard won victory, the two cut Prototype Chorus free from their shackles... but the damage has already been done.
What used to be a deep brass plating, had turned into a cobalt blue. Vines of that same sickly substance pulsed through its core. The voices within, forced once again to take a back seat as its body betrays them... Prototype: Lifeblood had awoken.
A battle commenced, its previous lasers of bright magma had turned that sickening blue. Vines of that same substance run all throughout its main body, along its limbs, even affecting its core.
Though difficult, and nearly ending in all three being killed, the Red creature and Co-co emerge victorious, defeating Prototype: Lifeblood, and splitting them, casting Prototype: Lifeblood into the magma, separating the lifeblood and the chorus.
Now, the three return back to Far Fields. Prototype Chorus, Co-co, and The Red Creature all now rest, happy to once again be together.
But that's not where this story ends. Lurking deep beneath the magma, its body reforming, lies Prototype: Lifeblood. Its unified mind dead set on vengeance, and when it gets out, it WILL find a way to kill those three. They will know suffering...
One who owns the red creature :3
@morphologist
@scarlet-and-dew
