Betrayal of Nuke: The Rise of the New Viper
The Runiverse had entered a time of darkness for the machines. Robots, the mechanical constructs once hailed for their unique abilities, were now hunted like beasts. Their anti-magical properties were coveted by wizards, while their bodies were disassembled for spare parts by warriors. Massacres swept across provinces, where sentient machines were torn apart in brutal hunts, and those who survived were treated as mere commodities.
Nuke, the Leveler of Robots, was one of these survivors. He had drifted from one province to the next, staying just ahead of the slaughter. Sakana Cove had become his temporary refuge, but his sense of danger always told him it was time to move. The Kaiju Clan had done nothing to protect his kind, so Nuke trusted no one. He had booked passage on a junket bound for Starfall Stronghold, hoping to find safety beyond the shores.
But safety was an illusion in those days.
The Ambush in Sakana Cove
On the night before his departure, fate turned against him. As he walked the quiet alleys of Sakana Cove, moving under the cover of darkness, a group of blue-robed wizards appeared. Their guards, grim-faced warriors with weapons drawn, surrounded Nuke, cornering him in a dead-end alley. Their eyes gleamed with greed—they wanted his components, and they would have them by any means necessary.
Nuke, though outnumbered, did not surrender. With a roar of defiance, he charged. His mechanical hand shot forward, grabbing a wizard by the throat, crushing his larynx in an instant. One of the guards lunged, but Nuke was faster. His hand pierced the man’s gut, pulling his innards out in a grotesque display of brutality. The guard slumped to the ground, his lifeblood pooling beneath him.
But there were too many. Magic crackled in the air, and swords hacked at his metallic frame. A final blow—a heavy axe strike to his head—cracked open his memory board. His vision blurred, his systems began to fail, and the essence that gave him life started to slip away. Nuke’s body collapsed, his consciousness fading.
Then, from the rooftops, shadows descended.
The Serpents of Silence
Figures clad in black, their faces concealed behind ornate masks, swarmed upon the wizards and their guards. Silent and efficient, the Serpents of Silence struck with deadly precision. Their tainted weapons bit deep, delivering poisons that foamed in their victims’ mouths. The wizards fell, their lips bubbling with white froth as the venom claimed their lives. The guards fared no better, collapsing under the relentless assault.
Nuke, barely conscious, could only watch as the massacre unfolded. His vision flickered as he tried to retreat deep within himself, conserving what little energy remained to keep his life force intact. He blacked out just as the last of the wizards fell.
The Pact with the Viper
When Nuke awoke, he found himself in a darkened room. The space was cold, illuminated by faint candlelight that flickered against the walls of paper screens. The room was oriental in design, its decor sparse and eerie. A masked warrior stood nearby, watching over him like a silent sentinel.
“You live,” the warrior said, his voice muffled behind his mask. “Our leader wishes to meet you.”
Nuke’s systems sputtered to life, and though his body was damaged, he followed the warrior down the dimly lit corridors. The walls seemed to close in on him, the air thick with the scent of incense and something more sinister—an energy of malevolence that seeped from every corner.
Finally, the paper screen slid open, revealing a sight that would change Nuke’s life forever.
Seated on a chair carried by four ninja, pale and emaciated, was the leader of the Serpents of Silence—the Viper. His once powerful body had been ravaged by a wasting disease, leaving him physically frail, but his eyes burned with intelligence and cruelty. His mind was as sharp as ever.
“We are not so different, you and I,” the Viper rasped, his voice barely above a whisper. “You were dying, and so am I. But where your body failed, your mind remained. My body is dying, but my mind is as strong as ever.”
Nuke, his voice distorted but functional, asked what the Viper wanted of him.
“A partnership,” the Viper said, his smile thin and wicked. “My body is failing, and soon, my mind will go with it. But your body—though damaged—can be restored. I offer you this: we merge. Your body, my mind. Together, we live on, stronger than ever before. You will inherit the wisdom of centuries. The secrets of the Serpents of Silence will be yours.”
Nuke’s survival instincts, honed from years of persecution, kicked in. He had no choice, and in truth, the offer intrigued him. He was a machine, but the thought of merging with the mind of a dying ninja master offered something more—power.
“I accept,” Nuke said, his decision already made.
The Ritual of Merging
That night, they were taken into a forbidden chamber, a place where only the Serpents of Silence dared tread. The air was thick with the scent of blood and old magic. Both Nuke and the Viper were laid out on stone slabs, their failing bodies linked by wires, runes, and ancient scrolls.
What happened next is spoken of only in whispers. Dark magic flowed, centuries of ninja knowledge and forbidden sorcery woven into the very fabric of Nuke’s being. The Viper’s mind was transferred into Nuke, merging with his consciousness in an unholy union. Nuke remained the dominant mind, but the Viper’s influence was always there, a whispering presence that guided him, shaped his thoughts, and lent him the secrets of the ancient order.
When the chamber doors opened the next morning, Nuke emerged—no longer just a robot, but the new Viper, leader of the Serpents of Silence.
Centuries of Deception
Over the following centuries, Nuke built an empire in the shadows. The Serpents of Silence flourished under his leadership, growing more powerful and more feared than ever before. The Nest beneath Mt. Kirama became a sprawling labyrinth, a haven for assassins and spies. Here, Nuke honed the skills of new recruits, training them in the art of deception, assassination, and subterfuge.
Yet, Nuke remained anonymous. He kept his identity hidden, even as he joined the Kaiju Clan, earning their trust and rising through the ranks. The Kaiju Clan believed him to be loyal, never suspecting that their trusted ally was the Viper, manipulating events from the shadows, orchestrating alliances with dark forces, and preparing for a grand betrayal that would come unexpectedly.
The Rise of the Viper
Nuke had become more than just a machine. He was the Viper, the embodiment of the Serpents’ ancient power, their silent ruler who pulled the strings behind the scenes. He worshiped the Serpents' god in secret, plotting the day when the Kaiju Clan would fall under his dominion.
His plans had been set in motion centuries ago. Now, the time for action was drawing near.
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Bansenshukai of the Serpents of Silence
Written over a thousand years ago by the first Viper, Jorun the Shadow-Bearer, this sacred text details the code, philosophy, and techniques of the Serpents of Silence. It has been passed down from generation to generation, each Viper modifying and expanding its contents. Rooted in the deep traditions of the ninja and their covert arts, it is a comprehensive guide for all things related to the serpentine order, while also reflecting the unique, dark culture and magic that the Serpents wield. Unlike traditional ninjutsu manuals, this book blends the tactical with the arcane, embracing the deadly synergy of shadow and magic.
Chapter I: The Serpent’s Code (Kaimon no Michi)
1.1 The Way of Shadows
A true Serpent lives in the darkness, never to be seen unless they choose to reveal themselves. The shadows are not merely a refuge, but a weapon, a tool that enhances our stealth and lethality. Embrace the dark, for the light only blinds you to the truth of the world. Shadows are a sanctuary, and within them, the Serpent is master.
1.2 The Silent Creed
The mouth betrays, but silence strengthens. Words are used sparingly, for a ninja’s power lies in subtlety and discretion. We do not boast of our victories, nor do we mourn our defeats. Every breath, every movement must serve a purpose. A Serpent speaks only in necessity, for silence is the deadliest language.
1.3 Loyalty to the Nest
Your loyalty belongs solely to the Nest. The Nest represents our clan, our cause, and the way of the Serpent. Family ties, friendships, and other personal attachments are discarded. The Nest is everything, and betrayal of it is punishable by a fate worse than death. Remember, the Viper is the head, and every Serpent follows his command. Rebellion leads only to ruin.
1.4 Secrecy and Deception
Truth is fluid. Our art demands mastery of deception, and we craft illusions with both mind and magic. Learn to hide in plain sight, to become whoever you must to achieve your goal. Deception is not just a tactic, but a way of life. Even among your fellow Serpents, hold your secrets close—trust no one fully, except the Viper.
Chapter II: The Black Arts (Kuroudo Jutsu)
2.1 The Chains of Smoke
The ancient technique of binding our foes in tendrils of living smoke. The Serpent conjures the smoke from enchanted ashes, weaving the binding through ancient arcane words. This smoke is no ordinary fog but a living, sentient entity that seeks to imprison and suffocate. The stronger the enemy, the tighter the chains bind. The Serpent controls the smoke with precision, often using it to capture key targets alive.
2.2 Shadow Shifting (Kage-utsushi)
An advanced technique that enables the Serpent to merge with the shadows themselves, becoming intangible for a moment. In this state, the ninja can move undetected through walls, obstacles, and even hostile terrain. Shadow Shifting requires deep focus and attunement to the darkness; failure can lead to becoming lost within the void, never to return.
2.3 The Serpent’s Fang (Orochi no Kiba)
A forbidden technique, developed by the first Viper himself. It combines dark magic with a lethal poison that can kill a target from within. When performed correctly, the Serpent injects a part of their own soul into the poison, creating a weapon that infects both body and mind. It is used only against the most dangerous foes, as it risks consuming the Serpent themselves.
2.4 Mind Ensnarement (Tamashii no Hebi)
The most feared of the Serpent’s abilities, this technique allows a ninja to infiltrate the thoughts and dreams of their enemies. Through this, they can manipulate and control their foes without lifting a blade. The ensnarement of the mind is subtle, often unnoticed until it is too late, making the victim a puppet of the Serpents’ will.
Chapter III: Strategy and Warfare (Rikusen no Jutsu)
3.1 The Art of Patience
Victory is achieved not through immediate action, but through the subtle manipulation of events over time. A true Serpent understands that time is a weapon. We strike only when the moment is perfect—after weeks, months, or even years of preparation. A ninja who rushes to battle is a ninja who will fall.
3.2 The Tactic of Weakness
Presenting weakness is one of our greatest strengths. When the enemy believes us vulnerable, they grow careless. Feigned retreats, false injury, and even staged betrayal can lead to the enemy’s overconfidence. A Serpent knows how to appear broken while plotting the enemy’s demise from within.
3.3 Poison Warfare
The Serpents have mastered the use of toxins and venoms, both natural and magical. It is not enough to kill with a blade when poison can do the job slowly and painfully. Our poisons are infused with dark spells, rendering traditional antidotes useless. Whether slipped into a drink or coated on a blade, our poisons kill both flesh and spirit.
3.4 Psychological Warfare
More important than breaking the body is breaking the mind. Spread rumors, sow doubt, pit allies against each other. Sometimes a single whispered lie is more powerful than an army. Psychological manipulation is at the heart of our tactics. No enemy can fight at full strength if they are unsure who to trust.
Chapter IV: Recruitment and Training (Shugyō no Michi)
4.1 The Selection of Serpents
Not everyone is worthy of becoming a Serpent. We do not recruit from the strong, the rich, or the noble. We seek out the broken, the lost, those who have nothing left but the shadows. Only those who have embraced the darkness within themselves can walk the path of the Serpent. Every recruit undergoes rigorous testing—failure results in death.
4.2 The Alienation of Troglodytes
Long ago, the first Viper deemed the race of Troglodytes unworthy of inclusion in the Nest. Their brutish nature, lack of subtlety, and inherent loyalty to primitive ways made them unsuitable for the delicate work of a Serpent. While they may be used as disposable muscle or fodder, they will never ascend the ranks of the Serpents. Their minds are too crude, their hearts too bound to the earth. They cannot understand the purity of our shadowed path.
4.3 The Art of Shadow Combat (Kage Senjutsu)
A Serpent’s combat training revolves around the manipulation of darkness itself. We do not fight in the light, but use the shadows as our weapon. Every movement is designed to confuse, disorient, and overwhelm the enemy. A master of Kage Senjutsu can strike from impossible angles, moving between shadows as though teleporting, leaving their enemies defenseless.
4.4 The Breaking of the Spirit
Every recruit must undergo the Breaking—a ritual designed to strip away their former identity, emotions, and attachments. This ritual, conducted in complete isolation, forces the recruit to face their deepest fears and desires. Many die during the Breaking, their minds shattered by the experience. Those who survive emerge as true Serpents, their wills hardened by the dark truth of existence.
Chapter V: The Viper’s Legacy (Doku no Michi)
5.1 The Role of the Viper
The Viper is not merely the leader of the Serpents of Silence. The Viper is the embodiment of the Nest itself. For over a thousand years, the Viper has been more than just a man or woman—the Viper is a title, a legacy passed down through dark rituals. When one Viper dies, the next is chosen, their mind and soul merged with the spirit of the Nest. The current Viper carries the memories, knowledge, and power of every Viper before them, creating an unbroken chain of leadership and vision.
5.2 The Nest’s Ultimate Purpose
The Nest exists to dominate from the shadows. It is not enough to control armies or nations—the Serpents seek control of the very essence of the world. Through the manipulation of leaders, the infiltration of clans, and the spreading of chaos, the Serpents seek to bend the world to their will. Our methods are slow, subtle, but unstoppable.
5.3 The Serpent God’s Blessing
Legend speaks of the Serpent God, an ancient deity that once ruled the world of shadows. It was the first Viper, Jorun the Shadow-Bearer, who formed a pact with this dark god, granting the Serpents their power over shadow and deception. In return, we offer our loyalty and sacrifice, feeding the Serpent God with the souls of our enemies. The Serpent God watches over the Nest, and through it, we shall one day rule all.
Conclusion: The Eternal Nest
The Bansenshukai of the Serpents of Silence is more than just a book. It is the heart of the Nest, the soul of every Serpent, and the foundation of our way of life. Written in blood and shadow, it guides our every action, ensuring that the Nest thrives in the darkness. To follow its teachings is to become one with the shadows. To betray it is to court oblivion.
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