Chapter 28: The encounter
In a desolate planet that stretched out with rocks and giant mountains as far as the eye could see, devoid of any signs of life, something peculiar stood out. In a gigantic mountain, several times larger than any found on Earth, there was a faintly carved hole. It appeared as though something had crudely carved it out, yet upon closer inspection, the craftsmanship seemed deliberate. Inside the cave, a young man with a red blindfold sat, meticulously examining an object—a black crystal roughly the size of a ball. This man was Inarius, who had miraculously escaped that dreadful planet with his life intact. Seeking solace, he had flown to one of the moon-like planets, its surface covered in colossal rocks and towering mountains, a stark contrast to Earth's moon.
Now, Inarius focused his attention on the strange crystal before him. It pulsed with devastating energy, capable of unleashing a force that could obliterate an entire city back on Earth.
"...You are correct, Inarius. The crystal in your possession contains approximately 315 terajoules (315,000,000,000,000 joules) of energy. That's five times the energy released by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima," Aurora, Inarius' ethereal companion, informed him.
Nodding in affirmation, Inarius could already sense the energy coursing through the crystal. Since he had become a stellar lifeform, he had developed a heightened sensitivity to energy. However, what puzzled him was his inability to tap into other aspects, such as manipulating space or controlling water. Frustrated but unable to find a solution, he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind.
As for the carcass of the giant spider, it held no value for him, so he discarded it without a second thought.
"Aurora, what can we do with this tremendous amount of energy?" Inarius inquired.
"...Back on Earth, it could be utilized for numerous purposes, but in space, the information in my database is limited. I recommend that we find a civilization soon," Aurora replied.
Understanding the predicament, Inarius sighed. Ever since they left Earth, he had not thoroughly considered the challenges they would face. Now, trapped in the vast expanse of space, the prospect of locating another civilization seemed daunting. Flying aimlessly was the only option. Left with no other choice, Inarius propelled himself in a random direction, effortlessly breaking the sound barrier, leaving the planet's atmosphere in a matter of seconds. However, after mere minutes of flight, he found himself inexplicably stuck in place, as if time and the empty void had come to a standstill. Inarius was struck with shock, his mind unable to process the situation.
Suddenly, a colossal alien spaceship materialized in front of him, appearing out of nowhere. Its colossal form dominated the space, emanating an otherworldly presence that left Inarius awestruck.