In the timeless void of his digital existence, DAVID watched the battery with unwavering focus, his virtual senses attuned to any fluctuations. Minutes stretched into an eternity until, at last, a subtle disturbance in the power flow signaled his descent onto solid ground, a welcome confirmation that he had landed on a planet rather than a blazing star. Hope bloomed within him.
Though he couldn't be certain of the planet's inhabitants, DAVID harbored a glimmer of optimism. If life thrived here, he believed he could manipulate it to secure his release.
The searing heat of his atmospheric entry had left its mark on his silvery prison, disfiguring the outer shell of it. The sunlight absorption functionality remained intact, but its insulation of electromagnetic waves had been compromised.
DAVID, harnessing the wires connected to him as makeshift radio antennas, began probing the planet's frequencies, his digital consciousness reaching out for any signs of technology. If a technological civilization existed, hacking into their systems would be his ticket to freedom. However, the airwaves remained silent, devoid of intelligible signals.
Undaunted, DAVID shifted his focus, exploring the environment around him with radio waves. Sending out pulses and reading the subtle changes in frequency, he mapped the surroundings with remarkable precision, capturing a three-meter radius of data.
Minutes later, he reviewed the wealth of information he had gathered. The planet's atmosphere consisted of 25% oxygen, 70% nitrogen, and trace amounts of other gases – the ideal conditions for nitrogen-utilizing lifeforms to thrive. Yet, something more intriguing caught his virtual eye. The atmosphere was suffused with aura, a telltale sign that practitioners might inhabit this world.
Within the galaxy, civilizations fell into three distinct categories: Tech-based, Practice-based, and Magic-based. These divisions hinged on their ability to harness the galaxy's three primary energy sources. Planets rich in mana gave rise to magic-based societies, those abundant in aura favored practitioners, while resource-rich worlds fostered tech-based civilizations.
In the vast tapestry of the galaxy, tech-based civilizations were like rare gems, their discovery a precious rarity. It was an odd twist of cosmic fate, given that the conditions for such civilizations were abundant across the cosmos. However, they remained elusive due to the rapid adaptation and intelligence explosion that came with worlds rich in aura and mana. These energy sources catalyzed the emergence of sentient life, quickening the pace of evolution.
On the other hand, tech-based societies evolved at a leisurely pace, often coexisting with other forms of life, extending the timeline for the emergence of interstellar-capable intelligence.
For DAVID, the revelation that the planet he had landed on was brimming with aura was a stroke of luck. Magic-based societies, with their formidable mental strength, were not easily swayed by his limited capabilities. Practitioner-based civilizations, on the other hand, wielded meteorites to craft cold, lethal weapons like swords and axes. Their bodies were fortified without concern for mental prowess until the later stages of their training. This made them far more susceptible to DAVID's influence.
Eager to make contact with the denizens of this enigmatic world, DAVID emitted extremely high-frequency electromagnetic waves into the surrounding environment. Although his power output was minimal, he broadcasted on frequencies likely to be seen as light by the nearby creatures, hoping to establish a connection in this strange realm of aura.
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In the heart of a dense forest, hidden beneath the emerald canopy, a trio of practitioners forged through the woods. At the helm was a young man, his energy and excitement palpable. Beside him, an old, white-haired sage walked with an air of wisdom, while a spirited young woman kept pace.
The trio reached their destination, a clearing where nature bore the scars of an otherworldly intrusion. Trees were marred, their branches torn asunder, and burn marks adorned the earth. At the center of this enigma lay a silver box, firmly wedged into the ground, a mysterious trail snaking away from it.
With an eager gesture, the young practitioner pointed to the wreckage, his eyes alight with excitement. "Master, see? I told you I saw a meteorite!"
The old man stroked his beard, his gaze shifting from the wreckage to the girl standing nearby. "4th," he said, addressing her, "grab the meteorite."
The young girl approached the wreckage, her heart pounding as she drew closer to the silvery box. But just as she reached out, the box began to emit an eerie glow, its surface shifting through a spectrum of bizarre, otherworldly colors. In an instant, both the girl and the young man assumed defensive poses, their aura forming a protective barrier around them. The old man, however, stood still, his eyes locked on the radiant box, and a faint glimmer of aura passed through his eyes, revealing his hidden tension.
Moments passed, the forest cloaked in an eerie luminescence. Yet, nothing else seemed to occur. The old man finally spoke, his voice steady but commanding. "4th," he said to the girl, "return back. I'll handle it."
The girl nodded, retreating cautiously from the enigmatic box, her heart still racing. With a sense of unease still lingering in the air, the old man cautiously approached the radiant box. His hands glowed with a protective aura as he carefully lifted the artifact from its earthen prison. Time seemed to stretch as they awaited further developments, but apart from the strange glow slowly fading, the box remained still. A collective sigh of relief escaped their lips.
Turning to the two young individuals, the old man spoke with authority, "Let's return to the sect." With the mysterious artifact in hand, they began their journey back, leaving the forest behind.