Chapter 1
Rebirth Era R.E 442 Imperial date M525.
Thundering cries overhead, sparks flying everywhere as far as the eye can see. Scorched lands covered in pools of fire; the land right now was dyed in the rich color of pure crimson red shining in the path of bright lights in the dark night sky above. Loud chatters all around me and ringing in my ears, a cacophony of noise overlapping one another. Figure barley illuminated in the shadows dance just off the edges of sight to make out their true forms. The intensely constant yet never rising or falling in tone. Darkness surrounded me with only the blazing fire and the stars in the dark sky to guide me in this desolate world.
Such noise which would be suffocating to another. Was akin to music to my ears now. It felt surreal and normal if that was the correct term. The horrors of such carnage and destruction were second nature now. It would be awkward if that was the correct term to not hear such noise in the line of work, to which I find myself in.
Such was the flow of the passage of time. How long has it been now? Since I have stepped into this reality? Days, weeks, months, years, centuries. I've lost count. Though that would be a lie if I would say that I've truly lost count. Even if I had desired with all my hearts, I never be able to forget even such minuscule details such as that. Nor can the horrors that linger out of my sights. No matter where I find myself, they are close by, there is no avoiding them that is their nature. There is no way to escape them.
Even now I can hear them just off the edges of my minds. Their whispers of lies, oaths, promises, and seduction. Lingering just beyond reach, yet never too far off. That is the game of the arch enemies of mankind, such is the nature of what humanity must face. Games, yet not unbeatable, persistent, and yet inconsistent. Such a drag, for the toll on the lessor minds of mortals would surlily break.
"My lord?" a voice admis the echo of desertion and whispers rang out pulling my attention away from the surroundings. The landscape distorted and reformed. If one were to see such a sight, they would have thought that reality was glitching. In a sense they would be correct.
"My Lord!" The voice came once again, this time only louder. Which should be impossible, given the current environment, it was as if it was right beside my ear or near the vicinity to me. It wasn't of the dark incoherent whispers in the background.
I knew the truth, this world I find myself in was, but an illusion crafted within the confines of my own mind. It seems reality calls me back. I am being called so I must answer. The landscape disappeared the void consumed all leaving nothing but darkness. It was then banished away with the simple lift of my brows as my eyes, was greeted with the sight of the true world. Not the project one in my mind's eyes. Though the space was equally if not bathed in darkness. Diming lit by the soft candlelight that littered the grounds before me. The incesen produced hung persistently in the air.
Giving the room the strong scent of herbs and other exotics chemicals held within the candle sticks. None of that was important. For the voice that called upon me still linger near the back of my mind, still calling out to me. I slowly lifted my right arm, fanning out my digits before me, waving them in front of me. New illumination came soon after.
"My lord. I apologize for disrupting your mediation however there is a situation of upmost importance that requires your attention." A projection screen of light and energy particles appears before my eyes. Reflecting an aged old face of an older middle-aged man. His eyes meeting my own through the medium of communication.
"Elaborate."
"I don't know how to describe it my lord, I've not the words for it. The man in the projection hesitated before continuing. "It will be easier if you were to see it with your own eyes my lord." The uneasiness in the man's voice and eyes conveyed more than his words. This was enough to clarify the severity of the problem.
"Confirmed, stand by and await my arrival." Then with a slight gesture of my index finger, without even waiting for any acknowledgment from face before me. The holo projection was banished away into nothing. Leaving the room to bask once again in only the dim candle lights. I then rose slowly and silently leaving the circle of candles which surrounded me. My robes that I wore dissipated into thin air. I headed on over to the section of my living quarters which contained my articles of wear. The darkness does little to hinder my progress in reaching the location of my desire. A space from where it's perfectly centered towards the central point of the area.
Dimly illuminated by the soft seal projection of ethereal energy, it was a truth a platform. As
surrounding it were an array of stasis field capsules. Hovering in the center of it all was the dark silhouette shape of humanoid body armor. As I approached closer it elevated higher towards the ceiling. Clearing the way for me to stand in the center of the platform. Once there the armor held in suspense above, shattered into its individual segment articles. All shone with a glassy luster slightly reflecting the glow of the energy field it was contained in.
Slowly one by one the pieces of the armor began to fix themselves upon my mortal form. Patiently I waited as every component fitted perfectly against my skin the way every component slotted perfectly against the others. Feeling the familiar pin pricks of nerve connections as each plate became grafted, seemingly at the same time a liquid ooze poured out from the individual segments upon me a familiar terrible itching sensation spread across my body. My secondary skin was fully donned, it didn't feel foreign, it felt soothing. Every sinew-link, every fibre-bundle, every synapse-jack – they were all works of art, tailored to him alone and wearable by no other soul.
With my preparation complete I then headed towards the opening portal that led to the outside world beyond my chambers.
Sometime later.
"We've lost sight of the path as well as our destination and are lost in the Warp Current?"
"Yes my lord, the Astromancers are reporting…..." the officer dragged on his words, his face tense with hidden emotions as if contemplating on what his next words should be.
"Reporting~?"
I, however, do not have the patience for his fears and doubts, so I edged him along to prompt him to finish his report. My words clearly broke him out of his stupor. Regaining his bearing he stood back up proud, his back straight his shoulder raised as a fire reignited back in his eyes. His focus was clear once again.
"Apologize lord, I lost myself there."
"Continue." I'm beginning to feel the agitation of annoyance beginning to surface. Mortals are always so feeble. So susceptible to fear.
"Right so, the Far Seers are reporting the loss of the (). We were on schedule to join the 133 fleet in the Zatar Sector. However suddenly, the rest are as I've explained already my lord."
The old officer spoke his bald head, beginning to sweat, though the cooling function of the ship was not malfunctioning.
"So, we've no heading, nor can we confirm our current location?" I recited the next part of his message.
Another officer, this young a younger stock nodded at my words. "That is correct lord, we've no heading nor sight to identify anything currently, we're flying blind." The young officer's face was tense. His face didn't betray the hint of fear and uncertainty of the situation. Yet he couldn't hide it in his eyes.
Out of respect for the man's courage, I said nothing about it, and ignored it.
"Has there been any signs of the Resonance Radar malfunctioning beforehand?" Instead, I brought up a different question.
"None lord, our Phase Smiths has tested and searched every nook and cranny of the device. Yet they have yet to find any faults within the machine."
The officer said with renewed confidence in his words.
"Our Reliquary Drive was performing just fine, there were no irregularly detected in the currents either, but then suddenly they lost sight of the path. like a wall was suddenly placed right in front of them. So, they reported to us, well more like screamed and wailed out, losing their minds."
"That is definitely a sign of worry." Letting out a sigh before I continued my words slowly.
"Has there been any other souls aside from the Far Seers that are aware of this phenomenon?
"None so far yet lord, we have isolated the Far Seers from the rest of the crew and have all personal that had heard their shrieks confined to their quarters. They have been instructed not to discuss what they have heard. The entire ship is currently under martial law covertly. The crew patrolling throughout the ship has strict orders to 'deal' with any anomalies or incidents."
The young officer replied.
"What about the Soul Furnace? Is it still in operation, if so what's the extent of the corruption? has the ship been comprised?" looking around my eyes dart towards the targets of my questioning.
"None of the sorts yet lord, to the second issue other than the Far Seers along with the nearby crew who was close by, there hasn't been any other incidents. The Línghún (Souls) have been relatively calm in fact it would seem that they are relaxed something we've honestly never seen them like this before not in turbulence within the Ether."
The senior officer quickly responds, his words came out faster than before trying to convey his message to me.
"Relaxed? How can they be relaxed are they experiencing a trance?" This caught my interest. I expanded my senses and was confronted with what I've discovered. The reports were correct.
"That, we-we don't really know. It's all unknown to us, we've never experienced such an event before. In fact, I don't anyone in the entire Dynasty has. This is completely new territory we don't know what to expect."
The younger officer spoke with the same tone, maybe on a little higher note expressing his wonder and curiosity.
At least there was life back in his features. I honestly couldn't help but think to myself. Huh I'm acting far too much as a mortal as of late, curious. Is this the echoes of my former mortality slowly creeping its way back into being within me.
"Am I also to assume that you will tell me that our communications are also being hindered by this?"
The duo nodded at my words.
"Continue with that procedure let no one know about this, initiate lockdown protocols and keep the crew under strict watch the last thing we need on our hands where are the Astromancers being held at?"
"Understood lord Lu Sun Wu I will see that your will is done. And to your second question they are being held in the isolation ward."
"Very well you two are dismissed."
The officers saluted before walking away to perform their duties. I turned and headed out the portal door behind me and headed towards my next destination.