Somewhere in the vast universe, light years away from the Orian stellar system, a new galaxy has been discovered by a crew of valiant explorer mages called ascenders …

(Albert Darhan POV)

As Ascenders of a crew as famous as Galahad, we already had our names etched across the stars, a byword for adventure and discovery in the vastness of space. Yet, even in our wildest dreams, the sight before us was beyond comprehension – a new galaxy, untouched, uncharted, a mystery enshrouded in the velvet of space. I stood on the bridge of the Gringolet, The moment was surreal, surrounded by my crewmates, my friends. We had so many adventures together, so many victories, these are the people I entrusted my life to so many times as they did theirs, our ascends had led us to many wonders, but this, this was something else entirely, a culmination of years of research, exploration and daring.

Noebe Cria, our elven captain, stood at the helm, her ageless eyes reflecting the starlight like pools of ancient wisdom. Beside her, Sylas Ronth and Aric Atwood, humans like me, shared whispered conversations of excitement. Gideon Ravenshadow, our only dwarven member , was checking the instruments, he was a tapestry of tattoos and scars, each a testament to a life spent in the battlefield and on the fringes of space. His hands, calloused from years of labor, moved deftly over the control panels. The faun, Thorian Ironheart, and Astragon, the towering minotaur, stood together, discussing the potential the potential discoveries.

"We've done it, you tenacious bastards. We've really done it, a new frontier, at last" I said, my voice a mixture of awe and pride. The others turned to me, their faces alight with the same exhilarating mixture of emotions.

"Think of it, Albert," Sylas chimed in. "The fame, the fortune. We'll be legends!"

I nodded, my mind drifting to my family. "Isaac would've loved to see this," I said, thinking of my son. His curious eyes and adventurous spirit were always hungry for the wonders of the universe. And Penelope, my wife, would be waiting with her unwavering support, yet another reason for our safe return. The thought of retirement floated through the air, a tempting prospect after such an unprecedented discovery. But the lure of the unknown was irresistible.

"Before we even think of resting on our laurels, let's explore one of these planets," Aric suggested, his eyes sparkling with the idea of new discoveries.

Noebe, as pragmatic as ever, gave the orders "Yes, Thorian and Sylas, you'll stay in orbit and contact Camelot, send them the report please, Albert, since you're the head sentinel, you lead us to the planet, take the starstride lantern* with you, put it in the Vastoria, so we can begin the installation. Gideon, is the Odyssea ready ?"

Gideon, in his ever so enthusiastic behavior said "Aye, captain, we're set to depart! Let's bring along a few bottles of stout, I'm in the mood for some frosty Mjǫksteinn*, hahaha !"

"When are you not ?" said Thorian, giggling along with all the crew.

The descent was smooth, a testament to Noebe's unparalleled skills. The planet was a marvel, a living, breathing jewel in the vastness of space. As we ventured deeper into the lush wilderness, every step revealed new wonders. Gigantic trees, their trunks wider than the Odyssea, soared towards the sky, their leaves a kaleidoscope of colors. Flowers bloomed in vibrant hues, emitting soft luminescent glows and intoxicating fragrances.

The air crackled with mana. Plants that sang with the wind, vibrating in harmonious symphonies, and luminous insects, looking like fairies from afar, that danced around us, their light patterns telling stories I longed to decipher. Every breath filled us with energy, a constant reminder of the planet's raw power. It was as if the planet itself was alive with magical energy, pulsing through every leaf and stone. But amidst this splendor, we found unsettling anomalies – sections of the forest where life had withered, trees standing like skeletal sentinels, their branches barren.

Gideon, always the pragmatist, eyed these dead zones warily. "Beauty's only skin deep, eh?" he grumbled, his gaze lingering on a once-majestic tree now devoid of life. "Watch out!" Gideon's shout cut through the air. A vine, thick, thorned, lashed out like a whip. He leaped back, heart racing, casting [Galestep] in a split second, enhanced by the spell's magic, he moved with incredible speed, dodging the vine's attack with agility that seemed to bend the laws of spacetime. Danger here was real, immediate. A reminder of the dangerous nature of our work as Ascenders. "Blasted plant tried to skewer me!" he exclaimed, pulling out a device that emitted a soft blue light, calming the vine. It retracted into the underbrush as if pacified.

"Seems the flora here isn't just beautiful, but dangerous too," Noebe observed, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

"That spell of yours is pretty good, Alby boy, I am glad I've learned it," said Gideon, happy about his mastery of [Galestep], a spell he relentlessly asked me to teach him for the past few months, it was quite impressive to see him reach such a level of proficiency in less than a year, given the complexity of [Galestep], but I wasn't surprised, he was, after all, a seasoned mage.

"Well, you know, I could teach you an even more advanced version of it, if you tell me the recipe for the Eldhvönn, that is," I said, teasingly.

"Eh, tell you what brother, I am in a good mood today! What say we grill some golden sheep later, and I'll give you the recipe?" I was flabbergasted, like everyone else, even Noebe cast him what seemed to be close to a shocked glance.

"Seriously? You'd give it to him just like that ?" asked Aric, still skeptical.

"We've known each other for decades now, right lads? I think you all deserve it by now, Hahaha !" said Gideon, as if giving the recipe to the dwarves' sacred spice mélange was a casual thing.

As we continued, Aric, leading the way, abruptly stopped. "you guys see that?" he whispered, pointing ahead. Through the dense foliage, a strange, shimmery mirage danced in the air.

I stepped forward, casting [Enhance] on my eyes, extending my hand, and felt a tingle of energy. "It's a mana well, stronger than anything I've felt before!" We proceeded with caution, the air crackling with raw mana. As we passed through the mirage, a clearing opened up before us, revealing a breathtaking sight. A waterfall, shimmering with all the limpid water, cascaded into a crystal-clear pool. The water's surface was alive with glowing motes, like a thousand tiny stars.

"I've never seen anything like this," Aric said, his voice filled with awe.

Our exploration was interrupted by a sudden rustling. From the bushes leaped a creature, unlike anything we'd ever seen. It was the size of a large griffin, its body covered in shimmering scales that changed color with its movement. It had no eyes, a large drooling mouth full of sharp teeth. It seemed to sense our presence, turning its head towards us. As we prepared, it changed it's course, it seemed crazed, this was a strange behavior from a beast, no matter where, even if we didn't know this planet.

"We gotta be cautious," I reminded the crew. "This planet is full of surprises, potentially deadly."

The richness of the resources was evident everywhere. Mana crystal formations sprouted out of the ground, shimmering with internal light. Streams and rivers flowed with water that sparkled like liquid sapphire, teeming with mineral wealth. The soil was dark and fertile, promising bountiful yields. This world was a treasure trove, a paradise for any civilization. Yet, as we ventured deeper, I noticed an unsettling anomaly – aside from the mad one we saw earlier, there was a complete absence of animals. No birds flew overhead, no creatures scurried in the underbrush. It was a silent world, save for the rustling of leaves and the whispering of the wind. The lack of fauna was a stark contrast to the vibrant flora, an eerie void in an otherwise perfect ecosystem. "Where are the other animals?" Aric muttered, as if he read my mind, scanning the silent woods. A chill ran down my spine. This silence, it was unnatural, unnerving.

As we walked, I noticed the light around us shifting, dimming. Looking up, I saw the sun being slowly obscured by another celestial body. "Looks like we've arrived right before a solar eclipse," I remarked.

Noebe nodded. "An eclipse, huh... In many cultures, it's rarely a good sign."

Gideon, hoisting his beer pack higher onto his shoulder, quipped, "Ah, Captain, all these years and I never pegged you as one for the old superstitions!" The dwarf's comment drew more laughter, a brief respite from the strangeness of our surroundings. Our journey brought us to what appeared to be a village. Structures, simplistic yet advanced, were nestled among the trees, harmoniously integrated into the environment. The villagers, a species unknown, watched us with cautious curiosity. They were humanoid, yet their features were distinct, an intriguing blend of the familiar and the alien. "Ah, there are people here!" shouted Gideon.

"Stay vigilent, we don't know if they are hostile." said Noebe. As we approached the village, our sense of wonder was tinged with a growing unease.

"Heh, seems like these guys don't take kindly to us, Captain. Maybe a drop of fine dwarven beer will work its magic and lighten them up. It usually does the trick." Aric says, provoking an intense approving nod from Gideon.

"Hmm, we'll see, for now, stay on your guard, we're entering the village." The villagers, who had been watching us from a distance, now came into clearer view. They seemed… very agitated, probably because of us, I assumed.

One figure, in particular, stood out. It was standing apart from the others, its gaze fixed upon us with an intensity that was almost palpable. This native was a remarkable being. Tall and slender, its skin was a shade of gray that seemed to change subtly with the light. Its eyes were large and expressive, radiating intelligence and a depth of emotion. Delicate patterns adorned its skin, reminiscent of the intricate tattoos of some ancient Earth cultures. Its limbs were slightly elongated, giving it a graceful, almost ethereal appearance.

As we drew nearer, it began to make gestures, its movements fluid and purposeful and it was saying things, or rather shouting them. It was clear that it was trying to communicate, its demeanor earnest and visibly urgent. It was a pivotal moment, a chance to establish first contact with them. Recalling my training and the countless simulations back at the mage academy, I knew what had to be done. I stepped forward and cast the [All Tongue] spell, a complex incantation that allowed for communication across different languages and species. A warm sensation enveloped me as the spell took effect, the foreign words of the villagers suddenly making sense. With a deep breath, I greeted them, my voice steady and filled with the respect and wonder I felt. "Greetings, we come in peace and curiosity. We are explorers, seekers of knowledge and understanding." The villagers, initially taken aback, slowly began to engage.

One figure stepped forward, distinguishing itself from the rest. As he spoke, his previously incomprehensible sounds morphed into clear, if frantic, speech. "Strangers, dire peril overshadows us! Barely a month has passed since sinister omens began. Our seers have foreseen a calamity, your arrival, a massacre awaiting us, help us! We beg of you!" he articulated, his voice oscillating between fear and urgency.

The words struck us like a physical blow, hanging heavy in the air. The beauty and wonder of the planet now seemed overshadowed by this ominous declaration. The creature's eyes held ours, a plea for understanding, for help, in their depths. "Why? What has happened to your world?" I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil of thoughts and emotions.

The native began to speak, his words painting a picture of a world in peril, a paradise facing an unseen, unfathomable threat, "A month has passed since nature itself turned against us. Our animals, once gentle, now rampage with a madness unseen. The very trees that cradle our world wither and die, their leaves falling like tears. Our children, the light of our lives, are stricken with an inexplicable sickness, their laughter replaced by a silence that chills the soul. And the sun... it is stolen from us daily by an eclipse that comes and goes as if mocking our plight, casting our days into a cycle of unnatural darkness and fleeting light". As he spoke, I realized that our discovery was not just a triumph, my eyes met Noebe's and I instantly recalled the eclipse he spoke of, I also suspected the absence of the animals and the unease I felt because of it, maybe not just my intuition after all…

The villager's pleas were suddenly interrupted by a sharp crackle from our crystalink. Thorian's voice came through, urgent and strained. "Captain, something's coming... You need to get back to the ship, now!".

Startled, Noebe answered, "Thorian ? What happened ? Do you see something ?".

Thorian's voice crackled through the crystalink, laced with panic and urgency. "It's unbelievable! Creatures, an infinite swarm of them, descending on the planet! Come back ! We have to- fuck ! Sylas, the shield ! We mus— they ar—". Before we could process his words, a cacophony of spellfire and battle cries erupted from the device. Thorian and Sylas' voices were lost in a tumultuous storm of magic and conflict. Then, as suddenly as it began, the connection severed, leaving an ominous silence in its wake.

Noebe frantically worked the crystalink, trying to reconnect. "Thorian, Sylas, respond! What's happening up there? Report !" Her voice, usually so calm and commanding, was tinged with desperation. The air around us turned icy, a chill that seeped into our bones. A cold so sudden and sharp that each breath we took hung in the air as vapor. The villagers' pleas of "Save us!" escalated into a fevered pitch, their fear palpable and contagious.

Gideon's breath formed clouds as he shouted, "It's freezing! By Almáttigr, what the...?" That's when the ground began to quake, a deep rumbling that crescendoed into a violent shaking. The earth heaved beneath us, throwing us off balance. Panic gripped the village as the earth's trembling intensified, a harbinger of something far more sinister.