Aventus stood in the bunker, the faint hum of the simulation's systems still present as the volcanic terrain beyond the hatch reset itself. He leaned against the wall for a moment, his twin daggers still warm in his grip from the heat of the simulated fight. His breathing slowed, and he allowed himself a moment to marvel at the technology.
During the heat of combat, it had felt so real—the oppressive weight of the heat, the sting of the sulfur in the air, the resistance of flesh as his daggers struck true. Even the adrenaline coursing through his veins had been genuine. For a brief time, he'd almost forgotten it was a simulation, a crafted experience that existed entirely within this pod.
He exhaled, a faint smirk playing at his lips. "Impressive," he muttered, glancing around the sterile walls of the bunker. "It's not just the fight—it's the immersion."
After a few seconds, Aventus stepped back toward the glowing interface hovering in the air. His fingers brushed the controls as he brought up the difficulty slider again. The glowing bar stretched across the screen, and without hesitation, he pushed it to 15.
The system confirmed his choice, the intensity of the glowing slider increasing as the challenge adjusted. Text appeared briefly:
Challenge Rating: 15
Warning: High-Level Threat Detected. Prepare Accordingly.
Target: Infernal Pyrestalker
Aventus's smirk widened, his indigo eyes narrowing as he read the warning. "Now that my blood's pumping," he muttered, gripping his daggers tightly, "let's get serious."
The bunker rumbled faintly, the sound of distant seismic activity filling the space. The hatch leading to the volcanic expanse beyond creaked open, revealing a landscape darker, fiercer, and more ominous than before. The molten rivers burned brighter, the ash storms swirled thicker, and an undeniable weight filled the air—a promise of something far deadlier waiting beyond.
Aventus stepped forward, his confidence tempered with readiness. The hunt was about to begin again.
The searing heat of Skarbos Prime became unbearable as Aventus stood at the base of the volcano, sweat dripping from his brow. The Infernal Pyrestalker loomed 150 feet above him, its obsidian armor glowing faintly, magma seeping from cracks in its jagged plates. Its molten eyes burned like embers, locked onto Aventus with predatory intent.
Aventus raised his phaser, aiming at the beast's core. The beam shot forward, bright and steady—but the Pyrestalker moved with terrifying speed, the blast striking harmlessly against the rocky surface. The creature let out a guttural, volcanic roar, its massive claws digging into the molten rock as it descended the slope. In moments, it had closed the distance to a mere 45 feet, each step shaking the ground with its weight.
Cursing under his breath, Aventus steadied himself and fired again, his focus sharp. But the shot went wide, the oppressive heat and the Pyrestalker's agility making it difficult to land a hit. He holstered the phaser with practiced efficiency, drawing his daggers as the creature charged closer.
The Pyrestalker snarled, stopping abruptly 20 feet away. Its obsidian plates seemed to pulse with energy, and Aventus instinctively braced himself, his daggers glinting faintly in the molten glow. The creature reared back, its molten core glowing brighter as its jaws opened wide.
A torrent of superheated magma erupted from its mouth, engulfing the area in a blinding cone of liquid fire. Aventus raised his arms instinctively, his armor barely absorbing a fraction of the heat. The searing pain tore through him, his body wracked with agony as the magma washed over him.
He stumbled backward, every nerve screaming in protest. The attack was more than enough to overwhelm him.
The world flickered, the molten glow of the volcano fading abruptly into darkness. The heat vanished, replaced by the cool, sterile air of the simulation pod. Aventus blinked, gasping for breath as the restraints of the neural interface released him. The pod hissed open, and he found himself staring at the ceiling of the training room.
Elara's voice came through almost immediately, calm but edged with concern. "Simulation reset. You're out."
Aventus sat up slowly, his body trembling slightly as the memory of the heat and pain lingered in his mind. He rubbed his face, exhaling sharply as he swung his legs over the edge of the pod. "That… was intense," he muttered, his tone a mix of frustration and respect for the challenge.
Elara appeared by his side, her datapad in hand, her green eyes scanning his vitals. "You took the Pyrestalker's magma breath head-on. That was ambitious." She glanced at him, her expression softening slightly. "Don't beat yourself up. CR 15 isn't exactly beginner level."
Aventus smirked faintly, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'm not done with it yet," he said, his voice steady despite the lingering effects of the simulation. "Next time, I'm taking that thing down."
Elara chuckled, crossing her arms. "Let me know when you're ready for another round. I'll have it set up."
Aventus nodded at Elara, his indigo eyes still sharp despite the exhaustion that clung to him after the simulation. "Let me get some food and think about some things," he said, his tone calm but resolute. "Then I'll come back."
Elara gave a small nod, stepping back to her console. "Take your time. The pod will be ready whenever you are."
Aventus stepped out of the training wing, the hum of Horizon Drift's systems surrounding him as he made his way to the station's mess hall. The journey was familiar now, the winding corridors of the station no longer foreign after days of exploring. As he walked, his mind turned inward, sifting through the fragmented memories and half-truths that lingered from before his cryo-sleep.
He reached the mess hall, grabbed a tray of food, and settled into a quiet corner. The bustling sounds of the crew around him faded into the background as he let his thoughts take over, piecing together what he knew—or thought he knew—about the universe 200 years ago.
-----
Interstellar Alliances:
Two centuries ago, the galaxy had been dominated by fragile alliances between major factions—human-led coalitions, alien empires, and corporate conglomerates. While these alliances maintained a delicate peace, cracks had already begun to show, with border skirmishes and resource disputes threatening stability.
Technological Advancements:
Cybernetics and nanotechnology were already making strides during Aventus's time, but they were still considered experimental. AI systems were tightly controlled, their potential dangers outweighing their benefits in many factions. Space travel was efficient but not yet at the level of true interstellar instant transit.
Wars and Conflicts:
The "Corporate Dominion War" was fresh in his memory—a series of brutal conflicts fought over the mining rights of rare materials. The scars of those battles were still visible on certain planets when Aventus entered cryo-sleep.
Cultural Fractures:
Cultural exchange between species was growing, but prejudice and mistrust still ran deep. Entire sectors were closed off from others, distrust festering over generations.
-----
But as he chewed on his food, he couldn't help but wonder: what had become of all that in his absence? Horizon Drift's crew had mentioned new factions, unfamiliar political dynamics, and advancements that seemed almost impossible during his time.
He closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath. "The galaxy's changed," he muttered to himself, "but I need to figure out how—and where I fit into it."
The hum of the station brought him back to the present, and he resolved to dive deeper into the station's archives or find someone who could fill in the gaps.