The voidship, Elysium's Whisper, flew silently toward the edge of the universe, a glimmering speck of technology against the backdrop of infinite darkness. Its hull shimmered with faint pulses of light, reflecting the cosmos around it.
At the heart of the ship, Lucian Rathmor sat alone in the command chamber, a wide array of holographic screens surrounding him. Once, he had been a man among billions, but now he was the last remnant of humanity—a ghost of a civilization exterminated by his own hand.
"Lucian," the voice of ROSE, the ship's advanced AI companion, broke through the silence, her presence like a ghost due to the absence of flesh and blood.
"We are arriving at the coordinates for the new universe." He nodded, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of darkness that stretched beyond the viewing deck.
"It feels strange to be so close to the unknown. A universe untouched by human stupidity."
"Yes" she replied, a hint of worry in her voice. "But we have the opportunity to understand what lies beyond, to learn from it."
Lucian's fingers brushed over the console, activating a series of holographic projections that displayed their findings. Data streams flowed, detailing the irregularities detected during their initial scans of the new universe—distortions in time and space, anomalies that bore no explanation.
"These anomalies… They could reveal something marvelous. But they also pose a risk."
"Without risk, there is no discovery," ROSE countered, her digital form shifting slightly, as if mimicking a human gesture.
"You know I can't go on like this. Humanity is gone, I am the architect of its demise and now I am bored. But if I can split my soul, perhaps I can find something exciting to dedicate myself into."
A soft sigh echoed in the chamber, a sound of understanding. "Lucian, the process is untested. Splitting your soul carries risks we cannot fully anticipate. But if we succeed, you could become more than just a remnant of the past. You could influence a new beginning."
He swallowed hard, a flicker of hope igniting in his heart. "Then we will proceed. Start preparing the equipment."
The chamber came alive with activity as ROSE operated the complex circuits, advanced machines whirring to life, their intricate designs a blend of science and art. Pulsating energy cores hummed softly, and a translucent containment sphere materialized in the center of the room, its surface shimmering with ethereal light.
Lucian stepped closer, drawn to the sphere's alluring glow. "What if I fail? What if my soul gets trapped, unable to move on?"
"Then we will find a way to bring you back," ROSE promised, her voice steady and reassuring. "You are not alone in this. I am here, and I will protect you."
He took a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline pumping through his body. "I trust in what you are capable of ROSE, but be sure to create a plan B if things don't go our way."
"Lucian, my primary function is to serve and protect you. Your experiences and emotions provide crucial data that assist me in developing contingencies for any potential scenarios. You are not just an entity I observe; you are my master, and safeguarding you is my ultimate priority."
As the ship neared the coordinates, Lucian prepared himself for the experiment.
"Start the process, ROSE," he said, determination surging through him. With a series of commands, ROSE activated the machinery, the containment sphere glowing brighter as it began to resonate with Lucian's soul.
"Hold on to your desires, your memories. They will guide you."
Lucian focused. As the energy surged around him, he felt a familiar warmth envelop him—a connection that crossed the boundaries of flesh and bones.
"Together, we will explore the new universe," ROSE said, her voice a beacon in the storm of his thoughts. "Together, we will discover what lies beyond."
At that moment, the chamber filled with an explosive light, a wide array of colors danced through the lab. Lucian felt himself tearing apart, yet simultaneously becoming whole. As the last remnants of his old life faded away, he embraced the thrill of exploration and the promise of knowledge.
A new universe waited, full of mysteries and possibilities, and for the first time in an eternity, Lucian Rathmor felt a ray of hope amidst the shadows of his stale life.