...
Tyrone System.
Planet One, Hive World.
Qin Mo still remained in the fortress he had built with his own hands, conducting research within the cavernous depths below.
Before him lay an intricate surveying device, its screen revealing images from another dimension while also recording and storing astronomical amounts of data. Qin Mo's attention was divided between the screen and the assembly of a communication device, deftly working with both hands.
After a short while, Kaul slipped through the doorway, delivering his report. "Twenty members of the Lamenter Battalion are unable to proceed with Primarch Forge upgrades. My visions show they're destined to fall soon." With those words, Kaul's form instantly shrank and transformed, becoming a floating bolter. It was clear that this was no Kaul, but instead, the Shapeshifter.
"Do not mimic Kaul or anyone conspicuous, and especially not as a weapon or tool," Qin Mo reprimanded, eyes never leaving the screen as he reiterated his standing rules. "No one but me knows your true nature as a Star God. What would they think if they saw a talking bolter?"
With a resigned sigh, the Shapeshifter complied, morphing first into the guise of a human male, then into that of a silver-haired woman—a design of Qin Mo's, suited for blending in when out in public or even in more domestic surroundings.
"Should I wear a collar in this form?" the Shapeshifter inquired.
Qin Mo glanced around at their immediate surroundings, finally fixing his gaze upon her. "In a place of work, what do you think?"
The Shapeshifter nodded, joining Qin Mo in studying the screen.
"What is this?" she asked.
"My dimension," he replied, his eyes fixed on a vast, line-laden space. Concentrating, he created subtle ripples in the dimensional plane. Though these disturbances appeared trivial, Qin Mo alone knew they represented the shifting of vast epochs and cosmic distances.
"About a week ago, I realized that I could directly influence this dimensional realm," he explained.
The energy of the Star God within him had been steadily regenerating, and where once this dimensional space had been a realm to observe yet not interfere with, it was now pliable—if a little unpredictable.
"What does that signify?" The Shapeshifter struggled to see the implications.
"What does it mean?" Qin Mo's gaze drifted to her, guiding her closer to the dimensional display. "It means that this dimension is not a primordial force born of the universe's creation, but rather it exists because of me."
This realization had arisen from Qin Mo's study of the Void Dragons' ability to create entire dimensions. Though other Star Gods could similarly create dimensions, none, not even himself, could craft one of such limitless scope.
"I am impressed," the Shapeshifter murmured, a faint clap accompanying her hollow expression. "But what's the practical use of subtly manipulating this dimension? The material universe doesn't reside here."
"There's immense potential," Qin Mo responded, his fingers deftly maneuvering the controls of his device. Linked to a drone floating within the dimensional realm, it pivoted, eventually focusing on a tower-like construct of pure lines.
The Shapeshifter didn't comprehend why these lines had taken the form of a tower, but Qin Mo understood that all within this dimension appeared as lines, including physical objects.
"This is my creation: a communication tower, serving only to send and receive messages," Qin Mo stated, pride evident in his voice.
"In the material universe, transmitting a message across star systems would take centuries. Even in the dimensional realm, the pace is nearly as slow."
"But by channeling dimensional interference—what I'll tentatively call 'ripples'—time within that interference zone accelerates. This essentially speeds up the signal's journey, similar to the mechanics of dimensional teleportation."
The Shapeshifter considered his explanation. Though she hadn't created dimensions herself, she grasped the concept. "In other words, within these ripples, time speeds up for the signal's transmission. Correct?"
"Precisely." Qin Mo nodded, smiling. "For your astute understanding, I'll grant you an hour of free-form transformation."
"Honestly, I half-expected you'd create a planet-sized communication array for FTL messages," she replied, rapidly shifting through different shapes as if savoring every second of her newfound freedom.
"That was the plan, had the Astral Engine not been diverted to Agrippina…" Qin Mo replied, settling at a workbench to design a new project on a crystalline tablet.
The Shapeshifter took a seat beside him, curiously observing as he began sketching out a humanoid frame. Towering nearly five meters tall, its sleek black exterior was reminiscent of the living metal bodies of the other Star Gods.
"But your current body can still house you; why design a new one?" she asked.
"This isn't a body, not a shell—I am my own form," Qin Mo replied solemnly.
"My apologies," she amended, "what's this new form intended for?"
"A remotely controlled avatar," he replied, engrossed in his design.
Crafting a living-metal avatar had become a necessity for Qin Mo. Long ago, he'd realized his greatest limitation: being only one person. He'd even crafted pendants to channel his power to Yaoen, with similar implants for his personal guard. These tools, however, were designed solely for power transfer and were limited in capacity, failing to alleviate the issue of being spread too thin.
Once Qin Mo had scavenged living-metal from the shattered Nightbringer, he'd set out to forge this new form.
"It's a shame the Nightbringer shards aren't close at hand; otherwise, I could test the construct after I finish." He sighed.
The Shapeshifter, thoughtful, suddenly brightened with inspiration. "The Nightbringer fragments may be absent, but there is another Star God fragment within the system—me."
"I'm afraid not," he replied, having once considered her assistance but dismissing the notion. Despite her claims, the Shapeshifter wasn't made for combat.
"I may be weak, but I'm still a Star God," she protested, taking on a confident stance. "Though just a fragment, I can at least assist with experimentation."
Qin Mo gave her suggestion due consideration before nodding in approval. "Very well. I'll begin the preparations."