"Your mortal body has been reshaped. Why exactly, I do not know, but it is evident that it surpasses even this living metal shell."
As Qin Mo mused, Mimic broke the silence, catching Qin Mo off guard. He certainly hadn't voiced his inner reflections aloud.
"I foresaw that you would inquire about your body, so I answered preemptively to save time," Mimic explained.
"And yet, your answer remains elusive." Qin Mo agreed with Mimic's words but found they did little to resolve his underlying doubts.
Indeed, his mortal body had been reforged—its black markings bore witness to that truth. Furthermore, just a year after traversing to this universe, his body had already reached incredible resilience, though he'd only been capable of unleashing two bolts of lightning or breathing out a small flame at the time. Qin Mo recalled his days as a prisoner, sketching in a journal while entrenched in the battlefield, narrowly surviving even when shells exploded just in front of him.
As Qin Mo pondered, Mimic was lost in thought too. To Mimic, Qin Mo defied simple categorization as either human or god; he was neither fully Star God nor merely human—rather, he was a new form of existence altogether. A Star God of flesh… it was more than just a new life form, suggesting that Qin Mo might accomplish feats that even the gods could not achieve.
With this notion, Mimic's eyes flashed, and he suddenly asked, "Are you a Soulless?"
Qin Mo took it as a question about the presence of a soul. After considering for a moment, he shook his head. "I've never tested for the presence of a soul—perhaps I lack one entirely, or perhaps my soul differs from that of other beings."
"If you did possess a soul, do you know what advantage that might hold?" Mimic pressed on.
"What advantage? Would worship from mortals amplify my power?" Qin Mo answered offhandedly, hardly thinking about it.
"You may be able to enter the Subspace." Mimic took on human form, fixing a grave gaze upon Qin Mo, and reiterated, "You may be able to enter the Subspace."
Qin Mo raised a brow, intrigued. Mimic continued, explaining the potential benefits of accessing the Subspace: "The C'tan cannot enter the Subspace… none have ever attempted it, though it is conceivable. Yet, even if entry were possible, their powers would be greatly diminished."
"During the War in Heaven, we studied the Subspace, striving to grasp its mysteries. The Void Dragon posited that, were we C'tan to possess souls, we might not be barred from it—an unproven theory, but a theory nonetheless."
Qin Mo listened intently, absorbing the knowledge Mimic imparted. He had little desire to test the Void Dragon's hypothesis or to confirm whether the gods could indeed access the Subspace; such trials would carry unimaginable costs. Instead, Qin Mo focused on the potential disadvantages Star Gods might face when confronting the Subspace, and asked, "You were part of the War in Heaven. How great a threat does Subspace-based psychic power pose to Star Gods?"
Mimic lowered his gaze, silently ruminating, seemingly recalling or contemplating something.
Qin Mo pressed further, "Is there any natural opposition between Star Gods and the Subspace?"
"Subspace does not counter us. If it did, the War in Heaven's outcome would not have been the extinction of the ancient races, but rather our own obliteration," Mimic pondered aloud. "To us, the Subspace's most significant threat lies in its unknowability, its uncontrollable nature."
Qin Mo nodded, understanding Mimic's point precisely. In the material universe, Star Gods reigned supreme, possessing boundless knowledge of all its secrets, wielding the laws of physics as mere tools to manipulate at will. But faced with the Subspace, they were like young races groping in darkness, understanding little of what they encountered.
Yet, when all was said and done, the Star Gods retained their advantage in the material universe, making the Subspace's mysteries somewhat irrelevant—there were ways to wall it off if necessary.
"I am no expert in Subspace," Mimic sighed, preempting Qin Mo's unspoken desire to probe further, "Why not ask the Void Dragon? You've supported that Mechanicus priest named Vik, haven't you? He owes you plenty; have him arrange a way to take you there."
Qin Mo shook his head in quiet contemplation. Supporting Vik had never been about seeking an introduction to the Void Dragon on Mars. After all, the being on Mars was only a fragment of the Void Dragon, potentially oblivious to its own identity. Vik's backing was a calculated effort to infiltrate the Mechanicus; full control was unnecessary, but holding sway over much of the Mechanicus would suffice.
The Mechanicus was not a subsidiary of the Empire, as represented by the two-headed eagle symbol: one head for the Empire, the other for the Mechanicus. With Mechanicus support, the promotion of the dimensional engine would proceed more smoothly, helping spare humanity from feeding the fires of the Subspace.
Additionally, having Mechanicus endorsement would prevent certain imperial factions from meddling in the Tyron sector.
"The shell tests conclude here." Qin Mo turned, preparing to leave the Lone Galaxy. "Next, I shall transport this shell to the Celestial Engine and use it to meet Vik."
---
Four days later.
Agrippina system, aboard the Celestial Engine.
Vik and Sevyn, two high-ranking members of the Mechanicus, had been summoned to the Celestial Engine and were now traversing its planetary structure's "mantle."
Walking alongside them was Yorn, who alone knew the purpose of their visit.
"Where are we headed?" Vik inquired as they walked.
"You'll see soon enough," Yorn replied, not easing Vik's curiosity as he continued to lead the way.
Before their teleportation to the Celestial Engine, Vik and Sevyn had received only an invitation, unaware of the purpose behind their summons. Sevyn speculated it was either a tour of the Engine or a strategic discussion about the ongoing war. Vik pondered similarly, though he sensed that this visit bore significant importance, likely connected to his recent journey to Tyron.
After half an hour's walk through corridors and rigorous security, they finally arrived at a tightly sealed alloy door.
Yorn placed his hand on the door, and it slid open.
Beyond lay a scaled-down projection of the Agrippina system, like a conjured vision. A five-meter-tall giant stood before the Forge World, studying the planet intently.
The giant's metallic body hovered, its eye sockets alight with fire and electric currents coursing over its skin.
Vik and Sevyn stared at the figure for a moment, then exchanged a glance. Though neither's face betrayed emotion, their years of companionship made them aware of each other's surprise.
As they remained transfixed, Yorn stepped forward and knelt on one knee. "They have arrived."