It is a dark night in a distant world. A night destined to alter the course of everything.
A massive starship, similar to a giant castle which is inhabited by a greedy king, drifts silently through the void around the blue planet, its design defying comprehension. Built by humans from a parallel reality far beyond the technological reach of any known civilization, it looms like a monolith of power and ambition.
At its head, there stands a monarch.
Draped in a black, steely robe adorned with a complex gray pattern and golden embellishments, his figure exudes authority. His jet-black hair cascades to his neck, framing sharp, focused eyes that pierce the endless expanse before him.
From the heavens, he gazes upon his empire, the entire earth in all its glory. But not just an Earth — one among the countless Earths that now bow before him.
This man, Emperor Kiyoshi, is no ordinary ruler. Kiyoshi managed to break the physical principle and travel through different realities and raised his power unscrupulously and greedy for power. He is the conqueror of 100 parallel worlds, a feat achieved through ruthless cunning and overwhelming force. These worlds, collectively known as the "Delta Branch", are arranged in an abstract sequence, interconnected by advanced technology that defies the boundaries of space and time.
Driven by insatiable ambition, Kiyoshi crushed all resistance and united the Delta Branch under his iron rule, forging the vast "Delta Empire". Now, he watches over his creation with pride, his lips curling into a faint grin. Yet even as he revels in his dominion, death follows in his wake.
His empire's expansion is far from being over. The Psi Branch, another cluster of parallel worlds known for generally being technically underdeveloped even in 2037, has become his next target. War has already broken out, and the campaign is nearing its bloody conclusion. Victory over PSI/099, one of the final 'strongholds', is imminent.
But as Kiyoshi basks in his accomplishments, a familiar figure cloaked in white enters his chamber. The long robe shrouds the man's form, its hood casting a shadow over his face. Only strands of his pitch-black hair emerge from the darkness, hinting a presence beneath.
"Kiyoshi," the man begins, his voice calm yet unsettling. "We need to talk. Now."
Kiyoshi turns around, his brows furrowing slightly at the man's audacity. But he is accustomed to this man's irreverence. His tone drips with disdain.
"You never fail to test my patience."
The man sighs, irritated. "I don't have time for your theatrics. It's about the Psi war. You're preparing to attack PSI/099 I heard, correct?"
"Yes." Kiyoshi's expression hardens. "The conquest is at hand. Delta will prevail. I will succeed."
"Great," the man replies. "I need you to conduct an experiment during this operation. A test on someone specific."
Kiyoshi's eyes narrow. "An experiment? You've been skulking around my empire for days, contributing nothing. And now you expect me to do your bidding? What's in it for me?"
The man smirks faintly. "Payment. I'll bring you something invaluable — something few even believe exists: DREAD."
Kiyoshi stiffens instantly. The name alone is enough to send a ripple through his stoic demeanor. A weapon of unparalleled power, DREAD is whispered about across the multiverse, its capabilites the stuff of legend.
"You claim to know where DREAD is?" Kiyoshi scoffs. "Even if it's real, it's said to be hidden within the Omega Branch. Reching it from here is impossible."
"Not anymore," the man interrupts, his voice steady. "DREAD was stolen from OMEGA/077 by a researcher from ALPHA/001. I've been there many times. I know exactly where DREAD is kept. A woman I know is part of the parallel world scouts of ALPHA/001 which makes this job much simpler for me."
Kiyoshi's skepticism fades, replaced by intrigue. "If you deliver DREAD to me within the next two weeks, I'll consider your request. Swear it."
Without hesitation, the man steps forward, sealing the pact with a powerful, firm handshake.
"I swear, Kiyoshi-sama. You will have DREAD."
"Well, then tell me about this experiment. What's your plan exactly?"
The man clears his throat, before he explains. "I want you to spare a small group of people in Tokyo on PSI/099, less than one hundred. Let them live in the ruins of their own world, but make their survival a nightmare. Unleash your most twisted weapons and ensure their suffering knows no bounds."
"And?" Kiyoshi prompots, sensing there's definitely more.
The man's tone darkens. "Among those survivors, there's one I want you to target specifically. Make him endure the worst. Break him completely — mind, body, soul, every single piece of his existence. Leave him alive until he begs for death. But he mustn't die, that's very important. Otherwise the experiment will have failed."
Even Kiyoshi, a man who has orchestrated countless atrocities, pauses at the cold malice in the man's words.
"And this man's name?"
"Kiitaharu Yarikawa," the stranger replies, handing over a photo.
Kiyoshi studies the image. It shows a man, probably in his early thirties, with shoulder-length black hair, an exhausted, neutral face and a normal build. Kiyoshi is somewhat disappointed by the target.
What does he see in him? Why should I let such a pathetic servant of the hierarchy alive?
A mere mortal, insignificant in the grand scheme of things. But orders are orders, and a deal is a deal.
"Fine. Yarikawa will suffer. You'd better deliver on your end."
The man nods and turns to leave, his white cloak billowing behind him. But as he exists, his expression shifts into a manic grin, a chilling glimpse of the darkness lurking within.
And though his true name is rarely spoken aloud, since he reveals a different name everywhere he goes, his presence is known by all who fear the shadows.
May it never be spoken...
Meanwhile, Kiyoshi begins preparations for the assault on PSI/099. Unbeknownst to its inhabitants, their world is about to descend into a nightmare — a darkness unlike any they have ever known.