"Creation is the essence of evolution, Eygar; each new species is a chapter in the infinite story of life's adaptability."

"And that is why we must learn to master this art, for Eryndor speaks no peace but a circle of war and endless bloodshed."

A raven-haired woman with golden-hued skin and wearing a white lab coat spoke softly through her nose mask as she watched a fetal lifeform squirming in a cylindrical glass container that was filled with greenish mucous-like liquid.

The glass container stood vertically on one end, with the other end connected with plastic tubes that ran the whole length of the hall.

Those tubes slowly dripped unknown liquids into the glass container, mixing with the greenish mucous that was slowly absorbed by the fetal organism.

The organism looked formless at first, but soon, visible outlines of membranes could be seen with the naked eye—well, at least with theirs—forming the lining of various body passages that communicate with the air bubbles in the container.

The mucosa, as it's called, forms the respiratory, genitourinary, and alimentary tracts, including the mouth, nasal passages, vagina, and urethra.

The whole process happened quickly, and within a dozen minutes, the shape of a female infant with distinct Luminari features slowly formed, like an artist's painting coming to life.

"I–It worked Lady Lyssara... It worked! You've made history. Hahaha... I can't wait to see the reactions of those old fogies in the council." A scrawny man who looked to be in his late fifties exclaimed.

Laughing boisterously between each word, his body trembled with excitement, almost breaking his already frail frame.

"Don't celebrate too early, Eygar," Lyssara's words brought him down from cloud nine before dousing cold water over his reverie, "Look closer... It's a failed transformation"

Eygar hastily turned towards the glass container and what he saw drowned his spirit.

The infant slowly swelled with visible red lines appearing on its fragile skin which quickly spiderwebbed all over until...

BOOM!!!

The glass container blew up but before it could extend outwards, a translucent barrier enclosed it and muffled the effect, containing the destruction within.

...

[E-X199 in HGC-07 has been successfully contained]

[Permission to notify the Council, Lady Lyssara]

...

"Permission granted, Ivy." Lyssara calmly replied to the AI security system.

"My lady you—" Eygar began, but Lyssara silenced him with a raised hand.

"This is no cause for concern, Eygar. It's only my one hundred and ninety-ninth failure—far fewer than any of those fogies in the council."

"And by the way..." She paused, curling her cherry lips, which were hidden in the nose mask, into a devilish smirk, "I think... I've just discovered the perfect catalyst for a successful transformation..."

***

[Lady Lyssara's HLE-199 resulted in a fractured state and the cause of failure is still unknown] Ivy's emotionless tone announced to the seat of seven council members in a hall.

The hall had high marble ceilings with ancient carvings which was a contrast to the utopian mega-city outside the large windows.

Seven figures sharing distinct Luminari golden-hued features sat on throne-like chairs with a heptagon table separating them in the middle.

"Well, that was expected to happen." A bald middle-aged man muttered with a shake of his head, "Eryndor is becoming less peaceful with the harmful deeds caused by the Iron Dominion and the Eclipse Syndicate."

"We should dispose of this false belief of Creation and focus on a more practical and dire aspect... like researching the secrets of Nexus Gate and reversing the dying Eryndra before it's too late."

A few of the seats nodded in agreement, but the others shook their heads in disapproval.

"Sigh, We all understand your point, Lord Lumir." A gruff elderly man with a small stature sighed, "But the secrets of Nexus Gate are beyond our level of knowledge. It is, but one of the many monumental works left behind by the Paragons of old after all."

"For hundreds of years, millions of researches and experiments have been made, but still no breakthroughs. The more time we waste in unlocking the Nexus Gate, the farther we're left behind in interstellar advancement."

"It's time for a change, and I propose we send out pioneers to new worlds in search of valuable resources. Eryndra cannot be saved and it's high time we prepare for a Dark Age." He Declared.

"I concur, Lord Dylan. The Nexus Gate is as dangerous to the Eryndor Star System as it might be in stabilizing it." A middle-aged woman with wild, untamed raven hair supported.

"As the saying goes, Focusing on irrelevant facts is like looking through clouded eyes. Knowledge is power only if one knows what facts not to bother with."

"Humph!" Lord Lumir humphed in annoyance. "Icing your cowardly opinions in backwater quotes is all you and your family are good at, Lady Lyssane."

"Ooohhh!" The same wide-eyed reaction mirrored everyone sitting around the table. They kept quiet and put on an expression that seemed to suggest—"waiting for a good show".

Boom!

Lady Lyssane's hands which had begun to glow brighter in gold, struck the marble table with inhuman force, but it barely shook.

She leaned forward in the direction of Lord Lumir, her eyes narrowing into deadly slits, "I dare you to repeat your words... Baldy!"

The word "Baldy" seemed to strike a chord as Lord Lumir turned volcanic red in an instant. Veins protruded on his head, and he exploded, "You, Bitch!!!"

"ENOUGH!!!... Cough-cough!" A sudden shout from an elderly figure seated in a wheelchair broke the stalemate.

He had piercing blue eyes and a beard that reached halfway down his chest. His features were framed by thinning hair and a thoughtful, furrowed brow.

Despite his wheelchair, his face radiates a sharp look of wisdom and intellect. "Cough-cough... We're all past this stage of meaningless squabbles. We should be doing the best we can to develop Aetherion and all worlds in our territory, not fight amongst ourselves." He continued between coughs, "We've all laid down our opinions and now, it's time to vote."

"I, Thalor Skyshard, oversee this vote as Archon and Chairperson of this Council. Those in favor of Lord Lumir, please raise your hands."

Everywhere turned silent for a moment before three figures raised their hands in support.

These figures included Lord Lumir and two other seats, a blonde middle-aged woman, and a scar-faced elderly man.

Archon Thalor nodded and continued, "Those in favor of Lord Dylan, please raise your hands."

Lady Lyssane immediately raised her hand and turned to face Lord Lumir with a derisive smirk as Lord Dylan and two others raised their hands in support.

"The decision has been made. Stellar Armada will be sent on a pioneer mission to the outer worlds." Archon Thalor announced.

"We mu—" He paused as a figure dressed in camouflage ran into the hall.

"Esteemed Council!" The personnel saluted, falling on one knee. "Nova Vanguard's Team-B's mission to Oblivion's Verge has been compromised. We're recommending immediate deployment of a rescue team."

A hush fell over the hall as the weight of the news sank in. The seats glanced at each other, and as if coming to the same realization they muttered with gritted teeth—"Eclipse Syndicate"

Archon Thalor shifted his gaze to the speaker with furrowed brow, and a momentary silence hung in the air before he spoke.

"Send out Nova Vanguard's Team-D, for rescue and support." He ordered, his voice resonating throughout the hall. "The Eclipse Syndicate is in for a rude awakening."