{A/N: What comes next is somewhat of an infodump, feel free to skim it, but there is some trivia knowledge in it, so you might like it.
The pictures will soon follow, you might want to check the comments after you're done reading.}
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Observation Log by Spark Draconisfilia.
Current Territories of the Imperium and Planetary Demographics - Entry 178Z
Earth-199999, ~53,686 BE (Before Emergence)
Year 247,949 of the Fulgebunt Draconis Imperium (Earth-199999)
To conduct a demographic study of the Fulgebunt Draconis Imperium, it is essential first to define what constitutes the Imperium's territory.
Under the Master Chief's ownership, there exists one universe, along with the territories of Earth-199999' Imperium. This right of ownership is recognized by the Cosmological Compass, as decreed by the Living Tribunal.
It is important to note that the Imperium does not govern all properties of the Master Chief. For example, consider Abeyance. Abeyance is an Inner Plane Planetary-type dimension of Earth-5H1N3, populated by 2,537,681,149,824,000,078 Persons of Abeyance.
*Note: This count does not include disembodied souls. {A/N: ~2.5 trillion in the long scale, ~2.5 quintillion in the short scale, with the short scale being the one used in the USA.}
Abeyance also serves as one of the three repositories for souls from the Imperium, and it is the second-largest. The largest repository is Hell, which consists—to the current date—of 878 different hell dimensions merged into one. Heaven is the fourth-largest dimensional territory and serves as the third and final repository for Imperial souls.
Gaea's Gift Dimension is the third-largest dimensional territory, following Hell and Abeyance in size. It is bigger than Heaven, with the Chakra Dimension coming after Heaven.
In descending order by size:
1. Hell
2. Abeyance
A. Gaea's Gift Dimension
3. Heaven
B. Chakra Dimension
*Note: A and B refer to dimensional territories, not soul repositories, unlike 1, 2, and 3.
Although the territories mentioned above are under the Master Chief's ownership, they do not fall under the Imperium's jurisdiction. Instead, these territories are overseen by the Drachantheon Therion.
To delineate the territories directly under Imperial control, we have: The Ark, The Halo, Nirn, The Isthmus, The Six Satellite Planets of The Ark (which were gifted by the Master Chief to Queen Emma), and the 32 star systems colonized by the Duskari in the past three convergences.
-->Planetary Demographics<--
Planetary Population: 58,374,192,658 citizens.
Distribution Across Planets:
38 planets with at least 1 milliard citizens per planet. This means most planets have populations above this threshold, with some more densely populated.
{A/N: Sparks uses the long scale because it's mathematically sound, and she is an AI. For easy comprehension, 1 Billion = 1 Milliard.}
-> Planet Population Distribution:
Planets with the highest population: 4 planets with populations nearing 2-3 milliard citizens each.
Planets with lower population: 4 planets have closer to 1-1.5 milliard citizens each.
Mid-tier planets: 25 planets have populations of around 1.5-2 milliard citizens.
Less populated planets: 5 planets have populations of around 1 milliard to 1.5 milliard each.
*Note: The Duskari tend to move around considerably, the efficiency and widespread use of inter and intraplanetary portals makes the population density variable, depending on the time of the day, the seasons of the planets, their popularity, and more. It's normal for the average Duskari to have 3-5 semi-permanent residencies, some even provided by their workplace.
*Space Stations and Spaceships: 5% of the population (around 2.9 milliard people) live on space stations, citadels, and ships. These stations and ships serve as semi-permanent homes for people engaged in scientific research, military assignments, resource extraction, star mapping, or interstellar trade.
-> Age Distribution:
Young but productive (15-200 years old): ~55% of the population (around 32.1 milliard people). This group contributes to the workforce, education, military, and social development.
*Note: The age span of 15-200 years is culturally considered the prime productive years.
Mid-age but productive (200-500 years old): ~30% of the population (around 17.5 milliard people). This group still plays a major role in leadership, technical expertise, research, and the economy.
Old but productive (500-600 years old): ~10% of the population (around 5.8 milliard people). Though at the higher end of the age spectrum, this group still contributes to society, especially in specialized fields like high-level administration, academia, or certain crafts that require long experience.
Retired (600-832 years old): ~5% of the population (around 2.9 milliard people). These Duskari are retired but often serve as mentors, advisors, or cultural figures. While they don't participate actively in the workforce, they remain involved in guidance and societal roles that benefit from their long lifespan.
*Note: The current oldest Duskari alive is 832 years old.
-> Social Classes:
Middle Class: The backbone of the Imperium, around 60-70% of the total population (about 35-40 milliard people). This group includes a wide range of professions: skilled workers, artisans, engineers, traders, civil service members, etc. These citizens enjoy good living standards, have access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities for advancement.
Working Class: 20-25% (around 12-15 milliard people). Includes laborers, technicians, and service workers. While not as affluent as the middle class, they still live comfortable lives with opportunities for upward mobility.
Elite Class: 5-10% (around 2.9-5.8 milliard people). Wealthy families, high-ranking military officers, politicians, scientists, and top-tier executives. While they are prosperous, there are no extreme levels of wealth as the system is more egalitarian. The focus is on a meritocratic system rather than hereditary privilege.
*Note: This meritocratic system is born as a reflection of the fact that not a single deity is born a deity in the Drachantheon Therion. They have seen and have documented cases of the offspring of the deities they so much admire working their way up to the divine status.
Underclass: Less than 5% (around 2-3 milliard people). There is barely any poverty. This underclass might have minimal economic opportunities but are not destitute or starving.
-> Gender Distribution:
The male-to-female ratio is roughly 0.97 males per female.
Male: ~49.4% (around 28.8 milliard males)
Female: ~50.6% (around 29.5 milliard females)
This gender distribution is fairly balanced, with a slight female majority.
*Note: Although naturally a male Duskari is considered stronger, this difference is negligible due to enhancement provided by Chakra and magic, so the normally high mortality rate in males in the vast majority of civilizations is not present in the Imperium.
-> Population Youth Bias: Influence of Colonization and Population Growth Eras.
--->Eras of Colonization:
Harsh Conditions on New Planets: During colonization periods, Duskari settlers are sent to planets with difficult environments—unstable climates, dangerous wildlife, scarce resources, and sometimes hostile indigenous semi-sapient species. The harshness of these conditions demands a high level of physical stamina, resourcefulness, and rapid adaptation.
Duskari in their prime productive years (ages 15-200) represent when the Duskari are more mentally malleable, able to endure the stress of tough environments, and adaptable enough to survive challenges. Colonization requires the vigor and energy to handle laborious tasks, build infrastructure, and overcome the physical and psychological challenges of new worlds.
While Duskari generally live long lives, colonization is brutal—many colonies experience high mortality rates, especially among older and mid-aged Duskari, due to environmental strain, diseases, or conflicts with native organics. The younger Duskari, being more equipped, have a higher survival rate, and the "Will of Fire Syndrome" (as the Master Chief jokingly calls it) of the older generation makes them more prone to put the lives of the young Duskari first, which leads to a skew in the population toward youth after a colonization era.
--->Eras of Population Growth:
Focus on Procreation and Social Expansion: After the struggles of colonization, the Imperium enters an era of population growth. In these periods, the Imperium focuses on peaceful settlement, expansion of cities, and the stabilization of new colonies. There is a strong push for procreation to fill the growing demand for workers, soldiers, and citizens to build the foundation of the Imperium. The Master Chief calls this phenomenon "James Era," because of the increase in harems. The birth rate tends to be higher in these periods, leading to a youthful demographic.
With more settled and stable conditions, the general population enjoys longer life spans.
Recently a period of colonization has passed and the Imperium entered a stabilizing era, where the older population is considerably lower than the younger one.
--->Summary of Population's Youth Bias:
Colonization eras create a natural selection for youth, as younger Duskari are more suited for survival and harsh labor in new colonies. These periods of colonization also result in higher mortality rates among older and mid-aged Duskari, especially due to the "Will of Fire Syndrome."
Population growth eras focus on rapid expansion, with an emphasis on procreation and family-building among the fertile population to support the Imperium's economic and social structure.
As a result, the population skews younger, with the 15-200 age range being the most dominant.
-> Racial Distribution
Racial Distribution:
Noctelvi: ~52.3% (around 30.5 billion)
Lucelvi: ~47.7% (around 27.9 billion)
*Note: The mentality instilled by the Master Chief of 'Every one of you is lowly to me so don't bother me with your surface-level differences.' has kept racism as something better aimed at outsiders in the Imperium, hence this distribution tends to shift generationally and not culturally.
For the demographic observation analysis on The Ark, The Halo, and the Isthmus, please check Entry 178A. For Nirn, please refer to the Grand Repository of Knowledge to the report filed 247,949 years ago by Princess Mindee, since virtually no time has passed since then on Nirn, it remains unchanged.
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/ End of Entry 178Z/
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Svartálfheim...
The Drakia, a Royal Light Frigate-Class Starship, was powered by the latest RAGFF Engine—an engineering marvel. It was also known as the Princess' Ship, a vessel dedicated to diplomatic missions and trade with nascent powers across the universe.
The Imperium rarely engaged in such associations. This was not due to isolationism—on the contrary, the Imperium eagerly sought to explore and engage with other cultures. However, their nature as an empire of time variants imposed significant limitations.
As a result, the Imperium's interactions were limited to civilizations destined to perish within the next millennia, leaving no footprint on the Sacred Timeline.
Beyond these doomed civilizations, only the Imperium's deities—shielded by Aragorn's empty BodySelves—could interact with third parties of greater historical significance. These deities could extend temporary protection to their companions using Aragorn's time obfuscation field, as was the case when Mindee met The Collector under heavy protective detail.
Until recently, the Duskari had not encountered another spacefaring civilization. That changed with the arrival of the Älfeneel. The Dark Elves' appearance was particularly intriguing to the Duskari because their ships were also powered by a form of gravity manipulation, and their overall technological level was close to the Duskari's.
Maybe it's not accurate to say it was close, in some aspects the Dark Elves were far more advanced, but their problem was their civilization. It was past the point of decline. Their civilization was in tatters, so even if the billions-years-old civilization harbored tech that called for the Duskari's attention, the Älfeneel appeared as savages wielding advanced tech to their eyes, instead of an advanced civilization of olden.
Currently, Mindee, the ShadowClad's commander, and several high-ranking personnel were gathered in the Drakia's main meeting room, deliberating on their next steps.
Mindee's eight tails swayed anxiously behind her, a stark contrast to the eager confidence radiating from the other Duskari present.
"While the RAGFF Engine is more efficient for long-range travel and excels at stabilizing the space-time mesh during intervention warping, their singularity-powered engine is far superior for relativistic displacement."- Chief Engineer Vras-Thus reported, gesturing toward the holographic display showing his initial scans.
"Their cloaking... Were you able to uncover anything about it?"- Frenastil, commander of the ShadowClad regiment, asked in a deliberate tone.
"My scans found nothing, which was fascinating in itself."- Vras-Thus admitted, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "The only other time I've encountered this level of impenetrability was when attempting to inspect The Halo's cloaking field."
"Cloaking... Divine level?"- Frenastil questioned, his gaze fixed on the anxious princess.
"Yes, Frenastil. I couldn't sense them until they revealed themselves."- Mindee admitted.
"... Troublesome."- Frenastil remarked.
Mindee nodded. She understood that Frenastil's concern came from a place of duty. He was the commander of the ShadowClad, and in this particular mission, the Queen specifically assigned them to protect Mindee. Having a possible enemy—based on the anxious sway of his charge's tails—that could evade the senses of the most acute in the Drakia was unsettling.
The Drakia was currently being escorted to a landing point by a squad of Harrows, while two Älfeneel Arks loomed in the distance, serving as sentries.
"Don't stress over nothing, Mindee."- A voice interrupted the meeting. Weirdly enough, it sounded muffled and was coming from behind Mindee.
The Duskari jumped in surprise but quickly relaxed upon recognizing the speaker. Mindee's tails immediately stilled and then swung forward. Attached to one of her voluminous, fluffy tails was Aragorn, in his honey badger form.
Mindee gently brought the tail to her lap, Aragorn still clinging to it, and began running her fingers over his scaled back.
"Grandfather, am I not in trouble?"- Mindee asked softly.
"No. Why would you be? You're a sheltered princess of nearly 250,000 years. Emma did an excellent job keeping you away from the filth while preparing you for it, but it's unreasonable to expect composure from you so soon after the incident."- Aragorn purred under her gentle ministrations.
"Besides, any of the other children would have done far worse than simply beheading Taneleer and blowing up his collection."- Aragorn remarked absentmindedly.
"Much worse?"- Mindee asked, tilting her head in confusion. She couldn't imagine what could be worse than what she had done.
"Wandbus would have enslaved him in Hell as a plaything for equine demons. Emma would have appropriated his collection and added him to it. Yao and Agatha would have used him as some sort of unkillable sacrifice. James would have dragged him into his shadow world, leaving him to drown in eternal madness. And I," Aragorn continued with a touch of amusement, "would have done all of the above. In a way, Taneleer should be grateful to you."
Aragorn shared how much :Comfort: her touch and fluff brought him, as if he had not said something that made the stomachs of the few present revolt.
"But, Grandfather, won't this become a problem? I remember them, Mother had me read the files on this universe's key events."- Mindee asked.
"It's alright."- Aragorn replied, his voice calm as his All-seeing eyes gazed through distance and physical barriers at the crumbling remnants of their civilization.
"As long as the Imperium doesn't get too entangled with them by the time they fall," he paused, his tone shifting slightly, "by the time they fall even further, it'll be fine."
"So it's acceptable to trade with them for now, as we do with other cultures?"- Mindee sought confirmation.
"Yes."- Aragorn answered, then added with a faint chuckle, "but I doubt they'll want to trade after meeting you."
"Why?"- Mindee tilted her head, confusion evident.
"They're racists. Well, perhaps not racists, but they despise all life that came after them."- Aragorn said matter-of-factly.
"Head, is that accurate? They seemed comfortable with Commander Frenastil and the ShadowClad."- Lemielae, the Drakia's Chief Xenodiplomacy Officer and a Luxelvi, interjected.
"That's because they were clad in shadows and they are black."- Aragorn said, his tone unbothered.
"...How would that matter?"- Lemielae voiced what everyone else was thinking.
"The Dark Elves, Svartálfar, Älfeneel, or Harudheeniksel—whatever they prefer to call themselves—are the most ancient civilization in the universe."- Aragorn began, projecting a vivid memory that filled the room. "They predate the universe itself, originating in the Ginnungagap—the vast, primordial darkness that existed before the creation of the manifest universe, where they reigned supreme and unchallenged.
"Then came Arishem the Judge, whose actions ignited the Big Bang. Their civilization collapsed in the aftermath, and they blame everything that came after—the stars, the planets, and every being in existence—for their downfall."- As Aragorn concluded, the illusion of his memory dissolved.
The room was silent. The weight of the story, paired with the unprecedented glimpse of a Celestial's actions and the universe's birth, left the Duskari stunned.
"Grandfather... why were you there?"- Mindee asked, noticing that the memory had been shared from his perspective.
"I was conducting research on the ingots of creation."- Aragorn said casually, as if discussing a mundane topic.
The silence stretched on, his statement not helping the Duskari process faster.
"Head, I still don't understand why they seemed so comfortable with the ShadowClad."- Lemielae said, breaking the stillness.
"Because James' divine domain connects conceptually to the Ginnungagap. To the Älfeneel, the ShadowClad probably appeared as long-lost kin from the same primordial darkness."- Aragorn replied, amusement evident in his voice.
"So, what do we do now? Is bloodshed our only option?"- Mindee asked, her tails twitching nervously. She didn't want to fight herself out of the realm, she could feel it, the Dark Elves were closer to her life level.
"Mmm... well, while I wouldn't mind that."- Aragorn began with a sly grin. "How about trying to con their tech out of them? Their Particle Rifle is laughable, but their black hole grenades, cloaking technology, and singularity-powered engines could benefit the Imperium."
"But they'll try to kill us when they meet the rest of us."- Lemielae pointed out.
"You could either pretend to be a subordinate class to the ShadowClad, which would likely appease the racist emo elves," Aragorn said with a smirk, "or I could temporarily transform you all into Noctelvi—a black fox in your case, Mindee—and grant you a temporary blessing tied to James' domain."
"Grandfather, how would we maintain such a lie for long?"- Mindee asked, her concern mirrored by the others.
"You wouldn't need to keep it up for long—just enough time. Find a random planet or a small pocket dimension, fill it with shadows, and populate it primarily with Noctelvi. Build a fake empire there. With that, 80% of the groundwork for the deception is done. Then you start cultivating a closer relationship with the Älfeneel. Within a few short centuries—or millennia—you'll secure their technology, and then you leave. Simple."
The room murmured as Aragorn continued.
"This method avoids altering history too noticeably. Alternatively, you could send the ShadowClad to infiltrate their territory, concealing themselves with magic and chakra. But considering their cloaking tech, maybe only Noona, James with a ninth tail, or I could remain undetected."
"Can't Seraph or Spark hack into their systems?"- Mindee asked.
"Perhaps, but are you certain the data is stored in hackable systems? What if their software is so alien to ours that we'd need a Rosetta stone just to decipher it? What if the information is stored in physical records instead?"- Aragorn countered, his words making Mindee reconsider her approach.
"And don't forget, I only mentioned the technology we know could help the Imperium. But doesn't it intrigue you? A civilization this old, one immersed in dark energy and matter—imagine the knowledge they might hold. There could be treasures in there I haven't spotted."
The Drakia's crew exchanged thoughtful glances, mulling over Aragorn's words.
"Grandfather, we will discuss this further and run the options through Mother. If we decide to create a fake Noctelvi empire, we will need her support and the Imperium's resources."- Mindee said decisively.
"Take your time, Princess. I'll be in your tails—let me know if you need my help."- Aragorn replied, settling comfortably on her tail and closing his eyes.
Back on Earth, in the location of the next Obelisk, the rocky ground began to shrink, forming the base hole for the structure. Aragorn was using his void barriers, manipulating the terrain remotely from Svartálfheim.
Seeing Aragorn shift into what she recognized as "low-energy mode," Mindee gently swung her tail, transferring him to the bundle of tails behind her. She buried him in the soft, fluffy fur, where his form disappeared entirely.
None of those present batted an eye. According to their experiences and historical records, such behavior was expected and entirely normal.
Duskari education included courses on the personalities and habits of the Drachatheon Therion. Their likes, dislikes, divine domains, feats, family trees, appearances, contributions to the Imperium, hobbies, responsibilities, and origin stories were common knowledge.
For instance, if a police raid uncovered the goddess of law among criminals, the officers wouldn't be surprised. They would simply process her alongside the others. It had happened before—Kitty had served time. She escaped after only a few days, but it was still a recorded event.
"I'll use The System to communicate with Mother. In the meantime, get all Lucelvi non-essential personnel into their rooms."- Mindee ordered.
"As you command, Princess."- The officers responded in unison.
After several hours of deliberation and discussion with Emma, they decided to con the Dark Elves out of their valuable technology.
Mindee was transformed into a shadowy version of her fox form, while the rest of the crew assumed the appearance of Noctelvi, each blessed with shadows.
"I'll go explore Svartálfheim, Mindee. Don't hesitate to destroy these depressing elves if you consider it necessary—or call me. I'll stay nearby."- Aragorn said.
"Don't worry, Grandfather. We'll be alright," Mindee reassured him with a smile.
Aragorn teleported away, reappearing in a secluded corner of the dark realm.
'Let's see... what do we have here?'
|Dark matter. The old type.|
'Dark energy. The primordial kind, but in lower concentrations, laced with dark energy from after the Big Bang.'
'Any signs of remnants from their civilization?'
|Aside from where they currently reside? No.|
'Then they've probably gathered everything on that planet.'
'They've had 13.8 billion years since the Big Bang. That's more than enough time.'
|I wonder why they aren't stronger as a civilization.|
'Yes, that's... "unnatural."'
-It is. Humans from our original universe had a more complete civilization after only 300,000 years. These elves, with 46,000 times that time, have so little to show for it.-
'Apart from a few pieces of tech they've recovered from their glory days.'
|True. But that only makes it more unnatural. Give humans from 300,000 BCE the tech these elves have, and they'd be terraforming Mars in less than five millennia.|
-In conclusion? There's a limiting factor.-
|But what could it be?|
'Psychological issues seem unlikely. I bet it's environmental.'
-But what? As far as I (we) can see, this realm has abundant resources, even if tainted by dark matter and energy.-
'Maybe the resources themselves are the problem.'
|Maybe they refuse to use anything created after the Big Bang.|
-But how could an entire race be so stubborn for billions of years?-
|Perhaps it's not stubbornness. Perhaps they can't.|
'They can't use "new matter"? Seriously?'
|Maybe. It's easier to believe than thinking an entire civilization of super-advanced elves willingly stunted their growth out of sheer stubbornness.|
-Maybe the Big Bang affected them more deeply than they've admitted.-
'I like that theory. The Dark Elves are immortal, but maybe they needed an exceptionally long period of adjustment after Arishem reshaped their reality.'
-Maybe they're "recently" exiting that adjustment phase.-
|It's possible. This realm is resource-rich despite its dark taint, so the delay can't be due to scarcity.|
-I (We) should confirm this theory by probing their minds.-
'Later. For now, I'll study and learn how to regulate my void energy into this dark matter and energy of the Ginnungagap. I bet James will find it fascinating.'
And so, Aragorn remained in Svartálfheim while Mindee carried out her tasks. Under Emma's well-thought suggestion, they altered the Drakia's records to create the illusion that the starship and its crew had been trapped in the gravitational field of a black hole for eons.
The fabricated story placed them as part of an older civilization—one that existed before the Big Bang—who had "traveled" 13.8 billion years into the future due to the effects of time dilation.
In the hearts of the Älfeneel, this narrative solidified the "Noctelvi" as their kin, earning them the right to seek refuge within the realm.
The Älfeneel, however, were far from the stereotypical image Aragorn had of them. Perhaps it was because their leader was a female named Alflyse, with Malekith serving merely as her advisor.
Aragorn eventually confirmed his theory about the elves undergoing a period of adjustment.
"How curious."- Aragorn mused absentmindedly.
"What is?"- Mindee asked while immersed in the administrative work of the Noctelvi colony.
"In the prime reality, Dark Elves originate from Svartálfheim, not Ginnungagap, so they didn't need an adjustment period like these ones. However, they had a weakness to iron, which these elves don't."- Aragorn floated a drop of Älfeneel blood before him, studying it intently.
"Why is that curious?"- Mindee questioned, barely pausing her work.
"One might assume that, since these elves come from a realm predating the Big Bang, there could be something post-Big Bang they'd be 'allergic' to. But that's not the case. The prime reality Dark Elves have a weakness to iron, and these ones don't. I find that curious."
"And what about the ones from our reality?"- Mindee asked, her hands still busy.
"Those are monsters."- Aragorn replied.
"Monsters?"- Mindee's hands froze mid-task; she knew her grandfather rarely used the term lightly.
"Gaea shared her memory of them with me. They're like a grotesque hybrid of demon, dark elf, and the Ginnungagap itself. They're exactly the kind of enemy I hate dealing with."- Aragorn admitted.
"Why?"- Mindee asked, her tone suddenly serious.
"They become an environmental hazard when killed, corrupting space, matter, and energy to transform reality into something like the Ginnungagap with their dying embers. They're such a problem that Svartálfheim in our reality functions more as a prison than part of the Nine Realms."
"Can't you deal with them before they become a problem?"- Mindee asked, hopeful.
"Not without making the problem worse before it gets better."- Aragorn grumbled. "See, they're immortal as long as they're connected to their primordial darkness. They've turned Svartálfheim into a realm of that darkness. Killing them there is futile, and if I take them outside to kill them, I would pollute reality with their dark goop. And if I destroy their entire realm, I damage Yggdrasil.
"They're experts in spatial manipulation, so banishing them outside our universe would likely fail—they'd simply reappear elsewhere and Boss Tribunal would have me clean up my mess. To deal with them properly would require significant time and effort. They're weak in power but utterly infuriating in their trickery."
"They're so different from these elves."- Mindee observed, absorbing the implications.
"Yeah, and I suspect they're tied to the King in Black."- Aragorn added.
"Knull? Then why haven't the Celestials dealt with them?"- Mindee asked. She knew the Celestials targeted anything associated with Knull.
"They have even fewer options than I do. They're content to keep them sealed in Svartálfheim, much like Knull in Klyntar."- Aragorn explained.
"But they'll become a problem eventually, won't they?"- Mindee said with resignation.
"Yes, they will."- Aragorn replied with a chuckle, amused by her quick acceptance.
Alflyse, unlike Malekith, was not a warmonger intent on extinguishing the universe's light. She still ruled the Älfeneel, and like most rulers, she suffered from loneliness. That changed when she learned Mindee was the princess of the Noctelvi and, by extension, queen of their colony—in a way, her equal.
Part of Mindee's daily routine became spending "tea time" with Alflyse. While there was no actual tea—something from future Earth and the Imperium—they did share intriguing pastries.
These pastries were unique. To maintain the illusion that they were from the pre-Big Bang era, the crew of the Drakia subtly altered their food supply and ship. The Drakia was suffused with a harmless drip of ancient dark matter and energy, as was their food.
Aragorn had brought seeds and seedlings from the Imperium, corrupting them with dark energy while ensuring they remained edible for the Duskari. These were then planted in the colony, which the Dark Elves had sold to the crew in exchange for a share of the produce.
As was typical for the Imperium's crops, these were supercrops. Less than two years later, the small colony was producing more than enough food, and with their extensive knowledge of culinary arts, Mindee was winning her way to Alflyse's heart through her stomach.
"Mindee, tell me about this pet of yours that you call 'Grandfather.'"- Alflyse said, her gaze fixed on Aragorn, who was curled up and sleeping contentedly within Mindee's tails.
'You're the pet.'- Aragorn retorted in their minds.
"I don't look like a pet, do I? You, on the other hand, get fed, put to sleep, petted, and are constantly in Mindee's mind. What else could you be but a pet?"- Alflyse countered.
'Kings and queens, deities, sugar babies, kids, and pets all fit that description. You, for example, are fed by your people, bathed, and constantly in their thoughts. If I'm a pet, so are you.'- Aragorn replied with a smug tone.
"You!"- Alflyse glared.
"~Fufufufu. Alflyse, why do you always pick a fight with Grandfather?"- Mindee chuckled, amused by their banter.
"It smells different. Not quite the taint of the bright flash (Big Bang), but also not the essence of the Caring Mother (Ginnungagap)."- Her expression twisted in discomfort.
'That's because I'm older than your Caring Mother, pet queen.'- Aragorn teased.
"Lies! There was nothing before the Caring Mother!"- She exclaimed.
'What could a mere pet queen like you, barely a few billion years old, possibly know?'- Aragorn asked, exuding an air of superiority. His tone sharply contrasted with his position, snugly nestled between Mindee's tails under her gentle care.
"You insolent creature!"- Alflyse snapped, firing a neon-fuchsia energy blast at him.
Aragorn opened his maw and casually consumed the blast.
'If you wanted to feed me, you could've just asked. I'd happily grant you that honor, pet queen.'- Aragorn gave her a signature look of superiority.
Alflyse clenched her teeth. This wasn't the first time she'd tried—and failed—to get the better of him. She believed that Aragorn never retaliated because he lacked the means to do so, a misjudgment that only added to her frustration.
"~Fufufufu. Alflyse, why do you keep trying? You know it's futile."- Mindee said, laughing at both Aragorn's antics and Alflyse's ignorance.
"It's infuriating! Mindee, as your best friend, I demand that you hand over for imprisonment this insolent creature, for its crimes against its queen!"- Alflyse declared dramatically.
"We've been over this, haven't we? I hand Grandfather over, he escapes, takes over your chambers, and then you'll end up begging me to take him back."- Mindee replied, enjoying the situation.
"Ugh! How can such an unimprisonable creature even exist?"- Alflyse groaned, sinking back into her seat.
"That's Grandfather for you—unimprisonable."- Mindee giggled.
"Why do you call it 'Grandfather,' anyway?"- Alflyse asked. A tendril of her neon-fuchsia energy extended, attempting to poke Aragorn, only for the energy to be absorbed as it neared him.
"He saved my mother from a dire fate, then did the same for me. He sheltered and taught us, guiding us to become what we are today."- Mindee explained, her voice filled with sincerity.
"This insolent creature did all that? I know it's undamageable, but helping you and your late mother? That I find hard to believe."- Alflyse said skeptically, using another tendril to pick up a fork. She attempted to stab Aragorn with it, but the utensil broke on contact with his scales.
"Alflyse, Grandfather is actually strong. He just doesn't attack often, especially since he enjoys teasing you."- Mindee said, her voice light with amusement.
"I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, this creature is just an unkillable, insolent pest."- Alflyse huffed.
'You speak too highly for a pet queen.'- Aragorn shot back.
"TCH!"- Alflyse violently clicked her tongue.
'How unqueenly.'- Aragorn didn't miss the chance.
Millennia passed, and the colony became integrated into the Svartálfar. The Duskari had conned advanced technology out of the Dark Elves, sending the blueprints to the Imperium. Contrary to the original plan, they didn't abandon the colony afterward.
The Duskari and Älfeneel intermingled to the point of sharing bloodlines. Due to the Älfeneel's immortality—making conception difficult—none of the female Älfeneel became pregnant. However, the Duskari were not bound by the same limitations.
The hybrids that were born inherited the Älfeneel's affinity for dark matter and energy, a trait Emma and Mindee deemed a valuable asset for the Imperium. As a result, they decided to maintain the colony, ensuring a steady import of Älfeneel bloodlines.
"You've grown attached to Alflyse, haven't you? That's why you don't want to leave."- Aragorn remarked, lazily nestled in Mindee's lap.
"Nothing escapes you, Grandfather."- Mindee admitted, her fingers lightly tracing the scales on his hide.
"Did you even try to hide it?"- Aragorn asked, though the question was rhetorical.
"She is cute, isn't she?"- Mindee chuckled.
"Yeah, funny-cute."- Aragorn agreed.
"Can we take her home?"- Mindee asked, giving Aragorn her best puppy-dog eyes.
"Do you mean now, or after Malekith tries to kill her?"- Aragorn replied.
"The latter."- Mindee said with a sly smile, understanding his meaning.
"She'll be mad."- Aragorn commented.
"Maybe, but immortals don't stay mad for long. What's a few millennia of silent treatment?"- Mindee countered.
"I see your point. Sure, let's kidnap the funny-cute queen. We're experts at that, after all."- Aragorn agreed.
"Thank you, Grandfather. I've had so much fun these past convergences with you here."- Mindee said.
"You're welcome, Princess. Anytime you want."- Aragorn replied, flicking his forked tongue lightly against her hand.
The colony continued to grow, and the Noctelvi and the faux Noctelvi (Luxelvi) continued mingling with the Älfeneel. Because Aragorn had a hand in the creation of the Duskari, he ensured that any child born to a Duskari would inherit the race of the mother. This meant that hybrids resulting from interspecies unions were closer to the Duskari than to the Älfeneel. Although these hybrids were far more long-lived than their mothers, they were mortal—unlike their fathers.
This proved to be a blessing for the Imperium. Due to the difference in lifespans, the hybrids were not raised by the Älfeneel and thus avoided harmful indoctrination against the "light" of the universe.
In time, as the Duskari sought to increase their numbers and refrained from using protection, it became a trend among male Älfeneel to visit the colony, enticed by the thrill of impregnating Duskari women.
As generations passed and some hybrids intermixed further with the Älfeneel, the colony infused more Harudheeniksel blood into the Imperium, continuing to expand. This pleased Emma and Mindee.
To prevent the elves from panicking over the growing population of a foreign species, Mindee had Aragorn stealthily transport both hybrids and non-hybrids to the Imperium, keeping a certain balance.
Meanwhile, Mindee and Alflyse's friendship deepened to the point that Mindee began to consider her as a best friend. This displeased Malekith, as Alflyse started placing more importance on Mindee's counsel than on him, her advisor.
It wasn't long before Malekith struck. He and his loyalists rebelled, surrounding the colony with their Arks and Harrows.
"Commander Algrim, what's the meaning of this?"- Mindee demanded of Algrim, the commander leading the force that encircled the colony.
"These are the orders of Queen Alflyse."- The brute-like elf replied.
Mindee gazed at him with an unflinching composure. "So Malekith is rebelling now?"- She asked in a chilling tone.
Algrim followed his orders without question and attacked. Malekith had made it clear that Mindee must not reinforce Alflyse, and Algrim's mission was to hold back the Noctelvi until the queen was dealt with.
Yet, to Algrim's astonishment, when his battle axe descended upon Mindee's skull, she did not resist as he had counted on her to do.
Snap.
A sudden sound echoed across the entire colony, and everything began to dissolve into brilliant iridescent sparks—silver-white, like Mindee's original fur. The tall and solid buildings, the artificial lush fields, the Duskari, the roads, the cooling reservoirs, the Drakia starship, and finally, Mindee herself vanished into a radiant cloud.
Algrim was left standing in a desolate páramo, the vibrant colony now reduced to the lifeless environment of the rest of the planet.
"...What?"- The bewildered brute muttered.
The confusion was shared by the Dark Elves aboard the Arks and Harrows.
In the royal palace, Malekith's forces had secured Alflyse, chaining her before the throne. Malekith sat upon what had once been her seat.
"Join me, Alflyse. Become my queen, and together we will restore the glory of the Caring Mother."- He said, gazing down at her kneeling figure.
"Has your ego devoured your sanity, Malekith?"- Alflyse asked, her poise unbroken despite her chains.
"You know we can do it! We only need to forge it into a weapon capable of granting our desires!"- Malekith retorted, his voice ablaze with anger.
"Your ambition drives you to covet the gem born of the light we all despised? Do you even hear yourself, Malekith the Accursed?"- Alflyse snarled.
"I hear myself, but do you? Have you any ambition left for the betterment of our kind? Have you looked at the meager progress achieved over eons? We lost everything, and we have nothing to show for it!"- Malekith's fury burned brighter with each word.
"That's not it, Malekith. You want the power for yourself, and then you'll drive our people to extinction. You're just like Kraw the Uncontrollable. What is your plan? To fight against the entire universe with just these few? You know nothing of our people's plea!"- Alflyse retorted, her eyes as cold as Jotunheim.
"You're the one that doesn't know of the plea of my people."- Malekith sneered. "All this commotion, and where are your people?"
For the first time, doubt flickered in Alflyse's eyes. She had not gone down without a fight, but where were her guards? The castle staff? It was the hour of their daily meeting—where was Mindee?
"What have you done, Malekith?!"- She growled.
"You still don't see it, do you? They weren't your people; they were mine."- Malekith said, relishing the sight of her faltering resolve.
"Malekith, WHERE IS MINDEE?!"- Alflyse roared. She could imagine her military betraying her, as Dark Elves followed strength, but she couldn't believe Mindee would side with someone she openly despised.
"Ah, our short-lived cousins. They will join my cause. Their logistical prowess will be valuable in restoring the universe to the embrace of primordial darkness."- Malekith replied, a cold smile curling across his lips.
"They will never join you. Mindee wouldn't allow it."- Alflyse muttered.
"Maybe not willingly, but once I take her as my concubine, her people will follow. Or, well, since you seem so reticent about the queen's seat, I might just give it to her after you're disposed of."- Malekith replied with a smirk.
"She will never!"- Alflyse shouted, her nails digging into her palms.
"She'll have no choice. The Noctelvi are her weakness."- He said, his voice brimming with certainty.
Alflyse's eyes widened in realization.
"Kill her. There's no point in arguing further."- Malekith ordered coldly.
One of the elves holding her chains pulled out his rifle, aimed, and fired.
Thud.
Her lifeless body collapsed, like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
"Good riddance. One step closer. All that remains is figuring out how to weaponize the gem—it can't be wielded in its natural state."- Malekith muttered to himself.
Without ceremony, Alflyse's body was discarded with a black hole grenade, her remains compressed and absorbed into the singularity.
Later, Malekith was informed of the strange events at the Noctelvi colony. His reaction mirrored Algrim's confusion. That was the last any Älfeneel ever saw of the Noctelvi. Their disappearance cast a shadow of silent blame upon Malekith, though it did little to delay his plans. The Noctelvi were never invaluable to his plan.
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When the fatal shot was fired, Alflyse experienced a strange phenomenon. The world froze: Malekith, the elves with their cursed chains, even her blood and heartbeat. All motion ceased, leaving only her eyesight, hearing, and consciousness intact.
Before her stood Aragorn, in his honey badger form. He shifted seamlessly into his humanoid male shape. Had she been able to move, her shock would have been as evident as the chaos in her mind.
"Pet queen, you should be thankful you're funny-cute."- Aragorn said casually, his lips unmoving yet his voice reaching her.
He placed a hand on her face and pushed. Alflyse watched, wide-eyed, as a transparent version of herself was pulled out of her body.
"A body without a soul cannot truly live. Equally, a soul without a body cannot truly exist."- Aragorn explained, his tone almost amused.
"What?!—Ah! I can speak! What is this? What's going on? Are you Mindee's grandfather? Where's Mindee? Is she alright? You should be there protecting her, not me! If you could always assume this form why did you become her pet? How long can this go on? Can I kill Malekith now? Why di—"
"Shush."- Aragorn interrupted, silencing her spirit.
His tail moved under her dress, between her legs, and her eyes widened at this, thinking the worst was about to happen, but there was no pain, at least not in her spirit. His tail exited from under her dress covered in elven dark blood.
"Some rituals require symbolism."- Aragorn said matter-of-factly. "I could have done this differently, but I wanted to test this 'new life' spell. Consider this the cost of saving you. If it bothers you, Mindee can help you forget."
He grasped her spirit with one hand and manipulated space, vanishing from Svartálfheim. Time resumed in the throne room, playing out as though he had never intervened.
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Aragorn reappeared atop a dark, towering structure overlooking a sprawling metropolis divided by a wide river. At the river's center stood a glowing yellow portal framed by two dark spires forming an archway.
"Welcome to the Fulgebunt Draconis Imperium. This region is known as the Isthmus."- Aragorn said.
Alflyse's muted spirit stared in awe at the scene, lost in its grandeur. Meanwhile, Aragorn's tail drew a circle with the blood he'd collected.
"The blood from the cradle of life."- Aragorn chanted, finishing the circle.
"The sacrifice of the original body."- Back in Svartálfheim, her body lay discarded.
"The power of the progeny of the outside."- A sphere of void energy formed over the circle.
"The spirit to be given life."- He pushed her panicked spirit into the sphere.
It pulsed twice, then flashed brightly. When the light subsided, the blood and spirit were gone, replaced by a sleeping baby girl with purplish-blue skin and black hair.
"A rebirthing ritual. Not the most efficient, but this is only its third iteration."- Aragorn commented, lifting the infant and using biokinesis to ensure her perfection.
"Now all you need is food, a few years, and the old funny-cute queen will be back."- He said, his form shifting into his female self.
She pulled out a breast and gently opened the baby's mouth, guiding her to latch. The infant instinctively began suckling.
"Hehehe! She's going to be furious when she regains her memories."- Aragorn said, laughing softly.
The surroundings shifted as Aragorn manipulated space, appearing in a room clearly designed for a baby girl.
"Grandfather, let me see her!"- An overexcited silver-white fox exclaimed, bounding into view.
Aragorn turned, revealing the infant.
"Uwah, she's so cute!"- Mindee gushed, softly touching the baby's chubby cheeks.
"Can I breastfeed her?"- She asked eagerly.
"Sure, but you'll need to stimulate yourself to kickstart your adaptability."- Aragorn replied.
"No need. I bought a lactation spell from Wanda."- Mindee said, pulling out her milkful breast.
"... I don't want to know why Wanda created that spell, or more like I can imagine but I don't need confirmation."- Aragorn muttered as he handed the baby over.
The infant stirred momentarily, protesting the absence of food, before settling into Mindee's arms.
"It's ticklish."- Mindee giggled as the baby nursed.
Aragorn reverted to his honey badger form, floating nearby.
"She's going to be so angry."- Aragorn chuckled darkly.
"True."- Mindee replied, smiling as she poked the baby's button nose. "But, like you said, she was destined to die—abandoned by her people and betrayed by her advisor. Her death would have started the end of her race. She'll come around. She's got all the time in the world now."
"Sometimes it amuses me how cruel you've become, Mindee."- Aragorn said.
"Does it? And am I really being cruel?"- Mindee asked, Alflyse reaching for her breast with her tiny fingers, sinking them in.
"A little bit. You're selfish, but that's to be expected, given that Emma and I are selfish, and we raised you. But what I meant by cruel was from Alflyse's point of view."- Aragorn explained.
"Ah, you mean how I gave her no choice and basically abducted her?"- Mindee asked.
"That, how you lied to her about your origins, and how you don't care about her future anger because, indeed, she will eventually get over it. Hating is tiring, after all."- Aragorn replied.
"Mm... You're right, Grandfather. That was cruel, but I would have done it again. Alflyse is too stubborn. She would have fought and lost, even knowing her fate."- Mindee said.
"On that, we agree."- Aragorn said with a nod. "This woman was stubborn enough to hold disdain for the universe for 13.8 billion yea—... You know? Now that I think about it, maybe she will hold a grudge against us for a few billion years."
Mindee froze, her jovial mood halted.
"... Oh."- Mindee uttered.
"'Oh,' indeed."- Aragorn grinned.
Eventually, Aragorn left Mindee and Alflyse to themselves. Mindee had permanently moved her residence to the Isthmus, where most of the Duskari born to Älfeneel fathers resided.
This arrangement stemmed from the stark differences in lifespan. The average Duskari lived between 650 and 800 years with a healthy lifestyle and an average affinity for chakra. The oldest Duskari on record lived to the age of 1,087.
However, those Duskari born to Älfeneel fathers had such extraordinarily long lifespans that the first hybrids were initially thought to be immortal. With so few experiencing death, the estimated lifespan was believed to range from 18,000 to 22,000 years.
This discrepancy made it difficult for the Älfeneel Duskari to form deep bonds with their shorter-lived kin. Left unchecked, this divide might have led to isolation, resentment, envy, or worse.
Thus, Emma orchestrated the relocation of the long-lived Duskari to the Isthmus. As a minority, the small territory sufficed, and from there, the hybrids assumed roles as moderators of Imperial society—a task previously managed by the Drachantheon Therion.
Moderators had one crucial role across various fields: to preserve what was worth preserving across generations and to discard what had outlived its purpose.
For example, Law & Order. Laws in the Imperium were a gargantuan field. The Imperium was over 280,000 years old, and over time new laws tended to be born while obsolete ones were discarded. This was a natural part of the generational cycle of life, but what would happen if an obsolete law resurfaced? Would it be for the good of the Imperium to let it cement in the current society or would it be detrimental? A moderator's job is to determine that.
Education was another important field under a moderator's supervision. Would the "new" teaching system be the best or would it repeat past mistakes? Ask the moderator.
Gradually, the long-lived Duskari took on these roles, overseeing generational cycles as their shorter-lived brethren passed. The Drachantheon Therion also began appointing them as leaders of religious communities, alleviating the need for new priests every 700 years by assigning replacements every 20,000.
Mindee, being closest to them, was appointed ruler of the Isthmus, necessitating her relocation. She now lived with Alflyse in the central Obelisk, surrounded by the protected lands of the megafauna.
Years passed, and Mindee, Aragorn, and occasionally Emma raised Alflyse as if she were their daughter. They taught her to call them by their names rather than parental titles, though otherwise, they nurtured her lovingly.
In her fifth year, Alflyse's memories returned.
"..." "..." "..."
Alflyse stood atop the dining table, neon-fuchsia energy sparking in her hands as she attempted, and failed, to blast Aragorn and Mindee. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her teeth gnashing in rage.
"Pet Queen, is this how you thank your saviors?"- Aragorn asked, ignoring the hate swirling in her eyes.
"You lied to us! To me! And then you turned me into this!"- Her childish voice dripped with adult fury.
"So?"- Aragorn asked, nonchalantly.
"SO?!"- Alflyse shouted.
"Your people follow the will of the strong. I'm stronger than you; follow my will then. So is Mindee."- Aragorn said.
But Alflyse didn't relent, her hands puffing with failed attempts at channeling her power.
"If that doesn't convince you, how about I return you to Malekith? You'll either be killed on sight or worse."- Aragorn let his words sink in. "After all, your species doesn't have the luxury of throwing away fertile females."
Aragorn's implication made her eyes widen.
"Y-You!—I d-d..."- Alflyse stammered, her anger, shock, and fear tying her tongue.
"Alflyse, I never wanted to harm you when I asked Grandfather to save you, but I did nonetheless. I accept any and all hate you harbor, but I will also stay by your side until that hate no longer lingers in your heart."- Mindee said, her empathy reaching out to share her feelings.
"S-Stop it! I don't want to feel you!"- Alflyse shouted, the panic in her voice overpowering her rage.
"I'll leave you to it, Mindee. I need to build the next Obelisk, and this one is in an interesting location."- Aragorn said, rising to leave.
"Interesting how?"- Mindee asked.
"It's right next to a vibranium meteorite."- Aragorn replied.
"Wakanda?"- Mindee asked.
"No, the Latina version of this universe's Atlantis."- Aragorn chuckled.
"Latina? Why female?"- Mindee questioned.
"Well, the words 'version' and 'Atlantis' are feminine in Spanish. It felt weird to call it 'Latino.'"- Aragorn explained.
"Call it the Mexican Atlantis; it's easier."- Mindee chuckled.
"Isn't that xenophobic or something?"- Aragorn asked.
"I don't think we can be xenophobic toward a country that hasn't been born yet, and I doubt Latinos or Mexicans would call you out."- Mindee replied.
"Fair point. Have fun with grumpy Pet Queen."- Aragorn said, vanishing as he displaced space.
Claiming that the next Obelisk building site was in an interesting location was not a lie. However, it was tens of thousands of years earlier, and there were no humans—or even hominids—in America at the time. As such, Aragorn's only company was the usual marine fauna.
The reason he found the site interesting was because of its implications. Aragorn knew the Obelisks would become objects of study and fascination in the future.
Some of the Obelisks he had already built were being used as secure shelters by Paleolithic humans, providing refuge during terrible weather. Since a number of the Obelisks had interiors, they were perfect for temporary shelter. However, the Duskari in charge were under strict orders not to allow anyone to claim permanent residence within the structures.
After some initial scuffles with the Duskari, the hominids understood that while they could use the Obelisks for refuge, they could not settle there permanently. Advanced tribes began settling nearby, while less advanced groups planned their hunting routes around the Obelisks, using them as reliable shelters when needed.
This in turn meant that the Obelisks were going to be filled with evidence of the prehistorical humans in the future and that most certainly, cities were going to be built around them.
All of this meant that no matter what, any discovered Obelisk was going to be an object of study. And that was not great for the Talokan (Atlantis) and Wakanda of the future.
Talokan was not much of an issue, being underwater. They could cloak their city, making it appear as though the Obelisk's base rested on the surface of their cloaking dome.
Wakanda, on the other hand, presented a much bigger problem. Even if they attempted to replicate Talokan's cloaking strategy, some curious archaeologist would eventually try to walk to the Obelisk's base and discover Wakanda. Unlike Talokan, there was no massive column of water to deter intruders.
If they cloaked the Obelisk entirely, people would notice its absence in the established Obelisk distribution pattern, drawing attention.
This was why Aragorn found both locations particularly interesting. For now, however, his focus was on Talokan.
|Let's make it an underwater chamber.|
>A vast cavernous system where Talokan can be hidden.<
'Leave a few accessible entry points for the future Talokanil, and we're done. The future is preserved.'
Aragorn and his selves began the work. About 900 years later, the Obelisk was complete. This one was unique, with water climbing upward within its interior, even surpassing sea level, creating a fish observation tower of kilometers (miles) in height.
With Talokan's Obelisk finished, Aragorn moved to Africa—to the site of future Wakanda. In his massive draconic form, he settled atop the vibranium meteorite, silently observing the five tribes residing nearby.
"I think I'll leave this one to Bast. Why shoulder the burden alone when it can be shared with the kitty goddess?"- Aragorn mused.
Still, he made a mental note to fly by regularly and keep track of the situation.
After that, he flew to the Northern Scale of Light, responding to a "ping" about an attempted break-in.
His massive form sliced through the clouds, landing with such force that the ground shook, causing a localized earthquake. Peering into the distance, he locked eyes with Earth's earliest alien visitor—aside from himself, his people, Deviants, and Celestials.
GROWL
The growl reverberated like a beast hungry for its next prey.
The Chronicom in question—Enoch—stared at him, wide-eyed.
"Chronicoms and their affiliates are forbidden within the Fulgebunt Draconic Imperium or its properties."- Aragorn declared, his voice vibrating through the synthetic, semi-robotic being.
"I-I—I meant n-no h-harm."- Enoch's speech stammered.
"Stay away from my Obelisks and territory, Chronicom. Keep me and what is mine out of your thoughts, and I won't destroy Chronyca-2."- Aragorn warned. His words were laced with intent, and the Chronicom's mind was flooded with vivid images of his home planet's destruction.
Without waiting for a reply, Aragorn flapped his wings, vanishing as though he had never been there.
{A/N: Enoch is part of the plot from the series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. It won't be relevant to the rest of the story, but since his mission was that of an anthropologist, I figured he might approach the Imperium at least once. If you haven't watched the series, don't worry—its plot won't impact the rest of the story.}
"Deal with idiots who like to mess with time? Check. I think these were all of my pending tasks for this millennium. Now I can go back to studying Chthon-sensei's teachings."- Aragorn happily muttered, as if he had not just scarred the Chronicom for life.
He did as he said and soon found himself in the Darkhold Castle, the Elder Beasts hibernating, waiting for their Scarlet Witch, while Aragorn happily read and studied the texts of corruption plastered on the walls.
Time continued flowing, and the Last Glacial Maximum began. Ice sheets like the Laurentide Ice Sheet in North America and the Eurasian Ice Sheet reached their maximum extent. Global sea levels dropped by about 120 meters (394 feet), exposing land bridges such as Beringia, connecting Siberia to Alaska.
Contrary to what Aragorn expected, humans migrated into America via Beringia—and began spreading rapidly. They continued settling in Australia and surrounding islands, adapting to unique local environments. The bow and arrow were invented, and the domestication of dogs began.
The Ice Age ended, and with it, the megafauna began its decline—except for those in the Isthmus. The ice sheets receded, submerging land bridges, including Beringia by approximately 11,000 BCE, isolating populations on continents and islands. Following the Last Glacial Maximum, the Sahara became lush and green due to increased rainfall driven by changes in Earth's orbit.
Spark began keeping a more careful watch over the Solar System and the nearby inner planes, ensuring enough time to hide the Halo from potential visitors' eyes, in an effort to avoid scaring off those destined to mark humanity with their presence.
The Neolithic Revolution began in Mesopotamia, with humans transitioning from hunting and gathering to farming and domesticating animals. As agriculture developed, stored food lured pests like rodents; and cats, in pursuit of these rodents, in turn, decided to domesticate humans. That's how cats began their empire and conquest over humanity, eventually becoming the planetary overlords.
Early settlements, such as Jericho and Çatalhöyük, emerged in nearby regions.
Aragorn made occasional visits to these and other settlements, acclimating humans to his presence. Part of his pride included not hiding his identity or adopting another form to fit in with "lower lifeforms."
To prevent headaches, Aragorn prioritized building Obelisks in settlements that would later become densely populated. This led humans to believe the construction of an Obelisk was a sign of prosperity.
Vibranium was discovered by humans in Wakanda, ending their Stone Age years early. Soon after, the five tribes began clashing constantly, as humans do.
After a long wait—though short by an immortal's count—the first deities began to appear in humans' dreams, thoughts, apparitions, and visions. One such deity, the panther goddess Bast, appeared to a warrior shaman named Bashenga in a vision, leading him to the Heart-Shaped Herb. Bashenga ingested the plant, granting him superhuman strength, speed, and instincts. Thus, the first Black Panther was born.
Bashenga united four of the tribes, forming the nation of Wakanda under his reign. The fifth tribe, the Jabari, chose instead to isolate themselves in the mountains.
Bast, pleased, observed from the comfort of the Ancestral Plane as her future nation unfolded. It was an idyllic event to her, perfect in every way—except for a strange structure emanating boundless energies and looming over her newly acquired people.
'What is that thing? This was supposed to be an undeveloped planet. Was the council mistaken?'- Bast asked herself in her humanoid form.
'And what about that other thing? I can't peer through its obfuscation field.'- She thought, gazing at the band crossing diagonally over the visible face of the moon.
'It's called Halo. It's my home.'- A voice replied. Bast knew she was alone in the Ancestral Plane, having just finished creating it. Yet, there it was.
She swirled to face the voice with the speed only a divine being like her could muster. Aragorn stood there in his draconic form, curiously observing the newborn repository of souls.
'Wh—' Bast began, but Aragorn flooded her mind with the equivalent of a PDF introductory file. It contained answers to frequently asked questions: Who are you? What's your purpose? What are you? What do you want? Can I refuse? You want to pet my tail, why? Are you here for a fight? Can you leave me alone? And more.
Bast's eyes flickered rapidly for a brief moment. Confusion gave way to understanding, followed by dread, and finally resignation.
'Was this planet a flytrap?'- Bast asked rhetorically. Though the information Aragorn provided clarified it wasn't, she still felt as though she'd fallen into one.
'Do you have any suggestions to hide Wakanda?'- Aragorn asked.
'I can use some of my divinity to make the magnetic field turbulent in this area. That should render most of the future technology you showed me useless.'- Bast replied. Aragorn had given her a quick glimpse of Wakanda and humanity's future, just enough for her to grasp the problem.
'The weather could also obscure satellite views and prevent low-altitude flybys. Then we'll leave it to my believers to handle any intruders who venture blindly. I think that will suffice until Wakanda is revealed.'- Bast concluded.
'Pleasure doing business with you, Bastet.'- Aragorn said before his form shimmered and disappeared.
'...'- Bast stared at the spot where he'd stood.
'What business? You just dumped the responsibility on me, made demands, and even contracted my soul to keep silent about what you showed me.'- Bast grumbled.
Aragorn, unfazed by her displeasure, returned to his task. Time passed.
Buri, the first king of Asgard, was born. The Imperium continued expanding in the historically obscure sectors of the Milky Way, slowly venturing into distant galaxies.
One day, while Aragorn was "playing Bob the Builder," he received an interesting call.
'Aragorn, I have quite the peculiar guest in The Ark.'- Emma said in his mind.
'Peculiar? Is it a deity?'- Aragorn asked.
'Not quite. It's the humanoid extension of a living planet. It calls itself a Celestial. I almost scoffed in his face at that.'- Emma chuckled dismissively.
'Ego? What's he doing in The Ark?'- Aragorn asked.
'Well, he tried landing on one of our exoplanets, but he was obviously stopped. One of the Duskari priests called for us when they sensed the levels of raw energy inside his avatar.'- Emma explained.
'Alright, I'll be there.'- Aragorn said, preparing a TemporarySelf to continue building the Obelisk he'd been working on.
He shifted space and soon appeared in The Ark, the jewel of the Fulegbunt Draconis Imperium.
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{A/N:
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I hope you enjoyed the read!
}