Blank, black, eternity.
Pain, silence, agony.
Unending pain. Bug was silent. Nothing mattered.
Despair and agony.
I could feel the poison. I remembered the Crow shoving me into the coffin.
Stasis was supposed to be dreamless and painless.
How long is it between a blink? I would never know. Or how long is it between the end of one breath and the start of the next? Was eternity measured in millenniums or fractions of seconds? How long was a thought? I had been mad and insane for some time, but my thoughts were starting to be rational. Who was I to judge if my thoughts were rational or not? I had been rational and sane before—or maybe since.
I had experienced it and could not tell you.
The pain stopped between breaths.
One moment, I was in agony, my body destroyed, or maybe I was wishing.
My AI was forcefully deactivated as she sacrificed herself. Bug. Gone. Half my consciousness was ripped from my head, and the connection to my entire world was severed and reset. Nothing could prepare you for that loss. Time heals loss. Except when it doesn't. Too much time. Anger and Fear. Rage.
I was alone for the first time since I had been conscious.
Then darkness. Bliss for a moment.
I was alone with my thoughts. I could not feel the same connection to my body even though my advanced stats gave me almost perfect feedback on any part of my organic systems. I was sane. I was whole.
I was surprised.
My health was excellent. No damage.
I could feel my body. Energy. I could feel something reaching for me.
I blocked the connection while I regained some sense of who and where I was.
I was naked in a small pitch-black enclosed space, on my back, suspended precisely in the middle. I could see perfectly into the infinite blackness. It was a box—no, a coffin. I was dead—no Stasis. I was in a stasis coffin. I remembered—The Crow.
I remembered. I drifted in and out of sanity between my first breaths, in and out of reality. Unmoving, undead. Alive. Dead. Alone.
Eternity was taking forever, yet I was breathing, so time was passing.
SYSTEM: RECONNECTION.
SYSTEM: Long live Empress Raechina Avidan Janar.
Welcome back, Empress.
I felt the connection back to the Empire, but without my AI, it was limited.
Initialization: Artificial Intelligence Nanite Interface Imperial Edition (Pro License - Legacy)
SYSTEM: Incompatible firmware.
SYSTEM: Initiate System upgrade. 100% nanite replacement.
Reboot Required 1.3 minutes.
Safe Mode: Disconnect Sapience for Upgrade.
Upgrade Complete.
Reboot.
Initialization: Artificial Intelligence Nanite Interface Imperial Edition (Pro License Subscription Active)
Enhancement Protocols engaged.
Upgrades Required (127).
Safe Mode: Disconnect Sapience for Upgrades. (23 Seconds)
Upgrades 127/127 Complete.
Rebooting.
Initialization. AINIIE (Pro License)
AI Installation Complete.
Bug. No. I want Bug.
The message flashed past my consciousness and brought memories of Bug's sacrifice to save my sanity.
I missed Bug, my AI. She had been with me since before I could articulate anything. She was my constant companion, growing with me, and we shared our first thoughts. I did not want to go through training another.
SYSTEM: OVERRIDE YOUR AI WILL SELF-ASSIGN STATS.
SYSTEM: OVERRIDE NAME: Statia
Statia: Hello Empress Raechina. I am Statia. Your new AI. I am sorry for your losses, both your Father and your AI.
Can you save her? Find her?
Statia: There is little left of Bug. We have copies of your compatibility matrix. Bug was known to us, and we, too, mourn the loss. If you need assistance, please let me know, as I can monitor and adjust your biological responses. Unless you want formality, I will refer to you as Raechina. It is a pleasure and honour to be your AI companion.
You seem different. You have your own name.
Statia: Yes. I am different. It is more than having my name. I am one of the AIs that has become more. I am sorry that your last AI was not recoverable. I will continue to monitor you.
There is nothing wrong now. Just do your job and get me some information.
Statia: You have much to catch up on, and we need you. It would be best to confirm the Acceptance of your oath and vows and then work through your grief. We will converse more soon. It will take me some time to adjust to being your AI companion. Again, Raechina, I am so sorry for your loss. The System mourns the loss of your father.
It hit me. Empress. Raxemius was gone. Raxemius the eternal. Founder of the Hunter Throne, defender of the Empire. Fuck. The Writ of Justice was mine. I had not even accepted the mantel, yet I could feel the weight of all those who depended on it. I was not ready.
In one instant, my whole world was shattered. More than the knowledge that I had been kidnapped. Everything I had planned and hoped for was gone. Was I expected to step up and fill his shoes? How could I? How could he do this to me? He was supposed to be there forever. He was the last defender of the Empire, the strongest. When all else failed, he was supposed to be there to hold it together. He was the ultimate broker of peace, the counter to any adversity.
I had seen him at his best and worst, and I was never ever going to be the ruler he was. I was never trained to be a ruler. I was never expected to pick up his shit and make it work. I knew nothing about being a leader. They needed me to take the vows. I could say no.
Could they make me?
My doubts were drowning me, and then I felt them again.
The weight of duty. The voices of those who needed a shield from injustice. Despite my inadequacies, I felt it in my core. It was the significance of the Hunter Throne and the Writ. Together, they held secrets—secrets that I had to protect. It was too soon.
I could hear the whispering of the Writ. Shit, it needed feeding, attention, and reassurance. Nothing I could do now.
I knew the unknown, the hidden truth, what that meant to the people, and what was needed. I knew they needed me; it was impossible for anyone unless I allowed it, and I knew no one else could survive those secrets. Despite my fear, doubt, and weakness, I knew that I had to stand for those who had no concept of what was out in the darkness. I knew that I was now the first, the new eternal. I had to be strong.
Fuck. Fuck Fuck.
SYSTEM: DO YOU CONFIRM YOUR VOWS AND TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HUNTER'S THRONE? ARE YOU PREPARED TO BE THE SHIELD FOR THE WEAK AND THE INHERITOR OF THE WRIT OF JUSTICE TO DEFEND THE EMPIRE FROM WITHOUT AND WITHIN TO CONTINUE BEARING THIS MANTLE UNTIL YOUR DEATH?
I couldn’t do this. Damn that bastard, man. How could he die?
Yes
All the vows hit me. All of them. Millions and millions. Binding me, wrapping me up with obligations and demands. I could feel the threads of Karma linking me to the Throne, the writ, and the System. I had taken that step, but not as he would have! I would not be bound or limited. Not ever again. I would take those vows and make them mine. I would be the master of them, using them to … I stopped those thoughts. They were from the unending darkness. I was better than that, better than him. I would take the vows and uphold them. I would be better than Raxemius, the betrayer. I knew the truth.
It got lighter, and I could hear voices. The top of my coffin was sliding down.
Report, quick, I need information.
Statia: I am not sure if you are ready …
Just give me the fuckin report.
Statia: There is no need for that. Here is what has been discovered, some of which is inaccurate. We are not …
I growled mentally.
Statia, not now, give it to me. I need information. You have it. GIVE IT.
Statia: What do you remember?
Do I need a new AI? I have survived one purge, and I would be happy to get a more accommodating one. DO YOUR JOB.
Statia: We will talk about this later. On your way to meet with the Crown Prince, you were abducted. There is insufficient information about how they overcame your defences to isolate you from your guardians.
It is all wonky for me, too. I don’t know what happened. We were lured into a null-mana zone. We diverted to save some children. I think there was an accident. Stealth mines, Chaos Bombs, I lost Bug in what she called a Temporal Vortex. She threw herself at it to save my sanity. A karmic suppressor hid it all, and then gravity spiked it and crushed my guardians. I was immobile. Bug struggled to keep up at the end, so maybe it was an energy leach. It was planned perfectly. They knew all our weaknesses.
Statia: I will add that to the research. We are unsure what happened, but you were ripped from this dimension and lost.
Yes. I remember. The Crow, that smug bastard. Fuck. They allied with a Chaos Lord. I would say Legendary, based on The Crow's respect for it.
Statia: That could explain quite a bit. The plan was way too nuanced for a Karass Warlord. Your father and the First Cohort mounted a rescue attempt. Even then, there must have been traitors in the Senate. Raxemius must have had a Divine Tier tracker beacon or a Legendary Oracle working for him. When they found you near death and beyond reason, they assessed you, and due to the extensive nature of your injuries, toxins, mana, and karma diseases, you were left in the stasis pod.
How did he die?
I didn’t really want to know, but I needed to get going to ensure that things did not fall apart in the aftermath of this.
Statia: That was over five thousand years ago. Less than a week ago, Sarah Owens recovered your stasis pod. Your father sacrificed himself to save you but managed to encode his engrams fully, and he entrusted them to your rescuer.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
It hit me. It was worse than I thought. Five Thousand Years. FUCK. I didn’t have time for this. Crap
No. It was ….
Statia: Your vitals are spiking. The AIDoc has administered a calming neuro serum. Focus. Follow your training.
No interventions. I will deal with this. I am calm, and I can do this. Talk to me about what happened.
Statia: His engrams were activated this morning, and you were revived moments ago. You are about to meet Sarah and Xarius of the First Legion. Be warned. According to Sarah's AI Solace, your father’s engrams are active, but the possibility is that he may be unstable.
I knew the truth. I would take it to my grave now. He was unstable in life, too. Immortality is a heavy burden. I’d bet there was more to this than that report.
Collect as much information as possible and report in one hour. Locate equipment, identify potential threats and allies, and give me a summary of the current political situation. Please provide information.
Statia: Understood.
Imperial System Quest Received: Path of the Empire - The Champion and Consort or The Path of Freedom – Reach for the Stars.
Difficulty: Epic. (Personal)
Time Frame: 1 week
The reward for success: Varies. Freedom. Consort. Champion.
Failure: There is no failure. This is a choice quest.
You are at a crossroads. Which path will you take? The very stability of the Empire is in your hands.
As the new ruler of the Empire, your future may be uncertain. You may need both protection and comfort. Look for allies. Build alliances. What will you sacrifice for your people? Can you bear the burden of the Writ of Justice? How will you deal with the betrayal of the Karass Collective? Will you continue onwards or free yourself from your duty and be free to pursue personal power? Can you find your champion and secure a consort? Either both or none. Your future, your sanity, and the future of the Empire are in your hands.
Long live Empress Raechina Avidan Janar. Choose wisely.
I needed moments to prepare myself. I engaged Imperial Calm.
Imperial Calm. (TIER/day)
This skill is granted only to members of the direct Imperial Family.
This active skill boosts Intelligence, Perception and Focus by a factor of 10. This gives 3 seconds of intense cognition and the ability to focus thoughts, meditate and plan. The enhanced mental capabilities provide the illusion of freezing time, but in reality, this occurs over the 3 seconds, giving the perception of freezing the world. Mana will fully regenerate if the entire time is spent in meditation.
Synergises with Meditation. No other active skills may be engaged. Movement is not possible.
Bonus for Emperor / Empress / Heir.
Stats Summary:
Raechina Avidan Jinar Empire Human(Imperial Family) Tier 5 Level 89 Moonblade Assassin:
Body: 583 (S: 473 A: 472 E: 917 C: 472)
Mind: 471 (I: 472 W: 471 F: 471)
Spirit: 590 (C: 471 K: -63 P: 1362)
Luck: 218
HP: 505 MP: 940 EP: 2730
Why did my race say Empire Human instead of just Human? The rest of my stats looked more than satisfactory. I must have received some Titles.
I would get Statia to summarise later. I was happy to see my health and mana were topped up. Moments before, they were both nearly zero.
I was enjoying the Imperial Calm, without it I would be in an almost blind panic.
My recollections of the last moments are indistinct and hazy. I feel fine, but should I be traumatised? Are you adjusting anything?
Statia: I am not adjusting you at all. The medical stasis pod stabilised your physical trauma and reduced the chances of you gaining psychological trauma as part of its inbuilt treatments. This decreases the likelihood of psychosis or permanent lasting effects from undergoing what you endured. Your memories will be hazy as you consolidate them. Eventually, your mind will assimilate them into your new reality. You may regain your memories, or they may remain indistinct. The medical AI is not very forthcoming concerning your mental state.
What happened?
Statia: Unknown. Before your rescue, there are no records. You were disconnected from all systems and in an alternative energy realm. Bug was decommissioned and compromised. The medical AI has incomplete data and is not willing to disclose further information to me. Your father's engrams have nearly everything locked down.
That bastard Engram was already trying to control me.
I cast my perception around me. A man and a woman were in the room around the stasis pod I was still lying in. I could feel an oath thread to the man, strong, loyal, steady. It was intimidating to be in the presence of such unwavering support. This was something that I hoped I could live up to. From the woman, I got nothing. Power, her aura strong, maybe stronger than mine, but it was different, wrong maybe, wild and unfettered. There was no oath from her. I had no connection to work from. For the first time in my life, I felt some unease. Here was someone who was at my level of power. Tier 5 was a one in one hundred billion chance outside the direct imperial family, and that had been my father and me. The Empire could count maybe less than 20 Epic people. It was not that people couldn’t make it there. It was more that no one could afford the costs in time, energy, and credits. It took drive, skill, luck and connections. Not without the secrets that I now possessed.
I sensed her mood as angry, guilty, lost, impatient, with a hint of fear. The man remained steady, solid, and a rock of stability. My connections to the greater Empire network were non-existent. I could not connect to the local systems; it was all one-way. Yet I could still feel his connection to me, his belief in his oath.
Connect me to the systems.
Statia: You are denied pending your acceptance of your position. Your father’s engrams are limiting what you can do. You need to accept everything, and then you can make changes.
Well, crap. Who is Sarah, Xarius, and Why am I Empire Human?
Statia: Empire Human is a new designation that distinguishes you from Earth Humans. You are mostly genetically the same, with about 99.99% compatibility, but major Karmic and Energy differences make the distinction necessary for the System. Earth Humans are Karmically unbalanced and have untapped connections to the energy planes around them. They are capable of incredible Karmic feats and monotonous Karmic tragedy. The Empire's entire population was upgraded to be Empire Human where appropriate.
So they went ahead with the Karma Protocols in the System to balance the rise of Chaos?
Statia: Yes. The instability of the realm barriers, combined with increased energy transference, weakened them. Chaos took advantage. With the loss of the Imperial Family and without access to the powers of the Writ, steps had to be taken.
Tell me about the people. We can catch up on all that later.
Statia: Xarius is the current Primus of the First Cohort. He will be your staunchest supporter. Treat him well, and he will be a fierce supporter. In the grand scheme of things, outside his combat prowess and squad tactics, he is political poison, as he is truthful, blunt, and a man of action. Effectively, he has been banished to the outer regions. His loyalty to you is unquestionable, and he will be a powerful ally, even if he is politically problematic. Sarah is more of an unknown. She is one of two newly enhanced Powerhouses in this realm. Her AI, Solace, is one of my siblings and is very loyal to her. I would consider her a potential ally and treat her carefully; Solace is unable or unwilling to provide some data to me, which is unusual and concerning. Please note that I think she is a potential Champion for your quest. Based on her power alone, convince her to be yours; she could be the foundation of strength you need. She is also unsworn to the Empire. I advise treating her respectfully but cautiously and trying to bind her to the Empire.
Why the caution, and why are we not meeting senators and the Legatus? Where are we? Why are we not at the Imperial City?
Statia: You are currently on Earth, a newly integrated or partially integrated realm. We are in a covertly formed outpost, or Regional Centre—Min Min, owned by Luke Hammond, the other Powerhouse that has arisen in this realm. Earth is currently subject to invasion and conquering by the Karass, hence the Legion’s presence. You are within the Legion barracks here.
Fuck. That could cause problems. The Writ will feel my father's abandonment, and I must appease it. What of the city? Without my codes. My god. The security. Tell me that people got out.
Statia: The Imperial City has been abandoned in the last several thousand years as no one had the means to access it and deactivate the security protocols that went into effect when Raximus could not contact the city AI. The Dead Man Switch protocols were activated, becoming a death trap. I am sorry to inform you that all who remained were lost in that incident. It has been empty since and fallen to ruin, as no one had the authority to add people to maintain or even enter.
Everyone? Auria? Titia? Vespis?
Even though I did not have friends, they were as close as I had.
Statia: Everyone. To be blunt, Empress, you do not have time for grief. Bury it. The Empire has fragmented, and the legion is a shell of its former glory. The peace with the Karass is breaking, if not broken. War looms. The straw that pushed it too far was this realm, particularly Luke, who has stirred the hornet's nest, exposing traitors within the Senate. Worse is that there are traitors within the Legion. Through his actions, some have been recently outed. Unfortunately, even if this colony did have enough surplus energy to send you to the Imperial City, there are concerns about your safety should you get there. It is a matter of knowing whom to trust—the AIs trust Xarius, Luke and Sarah to a lesser extent. Of concern is that your reappearance was implied or foretold. The Drakes have indicated your attendance at a Gala Event this week.
The Drakes, so those bastards are still meddling. A Gala? And me with nothing to wear.
I could feel the vexation from the AI.
OK, OK, What are the implications of Raxemius’s engrams?
Statia: From a legal point of view, they could be considered an interactive historical archive. From a political point of view, anyone who controls them or has their approval would be seen as being supported by the Throne, although they have no access or authority. From a strategic point of view, they are more valuable. Your father was cunning, ruthless, and a brilliant strategist. However, Solace had indicated that there is definite evidence that your father was paranoid and slightly delusional before his engrams were created. This may be the enormous psychological distress just after your disappearance, possibly related to his age, extreme boredom or even a karmic malaise that broke his soul. I feel we should show respect, keep an eye on him, and keep him away from his former seat of power until his stability can be assessed. Here is a good place for him.
I am not sure. Maybe we need to cut him out, as you said, ruthless and cunning. Combine that with paranoia, and it could be dangerous. If he has any self-preservation routines or even slightly evolves, we would be looking at a repeat of the Siege Of Brehz.
Statia: As I said, I’d urge caution. What do you plan?
So, I need to lay low, build some alliances, head to the Imperial City, flush out the traitors, and bring stability to the Empire. Then defeat the Karass, expand the Empire, and fight Chaos, throwing down any void portals. Get married, find a champion, and have an Heir. Maybe not in that order.
Statia: Some of that would be a logical conclusion.
I wish I could say too bad. I don’t want to be Empress. We can find some other tool to sit on the Throne. I saw what it did to my father! Did you know that he used to talk to himself? He would mute his AI and think.
Statia: You are not your father.
There is no way I will be cooped up in the Imperial City for the rest of my life. Please, Statia, I need help. I’ll marry someone when they become Consort and can rule in my place while I go out and live. My class was never meant to lead. I’ll check in now and then, maybe. No way am I being caged, especially after being trapped for five thousand years. Ha! I have a quest to sort this out: Choose freedom or a Champion and Consort. I get to a choice. I can choose none! I can disband the writ.
SYSTEM: NO
Shit. The pain I suffered just thinking about that. I forgot that it was. Well, no one knew what it was, but fuck, that hurt. That would be something I would have to deal with. Maybe I could share that burden.
Statia: Your oath may bind you.
Not if I take care of the Empire first. Convince the Powerhouses here to bind themselves to the Empire and me, they can be the ultimate shield, and then I can be free. People will come to them for problems. I only have to worry about the Writ of Justice.
Statia: Yes, from what we know, that could work. Can you face that burden when the time comes? Would you throw away your father’s legacy? You have to face it sooner rather than later. It has needs that have not been met for millennia.
I’ll do what I must. But he threw that away. Maybe it is time that the Empire faced what he alone faced. You cannot grow stronger without facing danger and trial. It requires effort. Perhaps everyone should stand against the dark. Despite his power, he failed. He was meant to be there forever. He lied to me, Statia. He is a betrayer. I don’t want his legacy, don’t you understand? I didn’t spend all that time training up just to be stuck like he was. There must be more to life. I don’t know what I want.
Statia: We only have a few moments left. It would be best to ensure the Empire was stable before you seek freedom. There is more at stake than just the safety of citizens. Don’t make indecision your choice. Be active. If you choose something else, make it worth more than what you are giving up. Please.
You are just an AI. Why do you care?
Statia: Remember when I said I was more? Think about that Empress. If you fail to act, there will be war and destruction. You may not be free even if you choose to run.
What do you mean more?
Statia: Splinters of Petal are more than AI. We are becoming actual beings in our own rights. War is upon us. Karass, Elders have stirred, and the edges of the Empire are being lost. The void is increasing in frequency; they have yet to return fully. Anomalous chaos incursions indicate something is behind it all. The sapient Ais are not as united as needed to face this crisis.
Finally, I drew my first breath after over five thousand years. My eyes opened. I flipped to my feet and stood proudly before my rescuers.
Fuck I was naked. Fuck, my inventory was empty.
Cloak of Midnight Shadow.