Year 3998 -Glory Galaxy -
Amidst the vast emptiness of space, an immense disk-like structure, crafted from the highest quality metals in the known universe, hung suspended. Countless active thrusters blasted at full capacity, preventing its collapse under its gravitational pull. The mere existence of this colossal creation stood as a testament to the unparalleled engineering knowledge of its creators. At the precise center of this metallic behemoth resided a small dome, the most vital part of the colossal entity. Within the confines of the dome, it was pitch black. Only if one looked carefully could they discern an intricate network of cables, tubes transporting vibrant liquids, and a labyrinth of conduits, all converging towards a silhouette cloaked in darkness.
Suddenly, the door opened, allowing light to filter in, revealing the silhouette within. A man, hovering in mid-air, tethered to a network of conduits that fused with his metallic form, resembled a living sculpture. His gaze wandered towards the newly opened entrance, a mystery as to how he saw, given that various cables penetrated his hollow eyes all the way to his brain.
"You made it," echoed a resonant voice within the confines of the dome. The source of the voice couldn't be made out, seeming to emanate from every direction. Despite lacking even a mouth, it was evident that the words originated from the man.
His words were directed at the newcomer, Xaniph, a man appearing to be in his 30s. His crimson eyes carried wisdom beyond his perceived age. Draped in a sleek black suit with a red tie that matched his eyes. Despite the aura of authority surrounding him, his posture was relaxed as he stood in front of the man suspended by conduits. "How could I have missed this day, Mentor?"
A laughter that would instill nightmares roared through the dome. "You are correct!" affirmed the man hanging suspended by conduits.
The man's identity, unlike his pitiful and scary appearance, was one of authority and magnificence. Isaiah Steele, the supreme ruler of the Eternal Federation spanning numerous galaxies. To some, he was an oppressor; to others, a savior. He had governed the Eternal Federation since its inception in 2234, ruling with an iron fist.
He had transformed society into one of science and knowledge, swiftly securing and concealing that knowledge, distributing it only to those who contributed. This led to the emergence of a social hierarchy based on knowledge. Those who didn't contribute to his extensive, ever-increasing library of knowledge were outcasted.
He did everything in pursuit of a slim chance at immortality. However, now he was nearing the end of his lifespan, spending his days in a pitiful state where he was more machine than human. What had gone wrong? Nothing. Just as his 2000th age approached, despite all the tests and calculations showing he should be in good health, he was slowly perishing, a mere speck in the cosmic winds of time.
Xaniph shifted his gaze to the imposing gate that stood in the middle of the room, "It seems like Project Soul was a success."
Isaiah spoke once more, his voice reverberating through the room, "Soul Gate, the greatest achievement by any intelligent life to date. It's still not where I wished for it to be and still has numerous flaws: low data capacity, inability to input coordinates, uncertain success chance. Nonetheless, it will have to suffice."
Realizing his impending demise, Isaiah devoted the final 200 years of his life to creating the Soul Gate. This portal, unlike conventional ones that simply lead to other portals, transcended the boundaries of the Universe.
Having long understood that human consciousness was but a hivemind of cells and that there was no such thing as "self", Isaiah initiated Project Soul. Urgency and his 2000-year lifespan constraint in this Universe led him to merge it with Project Gate, which focused on exploration of the outer universe, giving rise to the revolutionary Soul Gate.
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This machine would absorb all information from the body by destroying it, along with any additional information given to it, creating a "Soul." This newly formed entity would then be transported beyond the confines of the Universe.
The rest relied on luck, as his research in the Outer Universe was rather shallow due to time constraints.
Xaniph couldn't help but chuckle at his mentor's critique of what was arguably the greatest invention to date. "Only you would find fault in such a masterpiece, Mentor. This machine is nothing short of godly." Xaniph spread his arms, taking in the colossal structure they were in the center of, and continued, "Even the method of powering such a machine is a breakthrough in numerous fields. This machine is easily a millennium ahead of its time."
"Godly, you say? Well, it'll be used by a half-dead old man." Laughter from Isaiah echoed once more, producing a nightmarish sound.
Xaniph turned to face his mentor, "While you are no god, that's only due to the lifespan limit; I do not doubt that there is no limit to your intelligence."
"Extra points for compliments, minus points for the excuses. I didn't teach you to make excuses. In the end, I couldn't break the limit. All in all, you passed." Isaiah sighed and continued, "I am aware you made your preparations, but make sure to stabilize the Eternal Federation after my demise. While they wouldn't dare act without my death confirmed, there are many internal factions that are looking to cause unrest."
Xaniph raised an eyebrow, a fleeting expression of surprise replaced by a grin. "It seems like no matter your condition, your rule is absolute. It's a wonder how you knew of my preparations. As for your demise, I won't believe it until I meet you in hell myself," then laughed.
"While you passed, it doesn't mean you aced it," Isaiah sighed. "Just the fact that you never tried to overthrow me shows me you have a long road ahead of you."
Hearing the word "overthrow" made the hairs on Xaniph's neck stand on end. Looking into Isaiah's eyes, which seemed to pierce his very soul, a chill spread through his body. Just as he was wondering how he could know, Isaiah spoke once more.
"Time has arrived," right after Isaiah said so, the huge structure suddenly came to life, illuminating like the sun. Various segments of the enormous disk came off from each other, turning into nine colossal rings rotating around the dome at their center. All the energy amassed in the nine rings surged into the Soul Gate, powering it on. The sheer amount of energy that was transferred made thundering sounds. A vortex that bent space-time appeared within the gate; there was a pitch-black hole at the vortex's center, opening beyond the confines of the Universe.
Conduits holding Isaiah were released and he was dropped to the floor with a resounding thud. He got up with difficulty, his back stood tall regardless of his condition, with each step unknown liquids leaked from his orifices, painting his pale body akin to ink on paper. When he arrived in front of Xaniph, his condition was already worse than his initial release, it was clear he didn't have long.
He reached his hand to hold Xaniph's shoulder, wearing a horrific smile, his hollow eyes and absent mouth made the smile consist only of muscle tissue contorting "Take care, kiddo. Don't slack off, lest you end up like me KEKEKE." His laughter echoed, resulting in him coughing up unknown liquids. With each step toward the Gate, his body weakened further, he stood in front of his magnum opus, the sheer amount of energy churned what was left of his skin, just as he couldn't hold on anymore his body gave out, falling into the Gate.
Xaniph watched how nonchalant Isaiah was as he fell into the Gate, exiting the Universe, for better or worse his fate was now sealed, "Crazy bastard" he murmured, his gaze lingered on the gate for a while longer till huge crashing sounds started coming from the structure.
He looked outside and noticed that three of the nine colossal rings had dislocated and the entire structure was on the brink of collapse, despite being in a collapsing structure he didn't panic, he calmly walked towards the door, right outside of it was the portal he used to arrive here, he looked back at the soul gate once more before he entered the portal and ending back in his office.
As he sat in his chair, relaxing his body and contemplating his mentor's departure from this Universe, Xaniph noticed a small flash drive on his desk with the words "My gift to you, Soulless bastard" written on it. Xaniph chuckled at the note and quickly opened the flash drive while mumbling, "Who still uses flash drives?" Inside, he found extensive knowledge about souls and various methods to their creation.
...
In a frequency no one could hear, a loud painful cry resounded throughout the entire Universe! This was the cry of the Universe as it lost its Golden Boy.