The room at the end of the corridor was noisy, very noisy in fact. That was understandable, expected even. The room held the entirety of a race. Since the urge to attend the Meets was ingrained into his people's very DNA, there was a cost for not attending one too. The few who for one reason or another had decided not to attend in the past quickly found themselves restless in the intervening time until another was held. Restlessness itself would be a small price to pay, absolute restlessness for a millennium though was something that could cause even the sanest of men to run mad. Thankfully Aeterians were immune to madness and every other malady that infected all sapient beings all over the galaxy. The discomfort however made sure no one ever repeated it.

Gray gulped as he looked around. It was said this building was the most important to the race and he could see why. On the walls were portraits, murals, pictures and even statues that showed the history of his people. On one end of the hall was the Mortality's Grave, the ship where their story of immortality began millennia ago. That long would be enough to create myths and legends about it in most people's history, for them it was a simple question of turning around and asking an elder. His caretaker had told him that long ago when the universe was smaller and galaxies were closer together, his people had set out to explore space. However an accident happened and the ship got lost in a void storm. In it they battled a being they had never known could exist. The description was made vague and the specifics cut short for only one with three or more realms under their belt was allowed full details. The members of that group were referred to as the Prophesy Watchers.

After looking at the art in the corridor, Gray took a side door that was just before the hall the noise was coming from. This room was significantly less occupied. "Hey Gray, finally found your way here? Thought you would spend forever looking at that wall." He entered to see the entire room looking at him with Ruby laughing at her joke. Hazel was to her side sulking and he knew instantly that Ruby had 'insulted' Lumin again. He knew he should speak to her and maybe comfort her but this last few minutes he wanted to just be one more child in this sanctuary. Beside and around them were other people. The total population was nine. Minus Ruby the caretaker, everyone else was fifteen Meets old as at this point.

There was Sterling, his good friend. Like all of their race, his hair was white, like really white and his skin was that ebony shade that made Aeterians look all shiny. His eyes, from which he got his name were Silver Gray while Gray's were just plain gray. He was slightly shorter than Gray who was five feet six and had a permanent serious look on his face. Most times when he was alone he would be heard speaking to himself and when in a group he would have a lost look that showed he was thinking of something. However, right now he was was holding Jade's hands and Gray could see very clearly that he was all here. Jade was, what's the word, scary, crazy, no. None of that described her. One, she was friendly in a good way. She had everything that made being around her a desirable trait.The wisdom to match Sterling's and the patience to deal with his quirks too. She was very good at listening and teaching too and was one of the best people to ask questions. However, she was also the reason there looked to be a no man's land between the group standing around Hazel (which she was part of) and the other four people in this room. She was very protective of her people to a level others were afraid to even make jokes in passing about them.

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"Now that everyone is here, let me do my last duty to you all. This batch has been the highest in number in the last thirty one Mating Meets. That means I am sending more to the world than we have at any one time in the last four hundred and sixty five millennia. Actually, more are going out after this Meet than the last three combined, " Ruby started the speech that was customary for every batch of Aeterian spawn. "Now, all of you have been paired so far, some willingly," she said while looking at Jade and Sterling "While some had no choice,' she continued this time looking at me who had not left the door. "Choice or no choice, know that person is your partner for eternity and beyond. Of course they do not always have to be with you but know you cannot be with someone else. We cannot mate with an individual outside our batch, trust me we tried. More than just nothing happening, the pain to both parties is so immense and goes on for long after the deed that nobody wants that even for their worst enemies.

Now, all of you are going to the world. The reasons are very simple: You have between now and the next Meet to have at least one planetary civilizations under your control. The rules of engagement will be handed to you as you leave this room but know that without a civilization you will never be allowed into the main hall down this corridor hence you will never be a Prophecy Watcher. If by the end of the allocated time you haven't done so, you will find out what's kept in store for you. Let me tell you for free, it is bad, so bad in fact that all who got there wished for death." The small shiver he saw running through Ruby's body when she said that caused Gray to frown. What was so bad that would cause a woman who had moved through the galaxy for eons before coming back to be a caretaker fearful. Whatever the case, he did not want to find out.

The speech continued for a few minutes before a light knock was heard on the door. Gray turned to see a woman whose hair were black. Wait, a woman whose hair were black!! Never before had they seen an Aeterian whose hair was not white. It caused a murmur throughout the room. More than that, her eyes were black and blank, scary was an understatement. It looked like had seen things people were not to see. "Hello, can I speak to Miss Ruby?""Please come in."Ruby said as her eyes moved between the new woman and the group she had been speaking to. I have been told by the Void Master to report to you that all the expectant women have been moved to the Nursery," the new woman reported. On hearing all Ruby's eyes lit up. "How many are they?" The woman closed her eyes for moment before answering, "Two." Ruby sighed while saying something that sounded like a curse of frustration under her breath. "And I assume you chose to be a caretaker for them, right?" "Yes, I have failed the game ones and know that another chance won't help me much. No need giving the Void Master a chance to throw me to the gallows again" There it was, that shiver again.

"There you have it children. In another three mortal decades you will no longer be the youngest. It is time for me to deal with a new group of brats. It is times like this that make me wish I could stay with you guys for more than fifteen millennia but i will be holding you back. I have taught you all there is to teach and shown all that there is to know. Your companions and your partner are your best friends in this game. Through the passage of time, you will truly come to learn they are all you have. Treat them well. The rest you have to find out for yourself. Now go through the door behind you and conquer the world. May the Void be kind to you."