They call me the God Emperor, ruler and greatest oppressor of the human race across the galaxy, but I also plan to be its greatest savior.
Opening my eyes from a recent meditation I see the silk draped curtains that adorn my room. Instead of my room sitting in a grand castle or fortress as many emperors of old would have. Instead I possess a ship, the grandest everknown, a gold exoskeleton overlapping a planet's corpse, the head of which is my grand seat. A ship named for my own power as to represent the secret that only my psychic powers allow this ship to function, Heavens Own, as it is a ship seen to be built by the heavens.
It is being steered towards a moon experiencing heretical thinking that I will be forced to crush. Thebes, a moon of Jupiter in the system of our race's founding planet. These events pulled me away from my ceremonial duties of the outer rim where I truly act as the fletch and blood version of a deity, spreading prophecies and hosting miracles.
A presence stands at the door ready to call my attention. Before they can even try I order the door to open with my mind as Commander of the Royal Wind Guard Alec stands at attention waiting for me. Alec along with the Royal Wind Guard are some of the few individuals who know the full extent of my power due to leaving much of their abilities in hands of my psychic energy. Alec begins to hum in a high pitch that can only be heard to the specially trained ear. It is the language which I taught the Wind Guard to ensure secretive communication.
“Destination close” is what they said, signaling to me that with Thebes nearby I will be required in the Grand Hall to fulfill my role and usher my commands. The doors close in Alecs’ face as I move to get changed, opal apparel from head to toe with a cape that stretches the size of two fully grown people. Opening the door to leave Alec stands with four other Royal Wind Guard to join an entourage and protect me on my way to the great hall.
I already have decided what decision I am going to make in regard to Thebes. I will not enjoy it but it is the only way I can guarantee a bright future for humanity.
The doors towards the great hall stand at the height of a mountain with the sound of them opening shuddering the golden walls it hangs on. The inside of the hall is pure gold with stands for the many courtiers covering the left and right walls like steps for giants. These stands have thousands of courters alone. The floor is made of a single ruby gem mined from an asteroid that acts as my red walkway to the throne. My steps echo a clank in the hall without a peep from anywhere else. The throne is a clear crystal seat with three prongs out the top. To keep a stoic aura I keep my eyes on the throne and I rise up the steps towards it. Turning to the crowd I see everything from this high vantage point. With the roar of thousands of voices the words “Your holy eminence!” is shouted, rattling every crevice of this room to its core.
The royal herald, a person who possesses one of the few voices that could fill this room, steps fourth and shouts. "Thebes is before us!" as the window that sits behind my throne opens revealing the rocky moon covered in lights. “It has a city which in its entirety has committed the crime of heresy against the emperor and entrusting itself in the hands of Abraham. The emperor will decide its punishment by the end but is willing to hear from those who wish to advise. First we shall hear from Governor Heral who rules these moons on behalf of the emperor.”
A man who dresses with nobility and is defined by the afro with emerald sparkles that sits above his head walks fourth from the crowd then kneels in the center of the room in front of me. “I am Governor Heral your eminence. I offer no advice for how to deal with this situation as I entrust your judgment. I solely come to offer an apology for letting this issue fester and ask for forgiveness. I have already dispatched my heir to remedy any other issues that could possibly arise.” All my decisions are guided by visions my powers let me see as I search for a path that guarantees humanity a new hope. My visions present options for Governor Heral with mercy being the only one that shows me the light.
“Governor Heral I appreciate your candor and I do offer you forgiveness in this matter.” The crowds cheered the decision as a smile fills Heral’s face as he slinks back into the stand.
The herald steps fourth again shouting “General Caroline of the 8th Drop Assault Legion wishes to offer advice next.” A tall armored woman steps forth with gray eyes and buzzed black hair. She provides a salute to myself then begins to speak, “Your eminence, I wish to volunteer a strategy and my legion for dealing with this threat. Allow me and my legionaries to drop into the city and round up the population, kill the leaders and implement your rule once more.” She said succinctly. I can sense that her intention is to try to prevent me from using indiscriminate bombardments to destroy the city outright, it's very moral of her to try. Unfortunately the fate of the entire moon has already been set in motion by me.
“I thank the general for her suggestion, but it is not needed as I have figured out a plan of my own to deal with this insubordination. Our entire ship's battery will open fire on every part of the moon until it is completely inhabitable.” The halls rang silent but everyone's minds ran wild. The only ones rejoicing at the decision were the truly fanatical, most the room commits thoughts crimes against the empire.
A mass movement begins in the crowd as an entourage pushes to the front. It's being led by a familiar jeweled emerald afro. As they emerge Governor Heral stands front and center without grace or poise but anger. Caroline looks back into the chaos and attempts to block the 20 or so nobles pushing forward. Heral slips past and takes the position in front of me. The Royal Wind Guard are trying to rush to my defense but I hold them still with psychic powers, Alec knowing to trust me didn’t move an inch.
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"My Emperor, my God, my liege and my inspiration. Is destroying Thebes a necessity, it is one of the most prosperous moon in this region. There are only a few 100 million believers that stand in your defiance." Heral proclaimed loudly and proudly. In response I stood up from my throne using my powers to create an echo of a force pushing everyone slightly back. The room again remains still as some fall back. Heral received the bulk of my force and fell to the ground.
Using my psychic powers I force the Governor to his knees. He attempted to resist but was no match for my power. "Are you attempting to defy my wishes? I hope that is not the case since I just offered you clemency from the responsibility." His mouth hangs open without a word escaping, his brain is completely empty of thought being only dominated by fear. Using telepathy I order him back into the crowd. Heral whose face is now green with fear slinks back into the crowd with his entourage following afterwards.
Turning around to face the moon of Thebes I command, "Alert the moon of their fate, they have a right to know and come to terms with themselves and me. We shall adjourn in three hours." I slink back to my quarters so I can meditate and control the ship.
Connected to the ship's cameras I see the observation deck where the crew prepares the weapons for Thebes. From the window I can see a flood of ships departing the moon, the closest of which is a white ship adjourned with religious heraldry, "Preparing anti ship missiles to exterminate." an operator says after locking onto the religious ship. Suddenly my brain enters into a dream state as visions flashes before my eyes. All I see is blood rivers and soldiers clad in armor fighting up to their knees in blood… I have never experienced the purity in such an image, a purity I have only experienced once before. When I was offered the imperial throne I saw a path to light and darkness. The person on that ship must be involved in my path to paradise.
"Wait!" I shout in a complete and utter panic. The sound of my cry emanates into the mind of all the operating crew on the bridge. Silence falls unto the room as no one moves. Using telepathy I say “Wait, bring all ships aboard as crew members, and bring that religious ship to the hall when we adjourn next. The crew without delay turns off the anti-ship missiles and starts using magnetic energy to absorb the ships.
To carry the burden of our entire race I make sacrifices. I have sentenced billions to death over 3,657 years for the purpose of creating paradise, a heaven for all. Equality amongst people, the end of war and violence. A universe that can only be built by blood and force. This might be it, this will be the end of my suffering and that of the universe. I disconnect from my meditation chair and just sit pondering.
The time before we destroy Thebes is coming up quickly but I can only focus on who this person might be. The possibilities are endless, but whatever form they take I just hope they are up for the task of destroying me and my empire.
Alec stands at the door ready to summon me to the hall, it's time. Walking through the grand hall the stands are full once again. Taking my throne I can barely stretch my senses to the end of the hall due to the excitement filling my body. My court herald stood forward and gave the usual introductions but I cannot understand them as I look toward the door for the savior of humanity. The doors open as a 50 person procession descends into the hall. All of the holy people are covered in a ceremonial gold silk with shaved heads and barefooted, they hold banners with my heraldry high while chanting a hymn. At the head of the procession is a green eyed woman, taller than most by a foot and older then most looking as if she was 70 or 80. Once the procession finishes the green eyed priestess steps forward and bows followed by the other holy people.
"Your holiness, I wish not to command you or even protest your decision, but I wish to represent the people of Thebes, there are 6 billion people there who did not betray you and will continue to serve." She says standing to her feet and holding our hands out wide.
The pressure inside of me that despises this decision is growing, it feels like stomach acid rising up my esophagus. Maybe I should now change my decision about Thebes? I think for a moment but then I experience another flash of visions like before. The green eyed priestess stands by my side while a river of blood flows through my feet as I sit on a throne, but I feel happier than I ever have before. I then see another vision after, that being the familiar one with a path towards paradise but instead with a knife sitting in my chest as the priestess steps away with bloody hands. The path is clear: she must hate me to destroy me.
I swallow the feeling that is developing as I am ready to proclaim. "Disobedience is an infection that cannot be cured and the moon must be exterminated to preserve the sanctity of humanity." My thundering declaration emanates through the hall. “Now let us watch my work be done!” I say turning to face the moon.
A barrage of missiles fly from the ship heading towards a giant rock. Each explosion propels smaller rocks around with debris, natural and human made floating.
I usually can suppress the cries of distress from people in these scenarios but something is pushing up sadness in me. I turn back to my throne only to see the green eyed priestess cry. Like a damn holding back an ocean my emotions burst out as depression covers me like a blanket. The sound of debris hitting the ships offers a distraction but I cannot hold out emotionally much longer. I use my hidden undetectable language to order Alec to take me to my quarters. They step fourth beginning the usual process moving many of the religious people from Thebes out the way. I step off my throne and walk to the door and intend to hide my face. Due to temptation though I lock eyes with the priestess leading to a tear to drop out of my eye. I immediately looked away hoping the priestess never saw.
The door closes behind me with immediately a scuffled sound emanating from the hall. In my condition I cannot restore order and continue my way to my room. The depressive feeling slowly fades the further I get until eventually at my room where my tears stop. If I want to get away from it I will need to completely remove myself from this consciousness through meditation. Sitting on my bed I begin to drift off as my depression completely fades.