Chapter 1

Tetra

In the center of our galaxy stands a structure, the size of some planets, a pyramid. Its sides are as dark as the void and as impervious as they are mysterious. Although its origins are unknown, its purpose is not. It tests all those who enter its depths willingly or otherwise—a crucible that forges you into the most powerful version of yourself or consumes you wholly.

Atop this pyramid stands the most powerful being in existence, Viltrix and his council of like-minded kin. They oversee the expansion of his empire, which he created after conquering the pyramid of power and freeing our species from the bonds of the champion that preceded his rise. Every hundred years, a meeting is held by the ruling faction to bring a new planet’s species into the collective slave races under the pretense of repayment for protection from outside forces and rebel factions.

As the meeting chamber began to fill, I leaned against the wall near the viewing port. I always loathed these gatherings. It has been two thousand years since Viltrix conquered the pyramid and placed me in charge of finding suitable planets to integrate into his “collective”—another word for a slave army. Long ago, I was known as the best hunter in my village: Tetra the provider, Tetra the protector. Now, I’m known for picking which planet and its people will taste the butcher’s blade next. It makes me sick to see what this empire has become. We had such lofty goals and noble intentions, but most evil is born from such ideals. We are no different. The bigger the empire grew, the more lives were needed to fuel its expansion. The people grew fat and bored, which led to the greatest of perversions: The Games.

Once, the pyramid stood for something great—overcoming limitations, growth, evolution, conquest. Only the brave and strong darkened its halls. Now, it’s nothing more than a form of entertainment for the masses, hiding behind the veneer of honor and conquest. Every 100 years, another planet is taken apart for all of its resources and squeezed of every drop of profit. The inhabitants are sorted by our governing AI into three categories—the old, sick, and disabled are immediately culled then broken down into their most basic components to feed the ever-growing population of slaves. The young and weak are enslaved until their planet's debt is repaid, and the strong are set aside for The Games. More bodies to be thrown atop the mountain of corpses that my people lounge upon. Their bloodlust never sated, never satisfied.

Now, I steel myself to doom the next species to be sacrificed for the “glory” of the empire. I can barely hold back the bile I feel crawling up my throat. When Viltrix entered the room, everyone immediately felt the power radiating off him and settling on our shoulders like a weight. We were forced to our knees and had the breath driven from our lungs. The weakest among our number fell unconscious while the rest of us did our best to keep a grip on our sanity. Then all at once, the pressure was gone, and the room took a collective breath.

There, standing before us was Viltrix, next to his throne he surveyed. He had the same blood-red skin and horns as the rest of us but… he was greater in almost every way. He towered over us at an imposing 8 feet tall, and most of our kind had 4 to 6 inches of horn protruding from our foreheads, but his swept back over his entire skull and curled in on themselves like a great helm of bone. He wore armor from head to toe that was rumored to have taken the combined resources of 10 planets to craft by a small army of smiths, but the most striking and most alien feature was his eyes… instead of a red vertical pupil, he had 2 black holes where eyes once rested. A special reward he gained while climbing the pyramid all those years ago.

Not a sound was made until Viltrix took his seat upon his throne and swept his gaze across the room. He finally opened his mouth, and the entire room vibrated with every syllable."Another 100 years, another cycle, another sacrifice, the beast must be fed, the empire must grow. Tetra, my huntress, what news do you have for your Emperor?"

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As I stepped forward and bowed my head in defeat, I spoke."Lord Viltrix, I scoured the galaxy for many years and have found a young planet with a people that I feel would please you."

I could see the corners of Viltrix's lips raise before he spoke."Is that so? What makes them so worthy?"

With a respectful bow of my head I said."Like I said, they are young, but after watching them from the shadows these last hundred years, I have seen much." Turning my head to the side I whispered. "Ruby bring up an image of the planet for the council."

Where my gaze rested a handful of pellets could be seen falling to the floor and a blinding light blossomed as they impacted, followed by a puff of smoke. After my eyes had a moment to recover, standing before me was a small red skinned girl with the early signs of horn growth evident on her forehead. She was striking a dramatic fighting pose with her arms extended out to her sides, her hands pointed towards the ground, while balancing on one leg, and wearing a white training GI. I tried my best to contain my groan of irritation but failed as she started making tiny kicking motions and letting out a bizarre "ewww ahhh kya kya" noises.

Viltrix narrowed his eyes then bellowed. "Enough!" Immediately Ruby froze mid air while trying to imitate a flying bicycle kick. Then Viltrix continued. "Tetra what is the meaning of this?"

Ruby promptly let out a fearful "EEK" and disappeared in a flash. In her place hovered the image of the blue planet slowly rotating for all to see.

I lowered my eyes back to the ground and said. "Forgive me lord, Ruby is our newest A.I. that was created specifically for the integration of this planet. After saturating her hippocampus with all of the planet's history and media she has developed eccentric behaviors atypical of her kind. I have been assured by her creators that despite her quirks she is fully functional and still the most optimal tool for this mission."

The tension in Viltrix's jaw loosened and he made a dismissive gesture with his hand and said. "Very well, continue."

Straightening, I said." Like I was saying, after the inhabitants successfully conquered all other life forms on their planet, they turned their blades on one another. They are a race of violent and savage peoples. They war on one another and have developed technologically at an alarming rate. If left to their own devices, they could become a mighty military force that even our empire would be forced to acknowledge in due time."

These kinds of planets were always the first to go... Viltrix never allows a species to grow into a threat to his rule. So I am sent to find these up-and-comers and bring them low before the might of the empire. Billions more lost to my inability to stop the cruelty that my kind has become."Very good, Tetra, you always bring me the most fascinating toys."

"Thank you, Lord. If it pleases you, we will move forward with the integration immediately."

“Of course... I look forward to seeing how well your pick fares in the games."With another wave of his hand, a clear signal of dismissal, everyone in the room scrambled to their feet and fled as quickly as possible. As one of the councilmen rushed towards the door, he stumbled into a pedestal holding an ancient relic from a race pushed into extinction by the empire long ago. As he scrambled to catch the priceless decoration, a blur of motion could barely be perceived before an armored hand, holding the relic, appeared in front of him. Standing over the kneeling man was Viltrix, grinning from ear to ear. He lifted one booted foot and placed it on the forehead of the shaking man. With no more visible effort than taking a step, Viltrix lowered his foot through the councilman's head, torso, and ultimately his pelvis, coming to rest on the floor between the two halves of mangled flesh.

The rest of the council averted their eyes and redoubled their speed. I stood there with an impassive look on my face as I watched the monster in our midst revel in the needless terror he instilled in all those near him. With an even pace, I turned on my heels and strolled from the throne room and said."Ruby, prepare my shuttle for immediate departure."

Ruby's face materialized in the air before me and said. "Yes ma'am!" She gave me an exaggerated wink and faded away.

I concentrated on maintaining a steady pace as I made my way to the hanger to hide the storm of emotions rage inside. The feeling of dread threatened to consume me because I knew what was to come for the planet they called Earth.