Sophia stood alone under the alien sky, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. The stars above her were unfamiliar, distant points of light that offered no comfort. She was in an entirely different part of the universe, galaxies away from everything she knew. Her home, her allies, and the empire she had fought so hard to protect were impossibly far away.
The realization hit her like a wave—she was truly alone. No one would come to her aid, not here. Her usual methods of travel, powerful though they were, felt almost laughable in the face of such vast distances. But she couldn’t afford to give up. She couldn’t afford to let despair take hold. Her people were depending on her, and the empire needed its protector.
Sophia took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. She knew she had to push her abilities to the limit. She would teleport as far as she could, jumping thousands of light-years in a single leap. It was risky, but it was the only chance she had.
She closed her eyes, allowing the weight of her situation to settle in her mind. For the first time in a long while, she felt the true depth of the isolation that came with her power. The void of space was nothing compared to the void within her—one left by years of fighting, loss, and the burden of being something more than human, yet always yearning for the connections she’d lost. How many times will I have to face this alone? she wondered, the thought biting into her resolve.
But there was no other choice. Her people needed her, and she had to find her way back, no matter the cost. Gathering her strength, Sophia began to chant in the ancient draconic language, her voice barely a whisper as she invoked a new incantation she had crafted for this desperate moment.
"FAS MUC GAH RANN MU CHAS JORLVINAS..." The words flowed from her lips, each syllable resonating with the primal power of her draconic heritage. The air around her began to shimmer, bending with the weight of the magic she was calling forth.
She continued the chant, her voice growing stronger with each word. The world around her seemed to blur as the magic built up inside her, straining against the boundaries of reality. She could feel the energy coursing through her veins, a torrent of power that threatened to overwhelm her, but she held firm, focusing every ounce of her will on the task at hand.
Finally, as the magic reached its peak, she shouted the final word with all the force she could muster: "VAS!"
The word echoed across the barren landscape, a command that tore through the fabric of space itself. The ground beneath her feet trembled, and in an instant, she was gone, launched across the stars in a burst of raw power.
The sensation was overwhelming—like being pulled through a narrow tunnel at unimaginable speeds. Sophia’s body strained against the pressure, but she held firm, her mind locked on the destination. When she finally landed, the force of the impact nearly knocked her off her feet.
She opened her eyes to find herself on a barren, rocky planet. The landscape was desolate, with jagged mountains and deep craters stretching out as far as the eye could see. The sky was a dark, stormy gray, with no signs of life anywhere. The planet was cold, lifeless, and utterly inhospitable.
Sophia’s legs trembled as she steadied herself. The leap had taken more out of her than she expected. Her mana reserves were significantly drained, and she could feel the exhaustion settling in. But she couldn’t stop now. This was only the first leap, and she had a long way to go.
She took a moment to rest, closing her eyes and focusing on replenishing her mana. The energy trickled back slowly, far too slowly for her liking. She knew she couldn’t afford to wait long. Every second counted, and she had to keep moving.
Once she felt she had recovered enough, Sophia prepared for the next leap. She gritted her teeth, pushing through the fatigue that threatened to overwhelm her. With a determined glare at the desolate landscape around her, she repeated the incantation, her voice steady but weary.
"FAS MUC GAH RANN MU CHAS JORLVINAS..." The words flowed with less vigor this time, her energy waning. Yet, as she reached the final word, she summoned all the strength she had left. "VAS!"
And once more, she was flung across the universe, driven by the unyielding need to return home.
Sophia lost track of how many times she jumped. Each leap took her to a different part of the universe, and with every new destination, her exhaustion deepened. The first few jumps were marked by barren, lifeless moons, their surfaces scarred with ancient craters and pocked with jagged rocks. She landed on a desolate asteroid belt, where the silence was so profound it pressed on her mind, the cold void offering no respite. The stars above were distant pinpricks, a cruel reminder of how far she had yet to go.
As the days blurred together, she found herself on a world of eternal storms, where lightning crackled across blackened skies, illuminating vast, empty plains of shattered stone. The air was thick with static, each breath a struggle as she forced herself to prepare for another leap. There were planets of boiling oceans, their acidic waters roiling beneath toxic clouds, and moons coated in thick, frozen mists that clung to her skin like a shroud.
With each leap, the strain on her body and mind grew. On one distant world, she landed amidst towering, crystalline spires that resonated with a haunting hum. The sound gnawed at her already fragile sanity, and she fled before the resonance could drive her mad. Another time, she found herself in the midst of a forest where the trees were made of twisted metal, their branches creaking with the weight of centuries. The metallic leaves whispered secrets in a language she couldn’t understand, and she forced herself to leave before the madness could take hold.
She tried to rest where she could, but sleep was elusive, coming only in fitful bursts that did little to restore her strength. Her mana reserves dwindled with each jump, and she had to ration her energy carefully, fearing that she would run out before she could find her way home. Time lost all meaning, and she could no longer tell if it had been days, weeks, or even months since she had started this desperate journey.
Yet, no matter how far she traveled, the stars remained unfamiliar, their cold light mocking her. She was still trapped within the same massive galaxy where she had started. The distances between each star system seemed endless, each leap barely making a dent in the vast expanse before her. The realization of how far she still had to go gnawed at her, a growing dread seeping into her thoughts like a dark cloud. The despair she had been fighting to keep at bay began to weigh her down, threatening to suffocate her resolve.
Her body ached with fatigue, her mind a fractured mess of fear and determination. But the desperation drove her on, each jump a reckless gamble with what little strength she had left. Her hands trembled as she performed the incantations, her voice hoarse from the endless chanting.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of relentless teleportation, Sophia landed on a small, rocky moon orbiting a gas giant. The air was thin, cold, and biting, and her legs buckled beneath her as she hit the ground, the impact jarring every bone in her body. She collapsed onto the cold, rough surface, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she fought to stay conscious. The landscape around her was bleak and unforgiving, the gas giant looming above her like an unfeeling sentinel.
She was utterly spent, her mana reserves nearly depleted, and her entire being screamed for rest. She lay there for a moment, gasping for breath, her vision blurring with exhaustion. She had pushed herself too far, and now, she was paying the price. She knew she couldn’t continue like this—one more jump could be her last.
But the thought of stopping, of giving up, was unthinkable. She had to get home. She had to. As she lay there, the cold seeping into her bones, her thoughts drifted to Mike. Of all the people she had lost, it was him she missed the most. His steady presence, the way he could make her laugh even in the darkest times. She could almost hear his voice, urging her to keep going, to push through the pain. He was the one person who had always believed in her, even when she couldn't believe in herself. If only he were here, she thought, a sharp ache piercing her heart. He’d know what to do. He’d make this all seem bearable.
And so, even as her body cried out for relief, Sophia forced herself to jump again, her muscles trembling with the effort. But when she landed, the sight that greeted her was the same gas giant looming in the sky. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks—she hadn’t even had the mana to leave the planet. She collapsed onto her back, staring up at the swirling clouds of the giant planet, the bleakness of the moon’s surface pressing in on her. The stars confirmed her worst fear—despite all her efforts, she was still in the same galaxy, impossibly far from her home.
Tears of frustration welled up in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. She couldn’t afford to lose hope, not now. She had to think of another way. If sheer force of will couldn’t get her home, then she would have to find another method.
But first, she needed to rest. Just for a moment. She lay on the cold ground, the harsh surface digging into her skin, and let herself close her eyes, her breath slowly evening out as she finally allowed herself a moment of respite.
The journey wasn’t over, but for now, she would let the darkness take her.
When Sophia awoke sometime later, her body ached, and she knew her mana reserves were still dangerously low. She had just enough to teleport one more time. Carefully, she scanned the surrounding star systems for any signs of life. To her surprise, she detected a nearby planet with signs of advanced civilization. It wasn’t much, but it was something—a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation.
She teleported to the planet’s surface, landing near a bustling spaceport. As soon as she arrived, she felt the toll it had taken. Her mana was nearly depleted, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to run if she needed to. The contrast between the desolate moons she had visited and the chaotic energy of the spaceport was jarring. The streets were packed with strange aliens, all going about their business in a hurry. The air was filled with the sounds of engines, shouting, and the hum of technology.
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Sophia quickly realized something was wrong—her mana was replenishing much more slowly than she was used to. The implications were clear: the presence of gods and demons must be rare in this galaxy, but mana still existed here, just in a much weaker form. As she grappled with this realization, the Shadow Orb whispered its promises of unlimited mana, urging her to harvest souls. But Sophia crushed the whispers in her mind, her resolve hardening. She would find a way home without it. She had to.
Sophia kept to the shadows, her senses on high alert as she observed the bustling world around her. This place was a smuggler’s haven, a lawless frontier where traders, mercenaries, and outlaws from across the galaxy converged. The streets were teeming with a dizzying array of alien species—all unfamiliar to her, save for one.
What shocked her most was the presence of humans. Scattered among the diverse alien population, there were humans going about their business, dressed in various styles of clothing and armor that helped them blend seamlessly into the chaos of the spaceport. Yet, something was missing—there were no signs of the other fantasy races she had known so well: no elves, no dwarves, no beastkin. Just humans and aliens, a stark contrast to the worlds she was accustomed to.
Sophia’s heart raced as she considered her next move. She needed information, and fast. Spotting a seedy-looking bar at the edge of the spaceport, she made her way inside, hoping to find someone who could help her figure out where she was—and how she could get back home.
Sophia pushed open the heavy door of the bar, stepping into the dimly lit interior. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol, smoke, and the unwashed bodies of the bar’s patrons. The low murmur of conversation filled the room, punctuated by occasional bursts of rough laughter and the clink of glasses. The clientele, a mix of rough-looking aliens and humans, barely glanced in her direction as she entered—a newcomer in a place where everyone had something to hide.
She moved to the bar, sliding onto a worn stool. The bartender, a burly alien with four arms and a face that bore the scars of too many brawls, eyed her briefly before grunting. “What’ll it be?”
“Something strong,” Sophia replied, her voice weary but steady. She needed something to dull the frustration and fear that had been gnawing at her since her arrival in this forsaken corner of the universe.
The bartender nodded, grabbing a bottle of amber liquid and pouring her a generous glass. Sophia took it without a word, downing half the drink in a single gulp. The alcohol burned its way down her throat, but she welcomed the sensation—it anchored her, momentarily pulling her away from the overwhelming reality of her situation.
As she slowly sipped the rest of her drink, she let her eyes wander around the room. The bar was a hive of activity, with groups of smugglers, traders, and mercenaries huddled together in low conversation. Most were armed, their weapons displayed openly—a clear deterrent to anyone considering causing trouble.
What shocked her most was the amount of humans among the crowd. They were scattered here and there, blending in with the chaos, but there was something different about them. Their expressions were hard, their eyes constantly scanning the room, alert for any sign of danger. These weren’t the carefree adventurers she’d known on other worlds—they were survivors, living on the edge.
Sophia was in her Valicar form, appearing as a short, young girl with striking blue hair streaked with red highlights, and eyes that mirrored the colors of fire and ice—one red, one blue. She kept her appearance subdued, blending into the background of the bar.
A group of men entered the bar, their eyes locking onto her immediately. They were humans, but there was an unsettling edge to them—a predatory air that set her on alert. They moved in her direction, spreading out as they approached, cutting off any easy escape routes.
The leader, a tall man with a scar etched down the side of his face, sidled up to the bar next to Sophia, his gaze sharp and assessing. “You don’t look like you belong here,” he muttered, his voice carrying a low, dangerous edge.
Sophia didn’t flinch, meeting his gaze head-on, her expression unreadable. “Just passing through,” she replied, taking another slow sip of her drink.
He smirked, but there was no humor in it. “Passing through? This isn’t the kind of place you just pass through. You either belong here or you don’t. So, what’s your story?”
Sophia’s grip on the glass tightened, though her demeanor remained cool. “Looking for a way home,” she said, her voice flat, revealing nothing.
The man’s eyes narrowed, studying her. “Home, huh? Where’s that? Doesn’t seem like you’re from around these parts.”
She took another sip before responding, her tone clipped. “Far from here. And none of your business.”
He chuckled, the sound low and gritty. “Touchy, aren’t we? But you’re right, it’s none of my business... unless I make it my business. I heard something interesting earlier—about a girl who appeared in a flash of light, out of nowhere, and there wasn’t a teleporter in sight. Now, that’s the kind of thing that gets attention.”
Sophia kept her expression neutral, but inside, she cursed herself for being careless. “People see what they want to see.”
He raised an eyebrow, a sly grin creeping across his face. “Sure, sure. But I’ve been around long enough to know when someone’s hiding something. A flash of light with no tech involved? That’s not just a coincidence—that’s something only someone like you could pull off.”
Sophia’s heart quickened, but she kept her expression steady. “And what exactly do you mean by ‘someone like me’?”
His grin widened, revealing yellowed teeth. “You know damn well what I mean. You’ve got that... aura. A mystic, right? No point in pretending otherwise.”
Sophia’s eyes narrowed, her instincts screaming at her to stay alert. “You’ve got good instincts, but if you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep that to yourself.”
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping even lower. “But here’s the thing—magic doesn’t go over well in this part of the galaxy. Hell, it’s banned. Deadly consequences for those who dabble in it. Brings the wrong kind of attention, and nobody here wants that.”
Sophia felt a cold knot form in her stomach. This wasn’t just a simple backwater—this was a place where her very existence could be a death sentence. “You seem to know a lot about it,” she said cautiously.
He shrugged, his tone matter-of-fact. “I’ve been around. Seen things. There’s a reason magic’s banned here—it brings the wrong kind of attention. Demons, gods, whatever you want to call them. They thrive on the life force and souls of sentient beings, and the only way they can find us is if someone’s using mana. That’s why the Turalis Council—the ruling body of this galaxy—put a total ban on magic. Anyone caught using it is executed, no questions asked.”
Sophia’s chest tightened as the gravity of his words settled in. This wasn’t just another dangerous place; it was a death trap specifically for someone like her. Normally, she could handle anyone—or even everyone—on this planet without breaking a sweat, but her mana reserves were dangerously low. If it came to a fight against the entire planet, she wasn’t sure she’d have enough strength to win. And she didn’t have enough mana to run, either.
The Shadow Orb whispered temptingly in the back of her mind, offering the solution she despised. With its power, she could replenish her mana, harvest souls, and decimate anyone who stood in her way. But she refused to give in. She would rather die than become the monster the Orb wanted her to be. She wasn’t that person anymore. She couldn’t be.
She had once wielded its power with reckless abandon as Solaria, and the consequences had been catastrophic. The memories of those days haunted her, a constant reminder of the darkness that still lingered within her. The Shadow Orb whispered to her even now, seductively urging her to harvest souls, to reclaim the limitless power she had once commanded so freely. But that path led only to ruin, and she was determined to forge a different one—a path where she could be a hero, not the galaxy’s next villain.
She forced herself to stay calm, to focus on the situation at hand. She was surrounded by potential enemies, but they didn’t need to become corpses. Not unless she had no other choice. “So, what’s your angle?” she asked, keeping her voice even. “Are you planning to turn me in?”
The man leaned back, watching her with a calculated gaze. “That depends. I could use someone with your… talents. Do a job for me, and maybe I’ll help you get where you need to go.”
Sophia didn’t blink, her voice cold. “And if I say no?”
He shrugged again, but his tone was anything but casual. “Then I walk out of here, and you find yourself with a bounty on your head by morning. The Turalis Council pays well for mystics. Your choice.”
Sophia weighed her options. She didn’t trust him, but she was running out of choices. She had killed many in the past as Solaria, and she had vowed not to walk that path again. She needed to know what she was getting into, whether she had to fight her way out or not—she was tired of the bloodshed. “What’s the job?”
He smirked, clearly pleased. “We’ll get to that. For now, let’s just say it’s something only someone like you can handle. Follow me. We’ll talk on the way.”
As they exited the bar, Sophia kept her eyes sharp, scanning the dimly lit streets for any sign of trouble. The man led her through the bustling spaceport, his pace brisk and confident. After a few moments of silence, he began to speak, his tone almost casual, as if discussing something mundane.
“You’re probably curious how humans ended up here, so far from Caldera,” he said, casting a sidelong glance at her. “It’s not something most people talk about, but a long time ago, back when the empire was first venturing into space, a group of humans stumbled on an ancient artifact. It was from the Celestials—something powerful, tied to the very fabric of the universe. They used it to escape Caldera during a time of chaos, fleeing across the stars while a man named Von White led his magical fleet on a path of conquest.”
Sophia’s attention sharpened at the mention of Easton’s name. She remembered the early days of the empire, the moment they first stepped onto the galactic stage. She had always hoped for a republic, but Easton had taken the reins, especially after she’d nearly destroyed the world and been separated from Mike. She’d walked away, leaving Easton and James to pick up the pieces. But now, she needed answers.
“And they ended up here? No gods or demons ever crossing into this space?” she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and caution.
The captain nodded. “Not a single one in millennia. Eventually, this place became their new home. That artifact opened a wormhole, a tear in space that brought them to this part of the galaxy. It wasn’t easy—many didn’t survive the journey. Those who made it found themselves in a galaxy even harsher than the one they left behind. A galaxy without magic. But humans, well, we adapt. It started with just a few thousand, then millions, and now billions. We’ve even carved out a place for ourselves on the council of the Turalis Republic.”
Sophia narrowed her eyes, the pieces beginning to fall into place. “And that wormhole… it still exists?”
The man nodded. “It does, but it’s not something you can just waltz through. It’s incredibly dangerous, heavily guarded by the Turalis Council. They’ve sealed off the area, and anyone caught trying to get through is either captured or killed. But there are rumors—whispers of people who know how to navigate it, how to avoid the patrols and get to the other side.”
Sophia’s heart quickened at the prospect. “And you’re one of those people?”
He gave her a sly grin. “Maybe I am. But like I said, nothing’s free in this galaxy. You want my help getting back to Caldera, you’re going to have to do something for me first.”
Sophia didn’t respond immediately, her mind racing with possibilities. This wormhole might be her only chance to get home, but the thought of what she might have to do to earn his help weighed heavily on her. Still, she knew she didn’t have many options left.
“Okay, enough with the exposition. We’re alone now—what’s the fucking job?” Sophia’s voice was firm, edged with the bravado she used to chastise Mike for, though she couldn’t entirely mask the uncertainty gnawing at her.
He paused in front of a sleek, well-maintained ship docked at the edge of the spaceport, turning to face her with a smirk. “You’ll find out soon enough,” he replied smoothly. “For now, welcome aboard. We’ve got work to do.”
Sophia sighed, her eyes scanning every detail of the ship as she stepped on board. She was deep in enemy territory, but she’d been here before, in one way or another. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but that was nothing new. She’d find her way home—or die trying.