As the ship powered up, Sahaad felt the familiar rumble beneath his feet. The massive engines throbbed with energy, shaking the floor beneath him as they prepared to leave the floating castle behind. The view outside the cockpit shifted as they rose from the docking bay, the metallic structure of the floating citadel gleaming beneath the planet's pale sun. Sahaad still couldn't believe he had just walked through a palace hovering high above the planet's atmosphere.

Captain Azel, seated in the command chair, flipped a few switches and turned dials on the control panel, his movements precise and calculated. The ship hummed, and within moments, they were airborne, cutting through the thin atmosphere and back into the void of space.

For a while, there was silence between them, the quiet punctuated only by the steady rhythm of the ship's systems. Sahaad gazed out at the star-filled expanse, his mind a whirl of confusion and excitement. So much had happened in such a short time. He had been plucked from the slums of Babylon, thrust into a universe so vast it made his previous life seem like a forgotten dream.

Suddenly, Azel pressed a large, ominous button on the console. Sahaad felt the entire ship lurch as if the fabric of reality itself had shifted. His stomach tightened, and a strange, almost magnetic pull seemed to tug at every corner of his being.

Ahead of them, the very space in front of the ship began to warp. Sahaad's eyes widened as he watched the stars and distant planets twist and bend unnaturally. It was as though the blackness of space was being torn apart by invisible hands. Then, with a brilliant flash of light, a massive portal—glowing with a soft, iridescent hue—ripped open before the ship. It was a swirling, hypnotic vortex that seemed to defy logic and reason.

"What...what is that?" Sahaad stammered, his heart racing.

Azel glanced at him with a knowing look, his face expressionless but his eyes betraying the faintest glimmer of amusement. "That," he said, his voice steady, "is a tear in space-time. A gateway into what we call warpspace."

"Warpspace?" Sahaad repeated, unfamiliar with the term. His eyes were still locked onto the portal as the ship began to move toward it.

Azel nodded. "An alternate dimension, carved out from the divine realm itself. A place where time does not pass as it does here. Once we enter, the laws of the universe change. Distance becomes irrelevant. Thousands of light-years can be crossed in what would seem like mere seconds. The empire's vast reach would be impossible without it."

Sahaad struggled to comprehend the idea. "How...how is that possible?"

Azel tapped a few more buttons, ensuring their entry was smooth. "Ten thousand years ago, during the War of Heaven, humanity forged an alliance with the Fey, an ancient and powerful alien race. The Fey granted us access to warpspace. They had long since mastered the ability to travel through this dimension, and they needed our assistance in the war. It was through their guidance that we learned to harness this power."

The ship shuddered slightly as it crossed the event horizon of the portal. Sahaad's stomach flipped as reality seemed to bend around them. One moment they were in the vastness of space, the next they were inside the portal, surrounded by a swirling sea of light and shadow. Warpspace was unlike anything he had ever seen. Colors shifted and melded in ways that defied logic, shapes appeared and disappeared as if they were figments of a dream.

Sahaad could feel the tension in his body ease slightly, but his mind was still racing. "The Fey? War of Heaven?" he muttered, trying to keep up with Azel's words.

Azel glanced at him again, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Yes, the Fey. They are an ancient race, older than humanity could ever imagine. During the War of Heaven, the Fey joined forces with humanity to fight against the forces of the Old Gods. Together, we emerged victorious, and the Fey gifted us access to warp space in exchange for peace."

Sahaad's eyes flickered with interest, despite his confusion. "So, these Fey...they gave us all of this?"

Azel nodded. "In a way, yes. Humanity has built upon the knowledge they provided, but without the Fey, we would have needed to cross the divine realm to travel through the universe. While I was not here when humanity was using the domain of the Old Gods, I heard it was most…unpleasant "

Sahaad didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure what to believe. He was just an engineer from Earth—none of this made sense to him. But there was something deeply intriguing about it all. The history of this universe, the cosmic alliances, and wars—it was far grander than anything he could have imagined.

"And you... you're a part of all this?" Sahaad asked, turning his attention back to Azel.

"I am," Azel said simply. "As a praetorian of the God-King, it is my duty to protect the empire and ensure that the knowledge granted to us is never misused."

Sahaad nodded, though his mind was still spinning with unanswered questions. "And what does that have to do with me?"

Azel's gaze turned steely. "You've been chosen, Sahaad. I believe you have a chance to become a praetorian, and if I am wrong you will simply die among millions of others."

He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Sahaad felt a chill run down his spine.

Thump!

The ship hurtled through warpspace, Sahaad felt his heart hammering in his chest. The sensation of being in warpspace was unlike anything he had ever experienced. There was no sense of time passing, no feeling of movement like there was in normal space. It was as if they were floating between moments, suspended in a state of existence that defied all reason. He glanced at the readouts on the console, but the displays made little sense to him—coordinates shifting and flickering in alien characters he didn't understand.

Azel sat at the controls, his face calm and composed. He was completely at ease in this strange realm, his hands gliding over the controls with practiced precision. The humming of the ship's systems was steady and constant, the only thing grounding Sahaad in this otherwise surreal experience.

Just as Sahaad was beginning to lose track of how long they had been in warpspace, there was a sudden shift. The swirling colors and shapes outside the ship intensified, then abruptly began to fade, like a fog dissipating after a storm. Sahaad felt a jolt, and the ship seemed to lurch forward, breaking through the barrier between dimensions.

In the blink of an eye, they were back in normal space.

Sahaad blinked, his eyes adjusting to the sudden shift in scenery. Before them was a breathtaking sight—a massive, brilliant blue star burning brightly against the backdrop of space, its light bathing everything in a cool, ethereal glow. Orbiting the star was a colossal metallic structure, a towering spire that stretched impossibly high into the void. It gleamed with a sleek, polished surface, its immense size dwarfing anything Sahaad had ever seen.

"That... that's incredible," Sahaad whispered, his eyes wide as he stared at the structure.

Azel glanced at him and gave a brief nod. "That's the Aether Spire, one of the empire's primary outposts in this sector. It serves as a docking station, a fortress, and the main headquarters of the Iron Vultures company".

As they approached, the spire's details became clearer. It was adorned with countless docking bays, massive landing platforms, and intricate architecture that seemed both ancient and advanced at the same time. Huge metallic arms extended from its central body, rotating slowly as they conducted repairs and operations on the many ships docked around it. From their position, Sahaad could see a variety of vessels—warships, cargo freighters, and sleek transport ships, all coming and going in an organized flow of traffic.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Azel guided their ship toward one of the docking platforms, expertly maneuvering it into place. With a subtle shift in the ship's trajectory, they eased into the docking clamps, and the sound of the magnetic locks engaging echoed through the hull.

"Come," Azel said, rising from his seat. "We've arrived."

Sahaad followed Azel as they exited the cockpit and made their way to the ship's airlock. The doors hissed open, revealing the pristine metal floors of the docking bay. The station was massive, its sheer size overwhelming to Sahaad. He felt like an ant in comparison to the grand, towering walls and machinery.

As they descended the ramp, they were greeted by a group of Praetorians waiting for them at the base of the platform. Each one was as massive as Azel, towering over Sahaad with their imposing frames. They wore armor similar in design to Azel's, though it lacked the intricate details and enhancements that marked him as something beyond a typical soldier.

The Praetorians stood in formation, their expressions hidden behind glowing visors. As Azel approached, they all saluted in unison, their armored fists striking their chests with a resounding clang.

"Captain Azel," one of them spoke, his voice deep and respectful, though muffled by his helmet. "We've been expecting your arrival."

Azel gave a curt nod. "At ease."

The group relaxed slightly but kept their posture formal. Sahaad couldn't help but notice the way they deferred to Azel, their movements precise and disciplined. Despite their size and power, there was a clear hierarchy here, and Azel was at the top.

One of the Praetorians stepped forward, addressing Azel directly. "The Council is prepared for your report, Captain. Shall we escort you?"

"No need," Azel replied, his voice commanding. "I'll handle this myself. Prepare the new recruit for processing."

Sahaad tensed at the mention of "processing." He had no idea what that meant, but the thought of it didn't sit well with him.

As the Praetorians turned their attention to him, he felt their eyes—hidden behind those glowing visors—scrutinizing him closely. They didn't say anything, but their presence alone was enough to make him feel small and out of place.

Captain Azel left to address what seemed to be his superior, leaving Sahaad with the other Praetorians.

The Praetorians led Sahaad down a long, metallic hallway illuminated by strips of pale blue light embedded in the walls. The air inside the Aether Spire felt cold and sterile, a stark contrast to the vibrant, chaotic energy of the city of Babylon he had left behind. He glanced at the massive armored figures walking in step beside him, their silent presence unnerving. They offered no words, only gestures and an occasional glance in his direction.

Sahaad's mind raced with questions. Where are they taking me? What kind of "processing" was ahead? The more they walked, the deeper the station seemed to stretch, and the more alien it all felt to him.

Eventually, they arrived at a large, reinforced door that slid open. Sahaad was led into a spacious room, dimly lit, with rows of metal benches lining the sides. The space was filled with the soft hum of machinery and the occasional clatter of movement. As his eyes adjusted to the lower light, he realized the room wasn't empty.

Other children were there.

They were seated in small groups on the benches, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Some looked slightly older than Sahaad, while others seemed younger. All of them shared the same confused expressions. There was a large disparity in clothing, with some wearing rags like Sahaad and others had a modern day t-shirt and pants ripped straight from Sahaad's old life.

Sahaad stood there, frozen for a moment as the Praetorians guided him to an empty spot on a bench. Without a word, they turned and left, the heavy doors sliding shut behind them with a dull thud. Now, the room felt even more suffocating in their absence, and a thick silence settled over the children.

Sahaad sat down, his body tense, his gaze drifting from one child to another. None of them spoke, but their eyes darted toward him, sizing him up, just as he was doing with them. He wondered if they had all been brought here like him—taken from their homes, perhaps plucked from the streets by someone like Azel, or simply disappeared without explanation.

Sahaad sat on the cold bench, his arms crossed, trying to make sense of everything. His thoughts were racing when he noticed a girl approaching him. She was relatively tall, with pale skin and sharp features. Her jet-black hair framed her face, and her posture radiated confidence. Walking beside her was an Asian boy, slightly shorter, with sharp, inquisitive eyes and a thin but athletic build. Both looked older than Sahaad, perhaps by a few years, and they carried themselves with a certain ease, as if this bizarre situation didn't faze them.

"Hey," the girl said, stopping in front of Sahaad. Her tone was casual, but there was something sharp in her gaze. "You look like you're in shock."

The boy beside her grinned, his hands tucked into his pockets. "Yeah, new recruit syndrome. You must be the latest addition."

Sahaad frowned, trying to decipher if they were mocking him or being genuine. "Uh, yeah. I guess I am."

The girl smirked. "I'm Zara. This is Ji. We figured we'd introduce ourselves before the rest of the madness kicks off."

"Madness?" Sahaad echoed, his confusion deepening. He glanced at the other children in the room. "What do you mean?"

Ji, the boy, gave a shrug. "You're here to become a Praetorian, right? It's not exactly camp." He glanced around the room before turning back to Sahaad. "But I guess you didn't volunteer, did you?"

Sahaad realized that these children were speaking the same language as him, in perfect accents.

Is this the Universal language? Is such a thing even possible?

Sahaad blinked. "Volunteer? No, I was kidnapped. That giant in armor just—just grabbed me and brought me here." The memory of Azel's iron grip still sent a shiver down his spine.

Zara and Ji exchanged a look before bursting into laughter. It was sudden, loud, and completely unexpected. Sahaad felt a surge of irritation rise in his chest. They were laughing at him.

"You were kidnapped?" Zara wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling. "That's… well, that's rough."

Ji shook his head, still smiling. "Most of us signed up willingly. You're probably the only one here who didn't choose this. Makes sense why you look so lost."

Sahaad glared at them, his fists tightening. "I don't see what's so funny about it."

Zara raised her hands defensively. "Relax. We're not making fun of you. It's just that most people would kill for this opportunity. And here you are, dragged into it without even knowing what's going on. It's ironic, that's all."

Ji nodded. "She's right. The Praetorians? They're seen as angels of The Empire. Legends. Becoming one of them is the highest honor anyone could hope for."

Sahaad snorted, not sure if he should feel offended or amused by their perspective. "Yeah, well, I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't even know what Praetorians were until, like, an hour ago."

Zara leaned against the bench beside him, folding her arms. "Let me guess, you're from one of those backwater planets. Probably haven't even seen a real starship until now."

Sahaad sighed. "Pretty much. Arkkadia. It's ancient. Like, really ancient compared to all of this."

Ji raised an eyebrow. "Arkkadia? Never heard of it. Must be in some back corner of the galaxy. No wonder you're so out of the loop."

Zara gave him a sympathetic look. "Look, you're in a whole new world now. The Praetorians aren't just soldiers—they're legends. People revere them. But it's not an easy life. The training? It takes centuries. It's brutal, and it never really ends. You're not just training your body. You're reshaping your mind, your soul. The process… it's intense. Some people don't make it."

Sahaad stared at her, the weight of her words settling in. "Centuries?" His voice was barely a whisper. "How… how can anyone survive that?"

Ji gave a nonchalant shrug. "Technology. The Empire has ways to keep us alive, keep us young. Once you're in, your life doesn't follow the same rules anymore. Time becomes weird. That's why they're so revered. A single Praetorian might have more experience than entire planetary armies."

"Doesn't mean it's easy though," Zara added. "Most of us come from more modern planets. We volunteered. We knew what we were getting into, or at least we thought we did. "

Sahaad swallowed, his mind spinning with everything they were telling him. He had been thrown into this without a choice, without any understanding of what was happening. And now he was expected to train for centuries to become one of these so-called "angels" of The Empire?

He shook his head. "I don't understand, how do you guys know all this? Is this stuff taught in school?"

Zara gave him a sad smile. "My great aunt was part of the Praetorian program, but she failed early on. She got to keep a few upgrades and her life- told me stories about it every time we visited her."

Sahaad slumped against the bench, feeling more lost than ever. The weight of his situation pressed down on him, but there was also a strange pull—an odd curiosity about this new world, this new life. He didn't know if he could survive what was to come.

"So what now?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and determination.

Ji chuckled. "Now? Now we wait. And when they're ready, they'll test us. You'll see soon enough just how hard it can get."

"I'm Sahaad by the way. I am…10 years old", Sahaad finally introduced himself. "How are you all able to speak with me?"

The kids laughed again, along with a couple of the other children in the waiting area. Sahaad looked around in confusion.

"It's a voice translator", Zara spoke up pointing to her scalp. "It's inserted into our brains when we're four years old. I think it reads the brainwave or something, automatically translates words coming out of our mouths to whatever language you understand".

"You have one too, seeing as how you can understand us," Ji added. "But it only works with recognized languages, so alien languages or made up ones will not be able to be translated".

The kids continued to explain the various intricacies of the empire with Saahad, laughing at his overall cluelessness. However, Saahad wasn't too angry with them. They were simply children and he was glad to have people he could talk to.