*The Day After…*

Pierre was on the verge of crossing a new horizon, embarking on his first intergalactic journey. The excitement he felt was comparable to the thrill of a child on Christmas Eve, about to open the most anticipated gift. But unlike toys, he was about to explore the universe's frontiers, witnessing with his own eyes the wonders of stars and planets that, until then, he had only known through movies and science fiction books. It was as if a man shaped by the past was now at the center of the future. And, ironically, if given the choice, he would have preferred the past—but destiny, unpredictable and relentless, rarely offers alternatives.

Mrs. Peyton prepared him for the journey with the same attention and care as someone dressing a child for a special day. The carefully planned disguise, now his true identity, brought an indescribable sense of freedom: Pierre Durand. It was as if the weight of years of uncertainty and secrets had finally dissipated. He felt deep gratitude toward Lady Crarina, to whom he owed his new life. It was she who handed him the key to his rebirth, allowing him to reclaim his true name.

When they arrived at the Galactic Terminal, Pierre was immediately struck by the magnitude of the structure. The Terminal was an immense technological pentagon, with transparent walls made of glass reinforced by nanotechnology, revealing a vast interior filled with innovations that only the future could conceive. The brilliance of the place reflected the spirit of discovery that Pierre had always dreamed of.

Autonomous robots moved through the corridors in precise paths, while holographic screens projected three-dimensional information about the docked ships, their spatial coordinates, and departure times. The environment buzzed with an incessant flow of intergalactic travelers, each immersed in their own missions and destinations. Pierre felt even smaller amidst it all, yet at the same time, more connected to the vast universe.

The colossal ship that captured Pierre's attention was on the central platform. Imposing and almost mystical, this mothership was surrounded by several smaller ships, each destined for different corners of the cosmos. Mrs. Peyton pointed to the ship, explaining that it would take him to a space station located on a large galactic asteroid, orbiting the atmosphere of a distant planet.

“That asteroid,” she explained, “houses the quantum space-folding portal. It’s the connection point of the Taldraex galaxy with other star systems, allowing intergalactic travel to be instantaneous.”

Pierre couldn't take his eyes off the ship's immense body. He had always imagined grandiose spaceships, but nothing compared to what he saw now. As he gazed at his futuristic attire, he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. Mrs. Peyton, with a look of maternal concern, gently asked:

“Are you okay, Pierre?”—her soft voice contrasted with the vastness around them. “I know it's a lot to take in, but are you ready for this?”

Pierre smiled back, recognizing the care in her voice. Although she wasn’t his biological mother, he felt the same kind of protective concern. He nodded.

— "Yes, I'm fine. Just a little... overwhelmed. But ready."

However, his thoughts were playing a rock 'n' roll tune, impatient, eager to see more. He had spent his life trying to prove his worth. Now he didn’t care anymore; he didn't need to prove to everyone that he had nothing to prove to anyone!

She smiled, satisfied, and gave him a light squeeze on the arm before stepping back. Pierre felt a little more at ease. The human touch, though subtle, was what kept him grounded in that strange and awe-inspiring reality.

Upon boarding the **Stellaris**, Pierre was informed that the journey to the asteroid would be made in an induced sleep capsule. The thought of spending hours or perhaps days in deep sleep made him a bit apprehensive. Not being conscious during part of the journey was somewhat unsettling, but he knew this was the safest and fastest way to traverse such a colossal distance. Taking a deep breath and trusting in the technology and crew, Pierre settled into the capsule and allowed the artificial sleep to take over.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

As the capsule systems put him into deep sleep, Pierre allowed himself to imagine what awaited on the other side of his journey. Each star, each unknown planet, represented a new possibility. This thought calmed him. Somewhere, in the vastness of the universe, lay the answers he sought, and finally, he was on his way to find them.

When he awoke on the Razor asteroid, Pierre felt slightly disoriented. The transition from deep sleep to consciousness was not smooth, and it took him a few minutes to adjust. Soon, however, he regained focus. The space station embedded in the asteroid's surface was unlike anything he had ever seen: wide, bright corridors led travelers to the different docked ships, each more impressive than the last.

The environment was futuristic and dazzling, with lights pulsing in metallic tones that reflected off the silvery surface of the floor. Pierre followed the directions attentively, each step charged with anticipation. The next ship awaited him. He proceeded to the **Nebulon**, a smaller and more agile vessel, which would take him to his final destination.

This time, Pierre could watch space unfold before his eyes. As the Nebulon left the asteroid behind, he could finally see the stars, planets, and nebulas he had long dreamed of. It was a mesmerizing spectacle, a cosmic tapestry of colors and lights that filled his vision, making him feel a mixture of peace and reverence.

During the journey, Pierre allowed himself to relax, but his thoughts kept racing. The lessons he had studied about the various species inhabiting the cosmos now made even more sense. His mind returned to the *orcs*, whose characteristics he had studied in depth. He knew that the orcs were not just survivors. They possessed a physical transformation power that made them especially prepared to face the universe's challenges. Their ability to change shape to endure adverse conditions, adapt to hostile environments, or even fight in intergalactic wars fascinated Pierre.

Carrying the identification documents of an orc, Pierre couldn't help but wonder how humanity had lost its way. The orcs, like so many other species he had encountered in his studies, had evolved to transform not only their minds but their bodies, while humans remained trapped in a fixed, limited form.

After a smooth journey, the Nebulon entered the atmosphere of *Astralon*, a planet that seemed like something out of a dream. Astralon was an exuberant world, filled with skyscrapers and giant towers that seemed to reach the sky. As he descended into the stellar capital, called *Nexus*, Pierre was amazed by the view: bustling streets, flying cars, neon lights, and enormous holographic screens that brought the city to life. Creatures from all corners of the universe roamed the streets, filling the environment with life and diversity.

The creatures Pierre saw walking the streets were fascinating. Some were tall and slender, with shimmering skin in shades of blue and purple, while others had features reminiscent of animals, with pointed ears and fine fur along their arms. There were species with large, bright eyes, and others that seemed to be composed of technological parts, fused with their organic forms. The fusion of life and technology was perfect and natural as if the two were inseparable. What united all these beings, Pierre noted, was something deeper than appearance: they all seemed to share a common essence as if they were variations of the same universal pattern of life.

Pierre was fascinated by the uniqueness of each being he encountered, but also by the idea that they all, in some way, shared a common origin. Each species seemed to have evolved in different ways, adapting to the conditions of their home planets, yet all displayed an intrinsic beauty as if they were manifestations of the same stardust that formed the universe.

He remembered what he had learned: everything in the cosmos, ultimately, was made of the same fundamental elements.

As he walked through the bustling streets of Nexus, Pierre began to reflect on the human condition. Although humanity shared biological similarities with these other forms of life, there was something crucial missing: the ability to transform. The species he saw not only adapted physically to survive, but also evolved to meet the cosmos' challenges. Humans, however, remained trapped in their limited bodies, unable to keep up with the changes.

This realization hit him hard. Human life was short, not because of a lack of similarity to these other beings, but because humans never developed the necessary transformations to survive the infinite challenges of the universe. They failed to evolve physically, relying only on intelligence and technology. Now, Pierre clearly saw the difference: these other species had thrived for millennia because they embraced transformation as an essential part of their existence.

In the current universe, Pierre realized that any species that couldn’t live for at least two thousand years was a rarity. The longevity of these species was a result of their capacity for continuous adaptation and evolution. They understood that the journey of life was not just about survival, but about changing, evolving, and facing each new challenge with a new form.

With this understanding, Pierre felt a mix of sadness and resignation. Humanity, for all its technological achievements, had failed to grasp the importance of physical evolution. Now, as he walked through this vibrant and life-filled city, Pierre saw that the essence of existence lay in the ability to change and adapt. The species that thrived were those that accepted this truth, while humanity, unable to mold itself to the cosmos, had vanished.

This revelation made Pierre realize that his journey through the cosmos was not just about exploring new worlds, but also about exploring the very possibilities of life. He was faced with a profound truth: life was not just about intelligence or technology, but about transformation. And it was this transformation that allowed other species to survive where humans had failed.