CHAPTER 8 EDITED

Knowledge is so easily lost. At any one time, perhaps six people truly understand a subfield; lose all of them, and you’re set back at least a decade.

Use this to your advantage, and know your value.

— An experienced expert philosopher

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Sector 3 wasn’t quite how Alex remembered it. Granted, he hadn’t paid much attention the last time he visited. If memory served, he had been a mere 40 years old at the time—still engrossed in the day-to-day pleasures of life. Everyone had that phase, especially in the royal family. Ah, those were the days, Alex thought wistfully.

Glancing over at Gerald, Alex quickly checked his adamantite bracelet, ensuring it maintained contact with his skin. Reminiscing has its place, but it’s not while being watched.

“We’ll be heading directly into the fort,” Gashon said, his tone all business. “It likely won’t be enough to protect against any sufficiently determined void entity, but it’s better than nothing.”

Anything’s better than what happened last time, Alex thought, nodding. The sight of the structure before them did provide a measure of comfort. The massive expanse of reinforced alloy shimmered under energy shields, making the palace seem laughably unprotected by comparison.

“Why is this place better fortified than the palace?” Alex mused aloud.

“There’s no time for such questions now,” Gashon replied as they approached the suspended bridge leading from the landing pad to the fort. “We need to focus on gathering information and preparing for what’s coming.”

“Fine,” Alex said, his tone pointed. “So, while we wait for these so-called ‘experts,’ what do you actually know about void entities?”

Gashon cast Alex a sidelong glance. “Far less than I’d like. All I know is that these entities have been categorized as a dormant threat, determined to have been asleep for at least 8,000 years.”

Alex frowned. That’s not much to go on. His knowledge of void entities was limited to the fairy tales his mother used to tell him as a child—stories of formless shadows that consumed entire stars. Those memories weren’t exactly pleasant; his mother and father had died during the Third Xeno Wars.

“So... we know nothing,” Alex said flatly, glancing at Gerald, who nodded in agreement.

“Let’s hope these experts know more,” Alex muttered as they entered the fort.

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SOME TIME LATER

The room Alex found himself in was yet another poorly decorated atrocity. To its credit, it was marginally better than the one Aunt Sherry had left behind on the X450.

Staring at the clock on the wall, Alex noted that it had been over an hour since they’d arrived. By his calculations, there were only one or two hours left before the time he had died last time.

My final moments in a poorly decorated room, Alex thought bitterly. And I’m not even allowed to play cards.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

He’d attempted to start a game of War, or even Mafia, but Gashon had shut him down with a glare. The tension in the room was palpable. Gashon seemed almost haunted by the possibility that yet another royal might die under his watch.

Well, hopefully not, Alex thought. His backup plan was simple: negotiate with the voice. It hadn’t seemed intentionally malicious the first time around—at least, he hoped not. Wouldn’t it be the height of irony if all these royals were killed by accident? Not that he particularly wanted to find out.

Whatever the void entities wanted, Alex wanted no part in it.

Breaking the silence, Alex announced, “I’m bored. If another ten minutes go by, we’re playing Mafia, and no amount of glowering from you, Gashon, will stop me.”

Luckily—or perhaps unluckily—for Alex, he didn’t have to wait much longer. The door creaked open, and in walked a woman wearing a traditional Glox suit and, bafflingly, tweed pants. So last millennium, Alex thought.

“Hello,” she said briskly. “I’m Professor Sarah Greenberg of Gloxwork University. I was told my expertise is required.”

Gashon’s tense expression softened slightly. “I’m glad you made it safely, Professor Greenberg. What of the others?”

Sarah hesitated, glancing to the side. “Well, I was told I’m the only expert you could find on the topic. I could’ve sworn I had colleagues, but it’s been a while since our last symposium. All that nonsense with the royal sponsorships, you know.”

She paused, her gaze shifting nervously to Alex. “Not that there’s anything wrong with the royal family, of course! May they prosper!” Her voice dripped with a forced, patriotic bravado.

Alex smirked. “I imagine 1,000 changes in leadership might put a wrench in things. Don’t worry—I won’t censor you for saying it.”

His expression darkened, his eyes sharp. “But we’ll set that aside for now. Through fate or some other machination, it now falls to you to save my life. Tell us everything you know about void entities.”

Sarah’s face paled. “Y-your life?! I... I don’t know if I can possibly be of help to someone in your station!” She stammered, clearly overwhelmed.

Both Gashon and Gerald leaned forward as she took a deep breath. “Besides, I couldn’t possibly cover everything I know about void entities in less than a month! I’d be happy to, but I was under the impression there was some urgency to this situation.”

Alex tapped his chin thoughtfully. “How about this, then: I’ll explain the situation, and you tell us what might help.”

Sarah nodded shakily, and Alex began recounting the events leading to his death, sparing no detail. Even Gashon learned new information as Alex spoke. Every so often, Alex’s gaze darted to the clock.

By the end of the explanation, Sarah’s hands were trembling.

“So, what’s the damage, Sarah?” Alex asked calmly, though his eyes betrayed his anxiety.

It took a moment for Sarah to compose herself. Gashon, impatient, broke the silence. “Sarah, we need to know what we’re dealing with. Now.”

Sarah jumped, wiping sweat from her brow. “It seems...” she began hesitantly, “that the entities are awake. And they’ve likely been awake for some time. It’s probably tied to the Royal Contract—specifically targeting the royal family.”

Alex’s brow furrowed. “Go on.”

Sarah took another shaky breath. “More importantly, we appear to be caught in what’s called a ‘universal cascade.’”

“A universal cascade?” Alex repeated, his voice even.

“It means,” Sarah said with a resigned sigh, “that unless we figure this out, you’re going to be stuck in what feels like a loop... and we’re all going to be dead.”