Thundering slashes sounded throughout this spacious room. Invisible blades raced through the air before slicing cleanly through moving training drones.

A grotesque picture ensued as those drones revealed their partly biological, partly mechanical insides. Broken debris mixed with blood spread throughout the whole room.

Only the training chamber’s center remained free, leaving space for a creature full of contradictions.

Though its deeply black skin gave it a monstrous appearance, its streamlined face and athletic body emitted a wild beauty. Its head appeared surprisingly human, decorated by red hair sprouting from the back of its skull.

Its impossibly long hair was surrounding its sitting position right now.

He was the unique genius carefully reared by the Zrathras Clan, the sword of the Malohcras race.

He was Eldrak Prim Irom Furuwewent Zrathras.

At this moment the proud warrior was back on his clan’s spaceship. Many processes had been set into motion with his declaration of the Ritual of Ascendence.

Eldrak was uncertain if he was too hasty, but since he acted, he now had to bear the consequences. To the elders’ displeasure, their clan had to halt many operations and call all the members back, who could leave their positions.

While the other clans of their race were massively pissed off, they knew the ritual could only be stopped during the upcoming discussion among the elder’s council.

Since the Ritual of Ascendence was one of the Zrathras Clan’s most sacred traditions to choose a leader in times of crisis, it was naturally accompanied by a strict ruleset.

As the main perpetrator, Eldrak would have to face the council soon.

Of course, Eldrak, as a loyal descendant of the Zrathras, wouldn’t call for the ritual simply due to selfishness. Ever since their last general died during the 3rd Universal Conflict, also known as the War of Light, the elder council never found a suitable candidate to lead their clan.

Corruption, strive and lust for power even began to spread throughout the council, weakening their clan as a whole. Eldrak was determined to become the next general and show their clan’s might to the universe once again.

Therefore, the proud warrior concentrated on what was important. Elder Mouranek ignored him ever since they were back on the spaceship, but Eldrak didn’t mind as he stayed in his personal training room all the time.

Although a week of training couldn’t increase his strength much, Eldrak knew that his diligence builds a strong foundation for his success.

Suddenly a mechanical voice sounded in the room.

“Master Eldrak, elder Mouranek asked me to inform you that the human should wake up any minute now.”

Eldrak’s dangerous eyes opened calmly. The slashing sounds in the training center calmed down as the proud warrior recalled his destructive weapons. Six arms steadily flew towards Eldrak and reattached to his broad upper body.

This eerie scene might have frightened some humans into unconsciousness, but for the Zrathras Clan this was a normal occurrence.

Eldrak’s indifferent look swept the broken training drones.

He ignored the fearful trembling of a few intact dummies as he stood up. His majestic body towered over the debris while his long red hair cascaded down towards his ankles. Since his gorgeous hair scattered slightly, it resembled a natural cape highlighting Eldrak’s kingly aura.

“Clean this room.”

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With those words he left his training chamber, entering his living quarters. Although they were called this way, they didn’t have any of the commodities one might expect.

Eldrak had long left the stage where he would sleep or eat. High-leveled beings like him would simple life off mana absorption. Only serious injuries or exhaustion could force them to go into prolonged meditation.

Quickly grabbing some clothes fitting his human form, Eldrak entered a hallway and made his way towards Sophia.

Nightmares plagued her mind. Monsters had suddenly appeared in their village.

Their disgusting bodies and blood-lusted eyes would be stuck in Sophia’s head forever. Her frail body trembled as she franticly tried to shield her father.

She waited until someone would come to safe her. She knew the old Rottals could do so. But they didn’t come this time.

An older looking monster slowly made his way towards her. Terror overwrote her thinking.

Suddenly the old monster stretched its claws towards her. Before it reached her a body pushed the monster away. Sophie couldn’t hold back her scream nevertheless.

She woke up heavily and loudly breathing. Sweat gathered on her face. Sophia’s arms spasmed. She frantically looked around her.

The young woman’s eyes couldn’t register the unfamiliar environment. She searched for her father but couldn’t find any of the familiar faces.

Tears ran down Sophia’s cheek. She unconsciously touched them with her hands.

The wetness helped her to get her mind on track.

Trying to suppress her panic, Sophia told herself to keep it together. She knew she was in a potentially dangerous situation, so she had to observe her surroundings.

As she consciously felt the metallic surface her body was resting on however, Sophia realized her situation was worse than she could have imagined.

She couldn’t recognize any of the things in this room. A metallic floor, cold furniture and strange looking devices were placed next to her bed, but Sophia didn’t know what purpose any of them served.

Soon, her eyes were attracted to the only window. Despite the danger approaching her, the young woman stared in wonder. Stunning lights flew by the window, dancing amongst endless darkness. An unparalleled beauty took Sophia’s breath away.

She didn’t know what she was observing, but its allure unconsciously drew her in.

Sophia only managed to turn head away when the sound of steps brought her back to reality.

The young woman panicked as she was reminded of her predicament. Gathering all of her bravery, Sophia hurriedly grabbed a metallic cylinder next to her bed, before positioning herself at the only door.

With a low noise, the door slid to the side as a human leg came into Sophia’s view. The leg stopped for a second before continuing its walk.

As soon as a head appeared in front of her, Sophia didn’t hesitate any longer. The young woman who couldn’t hurt a fly in her life, gathered all her strength together. With a loud scream and closed eyes, she brought the cylinder down.

A loud bang sounded out.

“Ahh!”

Sophia’s pain filled voice reached Eldrak’s ears. He shook his head as he picked the bottle up from the ground.

His eyes mustered Sophia’s face before looking at her bloody hands. The webbing between her fingers teared from the rebound force.

“Courageous!”

Sophia couldn’t tell from his voice if he mocked or praised her. Maybe both.

Surprisingly she quickly regained control over her shivering body as she carefully took a step back. Her watery, brown eyes never left the man before her.

Meanwhile, Eldrak calmly rummaged through a cupboard nearby. After finding what he searched for, he turned around, holding a small metallic canister on his palm.

“Here. Put this on your wounds. They will heal quickly.”

Sophia focused on the medicine then back on Eldrak’s face.

“J…Josef?”

As if remembering something, the young woman suddenly took a few more steps back.

“NO! Stay away. You are one of them, right?!”

“You would do good in accepting my kindness.

Yes, I belong to the Zrathras Clan but I’m the only reason why you are still alive.”

Listening to Josef’s indifferent voice strangely helped Sophia to calm down.

“Zrathras Caln? Is this the name of those monsters? Why would you help them? And why would you safe me? Where are my friends?”

Sophia grit her teeth as Josef wouldn’t answer her. He silently stared at her then at the medicine in his hand.

Knowing she didn’t have a choice, the young walked forward and took the medicine from Josef’s palm. She looked at her hands as carefully covered them in yellow paste.

She watched in surprise as her hands healed at a visible speed. A few seconds later she raised her head again.

Suddenly Sophia’s breath stuck in her throat. She didn’t know how often a person could be shocked, but she would certainly reach her limit soon.

As her eyes found Josef’s face again it was suddenly replaced with that of a monster. A low, raspy voice sounded from its mouth.

“You would do best to get used to this...”

Then Sophia watched in disbelief as Josef’s skin turned dark. He took of his clothes before his athletic frame rapidly grew.

He had no reproductive organ between his legs, but six arms grew from his upper body. His feet formed terrifying claws as his hair fell from his head like a waterfall.

Sophia slid down the wall, weakly sitting on the ground, as Josef continued speaking:

“… because I am Eldrak Prim Irom Furuwewent Zrathras.”

A few seconds later Eldrak nodded his head in appreciation when he realized that Sophia wouldn’t faint from his appearance. Although the young woman definitely would love to do so.