[lost signal]
...
…
(Dark space)
...
…
In the shadowy void, a voice resonated, "Fascinating program, yet it feels incomplete," as a screen flickered with static.
"What could possibly be missing? "
"Ah, the finale! I hadn't seen it yet before that treacherous figure spoiled everything and altered the expected conclusion," the voice exclaimed, followed by a loud crash.
"Seems like something has you riled up, Veasna," another voice chimed in from the darkness.
"When have you been here, Mattan? " Veasna said, surprised to find his friend in his room.
"I've been here since the start of the series, and maybe it's time you looked away from that screen. It's blinding you to everything around you. If you keep fixating on it, you might miss out on what's happening right now, losing touch with reality while trying to predict every twist and turn of the plot," he said, urging his friend to take a break from the screen.
"Oh really, Mattan? What are you doing here then? I figured you'd be off living your grand adventures. And don't preach to me; you're just as guilty of getting lost in your own escapades, ignoring the fallout of your choices and where they might lead you," Veasna replied, frustration evident as he tried to push his bothersome friend away.
"Well, I should be busy with my own life anyway, so maybe I shouldn't share this little tidbit with you," he said, teasingly.
When Veasna heard this, his curiosity piqued about the information his friend was about to share. "Wait, what is it? " he asked eagerly.
"Believe it or not, one of the royal family members is still alive," Mattan said, anticipating Veasna's skepticism.
"Is that true? " Veasna replied, his expression a mix of confusion and intrigue.
"Is this really the big news? " he pressed, wanting to confirm if this was the crucial piece of information.
"Indeed," Mattan said, his tone both serious and playful, unaware of the grin spreading across Veasna's face in the dim light.
Suddenly, Veasna burst into laughter, leaving Mattan bewildered, and then it dawned on him.
"Wait, did you already know? I thought you mentioned at dinner that all the royal family would perish," Mattan exclaimed, disbelief etched on his face, as he had been itching to tease Veasna for ages.
"Is that really all there is to it? I had anticipated his demise would come later. It's not as if we were responsible for the downfall of the royal family, and to add insult to injury, it wasn't even one of the legitimate heirs who met this fate. It was a child born from one of the king's indiscretions, thrust into the spotlight, compelling the royal family to recognize this child not merely as an heir but as a distinct branch of their lineage. That alone was a profound humiliation, tarnishing the royal house's reputation among the noble houses," Veasna remarked, chuckling at Mattan's attempt to turn his prediction into a jest, only for it to backfire spectacularly.
"Damn, I thought I had the upper hand, but it seems you orchestrated this all along," Mattan replied, swinging open a door that flooded the room with light, causing Veasna to shield his eyes.
"Moreover, that deranged doctor has caught wind of our presence, so I urge you to keep a low profile for a while; they might intrude upon this sanctuary." This was Mattan's parting warning to Veasna as he stepped through the door and closed it behind him.
He gently shut the door behind him and strolled down the dimly lit hallway, pausing at an ornate antique door crafted from rich, earthy wood. As he turned the handle and stepped inside, he was met with the sight of a chaotic library, its wooden walls creating a warm contrast to the sterile exterior. His eyes roamed over the shelves, taking in titles like "The Contemporary Galaxy," "Rise of the Galactic Nations,""The Warring Galaxy," "Dusk of the Federation,""Dawn of the Federation," and "Pre-spacefaring Age." He absorbed the essence of each book, his curiosity piqued, until he was drawn to another wooden door.
Pushing it open, he was instantly enveloped by the inviting atmosphere of a beach house, the sound of waves crashing nearby beckoning him to explore further.
"There you are," he called out, moving toward a man lounging on a beach bed, gazing out at the tranquil sea while holding a book, he could make out the title, "Dust of the Ancients: Chemical and Structural Analysis of Pre-Collapse Cities." Mattan stepped into the man's line of sight, and as the man slowly lifted his head to see who had interrupted his peaceful moment, a sense of anticipation filled the air.
"Oh, Mattan! It's so good to see you! " the man exclaimed, a broad smile lighting up his face.
"Always a pleasure, Akashi. I'm a bit frustrated at the moment, though. That seer really pulled a fast one on me. But hey, I did make an effort to chat with him occasionally while he was busy making his predictions in that dim, shadowy room," Mattan replied, settling down next to Akashi. They began sharing stories, laughter filling the air as Mattan animatedly recounted his experiences, with Akashi listening with keen interest.
Suddenly, Akashi turned his gaze toward the horizon, his expression shifting to one of seriousness. "Mattan, do you want to hear something important? " he asked, his tone grave.
Intrigued, Mattan leaned in. "What is it? "
Taking a deep breath, Akashi continued, "In every history I've explored, from the present day to the time before the collapse of humanity's greatest civilization, and even before we ventured into space, we've unearthed relics from a long-lost era. Among the most significant discoveries are [Mind], [Gifts], and [Mystery]. remnants of an alien civilization that once dominated this galaxy."
Akashi turned to Mattan, both of them enveloped in the tranquil sounds of the beach, the rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore, and the gentle rustle of leaves stirred by the sea breeze.
"So, you're still reflecting on that day we consumed those potions that transformed us into who we are now," he remarked, but Akashi remained silent, lost in thought.
After a moment of silence, Mattan spoke, breaking the ice-cold silence of his question, "In what you said, I don't believe the end is imminent or even on the horizon, but a profound darkness is gradually stirring, Akashi. From all my journeys and the intelligence I've gathered, that's the message I must share with you."
"What? What do you mean? " Akashi asked, confusion etched on his face.
"There's new intel about the old civilization; they didn't perish instantly," Mattan replied, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
"What do you mean by that? " Akashi pressed, eager to learn more about the ancient society.
He glanced at his friends once more before continuing, "When I first received the intel, I was overwhelmed, drowning in the chaos of my room. But now, reflecting on what you've said about an impending end, I understand there's much more to discover. On a newly colonized planet near the space wound concealed within the dark nebula, one of the independent worlds uncovered something remarkable. They discovered murals illustrating an ancient civilization locked in a fierce struggle against a colossal darkness that threatened to consume the galaxy. At first, they hesitated to acknowledge it, as they hadn't fully comprehended the implications. They were oblivious to the origins of this darkness, who was behind it, or what it truly signified, so they never shared the knowledge of these ruins. We only learned of its existence from an operative after abandoning ship, which he or she was later recovered by the planet's natives," Mattan explained, their eyes locked in a moment of shared understanding before Akashi finally said,
"Thank you."
(END OF CHAPTER)
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