Chapter 38 : Absolute Salvation On the black sphere, the Revered Mother was finalizing her work. While the scyllas were fighting what was left of the void legions, the Revered Mother created a perfect spell formation system. Every symbol had a role to play, every circuit was efficient to its fullest, and not a single energy particle was wasted in the process. If the Lunaris scholars could see this spell formation, they would all be shocked by its perfection. While mana exists in both universes, its form is different in the two dimensions that surround the universes. Both the Void and Singularity energies are made of mana, the main difference is how this mana is expressed in the material world. This mainly depends on the laws regulating these two dimensions. The Singularity energy is dense, stable, and highly responsive to its environment. That is why the rifters can use it easily without risks once they managed to control their black matter, and it is also why the Scyllas can create such powerful spells. This energy is as malleable as clay, which makes it easy to manipulate. On the other hand, the Void energy is highly volatile and extremely unstable. Because of this, only a few people in both dimensions can manipulate it. Even among the mighty Scyllas, only the rare ones who descend from the few Ancient Scyllas born in the Void, like Optio Carceris, were able to manipulate the Void energy without putting their life at risk. If the properties of Singularity energy cause it to behave like clay, the properties of Void energy would be more akin to volcanic lava. Working with Void energy is difficult unless you are compatible with it and immune to its effects, and even then, absolute control over it is required to avoid being damaged in the process. Jun is the perfect example of how difficult and dangerous it is to control Void energy, yet how powerful it can be when used to its maximum potential. Only by losing the use of his left arm the first time he utilized this unstable energy did he realize how cautious he would need to be later in order to use it effectively. In terms of pure destructive output, the Void energy is much stronger than its counterpart from the Singularity. The Void surrounds both the Singularity and the universes, this dimension is what keeps the universes separated from each other. Thus, the absolute laws regulating the Void had to adjust its energy properties in order to make it volatile and capable of spreading over endless distances while preserving its strength. On the other hand, the Singularity required a robust and dense enough energy to keep the dimension in place, as it is the place where the two universes collided and only stable energy could compensate for the instability of this dimension. If those two dimensions were a country, the Singularity would be the small but highly fortified capital in its center governing the country, while the Void would be the large expanses of plains, hills and countryside spreading across the whole territory. A fortified capital would need heavily armored troops to defend the city, while in the countryside the use of light or mounted troops would be better for their mobility. Both energies have different properties to fit their dimensions needs, both have their pros and cons in each situation, both have their use, and both were needed for the Revered Mother to complete her ritual. The purpose of this spell was to create a giant dimensional rift that would absorb and consume the Revered Mother's own essence, which is what links the two universes and the two dimensions together since the Great Collision. When the Revered Mother's essence will be consumed and cease to exist, the two dimensions, deprived of their anchor point, will be destabilized and not able to be sustained anymore : they will end up collapsing on themselves. One must admit that luck has played its part again, as the body that the revered mother possessed has been exceptional ; it was perfect for what she had to do. Although humans in their original form are so fragile that they can die from even the weakest cosmic radiation, Jun's physique is different. The Scyllas protocols made Jun's body compatible with the Singularity energy when he fused with Tassadar, his black matter, and became a Void Rifter. Even if during the numerous battle he took part in Jun never used the Singularity as much as the other rifters did, he was still highly compatible with it. The only reason he didn't unleash more Singularity energy than just his Dark Armor and Dark Blade was because of his mastery over the Void energy. Unlike the other rifters, he had access to a far more lethal source of power. This came as an even bigger surprise to the Revered Mother when she took control of this human's body. She already knew that in addition to the Singularity energy Jun could manipulate the Void energy, yet she never expected him to be so highly compatible with both of them. He was equally compatible with the Void and the Singularity which was considered to be impossible, especially for a lowly organic life-form like him. She didn't know what Primus One and his brothers did to those specimens to transform these lowly organic creatures into Void Rifters, but after seeing Jun's body with her own eyes, she had to admit that Scyllas' limitless ingenuity and creativity surprised her yet again. Even she, as a cosmic deity not constrained by any absolute law from the material world and capable of manipulating both energies, does not have equal control and compatibility with both. She is far more at ease with the Singularity energy than she is with the Void energy, as the Singularity dimension is the origin of her birth and the place she spent an eternity trapped in. The reason why the Void Energy has always been deemed superior during battle to the Singularity energy, even by the Scyllas themselves, is because of how difficult it is to be manipulated well ; only a few individuals from both dimensions are able to utilize it efficiently. There was little to no chance of finding someone who could properly manipulate both energies, and yet, such a person came to her by himself. Jun's body was a miracle for her, it allowed her to save an insane amount of time and power to finish her ritual. In the end, the Revered Mother couldn't ask for a better container for her soul. If she had used another body compatible with only a single type of energy, she would have needed to compensate for it by using a greater part of her own power. After realizing how lucky she was to obtain Jun's body, she started to doubt if the River of Fate didn't play a part in this process. What if all she intended to do to defy Fate has been actually scripted a long time ago ? What if going against the current of the Great River of Fate was a part of Fate itself ? What if it has been her destiny from the very beginning ? Or is it even possible that no matter what she does, the River of Fate will still bring the inevitable outcome ? Even if her suspicions were verified and she was only playing in the palms of entities superior to her, who is already a powerful deity, she couldn't stop now. She wouldn't give up until the very end even if what she's about to do is part of the Great River of Fate, for the simple reason that this is the only choice she has left. Thinking about this before activating her spell, she had to admit that she wasn't all that different from this human she had taken control of. This poor life-form, although being the weakest among all, never surrendered, never bowed his back, and always remained faithful to his beliefs. She couldn't help but laugh at this thought. ___ Meanwhile, a few thousand kilometers away from the dark sphere, the Scyllas were engaged in a ferocious battle with the legion troops that remained behind with their war leader and his dreadnought. Although Aubouros had finally convinced the war chief to trust the Lone Slayer intels and save his people as he was advised, he still decided to stay behind. And to no one's surprise, Admiral Aubouros volunteered and also decided to stay behind when the War Chief asked for at least one of his Admirals to stay behind. Even if they all fought to be the one permitted to stay behind, they all gave up when Aubouros argued back. They all knew how clever Aubouros was, and they also knew that if they ever got into an argument with him, they would never win. Only the 2nd legion Admiral stubbornly argued until the end and tried to stay in the Singularity to get his revenge for all the people he lost during the last battle. Only the 2nd legion Admiral persisted to the end, attempting to remain in the Singularity in order to exact his vengeance on the Scyllas for all the people he had dramatically lost during the last battle. Respecting his Admiralty's decision, the War Chief chose to let the 2nd Admiral and Aubouros discuss and determine who would stay. They couldn't agree as both wanted to stay, which the War Chief flatly refused. He clearly told them that while he deeply respects their bravery, he does not wish for more unnecessary death anymore, especially among his loyal Admirals who followed him for so many years. Seeing that Aubouros and the second legion Admiral wouldn't be able to compromise and let their spot to the other, he decided to play it fair and let Fate choose for them : they would do a coin toss. Aubouros chose head, the 2nd Admiral chose tail. It ended up being head. Once the result has been decided that it would only be Aubouros staying behind, the three remaining Admirals were tasked to leave and led their people to safety. Even though they realized how vital their duty was and why they couldn't all stay behind, they were nonetheless hesitant to leave their War Chief behind. They ultimately agreed to leave the Singularity after a few minutes of sorrowful speech from the War Chief, their hearts burdened from the feeling of cowardly retreating and leaving their so-respected leader dying behind. Still, they did not disobey, and as their ships passed through the gates, they couldn't help but stare back at those courageous soldiers who had the honor of remaining behind with their War Chief till the end. They pledged to never forget any of those who fell during this war nor any of those who stood heroically with their leader's dreadnought, awaiting certain death. They would honor their memory, and their accomplishments will be living during millenniums amidst their people. Even though they trusted Jun and they accepted the idea that both dimensions will collapse, Aubouros and the War Chief refused to leave the Singularity until they were sure that the scyllas would never again be a threat to their people. Once the War Chief received the confirmation that all the ships he ordered to flee went through the gates, he gave the order to shoot at the gates with his dreadnought heavy weaponry to destroy all of them. They were now trapped, with no other way out of the inevitable. They were now on their own, aware that none of them would survive. Despite being outnumbered by 10 to 1, all the Void natives that decided to stay behind to die with their leader fought extremely well. They all knew their end was close, and yet their morale has never been higher. They knew that their sacrifice was the premise of something greater for the people they left behind ; for their families, their offspring, their clans, their brethren, or anyone else they cared about and fought for. After several hours of intense battle, the Scyllas finally managed to destroy the majority of the ships escorting the dreadnought, not without effort. The Scyllas were surprised to see how much effort was needed to destroy a single heretic ship, even when they had such a superior firepower on their side. Every ship they destroyed cost them considerably more, and every Void ship fought until the bitter end. Some of the Void commanders, conscious of their ultimate fate, even instructed their ship to charge and ram into the Scyllas fleet in order to cause as much damage as possible before dying. It went on for hours, until only the dreadnought, Aubouros' battlecruiser, and a few remaining cruisers were still battling. When the Scyllas were close to finishing them off, a dimensional rift appeared right in the middle of their formations, just where the black sphere had been. Primus One, still thinking that it was part of his revered mother's rite to ultimately call herself into the material world, commanded his whole fleet not to leave or panic, proudly assuring all of his commanders that everything was proceeding as planned. On the contrary, after noticing the gigantic rift slowly growing behind the Scyllas fleet, the War Chief finally understood that Jun has been correct, and as Aubouros stated, he never lied to them once. He knew from the energy signal his sensors detected that when this dimensional rift will collapse, the incredibly high energy burst created would destabilize and annihilate both the Singularity and the Void in just a fraction of a second. As a result, he decided to charge straight at the enemy to cause enough damage to their ships' engines before they realize what the rift was about to accomplish. Everything must be done to prevent them from fleeing. Aubouros thought the same as his War Chief. Thus, he selfishly decided to ram the Scylla mother-ship with his heavily damaged battleship that was about to be destroyed anyway, before detonating its reactor. He didn't doubt for a single second when taking his decision, he knew that despite the war and all the atrocities the Scyllas did to his people, he had the chance to live a long and fulfilled life. Strangely, his last thought hasn't been to his people or his home-world, but to a single individual that left a deep impression on him during the last years. Because of his racial characteristics, Aubouros always had an easy time reading and understanding people's minds. He knew that before being respected among his peers, most of the people he interacted with were feeling either fear or disgust toward him. Even his War Chief, sometimes, seemed afraid of Aubouros skills. Afraid of him being capable to see through his disguise, which unfortunately has been the case since the first day they met. And still, Aubouros always kept his cool and never shared this secret with anyone. Everyone had fears, everyone had weights on their conscience that they were ashamed of... Everyone avoided contact with him, by fear of their secrets being revealed. Everyone, except one person. A brave soldier that his legion named The Lone Slayer. This feeble and weak human who struggled since the day he woke up in the Scylla ship. No matter how hard were the ordeals he had to go through, he always tried his best to emerge victorious while protecting those who fought alongside him. Aubouros had a lot of respect for Jun, but as he went closer and closer to his death, his sight suddenly brightened in a flash of lucidity and he understood that he felt something much more important and valuable than respect toward this human : true companionship. Not once did Jun was afraid of Aubouros or doubted his words. Not once did he try to harm him or his legion. Not once did he lie to him. Up until now, Aubouros never fully understood how such a complex mind could fit in such a small organic brain. This person has been the only one to truly think of Aubouros as a friend, and not as an asset, a superior or just an ally. And now that the end was near, Aubouros couldn't help but think about him. He thanked him from the deepest part of his heart, before getting his resolve back and giving the final order to blow up his ship's reactor. The explosion of the massive Third Legion battleship was powerful enough to discharge the Scylla mother-ship's shields for a moment, giving the War Chief a perfect timed window in which he could use the armament of his dreadnought to its fullest. The huge and imposing kinetic heavy-calibers mounted all across the top and broadside of the Dreadnought all took aim, all the missiles silos opened themselves, the giant AM cannon hidden inside the dreadnought charged itself... All the most destructive weaponry still working on the mighty dreadnought prepared themselves, before concentrating all their firepower in a single place : the mother-ship rear deck, where the engines were hidden and protected under a dense exotic plating. The powerful cannon batteries, towering above the dreadnought like an array of huge metal towers, poured out all their blazing fire at the same time. All available missiles, torpedoes or rockets have been released at once, leaving behind them uncountable white smoke trails. It looked like a giant spider sending an infinite multitude of webs thread to its enemy, the mother-ship, to drown it in fire and destruction. Despite still being under the suppressed fire of the entire Scylla fleet, the War Chief's dreadnought didn't stop for a second and poured everything it had onto the enemy mother-ship. Once most of the outside hull plating has been reduced to dust, when the mother-ship shields were about to be restored, the War Chief finally ordered the use of the powerful AM cannon, which was still charging energy up until now. This heavy-looking dreadnought on which all sorts of beams and projectiles were profusely raining, slowly turned itself until its bow faced the enemy and was directly aligned to the mother-ship engines. Several armor traps opened at the front of the dreadnought until deep inside, before a loud low-pitched sound resounded and echoed through the entire mother system. A powerful energy shot that seemed so fast and concentrated that it went faster than time itself, pierced the engines of the mother-ship, leaving behind a blazing but cleanly cut hole. This was the most powerful weapon the Void natives had access to, installed inside the most powerful ship they ever built. This Acceleration-of-Mass cannon was so destructive that its projectile could easily penetrate a giant red star from one end to the other. The only reason why it hasn't been used until now was to keep it secret from the Scyllas as a trump card, but also because of the many requirements needed for this weapon to be able to shoot. Despite the fact that this AM cannon has been mounted on the Dreadnought, a highly technological treasure, the energy consumption was so great that the dreadnought ended up only powered by the emergency reactors after shooting only once, since all the energy of its main reactor has been exhausted in a single shot. When the Scyllas witnessed their mother-ship, which had transcended the eras and had always been their home for thousands of years, getting hit so hard and being severely damaged for the first time since its construction, they all went insane. Many of them broke the formation and they all gave their all to finally destroy this heretic dreadnought and the few remaining ships still following it. The whole Scylla fleet kept focusing their fire on the dreadnought, and only after hammering it down with the hardest firepower they could generate for several minutes, did they ultimately manage to bring it down. The dreadnought continued to lose pieces of its hull, and with each impact, another piece vanished into the depths of the Singularity. Despite being constructed using the strongest materials available in the Void and being an impregnable fortress for so long, it is now only but a shadow of its former self. An inert shipwreck drifting in the direction of the enemy fleet, being so massive and densely armored that it only got slightly deviated by the insane barrage of fire it received. Despite their best efforts, the Scyllas could not prevent the dreadnought from approaching them. Each of their Gauss cannon rounds smashed into the heavy mass of the dreadnought, and despite their hardest attempts, they were only able to slow it down rather than entirely destroy it. After going through such a hell, nobody was expected to still be alive anyway. As usual, the Scyllas' arrogance took over their reason and when they saw no life signatures remaining on their scanners, they decided to halt their attack to board and scavenge what was left of the dreadnought wreckage. A lot of the Scyllas commanders, who were scientists before being soldiers, were interested in this unknown AM cannon hidden inside the main decks. They never expected the Void to come up with a weapon deadlier than their heavy Gauss cannons and their purple Obliterator Beams they were so proud of. Little did they know that one person was still alive, and waiting for them to get close. Standing alone in a completely destroyed control room, gripping tightly his seat while looking at the charred bodies of his subordinates. His armor was almost completely broken, he seemed heavily injured and yet not a single drop of blood flowed out of his body. He took off his heavy helmet and the remaining pieces of his armor that were impeding him. This special outfit has been specially crafted for him with a unique material that prevented any type of surveillance to spy on him and determine his identity. When he took off his helmet, no visage could be seen. When he took off his gauntlets, no arms could be seen. When he took off his leg plates, no legs could be seen. Only when he took off his chest plate, did something appear. A stone, floating above the ground, as if it was attached to someone invisible. This war chief, who hated the Scyllas so much and for so long, was no more than a Scylla himself. And yet, he had no Templar clone. He didn't need one since he was a direct descendant from an Ancient Scylla lineage that explored the Void and decided to reside there in peace, far from the bloody hell of the Singularity and its constant war. After the actual Scyllas discovered and invaded the Void with untold millions of brainwashed Void Rifters, after the War Chief fought with all his might to defend his home-world, after he decided to unite the various species and tribes living in the Void to form a single army divided into 5 legions, he still needed to find a way to enter the Singularity. Even if Primus One was exceptionally intelligent and innovative in his studies, the first Scylla to envisage a soul-container to access the Singularity was none other than the War Chief, many centuries before Primus One. This soul-stone was the only thing he share in common with these filthy Scyllas. Compared to them, he didn't use a clone but instead he linked his stone to his armor. And now, this shattered soul-stone was about to break. The War Chief embraced death with honor and elegance. He spent his life fighting his own species for the salvation of his people the Void natives, and yet he wouldn't be able to see them die. Now, everything rested on a single person's shoulders. "Aubouros, my friend... I hope you were right about this human..." The War Chief slowly muttered, before advancing to the center of the control room, and pressing a control tab to overload the reactor of his dreadnought.