1. A CONSPIRACY:
Azmihu, Kinyahayan ante Jaeger akari Cassendrans kon hil har."
In the cold, damp shadows of Planet Bellucia, a minister bowed low. Translated from the native tongue, his message was simple: Your Majesty, the Jaegers and Cassendrans are preparing for a marriage.
A deformed, jagged figure emerged from the darkness. Haraki Hellugiya, the God-King of the Bellugians, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke from his pipe. His face was a map of scars and ancient malice.
"Thina karasukas, itukora kinahayan aaro itakoya. Itmis thina ka kil kararara Thiyak."
("I don't care about their vows," he rasped. "I only care about Thiyak.")
[ POV is changed from Thaya Jaeger to Raya Jaeger]
It was the first time my father and I had traveled alone to my mother's homeland: the Torasubana continent. It is a massive landmass divided among twenty different Arian tribes. My uncle, Astvana, leads them all. He was the visionary who secured peace between the Jaegers and the Arians by marrying his sister to my father.
Uncle Astvana had always hoped I would marry my cousin, Virrina, to solidify our bloodline. But now, with the Cassendran alliance, that hope was dead. I expected tension, perhaps even a closed gate. Instead, we were met with a grand welcome.
"Thank you, Astvana," my father said, clapping a hand on his brother-in-law's shoulder. "I feared you'd be reaching for your sword after hearing the news."
"There is no need for steel between brothers," Astvana replied, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "We have much to discuss. Privately."
They retreated to his study, where Astvana served two glasses of the 'Holy Water of the Keroni Ocean.'
"I will support you, Thaya," Astvana said after a long draught. "But you must promise me: eventually, your son will take an Arian bride. Our blood must remain intertwined."
"You have my word," my father promised. As they sipped their liquid prayers, I slipped away. I needed to find my cousin, Veera.
"Where is he, Uncle?" I asked.
Astvana's expression soured instantly. "He is... unwell. In the isolation ward."
"Unwell?" I didn't wait for an explanation. I ran to the ward and knocked. "Veera? It's Raya. Can I come in?"
A voice like cracking glass answered. "Come... in..."
I pushed the door open and froze. The room smelled of copper and rot. Veera was submerged in a tub filled not with water, but with thick, dark blood.
"Veera? You look like hell," I whispered, horrified.
"I'm already there, Raya," he gasped. His eyes were a terrifying, solid red, and his skin was sloughing off in grey patches.
"What happened?"
"I became a Bleeder," he wheezed. "The Kaira Ka Kash... the myth was real. I drank the Tears of Hydra, and the god-snake has claimed my flesh."
I stepped back. The Hydra—the water demon of Lord Mayoon. I thought it was just a story told to keep children away from the deep reefs.
Later, Virrina explained the tragedy. Veera had tried to tame the beast to prove he was the Arki Khun the Son of God. Instead, the beast had injected him with its 'Tears'—a venom that rots the body from the inside out. She said he would be lucky to survive until my wedding day.
As we left, my VoiceMaker buzzed incessantly. It was my twin sister, Rishi. She didn't need to ask what I'd seen; she already knew. Our brains are linked by a phenomenon "Psycotox" One of the seven elemental powers, she connected our consciousness using that. She dreams my sights, and I dream hers. By the time we returned home, the entire palace was mourning Veera in silence.
But the world kept turning. Only twenty-four hours remained before the wedding.
"Sorry for bothering you at midnight, Raya."
Illya handed me a steaming cup of coffee. "I think you'll need this for our long chat."
"Long chat? That sounds ominous," I teased.
She laughed gently. "Nothing bad. I just want to know who I'm actually marrying."
She asked about my family and my childhood, but then her tone shifted. Her eyes grew sharp, reflecting the moonlight. "What is your political aim, Raya?"
The question caught me off guard. I wasn't a politician; I was a boy who struggled to beat his sister in a duel. But Illya... she was different. She had led armies. She was a commander first, a princess second.
"Before I answer, what's yours?" I countered.
"To see the Bellugians burned into history," she said without a second of hesitation. "Now, your turn."
"I'll tell you," I said, standing up. "But not tonight."
The wedding was a blur of gold and steel. Ten clans sent representatives, and the Cassendran army performed a parade that shook the very foundations of the palace. The rituals—Arian, Jaeger, and Cassendran—stretched for hours.
By nightfall, I found myself in my father's private lounge with Commander Elvis.
"The Emperor is visiting Bellucia," Elvis reported, serving me tea. It was the first time he had treated me like a future King rather than a student.
"Does my father know you're telling me this?"
"He ordered it, My Lord."
I looked at the veteran commander. "Elvis... what do you believe in? Religions? Gods?"
"The Kalyans built their throne on the 'Golden City' and the influence of priests," Elvis replied. "But I? I follow no god. I follow the man who leads."
"A wise choice," I said.
Later, in the quiet of our new chambers, Illya asked me about the Golden City.
"I've visited many times," she said. "The Sheekims—those supernatural monks—rule it with an iron fist through Chariyanism."
"I'm half-Arian," I told her. "I follow Hariyanism."
"Then I will too," she smiled.
While we found peace in each other's company, a storm was gathering at the Space Harbour of Bellucia. Ten thousand Bellugian soldiers stood at attention as the Emperor of the Kalyans, Chashakam, and his daughter, Aryna, arrived.
The Emperor looked at the hideously deformed Haraki and sneered. "You look more wretched than ever, Haraki. I didn't come for a tour. Did you read my letter?"
Haraki knelt, his voice a guttural hiss. "I did. But killing every Jaeger in a single night is... complicated."
"What do you need?" Chashakam asked.
Haraki began to weave a web of betrayal. He wanted a marriage between his son and the Emperor's daughter to seal the pact. But as he spoke, he didn't notice the cold, pre
datory glint in Aryna Kalyan's eyes. Her heart held a poison far more lethal than the Tears of Hydra.
2. From the Ashes of Earth:
"The History of Thiyak :
It all began in 2257 AD. Planet Earth had become uninhabitable due to the catastrophic use of nuclear weapons. Civilizations collapsed as humanity regressed into a primal state, killing one another for food, oxygen tanks, and scraps of shelter. They didn't even have the fuel required to escape their dying world.
Then, a mysterious figure appeared—a man the survivors called "The Traveler." He presented an object known as the SEED to the people living in the valleys of the Great Himalayas. It was three feet tall, matte black, and shaped like the seed of a giant plant.
The Traveler ordered them to bury it deep within the Himalayan soil. One week later, it exploded. The blast was devastating, killing every animal and human in the vicinity. But when the smoke finally cleared, the mountain was encrusted with shining crystals. This was Cosmosium, the most powerful element in the universe—a miraculous substance that functioned as a limitless fuel, a panacea for medicine, and a devastating core for weaponry.
The Traveler called the crystal a gift from God and bestowed a book titled Kaira ka kash (The Way to Heaven) upon the few who had survived the fringes of the explosion. The infants born after the incident were changed by the SEED's energy; they possessed ears that pointed toward the sky and eyes of a brilliant, glowing blue. This marked the birth of the Arian race.
Believing themselves superior to humans, the Arians utilized two other SEEDS provided by the Traveler. They planted them in the most populated regions of the globe, producing Cosmosium in massive quantities. They renamed the planet Thiyak and established a new world religion called Hariyanism.
The Arians held absolute control over Thiyak, using their faith to discipline and dominate the population. However, everything changed the day they received a transmission from the "Divine Beings"—extraterrestrial entities with advanced warships and technology. Aware of the power of Cosmosium, the Divine Beings entered a trade: technology in exchange for the crystal.
Armed with this new tech, humanity finally spread across the stars. They colonized the galaxy, using Cosmosium to terraform barren worlds into lush, habitable homes. But as humanity spread, so did dissent. Factions rose against Arian rule. A group from Mars eventually overthrew the Arians, seizing control of the Cosmosium trade routes and forming the Kalyan Clan. Meanwhile, the resistance from Thiyak evolved into the Bellugian faction. Today, these and several other clans rule the disparate planets of SECTOR 143.
[ Illya ]: "Wait... when did the Divine Beings name our galaxy SECTOR 143? I thought it was called the Purple Sun's Centre."
[ Raya ]: "I guess... it was a long time ago. Maybe."
[ Illya ]: "I see. I didn't study the history books well... I was too busy concentrating on the war."
[ Raya ] : "It says here the Divine Beings renamed the galaxy Sector 143..."
[ Illya ] : "143? Sounds like a prison cell number. I always called it the Purple Sun's Centre. Much easier to coordinate a fleet around a giant star than a number."
[ Raya ]: " Well the divine beings not only named our galaxy with a weird name.... It's their traditions. "
[ Illya ]: "Hmm i understand.... Okay then... Continue reading"
[ Raya ]: "The Bellugians emerged as the rulers of Thiyak, but their fate was sealed by a group of hunters: the Jaegers. The Jaegers were brutal; they slaughtered half the population under Bellugian rule. Unable to withstand the relentless warfare, the Bellugians evacuated Thiyak permanently, establishing a new seat of power on the planet Bellucia—the world once known as our moon. Thus, the Jaegers became the new lords of Thiyak. Naturally, the remnants of the Arian race opposed them...
But then, my father, Thaya Jaeger, married an Arian woman—my mother. This union turned the Arians into our allies, but it deeply offended the Emperor and his Kalyan Clan. That is the political storm currently worrying my father."
[ Illya ]: "So... your people are murderers. Just brutal murderers."
[ Raya ]: "Careful, Illya. I know the history of the Cassendrians too."
I knew she was just teasing me, but I couldn't let her have the last word.
[ Illya ]: "Okay, okay! You win. I'm sorry, dear."
Seeing my new wife apologize with that cute expression and those wide eyes... how could I not forgive her? Still, I couldn't spend the entire day playing games with Illya. As the Crown Prince, I had a mountain of business demanding my attention.
I met with Iris, the son of Commander Elvis of the Jaegerists. Together with my wife, Crown Princess Illya, and my twin sister, Rishi—the Head of Administration—we were now responsible for the government.
All of us were inexperienced, but in my father's absence, the weight of the crown fell upon our shoulders. My father and Commander Elvis, alongside Havoc Cassendra, had departed Thiyak to attend a critical joint political summit on the planet Cassendra.
While they handled the diplomacy, Iris and I monitored the joint military exercises between the Jaegerists and the Cassendrian army. As we watched the battalions drill under the violet sky, Iris turned to me with a curious look.
[ Iris ]: "My Lord, what do you know of this person called 'Aryna Kalyan'?"
[ Raya ]: "She caught your attention, too? That's surprising."
[ Iris ]: "Why wouldn't she, My Lord? Our King and the High Nobles fear her name. Surely there is a reason."
[ Raya ]: "Perhaps. But unfortunately, I know nothing about her."
I lied. In truth, I knew exactly who she was, but her secrets were too dangerous to share, even with a friend like Iris.
Aryna Kalyan is the seventh child of Emperor Chashakam III of the Kalyan Clan. To the galaxy, she is the feared "Angel of Death," wielder of the Scepter of Detox—one of the seven supernatural "Origin Powers" unleashed when the first SEED ignited. It is the second most lethal ability in existence, capable of shattering a person's free will and bending them to her absolute command.
While the Kalyan people revere her as a living goddess, Aryna remains a mystery; the identity of her mother is unknown, a fact she treats with cold indifference. Her elder sister, Rita Kalyan, commands the Emperor's vast armies, but the Emperor's true obsession lies with Aryna. He pushed her through grueling, near-fatal trials to unlock "The Paradox"—the ultimate power—yet even her formidable spirit could not withstand the strain. Despite this "failure," Aryna remains so dangerous that even the Divine Beings who shadow the universe watch her with a sense of dread.
Her name, itself causes fear in many noble courts...
But, i don't think she's a bigger threat just because she has the DETOX power.
The recent rumours about he
r marrying the heir of the Bellugians, Feriyan. It may lead to the formation of alliance between the Kalyan and Bellugians just like how we, Jaegers and Cassendrans formed an alliance by Illya Cassendra marrying me. I believe that the rumour may be true as the Emperor is not
happy with our power growth and influence in the Cosmosium trade. I don't know how this story will go, but I'm not afraid to face anything.
3. Nightmare Of An Angel:
My mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts, a chaotic roar that I couldn't silence. I didn't have to say a word for Rishi to feel it; she simply looked at me, her brow furrowed with concern. This was our shared boon—and our curse. Rishi is the wielder of Psycotox, one of the seven elemental powers, which allows her to bridge the gap between our consciousnesses. As twins, our minds are inextricably linked, making us a formidable, if not dangerous, pair. But while my sister could see my confusion, she couldn't resolve it. For the clarity I sought, I needed the counsel of my uncle.
We set out for the North of Thiyak, toward the Land of Hariya—my mother's ancestral home. Accompanying me was Iris, his presence a silent comfort as we crossed the frost-rimmed borders. I had visited these lands many times with my family, but this journey felt fundamentally different. I wasn't there for a reunion or the warmth of a hearth. I was there on a cold, political mission to meet Astvana, my mother's elder brother and my father's most trusted confidant. For the first time, the weight of the Jaeger name felt heavy on my shoulders, and the air of Hariya smelled not of home, but of impending war.
The sight of my mother's hometown—no, our hometown—was as breathtaking as ever. We entered Lita, the capital city of Hariya, where towering statues of the god Mayoon watched over the bustling streets. It was a place of vibrant green trees, the laughter of children playing in the squares, and masterfully crafted stone houses that spoke of a long, proud heritage.
Dominating the horizon was the Divine Tree, its canopy so vast it seemed to brush against the distant stars. The tree served as both a palace and a temple, rooted deep into a mountain made entirely of pure Cosmosium. I looked over at Iris; even as a soldier, he seemed speechless, his eyes wide as he took in the sheer scale of the Arian sanctuary.We were welcomed by the high priests and nobles of the temple, their robes rustling as they bowed. Then, with a radiant smile, my uncle stepped forward.
[ Astvana ]: "Welcome home, my boy..."
He pulled me into a tight, grounding hug.
[ Raya ]: "Thank you, Uncle. It feels good to be back after so long."
[ Astvana ]: "How are your parents? And where is Rishi? I expected to see your twin at your side."
I felt a faint tingle at the back of my skull—Rishi's way of acknowledging our uncle's greeting
[ Raya ]: "They are well. And while Rishi couldn't make the journey physically, she is seeing everything I see through our bond. She says hello, in her own way."
[ Astvana ]: "Ah, yes. I always forget how thin the veil is between you two. And who is this young man accompanying you?"
[ Raya ]: "My apologies, Uncle. This is Iris, my aide. He is the son of Commander Elvis."
[ Astvana ]: "Excellent. You are building a strong circle, Raya. That is the first step toward becoming a true ruler."
[ Raya ]: "I have to. The times ahead won't allow for anything less."
[ Astvana ]: "Spoken like a king. Come, you've traveled far. Let us eat; the midday meal is prepared."
[ Raya ]: "Perhaps later, Uncle. There are shadows gathering that we need to discuss immediately."
I didn't wait for the pleasantries to continue. I began to explain the political shifts, the rumors of the Kalyan alliance, and the heavy silence coming from the fathers' summit.
After hearing my frantic report, my uncle remained unnervingly still.
[ Astvana ]: "You have to calm down first, kid."
[ Raya ]: "How can I be calm, Uncle? The world is shifting under our feet. I don't know what is about to unfold."
[ Astvana ]: "Understand this, Raya: if the shadows fall, you do not stand alone. You do not just have the Jaegerist legions at your back; you have the strength of 8.5 billion Arians. You may be half-Jaeger, but you are also half-Arian. Never forget the power that flows through your veins."
He patted my head, his expression softening with a rare moment of genuine pride.
[ Astvana ]: "Your father is the bravest man I have ever known, and your mother is the fiercest woman alive. That is the blood that makes you and Rishi who you are. So, stand tall. Be confident."
His words gave me a flicker of hope, but the weight in my chest remained. I left the room, leaving the politics behind to visit my cousin, Veera.
He was currently confined to the medical wing, undergoing a transformation that the world called a curse, but our people called a miracle.
Veera had become a "Bleeder." After consuming the tears of a Hydra, he had been struck by a plague that would have killed a normal human. But to the Arians, this was the fulfillment of the Kaira ka kash; the Bleeder marks the arrival of the prophet, Arki-khun, the Son of Mayoon.
I found him in a specialized chamber, submerged in a tub of his own fluids. His body was continuously hemorrhaging, his flesh seemingly dissolving into the liquid. It wasn't red like ours, however; it was a brilliant, glowing blue.
The Arians call it The Divine Water, and they gathered around his tub in prayer, waiting for a god to rise from the very gore that was destroying my cousin.
I ordered the priests to clear the chamber, my voice leaving no room for argument. I needed to be alone with him. I could barely see his features through the shimmering blue haze of the tub, but I felt his gaze. He knew I was there.
[ Veera ]: "Long time no see, Raya... I can smell the disturbance in your mind. It's thick, like smoke."
[ Raya ]: "I bet you can. But looking at you now... you're in a worse state than last time, Veera."
[ Veera ]: "A matter of time, truly. Soon, I will disappear entirely. But it's for the greater good, isn't it? For the prophecy..."
His voice suddenly warped, losing its human edge. At that exact moment, Rishi's voice screamed in the back of my skull, sharp enough to make me wince.
"Something is wrong, Raya! Get out of there!"
But it was too late. A cold, absolute vacuum took over my mind. My free will vanished, replaced by a singular, booming command that echoed from the very depths of the room:
"DRINK."
Without a second of hesitation—as if my body no longer belonged to me—I reached into the tub and drank the glowing blue blood. A violent, searing warmth erupted in my chest, spreading through my veins like liquid fire. My vision swam, the blue light of the chamber turned to blinding white, and then... darkness took me.
I woke up—or rather, I was thrust into a vision so vivid it felt like a second life. I was lying in a bed, and beside me lay Aryna Kalyan.
[ Raya ]: "What... what are you doing here?"
[ Aryna ]: "What's wrong, darling? Did you have a nightmare?"
Her voice was soft, intimate—a terrifying contrast to the "Angel of Death" I knew from the records.
[ Raya ]: "What the hell is this...!"
I bolted from the bed and threw open the doors, only to find a world engulfed in flames. An entire planet was shattering before my eyes. A man stood at my side, bowing low.
[ Soldier ]: "We await your orders, Arki-khun."
Behind him stood Rishi, Illya, and Iris, their faces cold and waiting. I let out a jagged scream that tore through the vision and brought me back to reality.
I was in the temple, drenched in cold sweat. My uncle and Veera's sister, Virrina, were hovering over me with looks of sheer terror.
[ Virrina ]: "Raya! Are you alright? You need water..."
[ Raya ]: "I'm... I'm fine now. Thank you. A sip would be... helpful."
I reached out through the mental tether, my heart pounding.
Rishi? Did you see that? Did you see the nightmare?
[ Rishi ]: "No, Raya. I was disconnected from your consciousness the moment you drank. I've been trying to reach you for hours. Are you truly okay?"
[ Raya ]: I'm fine. Don't worry.
[ Rishi ]: "We're on our way to Lita. We'll be there soon."
I looked at Uncle Astvana and Virrina. Their faces were hollowed out by grief. I looked toward the tub, but the glowing blue light was gone. I asked about Veera, though my gut already knew the answer.
They spoke only two words, and the world seemed to go cold.
"He's dead."
By the time Rishi, Illya, and my mother arrived, the city of Lita had transformed into a landscape of grief. A mass funeral had been prepared for the Bleeder, and a staggering crowd of over a billion Arians had gathered along the shimmering shores of the Lita Sea.
The air was thick with incense and the low hum of prayer.
My father, still occupied at the summit, sent his condolences via a VoiceMaker message—his booming, steady voice echoing through the temple halls, though it felt hollow compared to the silence in my heart. As the crowds gathered outside, I retreated into the privacy of my mind to speak with my sister.
[ Raya ]: "Rishi... that nightmare I had. It wasn't just a dream. It felt... prophetic. I saw Aryna Kalyan."
[ Rishi ]: "So, she has found her way into your head as well? Her influence is spreading further than we feared."
[ Raya ]: "It's more than that. I didn't see the 'Angel of Death' from the archives. She was... affectionate. She acted dearly toward me, as if we were..."
[ Rishi ]: "That is beyond weird. That's impossible. What else did you see, Raya?"
I hesitated, the image of the burning planet and the soldiers calling me "Arki-khun"
flickering behind my eyelids.
[ Raya ]: "I saw the end of everything. And I was the one leading the march."
~ To be Continued.