Solar Blood Masters (163)

Chapter 163 - Fifty Million Years Of Darkness

BOOM! BOOM!

“Kill those alien bastard!”

A fleet of human battleships engaged in a fierce battle against an alien armada. Energy blasts crisscrossed the void, painting a chaotic tapestry of light and destruction.

"Mega Death Blow Cannons… FIRE!" a battalion commander bellowed.

A volley of energy beams, potent and cerulean, erupted from the human ships. They struck the alien vessels, shattering their shields, ripping through their hulls, sending them spiraling into the void like mangled wrecks.

The human fleet pressed their advantage. Their ships swarmed around the crippled alien armada like a pack of wolves. They boarded the disabled vessels, slaughtering the survivors, claiming their technology, and plundering their resources.

In the command ship’s cockpit, Arlof watched the carnage unfold with a satisfied grin. "Excellent. Now, plunder their planet’s resources. Harness their core energy. Leave nothing behind."

Behind him, a humanoid Thienika stood silently. Her starlight leaves trembled. She hadn't expected the humans to be so ruthless, so efficient in their destruction.

Arlof noticed her reaction. “What’s the matter, Thienika? Are you feeling… sentimental about those weaklings? Don’t be a fool. Their sacrifice will enhance our power, bolster Gaia’s standing within the cosmic hierarchy. Now, get your roots ready. We’re departing soon.”

…

Within the ship’s holding bay, a group of alien captives huddled together in fear. Arlof stood before them with his eyes narrowed.

“Tell me your secrets. Your technology. Your knowledge. And I might… consider sparing your lives.”

The alien leader glared at Arlof and spat a string of guttural curses.

Arlof gestured to Thienika.

She stepped forward with her roots extended towards the alien leader. He thrashed, trying to resist, but her roots tightened, burrowing into his flesh, piercing his mind. His struggles subsided, replaced by a blank stare.

Thienika withdrew her roots.

“He’s yours, Arlof.”

“Thank you, Thienika.” He turned to the other Solar Blood Masters. “Take these… guests… to the prison cells.”

…

In the ship’s meeting room, Thienika downloaded the information she’d extracted from the alien leader’s mind. Arlof, Drake Ho Orien, and the other commanders watched intently as holographic displays flickered to life, revealing the alien’s secrets, their technology, their alliances, their weaknesses.

And then… a chilling revelation.

“The White Century… They’ve abandoned their planet. Only a skeletal crew remains.”

Arlof grinned. “Excellent. Our next target… is the White Century. They possess advanced technology, knowledge that can further enhance our power. We’ll take it all.”

“But… Arlof,” one of the commanders spoke hesitantly, “The White Century… they helped us. They shared their knowledge. And… Rel… he has a good relationship with them. Are you certain about this?”

Even Thienika spoke up. “Master Arlof, this… betrayal… it could have dire consequences. We shouldn’t violate the trust of our allies.”

Arlof scoffed. “Trust? Allies? Sentimentality is for fools! This is our chance! While they’re weak, we’ll strike! My decision is final.”

…

The White Century’s homeworld, a planet of breathtaking beauty named ‘Athien’, was a swirling vortex of white and blue. Its surface had clean oceans and pristine white landmasses, reflected the light of its twin suns.

But this beauty was marred by war.

BOOM!

Explosions rocked the planet. Black smoke billowed from burning cities. The White Century’s remaining forces fought back with valiant determination, but they were outmatched. Their weapons, though advanced, were no match for the Gaia fleet’s sheer power and numbers.

As a powerful energy beam, a last-ditch effort from the White Century’s planetary defense cannons, hurtled towards Arlof’s flagship…

Thienika’s roots erupted from the ship’s hull!

“Royal Guard!”

A massive, translucent shield materialized, deflecting the attack effortlessly.

Arlof laughed.

“Foolish! You sent your strongest warriors away! And now… you’re defenseless! Hahaha!” He turned to his crew. “Did I not tell you? We are STRONGER! Our Solar Essence Density surpasses theirs! Now… witness true power!”

To prove his point and utterly dominate the White Century, Arlof came outside atop Drake Ho Orien, with Thienika by his side. They hovered before the leader of the White Century resistance.

“Surrender,” he commanded. “Hand over your resources. Or face annihilation.”

The resistance leader glared at him, his watery helmet distorting his features, yet his outrage was evident.

“You… You’re a monster, Arlof! Rel… he’s a better man than you’ll ever be! We helped you! We shared our knowledge! We were allies! And you repay us with this… betrayal?! You won't get away with this!”

“Shut up!” Arlof yelled. “You’re weaker than an ant! Now, witness the power of a true Solar Blood Master!” He raised a hand. And within his palm, a miniature sun began to form. It grew larger, more potent, more terrifying, radiating an infernal heat that had the White Century forces trembling.

“Yes! Tremble!” Drake Ho Orien roared, mocking their fear.

“OBLITERATE!”

WHOOSH!

Arlof tossed the sun towards the resistance leader.

“Try and block THIS!”

The resistance leader and his forces unleashed their most powerful attacks. But it was futile. The sun consumed them, vaporizing them instantly.

And then… it struck the planet.

BOOM!

Athien exploded!

It shattered into a million pieces; a horrifying display of Arlof's power and his Solar Essence Density of over 1 billion kelvin.

Drake Ho Orien and the other Solar Blood Masters hollered their approval.

“Arlof! Arlof! ARLOF!”

“You are the strongest!”

“All hail Arlof!”

“Now, capture the remaining survivors. And plunder their technology. Leave NOTHING behind.” Arlof commanded.

…

Thienika observed the chaotic scene around her, Solar Blood Masters carried plundered treasures towards their ships while a group of White Century captives huddled together covered in burns and bruises.

A wave of guilt washed over Thienika. Rel wouldn’t have wanted this.

“Yes, yes. Bring them to that department for further investigation…”

“Will do, Commander.”

Arlof, her master, was speaking with a commander when a sudden shift in the atmosphere had them pausing, a chilling premonition descended.

“Huh… that speed… it’s… impossible.” Arlof’s Solar Essence flared. He couldn’t comprehend the sheer velocity of the approaching entity. It defied logic, bypassing even his enhanced senses.

Suddenly, a figure materialized before them, a few light-years away. It was slightly humanoid, radiating an aura of immense power. This entity, viewed from the eyes of an ant could easily be mistaken as the Supreme Creator.

Arlof’s blood ran cold as he gauged its strength.

“What the…? A Solar Essence Density of over SIX TRILLION kelvin?!”

Instinctively, the Solar Blood Masters assumed battle formations. As a desperate display of defiance, their Solar Essences flared and weapons materialized. Yet, beneath their bravado, they trembled.

Even Thienika’s starlight leaves shed. She silently acknowledged the overwhelming power they faced.

Arlof flew forward.

“What do YOU want?! You come for a FIGHT?!”

The entity’s lips didn’t move, yet its voice, calm and tranquil, resonated within their minds.

“I am a messenger of the Cosmic Council. I have come to deliver a Divine Verdict.”

‘Only a messenger with over six trillion kelvin?’ Arlof understood. This entity before him could easily obliterate the entire galaxy if it wanted to.

WHOOSH!

The messenger unfurled a massive scroll. As it opened, a wave of oppressive energy washed across the void, suppressing the Solar Blood Masters' Solar Essences, forcing them to their knees. The scroll appeared blank, yet it radiated unseen power.

“Solar Blood Masters of Gaia… Your transgressions have been recorded. Your attacks against neighboring star systems and planetary civilizations… they have not gone unnoticed.”

The messenger’s voice, though calm, carried a dreadful finality. It spoke of plundered worlds, enslaved populations, and countless atrocities committed by Arlof and his forces – details so precise, so damning, that even Arlof was stunned.

“Over eight thousand planetary representatives have petitioned the Cosmic Council, seeking justice.”

The messenger began listing the names of the aggrieved planets: Xylos, Kryll, Aerilon, Aquatica, Eldoria, Veridian, Xantus, Caldera, Zenith, Elysium…

“The Cosmic Council, after careful deliberation, has reached a verdict. By the grace and mercy of the Supreme Creator, you shall be confined to your home planet. Gaia shall be isolated, bereft of the sun’s divine nourishment. This confinement shall last for fifty million years.”

The message was delivered in a split second; a torrent of information that flooded their minds.

“Fifty million years?! For destroying a few pathetic planets?!”

“This is an outrage!”

“We demand a retrial!”

“The Cosmic Council can’t be this ruthless!”

“Let’s attack! We can take him!”

An uproar erupted amongst the Solar Blood Masters. They cursed the Cosmic Council, they railed against the injustice of their sentence. Some even brandished their weapons, eager to challenge the messenger.

“SILENCE!” Arlof commanded, quelling their outburst. “You fools! Do you want to be annihilated?”

He turned to the messenger.

“Our people… they’re scattered across the universe. How do you intend to confine them ALL to Gaia?”

The messenger revealed an expression that had Arlof's blood running cold.

“Humans… You fail to grasp your own insignificance. The Supreme Creator has shown you mercy. Now… your confinement begins.”

The world shifted, blurred into streaks of light and color.

And then…

They were falling!

Millions of Solar Blood Masters, scattered across the universe, plummeted from the sky towards Gaia. Their terrifying screams resounded throughout the atmosphere.

Thienika’s roots extended outwards, grasping as many as she could, gently lowering them to the ground.

Arlof landed in the heart of Ava Varium.

He looked around in confusion.

“What the hell… is going ON?!”

He wasn't alone. Millions of humans, bewildered and disoriented, stumbled through the streets.

“Where… where am I?!”

“I was… on Neptune… enjoying the… the… the Blue Sun Festival… and now…?”

“What happened?!”

Only Arlof and his fleet understood. They exchanged terrified glances; a silent acknowledgment of the Cosmic Council’s power.

And then…

They saw it.

A massive dome of darkness began to form around Gaia, blotting out the sun. Large, red spectral Circular Spell Diagrams materialized in the sky, spinning like gears, locking into place.

They were cut off.

Isolated.

Condemned to FIFTY MILLION years of darkness.