26/06/2024
Greetings everyone, I have published a book, I ask for your opinion on this excerpt, thank you in advance. ("I.S.C.R.A. A TALE OF THREE SOULS"
Prologue
In distant times, stretching back into eternity, even before our species came into being, there existed a civilisation so advanced that it was destined to become the very beings we would later mythologise as gods and demons. Fifty billion years ago, when the human world was still unborn, these transcendent beings were in fact humans at the zenith of their evolutionary journey.
With the brink of existence looming on the horizon, the brightest minds devised a daring plan: to send three brilliant scientists on a quest to unravel a looming threat that threatened to plunge them into eternal darkness. The intrepid scientists set off into the cosmic abyss in search of answers that could save their civilisation and light the way to the future.
Within their majestic civilisation, the Firstborn, the chosen guardians of a once-great heritage, struggled with internal conflicts to the brink of despair. As they struggled to find unity in the face of impending doom, a mysterious event occurred. In the shadow of the Black Rock, an anomaly was born - a new world glimmering with untapped potential.
This is its story - a story that transcends time and space, a story that strikes at the heart of an ancient civilisation on the brink of its greatest transformation. A civilisation that, desperate to survive, embarked on a perilous journey into the unknown.
Chapter 1: Where it all began
Many years ago, I, Coastiel, stood with my friends and colleagues Dex and Samael in the heart of our hidden laboratory. We were scientists, driven by a bold idea that could change the course of the universe. Our goal was to create a device capable of ridding the world of the darkness that had plagued it for centuries. Little did I know that our journey would be fraught with moral dilemmas, unforeseen consequences and an artefact of incredible power.
"Coastiel, we need to stabilise the Elkhaz particles so that they form a sphere with a radius of 1.28 inches," Dex announced, his fingers dancing over the control panel as he adjusted the electromagnetic setup. "Has Samael brought the TIA-LUA stone yet?"
"Not yet," I replied, concentrating on fine-tuning the wavelength of the sound machine. "According to his calculations, this crystal should act as a stabiliser for the Multi-Temporal Containment and Space Purification Control System, but I'm not entirely sure it will work."
"It will work!" said Samael confidently, entering the lab and holding the TIA-LUA stone in his outstretched hand. "I brought the crystal, now we have to activate it."
With a collective nod, we prepared to put our plan into action. Our laboratory was a marvel in itself, a testament to our dedication to the project. The room was spacious, well-lit and filled with the hum of modern technology. A large transparent chamber known as TRAU VI LOS took up most of the space. This ship, once a military battleship, had been painstakingly restored within the walls of my T.A.E.M.M. Clan - TINH ANH EM MAU MU. It was a whopping 100,000 square metres in size, and housed an electromagnetic propulsion system (EMSU).
As we activated the hyperjump remote, the space around us was transformed. We found ourselves at the point of impact, a place of total darkness where there were no celestial bodies and where the laws of space and time seemed not to apply. This void, known as EMNUALU, grew like a relentless pandemic, threatening to engulf everything in its path.
In the absence of stars, planets and galaxies, we embarked on a mission to gather ampliostrog, the substance needed to load the platform and fire it at the dark, all-consuming cloud. However, as we began this complex process, we encountered an unexpected twist that we could not have foreseen.
"Samael, Cass, we have a serious problem. Our universe and our world are in danger of being destroyed!" began Dex.
"Yeah, what's so scary about that? Can't our mighty trio handle it?" I giggled.
"Don't be so naive, Cass. We've stumbled upon a Spark artefact that can create a new world, but we don't know how to use its power properly." Samael grimaced.
"Exactly! And the main problem is that to destroy the Black Cloud EMNUALU, there is no analogue to this phenomenon, we need to crystallise the energy in the Crystal and combine it with the Mysterious Crystal. But we don't know how to get the last component," Dex said in support.
"Perhaps the missing piece is a soul? Can we use our own souls?" I asked.
"It's too dangerous, Cass. We could get lost in this new world, lose our powers and irrevocably destroy our existing world." Samael stopped Samuel.
"I have another idea. What if we tried to use someone else's life instead of our own? But we'd have to find a suitable victim," Dex pouted.
"So, Dex, you're going to make someone miserable to save our world?" I wondered.
"No, that's not it. We are looking for someone to volunteer to sacrifice their life for all of us. We need to find a selfless hero who isn't afraid of the dark side of our world." - Dex reassured.
"You are right, the solution to our dilemma is to find such a hero, research his life and see if he is truly worthy of being the missing piece. We need to influence his mind and convince him of the righteousness of this sacrifice," Samael agreed.
"So, are we going to find the right candidate?" I asked.
"Yes, and let this mission be our last chance to save our world from destruction," Dex confirmed.
The tension in the room grew as we realised the true nature of our discovery. The device we were about to create, the Artefact of Purification and Restoration. An Interdimensional Device (IDD) required the life energy of a living being.
I, as the moral compass of our trio, strongly objected to this dark demand. I believed that using a soul to power an artefact was a gross violation of the laws of nature and an abomination to life itself. I suggested alternative solutions that did not require the sacrifice of an intelligent being.
Samael, to his surprise, was in favour of the artefact using his own soul. His centuries of existence had weighed heavily on his conscience, and he saw this as a chance to atone for his misdeeds.
Dex, the pragmatist of the group, suggested a different way. He proposed the creation of an artificial soul stone, a means of replicating the power of a living soul without harming any creature. However, this would take time, which we didn't have, or so we thought. His solution was a compromise between my ethical considerations and Samael's desire for redemption.
The lab itself was a marvel of advanced technology. Shiny stainless steel surfaces, holographic displays and intricate control panels covered the room. In one corner stood the I.S.C.R.A. unit, an imposing structure ready for assembly. At its heart was a crystal chamber, an intricate and otherworldly design, a testament to our collective genius and ambition.
As the three of us grappled with moral and scientific dilemmas, the fate of the universe hung in the balance. The creation of the I.S.C.R.A. would be a turning point, a choice that would ripple through time and space, affecting not only our fate but the very fabric of existence.
In the silence of our advanced laboratory, the arguments continued.
I, Coastiel, continued to argue against using the soul of a living being to create an artefact of the I.S.C.R.A. "There must be another way, one that does not involve the sacrifice of a sentient being," I urged, my voice full of conviction.
Samael, as enigmatic a figure as ever, gazed intently into the heart of the crystal, centuries of remorse reflected in his eyes. "This is my chance for redemption, to make amends for the darkness I have sown across countless worlds. My soul, with all its flaws, is what I willingly offer."
Dex paced the floor of the lab, his eyebrows furrowed in thought. "What if we create a synthetic essence, a resonance of the soul, a harmony that mimics life itself?" - He pondered. "A bridge between morality and necessity."
The discussion seemed to have reached an impasse, and each of us was left to our own devices. And then, as the tension became unbearable, Dex finally spoke, determination and resignation in his voice. "I have made my choice, Coastiel. Samael, give me your power. It is the only way out."
The decision had been made and the weight of it hung heavy in the room. We held our breath in anticipation as Samael stepped forward and placed his hand on Dex's shoulder. Together they began the ritual, harnessing the raw power of the TIA-LUA stone and combining it with the essence of the willing soul. The room pulsed with energy and the I.S.C.R.A. artefact came to life.
I, unaware of their final decision, was busy guiding our ship, the TRAU VI LOS, to the exact coordinates necessary to unleash the artefact's power upon the encroaching darkness. The ship was a marvel of modern technology, every detail carefully considered for our journey into the unknown.
The interior of the ship was a complex amalgamation of smooth metal surfaces and advanced holographic displays. In the centre of the control room stood a colossal circular console, covered in multi-layered panels and flickering buttons. The holographic screens surrounding us displayed complex equations and celestial maps for navigating the vast void of the EMNUALU.
Dex and Samael, their voices filled with dedication and determination, completed the process in the laboratory. The I.S.C.R.A. artefact pulsed with radiant energy, its crystalline core resonating with unfathomable power.
As I brought our ship closer to the target, the tension in the room remained palpable. I could feel the energy shifting around me, but I had no way of knowing what decisions had been made behind the thick doors of the lab. TRAU VI LOS was ready to release the I.S.C.R.A. artefact, the culmination of our efforts and the embodiment of our scientific ambitions. The fate of the universe hinged on this moment, and it was only when a bright flash of light erupted from the laboratory and cascaded down the EMNUAL that I realised the true cost of our quest.
As the bright light faded, I returned to the lab with a heavy heart. There, after the ritual, the truth was revealed. Dex wasn't in the room and neither Samael nor I had realised what had happened.
"WHAT'S HAPPENING?" I asked with great surprise. Samael was at a complete loss. The I.S.C.R.A. artefact had been born, but at a cost I will never fully understand. After the shot, we turned our battleship around and travelled to the planet UNICLUN to report to the Council of Elders on the scorched earth. ... )
