-M29.672. Falmart. Saderan Capital-
A bright flash of white lit the void as five Solar Guardians stepped forth from the Immaterium, clad in sleek black Mitius-pattern nanosuits. Their minds and machines worked as one, allowing them to blend between realities by shifting through dimensional strata. Empowered by the psychic might of Prometheus's Ferrous Mind, they moved through the area, passing unseen by all.
Shrouded by illusion and warded by the Warp, the Solar Guardians moved effortlessly among the objects around them. They slipped past the guards without sound and descended toward the palace dungeons. In the prison corridor, a Rabbit Warrior stood with arms crossed, watching carefully for any who might arrive. The Solar Guardians slowly deactivated their camouflage, briefly surprising the former Rabbit Warrior queen.
"You came," Tyuule said, her expression sour.
"As ordered," the Solar Guardian replied. "The hour has come."
Nodding, Tyuule led their leader into a chamber where Molt lay weakened. The Guardian then employed a device to scan the Emperor of Sadera's body.
All of Molt's physiological data integrated into the WAR-CASTER system, allowing the Guardians to analyze his condition.
"Drug-induced coma," he reported curtly. "A message from Headquarters: The Empire is ever generous to those who serve it and its people."
Retrieving a letter from within his nanosuit, he removed his helmet, revealing a smile. Tyuule accepted the parchment; as her eyes traced the words within, they widened in disbelief.
"Salvation for you and your race draws near. Be ready," he said softly, a smile playing upon his lips. "We shall take Molt. Farewell, Queen Tyuule."
Hoisting Molt's body upon his shoulders, they hastened back to the evacuation point. Once they had departed, Tyuule glanced again at the letter given her. It spoke of salvation and promises the Imperium would deliver soon. One such promise took effect immediately: the transfer of the Bunny Warriors' stolen lands back to Sadera. It would also grant instant citizenship to all her people, bestowing luxuries unheard of for any mortal. Last, she would liberate every one of her people, and none would be left behind.
She wondered if she had made the right choice. In all of history, every Empire she knew of had ruled the Warriorbunny tribes through the law of the jungle, where the strongest held the right to do as they pleased upon their lands, crushing any who dared disagree. Yet all that her ears had gathered from beyond the Saderan Palace told her otherwise. Their conquest was not born merely of resources, but of a sacred responsibility to elevate the human race and its kin.
"I hope I have made the right decision," she murmured. With that, she departed, as instructed, toward her extraction point. As she prepared to gather her belongings, Tyuule cast one final glance back at her old chamber. It was small, filled with trinkets gifted by Zorzal. Though wrought of gold and silver, they remained within a cage nonetheless. With a bitter smile, she guided herself into the secret passage created solely to contact her allies in days past, sowing disturbance across the Saderan Empire. Now, it had become her deliverance.
___________________________________________________________________________________
-Prometheus Arcologu. Outer Districts-
Itami Youji sat within a certain food distribution center. Here, every morsel was free, regardless of how delicate or tasteful. Yet it differed from the so-called luxury of Terra. After several observations, Itami had concluded what set them apart. Foods considered luxury were those crafted by hand, through a person's labour.
Equal labour.
Itami pondered. He had witnessed how the Emperor's power worked, and the spirit of His people. Now, he was fully immersed in the material wealth provided by the Imperium. Limitless abundance, creating free time for people to do as they wished.
"Remarkable." A voice from his right jolted him.
"Lelei." Itami whispered low.
"Long time no see, Itami Youji." she replied.
Itami took a moment to fully absorb the new look Lelei had given herself. She wore a red and gold cloak, masterfully crafted with precision, creating an illusion wherein her patterns stirred and seemed alive whenever she moved.
"Long time no see, Lelei." Itami chimed in, smiling. "I take it you love to study under them."
"Of course. After I fully converted many of Rondel's mages, the Imperium transferred a plentiful amount of assets to integrate Rondel society and knowledge into the greater public. May I have cola, please." Lelei said before taking a seat near the Japanese man.
"You seem different," Itami remarked. He cast a glance at Lelei's demeanor.
"Really?" Lelei said, genuinely surprised.
"Yeah... I cannot put it into words. But it simply feels different." He tried to phrase his feelings; however, they died in his throat.
"Ah, if that is what you mean." Lelei closed her eyes for a moment. "How about now?"
"Eh..." Itami was speechless. Though invisible to his senses, his gut could feel the entire atmosphere around the blue-haired girl loosen.
"My apologies. Whenever I enter meditation, some of my psychic power leaks." Lelei reassured him. "I am still adjusting to it."
"Your studies on Prospero have truly done wonders for you." Itami said with a chuckle.
"Thank you for your compliment."
"Ah, Lelei. Itami." A familiar voice echoed from the doorway.
"Tuka?" Lelei said, feeling uncertain. "You look different."
"Different?" Tuka smiled softly. "My appearance has hardly changed."
"Indeed. But your eyes. They are golden now." Itami pointed out, his brows raised.
"I see." Tuka's smile dimmed slightly. She made her way to sit beside Itami. "One pasta, please."
A moment of silence fell between them. For several minutes, they took bites and sips from their respective delicacies until a sigh escaped Tuka's lips.
"I know not the reason myself. However, I know with certainty it was caused by exposure from Prometheus." Tuka took another forkful of pasta. "It has also befallen other elves. Yet their glows are dimmer than mine."
"Did you undergo a check-up?" Itami inquired.
"Just a few days ago. She said my psychic presence has spiked gradually, resulting in these eyes. She also suspected a great deal of residual Anathematic power within my body." She summarized with a tone of reverence.
"The Emperor." Lelei stated, her voice trembling.
"If that is so, I shall not waste this gift. My race is now beneath His Majesty's aegis. Yet I cannot find myself wanting. Our survival and possible ascendance lie with Him." Tuka replied; her resolution brought a sense of authority to both her friends.
"If that is your choice, we shall support you. Is that not so, Lelei?" Itami, with his characteristic smile, raised his drink.
"I would gladly toast to that." Lelei raised her own.
"Thank you, my friends."
And so they spent the remainder of their time easing much of their longing. They chatted happily, punctuated by laughter—reflecting upon experiences shared with the unique individuals they had met, and the highs and lows endured alongside new acquaintances. Lelei was occupied with her research and colleagues, while Itami found himself regarded differently due to a gradual shift in his demeanor—becoming serious, ever calculating.
Unexpectedly, they heard a loud hissing sound from without.
"Hmm. What was that?" Tuka asked; her elven hearing made the sound's impact particularly intense.
Without a word, Lelei stood to check outside. She remained silent for a moment before finally returning.
"What was it, Lelei?" Itami asked.
"A Titan. There is a relocation underway," Lelei said, her tone grave.
"Titan?" Itami spoke slowly, letting the word sink in. "Does not the Empire forbid the use of heavy weaponry upon primitive worlds?"
"I suppose things have changed. I have heard there has been massive mobilization these past days. Yet something does not add up. The scale of the mobilization far exceeds Sadera's capacity. That implies there is another motive behind it," Tuka replied, her eyes narrowing.
"In that case, Japan must know. I shall contact Aizawa." Itami immediately hurried off, leaving his two companions behind. After exchanging a glance, Lelei and Tuka nodded and swiftly followed.
Outside, they watched the massive industrial facilities of the manufacturing district in motion; structural pillars shifted, and platforms flew about in a coordinated dance.
"Itami." A voice called to him from across the way.
"Aizawa." Itami immediately strode over. "I was just seeking you."
"I figured as much. I also received word from General Agral." Aizawa replied, his eyes filled with urgency. For a moment, he surveyed the various mobilization efforts undertaken by the Empire. Uncertainty made his heart race.
"If the Empire is truly mobilizing its military upon such a scale, then we are all in grave peril," Aizawa continued, walking alongside Itami toward the center of the Arcology, with Lelei and Tuka following close behind.
However, just as they were about to enter, a Guardian approached them.
"Halt," the Guardian declared; the voice, amplified by his armor, made the two mortals before him tremble.
"I request an audience with General Agral," Aizawa stated firmly, his eyes narrowing.
"We shall escort you," the Guardian replied, leaving all—especially Aizawa—bewildered by the sudden shift in demeanor. The diplomat swiftly regained his composure, however.
"This applies only to Mr. Aizawa and Mr. Itami. The two of you must remain here." Lelei and Tuka exchanged glances. Though they looked displeased, they nodded in agreement.
With that, the Guardian led the two Japanese men to the teleportarium, swiftly transporting them to the general's private chambers. The room was wrought of adamantium steel and interwoven glass framing, creating a cold, gleaming silver surface. At its center stood a massive glass table, where light from a holovid projected and materialized an almost countless array of data.
"Diplomat Aizawa and Lieutenant Itami." Agral greeted, his voice steady.
"General Agral," Aizawa answered in kind. "As a Japanese diplomat stationed here, I demand to know the reason behind this mobilization."
"And I assume Itami here wishes to know by virtue of his military background." Agral smiled diplomatically.
"Indeed, General." Itami nodded.
"Very well." Agral rose from his chair, imposing his towering figure upon both mortal guests. "It is a direct command from the Senatorum, born of violent readings we received a month past."
"What readings?" Aizawa interjected.
"By virtue of my clearance, I shall show you." Using his Noosphere, Agral transformed the entire chamber. His table dissolved, melting into the ground as Omniphages. Holovids materialized between them, displaying Falmart in its entirety.
"Falmart is failing," Agral stated bluntly, stunning both men before him. "Allow me to phrase it thus: literally and figuratively, Falmart is slowly drowning in the Immaterium. Your scientists should know this, Diplomat Aizawa."
Aizawa gritted his teeth while Itami stared at his colleague, his face filled with questions.
"What is it, Aizawa?"
"We have received reports that at the northern edge of this continent, an anomaly has occurred wherein a void has supposedly appeared. At least, that is as far as I know." Aizawa replied, his voice hoarse.
"Now you speak of it. I also heard of this from our air force." Itami murmured, his eyes slowly widening in realization.
"That void expands slowly; yet while physically gradual, its impact from the Immaterium is immense—planetary scale, at minimum." With a single mental command, the holovids shifted, revealing a purple sea surrounding Falmart. "Dimensional instability manifested far earlier, resulting in various portals appearing across the continent."
"Where do these portals lead?" Aizawa asked.
"As far as we know, unknown realities with equally unknown hostility." The statement struck them mercilessly. Were these facts to reach the public, the backlash would be global. Visions of riots and social turbulence burned within their minds.
"So you imply a possible invasion by interdimensional entities?" Itami concluded.
"Precisely the reason for our mobilization."
"What of the Saderan Empire?" Aizawa added. "What do you intend for them?"
"In such drastic conditions, drastic measures are required."
"I must report this." Aizawa prepared to move, but a booming voice stayed him.
"I insist you remain, Diplomat Aizawa. We shall inform your country personally."
"Is this an act of aggression?" Aizawa sneered, his face written with anger.
"No, but rather protection for your world." Agral gestured back to his holovid. It shifted drastically to Earth. "These incursions have also spread to your Earth."
"Wha—" Itami gasped in terror.
"Old Earth shall soon become a battlefield." The transhuman finished. "Please, refrain until our measures and officials have been given direction to your planet. This is a matter of extreme danger; the slightest misinformation would prove catastrophic."
"But it is my duty to report any emergency!" Aizawa barked, his willpower straining to hold its ground as Agral's transhuman aura grew stronger with each passing second.
"And doom your world in the process?" Agral cut him off, sending his transhuman dread directly upon Aizawa. "I shall do what is best for your world. Yet an invasion of this scale—your governments are unprepared, both logistically and mentally."
"How big this invasion?" Itami asked suddenly.
"Global." A simple answer brought both of the Japanese men to their deepest fear.
"Did you have a solution for this?"
"I have no permission to tell you. But one thing is certain. Imperium will protect any humankind and its sister species. That is our mandate." Agral extends his arm. "Trust us."
Aizawa closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His hands clenched until they were white.
"Very well." Aizawa backed down, his voice restrained. Slowly, he took Agra's hand.
"We won't let Earth fall. That is our promise to you." Agral reassured.
"A promise you will hold dearly." The Japanese diplomat pressed.
"Of course, of course."
________________________________________________________________________________________________
-Outside-
Tuka and Lelei waited for any word. After several moments, Itami alone returned.
"How did it go?" Lelei asked.
"It grew complicated." Itami sighed wearily. "But I know we stand in dire circumstance."
"Such as?" Tuka pressed.
"We are expecting an emergency mobilization. I pray this is not true, yet invasion comes."
"What invasion?"
"I know not. But it is tied to the Gate." Itami spoke, his voice heavy with grim understanding. "Perhaps this is not the place to speak of it. Let us return. I would eat some ramen."
Itami walked past them, while Tuka and Lelei shared a glance. Neither had any choice but to follow. When they returned to their meeting place, Itami ordered cold water.
"So, you wish to tell us?" Lelei said, taking a seat near him.
"Our world and Falmart are in grave danger," Itami stated bluntly, sighing.
"I... see..." Lelei murmured. "Let me guess. A Warp incursion?"
"Aye..." Itami looked down at his hands. "If I could, I would leave this place and return to Japan."
"I understand that sentiment," Tuka chimed in with a faint smile.
"How large is the incursion?" the psyker inquired.
"Global. We expect catastrophic losses." He let his words sink in, forging a tense atmosphere among them.
"If that is the scale, I believe the Imperium shall not permit it to come to pass," Tuka declared, her voice filled with conviction.
"So do I, Tuka." Itami replied weakly, his smile still present.
"What do you think Japan shall make of this?"
"Honestly," Itami answered slowly, "I know not."