The vast space

Aiden's heart pounded as he burst out through the atmosphere of Ithara, the icy winds and frigid air giving way to the stark, weightless silence of space. For a brief moment, the darkness enveloped him like a comforting cloak, free from the chaotic storms of the planet below. He hovered in the void, his body still trembling from the adrenaline of his escape.

Stars stretched infinitely before him, pinpricks of light in the endless black, and for a moment, he felt small—just a speck in the cosmos. Yet, his senses were sharper than ever, attuned to every flicker of movement, every shift in the energy of the universe around him. It was peaceful, almost tranquil, but he couldn't let his guard down.

*"AI,"* he muttered, his voice steadying as he adjusted to the silence. *"What's the next planet?"*

The AI's voice chimed in his head, ever calm and methodical. *"Our next planet is Rahtor."*

Aiden nodded to himself, taking in the stars once more before focusing on the task ahead. *"I want to know what to expect,"* he said. *"I'm not getting caught off guard like I was on Ithara. Is it heavy gravity? Cold, like this one?"*

*"Rahtor is quite the opposite,"* the AI replied. *"It's a hot planet, extremely so. Volcanic, with molten rivers cutting across its surface. And as for gravity…"*

Aiden arched a brow. *"Yeah? How's the gravity?"*

*"It's significantly stronger than Ithara, but nothing you can't handle. You'll still be able to hover above the surface, but once you get close enough, it'll start pulling you down. Hard."*

Aiden sighed. *"Great, so I just have to not crash."*

*"Precisely. But you've faced worse."*

He cracked a small smile despite himself. *"Set the course. We're heading to Rahtor."*

"Course set," the AI confirmed.

Without hesitation, he shot forward, slicing through the cold void of space as the next challenge awaited him.

---

"Hey, AI?" Aiden's voice broke the silence as he sped through the vast emptiness of space, the stars zipping past him in brilliant streaks.

"Yes, Master Aiden?" the AI responded, its voice as steady as always.

"How far are we from Rahtor?"

"Approximately 43 million miles," the AI responded calmly, "At your current speed, you'll reach Rahtor in a few hours."

Aiden exhaled slowly, the weightless void pressing in on him from all sides. He wasn't used to this—drifting through space alone, relying on nothing but himself and the AI. He'd always had the ground beneath his feet, some form of tether to keep him anchored. But out here, it was just him, and the vast nothingness stretched out endlessly.

"Anything else I should know about Rahtor?" Aiden asked, trying to keep his thoughts focused.

"Well, Rahtor is not only volcanically active but also home to some hostile species. They thrive in the extreme heat and are known to be territorial," the AI informed him.

"Hostile, huh?" Aiden smirked. "Sounds like fun."

"I would suggest caution, Master Aiden. Fun isn't the word I would use to describe them."

"I'll keep that in mind. Anything else?"

"The atmosphere is dense with toxic gases. You'll need to keep your guard up, as ev—

"What's happening, AI?" Aiden interrupted, his voice tense as the calmness of space was suddenly pierced by urgency.

"Two ships have been detected on a direct course toward your location. One is heavily armed and appears to be a fighter ship, closing in rapidly," the AI replied, its tone crisp and analytical.

Aiden felt a jolt of adrenaline shoot through him. He quickly shifted his focus to the approaching vessels. *"Can you identify the other ship?"*

*"The second ship is smaller and appears to be in distress. It seems to be trying to evade the fighter,"* the AI explained.

*"So, we've got a chase on our hands,"* Aiden said, scanning the darkness for the ships. The fighter was sleek and menacing, a dark silhouette against the backdrop of stars, while the smaller ship weaved erratically, attempting to escape its pursuer.

*"Correct. The fighter is gaining on them quickly. If we don't act, they may be captured,"* the AI urged.

Aiden's mind raced. He didn't want to get involved in a conflict, but he couldn't just stand by and let someone else be caught. *"What do you recommend?"*

*"Engaging the fighter ship could allow the smaller ship to escape, but it poses a significant risk to your safety. You must assess whether you wish to intervene,"* the AI cautioned.

Aiden hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. The last thing he wanted was to become a target. But then he thought about the distress of the smaller ship, the fear of its crew.

"Let's try a diversion," he decided, gripping his resolve."I'll fly really fast and punch through it." Without hesitation, Aiden launched himself toward the fighter ship, moving with a speed that blurred the lines between reality and sheer instinct. The enemy crew was completely unaware of his approach; they were too focused on the small ship ahead.

In an instant, he was upon them, an unstoppable force racing through the void. His fist connected with the hull of the fighter ship, and the impact was catastrophic. The vessel erupted in a brilliant explosion, fragments scattering into the dark expanse of space like fireworks.

Aiden felt the shockwave pulse through him, but he remained unharmed, a grin spreading across his face as he watched the debris drift away. The fighter had never stood a chance against his speed.

"That was impressive!" the AI exclaimed, a hint of awe in its voice. "You destroyed it before they even knew you were there."

"Just a little distraction," Aiden replied, his pulse still racing from the adrenaline. "Now, let's get to Rahtor."

He shifted his focus back to the navigation system, the coordinates for Rahtor glowing brightly in his mind.

But as he was about to fly Aiden paused, his gaze fixed on the small ship as its hatch slowly opened.

Aiden hovering near the small ship revealing the dark interior. The invitation was clear, but it didn't sit right with him—something felt off. Why would they want him to board after what just happened?

"AI, what's your take on this?" he asked cautiously.

"I detect no immediate threats from the ship, but their systems are damaged, and I am registering multiple life signs inside," the AI replied. "It could be that they need help. However, I advise caution, Master Aiden."

He narrowed his eyes, debating his next move. The ship was barely holding together after the chase, and he could sense the desperation from those aboard. But walking into a potential trap wasn't exactly appealing either.

"Alright, let's check it out," Aiden finally decided. He had come this far; leaving now didn't feel right.

He glided into the ship's hatch with effortless grace, landing on the dimly lit deck. The atmosphere inside was tense, the smell of burned electronics hanging in the air. Flickering lights barely illuminated the interior, where panels sparked and wires dangled from the ceiling.

Aiden relaxed slightly when he sensed the thoughts of the passengers. Their fear, confusion, and desperation washed over him in waves. No hostility, no hidden malice—just pure survival instinct. He realized they weren't a threat.

"They're not enemies," Aiden murmured, his telepathy confirming the situation. "Just women and kids… survivors, maybe."

"Confirmed," the AI responded. "Their ship is heavily damaged, and they appear to be in need of assistance."

Aiden scanned the dimly lit corridor, his footsteps barely making a sound as he moved deeper into the ship. The passengers were huddled in a room towards the back, their thoughts a mix of anxiety and hope. He could feel their eyes on him, wondering if he was a savior or a new threat.

A young woman stepped forward, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and relief ,her voice trembled when she spoke.

"Are you here to help us?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aiden nodded, softening his stance to appear less intimidating. "I'm not here to hurt anyone. I saw the fighter ship chasing you. What happened?"

The woman hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the others huddled in the shadows before turning her gaze back to him. Her voice trembled slightly, but there was strength in it. "We're from Darhka... it was our home until The Conqueror came. They've been expanding their territory for years, consuming world after world. We barely escaped with our lives."

Aiden narrowed his eyes. "The Conqueror?" He had never heard of them, but the way she said the name, with a mix of fear and bitterness, told him everything he needed to know. "Who leads them?"

Her expression darkened, her eyes filled with dread. "Mortem," she whispered. "He's their leader—a monster. A warlord who conquers planets and enslaves their people. He left our world in ruins, and we were lucky to escape. Most...weren't."

Aiden felt a cold knot tighten in his chest. "Mortem," he repeated, letting the name roll off his tongue. It sounded like a name that could haunt nightmares. "So, you're the last survivors of Darhka?"

The woman shook her head, a deep sadness in her eyes. "No... most of our people weren't as fortunate. They've been taken—turned into slaves to fuel Mortem's war machine. We're just a handful of refugees who managed to slip through their grasp."

Aiden's mind raced. He thought he understood the universe—thought Earth and its struggles were significant. But now he realized just how small his world had been. There were entire planets out there, entire civilizations, fighting battles on scales he couldn't even fathom. And in the shadows, monsters like Mortem thrived, crushing worlds beneath their heel.

"The universe is far more dangerous than I imagined," he thought, a chill running down his spine.

"AI, what do we know about Mortem and The Conqueror?" Aiden asked silently.

The AI's voice responded in his mind, cool and precise. "Mortem is a name whispered across the galaxy, Master Aiden. Though I have no direct records, there are stories of him leading a vast empire through conquest, leaving destruction in his wake. Planets like Darhka, once vibrant and thriving, are now barren wastelands under his rule."

Aiden's fists clenched. He had seen enough destruction in his life, had fought to protect those he cared about from falling victim to chaos. And now, here was another battle—one he wasn't sure he could avoid.

"So Mortem enslaves entire planets, huh?" Aiden said aloud, his voice hardening. "And you're all that's left of Darhka's resistance?"

The woman nodded, her expression haunted. "Yes. We've been running ever since, trying to find a safe place, but there's nowhere to go. Mortem's reach is vast. We've lost everything—our homes, our families..." Her voice cracked, but she straightened her back, refusing to break in front of him. "We're just trying to survive."

Aiden's heart sank. The weight of her words settled over him like a heavy blanket. He had been drifting through space, focused on his own problems, his own battles. But now he realized there were countless others out there, fighting just to stay alive.

"This changes things," he thought grimly.

"Look," he said, his voice softening, "I'm not from around here either. I don't know Mortem, and I don't have a stake in this fight. But I'm not the type to stand by and watch people get slaughtered."

The woman's eyes widened, a flicker of hope sparking in their depths. "Are you saying... you'll help us?"

Aiden exhaled slowly, glancing around at the damaged ship and the survivors who clung to each other, desperate for any sign of salvation. "I'll help you get somewhere safe," he said firmly. "But after that... I have my own battles to fight."

"Thank you," the woman whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You don't know what this means to us."

Aiden gave her a curt nod, but his mind was already racing. He couldn't ignore the larger problem brewing out there in the stars. If Mortem was as dangerous as they said, then he wouldn't stop with Darhka. He would keep expanding his empire until nothing was left untouched. Earth, too, might eventually come into his sights.

And that wasn't something Aiden could allow.