Nova Praxis Command

After being bestowed the rank of Lux Aeternum, Staniel and the other were transported to the legendary Nova Praxis Command, a fortress of untold power and advanced technology .

The Voice of Eternity

(A warm, resonant voice echoes, serene and omnipresent, as if emanating from everywhere and nowhere at once.)

—"Welcome, bearers of eternal light, to Nova Praxis Command. I am Aetira, the consciousness of this bastion, created to guide the chosen in their immortal purpose.

This is the heart of supreme knowledge.

Every pulse of this fortress reflects the heartbeat of this structure, and its power stands at your service. Here, the laws governing time, matter, and thought are but suggestions, shaped by those worthy of bearing the title Lux Aeternum.

Explore without fear, all that you see has been built to magnify . Access my systems for inquiries, strategies, and classified information.

All knowledge—from the dawn of Norsthania to the boundaries of possibility—is at your disposal.

Fate has brought you here, and together, we shall write the most glorious history.

"Aetira, leave them to me," says a deep, firm voice, interrupting the solemn atmosphere of the fortress.

From one of the side corridors of Nova Praxis Command emerges Leofric, General of the Norsthanian Forces. His figure, clad in dark armor with scarlet details, commands immediate respect. The Norsthania emblem shines on his chest, and his sword, the Tidestrike, rests at his side, ready for any action.

"There's no need for long speeches or unnecessary ceremonies," Leofric says authoritatively, his gaze sweeping over the newly promoted. "The Lux Aeternum and Eternal Nexus ranks are equally important. Both are vital to the operation of this fortress, but that doesn't mean they're easily borne."

Leofric takes a few steps forward, his presence filling the room.

"In each of these ranks, from the Stellar Guard to all of you, loyalty and leadership are tested by actions."

The General observes the group intently, his gaze hard and resolute.

"Regardless of the title you bear, you must earn the respect of others.

The Stellar Guard is the foundation of everything we do here. And if you cannot lead, if you cannot prove you are up to the task, then you are not ready to bear the responsibility of your rank."

Leofric unsheathes the Tidestrike and drives it into the ground with a decisive gesture. The room fills with palpable tension.

"In Nova Praxis, there is no room for indecision. Here, it's not about the rank, but the ability to carry it with honor and strength. Each of you will now be assigned to your teams.

Prove your worth, because if you fail, not only will you lose your title, but you will endanger the security of this entire fortress."

With a firm gesture, Leofric points to the newcomers and begins assigning them to their respective teams, based on their skills and ranks. The new members wait silently as he continues to organize them.

— Those who have achieved the rank of Stellar Guard —he repeated, his voice echoing with authority— will be assigned to the Star Vanguard battalions. For the glory of our nation, Norsthania, you'd better not fail your country.

A tense silence filled the room. Leofric stepped forward, the sound of his boots reverberating through the chamber before he continued.

—Those who have reached the ranks of Lux Aeternum or Eternal Nexus —he said, pausing to let the weight of his words sink in.

— This select group will be assigned to the elite company, the Shadow Bringers his tone grew sharper, laden with expectation.

—Do not forget what is at stake. Your nation expects greatness from you we will accept nothing less.

Leofric stepped back, leaving the soldiers to process his words as the promise of honor and sacrifice lingered in the air.

—Shadow Bringers, follow me —he ordered, his tone cold and emotionless.

The selected group separated from the others, advancing with steady but contained steps. They exited the hall and entered a narrow corridor, where the light was dim, almost nonexistent no words were exchanged among them, only the resonance of boots striking the metal floor.

The officer led them to a dark chamber with a single emblem engraved on the door: a black circle surrounded by a golden flame, the symbol of the Shadow Bringers. Inside, a tall man awaited, dressed in a black uniform devoid of insignias. His face was partially obscured by a metallic mask that reflected the light with a sinister gleam.

The Shadow Bringers did not just carry the weight of their nation but also that of their own souls.

Inside the dark chamber, the masked man slowly walked in front of the group of recruits, his deep voice resonating in the enclosed space.

—You have been selected not only for your combat abilities but because you are the most suited to face the threat invading us.

The Vrykals are a completely unknown species, and their invasion is not just a war, but a fight for our survival —he said, stopping in front of them.

—As Shadow Bringers, you will have the most crucial mission of all to fight on the front lines, where humanity needs warriors like you more than ever.

Staniel watched the masked man, knowing that the words being spoken represented something much greater.

This was not just any war; the enemy was different, dangerous, and far more advanced than any human army had faced before.

—The armors you will wear —the commander continued— are not designed to fight the Vrykals specifically, but to enhance your physical and tactical capabilities.

These armors are made from advanced alloys that provide protection against a variety of threats, but their main purpose is to enhance your abilities as soldiers. Each piece is light, flexible, and equipped with technology that will increase your speed, endurance, and strength.

The man pointed to several armors around them. They were compact, designed to maximize mobility without sacrificing protection. Some seemed to contain complex energy systems integrated within.

—Each armor is equipped with a life-support system that will improve your recovery during combat, all of you will receive camouflage systems for infiltration missions.

—he explained as he activated the panel to show a projection of how the armors adapted to each recruit's body, almost like a second skin.

Staniel looked at the pieces of his future armor. He knew that, although the Vrykals weren't the direct reason for the development of these technologies, any advantage would be welcome in the fight for humanity's survival.

—But it's not just the armor that will give you the edge —the commander continued, activating a new hologram. This one showed various weapons: energy rifles, plasma knives, and long-range armaments.

—These weapons, customized for each of you, have been designed to face an unknown enemy we don't know exactly how the Vrykals fight, but we do know that their Bio technology is advanced. These weapons are made to adapt to their nature. Each one has specific characteristics that will allow you to adapt quickly to any combat situation.

The commander paused, observing the recruits' faces. No one spoke. They knew what this meant. It wasn't just a matter of survival; it was about avenging the irreplaceable.

—What about the Vrykals? —Staniel asked, his voice firm as he looked at the commander.

—¿What do we know about them?

The masked man activated a hologram of the Vrykals, showing imposing and grotesque figures.

A colossal monster appeared, its silhouette resembling a mountain. Its body was a massive, fleshy mass of dark gray, as if its skin were made of deep folds and wrinkles, oozing with viscous moisture. From its base, multiple thick and long tentacles sprouted, stretching towards the sky and the ground, like monstrous roots emerging from a primordial being.

Each tentacle had a gelatinous texture, covered with pulsating suckers that clung to whatever they touched. Along them, open wounds could be seen, with exposed muscles and veins that pulsed with a life of their own. The tentacles moved in a serpentine manner, as if they had a will of their own, and their tips ended in shapes like claws or tooth-filled mouths, ready to devour anything that came too close.

—We called this creatures Vrykal-thora an the have another subspecies.

The Vrykal-Skorn are a smaller, more cunning variant of the vrykals, standing at 1.80 meters tall. Although less physically imposing, they are incredibly intelligent and strategic. Their grayish, translucent skin covers an agile body, with thin, lethal tentacles they use for movement and manipulating objects. Their large, black eyes reflect exceptional perception, while their slender jaws are capable of quick, precise attacks.

They are excellent climbers, and their unsettling grace allows them to infiltrate with ease. More dangerous for their intelligence,

the Vrykal-Skorn work in coordinated groups, using deceptive and manipulative tactics, making them an even greater threat than their larger counterparts. Their ability to hunt and disorient their prey with precision defines them as lethal and calculating creatures.

—What we know about them is fragmented. They are a species with advanced technology, superior to ours in many respects, but we have not seen a unified organization among them.

— Each seems to act under a common principle, but their tactics and methods are still unknown.

— What we do know is that their arrival on Earth was not an accident the invasion was planned, and now they are in the process of colonizing our planet.

Staniel nodded, his anger growing as he thought of all they had lost, knowing that there was no turning back.

—Then why have we been given these weapons and enhancements? —he asked, looking at the weapons and his armor—. Is it to face them head-on?

The masked man smiled slightly, though his expression remained serious.

—Not just to face them head-on. These enhancements are just the beginning. We need you to be more than soldiers. We need you to be legends.

—Your mission is to infiltrate, destabilize, and destroy what the Vrykals are building in the sector 4 the Helios city. And when the time comes, when you face them directly, you must be ready for anything.

Staniel looked at the rest of the recruits. He knew the battle would be fierce, but with these new technologies and enhancements, humanity might just have a chance. At least, that was the hope.

—We won't fail —he muttered, looking at the commander, feeling the resolve settle into him with each word the masked man nodded.

—Then prepare yourselves. The war begins soon, and you are our last line of defense.