Ministry of Innovation and Scientific AffairsOffice of Scientific Intelligence - Vian 19, 2178Imperial Capital City of Valdrad
"-ck no" the officer's voice crackled from the speaker, captured just moments before the recording was paused.
The clip repyed briefly, then paused on a freeze frame.
"This footage was captured earlier this morning," said the Minister Elei, stepping forward in the dimly lit presentation room. "Over the past few days, we've dispatched pnes, naval units, and research teams across the empire and its surrounding territories to begin cataloguing the properties of this New World."
She tapped a button on his datapad, and the video began to py again, a crystal clear video footage, timestamped and beled from Task Group 2 of the 1st Imperial Fleet.
"We've documented never-before-seen fauna and flora, strange geological phenomena, and floating isnds that outright defy known physics. But this... this footage is something else entirely."
She gnced around the room at the gathered scientists, intelligence officers, military brass and even the emperor.
"And if this is what we're discovering just days into the transfer... we might not be prepared for what comes next." she said quietly, before turning to leave the center, leaving the stand in tense silence as the recording resumed on screen.
[Korval_Sea_Incident-Log-021] [CLASSIFIED]Date: Vian 19, 2178Time: 0742 Hours Imperial Standard TimeLocation: Korval Sea, 35°N, 142°WStatus: Target Neutralized
"Alright, men. We've gotten reports from fishermen and the Coast Guard Division of some unusual activity out here in the Korval Sea. Our job is to investigate and report back our findings," said Rear Admiral Lorn Halbrecht, standing at the command bridge, his voice calm but sharp.
"Admiral, I'm picking up something—ten nautical miles out," the radar navigator called out. "But whatever it is... it's interfering with our systems, sir."
"Bring speed to sixty knots," the admiral ordered. "I want to see exactly what's messing with us out there."
"It's pretty foggy over there..." one of the deck officers muttered, squinting into the mist. Then his eyes widened. "Wait—are those... floating isnds?"
A murmur of disbelief spread among the crew as the shadowy shapes loomed closer, drifting silently above the water.
"I heard the 2nd Fleet reported something simir to the east, but seeing it with my own eyes—this is insane." He leaned forward against the railing, watching as the isnds emerged from the fog, their rocky bases hovering impossibly above the sea.
"Admiral... I'm detecting movement within the fog, sir. Something rge." The officer's voice wavered slightly as his eyes remained locked on the dispy.
The sensors flickered, struggling to get a clear read. Whatever it was, it wasn't just moving—it was gliding, effortlessly weaving through the sea and rock formations.
"It's... over 1,000 meters long." The officer swallowed hard, his face pale with disbelief.
Rear Admiral Lorn's expression remained unreadable, but the weight of the situation was clear in his voice. "Maintain a distance of two nautical miles. I don't want whatever's in there getting too close."
Rear Admiral Lorn exhaled sharply before issuing the next orders. "Send in the drones for a closer look... and scramble a flight of jets. Just in case."
The video fast-forwarded, skipping through moments of turbulent waves and shifting fog, before settling on the drone feed closing in on the unknown entity.
"By the Empire... those are scales," one of the officers muttered, his voice ced with both awe and apprehension.
The drone cameras zoomed in, their lenses adjusting to capture the enormous creature in sharper detail. A massive, sinuous body coiled through the sea, its shimmering scales catching what little light pierced through the dense fog.
"Search for any possible vital areas that we can target in case it turns aggressive." Lorn ordered.
The drones maneuvered carefully, tracing the length of the beast until they found what could only be its head.
"Its head... it looks like those dragons from Eusup mythology," another officer noted, watching as the serpent wove gracefully between the floating isnds.
"That's definitely a sea serpent," someone else added. "And those scales look tough."
The tension thickened. Then, as if sensing their presence, the serpent slowed its movements.
"Uh oh... it fucking noticed us."
The beast suddenly halted, its immense form shifting unnaturally still. Then, in one powerful motion, a massive portion of its body rose out of the water, towering over the churning waves.
"What is it doing?" someone whispered.
As if in answer, arms bred across the ship.
"WARNING: HIGH ENERGY SIGNATURE DETECTED. PRECAUTIONS ADVISED."
The bridge fell silent. Then—
"Oh, Fuck No." The officer overlooking the energy signatures paled as his screen lit up with warnings. "High-energy psma buildup detected! Massive spikes in radiation—gravitational anomalies forming around it! And—what the hell—an unidentified EM spike at frequencies beyond anything we've ever recorded!"
Rear Admiral Lorn's voice was sharp. "Where is it aiming?"
"One of the drones, sir. I recommend moving them ou—"
A blinding beam of light suddenly nced through the fog, cutting across the sky like a bde. The shockwave hit the fleet with terrifying force, scattering the mist in an instant. As the haze cleared, a horrifying sight came into view—one of the floating isnds had been sliced in half, the sheer cut so impossibly clean it looked unnatural.
"What the—?! Get a feed from the other drone, now!"
The remaining drone's camera footage repyed, frame by frame. The serpent's form coiled with inhuman precision before its jaws parted—then, in a fsh, an energy beam erupted from its mouth. The targeted drone barely had a moment to react before it was vaporized. The beam didn't stop there—it continued, carving through the isnd behind it as if it were nothing more than soft cy.
Silence filled the bridge. Then, someone finally whispered.
"We are so fucking screwed." The bridge was deathly silent for a second—then the arms fred to life as the serpent shifted its gaze.
It had noticed them.
The monstrous creature twisted in the water, its impossibly long body coiling like a predator preparing to strike. Then, without warning, it surged toward the fleet.
"Destroyers, fire at will!" Rear Admiral Lorn's voice thundered over the comms.
A split second ter, the warships roared to life. The destroyers' railgun batteries hummed as they charged up before unleashing hell. Six consecutive hypersonic slugs screamed through the air, smming into the serpent's body with enough kinetic force to tear through city blocks.
But it didn't even flinch.
"Not even a scratch—something's shielding it!" an officer shouted as a glowing aura flickered across the serpent's scales.
Lorn gritted his teeth. "Keep firing! Whatever it is, it's weakening!"
The aura shimmered, flickering in some spots—but the serpent only moved faster, closing the distance with terrifying speed.
"Get the birds on it NOW!"
A deafening sonic boom cracked through the sky as two Alnanian fighter jets streaked in from the 1st Imperial Fleet. Their bay doors slid open, revealing racks of MRAM-105 Scepter missiles—each one carrying enough firepower to level a warship.
"Supra-2, weapons hot—engaging!"
Eight missiles screamed off their rails, streaking toward the serpent in a deadly dance of fire and smoke.
Seconds stretched into eternity. The impact was blinding. A cascade of explosions engulfed the creature in fire and debris, sending shockwaves across the sea.
"Supra-2, direct hit!" A pilot's voice crackled through the comms. "That was a third of my payload—there's no way it could've survived that!"
Static. Then—
"Hold that thought, Supra-1—I'm getting high-energy readings—"
The comms hissed.
"—Shit! It's still alive!"
A deep, guttural hum filled the air. The serpent's form emerged from the smoke, glowing with raw energy. Its eyes burned like twin suns as it coiled in midair—then its maw opened wide.
"Those readings are spiking! Evasive maneuvers—NOW!"
"Breaking left—get clear before it fires!"
A blinding beam of energy erupted from the serpent's mouth, carving through the sky with terrifying precision. The fighter jets barely evaded, pulling into desperate rolls as the bst punched through the clouds, leaving a molten trail in its wake.
"Supra-1, going in for another strike," one of the pilots said, his voice shaking.
"Supra-2, roger that. Engaging for a secondary strike," the other responded, a hint of confidence creeping into his tone.
Both jets fired another volley—four missiles each—streaking through the sky before detonating on impact. A deafening explosion rocked the air as smoke and fire engulfed the serpent.
"We got it?" Supra-2 asked.
As the smoke cleared, the answer was clear. The beast still stood, though this time, it was wounded.
"We actually injured that thing!" Supra-2 cheered. "Dibs on the kill."
"Nuh uh," the lead pilot chuckled. "Not happening."
Then, a worried voice crackled over the comms.
"Wait... is it... healing?"
The serpent remained still, yet the horrific gashes along its body—wounds that should have been fatal—were knitting themselves back together. Torn flesh reformed. Scales regrew. The regeneration was almost instantaneous.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," Supra-1 muttered.
And then, the beast began to glow.
"Energy readings are spiking! Higher than before!" an officer shouted from the command center. "Whatever it's about to do, it's massive!"
"SIH Ventür, this is Supra-1!" the lead pilot's voice rang with urgency. "We're pulling out—whatever it's doing, it's interfering with our systems! Kill that fucker before it wipes the entire task group!"
Both jets banked sharply, afterburners roaring as they sped south, retreating toward the safety of the 1st Imperial Fleet.
Rear Admiral Lorn clenched his jaw. "Shit. Order the destroyers to maintain fire. And tell the cruiser SIH Fortavance to power up its main railgun battery. If we can't put this thing down now... the entire northern coast might not survive."
At the rear of the fleet, SIH Fortavance powered up its main railgun battery—one of the most powerful weapons in the Imperial Navy, second only to the battleship-css railguns. While a destroyer's main battery packed 75 gigajoules per shot (the equivalent of 18 tons of TNT), a cruiser's main railgun dwarfed it, delivering a staggering 270 gigajoules (65 tons of TNT) with a single round—enough force to punch clean through meters of solid titanium steel.
The air on the bridge was thick with tension.
"SIR! THE SERPENT'S ENERGY SIGNATURE—IT'S CONCENTRATING INTO ONE POINT! IT'S PREPARING TO FIRE!"
Rear Admiral Lorn's pulse hammered in his ears. "Status of the Fortavance? I want it ready—NOW!"
"Main railgun charged and primed! Fortavance awaiting firing orders!"
The moment stretched into eternity as the serpent reared back, the glow in its maw intensifying, the air itself warping around it. The energy it was about to unleash could annihite the entire task group in an instant.
Lorn clenched his fists. "FIRE. NOW!"
A blinding fsh of electricity erupted from the Fortavance as the railgun discharged, the sheer force tearing through the sky with a sonic boom. The round traveled at Mach 10, its hypersonic velocity obliterating everything in its path.
The impact wasn't just an explosion—it was annihition.
The shot pierced straight through the serpent's head. For a split second, the beast remained still—as if it hadn't even processed its own demise. Then, the aftermath hit.
Where its head should have been was now a ragged, gaping ruin—a grotesque, pulped mess of shattered bone, cauterized flesh, and liquefied brain matter. Scales, once impenetrable, were now torn like wet paper, trailing dark, arterial blood in thick, steaming clouds. A chunk of its spine jutted out, severed clean through, revealing pulped organs spilling into the sea.
The massive corpse teetered backward, crashing into the waves with an earth-shaking roar, sending a tidal surge across the battlefield. For a moment, silence reigned—then the sea bubbled with dark crimson, its surface now a graveyard for the fallen titan.
Lorn exhaled, his voice cold. "Order the destroyers to circle the carcass... and put a few hundred more rounds into it. I'm not risking it coming back from the dead."
As the guns thundered once more, the Alnanian fleet made sure of one thing—this monster was never getting back up.
[End of Recording: Korval_Sea_Incident-Log-021]
The screen flickered for a moment before the footage cut to bck, leaving only the cold silence of the entire room.
"That was just one of the many incidents we've encountered so far," said Minister Elei as the massive holographic screen behind her brightened, dispying various images and footage of other encounters in this New World.
"On Vian 14, a flock of flying reptiles, now cssified as "Wyverns" was spotted flying near a coastal city. They turned aggressive when an NV-250 Skycaster reconnaissance skyship moved in to inspect them. If it weren't for a destroyer docked nearby, which managed to keep them at bay using its CIWS, the wyverns could have caused significant damage before the Aerospace Force arrived."
The footage flickered to life, showing the Skycaster weaving through the air as it narrowly evaded multiple fireballs. Below, the wyverns unleashed their attacks upon the city, their fiery projectiles smashing into rooftops and streets, leaving trails of molten debris. One of the fireballs struck a partially constructed skyscraper, its impact sending a shockwave through the structure.
"Those fireballs weren't just fmes—they carried enough explosive force to damage buildings and even melt sections of reinforced metal beams," Minister Elei continued. "Fortunately, there were no fatalities. The floor that took the most damage was vacant due to ongoing renovations. But if this had happened in a more densely poputed area..." She trailed off, letting the implications settle in.
"And on the same day, a group of unidentified maritime creatures was spotted in the Kylian Archipego. Aggressive on sight, they tore through multiple fishing boats and dispyed the ability to manipute the water around them. Fortunately, the SIH Einité was conducting patrols in the area and managed to drive the creatures off," Minister Elei stated as she continued listing incident after incident involving the fauna and flora of this New World.
She turned to face the assembly, her expression grim. "This is just the beginning. Our previous military doctrines never accounted for creatures that can breathe fire or beings capable of controlling the elements—let alone something the size of the Korval Sea Serpent. We must adapt now—before the next encounter costs us more than just infrastructure."
Murmurs filled the room as officers and scientists whispered among themselves, their unease evident. Suddenly, the emperor raised his hand, silencing the assembly.
"So, what do you propose, Elei?" his voice echoed through the chamber.
Elei took a deep breath before speaking. "Eurtre Majest?té, I strongly recommend prolonging the national lockdown for another two months. While military strategy is beyond my expertise, I urge an immediate increase in security measures—more patrols along our maritime borders and constant aerial surveilnce over our territories. Additionally, I request authorization to begin extensive research, including live studies and dissections, on the species of this New World. Understanding them is our first step to survival."
"Granted. I expect the Ministry of Defense and Military Affairs to cooperate fully on this matter," the emperor said in a firm, authoritative voice. "Have the other reports ready and compiled for me ter. I will address the Imperial Federation tonight."
Imperial Square - Vian 19, 217809:30 PM - Imperial Standard TimeImperial Capital City of Valdrad
"This is Shinea Vlord of the Alnanian Imperial News Network. We've interrupted your broadcast for a special State of the Empire address by Seigneur Majest?té, Emperor Aric von Al?an III."
The screen flickered for a moment before cutting to the grand imperial throne room. Bathed in golden light, the emperor sat upon his throne, his expression solemn yet commanding.
"Loyal citizens of the Imperial Federation, today I have come before you to speak on matters of utmost importance—our future in this New World." Emperor Aric von Al?an III's voice carried a weight that silenced all who listened. His golden eyes, sharp and unwavering, gazed directly into the broadcast feed, projecting the authority of a ruler who bore the fate of an empire upon his shoulders.
"As you are all aware, it has been over two weeks since the transference, an event that has forever altered our pce in existence. We have found ourselves in an unfamiliar world, one teeming with both wonder and peril. Already, our scientists and military forces have encountered creatures and phenomena that defy our prior understanding of reality. Beasts of ancient legend, wielding unnatural abilities, roam freely. Isnds float in defiance of gravity. The very ws of nature seem to shift and bend in ways we have yet to comprehend."
A brief pause, allowing his words to sink in.
"And yet, despite all these revetions, one truth remains unchanged—we, the Imperial Federation of Alnania, will endure." His tone hardened, unwavering. "We have already have fought with our oldest foe, and we have triumphed. But war is not the only challenge we must overcome. The world beyond our borders is unknown, and as we stand upon the precipice of discovery, we must do so with vigince, strength, and unity."
The screen behind him flickered, dispying footage of wyverns attacking a city, the massive Korval Sea Serpent firing its devastating energy beam, and the subsequent destruction wrought by its power.
"Due to the many unknown dangers we now face, I am ordering an extension of the national lockdown for an additional two months. Our military forces will increase patrols across our skies and seas. Research and experimentation on the lifeforms of this world will be expanded. We will not sit idly by as unknown threats lurk in the shadows."
His gaze narrowed.
"To those who seek to challenge us, to threaten the safety of our people or our empire—know this: we did not build a civilization that has stood the test of centuries just to fall to the unknown. We will conquer it, understand it, and, if necessary, destroy it."
A final pause.
"Remain steadfast. Remain vigint. The Empire prevails, now and forever.
Vive das Empirreich!"
The feed cut back to the news anchor, her expression unreadable.
"This has been a special state of the empire address by Seigneur Majest?té, Emperor Aric von Al?an III. We will now return to our regur programming."
The people were still trying to process the shocking information they had just learned when a sudden, deafening explosion lit up the night sky.
"What was that?!" someone screamed, panic evident in their voice.
A kilometer away, another missile struck a wyvern mid-flight. Its shimmering shield cracked, then shattered entirely, leaving the beast vulnerable as a squadron of fighter jets engaged the airborne threats.
"Cahriz-2, take those wyverns on the left!" the lead pilot commanded, his voice sharp over the comms.
"These fuckers just keep coming!" another pilot shouted as he weaved through the aerial battlefield.
"Cahriz-1, you've got three of those bastards on your six!" warned a wingman.
"Cahriz-3, handle them for me! Use your missiles to break their shields, then finish them off with your railgun—those things are weak as hell without their shielding!" Cahriz-1 responded, rolling his fighter into a sharp maneuver to shake off his pursuers.
But before Cahriz-3 could fire, the wyverns ahead of them were suddenly obliterated—no explosions, no fire, just instant, grotesque spttering of blood and viscera as they were torn apart mid-air.
"What the hell?!"
A calm voice crackled over the radio. "Cahriz Squadron, apologies for the dey. The railgun sentry needed recalibration."
"Next time, get that damn thing calibrated before we're in the middle of a fight!" snapped Cahriz-1 as he steadied his fighter. "We're out here dancing with fire-breathing lizards, and you're taking your sweet time?"
"Yeah, yeah, you're welcome," the ground officer replied dryly. "Railgun sentry is fully operational now. Any more of those things show up, we'll swat 'em before they even get close."
Cahriz-3 exhaled. "I don't like this. That's the third wave tonight. What the hell is making them so aggressive?"
No one had an answer. But as the squadron regrouped and scanned the skies, the uneasy feeling remained.
Rodenius ContinentHeavenly Garden - Sacred Capital
Inside the lush garden, a female elf sat at the center, her presence commanding yet serene. Around her, rocks hovered effortlessly in midair, and a ring of water circled her form, all guided by the pulsating flow of magical energy.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, shimmering with determination. Without hesitation, she summoned her aide.
A female knight quickly approached, bowing respectfully. "Your Holiness, you have called for me?"
The elf nodded, her voice calm yet resolute. "It is time. I have sensed the presence of the Emissaries."
The knight's eyes widened in awe. "The Emissaries? The heavenly warriors have finally returned?"
"Yes," the elf confirmed. "And it is time we repay our debt. Order the architects to begin the mass production of the Emissarian Artifacts, and mobilize our forces. We must prepare for their arrival."
The knight knelt, her voice filled with reverence. "As you will it, Your Holiness. May we meet the Emissaries with glory."
The elf stood, her gaze piercing the sky. "The Heavenly Kingdom of Qua-Toyne, shall awaken from its dormancy. We shall burn our enemies, in the name of the Emissaries and present the continent to them."
The Rodenius Continent stands on the precipice of chaos, its fragile peace threatened by the gathering storm. As the Heavenly Kingdom of Qua-Toyne awakens from its ancient slumber, its ambitions reignite like smoldering embers, ready to bze anew. The continent shall once again witness the relentless march of war, for the sleeping giant has awakened, and it seeks to cim dominion over all who stand before it. The spark of conflict looms, and once kindled, the fmes shall consume nations, sweeping the continent into the unforgiving light of conquest.
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Upcoming Chapter:Fallout
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