Dark Matter Ascension

Xera finished affixing the communicator to the almost-completed Penrose Sphere which would not just encircle Oblivion entirely, but it would provide even more energy she could harness, and would be the ultimate point-defense for that entry into her universe.

A universe she found was labeled in the Astral System as Universe 348; numbered based upon when a species broke through the layers between reality via warp drives, or to descend through their singularity funnel. And based on the data she had access to; The Architects were the sixth species to do so. Others had replicated the feat in the eons since, but the vast majority of universes who entered the Astral Verge did so by ripping their reality open to access means of intra-universe transportation.

Warping back to Khrox and her apartment atop the tower, she went to her command center and began registering the various signals sent her way through the communicator Jace had put into the TPSB. A gift from another species. Clearing her throat, she ensured her translation system was online and began. "This is X, the administrator of Universe 348."

There was a garbled chittering before the translation came through, "I am a representative of the Gyanv Alliance Coalition. How did you receive our codices?"

"An agent of mine. Wraith. Interacted with one of your species."

There was silence for several minutes, and Xera kicked her legs up as she grabbed her still-steaming mug, sipping the warm liquid. The voice came back a moment later, "You said administrator of an entire universe?"

"That's right," Xera replied with confidence, ensuring her voice was filled with cockiness so that they would believe her arrogant. "Now let me talk to one of your higher-ups."

Again, silence, and after several minutes and a drained mug, the voice was different. Someone different spoke. "This is Hive Queen Phrakal, ruler of City 231."

"Pleasure to meet you," Xera said. "What a coincidence, that your representative at Richter's Repose happened to be of the same hive."

There was a disappointed clicking, "I am surprised you have not heard of me. My city, my hive, is the largest of the Gyanv species on the first Layer." There was a pride and indignance to her voice. "As such I represent my species here. I have sent scouts to your universe, and we have found no means of entry." The tone shifted to smug and disappointed, "Afraid, are we?"

Xera frowned but kept her voice measured and even, "Not at all. I sense you are upset that you cannot come into my universe."

"We have lost many to whatever invisible and undetectable force guards your universe's funnel for access. Someone with such potent means of defense must have equal means of offense." The tone, once more, shifted. To more professional and detached, "Such power should be distributed to fight back the Astral Demon hordes. Countless lives could be saved if our shield technology was augmented with whatever it is that you have access to."

Xera frowned, Surely they would have figured out the existence of Dark Matter, at a minimum, if they have achieved the means to travel through a singularity. Or even warp travel, for that matter…unless they used the most rudimentary of punch drives. She knew, though, that ultimately her universe was isolationist and would remain that way if she had her way. "I will not give you my means of defense or offense. I have an agent whom your forces have met that I will allow to work in conjunction with you for appropriate Infusions or Essence as a reward."

The Hive Queen's voice came back, filled with a barely-checked anger that was being bit back with every word. "I lament your decision to spurn an alliance, but will seek the aid of your Wraith in our endeavors in the hopes that their reports to you will build confidence in the Gyanv Alliance Coalition." The communication device went silent once more, and after waiting for a few minutes, Xera knew the conversation was over.

She opened up the voidlight tether to Jace and Ollie, sending off a message in that fashion as it did not cost anything save for some transit time. Versus doing it through Quinn, which would cost her Signer energy that might be needed in a pinch to buff Jace with Stratagems. "Jace, I'm going to be giving your communication protocols to the Gyanv species. Feel free to work for them, but make sure it is done through Missions in the Astral System's interface so they cannot cheat you of your rewards. I've also had some reports back from probes – you should hold off on entering Layer 2 until you are Potency 2 or higher."

Sending the voice recording, she headed to the showers.

Timer is up! Shhiv thought as she sat on the couch, her Wayfinder Josie floating nearby. The world sank away and she found herself in the Starlit Sea. A sight she was familiar with, as her and Jace's bedroom was styled after it. The deep blackness with prismatic sparkles was always breathtaking no matter how many times she saw it.

There was a brief pop and Josie appeared, her otter form swimming about excitedly. "Here we are! Ready to choose your Cosmic Power and Class?"

"Oh yeah," Shhiv replied with an eager grin. "Let's get this started!"

A gold-on-black screen appeared before her sight, filling the ocean of cosmic swirls and eddies. Reaching out, she tapped the Planet symbol – knowing that given her desired Class of crafting Equipment and Gear, she would need to be able to manipulate all manner of substances found on terrestrial surfaces.

Next, the Class interface emerged. And she tapped the selection that Xera had advised her would enable her to craft all types of fantastic Equipment, and later when she got her Astral System access, Gear. All to help out her hubby. Just thinking about finally getting to help Jace in a more substantial way filled her with delight. Knowing she could finally make a difference and help out.

A glimmering aura of bright blue, then red, then green shifted and swirled around her. She felt a giddy sense of exhilaration as energy flowed through her, and she could feel her already-powerful physique refined ever-so-slightly as her skin became just a little tauter. Her breathing came easier, and she felt more defined control over her body.

Her clothing under her armor changed, though she did not know what exactly had shifted.

Josie clapped her little paws, "Excellent! Let us pull up your status screen and what your starting Skills do!"

To Shhiv's surprise, the voice that met her was not that of an automated System, or the recorded voice samples she had used to register Jace. No, she heard his voice speaking as the interface was read aloud.

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Name: Shhiv Seren (Aspirant, Tier 1)

Power [Class Level]: Planet [Artificer 1]

Skills: Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Crafter's Trance (Rank 1), Quality Artifice (Rank 1), Planetary Transmutation (Rank 1)

Stardust: 15000

Equipment: <TPSB>, Artificer's Starting Gear, Artificer's Toolbox, (Heavy) Dominator Armor, 45K1 Machine Pistol, x120 Pistol Rounds, Collapsible Spear

Boons: None

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Crafter's Trance (Rank 1) – The user may enter a trance, reducing their needs (sleep, food, water, etc.) until their chosen act of artifice is completed.

Quality Artifice (Rank 1) – The user may create Tier 1 Equipment with appropriate materials and an Artificer's Toolbox or other appropriate crafting implements.

Planetary Transmutation (Rank 1) - The user may expend energy to change any touched object from a similar piece of matter to another (metal to metal, rock to rock, etc.).

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"Very neat!" Josie said as she swam in circles. The Starlit Sea vanished, and Shhiv landed softly on the couch back in her and Jace's apartment. "Congratulations, Aspirant. Now you can start spending Stardust to level up."

"And," Xera's voice echoed from the still-open mouth of Josie, "I will integrate you into the Astral System."

There was a pink box that floated in front of Shhiv, and pink words scrolled across it.

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[Astral System integration engaged.]

[Choose an emotion.]

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Shhiv clicked her tongue against the back of her teeth. What emotion best describes me? She thought. I know I love Jace, but having my Astral stuff fueled by love seems very silly. Glancing down at her legs girded in the armor, she flexed and felt the muscles respond. Of course. That makes the most sense.

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[Confirmed. The emotion descriptor of "Determined" has been registered.]

[Next, choose a Class.]

[Please scroll through the list below.]

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Xera had already done the research on this, and Josie helped Shhiv navigate the interface to the selected Class.

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[The Runecarver Class focuses on creating Gear and upgrading existing objects with Psykinetic functions.]

[Starting Talent.]

[Rune Carving = Enables the user to utilize an appropriate tool to engrave runes, which grant Gear new effects and qualities. This scales with the Dreamer's Potency.]

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"Yeah, let's do it," Shhiv whispered as she confirmed the decisions.

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[Confirmed.]

[Determined Runecarver.]

[Finalizing Astral System integration.]

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Shhiv's vision flashed a bright, cerulean blue before returning to normal. She felt extremely aware. The couch beneath her was created by a mass-production line in a factory, utilizing metal for the frame, cotton from an analogous creature to sheep, and with a synthetic fiber cover made of softened, pulped plastics.

Everything she looked at in the apartment, she could tell how it was designed. The intent behind the craft. It floored her, and for a few moments she just stared at the different objects in the room, soaking in the sudden comprehension.

"You okay?" Josie asked as she floated in from of Shhiv.

She nodded as she refocused on her Wayfinder – unable to detect anything about her construction. "I'm great. Let's see that status screen."

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Name: Shhiv Seren (Potency 1)

Emotion [Class Level]: Determined [Runecarver 1]

Talent [Specialization]: Astral Adaptation, Astral Translation, Rune Carving

Essence: 0

Infusions: None

Gear: <TPSB>, Artificer's Starting Gear, Artificer's Toolbox, (Heavy) Dominator Armor, 45K1 Machine Pistol, x120 Pistol Rounds, Collapsible Spear

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"Now that that's out of the way," Xera stated through Josie once more, "I can have all of the invested Stardust transferred over. Quinn?"

"My pleasure," Quinn replied, also originating from Josie.

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[Stardust Acquired: 1,062,000]

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Shhiv's jaw dropped and Josie spoke, "That puts you at one-million, seventy-seven-thousand Stardust. Enough for all ten Tiers!"

"How," Shhiv whispered, barely able to comprehend the sheer amount of Stardust.

Quinn chuckled, "That was me. Well, me playing with it in the Stardust markets. But you can really thank Greg, Missy, Priam, and Dee – they've all been visiting Regnum Mortis regularly, harvesting huge amounts of Stardust."

Xera replied, "That is accurate. Missy has a drive to reach Tier 10 and go with Greg down into the Astral Verge to go get her family and friends back. Since Dee and Priam seem perfectly content staying in our universe, I don't see a reason why I should hold Greg and Missy back. Especially with how calm things have been."

"Thank them for me," Shhiv said as she began looking through all of the choices at her disposal.

Josie flew in excited little laps around Shhiv's head, "What you thinking about Ranking up with your levels?" she asked.

Shhiv took a deep breath and turned off all the screens. "Jace is past needing Equipment, right? He needs Rune stuff."

"Not quite," Josie replied as she followed Shhiv to the closet and observed the Churkun disrobing down before putting on her swim gear. "Equipment is still useful to him."

"I don't think I could rival anything like his prosthetics," Shhiv replied. "And as for his armor – that stuff looked pretty awesome." She sighed and went to the elevator, "I just want to help him out. So I'll tell you what, Josie; you, Xera, and Quinn figure out the best way for me to help Jace out. Okay? I trust you on that. But the Astral System stuff? That'll be all me."

Josie nodded, "Fair enough. If you'll excuse me, I'll go coordinate with them." She vanished with a pop.

Shhiv pulled out her cosmopanel, then grinned and threw it on the ground before stomping on it with the heel of her foot, grinding it into the ground before a small robot came out of the baseboard and swept up the mess. No need for you anymore, she thought as she willed her System interface open, feeling a sense of giddiness wash over her. There were several options to message individuals, and she also saw a white-grey line inside of a circle, pulsating rhythmically.

Like a heartbeat. Fixating on that as she stepped into the elevator, she saw a message from Xera.

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[Now that you have access to the Cosmic System without a cosmopanel, I have given you access to the voidlight tether that I send messages to Jace on.]

[Don't over-use it, as each time it takes a bit of the voidlight energy I'm storing for him to travel back.]

[More urgent messages can be done through Quinn's Skills, instead.]

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Shhiv smiled and shut the interface. Perfect. Soon, Jace, I'll help you out. We'll get your sister back…and then live however we want, doing what we want, when we want.

"She's giving me control?" Quinn asked as she munched on a chocolate bar, monitoring all of the Dark Between Stars Signers – including Shhiv – with her Celestial Observer Skill. "Why does she think I'm best suited?"

Josie shrugged, "No clue. I think Xera is just busy is all."

Quinn sighed but nodded, "More on my case load."

There was a knock at the door, and she pulled up the exterior monitor before keying the entry. "What's up, Quinn? I think I said that right," Mizarion, the leader of the Star Council said as he came through the doors.

Quinn turned in her chair and popped a bar of gum into her mouth. "Whatcha want?" she asked in between chews.

"Just visiting," Mizarion replied. He was dressed like Star Father used to – a black power suit with a fancy coat. But he wore it more casually, with the collar loosened and a more relaxed appearance. "I…wanted to apologize for the past."

"I'm over it," Quinn replied as she stood up, stretched, and sat back down. "What are you really here for?"

Mizarion frowned, "I'm not wanting anything. Just visiting an old friend."

"Old friend is correct," Quinn replied, still feeling hurt over her rapid ejection from the Star Council months prior. "Now you are an acquaintance, nothing more."

Mizarion sighed and nodded, "Very well. I take my leave then." He left the apartment, and Quinn looked back to her monitors as she began opening the Cosmic System's interface on Shhiv's behalf. Artificer was a known Class, so she began mapping out the ideal build path along with proper Class Expansion, Advanced Class, and an Expansion for that Class.

She kept chewing her gum and felt the tingling sensation of the spicy cinnamon assault her nostrils. Taking a deep breath, she reveled in the new task she had been assigned.