Beyond the Bloodline-Chapter 268: Perileos’ Last Stand
Intergalactic Battlefield
Outside Perileos Galaxy
Intergalactic Void
December 7th
Year 2018
The Perileos Galaxy burned.
The Argent Empire’s forces swept through it like an unstoppable tide of steel and fire, their ships blotting out the stars.
Nebulas that once glimmered with life and colour were choked by the dark shadows of warships, while planets trembled beneath the relentless bombardment of Argent’s armaments.
Fleet commanders issued orders as legions of soldiers marched upon defenceless worlds, extinguishing resistance like snuffing out candles in a storm.
From her throne aboard the flagship, Miranda observed it all, her glowing purple-silver hair reflecting the faint light of dying stars.
She had taken a brief sojourn across galaxies to visit Jamie and indulge in a fleeting kiss before she returned, and now, she was considering going back to Jamie.
No words left her lips; the sheer boredom etched on her face was enough to betray her absolute disinterest in the battle that raged beneath her.
She had witnessed the rise and fall of countless galaxies, many of which she had orchestrated. There was nothing new here to capture her attention.
After the Perileos Galaxy’s Fortification Law Barrier was breached, the Argent Empire’s army poured in with overwhelming numbers.
Warships encircled planets, siege cannons unleashed devastation on key strongholds, and fleets spread out to claim entire solar systems.
A third of their reserves secured the galaxy’s outer borders, ensuring no reinforcements could arrive, while the remaining forces swept through the inner systems.
Nebulas were locked behind energy barriers, trapping all within, as elite battalions descended onto planets, capturing cities and crushing resistance.
Prime and Apex worlds fell quickly, with legions of soldiers and war machines seizing critical territories. The Argent Empire’s sheer might and numbers overwhelmed any opposition.
◇ ◇ ◇
At the centre of the Perileos Galaxy, the palace of the Galactic Ruler stood in stark contrast to the chaos outside.
The opulent halls were shrouded in an eerie silence, broken only by the hushed whispers of the ruling family.
Vaelon XXVI, the Galactic Ruler, sat on his throne, his features pale and strained.
He could feel his connection to the galaxy’s domains slipping away. With every conquered planet, and every fallen solar system, his power and Authority as Ruler of Perileos diminished.
His royal family stood around him in sombre silence. Their strength had waned so much that even the home-ground advantage was no longer theirs to claim.
The once-mighty Ruler Authorities, which had bolstered their armies, now barely carried enough power to aid the soldiers fighting on the frontlines.
Faced with the inevitability of defeat, Vaelon rose from his throne, his voice low but edged with desperation.
"We have no choice. The shield is gone. Our armies are scattered. The Empire will not relent."
His eldest daughter’s expression darkened, understanding the unspoken implication in his words.
"You mean to call him, don’t you?"
Vaelon met her gaze, his brow slightly raised.
"Do you have a better option? We either summon him, or we fall."
The royal family exchanged uneasy glances but gave reluctant nods. Together, they moved through the palace, descending deep into its heart.
The air grew thick with ambient energy as they entered the Sanctum of Ancestry, an ancient chamber only used once since its creation by Vaelon III.
At its centre lay an altar inscribed with strange glowing runes. The family gathered around, each member stepping forward in turn to offer their blood.
As the crimson drops touched the altar, the runes flared to life, bathing the chamber in an ominous glow.
The runes flared to life as the crimson liquid dripped onto the altar, bathing the chamber in a dark glow.
Vaelon stood before the altar, taking a deep breath before raising his arms and speaking.
"By the blood of Perileos, for the sake of our motherland, we dare to request your presence, Ancestor."
The energy in the room shifted violently, the altar trembling as the blood seeped into its grooves. The runes burned brighter, and a loud humming sound filled the air, growing louder with each passing second.
And then, it happened.
The air itself seemed to rend apart, space folding inward as a massive figure emerged from the void.
The entity that emerged was colossal, his form shifting in and out of their sight. The sanctum itself seemed to bend, space warping unnaturally to accommodate his immense presence.
Even though it was only a projection, it filled the room with crushing weight, distorting the reality around him with his mere presence.
This was only natural, as he was a being who had transcended the limitations of three-dimensional spaces.
The royal family fell to their knees, their heads bowed in reverence and fear.
[...]
The figure’s gaze swept over the bowing figures before settling on Vaelon. His eyes narrowed, and he finally spoke, his voice echoing directly within their heads.
[Name yourself. And state why you dared to disturb me.]
Vaelon XXVI forced himself to lift his head, his voice trembling as he answered.
"I am the 26th of your descendants privileged to bear your name, great Ancestor Vaelon the First.
Great ancestor, forgive us, but we had no other choice. The Argent Empire is upon us, and we cannot withstand them."
Hearing his words, Vaelon I’s expression shifted to mild irritation as he responded.
[Argent Empire?]
Confusion laced his tone as he pressed further.
[What is this ’Argent Empire’ you speak of?]
The royal family exchanged bewildered glances, their confusion mirrored on their faces. How could their ancestor, a being of such immeasurable power and knowledge, not know of the Argent Empire?
Vaelon XXVI tilted his head, disbelief evident in his voice as he responded.
"You do not know of the Argent Empire? They are among the greatest hegemons of the universe, their forces spanning countless galaxies."
Hearing this, Vaelon I rolled his eyes, a hint of derision colouring his words.
[Another group of small fry playing ’Ruler of the Universe,’ I see.]
He shook his head, his projection leaning closer as he commanded in a sharp tone.
[Explain this ’Argent Empire’ to me.]
Gulping audibly, Vaelon XXVI began hesitantly, his voice trembling under the weight of the Giant’s gaze.
"They were founded and are ruled by...by one of the Estean—"
He didn’t even finish. The moment the word Estean left his lips, the Giant’s projection froze. His eyes widened, and his face twisted into a rage so fierce that the sanctum itself quaked under its force.
[ESTEANS!!!]
The single word erupted from him with such hatred that the air itself trembled. The royal family staggered back, overwhelmed by the sheer malice in their ancestor’s voice.
The Giant’s projection flickered violently, his immense energy shifting into a wrathful state. Straightening, his gaze turned upward, piercing through the layers of space-time, beyond the Perileos Galaxy.
Reality seemed to ripple as his sight tore across unimaginable distances, locking onto a single point: the flagship of the Argent Empire.
On the flagship’s bridge, Miranda sat with her legs crossed, her eyes closed as she appeared to ignore the ongoing invasion below.
But suddenly, her eyes snapped open and her brows furrowed in annoyance.
Without a word, she stood.
Nearby, the commanding Brigadier General turned to her, confused by her sudden movement.
"Your Majesty?"
Miranda didn’t respond. She simply walked forward, magic power gathering around her arms and coalescing into a pair of gauntlets. The gauntlets locked into place on her wrists with an audible clink.
At the sight of the gauntlets, the Brigadier General’s eyes widened in shock. Realisation dawned, and with it came unbridled fear.
He immediately spun toward his communicator, grabbing it and screaming out three words.
[ALL FORCES! RETREAT!!!!!!!]
The command thundered across the comm channels, leaving officers and soldiers alike frozen in confusion.
They had breached the galaxy, their forces were advancing, and victory seemed imminent. Why retreat now?
The general slammed his fist against the console, his voice rising in sheer urgency.
[RETREAT IMMEDIATELY! ANYONE WHO DISOBEYS WILL BE EXECUTED FOR INSUBORDINATION!]
The general shouted again, his voice brooking no argument.
The bridge erupted into chaos as officers scrambled to follow the abrupt order. Protest and confusion rippled through the ranks, but the general ignored their objections, his eyes locked on Miranda who silently gazed at Perileos.
’Please, Your Majesty, just wait... hold on... please!!’
Sweat dripped from his brow as dread consumed him. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
For nearly a million years, the general had faithfully served the Argent Empire and he had been fortunate enough to meet its enigmatic rulers on numerous occasions.
He had seen their power first-hand, and he had learned quite a bit about their personalities and habits.
Their Empress was rather infamous amongst the Generals for her unorthodox weapon choices. Crowbars, pickaxes, chainsaws—objects most would not consider using for combat.
But he also knew that if she were to arm herself with a standard weapon, then it meant that she was serious.
With what he knew of her power, anything requiring genuine effort on her part was beyond his perception or comprehension.
’If Her Majesty fights seriously... the collateral damage...!’
Such thoughts consumed him, each one more panicked than the last as he roared with desperation.
[ALL SHIPS, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!]
Miranda heard the order. She understood why the General was issuing it. But she ignored it.
Her gaze faced forward, piercing through space and meeting those of Vaelon I in the heart of the Perileos Galaxy.
