Universe 1000
Planet 20MR
(Five hours before the incident)...
Atheris stood outside the palace balcony, allowing the cold air to wash over him. The endless sky stretched above Planet 20MR, calm—too calm.
For the first time in a long while, his heart felt heavy.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
His private fighter, Vegan, approached quickly, his face pale.
"Master… we have bad news."
Atheris did not turn.
"What is it?"
Vegan swallowed.
"There are rumors spreading across multiple universes. A being… is hunting and destroying Architects."
Silence followed.
Atheris finally spoke, his voice low and steady.
"I see."
He turned slightly.
"Contact every remaining living Architect across all known universes. Report back once you're done."
Vegan bowed deeply.
"Yes, Master."
"You may leave."
As Vegan disappeared, Atheris returned inside. He sat upon his imperial throne—an ancient seat meant only for beings who shaped existence itself.
He exhaled slowly.
System, he spoke internally.
Do you have any idea who could destroy an Architect?
[SYSTEM LOG: NO, MASTER. HOWEVER, THERE EXIST ENTITIES BEYOND THE ARCHITECTS—BEINGS CAPABLE OF ABSOLUTE DESTRUCTION.]
Atheris closed his eyes.
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
[SYSTEM LOG: DO YOU WISH ME TO ATTEMPT THE CREATION OF SURVIVAL-ORIENTED SKILLS?
EXAMPLES: SOUL PROTECTION, SOUL TRANSFER.]
Atheris hesitated.
Is that even possible?
[SYSTEM LOG: NOT ENTIRELY. HOWEVER, I CAN UTILIZE A PORTION OF MY OWN DATA AND POWER TO FORCE A TRANSFER PROTOCOL.
SURVIVAL PROBABILITY WILL INCREASE SLIGHTLY.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: WHILE YOU WERE SPEAKING WITH YOUR PRIVATE FIGHTER, I ABSORBED A PORTION OF HIS ENERGY—AS A PRECAUTION.]
Atheris opened his eyes in surprise.
"…You always manage to shock me."
He leaned back in his throne, a faint smile forming.
"Do what you think is best."
Universe 2000
Planet Earth
"Doctor, please! Save him!" a woman cried, her voice breaking.
The doctor lowered his gaze, shaking his head slowly.
"I'm… I'm sorry, ma'am. There's nothing we can do."
[SYSTEM LOG: ACTIVATING ARCHITECT REINCARNATION.
SOUL TRANSFER — SUCCESSFUL.
SOUL PROTECTION — SUCCESSFUL.]
The woman collapsed beside the bed.
"God… why?!" she sobbed. "What am I supposed to do now?!"
[SYSTEM LOG: RELEASING SOUL INTO NEW HOST.
WARNING: HOST BODY IS WEAK.
PAIN WILL BE FELT.
LOW RESISTANCE TO PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL DAMAGE.
RELEASING REMAINING ENERGY ABSORBED FROM VEGAN — SUCCESSFUL.]
Her trembling hand rested on her husband's chest.
Then—
Warmth.
Her eyes widened.
She stood abruptly, leaned down again, pressing her ear to his chest.
Thump.
Thump.
A heartbeat.
[SYSTEM LOG: ENERGY RELEASE COMPLETE.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH — SLIGHTLY INCREASED.
NEW TECHNIQUES — UNAVAILABLE.]
The woman gasped, tears streaming.
She turned and screamed,
"Doctor! Please come back! My husband—he's alive!"
The doctor rushed in, convinced grief had broken her mind.
But then—
He froze.
The man was sitting upright on the hospital bed.
"Impossible…" the doctor whispered.
The woman cried out, collapsing into his arms.
"Michael!"
Atheris' soul had entered Michael.
[SYSTEM LOG: TAKING TEMPORARY CONTROL UNTIL CONSCIOUSNESS STABILIZES.
ANALYZING ENTITY IN FRONT OF ME…
NAME — UNKNOWN.]
Michael blinked slowly, eyes unfocused.
He spoke softly, deliberately—feigning confusion.
"…What's your name?"
The woman sobbed harder.
"Thrynn… Thrynn is my name."
Universe 20
Unknown Planet
A woman stood in the shadows.
"Hm… so Atheris is dead."
A voice behind her answered,
"Yes, Master."
She narrowed her eyes.
"…Yet I can still feel his energy."
A pause.
"It's faint," she continued, "but it's there."
Her lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
To be continued…