Veryath Nation
The Command Hall pulsed with light and sound, holographic displays floated in midair, each one flickering with streams of data, planetary scans, gravitational shifts, and chaotic bursts of raw numbers.
The central projector, a massive column of crystal and carbon, cast rotating 3D models of energy signatures in gold and crimson hues.
President Orion stood at the Top of the room, tall and composed in his uniform. The very air around him seemed to still when he spoke, as though the room understood the weight of his authority.
Dr. Elara Voss stepped forward, her lab coat whipping behind her. The tablet in her hands glowed faintly, displaying a clustered spectrum of energy spikes. "Sir, we've completed our preliminary analysis of the golden light. The energy signatures are... unrecognised. High frequency, chaotic flux, but with unparalleled potential. It's unstable, yes, but incredibly potent. If properly channeled, it could outmatch the Vulcros Engine a hundredfold."
Orion's eyes, a cool steel-gray, flicked to her tablet. "Harnessing it... is that theoretically possible?"
Elara hesitated. "We don't know yet. But even a fragment of that power could revolutionize propulsion, terraforming, possibly weaponry."
"And the origin?"
She brought up a rotating map, topographical lines forming a crater-like formation in the eastern sectors. "Here. Near what remains of Umoja. We tracked the initial surge to this location. But after the flash, residual anomalies began spreading outward in a radial pattern. Weather disturbances, magnetic shifts, electrical surges. We've even seen localized gravitational warping."
Orion studied the map. "So it didn't just vanish. It scarred the land."
"It left a... residue," Elara replied carefully.
A tense silence settled over the room.
Before she could elaborate, Dr. Kian Marrow stepped forward. His fingers flew across his tablet, opening new data windows that linked to oceanic scans and thermal anomalies. "Mr. President, there's more. The eastern seas, specifically the region bordering Aquilanor, are experiencing elevated energy levels. But it's not just environmental. It's biological."
Orion turned slowly. "Explain."
Kian zoomed in on undersea structures, glowing cities nestled in trenches lit by bioluminescent flora. "The Aquilans' natural energy-conversion systems are accelerating. Their underwater engine, long considered a marvel of sustainable energy, has become... something else. We've recorded enhancements to their physical abilities. They're faster, stronger, more adaptive. Agricultural growth has doubled. Infrastructure is expanding. And it's not random."
"They're building toward something," Orion muttered.
Kian nodded. "Exactly. It's coordinated. And controlled. Satellite footage suggests they're not just reacting to the energy, they're using it."
Orion turned to the center of the room, watching as images of Aquilanor's domed cities spun in holographic rotation. His gaze narrowed.
"Supernatural capabilities?"
"Sir, we don't use that word lightly. But yes. This isn't evolution, it's an escalation. Their abilities now exceed the known limits of their biology."
Elara leaned closer. "And we suspect the surge from the golden light is responsible. It may have interacted with the ocean's mineral-rich environment, or with the Aquilans themselves."
Orion's jaw tensed. "This light… it could be the key to stabilizing Vulcros. And they are using it."
His voice dropped to a hard whisper. "What are they doing with it?"
Kian hesitated, glancing toward the others before pulling up a final set of images, less clear, taken at extreme depths. "We've observed structures being constructed, massive reactors or armories, we're not sure. Some appear to be channeling energy directly from ocean vents. Others resemble... weapon arrays."
Orion folded his arms, his voice sharp. "And they think no one's watching."
"They're careful. Stealth fields are increasing. We're lucky to have caught this much."
The room went quiet again, tension crackling like static in the air.
Finally, Orion spoke, each word deliberate. "Then we need to know everything. Assemble a stealth team. Use cloaked drones, submersible scouts, anything that can get in and out without detection. I want visuals. Blueprints. Power readings. And above all...answers."
A voice cut through the tension, calm but strained.
Dr. Jarek Solis, materials science lead, stepped forward from the shadows. "Sir, breaching Aquilanor's perimeter… it could be interpreted as an act of war. They've been isolationist for decades. Any sign of espionage could provoke a retaliation."
Orion turned, his expression unreadable. "Then make sure they don't see us. We have the stealth capacity. Use it. Every second we hesitate, they get stronger."
He paused, then looked at each scientist in turn.
"If their engine is the key, we cannot afford to let it slip through our fingers. I don't care what diplomatic protocol says. We're talking about a new form of energy, something that bends natural law. If Aquilanor is hiding the truth, we will uncover it."
Solis lowered his gaze and nodded grimly.
The team dispersed quickly, moving with renewed urgency.
Orion turned back toward the main display. The golden light's energy signature pulsed gently in the center of the room, orbiting the image of the submerged cities. But something in his mind itched a detail unresolved.
He recalled the Council Meeting, the moment the golden light first appeared.
The Aquilans had been there.
Emperor Istrian Suyar had watched it and unlike the others, he was quickly to blame it on some natural disturbances, as if hiding something .
"Umoja... Aquilanor... ," he murmured. "It's all connected."
A faint smile curled on his lips, but it was cold now, predatory.
"Let's see what you're really hiding, Emperor Istrian ."
AQUILANOR
In the heart of Aquilanor's capital, Emperor Istrian Suyar stood in his throne room, a vast chamber carved from coral and illuminated by bioluminescent plants. His advisors surrounded him, their voices tense as they debated the implications of the energy surge.
"This energy residue," one advisor said, his voice low and urgent, "it's unlike anything we've ever seen. It has increased our energy engine, amplifying our soldiers abilities, but it's also… unpredictable. We don't fully understand its source or its limits."
Istrian's expression was calm, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. "We've always relied on our natural engine to sustain us. This new energy is a gift, but it's also a responsibility. We must tread carefully."
Another advisor stepped forward, her tone sharp. "And what of the other nations? They've surely noticed the residue by now. If they discover what we're doing, they'll come for us. We can't afford to be caught unprepared."
Istrian nodded, his gaze distant. "You're right. We must strengthen our defenses and prepare for the worst. But we must also be cautious. If we act too aggressively, we risk provoking a conflict we cannot win."
As the advisors continued to debate, a messenger rushed into the chamber, his face pale with alarm. "Your Majesty, we've detected intruders in our waters ,unmanned drones, moving with stealth and precision. They're scanning our cities, gathering data."
Istrian's calm demeanor shattered, his eyes narrowing with anger. "Who sent them?"
The messenger hesitated, then spoke in a hushed tone. "We believe they're from Veyrath."
The room fell silent, the weight of the revelation settling over them like a storm cloud. Veyrath, the technologically advanced nation led by the cunning Orion Valmar. If they were probing Aquilanor's waters, it could only mean one thing: they had pinpointed the energy residue.
Istrian's fists clenched at his sides, his voice low and dangerous. "This is an act of aggression. We cannot allow them to violate our territory."
One of his advisors stepped forward, her voice cautious. "Your Majesty, we must be careful. If we retaliate, we risk escalating the situation. Perhaps we should send a warning, make it clear that we will not tolerate their interference."
Istrian considered her words, his mind racing. He knew the stakes were high. If he acted too boldly, he risked drawing the attention of the other nations. But if he did nothing, he risked losing control of the energy residue, and with it, the future of Aquilanor.
"Prepare our defenses," he said at last, his tone firm. "But do not engage unless provoked. We will send a message to Veyrath, warning them to stay out of our waters. If they refuse to heed our warning… we will have no choice but to act."
The advisors nodded, their expressions grim.
VEYRATH
President Orion stood in the control room of The Forge, his eyes fixed on the holographic displays that showed the progress of his underwater drones. The images were clear and detailed, revealing the Aquilans' cities in stunning clarity.
"They're expanding their infrastructure," Dr. Kian Marrow said, his voice tinged with excitement. "And look at this, energy-based weapons, advanced agricultural systems… they're preparing for something big."
Orion's lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. The more they prepare, the more we learn. Keep the drones active, but make sure they stay hidden. We can't afford to tip our hand too soon."
Before Kian could respond, an alarm blared through the control room, the screens flashing red.
Orion's smile faded, replaced by a look of cold fury. "What happened?"
Kian's hands flew across the controls, his expression tense. "The Aquilans… they've detected the drones. One of them was taken out."
Orion's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. The Aquilans were more formidable than he had anticipated, and they were clearly willing to defend their territory.
"Send a message to their leader," he said, his voice sharp and commanding. "Tell them that their actions have been noted, and any further aggression will be met with swift retaliation."
Kian hesitated, his expression uneasy. "Sir, if we provoke them, we risk starting a conflict we may not be ready for."
Orion's smile returned, but it was darker now, more calculating. "Then we'll make sure we're ready. Mobilize our forces and prepare for the worst. If the Aquilans want a fight, we'll give them one."
As Kian hurried to carry out his orders, Orion turned back to the holographic displays, his mind racing. He didn't need a diplomat to tell him, war is no longer a question, it's a countdown. It was only a matter of time before the other nations took notice.
But for now, he had the upper hand, and he intended to use it.