However, differences always give rise to conflict.
Nationality, skin color, culture, race, religion, language, and even place of origin. Wars are always caused by differences in perception and interests, viewing others as inferior due to outdated notions such as revering bloodlines.
At the beginning of the sixth century, the first civil war erupted in Bahtera—
Some groups sought to expel the "Defective" from Bahtera, deeming them impure—a deviation that could corrupt the purity of humanity. They engaged in widespread discrimination, relentlessly pressuring the government to carry out a bloodline purge.
On the other hand, as a minority, those deemed "Defective" did not remain passive. Utilizing their abilities, these individuals made significant contributions to Bahtera.
Research findings, alternative food sources, societal system reforms, medications, and even weapons and specialized algorithms for the latest dwarf planet programs. They did not resort to violence but purely demonstrated achievements to secure their place within Bahtera.
They demonstrated to society and the government that they were not a threat but rather an evolutionary form of the human race that could bring benefits.
Unfortunately, this only worsened the civil war. Even without being shown, the people of the Ark understood this. The fact that the "Defective" were far superior to ordinary humans.
Without finding a resolution, the civil war raged on for over half a century. Dozens of vital facilities were destroyed, famine began to spread, and deadly plagues emerged. During the conflict, many important archives were lost, leading to a decline in societal knowledge.
At its peak, the Ark experienced a massive regression in civilization.
On the other hand, the research group chose not to take sides. They locked themselves in a secret laboratory, secured the important archives, and devised a plan to restore civilization after the civil war ended.
Without taking any action to stop the conflict—
As the social order of Bahtera was on the brink of collapse, the final defense system prepared by the ancestors suddenly activated. As if the founders had predicted the conflict, a young man awoke from his long slumber.
He was one of the founders of Bahtera, the embodiment of history and knowledge archived in human form. He inherited the knowledge, memories, and abilities of pure humanity. A living fossil of Earth's civilization.
His initial arrival did not bring about significant changes. Like a normal human, the figure was disoriented upon first awakening. Acting like a cave dweller, he struggled to communicate and even behaved slightly aggressively.
However, the next day, the young man immediately understood the level of civilization of Bahtera. Through simple conversations, he learned the knowledge of everyone and adapted instantly. He understood his environment, himself, and the conditions around him.
Before the day ended, his knowledge had developed to match that of researchers. He could operate the Bahtera system and even access the command module to control the movement of the dwarf planet.
The next day, his knowledge and intelligence were on par with the Oracles. He could predict things, even know things he had never witnessed. A calculation ability that was very close to prophecy.
Then—
Before a week had passed, the young man had understood his role and responsibilities. Why he had awakened, and what he must do on the Ark.
He immediately targeted the research group, building relationships and persuading them with knowledge from ancient civilizations. In exchange, the young man was finally permitted to leave the secret laboratory.
He went to witness the prolonged civil conflict with his own eyes.
Like a Messiah figure, the young man began to move to resolve the conflict. He spread a theology-based belief, using false divinity as an argument to end the prolonged war.
On the first day after he left the laboratory, the young man with black hair showed them miracles and divinity.
He brought a dead person back to life in front of everyone, then healed those wounded and dying from the war.
He eradicated the plague ravaging society with a gentle breath, then created a pile of bread and a pool of clean water with a flick of his finger.
He turned day into night and night into day with a single clap of his hands. He brought rain, then fertilized the ground he walked on.
Some people immediately worshiped the young man, but others opposed him and tried to eliminate him. However, all of that was in vain because the young man only wanted to end the conflict. He did not truly care about them.
On the second day, the young man began spreading his beliefs. He gave a small book kept in a black cube, then chose a few people to be his intermediaries. Gathering followers and spreading his beliefs.
On the third day, the belief grew rapidly and became a separate faction. Many people tired of war fled to the young man's side, seeking protection and help, hoping the conflict would end soon.
The young man accepted them all without discrimination or distinction. Whether they were the "Deformed" or ordinary humans, he accepted them sincerely.
On the fourth day, both sides began to lose their combat strength. Both the "Disabled" group and those who wanted to expel them slowly collapsed as many members left their factions.
They began to doubt continuing the war but were reluctant to abandon their vengeful nature. They still clung to their respective beliefs.
Before the fourth day ended, the Young Man proposed negotiations, which were accepted. He wanted to end the war before the Bahtera community collapsed beyond repair. Seeking a solution through consultation.
On the fifth day, an open conference was held to find a breakthrough. Discussing each party's interests, then granting tolerance to reach a mutual agreement.
However, the conference nearly devolved into anarchy as neither side was willing to yield. They demanded and blamed each other, speaking as though they were the only ones in the right.
Immediately after the midday break, the research group joined the conference as a fourth party. They did not support either of the conflicting sides, but merely delivered an important announcement regarding the state of Bahtera.
"We will soon exit the Milky Way and reach the Andromeda star cluster. Before that, the Ark will enter the Void Gap—! The most dangerous zone in all of space we have ever traversed…"
This statement was a heavy consideration for both sides. Setting aside all existing interests, they did not want human civilization to perish while passing through the Void Gap. No one wanted their civilization to end.
Before the day ended, a tolerance agreement was made as a declaration of the end of the civil war. It united everyone under binding regulations, instilling tolerance in people so that the same mistakes would not be repeated.
In the agreement, there was one main thing established to achieve tolerance between the two sides. In exchange for the tolerance granted to the "Defective," the normal human group demanded the absolute prohibition of genetic manipulation. The aim was to preserve the genetic purity of humanity.
After the agreement was made, the term "Defective" was banned by the government. It was replaced with Halv-Phylum and Halv-Patmia, which have many variations according to their genetic maps.
On the sixth day, the young man prepared for his departure. He bequeathed several Forms of Knowledge (Daath) to each faction representative, then returned to the secret laboratory to prepare the Ark before entering the Void Gap.
Before the day ended, he created dozens of A.I.s to support the Ark's recovery. He copied his own personality into an algorithmic structure, then bred it with the personalities of several researchers to create new Artificial Intelligence.
He created an A.I. cluster as the center of law and systems. Functioning as the primary support for the survival of humanity, it fully oversees and regulates education, security, resources, and governance within the Ark.
On the seventh day, the young man exited the secret laboratory and went to observe the Void Gap. He borrowed the Halv faction's giant telescope and witnessed the edge of the galaxy with his own eyes.
As if frightened, the young man remained silent after witnessing the Void Gap. He did not provide any explanation about what he had seen.
"May our sanctuary truly exist at the end of that void. No need for paradise; safety alone is enough for us…"
After writing a few sentences on a scrap of paper, the young man immediately returned to the laboratory to design something. He created a design for a black cube-shaped weapon resembling a book container, but slightly larger and with strange patterns on its surface.
Unable to realize the design, the young man eventually returned to the coffin and continued his long sleep. Closing the chapter of his brief life.
He left knowledge, beliefs, and purpose to the people of the Ark. Hoping they could maintain their humanity after crossing over.
The young man's departure marked the end of the use of the Ark calendar, which was closed at the end of the sixth century.
Instead, a new calendar system was used to measure the length of time they spent crossing the gap—
Known as the Era of Emptiness, taken from the zone they would traverse over the next few centuries. Unfortunately, this new era did not last long.
Immediately after the first century ended, the inhabitants of the Ark witnessed absolute despair within the Emptiness Gap. This could not be explained by human knowledge, completely beyond reason. Far removed from the concept of humanity.
The Living White Dwarf, the true form of the Star Eater. The Eternal Primal Being, the tangible manifestation of cosmic horror.
This creature possessed an utterly absurd size, with a body resembling a wingless dragon serpent, capable of swallowing stars whole. It slithered through the void, disrupting all scientific laws around it.
Space, time, gravity, light, and even the forms of life and knowledge become chaotic in its presence. It cannot be measured or identified.
The entity does not appear on radar or sensors; it can only be observed through the vision of living beings. It is so far removed from reality that it was once referred to as the universe's imagination. A terrifying joke at the edge of the cosmos.
That is why its existence cannot be documented using a camera.
Its form can only be captured in manual drawings; even digital documents disappear within seconds when archived. As if the creature's existence has its own will.
Additionally, the distance between the Ark and the creature's location cannot be measured. Since sensors and radar cannot identify it, its coordinates become unclear and highly chaotic.
The Primal Creature is not aggressive; it simply drifts through the void, consuming white dwarfs as its primary food. Occasionally, it chews on small suns and planets, then sucks in comets and asteroids like snacks.
However, its presence alone is sufficient to bring disaster to the Ark.
It possesses gravity capable of attracting stars and planets in its vicinity.
Once it moves, the concepts of space and time around it become chaotic.
After thorough research, the entity cannot be classified as a living being. It is compared to cosmic dust, black holes, or other celestial phenomena.
Though referred to as the Primal Being and the Living White Dwarf, its concept of life is vastly different from human understanding.
Its composition originates from a higher dimension, cannot be identified, and is ultimately designated as the Singularity of Destruction.
In other words, humanity would be unable to kill the creature. They could only alter the Ark's route and move as far away as possible.
Although this would prolong the duration of the crossing—
Unfortunately, the Cosmic Dragon was not the only Primal Being.
After venturing deeper into the Void, humanity once again faced despair. The reality was that the place was filled with creatures like them, some of which were hundreds of times larger and cannibalistic.
Primal Beings come in various forms. Most resemble reptiles, slithering and crawling through the void.
However, there are also Primal Beings with humanoid forms. They have wings like angels or divine beings, massive in size, and emit a very bright light. They can move extremely quickly, glide through the Void, and tend to travel in groups.
There are also Primal Beings that resemble cosmic monsters. This type tends to be aggressive, cannibalistic, and far larger than the others.
Less than a month after learning this fact, the suicide rate on the Ark skyrocketed. Many suffered from mental disorders, crime rates rose, and the calendar system became chaotic due to their distorted perception of time.
In less than two years, the Ark had transformed into a desolate place resembling a ghost town. Social order collapsed, civilization regressed, and nearly the entire population suffered from mental disorders.
But—
Whether it was called a miracle or fate, they managed to survive and escape the Void Rift. Continuing their journey with a very small population, they then rebuilt civilization in a new location.
Before establishing a new calendar and government, the Survivors collectively decided to bury that history deep within.
Hiding the existence of the Primal Beings from their children and grandchildren. Collecting all physical archives, then sealing them in a black box alongside the Holy Book until the time comes.
Rebuilding civilization, increasing their numbers, then preparing the weapons designed by the young man to fight back. Intending to kill the Primal Beings.
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Note:
Enjoy reading. Though it falls under science fiction, the content may lean toward the supernatural or metaphysical.
Arc 01 "Almiah Dissident" begins.