Chapter 1:
It is the year 3160, the world is aflame. Ash and Blood littered the grounds. Repainting the world in dark crimson.
The screams of the innocent, the pleas of the righteous smothered by the cruel laughter of the dark foes lingering with the shadows. The bright ideals of the Age of Wonder have withered and died. To be alive in this time is a terrible fate.
Humanity in their ever-growing lust for answers and power reached out to the void. They obtained the answers they sought. Just not the ones they thought they would obtain. They found the new source of power that would bring them into a new age. It would also bring upon them their ruin and damnation.
Dreams and hopes are now but a myth. Unity and prosperity are not but uncertainties and deception.
For in this age there is no peace, no respite, only a never-ending war.
There is nothing but darkness.
It was dark. So dark it was, no light shone through. Yet the world also felt hollow and light. Such was the experience that a lone figure encased within the space felt, who was floating alone in the void of the world. Was it water that had submerged and encased the figure in this space? There was no way to tell. Their senses were nearly nonexistent. Where was up? What was down? Were they facing right or left?
What even was that? Something caught the figures' attention pulling at them. Like a gravity well it guides the figure forward. Like a gentle valley stream going about its course. Then there was light. It was faint at first. Barely a hint within the sea of darkness. Then it grew into a flicker. Before long it slowly became pierced through the darkness. Becoming a blinding light that soon overtook all. It consumed all senses. The figure once concealed within the darkness, was now bathed in the light.
The light blared brightly then suddenly it vanished. Darkness took over once again. Then sensation flooded through. Pain, nausea, discomfort. It was overwhelming then slowly but surely it subsided. Begrudging slowly. The light began to slowly seep back. It was faint but blindly then it became more comfortable to look at. The point of interest where the light originated from became clearer.
A light fixture held high above. There were walls enclosed all around as much as the eyes could track.
Where is this? Where am I? That was the first thought. Then came the sensation of bodily limbs. Feeling them even as they moved. Hands appeared before thy eyes. Before then the extracted, feeling the sensation of the neck. The head lifted slightly upwards. Allowing the eyes to scan more of the surroundings.
Seeing the massive room. The light fixture illuminated only a small portion of the room. It was eerie feeling. There was a slight illumination coming from the floor around the coffin. Giving off just as equally discomforting eerie sensation just looking at them. Along with another feeling, a burning feeling. It came from deep within, a rushing tide of energy surged forth.
Propelling the figure within the coffin to rise and quickly step away from the coffin. Now outside of the coffin, the full display of the runes was available. The lines and runes converged and spiraled around the coffin. Forming a highly detailed and intricate diagram around the coffin which he once laid within. It would have made for a fine artwork piece if not for the sickening sensation it radiated.
Before peeling their eyes away from the runes and diagrams before them. The mere sight of it sent bile, threatening to overfill from their gut. Magma began boiling once again in the figure's core. Their mind began trailing elsewhere. As if to take their mind off of what they just saw. 'Why were they in a coffin? Where were they currently at?' An assortment of questions began swarming their mind.
The surroundings were dark. Nowhere near the darkness that engulfed the figure before. With the faintest hint of light from the fixture above, the eerie illuminating runes below. Along with lights at the far end of the wall. There at the end of the wall.
The figure's attention shot towards that. Further down the open ground array in the back were steel lockers. Packed tightly together, fixed to the wall on the far side. Striding towards them immediately after realizing what they were. Covering the distance with swift steps finding themself in front of the first locker. There on the door frame itself, was a mirror attached to the front of the locker.
Looking at the glass, reflected on its surface. Was that of a young man. No more than in his late twenties. He was bare. Nude, bare to the elements. Now only aware of this state due to the sensation on his bare skin. Feeling the slight cool breeze. Flowing over his naked form.
His hair was long passed his shoulder. The inner section of the hair was silky white. While the outer portion was dark as night. His eyes were of two different colors and glowed with a faint ethereal energy.
"Is this me?" the man's confused voice came through. His fingers traced along his clean cheek bones. Overlooking himself just a bit more before he refocused on what was important. The man gripped at the handle. Then with a tightening if his fingers the handle squealed under the pressure before finally. The hinges burst from its bolts. The door was released from its seal and swayed loose on its hinges. Within the confines of the locker, outline by the storage compartment. Opened and bared to the outside world. There on its rack was a single article. A single piece uniform, one he didn't recognize. The symbols and insignias were familiar yet also foreign.
However, it was legible. He knew what these words mean. "What nation or unit is that? This uniform doesn't look anything like what I've seen before. Maybe it's a company not a unit. Wait." The man paused confused. "How do I understand all this?" Fingers tracing against the lines, brushing against the still smooth fabric material. Then suddenly pain shot through the man's head. The pain was overwhelming, so intense was the pain. That it brought the man down to his knees. Fighting to stay upright, while clutching his head.
Míng Yáng Yǔchén (Bright Sun Moon) that was his name. Then quick flashes of images flashed before their eyes. A multitude of various things flashed before his eyes. Imagines, information like a tidal wave, it came rushing forward. Then just as suddenly as the pain came. It subsided, fading away like running water in a stream.
"I-I, remember, I, I remember~." Míng Yáng Yǔchén muttered softly as his mind reset itself. Rising back up on top his feet. Standing tall and proud, his features hardened, his eyes blazed with purpose. Purpose of what he was born for.
"How long has it been since my imprisonment? Has the war been won?" He questioned himself. A thousand different thoughts came and went. An equal number of answers and theories were produced. Yet he didn't bother to entertain any of it.
"No, I don't think so. Not after they manage to lock me away in that damn coffin. So, did we fail? Has the arch enemy breached through the ward?" That thought sent a shiver down his spine. However, he banished that thought.
"Where is this place though, by the structure details alone. It's clearly man made of human design." Eyes swimming from one sight to the next, looking around, eyeing the structure around him absorbing whatever details he could ascertain from it.
"Am I back on Earth? Or somewhere within the home system?" Was the most basic conclusion that he could draw from the surrounding evidence. The familiar of sight processed metal, the stale recycled air. Then his eyes fell upon his nude form.
"Where is my armor? Where is my sword?" Míng Yáng Yǔchén rushed back to the coffin. Looking into the coffin, seeing nothing more than the empty space, which he laid upon. Yet as his hands dance along the surface, feeling the still warm stone texture of the coffin. Touching every crevice, every corner, looking for any hidden secrets. At last, there was none to be found.
"Damn it of course they removed that from me! Wouldn't want me to wake up and start swinging now, would they? How does a mod of mindless beast have common sense like that?"
Stepping away from coffin. Striding back towards the lockers. He began to open the other lockers. Grabbing the uniform from the first locker that he had opened first. Seeing nothing else of use to him. He moved over to the next locker. Ripped the handle off like the first. Opened its contents and took what seemed useful.
He repeated this process repeatedly, going from one locker to the next. Finding no great prospects. All he got out of his endeavor was the uniform and several worthless trinkets. Nothing that seemed valuable or useful. Yet it may help latter on like the lone single ID he found. Thus, he decided to bring them along.
Slowly making his way outside the room. The hallway was dark and the lights flickered. Giving the halls an equally eerie setting like the room before. It was quiet. The silence added to the suspense; this however didn't bother Míng Yáng Yǔchén. As he strode onwards. Hearing nothing else but the soft footfalls of his own boots echoing around him.
Till something finally caught his attention. A shadowy figure stood near the end of the corridor. Míng Yáng Yǔchén didn't call out to it. The smell caught his senses first, before he laid eyes upon the figure. The figure slowly strode toward the dark eerily halls. The dimension and stride of it was wrong. Míng Yáng Yǔchén could see that even without the flickering lights. The figure features were visible as clear as day to him.
"Good to know my senses haven't deteriorated." He muttered to himself. His eyes never left the figure heading towards him. It was gaunt, its limbs elongated. Its form was wrong in all of its proportions. Yet it still held small traces of humanity. The distorted figure of humanity seemed to have noticed his presence. The figure let out bellowing that shouldn't be possible from such a fragile looking being.
Then with a sudden burst of movement. The figure blitzed at such speed belie its form. Covering the distance with quick stride it homed in on him. Míng Yáng Yǔchén didn't move. He didn't even flinch from the abominable sight before him. The moment the beast stepped before him. His right hand shot forth grasping at the creature's head. The beast let out a howl and writhed under his grip.
The sound of crackling bones gradually increased. The creature in his palm struggled with greater ferocity. Thrashing wildly, flaying its arms wildly. Yet it still couldn't break free from its predicament. The pressure became too great then with a finally squeeze. The pitiful beast's skulled popped, sending gore and life fluids outwards dying his recently acquired uniform in a fresh paint of gore.
"Filth." He spat with utmost disdain at the creature. Then came the sickening sound of tearing flesh as he then pulled. Pulling the crushed head from the neck. The base of the neck slowly but surely was ripped with a resounding snap. As the last strands of muscle tendons were pulled free from it's body. With a sickening snap of meat.
Not admiring his handiwork, he then tossed the headless corpse aside, paying no heed to it any further. He also mindlessly tossed the crushed skull in his hand away as well. The bodies landing hard against the floor. The loud thump echoed off where it landed. Attesting to the creature's weight despite its deceptive appearance.
"Good to know that my strength hasn't been affected either during these long years. However long it was."
Was the comment spoken. As he also tossed aside the crushed skull in his hand. Flicking his wrist slightly to fling the remaining blood on his palm.
"Well, I supposed that answers my earlier question. This doesn't bode well." Míng Yáng Yǔchén said his voice was grim. "If they have break through the ward and entered real space. No wonder I don't see anyone around."
'Roar~!' Further down the corridor a booming battle cry vibrated in the air. Drawing his attention further down the pathway before him.
"Of course there is never just one around. On well I do need the exercise after sleeping in that coffin for so long."
He continued this stride for untold minutes moving through empty hallways. Partly desolate corridors and massive hanger bays. Such as the one he now found himself within, soon after breaking through the open portal. Held within was multitude of different structures and equipment of various sizes and shape.
Looking over the area quickly he found a section with cargo holds filled with containers. Forming a mini counter. He sped towards it leaping over the cargo. And hiding his form behind the now protective steel frame. He closed his eyes like he was in deep mediation. Thin streaks of vein line soon ran throughout his body. Light enteral power radiated from multitude river stream upon his skin, before it all varnished as soon as it appeared. As they all converged together to the center of his forehead. Now situated he waited. Míng Yáng Yǔchén slowly eased his way up. Peering over the corner, he could see the incoming threat. Slowly but surely, as it inched closer into view, unveiling itself. Half covered, concealed by the failing lights, flickering into life ever so suddenly.
This time the figure was massive, eclipsing the beast that he killed just minutes ago. This one too was humanoid in form and shape. Larger than even himself. This one was even more distorted than the first creature he had slain. Unlike the first which was gaunt. This one was bloated, with extra muscles tendrils. One arm, especially its right arm, was thicker and elongated. Ending in equally out of portion digital claws.
Yet even though the beast's head and eyes faced Míng Yáng Yǔchén's direction even connecting eyes with he clearly visible head of the man before it. It doesn't seem to register to the creature. As it simply turned away, ignoring the human clearly visible before it and slowly carried along its way through the bay.
"Now that is a bit more worthwhile, now then let's see."
Quickly his eyes darted around the surrounding corridor. Looking for something, anything he could utilize as a weapon.
His eyes then landed on a screwdriver. A single mechanical instrument just laying around by itself upon the metal panel floor. Picking up the instrument. He shrugged himself.
"Not the most effective tool but it will have to do."
He focused his mind, enteral light soon appeared and swirled around his body. Power coursed from his palm, slowly seeping into the screwdriver. Before the energy enveloped the entirety of the tool. Now armed Míng Yáng Yǔchén leaped from his cover and lunged at the beast.
Closing the distance with quick strides. The creature's back still facing him. Approaching the last few feet, Míng Yáng Yǔchén leaped into the air. Crashing into the beast's back with the full force of his body weight. The creature lurched forward from the sudden impact. Without delay, the instant he grasped onto the creature. The screwdriver was driven deep into abomination's flesh.
"Roar~!' The creature boomed the air vibrated. It thrashed and twirled frantically trying to remove the source of the disturbances. The screwdriver repeatedly dug at the beast. At the neck, at its chest. Such of the speed of Míng Yáng Yǔchén stabbing at it. Before it finally grabbed at him and tossed him away like a rag doll. Catching himself in the air, he balanced himself using the motion of the throw. Twirling in the air, planting his feet under him. He slides around the metal floor before catching himself.
However, there was no time to waste as the beast was already upon him. Its clawed limbs swiping at him. Dodging it just by a millimeter from his face. He moved in on the offensive. Thrusting the needle screwdriver into the creature's neck yet again. This time, however, the creature was aware and alert. The screwdriver nibbled only the surface of its skin. It retaliated with its other limb. It fingers curled into a fist, intending to deck Míng Yáng Yǔchén in the chest. He effortlessly leaps over it, swiping at the beast while doing so. Yet only earned a minuscule scratch for the effort.
The beast and him danced in this motion game of chicken. One larger figure frantically swiping it's limps around. At a much smaller figure that was leaping and twirling around it. Each throwing blows that didn't connect. All the while the duo ducked and weaved, away from one another. The beast with its elongated clawed arm swinging at Míng Yáng Yǔchén. With him avoiding and returning with a swipe with the screwdriver in return. Each leaving only superficial wounds upon each other. Where with each swipe of the screwdriver, a cut appeared. Where the claw came a tear opened on cloth.
On and on this dance continued. The duo could have went on for days on end at this rate. Till one of them finally decided that it wouldn't. The deformed let out a roar. Before swiping a backhand strike. Altering its attack pattern, the sudden change connected with Míng Yáng Yǔchén sending him flying backwards.
Riding the motion, before cartwheeling on the ground. He timed his spin and threw the screwdriver backwards. Towards the beast that had thrown him. He calculated from the angel of his throw. The screwdriver sang through the air in a perfect arc. Sailing straight to the creature's right eye. The eye popped like a grape. Blood flooded out from the empty presence of the destroyed eyeball.
The brute roared. The air particles and walls around them trembled. Yet it was not out of pain he could sense, but of annoyance. Of inconvenience. There it stood in place, glaring at Míng Yáng Yǔchén with its one remaining eye. He stared right back into it. None made a move, not breaking eye contact.
Suddenly it's body began to writhe. Muscle fibers twitched and shifted; something was happening. He braced himself. His body reacted with flawless precision. Something was happening on it back. This he could see. It was a rapid twitching of muscle fiber. Then it became a bulge, expanding outward. Till finally like a ballon it popped. Blood sprayed out like a geyser, along with twisting tendrils. Failing widely in the air.
"Oh~, nice trick." Míng Yáng Yǔchén said mock surprise, unimpressed by the display before him. "You got anything better than showing what's underneath that skin of yours?"
As if in response to his words. The gaping maw slowly lit up. The twirling tentacles coiled up, slowly but surely the brightness grew and intensive, as the build of energy continued. The air around it seems to shake and tremble around it.
"Here we go. This is more like it-" He then readied a stance bracing for what was to come.
Then from its stationary position. It shot towards him. Like a bullet released from the chamber. It sprinted towards Míng Yáng Yǔchén, picking up speed rapidly like that of any aircraft on a runway. Shifted sideways avoiding the path of the of impact. It zoomed past him with speeds cutting through the air. Speed that seemed to cut through the air particles themselves, a tidal of air sweep over him. A loud crash vibrated behind him coming from where the beast crashed into the wall.
The entire structure shuttered from the impact. Dust quickly filled the space around, spreading out in the air. Shrouding the surrounding from sight.
"Fast but predictable." Was all Míng Yáng Yǔchén had to say. Almost bored at the update.
He needed a new weapon. His eyes darted around looking for something. Before, suddenly there was a flash of light and the beast shot out from the crater in the wall. Míng Yáng Yǔchén once again stepped out of the path. Watching it as it sped past him yet again. Crashing yet again into another wall on the far end of the hanger bay.
Taking that moment to once again survey the area around for something for him to utilize to end the beast. Looking into the carter in the wall. Something caught his eye. Pointing out of the opening. He rushed towards it. Thrusting his arm into the gap without a second thought. Grasping hold of what appeared to be a broken rebar. Ripping the torn bar from the wall. Out came a rebar of a human sized length or rather. A noteworthy spear length, perfect for his current situation.
He twirled and fiddled with the rebar for a bit. As though waiting, his back still facing where the beast had impact. From the waning dust cloud. The creature charged forward yet again. Speeding towards him. This time however he didn't move. Even as the beast was rushing towards him. Each rapid stride closing the distance in mere second. Once in front of him the beast bellowed. Its claw limbs swinging at him. Intending to claw at the impunited figure that caused it so much trouble. Before the digit touched Míng Yáng Yǔchén, he moved.
Grasping at the extended limb. His body swung with the motion. Flowing gracing in suspense afforded to him. Riding the motion, he swung around the beast's body like a dancer. Utilizing the brute's own strength against it. Hanging off of the horn as his legs speared through the air towards its back. Then planting them and positioning himself upon the beast's back. In his right hand, gripped the rebar held up high. Above his head at the very moment, he situated himself. Quickly grasping the rob with both hands, without a pause in his motion. Plugged the rebar through the back of the back of the creature's skull. The rebar implanted itself deep and through the beast head. Pushing out through the gaping maw.
It jerked stiffly. Before all motion ceased from the beast. There the duo stood motionless as though framed by time.
"Ha~, barely even a warmup. Disappointing." Míng Yáng Yǔchén spat out with utter discontent in his voice.
Then the motionless corpse began slumping slightly forward. Following the rules of gravity and the combined weight of Míng Yáng Yǔchén's body. It fell hard upon the ground, it heavy form denting into the metal floor. Míng Yáng Yǔchén landing gracefully beside the corpse.
"Although I do seem to have slowed down a lot compared to before. I would have been the shish kabob if I had been slower any slower. If any of my brothers saw me like this. There wouldn't be anywhere in the nines hells where I can avoid their criticism."
Looking over his body, seeing the tear marks on the uniform. It held on to him barely, like loose rags. Hanging literally by the threads. Exposing most of his form to the outside world.
"Great now I have to look for more clothes again." Míng Yáng Yǔchén scowled, seeing the state of the loose clothes. The tears strewed larges gaps allowing the gore to stain his skin.
"Should I just head back to the lockers? I remember there was another pair of clothes there."
Shrugging his shoulder he then started the walk back to the lockers back in the room where he awoke from.
No less than after he made the breakthrough into the corridor. Turning to the path of his destination, He found himself halted in his tracks. Not by a physical force, but by voice. Ones he didn't think he would hear from again in this desolate place.
"Halt! Whoever you are, stay where you are! Rise your hands up where I can see them!" Cutting through the short quiet, a sudden barking command sang in the air. Coming from his back. Míng Yáng Yǔchén frowned slightly, while slowly twirling on his heel to face the new disturbance. His sights fell upon a group of humans. Yes, humans, he knew this for a fact. He could smell this, tasted it even in the air carrying their essence.
The sight of which sends jolts through his hearts. As if opening the flood gates. A surge of emotion came forth. Ones even he didn't know that he had buried deep in his psyche. Seeing the state of his current surrounding drew that conclusion. It would appear humanity hadn't been wiped out. He wasn't alone in this cruel world.
Looking over the group. Holding position just a few feet from him. Spread out in a mirror moon formation. Purposeful to isolate and contain him. Their features were shrouded from his vision. Yet their physical form still told what he needed to know of this group. Three males and two females all donning forming fitting armored suits. Showing for their outlines, their postures ridged with tension,
One figure stepped forward from the group. Assuming this one to be the leader. Drew the attention of Míng Yáng Yǔchén. Eyes locking onto the visored face plate of the soldier before him. Stopping just feet from him. keeping an optimal distance should him feel threatened.
'Huh they're at least wise enough to keep to that at least.' Míng Yáng Yǔchén couldn't help but comment to himself. His posture still relaxed and none threatening.
'Still a little too close though. Well far enough for a normal guy anyway. This distance is still enough for me to gut him before he can react.'
Míng Yáng Yǔchén keep that fact to himself no need to tempt the little Chihuahua any further.
"Are you daff!? Identify yourself!" The man's voice boomed once again. Muzzle now pointing at Míng Yáng Yǔchén's face. Finger posed over the trigger inching to squeeze down.
"I heard you the first time." He finally said. Responding to the tense soldier in front of him. his voice carried in the air. Nonchalantly, without a care in the world. As though he was beyond all the whims of it.
"Then answer the fucking question! Who are you?" The man roared once again. As he approached closer at Míng Yáng Yǔchén. Seemingly feeling confident to approach with other spare rifles raised and aimed at him. Even with the danger Míng Yáng Yǔchén didn't have any fear. This fact seems to irritate the approaching man. Trigger finger growing tighter on the trigger. Yet still not enough to press down.
Barking out another command. The words carried his growing fury and frustration.
Yet still Míng Yáng Yǔchén didn't respond. The words didn't even register in his ears. Nor was there any change in his posture. The leader's posture shifted slightly as if readying himself to strike. No one made a move. No one even spoke. The tension was palpable, threatening to crack open. Like an egg, spilling forth chaos or peace.
None knew the true outcome to come. Thus, no one acted. Till finally the one variable of this equation broke the tension.
"I just got one question." Míng Yáng Yǔchén said while crossing his arms in front of his chest. Still not showing any sign of panic or worry. His face flat devoid of any discernable emotion.
All he got in response in return was a simple gesture of a chin raised at him.
"What day, of what week, of what month, of what year is today?"
This seemed to baffle the group. The sight of heads turning towards one another was evident despite their features concealed behind the armored faceplates. The slight relaxing in their tense muscles. The captain or leader of the group was the only one that seemed to hold fast to disciple, despite the rifle seemingly wavering just so slightly. As least this fact was inescapable to Míng Yáng Yǔchén's eyes.
"What?"