Chapter 1 - Departure
Hyperspace. Eons ago.
At the heart of a galaxy twinned with our own, a black hole spiraled with deliberate, living slowness,
almost conscious, like an ancient being slowly turning on the hinges of a colossal door — an
immense millennial screw bearing the full weight of the ages. From afar, it seemed to devour
everything in its path. But the closer one drew, the more the truth imposed itself upon the mind:
it was not devouring — it was opening. It opened onto another world, drawing into its horizon the
vessels bold enough to cross this vibrating tunnel. At its threshold shimmered a vast vortex of dark
glass, a portal open between galaxies, around which a fleet of oblong ships advanced. One stood
out clearly from the others — the flagship, where the final preparations for the great crossing were
now concluding.
In the absolute silence of the universe, that echo-less space where even light seemed muffled, a
colossal vibration rose from the accretion disk — a deep, slow hum, as if the cosmos itself were
breathing with measured power. As the fleet approached the space route, it slowed. A breach
opened gently, and in a flash it was drawn inside with an almost imperceptible hiss. A shockwave
then spread like a powerful breath across kilometers around.
On the other side, everything was calmer, serene, almost motionless. The stars shimmered with
delicate hues. The moon, too, was peaceful. It even seemed to be smiling, as if to soothe the souls
who would soon have to say goodbye. As one drew closer to the flagship, tall, graceful beings could
be seen through large windows with rounded corners, walking with grave steps, heads slightly
bowed, imbued with tranquil nobility. The corridor they had taken led to a vast, almost infinite hall
whose walls seemed carved from rock crystal, veined with nacreous reflections. Floating above was
a living map of constellations, colored mostly in gold, silver, and Dendera blue, where the stars
moved with silent grace. An opalescent light, both clear and iridescent, bathed the entire space,
giving the few objects within it an almost sacred presence.
In the middle of the room, the couple stopped with majestic slowness. Facing each other, they
joined hands at heart level, pressed their foreheads together, and closed their eyes. Their refined
5garments, woven from the silkiest threads of night in the kingdom, seemed in harmony with the
surrounding, ever-moving galaxy. The firmament around them made the stars on their robes
dance, as if the stellar vault itself were reflected in the fabric. Every jewel sewn upon their chests
captured that same light and returned it in shifting gleams.
They spoke with barely moving lips, in that ancient tongue perceptible only to the third ear. Then,
gently, they opened their eyes and turned their gazes toward a white marble table veined with
gold. Upon it rested a large ogival capsule of transparent crystal, its ends delicately rounded. Inside
lay their daughter. Her long silver-white hair floated around her face, which held the glow of the
moon. Her skin sparkled like sunlight on the ocean. She appeared to sleep in a peaceful slumber,
too pure for what awaited her.
Together, they approached.
“She is ready,” the mother murmured, her voice as soft as the breeze passing between worlds.
“Yes,” he replied in a breath, placing a hand on the transparent edge. “Her mind is almost fully
integrated.”
The mother nodded, then slowly lowered her head, her eyes suddenly bright. He took her face in
his hands and wiped away a tear that had not yet fallen. With a delicate gesture, he tucked a strand
of hair behind her finely pointed ear. His palm remained resting on the crystal, as if to transmit all
his tenderness through the cold material.
They remained silent for a long moment, breathing deeply. Then, in an almost melodious voice,
she spoke these ancient words:
“Until soon, my Child. May the stars of the Highest Heavens guide you through the ages. You are
blessed. From the depths of our souls, we cherish you.”
With measured movement, the father pressed the switch. A breath of depressurization filled the
room, like a long murmur. The module lit up and began its descent, carrying their daughter away.
They followed her with their eyes until she disappeared entirely, melting into the light, then made
their way toward the Grand Hall.
