Such a simple word, just a single character.
Contained within this single character is all that contains a person. After all, it is used to refer to one's ‘self’.
But, what is self?
Our memories, connections, aspirations, ideals, emotions? Some combination? Well, if that is our self, what about our bodies? Do they constitute a part of our selves, are they merely vessels?
All of these questions have plagued philosophers for millennia. However, I think most people just settle on the idea that everyone can determine the extent of their own self.
So, when one that defines their body as part of their ‘self’ suddenly learns that that their body is not what they thought it was, then what? What if that person is told that not only are they not entirely human, but they are part some mysterious progenitor species that formed the universe?
While that person’s memories may stay the same, how might one’s ideals and understanding of reality change with such a revelation?
Add on top of that, that their own mother was killed in an attempt to conceive them – a completely unnatural hybrid. In a way that one can only imagine was not pleasant in the slightest.
Also, the one that created them, decided, without any other basis, to then call themselves ‘father’. Then proceeded to neglect, although not abandon, their newly claimed child science project.
Now, that aforementioned person is me. Kovon Ducker, age 19. 181cm, purple hair, gray eyes. Also, I'm 25% Vikean.
Atleast, I hope that's still me. I'm not quite sure anymore.
17:00 UTC, September 3rd, 2048 CE | Earth / Central North America / Farmhouse
I awaken, to find my head resting on a soft cloud. Though, it's unfortunately not Ray’s lap, but instead a super comfortable pillow. I appear to be in a bed, the room looks to be made out of wooden walls. Very strange, considering I've been living in metal boxes for my entire life.
I feel a hand gripping my own, holding it tightly. At the side of my bed, is none other than Ray. Asleep, with an adorable grin upon her face. She must be having a good dream, which is good. Considering all that has happened in the past few hours, not to mention days or months.
Oh, how I wish it could all be a dream. Though, I know it's not, by how absolutely insane it is. There is no way my brain would conjure up such an absurd turn of events.
Apparently, my father was working for an unknown alien organization that was in clear violation of intergalactic law.
What was he working on? Well, creating me I suppose. Though I have a feeling he has done a great many other things other than his magnum opus of a son. It scares me to imagine what untold horrors he has been made to develop. The guy was on track to revolutionize the entirety of humanity several times over on his own, even without alien assistance.
I move my free hand over to Ray’s head and gently stroke her silky smooth platinum blonde hair. I've always thought the color was quite beautiful, and she has definitely made full use of the aesthetic in her fashion choices.
After a few minutes, I noticed that we were not alone in the room.
I somehow didn't notice her presence before, perhaps she was concealing it. But Initae is sitting in the corner, just watching me intently. I feel as though her eyes are trying to bore into my very soul.
“Oh good, you're awake at last. Come with me, now.”
Without a moment's hesitation, she walks over to my side and grabs my arm. Instantly, she shifts us into her little sanctuary in the void.
However, it is quite different than when I last saw it. Instead of a cozy relaxation place, it is filled with tables and lab equipment that I cannot even begin to understand. It looks like the lab of a mad scientist.
I quickly gain my composure back and ask, “So, what'd you want to talk about?”
“Everything your father said is true. You are actually 26% Vikean, not 25% though. I have been performing tests, I hope you don't mind but I took a bit of your dead skin cells.”
“Please, help yourself to my dead skin cells whenever you need. But how were you able to verify my genomic make up so well?”
“Well, that is very simple. I am from the Vikea people. One of the last two alive in existence.
Though, I guess it might be proper to say one of the last two pure Vikeans in existence.”
I stare at her, my mouth agape. She is a part of the Vikea, the progenitors of this universe, and also in some way my kin? This cannot be.
“I can see the disbelief written on your face. But it is true, here, look at the report.”
She hands me a tablet. Surely enough, across the top it says Kovon Ducker: 74% Human, 26% Vikea. Kinship match found: 16% to Initae Vikea.
“Wait, what's this part about kinship match mean? We are related somehow?”
“That's the second surprise I had. But it makes sense.
The only other Vikea that is alive is my brother. 16% indicates that you must be, at least genetically, his child. In other words, in some strange seved up way, you are my nephew.”
I gasp. I quickly grab onto a nearby table to support myself as I nearly collapse again.
So, not only am I a hybrid, but Initae the klacking Transcendent is my bloody aunt. When will the craziness stop? Please, someone says it stops soon.
“Oh, also, I used to be a princess of sorts. Hence the last name Vikea. Thus, you are also kinda the second or third in line for the Vikean throne, not that it exists anymore. Surprise, you’re my nephew and royalty!”
Okay, that's just a bit too much. I passed out yet again.
I woke up to being slapped in the face. It stings.
“Ow, what was that for?”
“You can't fall asleep in the void, that's quite dangerous. Though I guess it is yet further proof that you are part Vikea. Were you fully human, you'd be dead.”
“Oh, good to know. You got any other world-shattering revelations for me today?”
“Hmm, I think you've had enough major stuff for now. But sit down, I shall tell you of the Vikea, it is your birthright after all.”
The sanctuary around me has changed, it is back to its former cozy living space vibe. I take a seat on one of the chairs opposite Initae.
She tells me a great and fabulous tale. One that is so absurd it is quite hard to believe. But given what I know, I believe every word.
She tells me of a grand land, filled with quadrillions of lives, all living in relative harmony. Powered by the energy that was then known as vitae, now known as inae. She tells me how the first of her people discovered that they could tap through the inner planar boundary and harness the vitae from higher dimensions.
Over time (hundreds of billions of years as we would know it), they developed technology and civilization around inae. They created devices that can be implanted into beings to allow them limited access to draw out inae. They also created highly concentrated cores centered around a particularly pure form of the inae. Allowing for it to be used in various devices that defy reality itself.
She tells me of how they created gateways that allowed them to travel between planes via the void. As well as travel within their own plane at near instant speeds. As well as harnessed massive quantities of inae energy directly from higher dimensions to power their devices.
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She tells me of how they interacted with other interplanar species, and formed a covenant of non-interference with other planes of reality. Thus making it so that traveling through the void and into other non-native planes was forbidden, but resources could still be exchanged.
She tells me of the renaissance that this created. Technology, art, culture, ideas were rapidly developed across millions of planes containing untold amounts of lives. She told me of the dynasties of her people, and her mother, who was the 7,438th ruler of their people – and the last.
She tells me how they were free people. That shaped worlds, and reality itself to their very whim. Nothing was impossible, everyone was content and happy.
She tells me of the day when this all started to crumble.
She tells me of the plague that infested the plane, consuming not just lives but the fabric of reality itself. Resetting it to absolutely nothing in its wake. Destroying everything of her people.
She tells me of how they valiantly fought this infestation, known as the Inteak. They managed to slow it down, but stopping it was deemed impossible.
She tells me of how it reached their capital, and in order to prevent it from spreading between all planes, her mother initiated a self destruction of the entire plane. Wiping out the Inteak, along with everything else in the plane.
She tells me of how she and her brother were forced through into the void moments before the plane collapsed. She wandered that endless void for an unknowable quantity of time.
She tells me of how she found a newly formed plane, nearby hers that was destroyed. She ventured inside, and met many new species. Civilizations rose, and they fell. Over and over again. She spread the ability to use inae to those who could use it. But it didn't help.
She mentions how eventually she found a species that was highly skilled in manipulating inae. Rather than just accepting the power and using it for their own goals, they researched it. They explored its very concepts and eventually developed several technologies similar to that of the Vikea (though nowhere near the sophistication).
She tells me of how they travelled around their galaxy and eventually figured out how to pierce the interplanar barrier using shifters and weakspots. She guided them to the remnants of her dead plane and gave them permission to use it.
She tells me of how they formed great bastions in the plane that came to be known as the Sanctum. She was entrusted with founding an Order to oversee this new plane, which became the Order of Convergence.
She mentions how one day, another species, one of automatons that were very good at building ships made contact. And formed an alliance, and thus she dubbed this plane the united-verse, or Universe for short.
“Then, I found you.
When I canvassed humanity before the trials began, you stuck out like a shining beacon, visible from the entire galaxy. I knew that I must train you.
Yes, I influenced the IEC to select you, but I bet they would've even if I didn't. I had no idea your father was also selected though.
All that brings us today. A reunion of sorts, between a scion of a long dead plane, and her newly discovered nephew.”
“That.. I don't know what to say. To think you went through all that, and still persevere, after who knows how many eons.”
“That is merely the Vikean way. To persevere through any hardship and to reach into the stars and beyond.”
“Hey, that sounds a lot like the pact I have with Ray.”
“I suppose it does, perhaps that is yet more proof of your heritage.”
“So, a while ago, you mentioned you chose to take on that human form. Do you have an original form?”
“Hmm, always the bright and inquisitive apprentice you are. I do, in fact, have an original form. That of a pure Vikea, would you like to see?”
“Naturally.”
She starts to glow, like, really brightly. I can sense as though reality is warping around her, like she is pulling back a veil she has crafted.
Out of the veil emerges one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen (though, I think Ray is still more beautiful for the record).
She stands even shorter now, at about one meter tall. She has small horns poking out of her forehead, and her eyes are a beautiful iridescent color. Growing out of her back, she has a pair of beautiful wings. They are nearly transparent and are very grand.
Also, her skin. It seems to be partially translucent. In fact, it's almost as if her entire body is slightly shimmering, as though light isn't quite sure if it should be interacting with her or not.
She still has two legs and two arms though. She has three fingers and no toes. Which kinda makes sense, the wings probably mean you don't need toes for extra grips. And if you can manipulate things telekinetically, fingers aren't as important.
Her hair is a bright silver, beautifully reflecting light from her wings.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Oh come on, there ain't no reason for you to give such a nice compliment to an old hag like me. I mean look, I'm so old and all this sustainment off of just inae has made my skin and wings so translucent. I'm like, barely here.”
“I still think you're quite beautiful. Also, your eyes are so cool. I wish I could have ones like that.”
“Well, actually, the eyes are the signature of the Vikea royal family. If your father’s theory about eventually gaining some Vikean traits is true, I would guess that the eyes would be one trait that would win out.
Also, in our youth, all Vikean eyes start off a pale gray, just like yours. I never considered the thought that it could be indicative of you being Vikea, but it is yet more proof that you are part Vikea.”
“Woah, so you mean my eyes will eventually turn all cool? Ray will be so super jealous. How long does it normally take for them to mature?”
“Hmm, it usually happens once you reach a skill akin to your baseline affinity. By the way, Vikea is also special in that regard. As we age, our affinity at wielding inae grows, albeit at a rate that is probably inconsequential on a human timeline. Though, I am unsure how your humanity will affect this process.”
“Great, so this means you're gonna drill me even harder, doesn't it?”
“You betcha. Now, let's head back. I'll be gone for a few days, I've got some things to sort out. I'll leave you and Ray alone on Earth to reminisce or whatever, so go have some fun. You've been through a lot in such a short period of time.”
“Sure thing, Auntie Initae.” She beams a brilliant smile at my use of the word ‘auntie’.
She turns back into her human form and then shifts me back into my bed. She then quickly disappears, likely to go tell of what new knowledge we have gained to the Order.
The knowledge that there is an organization with power rivaling that of the Order and IEC is not going to be very well received.
I refamiliarize myself with normal reality. As usual with the void, It's still 17:00, as time doesn't really pass in the void compared to the universe (it does, but really slowly).
I walk over to Ray who is passed out at the side of my bed. I gently shake her shoulder to wake her up. After a few moments, she opens her eyes and looks right at me.
“Oh, good morning Ko. I hope you slept well… Wait, Ko!”
She then proceeds to practically tackle me onto the ground in a large hug. I assure her that I am completely fine and have talked things out with Initae.
I then explain to her what Initae has shared with me, about the Vikea and our people. I also make sure to brag to her that my eyes will probably eventually turn very pretty.
She eventually relaxes her hug, but she still holds me tight, almost afraid that I'm going to shift off into the void at any moment.
“Hmm, how are you feeling? You're not like, about to go on a mass murdering spree are you?”
“I'm the same old Kovon that I always have been. Albeit, maybe a little bit more uncertain about who I even am in the first place.”
“Yep, definitely still my dear little Ko. That's all you need to be, is Ko. Who cares if you're like 16% related to Initae. Just means you've got yourself a very cool aunt now.”
“Anyways, it seems Initae has basically told us to take a vacation for a few days while she does who knows what. Probably super duper political stuff, this kinda changes the entire nature of universal politics after all.”
“Yep, pretty typical. My little Ko, going and changing the paradigm just by finding out who his father is. Classic, Ko. Just like the good ol’ days eh.”
“Just like the good ol’ days indeed.”
“Hmm, since we are on Earth, whatdya say we go relive some of those good ol’ days. I mean, we can go anywhere, do anything we want now. No stupid parents to try to restrict us.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a lot of fun.”
Several hours later.
Ko:“So, why'd we choose to come back to our high school again?”
“Itll be sooo much fun! Imagine all the memories we can relive! The best days of our educational experiences.”
“Sure, whatever you say, Ms Genius Prodigy Superstar. I'd love to see you in a school uniform again.”
“Only if you do.”
We then proceed to morph our exosuits to look like our old school uniforms. A very simple white polo shirt with blue pants/skirt. Thankfully, we never had to wear ties or anything like that.
Ray:“Looking snazzy, no.1.”
Ko:“Speak for yourself, no.2”
Naturally, feeling fully in the spirit of things, we then proceed into the school and start doing all sorts of mischief. It's the middle of the night, so no one is here to stop us. Not that they could, or would. Heck, even back in our schooldays they couldn't stop us, and now we are superhumans.
After a few hours of wandering around and reminiscing, we end up back at a quite familiar spot. The middle landing of the eastern staircase. Our home base.
Ray stands on the first step of the staircase downwards and looks up at me.
“Hey Ko. You remember that time when we went to Pluto?”
“Yeah, it was so much fun, we got to eat so much ice cream there.”
“Oh yeah! I forgot about that part.”
“Well, what part were you referencing?”
“The part where you boldly proclaimed that you'd whisk me far away to Pluto, away from all that troubled me, like knights of the super olden days.”
“Hmm, I don't quite remember it going quite that way.”
“Well that's how I remember it.”
“If that's the case. My lady, would you permit me to whisk you away to Pluto once more? We can escape all these shenanigans and just live off ice cream for the rest of our lives.”
Her face brightens up in a smile, and she jumps with excitement.
Only, she doesn't realize that she is standing on a very narrow stair and misses her landing.
I move to grab her, but she only ends up pulling me with her and we both end up tumbling down the stairs. Thankfully we are super tough with this new alien tech installed.
However, we end up in quite an interesting predicament.
She is hovering over me. Her arms out to either side to hold herself up.
Her now quite long platinum blonde hair is drifting downwards and creating a screen around my face.
It's strange, the only thing it seems I'm allowed to focus on is her face, only a few centimeters away from mine.
She whispers, “Ko, you're such a jerk.”
Before I get a chance to refute her, she closes the distance and kisses me.
End of Volume 1
A/N: Hiya dear reader. Author here. Welcome to the end of volume 1! You must really be enjoying this story if you've read this far, it's like 125k words long by the way.
What a great place to end this volume right? You must be applauding at my wonderful planning to get such a scene perfectly timed and developed. In addition, Ko is finally now caught up with stuff from chapter 20.
Also, it's now been one month since I've started posting this story publicly! Man, time sure flies when you're having fun, huh.
Do be sure to stick around, Ko’s journey is still far from over, this is only the beginning. Also, don't worry, you won't have to wait long. The first chapter of volume two goes out tomorrow!
Reminder, that I'll now be moving to five chapters per week (12:00 UTC Monday-Friday). I hope you'll continue to stick around to the very end.
If you've enjoyed this story, do be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review (if you've read this far, hopefully it's a good one). It is always much appreciated.
See ya in the next one, dear reader.
- Cathrix
PS: If it wasn't clear, that kiss was on the lips.
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