The journey through the void was long and silent, punctuated only by the hum of Astrais' systems. For nearly a month, Axel Leo had been adrift in unknown space, navigating toward the only celestial body that promised some semblance of familiarity. A planet, distant yet within reach, offered a chance at survival—or at the very least, answers.
"CHM-002, status update."
The AI's response was immediate. "Distance to planetary body: 0.02 light-days. Arrival in estimated six hours at current velocity."
Axel exhaled. He had spent weeks rationing his resources, optimizing Astrais' systems, and scouring data for any clue about where he had been sent. Yet nothing in the records matched what he was seeing. The star patterns were different, unfamiliar. He wasn't just lost—he was in an entirely new universe.
As the planet came into view, Astrais' long-range scanners swept across its surface. The results sent a chill down Axel's spine.
Traces of war. Ruins of a spacefaring civilization. Remnants of something great—now reduced to wreckage.
Axel clenched his jaw. This place had seen conflict, and not just any conflict—this was devastation on a scale that spoke of interstellar warfare. What had happened here?
Then, as Astrais' orbit stabilized, he saw it.
A massive spaceship, partially buried in the planet's surface. Its sleek, predatory design sent a jolt of recognition through him.
He knew this ship. He knew this world.
Axel's hands tightened around the controls. Prometheus.
He had watched it once before in his past life—a world of ancient horrors, of mankind's reckless pursuit of power, and the monstrous consequences that followed.
The realization left him breathless. This was before the plot began. Before the events that would lead to humanity's encounter with the unknown.
No signs of human activity flickered on Astrais' sensors. The ship below was dead, abandoned.
Axel leaned forward, mind racing. He wasn't just in another universe—he had arrived at the dawn of its darkest chapter.
And that meant one thing: he had time.
Time to prepare. Time to survive. Time to uncover the truth buried within this world.
The stars above remained silent, watching as Astrais descended toward the unknown.