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Salvation,-- that's what they called it. An era to bring an end to all the suffering, pain and destruction. They promised us a path to redemption, to freedom. Instead we marched blindly to our annihilation. It had been years since any of us could remember a time of prosperity and peace, generations born into war and suffering knew nothing but hardship. Humanity had pushed its limits within our solar system; resources and land grew scarce for the ever-growing numbers. War… war was inevitable.
Although, in the shadows, there still remained some who held onto a glimmer of hope, striving for our salvation from the grim future that awaited us. Most thought they were insane, squandering the last of our dwindling resources on a dream – desperately trying to escape the chains that bound us. Working endlessly to break us free from the confines of this forsaken system.
The sequence drive, a madman’s dream manifest. They preached their gospel of humanity’s salvation wherever they could. Each day seemed to drag on progressively longer, like time itself had slowed, counting down our seconds as we bore witness to our end. The headlines blared their relentless message amidst the overwhelming chaos, but for a moment, the world fell silent and we stood paralyzed by the words I’ll never forget, ‘first test jump successful’.
It was a moment to remember, though sadly one we’ve mostly forgotten. What they accomplished that day ended up saving us all… for the time being. Even the sceptics couldn’t hide their amazement, their eyes betrayed them, shining with envisioned potential. Their egos shattering like a million stars as they faced the undeniable truth: their vision had come to life.
We may have severed the chains that bound us to our fate, yet the shackles of death remained. It's weapon, not a gun or sword, but time itself. Still… There were those who dared to defy that cold embrace, sparking would become known as the ‘Medical Arms Race’. For those who fought this battle would immortalise themselves as the greatest of humanities saviours.
With each passing moment, the endless wealth amassed from the conquest of stars fueled their drive of scientific endeavour. Concealing their secrets from one another, sabotage and espionage replaced open-scale conflicts, making them obsolete, save for the occasional pirate raid.
Our world had become that of dreams: diseases and incurable conditions eradicated, poverty fading as manpower became the most precious resource. Until one fateful morning, when the facade crumbled and ‘Life Bringer’ entered the public sphere. The first strain of genetic modification allowed for rapid cellular repair and replication, forcing death into the shadows. We were stunned – immortality was ours. We no longer had to fear a heavenly embrace, we had created our own paradise.
As the days grew longer the sun blazed brightly, countless souls sought immortality, striving to break the final chains holding us back from complete ascension. Yet, as always, night approached, bringing with it a darkness that seemed eternal. Though we had conquered the stars and defied death, we were blind to the grin it wore, for there is no escape.
More news of piracy and terror began to seep out from the frontiers. These reports marked those responsible as lunatics. Nobody seemed to question it – why would they? It was far easier to embrace the illusion of our perfect lives, to turn a blind eye to the chaos beyond. We were living the dream, after all, basking in our own little slice of paradise.
But it was nothing like we’d been led to believe. For the darkness that dwells deep in the human heart can only be contained for so long. Eventually, the ropes that bind the demons within start to fray, unleashing them.
It wasn’t long before the unrest in the outer rims erupted into full-scale conflict across the frontier planets. Organisations and governments vied for control, with many of them turning to fundamentalism, determined to eradicate those they deemed unworthy. Untold numbers were forced into servitude under ruthless masters, and in the chaos, warlords emerged, exacting brutal vengeance for the transgressions against them.
There are those who still debate the true cause of it all. Before you knew it, everyone you thought you knew was becoming a blood thirsty fundamentalist, consumed by self-righteousness – turning neighbours against neighbours, and worse, brothers and brothers.
Before we knew it, the entire galaxy had become engulfed in flames, tearing at each other’s throats like feral beasts. Friends you’d known for as long you could remember turned on you for absurd reasons, demanding your blood as if possessed by madness. It… It was chaos, as if the gates of hell itself had been thrown open right before us. The things i witnessed… the things they did to each other… the torture, the torment, the endless piles of bodies, the screams – those screams still haunt me.
Even with all the bloodshed and chaos, our greatest of sins has had to be the destruction of Terra – our home, the cradle of humanity. It is said that the wars fought on that planet were among the most brutal of the entire fall of the core sectors.
With the majority of industry and agriculture relocated to more potent worlds, Earth had become little more than a luxury resort, a symbol of status for those who could afford it. And of course, those people were pompous politicians and those with any level of influence on humanities actions – If you ask me they were a bunch of stuck-up assholes who deserved it. However, there was a darkside to this paradise, a hidden truth. Those who remained were either trapped, or more often, fanatics clinging to their beliefs. So when war finally reached Earth, its orbital defences were pointless. Naturally, that made it one of the most heavily defended planets in the core sectors… Hell, if not, the greatest bastion of them all. It was impenetrable.
Then the rope finally frayed. The demons had awoken. The collapse came not centuries on, but within mere days as the illusion of invulnerability shattered. Earth imploded… a symphony of war resounding throughout the planet as every fundamentalist took up arms, their cause just. The conflicts of the past never really ceased, even after our departure. Earth was never truly safe, just a propaganda piece and a symbol of division.
When Earth fell, it triggered a catastrophic wave of warfare that we believed would be the final end to it all – and the beginning of humanity's boundless justifications, but at this point i dont think it even mattered any more. Those who had once been marginalised now stood strong, bolstered by countless zealots, seeking revenge against anyone they deemed deserving. When humanity's homeworld fell, it was one thing we finally all had in common. Our calendars were written anew, the genesis of a new epoch. It still humours me, we pick a date that showcases nothing more than the worst our kind has to offer, I guess that’s what defines us… destruction.
At the end of the day, no one really cares about Earth or the truth behind its downfall, especially those who still call for atonement. Not to mention, the most prevalent of them were still shitting their diapers back then. The truth is… Our homeworld was lost long before we abandoned it, nobody cared then, and nobody cares now.
But for after everynight a new dawn rises
The endless darkness was destined to dissolve, slinking back into the abyss, but the night would soon give rise to a new dawn. Heralding a freedom that we yearned for – the promised salvation, a second chance. Perhaps, this time, it wouldn’t go to shit.
Therefore when the Alliance of Farum-Nataar first appeared it garnered incredible support during its inception, emerging as a beacon of hope in the grim wasteland that had become our homes, consuming the hearts of men alike.
At that time, the core sectors could only be described as a colossal fire raging across an endless forest – an uncontainable wildfire of chaos. Planetary governance and entire star systems changing hands in the blink of an eye, often led by brain-dead extremists, short sighted, and incapable of comprehending the long-term consequences of their actions.
To call it a surprise would be a grave understatement. On a day that history would soon mark as the “Day of Justice”, the leader of one of the most feared factions did the unthinkable. Instead of unleashing their fury on the innocent they had been commanded to slaughter, they turned their weapons towards their true oppressors–those who had long profited from division and suffering.
That pivotal day not only heralded the end of tyranny but also laid the cornerstone for what would become the AFN. It was on that very day that the AFN began its arduous journey to reclaim the core sectors and restore peace. Initially, their path was fraught with challenges. Yet, their seasoned military experience and tactical acumen proved invaluable. They defeated the local warlords, garnering widespread support and trust.
Unlike their predecessors, these new liberators did not ravage or pillage the lands they reclaimed. Instead, they sought justice for those who had suffered at the hands of others. Their commitment to safety and security began to reshape the narrative, drawing in support from sympathisers, rekindling hope across the core sectors. For the first time in living memory, the shadows of a dark era began to recede, replaced by a burgeoning faith in the promise of a brighter future.
The years that followed would see the AFN’s rise to come to fruition, yet they would not be unopposed for long coming across many who had escaped the carnage, whether through isolation or military might. Many would not oppose the AFN’s advance, seeing their demands reasonable, becoming part of the new order which had arisen. Although there would be those who would see the AFN’s hopeful ambitions of unity as nothing more than a tyrant in disguise looking to subjugate all.
To the shock of many who now geared themselves for war, the AFN had instead sought the path of peace, establishing a council in which they offered seats to many of those who resisted, guaranteeing their independence through democratic means. Culminating the creation of a council designed to embody the collective values of humanity. Initially, this council was accepted, and many of the wary factions began to warm to the idea of averting future bloodshed, as memories of a once-united era flickered back to life.
Yet, fate had other plans. The facade of the council soon crumbled, revealing the AFN’s true intention to unite humanity through any means necessary. The council implemented measures designed to cripple the economic and military strength of its members, creating a dependency on the AFN.
Many were forced to submit to the pressures of the council’s tyrannical regulations, but a defiant few refused to bow. They escalated their operations, and forged alliances to resist the juggernaut that was the AFN. Among these, none was as consequential as the Coalition of Sovereign States. Whos combined might rivalled that of the Alliance, shocking many within the Council who had anticipated total compliance. Unbeknownst to them, the Coalitions territories had largely been spared from the ravages of war, with local governments maintaining order and unity.
The Council’s continued actions ignited a rebellion across the outer sectors, where voices clamoured for an end to the AFN’s dominance. Humanity was once again thrown into a stark polarisation, with each faction preparing for the imminent return of war. The fleeting era of peace, which had briefly united the galaxy, was once again becoming a fruitful dream.
Smaller factions, once passive observers, found themselves between the hammer and anvil, compelled to choose a side. Yet, some saw an opportunity amidst the chaos to amass power and wealth. Many turning their armies into mercenary forces, striving to remain independent, to safeguard their sovereignty, willing to die for the highest bidder.
Although the conflict remained in a state of cold war for an extended period, the drums of war grew increasingly louder. The spectre of a full-scale confrontation loomed over them, threatening to eclipse the conflicts of the past, bringing the epoch of the final war.
As the galaxy teetered on the edge of absolute chaos, tensions rose, awaiting the spark to ignite it all. From the void, beyond the fringes of colonised space, came an unexpected and unsettling signal.
The message it bore, broadcast in human tongue but bearing an unsettling voice – one not of this world, addressed humanity with a chilling demand: lay down your arms and embrace the enlightenment of the Illuminate Conclave. This message struck deep in the heart of mankind, a chord not of fear but of outrage rang out. The audacity of some alien worm daring to belittle us, demanding subjugation, enkindled an indomitable rage within us all.
Many declared this message heretical, but some viewed it as an opportunity, sealing their fate as traitors. The leaders of the Illuminate Conclave were taken aback by humanity’s vehement rejection. Believing themselves to be saviours, they were enraged by the ingratitude of those who dared challenge their superiority, by those who spat on the gifts they offered. Many of their prominent figures vowed to make an example of the insubordinate, demanding retribution.
The war, to everyone's surprise, was far from the one they anticipated. The Illuminate came down upon us as an unstoppable tide of destruction, for what would be a maelstrom of carnage.
Many fled as the illuminate claimed system after system. Their invasion, launched mere days after their initial contact, sent tremors rippling through every sector, striking fear and panic into us as the morale of our defenders shattered.
The illuminate surged forward, unrelenting, their commanders and soldiers exuding an arrogance so profound it bordered on hubris. They saw humanity as nothing more than a measly obstacle, an assumption that would become their undoing. Their blind presumption allowed them to overrun the Coalition and AFN colonies with ease, catching both factions off guard, targeting their most vulnerable.
In the eyes of the Illuminate, it seemed as though victory was all but assured. But as all hope seemed lost, humanity would prove it was far from beaten. An unspoken ceasefire was declared, and the Coalition’s and AFN’s most elite and battle-hardened troops would soon reach the front line, halting the invasion in its tracks. Amidst the chaos, a slew of smaller players emerged: the Crusading Brother of Terra. Once dismissed as a fringe faction, they rose with zeal, driven by a divine mission to cleanse the galaxy of all that was not of their sacred vision. Their unwavering devotion and pursuit of their cause sparked a swell of support from both the public and military, spearheading the reclamation campaign.
The war would soon come to a stalemate with neither side being able to advance, despite humanity managing to recover from the initial destruction. The frontlines, once fluid and shifting, solidified into what are now known as the red wastes, where wave after wave of souls meet their demise. The Illuminate, stunned by the fierce counterattack, faced the reality of their miscalculations. What began as an unstoppable onslaught had morphed into a savage struggle, setting the stage for a conflict that would echo through the annals of history.
Once we assumed that if humanity was to face something greater than itself we would unite as one big happy family, casting aside our differences and living happily ever after. Yet, as soon as the xeno threat was nullified, and the illuminate began licking its wounds, we turned our sights inward, ready to tear each other’s throats out.
Now, two centuries have passed since the fall of Earth–two centuries since the darkest times in humanity’s history. The xeno hordes once more gather at our borders, poised to strike, whilst the titans of our world cast their eyes upon each other, old rivalries reignited. Rebel factions stir, ready to set the core sectors ablaze once again, and in the shadows, dark whispers of oblivion await.
For there are those who hide in the shadows in fear of sentient machines that march to subjugate us all, while others speak of an endless swarm of clones, their numbers seemingly infinite. There are those consumed by dark visions of the occult, convinced demons lurk among us. Others tremble in fear, unable to sleep, haunted by grotesque visions of horrific creatures that were once human. Whether delusions or warnings, death rears its head, grinning wide, awaiting our demise.
For in the end, one thing is certain, the final war approaches.