Opening poem line “Life is a play with many acts and many stages. Nothing alike.. And all the same” 

*Somewhere in deep space. 

Location: Intergalactic sector 1. Quadrant… Unknown. Time status… History. Time date… Unknown.

Corpses lay atop corpses as panic filled the atmosphere. Ships were pulled from the skies like play things to be dashed onto the crust of the world. Entire battalions annihilated as if they were gnats hoping to defeat a hurricane. Women. Children. Animals even. It did not matter. IT only grinned wider. Was karma to blame for this? Or maybe what was happening was just an terribly unfortunate coincidence of timing? No. It must have been a judgment from Jah himself as what else could explain such vexation in real time? All that could be said was something was not right, but all the same IT could not be stopped. Those who fought against IT did so with the ferocity of true desperation, but it mattered not.

As great waves crushed flesh to pulp and lashes of wind carved muscle from bone, IT danced in the fray. As lightning crashed from the sky to fry those it touched alive and the ground split beneath their very feet to grind them in jaws of terra, IT floated adrift in the sky. As ethereal flames turned souls into the shadows of ash the screams of the damned, IT watched on gleefully. Their screams were like music and IT was an artist of the highest degree. Its latest piece had been done well, but there was a finishing touch it needed. That last savory act of survival that made slaughter so riveting. Not every piece was one that needed this touch, but this was not every piece.

‘Prepare the S.M.U.G. Units and put those muthafuckas on max!’ Came the voice of a disgruntled war fleet commander. Sweat dripped down his thin stern brow as veins threatened to burst from his neck from the intensity of his commands. In all his days of combat, he had never faced anything like this.

‘Sergeant, the weapons have never been utilized at full capacity and it’s possible the integrity of the entire greater capital, maybe even the state could be compromised if they are unleashed..’ responded a prestigious shaman of science, ‘I recommend another course of action.’ 

The sergeant continued barking his orders as if ignoring the warning of his intellectually inclined peer, ‘I want every able bodied soldier ready to provide whatever support we can to the S.M.U.G. Units. Even if we have to scratch and claw, we will not fade away without a fight’ 

‘Again sergeant I caution against such extreme measures. Dangerous as our foe may be, it is but a single adversary and surely we can defe-

‘Did I stutter damn it!?’ The sergeant looked over towards the shaman as he snatched his subordinate by the collar and stared him in the eyes,

‘Take a deep look at the map, or can you not see?’

The sergeant pointed at the large holo digital display center in the room, various places of key interest highlighted indicating them as lost or destroyed while stratagem rolled across sub frames for text. On the main image of the display a slaughter was taking place, one that had seen its victims in a position they rarely faced.

‘The capital? The state!? We’re gonna lose the entire planet *chakta! We have no choice but to use the units! Right now the last of our best, individuals worth your value ten times over, are out there dying just so we can have the chance to survive! Perhaps if you and your ilk had been more focused on finishing our weapons rather than studying that damned artificial world of yours we wouldn’t be in this position’ He said as he threw the shaman to the floor.

The scientist’s expression showed he was caught off guard, the royal garb he had on unable to hide his thin frame which was malnourished and paler than it ought to be. ‘The world engine is a technology that can save our people! In fact, it helped us to develop these weapons you need so badly and if we can unlock its truths we will be able to do much much more than that. And Xenos? What sort of accusations are you trying to pull in a time like this?’ 

‘You can’t play coy with me now, Oxolo. It is no mystery that the royal chambers have allowed. No.. Encouraged your kind to chatter with and meddle in the affairs of the lesser races. It is by their combined might and our tragedy that they created such abominations. These things have seen us struck lower than we have ever been and you have been tampering with them.’ 

As the shaman rose from the floor he brushed himself off and looked back at the commander 

‘This technology can save us.. Is it not in our best interest to understand our enemies so that we may better utilize knowledge against them. Is it not better to understand them so as to destroy them?’

‘As far as I’m concerned you and the chamber have already failed and had it been under my control you’v ceased to breathe long ago. No matter how far we have fallen, our people ARE superior and we will reclaim our throne amongst the stars and if we cannot, our children will…’ The commander turned facing back towards the open deck as he looked at the screen before him. 

‘They are beyond your understanding and though you may think you comprehend, it is my fear you do not. That born of the greed and fear of the chamber plus your own pride and lust for knowledge that you would condemn us all to a hell beyond death itself’

‘The weapon units are ready commander…’ another soldier said from the command bunker. As both the commander and shaman looked at the main holo display along with the rest of the deck, they watched as the city before them shook in fear. A single silhouette rising out of the smoke of destruction into the sky above with a grin that could kill starlight.

*

*present day. 

Location: Ephangi - Uni-Nation of Panthera. Royal Palace.

Date: Eripme Calendar year 3,047/ Winter season day 121/ 33rd hour

Many cinders of the wicktwig burned in the light green hue of soft fire as they flickered in the gentle breeze of the open window overlooking the rich and peaceful valley. Across Panthera many creatures were now asleep underneath the watchful eyes of the three moons and free to chase their dreams while others just began whatever operations they had planned as they came to life in the night. It was no secret that Ephangi as a whole was a massive world with many dangers and legends and that most of it had still been uninhabited by the some 3 billion residents which knew it as home. Thus, the world was just as nocturnal as it was a world that thrived in the sun and so it was no wonder the same could be said about many of its peoples.

There were new social clubs for fighting and exotic entertainment of all kinds as amusement arenas and new technorganic developments known as “techtopias” or “chip cities” became beacons of advancement and opportunity. There were black market deals and underground trading circuits that flowed as fluid as the legal business establishments which sold food, goods and services. Yet, for those who enjoyed more peaceful or traditional activities there were still many spaces outside the growing metro developments which had been cultivated over many years by the tribes and clans of the world. 

Though a world of many biomes, it was lush jungles and forests filled with exotic plants and vast valleys of eccentric flowers and grass which spanned over most of the land while beaches and mountain scapes created distinct and wild geological borders. However, perhaps even more amazing were the ecosystems and communities of the seas as the majority of Ephangi’s surface was indeed water and host to just as many if not more life whether that be *Nampu or otherwise.

And so settings teaming with mystery and the unpredictable were around every corner and with the need for adventure and discovery was ever present. Night or day, there were many reasons to be up and alive, but here now in the royal palace of Panthera that reason happened to be as simple as a restless princess who demanded a bedtime story and a father doing his best to oblige her.

‘…The valley winds cut through the tall grasses as the nus light pierced through the clouds and illuminated the land below. Bolt wyverns circled in the sky, their cries echoing out into the horizon as they watched a battle unfold beneath them. Flames and lightning blasted like projectiles as they reached to scorch their targets while water and air crushed bone and muscle alike. Claws and blades ripped at armor and flesh as Ephangian mortal forms met in combat. In the center of the commotion there stood the lightning chief of the great eastern plains of Pelonia, Depoxch the blood orange, one of the greatest known *Raikosi on the continent of Anomola. Few could match his speed and precision, fewer still his lust for battle as legend had it he could perform 1000 death cuts in a single moment his blade said to be faster than lightning itself. Only strict cultural laws of discipline and the sacred teachings of the Len-Wuah kept the esteemed warrior in check. Across from him stood the savage savior of the depths, Lumendia the Serpent Mother, one of the most powerful Vaszians alive and ruler of the 3rd sea kingdom known as the Monred sea. One of the greatest rebels of Ephangis history, the uprising she led against the clan elders of the past who oppressed many of their neighboring tribes and their own was one of the greatest stories of valor and retribution known as she slaughtered the rich and liberated the meek with the titan Dorahynth at her side. The two warriors stood across from each other prepared to strike a deciding blow against one another. Their clans and ally’s behind them, ready to follow their commands to the end. For most of Ephangi it had always been that way. Regardless whether it was over ideology, resources, vengeance or even just plain hunger. It was kill or be killed. The leaders of both sides raised their arms, neither willing to back down over the disagreement that had been manifested. Both sides had already spilt blood and neither side would be finished until the other had been crushed. As both legendary warriors charged at each other, the battle was engulfed in an orange and reddish light before a brazen green and purple suddenly engulfed the field of war. Dust blasted into the air from the impact of the clashing blows as the battle came to a sudden halt, both sides waiting to see the outcome of their champions… BUT! Looks like that’s gonna be an outcome for another time my love’ the king said as he smiled at a job well done and the precious face of his daughter finally beginning to doze off. 

‘Noo.. Not yet.. I really like hearing about your past retaf. But you always stop at the good parts’  the princess said. Her voice was drowsy as she struggled to keep her eyes open, her head slightly bobbing fighting against the serene sleep which beckoned her.

‘Only so you don’t miss them Tassatta. When one chapter ends another is sure to begin so you have that to look forward to. Now rest princess’ 

‘But, I can stay up.. I can finish this one’ The princesses defiant nature was strong, but then as subtle humming notes bloomed gently into her ears she drifted off into her dreams, her fathers large, strong and caring hands tucking her in.

‘Haha and just like that, she’s out. Woo’ The king said as he looked up and around the spacious botanical bedroom at his youngest children. It wasn’t often he got to put his children to bed himself, busy as he was. But after all he had accomplished, to see them at peace and comfortable knowing he had made it so was his greatest honor. It was the best affirmation he could ask for as a father and as a king. 

“Thanks for the assist NiNi, Tassatta’s a fighter isn’t she? I’m surprised you’re still up yourself’ Catterunes voice became low and strong, but remained gentle and caring as he let out a slight chuckle.

‘She takes after her father seems to me. Even when tired she listens well, so I figured a little hymn to help your story wouldn’t hurt. A ruler's duties never truly end do they?’ A soft voice came from behind the lion. He turned to see one of his wives, Tsumani, standing with a smile. Her long antennacles draped down her back and soft blue skin glowed with a subtle glistening hue. She was a liquid Raikosi princess of one of Ephangis' six sea kingdoms and the second nampia to marry the lord of fire. The youngest and newest of Catterunes wives, she was not Rami’s mother though she still cared for her all the same. She shared responsibility for all the cubs and much more now with the king of Panthera and those who were now her sisters in both duty and spirit. 

‘I’m afraid not my queen, but do I regret a single second of it? Never that. Da Black Crescent Clan is as strong as ever! Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe I had something to do with it, ya know? And how are you? Its been a lil min since Iv been home and we haven’t seen each other as much as we’d like given the circumstances, you still look good tho’ The lion said smirking as Tsumani walked over and leaned into his arms, a smile on her face.

‘They are wonderful! I know they’ll grow to be more than capable and thank you. I've learned so much from them and everyone being here. At first I wasn’t sure about it, but the way I've been welcomed.. I was a priestess and as such I had never expected to marry as up into our engagement I was only ever groomed to support my older sister Yamaya as her consultant and guardian as she was made to become supreme Queen of our sea. Now I find myself here with these children and…’ 

‘And you wanna do some freaky ish right now and make some right here in the hallway?’ Catterune said, his fangs bared in jest.

Tsumani looked up at Catterune with the flash of surprise, her face slightly darker as she blushed, purple blood flushing into her bright blue cheeks before she looked back at the sleeping cubs.Nearly bursting into laughter as his wife grabbed his arm, Catterune almost woke the cubs as Tsumani pulled him from the doorway further down a hall towards one of the balconies overlooking the greater valley.

‘I couldn’t be happier knowing you feel at home here. I’m sure it hasn’t been the easiest.’ The king said, finally gaining his composure again and still smiling before concluding, ‘And you know I was just kiddin.. Unless you wanna do it.’ Tsumani laughed as the two made it to the balcony, the vast jungle forest between the large mountains spread out as far as the eye could see. She turned and faced the king raising her eyebrow smirking as he pulled her in by the waist and their love bloomed beneath the gleam of the eclipsing moons. 

**