Location: Ephangi, Nation of Fungoo. Border of the Steel Stone Mountain Region

Date: 3047/123/7

Hanokii finished his morning meditations as he was preparing to leave on a trip of great interest to him. He was a young, slender and of moderate height Ephangian man, his face handsome and clean, his antenacles short tied into a head tail at the back of his neck. He wore state of the art hexagonal frames most of the time that did much more than protect his eyes from the bright rays of the rising sun, the new eyewear technology giving him access to many digital features to assist him in work directly and instantly with a thought. For now they remained in his pocket as he took in the scenery of the hillside, listening to the *anjol birds sing as they frolicked in the branches, their bodies sporting multiple pairs of beautiful fluttering wings with feathers like stained glass. 

What made these birds unique in particular however were the tiny eyes shaped sensors that ran across their multiple wing pairs providing them with a level of awareness and sense midair that made them some of the most nimble flyers on the planet. Hanokii took the time to consider his own nature as he listened to their song.

As a *Vaszian of the Arachnai clan lineage tied to the Fungoo tribes, he had more spider dominant genes, but also was gifted with other natural Vaszian abilities due to his mixed heritage creating a rare and unique combination for his species. Yet, as he grew he had spent much of his life in squalor and poverty while his seemingly greatest gift, his intellectual prowess, was wasted as he worked the mines and fields of Fungoo to obtain valuable materials for the greater nation. 

Because he was *Vaszian he had been born in a lower caste and forced to do work that many others less qualified than him avoided simply because they had been *Raikosi. His luck only changed seemingly by chance when he happened to be in attendance at a demonstration for the now known master of all space and nature, Lord Thiesz, which happened to take place in his village. He knew his life was to be remade anew that day, but he could never have predicted what lay ahead. Now he stood not only as a legitimate member for the Eripme, but as a scientist and thinker, having already conquered multiple life quests of note since his liberation. Still, there was more work to be done if he truly was to prove his worth to the *Eripme and Lord Thiesz.

Hanokii held his hand out and one of the anjol came to it, hovering before gently landing in his palm to peck at the crushed seeds in it. 

‘It must be fun to play, sing and dance all day little ones’, he said as the other small bird-like creature joined in the feast. ‘I have to admit and say sometimes I myself am envious of your lifestyles..’ His gaze acutely hardened for a moment as he reflected on his past traumas and hardships before his face displayed a soft smile, his eyes gentle and content, ‘all the same, I am happy you get to live as you do my friends. We should all be so lucky..’

A soft breeze lofted through the area as he walked over to a Sutolis flower tree near the edge of the training grounds. The scent of flowers drifted into his sense of smell with a welcoming energy as he tapped his pocket with his hand. The robe-like tunic on his body morphed into one of the preset designs, the fabric made of an artificial composite material that replicated the appearance of select outfits uploaded to its memory. 

It was just another one of the new marvels that had come with his job and the incredible technological advancement that had only very recently taken place due to the greatness that was Lord Thiesz and the expansionary efforts of the Eripme. The great lord of lords had already brought so much to the people of Ephangi, Hanokii could only imagine the wonders that were in store. The fact Thiesz even recognized a being like Hanokii had the superior intellect to make a difference was a sign that he was chosen for greater things.

He paused his thoughts for a moment, his dreams of rising to the top clashing with the prospect of a new supposed virus that had been spreading across the growing empire, most importantly here on Ephangi. To his understanding there had been no major outbreaks, but there was no cure either which still left a large space for disaster. Considering what was at stake he told himself whatever the cost, he would see the future built by the new Emperor. No, rather he would do whatever it took to bring it to fruition. 

*Crunch!

‘And just what the fuck are YOU thinking about right now?’ 

The voice came suddenly as if its source had been there the whole time hidden in plain sight accompanied by the chewing of some exotic fruit. 

‘That was a little harsh. I guess I meant, somthin on your mind spider eyes?’ 

Hanokii tilted his head up to find the cheerful face of his good friend and lieutenant scientist Khromeo, a young nam around Hanokii’s own age who too had risen up from a less reputable past to become a legitimate member of the most important scientific division known to the world. 

Khromeo was a hard read. It was Hanokii’s understanding that Khromeo had transferred over to the Eripme world scientific division only after being referred by multiple battalion captains for reasons not easily discerned. Their reports and reasonings for why, convoluted as they were, gave the spider reason to believe for one strange basis or another much like himself Khromeo had been shunned and ousted rather than sent because it was his desire. 

On one hand he was smart, capable, and many things seemed to come naturally to him. He was also rumored to possess some abilities regarded by many as “super natural”. It wasn’t outside the realm of possibility Hanokii thought and it would make sense in regards with why he may have been sent to be under Hanokii’s watch. Then again, why wouldn’t those who decided warn Hanokii about the possible dangers and risks? 

He would consider this later, but for now on the other Hanokii recognized Khromeo was arrogant and at times didn’t take many things as serious as the spider thought he should. Thus it had seemed at the end of the day even though he wasn’t as dedicated to his current life quest as Hanokii was, he certainly was passionate about life itself and held the potential to be a real asset to the vision. 

Perhaps they just showed their love for Ephangi in very different ways, Hanokii thought to himself and so he would make the most of this relationship as best he could. Still sometimes he was hard pressed trying to decide whether he actually enjoyed the cocky, high spirited seers company or not.

‘Nothing that concerns you my cold hearted friend’

‘Haha now don’t be like that, I’m only asking cus I care. I mean you see a man talking to himself and you start to think things, my brotha. Anywyas muthfuckaaaa we both chips and no one is more of a chip then you I think, yea?’ Khromeo said, the giant sarcastic grin on his face showing his fangs in jest.

‘I suppose I can concur with that and if you must know..’ Hanokii grinned ‘I was simply thinking of the future. And if you see a man talking to himself perhaps you should let him be and mind your business and then he’ll mind his head ass.’

Khromeo chuckled springing down from his perch in the tree, ‘Well to be honest I don’t know if I could handle it if you told me haha I mean I’m smart. Really smart, most of the time, but you? You’re a real nerd if I ever saw one hahaha it’s ok though, I think you’re pretty cool.’ 

Khromeo’s face was a rich golden brown and his braided hair was the soft purple of a Redneval flowers in a summer field's foliage. His teeth were pearly white and he already had two gold fangs, an honor denoting great deeds and leadership and valor on the battlefield. His eyes piercing gold from behind the lavender lensed light ray shades he wore. He continued,

‘I gotta admit either way tho, you really have some guts to do this. You rallied the entire team behind you and together we may really have something here.’

Khromeo looked Hanokii in his eyes, the tone of his face now half serious. 

‘I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye on this venture, but…’ He stuck his hand out to give dap, ‘You’re a really smart dude code and I’m glad we get to work together on this, it may change the world.’

Hanokii turned away abruptly as images of a laughing face took over his mind, the silhouette of a man floating above corpses with gleaming icy red eyes sending a cold shiver down his spine. Familiar, but not, who was it? The image began to clear and it seemed to be-

‘Yo! You good chip?’ Khromeo shouted somewhat obnoxiously. Taking a moment to breathe his action caught Khromeo off guard, but before anymore time passed Hanokii turned back and grabbed his forearm allowing himself a small chuckle. 

‘Yea, me too, and like I said.. Mind ya business’

The two nam laughed and embraced before Hanokii took a step back and placed his other hand on Khromeos shoulder. ‘We both have sacrificed much on our way to meeting, but we code now and we will reap even more together’ 

Both nam tilted their heads back, the sunlight flickering through the trees across their faces and took one last deep breath each as the transport vehicle that was to escort them to meet those they would be accompanying arrived, the birds flying away from its sudden presence. The vehicle was shaped like a smooth and sharp arrow head made by a master craftsman, the colors of its frame weaving in between each other and the reflections of the clouds as if in motion themselves.

As the craft came into land the hum of its antigrav lifts resonated through the air tickling the ears of those outside. Khromeo adjusted his glasses just as the back of the ship's hull activated and the floor began slowly extending, growing into a ramp for their entry, compressed air hissing through as the door opened. Hanokii stopped at the edge of the ramp taking one last look at the Sutolis tree and the birds as he activated a device and whisper sung a song lyric quietly to himself that he had heard from some distant world

“Just like a wraith into the night you took a toll…”

‘Sir, is everything ok?’ A guard asked in a professional tone, his EXPG tactical gear making him seem more menacing than he probably was.

‘Yea, he’s fine. He’s just writing his newest single is all. My man here’s gonna be a rockstar soon ya know? Some real cool shit, you’ll see’ Khromeo said with a laugh as he slapped the guard's shoulder before passing him. Hanokii put his glasses on his face before passing by the guard with a nod of respect. “…But I will gladly pay it twice over ya know”, the young man said to himself as he took his seat and the ship lifted into the air, darting into the clouds like a shooting star towards its next destination.