Interstellar Age

Ayumi traveled through the void of space at breakneck speeds. It had been decades since she had seen her family. Or the man she had chosen to marry. Erich had taken up the primary course of her thoughts throughout these decades of isolation.

She had preyed upon every dying star in the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, peacefully allowing them to fade from existence, and in doing so harvesting their energy for her own evolution. It was not an easy process to manage, nor was it pleasant.

At the time she did not know what would break her mind first. The pain of forcing herself to evolve at an unnatural pace. Or the complete and total loneliness that she experienced in the vast emptiness of space.

But she had pursued this path for one reason and one reason alone. To protect everyone and everything she had come to love throughout the years. Even now, as she raced to the Milky Way, praying silently in her own heart that she would make it in time to aid in the war against the Naraku. Ayumi could remember the day Erich approached her with this special task that only she could fulfill.

—

Standing in front of the oven, cooking a healthy and pleasant meal for her husband, his other wives, and the children which they all helped raise together, who by now had become adults in their own right. Ayumi was met with a familiar sensation grabbing onto her backside as she bent forwards to secure the piping hot tray which contained the freshly booked meal.

Normally one would need hot pads to touch such a thing without burning. But it was not too long ago that Ayumi had evolved into a higher state of being. What was the temperature of a burning oven pan, when compared to that of a scorching star which she had already consumed its energy from?

However, Ayumi jolted when she felt Erich’s firm hand touch her bottom, and damn near spilled the food, but because of her reflexes, and her newfound powers she was able to catch the falling food pan with telekinetic powers before it ever hit the floor.

Where she then turned around, with a pouting expression on her face, all the while scolding Erich for startling her.

“I swear to the gods, Erich. You have got to stop doing that!”

Erich had a mischievous smirk on his face as he leaned in and teased the woman, daring to say she was responsible for his lecherous actions.

“How can I possibly resist such temptation when you lay it out for me.”

Blushing from the man’s shameless words, Ayumi leaned in and tried to kiss him. But Erich stopped him with a single finger, which he pressed against her lips. Ayumi had not aged a day since they first met. But there was one minor difference.

Before, she shared the same hairstyle of her great aunt, a stylish and short bob cut. But now her hair flowed magnificently down her back, like a river of indigo. It was truly befitting the woman, and though Erich wanted his taste of her then and there, he was forced to restrain himself, as he silently motioned for the woman to follow him.

Understanding that Erich had approached her initially with the intention of discussing something important. Ayumi set the food pan aside and followed him past their family which had gathered in the dining area, and instead into the elevator that led to his office.

Once inside, Erich sighed and shook his head as he sat down at his desk.

“Take a seat, my love… This is going to be a difficult conversation to have…”

Erich had always shielded Ayumi from dreadful matters such as war, violence, and danger. It was his way of protecting her rather innocent and youthful personality, despite the two of them being together for nearly thirty years now.

And still, Erich could not help but do so. For the fate of the galaxy rested on Ayumi’s shoulders. And because of this, he just came out and said it.

“There’s no easy way to say this. But in twenty years at the least, and fifty years at the latest. The galaxy will be invaded by the Naraku…. It turns out they’re not from here… And those we have destroyed were only scouts, sent to monitor the Milky Way for the past million years.”

Ayumi’s jaw dropped, but she remained completely silent. She was about to say something when Erich raised his hand to silence her. Where he then continued with a dreadful look in his eyes.

“The Andromeda galaxy is infested with the bugs, and if recent reports are to be believed… Then so is the neighboring Triangulum galaxy. After going through the intelligence I have received, it is my belief that we will be facing a two pronged invasion from the nearest full size galaxies…

And if that happens, even with my projected preparations… I can at most secure the core territory of our empire. The cost of which will be the rest of the galaxy, and everything in it….”

Ayumi suddenly became silent. The horror in her amber eyes was obvious. She did not have the words to express the dread and terror she currently felt. But Erich’s next words surprised her in ways she never expected.

“What I’m about to ask you… It is something I would never ask anyone, especially you if I weren’t pushed to the state of desperation. Ayumi… I want you to spend the remaining time we have in the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy.

There, you can freely evolve your abilities. And when the war begins, and your power is at the level of an actual God… I want you to return to us, and protect everything we have built.

By my calculations, the war will begin before you are fully ready. But I can hold on long enough for you to return to me. And together, with your newfound powers, and my legions, we will save not only the Empire, but your homeland, and S’aleths as well. Hell, we will save the galaxy!

But before you answer me, I want you to think about the cost… You will be away from my arms, and from our family for decades. You will be alone, and experience pain the likes of which I can not even fathom as you forcefully evolve yourself into a higher state of being….

When you return, you may not even care for us like you do now…. Even then, knowing the risks, costs, and consequences. I must still ask you to do this… Are you willing?”

—

Ayumi’s thoughts returned to the presence, as she saw the large spiral of the Milky Way out in the distance. Clearly Erich was wrong about the effects being alone would have on her personality. Because at this moment, the only thing on her mind was increasing her speed, and the wormholes she used to jump across vast swaths of space so that she could return to her home in time to prevent its destruction.

Something which she expressed through a hiss as she opened another wormhole, making the 100th calculated jump on this day.

“Damn bugs! Just you wait! Soon you will have to face the wrath of a fully fledged Star God!”