First Intergalactic Emperor: Starting With The Ancient Goddess

The space chamber door hissed open with a rush of sterile air. Oliver burst in, his face pale with concern - but what he saw made his blood run cold.

Xavier lay motionless in a spreading pool of his own blood, the crimson liquid stark against the chamber’s pristine white surfaces. His body was twisted at unnatural angles, his face a mask of bruises and swelling. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, mixing with the antiseptic scent of the chamber.

Oliver’s hands trembled as he knelt beside Xavier, carefully checking for a pulse. The faintest flutter responded to his touch - Xavier was alive, but barely.

His device chimed with an incoming call. The hacker’s voice came through, crisp and professional despite the gravity of the situation. ”I’ve got the footage. Five minutes of high-definition recording from all angles.”

Oliver’s voice was tight with emotion. ”Did you get everything?”

”Complete coverage,” she confirmed. ”My team is already processing it. We’ll have it ready for distribution within the hour.”

A pause. Then her tone softened slightly. ”Oliver... is he...?”

The unspoken question hung heavy in the air. Oliver swallowed hard. ”I don’t know. I’ve called for help. I am taking him to a private hospital outside the academy.”

The hacker’s voice turned grim. ”They went too far. This wasn’t just bullying - they intended to kill him.” Her tone hardened. ”My entire team is furious. We’re going to make sure those bastards pay for this, no matter what it takes.”

Oliver nodded, though she couldn’t see it. ”Thank you.”

He carefully lifted Xavier’s broken body, wincing at the way his friend’s limbs moved unnaturally. As he carried Xavier toward the exit, he noticed something glinting in the blood - a tooth, knocked loose in the beating.

The sight sent a fresh wave of rage through him. He made a silent vow as he stepped into the hallway - those responsible would pay. Not just for what they’d done to Xavier, but for every victim who had suffered before him.

The academy’s pristine corridors seemed to mock him as he carried Xavier’s limp form toward the exit. Other students parted before them, their faces pale with shock. Some whispered, others looked away - but none offered to help.

As they reached the academy’s main gates, Oliver’s private transport was already waiting. The driver’s face paled as he saw Xavier’s condition, but he said nothing as Oliver carefully laid his friend in the back seat.

The transport’s medical systems automatically engaged, stabilizing Xavier’s vitals as they sped toward the hospital. Oliver watched the numbers on the display, willing them to stay steady.

His device chimed again - a message from the hacker. [The footage is ready. It will be distributed soon. But it will take a few hours to make it viral. The academy won’t be able to suppress this.]

Oliver allowed himself a small, grim smile. ”Good.”

He looked down at Xavier’s battered face, the medical nanites already working to repair the worst of the damage. ”Hold on,” he murmured. ”We’re going to make them pay for this.”

The academy’s towering gates closed behind them as Lucas’s sleek black hovercar glided through the neon-lit streets. The vehicle moved deliberately slow, its occupants scanning the sidewalks for potential targets.

Leonardo leaned back in the plush leather seat, his cybernetic fingers drumming against the armrest. ”Think that village rat’s dead yet?”

Ethan smirked, his enhanced eyes reflecting the city’s glow. ”Should be. If not, we’ll finish the job tomorrow.”

Maximilian’s voice cut through the cabin’s dim lighting. ”Some fatzo carried him out of the space chamber. Took him somewhere - probably a hospital.”

A flicker of concern crossed Leonardo’s face. ”You think we’ll get in trouble for this?”

Lucas scoffed, adjusting his designer jacket. ”Please. The academy’s influence covers this whole city. My grandfather runs the place. We’re untouchable.”

Ethan’s grin turned predatory. ”We should beat that fatzo too.”

Lucas shook his head. ”He’s a second year. There’s a hierarchy to this - we only mess with first years.”

The hovercar’s engines hummed softly as it cruised down the main boulevard. Then Ethan’s enhanced vision caught movement ahead. ”Hey, slow down.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow but complied. ”What is it?”

Ethan pointed through the windshield. ”That Kael kid. Walking with his girlfriend. Acting all cocky since he beat me in that sprint.”

Lucas’s lips curled into a cruel smile as he brought the car to a stop directly in front of the couple. Kael and Mira froze mid-step, their hands still clasped together. The car’s doors opened with a pneumatic hiss.

Ethan lunged from the front seat while Leonardo emerged from the rear, their movements perfectly coordinated. Kael barely had time to react before Ethan’s cybernetic hand closed around his collar. Mira’s scream was cut short as Leonardo grabbed her from behind.

The hovercar’s engines flared to life as it accelerated away, leaving only tire marks on the pavement. Inside, Kael struggled against Ethan’s grip while Mira fought desperately against Leonardo’s hold.

”Where are you taking us?” Kael demanded, his voice tight with fear.

Ethan’s laugh was cold. ”Somewhere special. My father owns a construction site. Perfect place for a little... reconstruction.”

The car turned sharply down a side street, its headlights illuminating the skeletal frames of half-built structures. The site loomed ahead, its security systems already disabled by Ethan’s remote access.

As the car pulled to a stop, Lucas turned in his seat, his cybernetic eyes glowing in the darkness. ”Let’s see how cocky you are after we’re done with you.”

The doors opened again, and the real terror began.