Chapter 116: A Transforming Battleship and an Awakening

Well, it's an imperial battleship all right. What's left of one, anyway...

My sensors are not showing any signs of human life, perhaps they all escaped before the crash?

There's a pretty big hole open in the hull, looks like that might be our way in, but it's covered in some weird stuff...

Interesting...

I think I know what it is.

Already?!

Traveling through the vortex caused chronons to mutate and contract. That contraction caused spacetime to bend and freeze in place like what you see here.

Yeah, uhm... I'm gonna have to take your word for it.

Well, whatever it is, we gotta find some way to get past it. Any ideas?

Oh, well if that's all you need to know then that's easy.

It is?

So, everything's all jumbled up, right? But time itself seems to be flowing as it is supposed to. AND, if you've studied your spacetime theory like I have, then you'd know the solution is a simple one.

...It also helps if you're a genius.

Okay, well, you have the stage...

Okay, here I go...

Just a little touchy there... Some feely here...

...What the!

That's it?

It's gone!

Simple rheology, my dear. Something I like to call...

The touchy-feely principle!

We can work on the name later, but hey! If it works, it works.

Another win for science!

...I dunno if I would all that science, but guess you're the expert.

Either way, now we have a way in!

So, is all this other stuff the same thing, or are they more like creatures native to wherever it is we are?

Eep...I think they might actually be alive?!

I think you're right Aldo, we seem to be looking at unknown types of life native to the vortex.

So, they ARE alive, then?

You think they're what brought the ship down?

Judging from all the holes, I think you're right... We won't know for sure until we get see some of the ship's logs, though.

Yeah, let's go inside and see if we can find some clues.

We're...back outside?

What was up with the monsters in there, anyway?

I think they are related to the lifeforms we saw on the hull, but they've managed to mutate and mimic the form of machines. Just a guess though...

Well, it's pretty clear things are starting to get dangerous, so why don't we move quickly before something else finds us.

Yikes! What is going on now?!

Look Aldo!

Look at how big that thing is! Must be another mutation...

You seeing what I'm seeing?

That "thing" has Grand Hades!

...How did it get stuck in its side like that?

By the looks of it, they fought, and Grand Hades lost. Which would mean...

Sebastia might still be inside! Hey! Professor! You in there?!

*sigh* Yes.

Good to hear your voice! You having mechanical problems or something?

Unfortunately, yes. I pushed the eject button but the dumb thing is stuck.

Aldo! We've gotta...

Yeah. Let's get her out of there!

Yeah. Let's get her out of there!

That did some damage, I think?

What the... It can fly, too?

This is bad. If we don't do something now it might try and attack somewhere else...

Like Unigan!

These are my skies, you monster!

Hey! That's...

Synth Hydra! You made it!

Does all this stuff on the ground mean you won? How did you even know where to find us?

Such a short term memory, Aldo! Don't you remember the time I saved you at KMS's Eastern Division? I've got a lock on your signal! I noticed you were being sucked into that vortex and I dived in after. You needed my help, so I did what any friend would do.

You're the best, Synth Hydra!

I don't know what we're looking at, but at least we're alive.

You okay, Sebastia?

Yes. I owe you one. That "thing" caught me by surprise...

Wait a second...

Figure something out?

This thing... I think it might be...

Wah!

It's...still alive?

Mmhmm, yes, I see. Quite interesting indeed, yes! Right, that is most certainly the case. Indeed!

Uhhh... Hi? Have we met?

Hey you're...

Testing...testing... I can see! I can hear! Yes! I am...alive! Oh, how wonderful! What a splendid word, "alive." It is what I am, and I am so delighted to be "it"!

Anyone gonna explain what's going on here or...

Breathe in... Heeeee Breathe out... Hoooo In, and out. That is how it goes!

Breathing, what a simple yet sophisticated concept! Say, you there. Am I breathing correctly? Heee... Hooo...

Um...What did you say your name was?

It came out of whatever it was we just fought... Interesting...

Oh, where are my manners! I was so wrapped up on all these new experiences I forgot to introduce myself! And, though I am sure you mean quite well, but I did not "come out" of "that thing."

I was that thing. You killed me. But now, I'm alive again. Regenerated from the blown up bits of flesh you see here.

You were...regenerated?

And uh, killed you? We defeated a monster, killed is kind of a harsh word...

You did! I was dead! But I found you so incredibly interesting I decided to come back! And I thought, if I want to know my murderers, I should look like them, too! What do you think? Is everything where it should be?

Well, we don't have whatever it is you have on the back of your head...

What thing? I don't see a thing?

Uh...you know what, forget it. You look great!

You said you were that monster we just fought, do I have that right?

To be specific, I am part of what you call "that monster." I suppose that means I should pick a new name...

Yes. I do believe it does. You can call me...Nilya! How nice to meet you all, indeed!

(So, this is when Nilya was born...)

Oh, oh, okay!

Oh, did I do it wrong? I'm sorry I'm just so new at all this. I wasn't really prepared for a full introduction... Let me see if I can reach out and fill in some of the missing parts of my biography for you... Wait just a moment!

Mumumu, gagagaga Weeeep wop, weeeep wop KAAAAAAAAAAH...

Is she...

What is she doing?

Well, I'm not sure, exactly. I'm picking up chronon readings, but I don't see any visual changes... I think she might be contacting a world unknown to us via some kind of data transfer network...

Aaand done! Now, let me try this again!

I AM NILYA! AKA THE TWISTED MISTRESS! AKA THE QUEEN O' CHAOS! AKA NILYA THE NULLIFIER!

I am what you would call a "professional wrestler." I do hope I did it right this time!

Uh you're uh...

Pro...what again?

Something that must exist only in the world she was connecting to... How interesting...

It doesn't look like that went very well...

Perhaps actions would speak louder than words! Allow me to once again introduce myself!

WITH MY SIGNATURE MOVE THE NILYA SUPLEX!

RRRRRAAAAAH!

Waaaaaaaaaah!

ALDO?!

Okay! Okay! We get it! Just please, no more Nilya suplexes!

Aha! Actions DO speak louder than words! I shall make a note of that for my research!

You're a real piece of work, ya know?

Why, thank you! Wow, so much to learn!

Hmm?

...A wormhole?

Aha! When fate calls, they say... I shall meet the moment and venture bravely forth into the unknown!

Anybody wanna tell me what just happened?

It appears fate wants me here, Aldo.

Uhm?! Didn't you just...

Yes! And that is how I ended up over here.

So, are you the Nilya I have been traveling with? Or are you...

I feel as if I do have strong future connection with one of you, one that will lead to several interesting adventures... But, perhaps later!

So then! Where shall we go next? I'll let you pick, as I'm sure wherever it is will be quite interesting! And, I know what you're all thinking, "What luck! Now that Nilya's with us everything will be just fine!"

...Oh, you're coming with us?

Of course!

She did say she was curious about us, so I would be more surprised if she didn't, Aldo.

And as a scientist, I understand that curiosity completely!

As long as you don't turn into a giant monster and attack us again.

...You're honestly going to let this thing follow us around?! Any idiot can see she's dangerous.

Say, Sebastia. Why did she attack you anyway?

Let's get out of here first, then I'll tell you.

I'd rather not stay here any longer myself. Let's head back to Unigan, and there we can talk.

All right, so tell us what happened.

I was sucked into that vortex as I assume everyone else here was.

In the middle of all the chaos I somehow got separated from the imperial fleet. I thought it dangerous to immediately go looking for them, so I tried to get my bearings first, do some research.

Logical.

Eventually I did find one of our ships.

The one we were just on?

Yes. It was in the process of being... I guess you could say it was in the process of being devoured by these alien lifeforms. It was only a matter of time before it came crashing down, so I decided to interfere, and that's when I was attacked.

...And that's when I ate her!

Passing through my digestive system is quite the honor, I'll have you know!

Ugh...But the fact of the matter is, I was absolutely powerless against her. A fact I am not proud of... Nor do I consider it an honor.

Well, on the bright side I'm sure the trip was full of valuable data! Speaking of which, were you able to figure out anything during your research? We should compare notes!

I was, in fact.

This world we're in is, to put it in laymen's terms, a kind of spacetime melting pot. A time layer between, so to speak. Here, in what I've been calling the "Edax Dimension", both time layers exist, but that existence is far from harmonious. In fact, they are slowly devouring each other.

That sounds...bad...

I am not entirely sure how this domain was created... But one could only assume it was because the hollow layer wasn't fully released. Perhaps the Goddess of Time intervened? At any rate, this time devouring domain was born from that incident, taking places and whole eras from our worlds with it.

Ashtear was kinda saying the same thing!

The creatures here share similar characteristics. They see things from outside the domain and mimic them... I call them "edaxians."

I do not appreciate being labeled!

Anyway, it is only a matter of time before all this ceases to exist. You outer worlders have family and friends just like we do, right? This domain is overflowing with nullons and their numbers seem to be increasing by the moment. If we don't stop their spread then the whole domain will be devoured.

Everything will be destroyed.

...Everything?

It won't be like you just died, more like you and none of this will have ever existed.

Well, I definitely won't let that happen. There is a way to stop it, right? If we all band together...

Yeah!

About that, I don't think it was a coincidence you were sent to the Moonlight Forest. It is my theory we were all sent to places that we have a strong connection to. I don't know if that is a side effect of being in this domain or some outside help from the Goddess of Time... But I'm pretty sure I'm right.

Well, it's the only lead we got, so maybe we should start by looking for places we have strong connections to?

Hey, Synth Hydra?

Still here, Aldo!

You mind giving us a ride? We wanna go looking for the others!

Thought you'd never ask! Go ahead and hop on board!

...I see you've got some new friends, Aldo.

Greetings and salutations!

Nice to meet you, too. Let me know if you need anything, I'm always here to help a lady. I'm real ship-varous.

Ship-varous? What a fun word!

By the way, me and the boys cooked up something I think you're really going like. Go ahead through my door here and see for yourself!

...Is this room new?

Yes! We made it just for you, so feel free to use it however you like.

Really? Wow! Thanks!

Oh, this monitor looks especially useful!

Just need a small...tweak...here!

There. Now we can see all the signals being picked up by Synth Hydra's sensors.

The Edax Domain is a lot bigger than I was hoping...

Aha. I'm picking up two abnormal nullon readings relatively close to us.

Yeah, that one up in the north-east is particularly strong. Can't even get close to it.

Then it sounds like maybe we should check that out later, as curious as I am, I'd rather not risk the damage! Why don't we start with the other signal. Looks to be just south-east of here.

Who knows, maybe we'll find some folks along the way?

Yeah, leave no stone left unturned, I say! If we see somewhere worth stopping at let's check it out!

Synth Hydra, set a course! And guys, if you're out there, wait just a little longer! We're coming for you!