In the beginning, there was nothing, not even time itself. 

Simple concepts, that in their infinite simplicity, were ironically difficult to even explain, even more, difficult to explain their lack of presence entirely.

Just the empty void, not even cold and darkness. Just an emptiness of absolute nothingness.

Until something simply came to be. 

With it, suddenly there was light. There was time, energy, and existence. Every single thing that has been, that is, that will be, came with it. 

Most think of it as an entity unable to be comprehended by our tridimensional minds. 

The best example would be that of a fish in a tank.

The simple fish doesn't know that it is in a water tank. To its feeble mind, it has always been in the ocean. Maybe this part of the ocean is smaller? it asks itself, but it is still the ocean to it. Its mind is unable to comprehend the situation that encompasses it, unable to "see" the truth beyond the glass. 

The Architect, some call it. God some may say. The Progenitor others would preach. Father, Mother, The First Light, Big Bang, It Who Began... among many other names.

An entity whose existence, despite every being in the universe having never seen it, can be agreed to be real. As if the collective consciousness of every living being alive suddenly got into an agreement to believe in something greater than them for some reason. Billions upon trillions, septilions... No, even more than that. An unmeasurable number of lives instinctively knowing of its existence. In the whole vastness of the universe, its darkest corners, and its highest peaks, all agree on the same base concept. Something, somehow, someway, made everything suddenly appear eons upon eons ago.

It displayed a power so great, so inconceivable, that even as of now there is evidence of its power: separating galaxies, collapsing stars, holding together the very fabric of reality, and so on.

In fact, some believe in the existence of remnants of this unmeasurable power. Hidden away in the deepest crevices of the galaxy, able to grant a small fraction of the power that once made them to those who are able to wield them.

The power to subjugate worlds to one's will.

The power to tear reality apart.

The power to transform matter.

Or the power to bend space and time itself.

But... is such power even allowed to be wielded? Why go to war when you can simply command the other side to surrender and they obey? Why study and make scientific discoveries in traveling technologies when you can be anywhere in the universe with just a fleeting thought?

Was the existence of these remnants even justified?

______________________________________________________________

Ace

"Is that the guy?" I hear the voice of my huge companion as we walk through the busy crowds of the overpopulated streets of Rigó-9's lower city, 'Alatt-Varós'.

"Lower your voice, Stygian." I eyed the tall Aswad'Yakul, his huge stature, and physique helped me a lot to navigate the crowd. All types of Alien lifeforms moved away from the towering canine-like being,  His long pointy ears are raised for any sign of trouble, slitted gold-colored eyes looking for their mark. "We don't want him suspecting that we are after him." I continue, Sytigian's long muzzle turns to me, an unimpressed expression on his face.

"You look like you are going to face an entire Council Fleet with all that shit you're carrying around!" Well, I guess I did bring a little bit more knives than usual, he points to the huge black bag behind him. "Also I'm carrying some heavily illegal tech with me in case-"

"Styx..." I  interrupt him, using the nickname I gave him some time ago since he usually listens to me when I use it...usually, but I take his sudden silence as proof that it worked this time. I turn to check that we haven't lost the individual that we were following. It's too easy to lose sight of a Procylanos. 

"I have this in case of an emergency since we have our heads on many ruling government's bounty boards, remember? Now focus on the task at hand, okay?" I try to sound gentle, though I admit it might have come out more as annoyed than anything else.

"All I'm saying is that with all the stuff you're wearing 'not looking sus' is maybe, kinda out of the window." He shrugs his wide shoulders, one of his long pointy ears was down to show his discomfort with the plan. "Besides, you would look better with them... Off." Oh, for fuck's sake.

If the lewd grin he gives isn't enough to show his intentions I also hear the rhythmic rattle coming from the twin tips of his long tail, something his kind do a lot when in the 'mood'...or when pissed off, I think it's safe to say its the former. "We'll see what we can do about it if, and only if everything works out at the end of this." I offer while still eyeing our target.

The description checks out, Monochromatic fur, scars on the lower muzzle, damaged ears,  orange-cooper eyes, and a resting bitch face...that last one definitely checks out, the dude looks like he could use some recreational drugs or something, that frown is definitely his most defining feature.

Stygian's head pops over my shoulder, he smiles with his fangs on full display. "Well, that's how you offer a good incentive!" His forked tongue licks his jowls, I hear his twin rattles even more intensely now, I'm surprised that he hasn't licked my face or something with how close he is, 'Affectionate grooming' he has said before that it was a custom of his people to do that to close individuals, I think he is bullshitting me every time.

On my signal we walk ever closer to our target, the crowds let us pass with the sound of Stygian's twin rattles. Funny how it's almost universal that when a predatory species has a rattle on its tail and it starts making sounds, other species will automatically recognize it as dangerous and move away from it no matter if they even have a native species with a rattle on their homeworlds, let alone two. As we close the distance and the crowds move further away from us, I get an even better view of the guy we are looking for. The relatively small frame of the Procylanos is carrying around a black briefcase with gold ornaments, that's what we are after if the energy coming out of it is any indication... however, I take note that magnetically holstered to his back is what is sure to be an illegal custom rifle of sorts. I suppose he will probably fight back. Guess I did the right thing in coming prepared. Though I would prefer if we avoided conflict

I signal Stygian to move with me as I get into a more advantageous position. I move through the sea of aliens as fast as I can without making it seem like I'm a predator after prey. To my Aswad'Yakul companion, keeping up with me is quite easy since every one of his steps is like three of mine with his huge trunk-like legs, yet kudos to him for being patient with me and moving more or less at the same speed as me. We get into a position to enact our plan.

 I nod at Stygian, time to get the ball moving so to speak.

My huge companion winks at me, quickly leaving my side, and getting into position near the Procylanos fellow, he reminds me of a true apex predator on his way to get a kill. Styx pretends to not notice the Procylanos as he walks past him close enough to knock him off his feet, the smaller guy shouting a couple of curse words on his way down and sending the briefcase tumbling to the ground about five steps from his position. This should be the perfect opportunity to grab it I just need to-

He raises his head in annoyance and looks around, I get a better look at his face and eyes, and I...just freeze.

He looks at me by chance, a curious look on his face. I see the scars on his lower jaw, the dark fur around his eyes, a typical thing of his species. His eyes stand out as we make eye contact. Just for a second. That's all it takes to make me falter. Memories rush in, vestiges of a past I thought were long buried. Similar eyes looking at me in a warm manner, the longing for the company, the pain of betrayal, past mistakes, the wounds I caused, the one life I should not have taken.

He suddenly snaps out of our mutual stupor. His face turns into an angry scowl, he gets up and grabs the briefcase, his eyes then zero in on Stygian, stomping towards the big dark canine. Shit, I fucked up the plan, I should have grabbed the briefcase and made a run for it. Crap, Styx is looking at me all confused. I usually never botch a plan like this, but I need to fix this somehow.

"The fuck is your problem, Slavey!?" He yells, pointing an accusatory clawed finger at Stygian. Despite the huge size difference the Procylanos bares his fangs at the huge Aswad'Yakul with no fear in his body, Stygian is basically three times his size, has the body build that only half a millennia of physical work can get you, and yet my poor friend looks incredibly shocked and offended as the about a meter and a half creature berates and insults him.

"What did you just call me!?" Ah, shit. This is a pretty touchy subject with his kind since Aswad'Yakul are basically a slave species to the Ovoloid Purisima Senate, one of the ruling governments on this side of the universe... yeah, calling a free Aswad'Yakul a 'Slavey' is worst than insulting their mother AND slandering their whole religion.

"I called you a Slavey, can't hear me with that huge ass head of yours so far up your ass!?" Our would-be target continues, wildly gesturing with his arms, causing a scene. I hear Stygian's rattles start and I decide that it's better to step in before Stygian turns the Procylanos into a chalk outline, all he would have to do is give a big ol' chomp and this loud guy's head would be gone immediately.

I move up to Stygian and grab his huge arm, having to exert some heavy effort to pull his two hundred-and-something centimeters frame away from the snarl battle he had with the small loud furry dude. "I'm so sorry. Excuse the issues caused. What my associate here is trying to say is that he is SORRY and that we'll get going, right?" A tactical retreat is surely the best course of action, for now. Sadly Stygian doesn't seem to get the hint. I really don't want us to cause even more of a scene and get the attention of Council authorities... especially on the contents of the briefcase that I should have swiped... 

I fucked up so badly in retrospect.

The Procylanos clearly is now suspicious of us, if the distrustful yet utterly confused look he was giving me was anything to go by. "And who in the zero fucks I give are you, Fleshbag?" I had been told that the Procylanos was rude and cursed a lot... They were not lying.

"That's it, I'm gonna eat him, Ace!" Stygian shrugs my grip off and stomps towards the offensive merch. The crowd we attracted is starting to fear us and some are even pulling out their Personal Coms, most likely contacting the authorities. Can't one plan go smoothly for once?, What did I do to deserve this?... Oh right.

That...

I try in vain to stop Stygian from reaching the Procylanos. "I'm gonna use the pipsqueak's ribs as a TOOTHPICK!" The sounds of Styigian's rattles are now really loud.

Sigh, guess I should be getting ready to call for a cleanup of the Procylanos's corpse and get ready to deal with Council Officers after our asses... Again.

"What. Did. You. Just. Call. ME?" The only good thing is that I won't have to spend a fortune getting Styx food. That guy figuratively and literally eats up our savings with his huge appetite.

"I called you a pipsqueak, what are you gonna do pips-" Oh...

It all happened in a flash, the smaller Alien's free arm flew out, hitting Stygian in the side of the head, caving his skull and swatting his huge dark form to the side, crashing into a nearby antique items store. Screams and fleeing Aliens flock the streets. 

The guy is an enhanced one... Interesting.

He turns to look at me, anger, ill intent, and pure fury in his eyes. "The fuck you looking at. Wanna join your boy toy over there in the afterlife!?" Heh.

Maybe this happened for the better, actually.

I reach for one of the knives strapped to my leg, I pour some small amount of A.E. energy into it, not enough to be noticeable but enough that I know that it will work. "My friend won't be happy when he wakes up..." I say, rapidly spinning the knife in my hand with complex motions walking to the side that the raccoon-like being is holding the briefcase but not actually getting close, circling him. More aliens from the crowds run away screaming away from us probably to get help and escape.

He snorts mockingly, "If he wakes up at all. I'm guessing you fucks are after this right here." He waves the briefcase, I shrug, faking disinterest. "I'm getting paid a sweet deal fer' it and also sealing off some debts so no counteroffers. That means to get the fuck outta here before I kill ya, runt!" He says businesses like, guess it's not the first time he is in a situation like this. I chuckle, his eyes follow me dutifully.

Remember Ace, breathe, I take a deep breath.

Misdirection and deceit. I change the hand spinning the knife, his eyes immediately focus on it.

A fair fight is a fight you have a chance of losing. Remember Meep's training.

I suddenly have a new plan. "Don't worry, you'll hand it to me by your own volition." His back was turned to where Stygian's body lays 'lifeless' on top of some store decorations and debris. "Say, I have a job offer for you, one that you really shouldn't refuse." I really don't need any of my guns if I plan this accordingly, I also may do more damage than intended.

And if my other target is indeed on this backwater planet I may need this idiot alive.

"Are ya deaf? I said no counteroffers!." He reaches over his shoulder and pulls out his weapon, the briefcase takes its place being magnetically stuck to his back, he aims the gun at me. I can feel and hear the A.E.R. inside of it. "Hate to break it to you, but I ain't accepting these terms, and since ya pissed me off I'll take what ya have right after I kill ya!." He aims the assault rifle at me, and red light emits from the A.E.R. charging its mechanisms.

"Don't worry. You doing this exact thing is part of the plan..." Well, my newly made plan, but he doesn't have to know that. I glance behind him at the dark form getting up from the store remains.

And I know he hears a deadly rattle.