Kai floated above Solakar, the capital of the Knoll Empire, golden eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. Below him, the Milky Way twinkled innocently, unaware of the predator observing its every movement.
Ema's projection shimmered beside him. "Every move you make will be felt, Kai. Are you certain you want to act now?"
Kai's grin was sharp. "I've waited too long. Let's see who truly rules this galaxy." He extended a hand, and a slender thread of his Early Sage aura brushed the Knoll Empire. Sensors flared, orbital defenses quaked, and fleets shifted nervously in orbit.
The panic across Solakar was instantaneous.
---
Kai selected an orbital fortress—the Iron Fang, a bastion of their late Galactic Realm commanders. Without touching it physically, he manipulated gravity subtly, compressing the space around the fortress. Its hull creaked, energy shields flickering as cracks appeared in the control matrix.
Generals shouted, trying to stabilize it.
Technicians scrambled to redistribute energy, but every system responded as if controlled by an invisible hand.
The fortress twisted in space, bending like molten metal.
Kai's voice echoed across the void, projected through the faint pulse of his aura:
"I do not need to attack. I am here."
The fortress survived—but barely. Its commander, face pale, whispered, "A Sage… in our domain."
---
Kai's gaze swept across Solakar's orbital fleets. Thousands of warships, each armed to annihilate planets, suddenly felt a subtle pressure as his aura brushed their sensors.
Navigation computers scrambled.
Weapons powered down briefly, unable to handle the unseen force.
Flagships rocked violently, and fleets began to drift in near-chaotic formations.
Kai smirked. "So many weapons… yet so blind." With a flick of his finger, a fleet of destroyers jerked sideways, crashing into one another. No lives lost yet—just controlled chaos.
Below, citizens and soldiers alike whispered:
"The heavens themselves are moving against us."
"A new ruler has arrived."
"The Emperor's protection is worthless."
---
Kai's fingers brushed the atmosphere of Solakar. Winds twisted unnaturally. Lightning arcs danced across clouds, unnerving even the planet's most seasoned storm-masters.
Crops bent as if in obeisance.
Oceans rippled imperceptibly, sensing the pressure of his Sage-level aura.
Cities trembled, their tallest spires sensing the presence of an entity far beyond their understanding.
The Emperor's throne hall shook as ancient starlight arrays pulsed in recognition. Lord Veylor Knoll stood, gripping the armrests, eyes wide.
"That… that was not a fluke. Someone is declaring themselves."
---
In the Black Vault, the empire's spies scrambled. Every report, every observation, every magical or technological sensor screamed of a Sage-level presence.
"Contain him!" one officer shouted.
"Impossible," the Director murmured. "Even our best can't approach this."
"Then we adapt. We use deception, infiltration, contracts… fear."
Kai watched, floating above it all, amusement dancing across his golden gaze. The empire did not understand—they were only beginning to realize the scope of their new reality.
Kai allowed his aura to brush the population subtly. A minor pulse, just enough to be sensed spiritually.
Priests knelt mid-ritual, chanting fervently.
Farmers, merchants, and civilians whispered legends of a god in the sky.
Temples flared, their divine fires bending subtly toward the direction of Kai's presence.
Faith, once chained to the Emperor's rule, shifted toward this unseen Sage. Doubt spread like wildfire.
Kai's smile widened. "The galaxy believes the Emperor rules… yet the stars themselves now serve me."
--
Floating high above the Milky Way, Kai surveyed the aftermath:
Chaos among fleets, generals, and ministers.
Fear and awe among the people.
The Emperor's authority shaken, yet intact enough to avoid panic turning into revolt.
He turned to Ema. "The galaxy dances, and yet it does not break. Good. Let them learn fear gradually, not shatter at once. The real game… begins when they adapt."
Ema inclined her head. "Caution and power, Kai. Both are necessary."
Kai's eyes glimmered across the Milky Way. "I've tasted the excitement. Fleet commanders scrambling, ministers panicking, priests whispering… It's perfect. Let's see how far this galaxy bends before it snaps."
His aura pulsed once more—not fully, just enough to remind everyone, from Orbital Command to the commoners, that the Early Sage now walked their galaxy.
Kai exhaled, floating in space, calm and composed. "The galaxy has seen me. Now… let's see which pieces move, and which break."
--