CHAPTER 16: CH-16 STARTING POINT FOR A NEW JOURNEY

Though the theories presented by both Elsa and Ascendency were sound—each backed by rational analysis and high-level deductions—there remained a frustrating truth: they still didn’t know.

It could very well be, by some strange coincidence, that this entire sector was simply... empty. A void in the map of cosmic development. But that didn’t sit right.

Elsa shrugged, though her eyes betrayed lingering doubt.

"It’s a possibility, sure. But it’s not a comforting one," she said. "Why would such a resource-rich region be left untouched?"

She gestured toward the tactical display, then looked at Ascendency.

"Go ahead. Widen the scan parameters."

The AI gave a short nod and turned to her console.

Before the scan could expand, however, William finally spoke—his voice thoughtful.

"The second possibility might be the correct one," he said. "Space is vast—far beyond what any being here could fully comprehend, let alone explore. A region spanning ten light-years could easily be overlooked by civilizations that measure their territory in thousands. And we all know that most of space remains unexploited. In this case especially, it seems like that’s what happened. So it could just be a coincidence that we didn’t find anything here."

He leaned back slightly, eyes distant.

"In that case... maybe we were just unlucky to land in a cosmic blind spot."

Elsa nodded, crossing her arms as she considered the idea.

"That is possible. Though I’d like to remind you of something, William." She smirked slightly, turning her gaze on him.

"It wasn’t us who stumbled in here—it was you. I was still inside your Sprite Realm, if you’ve forgotten. And Ascendency—she was still asleep, as the Ragnarök remained unused. Remember?"

She gave Ascendency a playful flick on the shoulder, to which the AI responded with a reserved nod of agreement.

William groaned, covering his face with one hand as he felt the early warning signs of yet another impending headache.

"Yeah, yeah. It was me. My bad luck. Not yours."

He looked up at Elsa with exaggerated pleading in his expression.

"Now, will you please stop reminding me of that? Pretty please?"

Elsa just chuckled, leaning back into her seat as the scan resumed—wider now, deeper, and reaching further into the void.

As the diameter of the search parameter expanded—gradually pushing beyond the initial 11 light-years... then to 12... and finally nearing 15 light-years—a small alert tone echoed across the command deck.

Something had been found.

William and Elsa exchanged glances, the atmosphere shifting from quiet calculation to sudden anticipation. After scanning more than 50 star systems with nothing but silence in return, this was their first true signal.

William’s mind ran through the numbers.

If the average star sector spanned a diameter of about 180 light-years, that would make the total area approximately 25,447 square light-years. The Ragnarök’s search field—now covering a 15 light-year radius—amounted to around 177 square light-years.

They had, in effect, scanned just 0.69% of the sector. While 0.69 percent might sound small in terms of numbers, it wasn’t small at all. An area covering approximately 177 square light-years is no trivial region. In fact, it was astonishing in its own right that it took scanning such a vast area before they discovered anything at all.

It was astounding.

But despite the initial shock, they were more than astonished, they were relieved. Curios. Excited.

After all the silence, all the null readings — finally, signs of life.

What kind of life, they didn’t know yet. They hadn’t reviewed the data. And before Elsa or William could even ask Ascendency — the ship’s AI — she spoke.

A 3D holographic display flared to life above the central console, projecting shifting waveforms, energy signatures, and quantum data points.

"There’s more," Ascendency stated calmly. " Based on readings and preliminary analysis from the quantum entanglement module and the bio-signature detection array, we can confirm that... there’s a battle occurring in that region."

Elsa blinked. "A battle?"

"Between humans and an unidentified species," Ascendency confirmed. "Quantum-bio resonance traces indicate a conflict. The life signatures of both species are continuously deteriorating and disappearing..." It’s an active battlefield."

Then William exhaled. "So we’re not alone."

"Not even close," Elsa murmured.

They were all relieved by the data—because this, at last, proved that the universe hadn’t just started anew. Life had returned.

Why did that matter so much? Because to reach this level of complexity — to the point of a battle happening seven light-years away — meant civilization had returned. Life hadn’t just sparked. It had evolved, expanded, and was now fighting for something.

Why was there a battle? They didn’t know. But they would. Eventually.

Back aboard the Ragnarök...

"Not just life," Elsa said, staring at the monitor. "Did you hear that, William?".

William glanced at her. "See what?"

"They’re humans, William," she stressed.

William nodded slowly, still processing. "I saw that. But... is that supposed to mean something?"

Elsa shot him a look. "God, you really..... how can you be still this slow and are dense sometimes. Look at the damn screen."

She jabbed her finger toward the data feed.

Two clusters of life signatures — one pulsing blue, the other red. Blue was human. Red was something else. Unknown species. Whatever was happening out there wasn’t a skirmish. It was a full-blown struggle. The signature counts were fluctuating — fast and human were the ones losing even faster.

They were fighting. And the casualties were mounting.

One by one, signatures were vanishing. Life, extinguished.

William glanced at her again, a little embarrassed. She hadn’t exactly been gentle calling him stupid, but he was used to it. He just muttered, "Okay... so?"

Elsa sighed. "So, Will... think. This means one of two things. Either the humans were ambushed, or they’re at a disadvantage in this galaxy."

Elsa crossed her arms and leaned in closer." What I’m saying is—we’re stuck here, aren’t we? At least until your powers return completely."

William gave a small shrug. "More or less."

"Right. You’re at what level now?" she asked, tilting her head.

He replied calmly, "Spirit Sovereign Peak."

"Exactly," Elsa said, tapping her fingers against her arm. "You’re still in recovery. So even if we could use Ragnarök’s Quantum Drive to jump to another universe and explore..." —she paused— "wouldn’t that just be... bland? Empty? Directionless?"

William raised an eyebrow but didn’t interrupt.

Elsa continued, more serious now." You already said it yourself: this is a new journey. And every journey needs two things—a starting point, and a goal."

She turned her eyes to the display showing the distant battle." So why not start here? We go help those humans. Learn what we can about this galaxy—its power structures, civilizations, dangers. And most importantly, the status of humans in this galaxy."

She looked him squarely in the eyes." You are human, after all. Or... mostly. That connection could matter here. And if they’re in danger, we might be exactly what they need."

William didn’t respond right away. A quiet, thoughtful smile began to form.

Elsa grinned. "Sounds like a proper starting point for a new journey, doesn’t it?"

William sighed, slowly nodding. "You’re right. Again."

He didn’t say it out loud, but in truth, this was exactly what they had hoped for—a way to anchor themselves in this strange new universe.

And Elsa was right.

And Elsa was right.

William didn’t want to wander aimlessly across realities just for the sake of sightseeing. He wanted a journey—one with meaning, with purpose. And this... this was a good place to begin.

While helping the humans, he could learn where exactly he was, what this galaxy was called, how its power structures were built, and what kind of civilizations thrived—or fell—within it. The rules, the balance of power, the undercurrents of its society. And if, as Elsa suspected, the humans were in trouble... maybe lending them a hand would lead to something more.

"Who knows," he thought to himself, "if I like what I see... maybe I’ll become a part of their world too. That wouldn’t be so bad."

His gaze shifted to Elsa, who sat beside him with that ever-present spark in her eyes and a knowing smile curling her lips. He smiled back and said softly but firmly:

"Then let’s do just that, Elsa."

She nodded, her enthusiasm practically radiating.

William turned his eyes forward, where Ascendency—Ragnarök’s sentinel AI—stood waiting patiently for his command, her luminous white form still and composed.

"Ascendency," William said, voice resolute, "set course for the star system where that battle’s taking place. Let’s see what’s going on out there... and let’s help those humans."

The AI gave a small bow of acknowledgment."Understood, Master. Engaging FTL Drive. Aligning trajectory now."

Within moments, the lights across Ragnarök’s command bridge dimmed slightly as deep hums of ancient power surged through the hull. Energy fields shimmered into place, and space around the ship began to distort as the FTL drive came online—ready to hurl them across the stars toward the unknown.

Toward the beginning of their true journey.