The Bear did not look up when Silver arrived. He sat in the same place he always did, massive frame hunched forward, claws resting idly against stone that had long since stopped resisting his weight. The space around his was quiet, insulated from the noise of lesser realms and lesser concerns. Stars drifted beyond the open expanse, slow and distant.

  “It’s not often you invade another’s realm Silver,” the Bear rumbled. Silver regarded him calmly. Even beyond the boundaries of his domain, The Bear was a monstrous existence. Silver smiled faintly. “Let’s be real, you’re lonely enough to enjoy it.” A low huff escaped him, something halfway between a scoff and a growl. “What would you know?” The Bear said.

  For a time, nothing else was said. His gaze remained fixed outward, unfocused, as though he were staring through layers of reality rather than at the stars themselves. “So… Why have you really come?” He said at last. Silver took a few steps forward and stopped, positioning himself just above the edge of his seat. Not standing upon it. Not challenging him. Close enough to be deliberate. “Nothing, he said. “Just checking on an old friend.” Something sharp bubbled beneath the casual tone.

  The Bear turned slowly, locking eyes with him for the first time. In that instant, it felt as though entire histories passed between them unspoken. “This is about the human, then,” he said. “The one you’ve chosen.” His lip curled slightly. “You should know I have no interest in him. As far as I’m concerned he can be slaughtered like the rest of the humans.”

  Silver stepped back, mist already beginning to coil off his form. “Maybe,” he said. “But if you look closely enough, I think you’ll find things changing.” He turned away. “My time’s up,” he added casually. “It might be time for you to come out of hibernation.” Then he vanished, his form dispersing into a soft plume of silver mist.

  The Bear remained still. A small disk struck the stone where he had stood, skidding once before coming to a rest. The Bear’s gaze dropped to it as light flickered to life, a holographic projection activating in silence.

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  In the far reaches of space, a man sat on a throne of blue steel, staring inward at a message he had just received from the system.

  [Title: Conqueror of Worlds (249) has upgraded to The Cosmic Tyrant.]

  The man smiled. This upgrade was exactly what he was hoping. Below the depths of his throne, he peered at the newest world his faction had conquered on his behalf. A world so insignificant but for one feature, it’s proximity to a newly integrated world… Earth.

  The landing platform to his ship stretched wide and bare beneath a darkened sky, its surface polished smooth by constant use. Rows of figures knelt in perfect formation, heads bowed, hands pressed flat against the stone. Not a single individual dared to look up.

  The air vibrated faintly as the vessel descended, its shadow swallowing the platform whole. Dust and loose debris were pulled inward as the craft settled, engines winding down with mechanical finality. The ramp lowered. A single man could be seen descending the steps of his throne above. He was tall, broad-shouldered, wrapped in layered armour etched with marks of conquest and battles unknown. A greatsword rested across his back, its presence heavy enough to bend the space around it. He did not pause to take in the world. He did not acknowledge the kneeling masses.

  The planetary leader, a snivelling man, was brought forward. The man was dressed in ceremonial robes, colours chosen for symbolism rather than practicality. He trembled as he was forced to his knees, lips moving in what might have been a speech, a plea, or a prayer… Maybe a combination of all three.

  The tyrant standing before him did not let him speak. The blade came free in a single smooth motion, steel whispering through the air. There was no flourish. No hesitation. The planetary leaders head struck the stone and rolled to a stop several paces away, not even showing recognition he had been struck.

  The body collapsed moments later. Silence followed, absolute and suffocating. The tyrant turned.. No, The Cosmic Conqueror… surveyed the kneeling masses for the first time. His voice carried without effort, amplified by systems unknown. It could be heard across the entire planet, as if a whisper in their ears.

  “By right of conquest,” he said, tone even and unraised, “this world now belongs to the Dominion of Ash.” A ripple passed through the crowd… no… the whole planet. Fear sharpened into something quieter and more durable.

  “You will labour,” he continued. “You will supply. You will fight when called.” He rest one gauntleted hand on the hilt of his greatsword. “You will die in service.” No cheers answered him. No resistance followed. There was only obedience.

  The pitch black vessel lifted once more, leaving the planet shrouded beneath its shadow as the man took his rightful place upon his throne again, muttering “what a fucking shithole”. He had done it though, another world fell before him, opening his path through the stars.