Fiction:Qliphoggr's Ascension/Ripples

Integration
The Àtzalèkotl-Lina-Ek emerged from the portal in front of an expectant crowd. You need not know his name, as this scenario takes place day after day, and everyone in the crowd had come here in the same way, if not a slight variation.

"So, which religion do you truly follow?" "Exilist or Aktheist?" "We don't have all day."

This was definitely not what he had hoped to arrive to. This was reminiscent of his old home empire, where he was subject to blind Exilist pride. But in fact, he followed the ways of his ancestors. His planet was his mother.

"I'm an Exilist."

He lied. He was afraid that he'd be subject to the intimidation and persecution of the truly converted Exilists. It was evident in the fact that most of the crowd's faces were of a serious, somewhat angry expression. But now, most of them appeared somewhat friendlier, while about less than a half of them seemed somewhat sorrowed by the answer.

"Come on, brother. We'll explain what happened to you."

While the worried ones flew off to their residences, the obviously Exilist group began to tour the newcomer across the colony, explaining that he had the Exiled One, the Exilist diety, had redirected them to this universe at this time whilst entering the portal that supposedly was connected to the inside of the Exiled One's subconsciousness, and that now, he was a citizen of the Waptoria Alliance of Species, a group-minded empire of various species. Throughout the explanations, however, the newcomer felt that this empire was perfectly suited for those of his true faith. So, why would the two religions fight, he wondered?

He would soon realize that a bit later, upon being connected within the Waptorian group-mind, although with a bit of reluctance. The newcomer was amazed by what he felt afterwards, however: he could feel the thoughts of everyone around him, as if some stronger version of his species' infrared communications.

That night, he entered one of the Secondary Form 3 Exiled Flesh that made up the residential quarters of the Exilists. This place would be his new home from now on. The next day, the local authorities of the group had come to speak with him regarding something important.

"Okay, as you may know, every day, at around the time you got sacrificed, another one will come here, and we don't want you there. We have to make sure that they fully understand what's going on, and you don't quite know everything just yet." "But I do know! Remember? I've been connected into the group-mind!" "Listen, it's common for fights to happen over there between the two sides. You don't have enough combat expertise yet, so it's best for you to stay here." "*Sigh* Alright, I'll stay..."

But that's when he realized that this was his chance to reveal his true allegiance. If this was how the Aktheist side behaved to their new recruits, then there'd be reliable people to which he can "defect" to. So, when the Exilists left their residential quarters towards the portal, he sneaked off, heading in secret towards the Aktheists, and when he did get there, he was witness to a tribal, yet almost ghetto-like location - a vast contrast from the towering Exiled Flesh that had formed into houses in which he spent the night - but devoid of anyone. Had all of them left to the portal? Or were there few actual new recruits? Was it because of peer pressure, like his case, or are there truly few Aktheists? This would obviously bring up many queries in his mind, but for now, he'd just wait here, hoping not to get caught.

By the time the occupants of the area came back, the newcomer was no longer the newcomer. Yet again, an Exilist had emerged from the portal, so naturally, the reaction of seeing an Exilist on Aktheist ground would be taken the wrong way, but for some reason, they seemed to be fine with it. He had almost forgotten that his thoughts could also be sensed by the group-mind. He and a few others, apparently including the colony's Aktheist leader, had soon after begun to discuss matters in Rana-Zel-Zel-Ek, the tongue of their ancestors.

"Not exactly used to the hivemind yet, I see?" "Yeah, I was the one who came yesterday. I hope you don't tell the Exilists on me." "No, we won't. We just want to live." "Hey, what if he spied on our behalf?" "But what about the hivemind? It'll blow his cover!" "You seem to have forgotten that he can still block his thoughts from others. Must be because no one's done that in a while." "Well, you have a good point. What do you think?" "I think it's a great idea. I'll come and report if something comes up." "You'd better head back to the Exilists now. You don't want to get caught immediately." "Of course. Goodbye!"

With that, he took off to the Exilist quarters. On his way there, he thought to himself over and over again that he had been ambushed by Aktheists. He did so again, and again, and again, hoping that this would make the thought more authentic and believable.

Revelation
The newcomer from yesterday at last arrived at his residential Exiled Flesh, greeted by the presence of a displeased superior. No words were exchanged, just an exchange of thoughts, including the phony. When the conversation had finished, the spy assumed to be safe from the authorities, but the superior he had just mind-melded with caught wind of the truth, and went inside after the traitor.

"We don't accept spies here. Bring him to Valaztè."

In almost an instant, two Àtzalèkotl-Lina-Ek who were milling around just a few seconds ago took the responsibility of grabbing the spy's arms in their clutches, restraining him from any movement. After pushing him outside, they took to the sky, flying towards the direction of a Secondary Form 2 Exiled Flesh. This was obviously where the base for the entire Exilist faction across the Waptoria Alliance of Species was located, as the planet from which the first of their species come here would obviously serve as their hub in this universe. He struggled to break free at first, but stopped when the two began to whip his chest with their club-like tails and the razor-sharp stinger-like blades at the tip.

When being forced into the building, he resumed his struggle, but to no avail, until he was forced into the leader's main room. There was a dark feel in the room, accompanied with light coming from a few biological lamps. The spy knew them to be Exiled Flesh in tertiary forms, and could hear their conversation with his infrared-receptive antennae.

"Uh-oh, here comes a traitor..." "What happened to this guy?" "Nevermind that! What about what'll they do to him!?" "I really hope he gets decapitated right on the spot. All that gushing blood looks like a fireworks display, and it's probably rich in nutrients for our host Flesh to drain!"

At the middle of the room, he saw two other Exiled Flesh in the forms of a desk and an office chair turned back facing him, with the distinctive eye that all Exiled Flesh forms bear staring right at him, then looking up at the lights and sending a final infrared signal.

"Guys, Valatzè's gonna address himself to his victim, so shut yourselves!"

The chair turned around, revealing a somewhat large Àtzalèkotl-Lina-Ek, the size of an overarching ruler in this species. Boldly, he spoke in a deep, terror-striking voice.

"So you're the traitorous spy?"

The spy did not respond. He was much too scared, but he had the courage to shake his head in a yes motion, albeit nervously.

"Well, well, well. Don't you know how useless you are?" "Y... Y-yes... Sir-" "No, not that way! You're useless to both sides!" "Wh-what do you mean? They could use informa-" "SHUT UP!!! They don't need you at all! You might be one of them and foolishly claim to be on the Exiled One's side, but they already know what we know. They don't care if people die, because that just makes it more real.  But you, you, my friend, are just what we need for the final provocation." "Okay, okay! Anything for my life! Just spare me!" "Wise choice. But first, you need to know that I am not Valatzè Theronum."

The fierce leader stood up, and began to morph into a different entity. Shortly after, the hapless spy was witness to an exceptional Changeling.

"I am Aurelia, favored servant of Darkness and Queen of the Mutran Hordes. I have come to claim you, for you were called to this gigaquadrant by a great power in Exile."

She began to approach the spy.

"All you have to do to live is just stab your Aktheist friends in the back. So, why not do that right now? You've only got one of 'em to kill..."

By the time she finished to speak, she was directly in front of him. She had put her thin, bony hand onto his chest and slowly moved it downwards, finishing the last sentence before removing it. The spy waited a bit, gulped and then answered.

"Y-yes..." "Good. Now, I'll let you leave, and don't come back 'till an Aktheist's dead." "Th... Thank you for letting me leave..."

The spy-turned-assassin proceeded to exit the building, and then set off for the Aktheist quarters to "report".

Discrimination
The assassin had reached the ghetto-like home of the Aktheists of this planet once again, but not on spy duty, unlike the opinions of others. Upon witnessing him, the hopefuls gathered worriedly to hear news of what would happen.

"What's going on?" "What'll they do to us?" "Will we live!?"

With a somewhat worried expression on his face, the former spy began to speak at a low tone.

"I'm sorry... I'm so, so sorry..." "What are you talking about!?" "Before I do this, remember this... Don't trust your leader... No matter how good he might seem, don't trust him..." "Why'd you say that? He's a nice guy..." "JUST DON'T TRUST HIM!!!"

He sped off to the larger residence, which he correctly assumed to be that of the leader. Flying in right through the large glass door serving to access the balcony, he wasted no time in locating the Aktheist chieftain and suddenly striking though his abdomen with his tail blade. Feeling no mercy and only the rage of his kind - more so his faith and the legacy of his descendants - being under the control of bloodthirsty puppet masters, he flew out of the building, covered in blood.

He returned to his residence, hoping to be allowed inside again. The same superior who had noticed his true allegiance was waiting with a satisfied smile upon seeing the spy speckled with blood.

"I've heard of what happened with Valatzè, and I see that you accomplished the task." "Oh, I've done much more than that. Judging by the severity of my murder, they'll probably come in full force by tomorrow, so you'd better watch out." "Wow, you must've pissed 'em off real bad. You've redeemed ourself more than enough.  Come on in!"

And indeed did plans get made. The group on this planet made a call-to-arms to the rest of the Aktheists, who soon began leaving in droves to this planet in order to gang up on the Exilist legions, who in turn anticipated this wave based on the assassin's information and called forth their brothers. In the process, the Aktheists established a democracy in which each world's Aktheist population has a representative to replace their former leader and make things fair in the process, but Aurelia didn't care to punish her "benevolent" assassin for killing her contact, as she knew that a titanic conflict was about to begin. And it was about to devastate the Waptoria Alliance of Species.

During the course of the night, Aktheist forces stole large quantities of Exiled Flesh spores being produced for military surplus by the Exilists for tomorrow, evening the odds, but they still felt uneasy about if they'd stand a chance at all against their former oppressors and current sworn enemies. From the rising dawn did both sides heavily militarise themselves, hoping to utterly destroy the other in the day. Rather obviously, the Exilist front struck first, sending a small swarm, each carrying special acid grenades made from frozen Exiled Flesh sap, to which the Aktheists replied with a large invasion force. Both fronts charged at one another, and many a life was lost. The camps being at the far ends of the rest of the Waptorian settlement, lots of damage was done to the very colony itself, in addition to each other. The High Commander's plan was in full motion at last!

The assassin saw both sides crumble, including the Aktheists he truly supported. But right now, all he saw in the Exilist faction was corruption and lies. Quickly, he grabbed a branch from the nearby remains of a destroyed Waptorian tree-building, and lit it on fire using friction. He then charged in flight through battle, dodging the numerous weapons of the enemy, and going straight to the Secondary Form 2 Exiled Flesh at speeds reaching the physical limits of an Àtzalèkotl-Lina-Ek! And upon landing on a side of it, he put down the burning stick and left, watching as the Exiled Flesh burnt down to the ground, while each side blindly ignored the scene in their combat.

It was a victory for the Aktheists. Neither side must commit to the other, and neither side will attack the other. A new king, Phavrek Tsokza, has seized the Exilist throne, but the Àtzalèkotl-Lina-Ek race is still under the minor infrared influence that the High Commander had put upon the species as Valatzè. This peace will not last forever...

Reformation
Strangely, on one day, a massive amount of Àtzalèkotl-Lina-Ek emerged from the portal at once, and at an unusual time. They were refugees of war, and lead by Kad-Niig-Zel-Ek, the king of their former domain.

"Something doesn't seem right. The Loop certainly must be darker and emptier than this!"

Unlike their home universe, where he was the one who single-mindedly manipulated every single one of his kin, some here were left untouched by his overpowering infrared influence, and he felt it. However, he was unaware of the source, but it was the group-mind that the sacrifices were all inducted within that kept them intact and not crippled. And then, one of his people, speaking from rationally-administered free will, spoke up.

"Maybe that vision of the Exiled One was right when we saw it within the portal. We must've been redirected into another universe!"

"Well, if that's so, I demand to have a word with the local authority. Our sacrifices no longer seem responsive to my will."

The group of newcomers, in fact, heard the familiar and barely audible flutter of the wings of their own race above them, and were greeted mere moments later by Àtzalèkotl-Lina-Ek from both sides that had taken notice, rushing to this massive amount of newcomers before the other side can gain their trust.

"Are any of you- Wait a minute..." "You!? Why did you have to convert us to Exilism against our will!?" "Don't expect your fellow Exilists to like you! You made it all seem like tolerance of Aktheism! How could you betray your own faith!?"

The king did not waste his time thinking to his fellows that this is only the doing of the mind-control of the locals, and in a way, that was true, although the newcomers didn't know. Without hesitation, they flew off in a large swarm, and a few hours later, a fleet of Secondary Form 9 Exiled Flesh, apparently coming from spores brought here by these new arrivals and departures, was seen leaving the planet's orbit and last detected heading further down the arm.

All would seem to be still at peace right now, but in the following days, no one came out of the portal. The Àtzalèkotl-Lina-Ek began to worry and accuse one another of sabotaging the portal, and conflicts began to resurface. Few realized that their brethren were defeated, explaining the hostile masses that came on that day, but they were stopped with the retort that the sabotager did something so the portal would accept refugees from a distant future. All in all, civil war began anew, and better still than the High Commander Of Lust could've hoped for. What the new beginning of civil unrest was believed to be grew more and more distorted, until the only cause was none other than because of the opposition's religion. Something must be done at once if the Waptoria Alliance Of Species is to remain in one piece.

At the near-edge of the Golarius Arm, organic ships settled on a moderately prosperous planet, going by the name of Sarthver. The ships wasted no time in producing spores, from which the future buildings of a thriving city would form. With the inherently high fertility rate of one of the races that formed them, the population flustered from only about a thousand and a half to millions. As Kad-Niig-Zel-Ek watched his people rebuild their civilization, he conspired to himself.

"You oppress Aktheism, they say! You betray Exilism, they say! Well, perhaps they're right. I should restore my honor as a child of the Exiled One and show my true intentions.  I'll have to impose his word upon the stubborn few Aktheists left with force, whether they like it or not.  And the others... ? I'll have to be fair and control them, too."

Dark thoughts were beginning to stir within an initially mostly fair and mild-mannered king shifting towards the title of dictator. No longer would he tolerate even the slightest example of Aktheist culture. He was no longer Kad-Niig-Zel-Ek, he was now to be known as Kadnig Zelekè. The storm was rising. The Hive Of Mirus was beginning.

Deportation
Enough was enough. The members of the Council of Life gathered at the capital to discuss this impending crisis. The two Àtzalèkotl-Lina-Ek delegates governing each faction of their species were here, along with Pvalan Tchazt, one of the few to have taken a purely neutral stance. The three of them would represent their race in this council, and along with a single delegate for the Exiled Flesh, ultimately decide what would happen of them. Once every member of the Council entered the room, the meeting was formally in session.

"The unusual civil unrest caused by the Àtzalèkotl-Lina-Ek and their internal conflicts has gone far enough. Whatever caused this has left a large scar on our empire, and we must find a way to make it stop, once and for all."

Ger-Nu-Zel-Ek, the Aktheist delegate, responded almost immediately.

"Before we go on with the lengthy and pointless negotiations, I need to make something perfectly clear. We have been born from our mother Ak, and we intended to obey her. Yet, we get dragged into 50 million long, hard years of bullshit! You hear that!? 50 million!!! Can't you just take us to a prosperous island where we don't have to worry about politics and war!? We've all had way more of our fair share of civilized life! ...There, I've said it. I believe that I've made myself perfectly clear for all the Aktheists in the whole Alliance that many of us want to restore our tribal heritage and be left alone."

Everyone in the room was astounded by this desperate speech. They were all left in silence for a few moments before the Exiled Flesh delegate declared agreement, followed by a few oth Waptorian delegates.

"I just can't argue with that." "Most species whithin the Waptoria have a tribal way of living and as such support the Aktheist cause. We will fulfill your plea and grant those who wish to be left alone a planet all for their own. This goes for Aktheist and Exilist alike. Let us move to a new beginning for both. With this, the populations of the Waptoria give you their support!"

Every delegate applauded the swift resolution of the problem, knowing that soon enough, peace would reign in the Waptoria Alliance of Species once again. It was decided that the Aktheists supporters of Ger-Nu-Zel-Ek would be sent to the Quadrant colonies of the Waptoria, where a genetic removal and modification procedure will be undergone to restore their original species as well as possible. However, there were at least five species before any first contact, but those species would re-evolve by natural evolutionary means when the Aktheists will eventually part their separate ways once at a suitable planet. Later that evening, it was descided that the non-tolerant Exilists were free to make their pilgrimage to to Sarthver, granting them their wish to join the newfound Hive. With both the hardcore Aktheists and Exilists being granted independence a few galaxies away from each other, the integration of the two faiths into Waptorian society could ony truly begin. All is well for the Waptoria Alliance of Species again...for now.