text: Rhythmic, metallic thuds echoed throughout the chamber, resounding throughout my head over and over until it reached a loud, ceaseless buzz. A sting brought my hand to the back of my head. I brought back a palm covered in blood, leading my stomach to a churn. Before me stood the source of the unbearable noise, looking down at me as if a predator spying on its prey. His cold visage in the corner of my eye filled my chest with anxiety, unwilling to even look in his direction. He must have taken this as an insult, as he bent down, grabbing me by the chin and forcing me to look straight at him. An unsettling spectacle graced his face, as an impenetrable void breached his once-filled sockets. He spoke in an amalgamation of thousands of whispers, scratching at my eardrums, though the charismatic charm that everyone knew him for was still present, haunting me. “Son...” The bitter taste of sorrow left his tongue, as he paused to look down at my frail body, “I know this is a lot to ask, but you mustn’t be afraid. Don’t fear us. Don’t fear me.” He looked back into my eyes, “You know this is the path to salvation.” “Don’t call me that...” I felt disgusted hearing his voice, “How dare you use Gerius’ words against me. He is gone, you’re but an abomination.” I spat at him, pushing myself away from him. Hitting the wall behind me, I reeled back in pain. A distorted laugh followed by a monstrous sigh resonated across the chamber we stood in. The buzzing carried on in my head as my mind went numb. The possessed husk stood up and looked across the deck to the window that peered into the endless abyss of space. “It calls.” He spoke softly, but strange whispers resounded his words over and over until the message was clear. He looked down at me with a cold expression, causing chills to run down my spine. “Here. Let me help you.” He reached for my collar and lifted my limp body effortlessly. He held me far above him with monstrous strength. I had but one last attempt at escape with my teeth sinking into his wrist. Blood seeped down his arm, but he gave no reaction. Immediately after, I felt the cold and harsh surface hit my body. The incessant buzzing became louder. I wanted to scream, but my words were too feeble. I managed to open an eye and spied around at my surroundings. Bodies upon bodies littered the corners of the room. Anger grew in my heart as I saw the viciously murdered comrades of my past, but none of it could come out. My body was failing me, but in a last moment of despair, words were spoken. “You were our captain... Gerius.” I barely managed to whisper, “How could you.” My mind was wrought with pain as thoughts coursed through it. “Your captain was weak. We are stronger.” The many whispers nearly brought my mind to madness, only interrupted by more words, “It calls. Observe.” At that moment, I felt compelled to seek answers in the dark abyss. I stared deep into the endless void but all that I gained were more questions. Anxiety made my heart race as my eyes focused on the spectacle. The buzzing became louder and my chest became heavier. It finally dawned on me. We weren’t alone. We were being watched. I stared into the abyss and it stared back, thousands of times over. I wanted to scream my heart out at the terror the endless eyes brought me, but I choked on the little air that remained during my rapid breathing. A tear slowly rolled down my cheek. My limbs had lost all of their strength, leaving me powerless. Falling further to the floor, my mind had lost the last of its senses, crumbling to a catatonic state. I could still feel and think, but a reaction was beyond my strength. Once more I heard metallic thudding, only making the buzzing in my mind louder. I felt my body lifted once again. Whispers entered my ears and resonated over and over. “It’s time.” As the words finally registered in my mind, I felt my body flailing across empty space. Nothing but darkness speckled with spots of empty hope were to be seen for eternities on end. I tried calling for help but to no avail as my breath left me almost immediately. It was at that moment that I felt it. The warm and comforting touch of a mother. It caressed my skin softly and filled me with newfound hope. My once cold body had now been reinvigorated as my mind accepted this gift. I opened my arms to the abyss. My heart was then reclaimed by the cold. The void groped at my body and ripped it of all that was left. In my final moment before meeting my demise to the abyss, I did not feel grief. Solace filled my weak mind as I realized that this would not be the end, but a new beginning. The abyss was giving me a second chance. A chance to join them. Join them and become one with the universe. A chance to carry on, forever. A chance to carry on as something much greater than I.