Archon War
Prologue
Floating in a dimension unreachable by any possible human means is the structure known as the Magnion Fortress. A titanic construct, founded on a single massive asteroid, it floats in the stark gray void. No laws of physics apply in this dimension, save the ones the ruler of the fortress decides. Deep within its walls, machinery hums as gigantic screens flicker, various tactical data streaming across their surface. All of it displaying a war of strategy between two forces, like a game of chess. Only much more serious and deadly than any game could ever be. In his throne room, the Magnum Phoenix, Archon of the Ultima, sits brooding over one such display.
...This is a vital area in this dimension. If it were lost, I would have no choice but to fall back, leaving it open to the ravages of Draconis...
You see, when you play with entire dimensions as your battlefield and the lives of every living thing within them as a possible casualty, there is absolutely no room for mistakes.
Footsteps echo across the tiled floors, attracting his attention.
An orange haired girl comes striding towards him carrying a data board. No doubt carrying his Draconis counterpart's latest treachery.
"Sir, this just came in from one of our operatives. The Syndicate seems to be mobilizing in this dimension here, using that dimension's version of Earth as their starting point"
He reaches out for it with his left hand. The flowing white cloak he wears hangs limply over the empty right shoulder, a painful reminder of the price he had paid for failing to protect the people of one such dimension.
Never again... "Sir...? ...Are you okay...?"
He looks up. The girl is gazing at him, concern and worry easily readable in her expression.
"You looked...kind of sad. Were you thinking about... that day again...?" She hesitated, knowing that her commander disliked anyone bringing up that subject.
The Archon sighed, shaking off the memories that had resurfaced.
"Yes...yes, I was. But I'm fine now, thank you. You don't need to worry about me so much, you know."
"Oh...I-I'm sorry, sir. Forgive me..." She lowered her head, ashamed, her hair falling forward to hide her eyes.
"Still, that doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. I'd just rather that you didn't have to trouble yourself with me so much."
The girl gasped and looked up. To her surprise, he was smiling at her.
"Thank you, Xenovia."
She smiled slightly, a tinge of pink appearing on her cheeks.
"I-It's no trouble to me, Magnum!"
He sighed.
"Would you mind not calling me that? You know I don't much like my friends calling me by my alias."
She smiled playfully.
"Okay...Alex-chan!"
The Archon sank lower in his chair muttering in embarrassment. Attempting to distract himself from Xenovia's stifled giggles, he turned his attention to the new information. He raised an eyebrow.
"Tarak and Mejere? Men and women living on separate planets? And they hate each other, thinking that they're two different races. Oh, brilliant. What idiot's responsible for that screwup, I wonder"
"I know! It's strange, isn't it?" Xenovia replied. She turned thoughtful. "Although, it does present some interesting possibilities..."
The Archon nodded.
"I agree, but let's wait until we've sorted out this battle before we go into any scientific detail."
His eyes continued moving down the board, until he reached the part dedicated to Earth-based Draconis operations.
Xenovia, awaiting her next orders, jumped with surprise as the Magnum Phoenix suddenly bolted upright in his throne, his eyes widening in shock and anger.
"Project Harvest... Dedicated to the culling of all outlying planetary colonies to obtain superior genetic and biological material for the advancement and betterment of Earth's population... An initiative of the Xelander Krelac Syndicate...Bastards!" He swore violently.
Xenovia looked at him, confused.
"Well, that proves that the Syndicate is behind it, but what's so terrible about the collection of biological material?"
"You're too innocent, Xenovia." He said, his voice tight. "You haven't seen the list of materials that they want..." He took a deep breath.
"Material targeted for harvesting: White blood cells, red blood cells, spinal cord, lymph nodes, skin..." The Archon's voice trailed off. Xenovia clapped a hand to her mouth, fighting the urge to be violently sick.
'Human material!' she thought, horrified.
The Magnum Phoenix raised his head and looked at her, his face white with rage.
"I cannot sit idly by and let Draconis and their blasted Syndicate get away with this monstrosity! Xenovia, activate Axel Edge and Axel Sixgun, and dispatch them to Tarak immediately!"
"R-right away, sir!" Xenovia stammered, her nausea at Draconis' plan set aside for now.
The expression on the Magnum Phoenix's face was as cold and terrifying as a winter blizzard as he stared down at the tactical layout of the new dimension he would be fighting to save.
'KRELAC, you monster!!'