Chapter 1453: You're Delusional

Author's Note: Unedited Chapter

"Everything that happens is the will of our Lord God Gustav. Don't be a misguided sapiens, join the cause of our Lord," The being voiced once more like a fanatic.

"If you spit one more bullshit again... I will obliterate you," Elevora threatened.

The being's form shimmered, its fear palpable even through the containment field.

"You think you are powerful, but your abilities are nothing but mere flickers of shadows compared to our God, Gustav, the shield behind which the true powers convene."

Elevora stepped closer to the field, her presence imposing. "Your cooperation is your only path to lesser confinement. Help us, and we can help you. Who is behind this?"

"Our Lord Gustav," the being sounded like a brainwashed fanatic.

Elevora fixed her intense gaze upon the nebulous form of the imprisoned being.

"This is getting repetitive... Tell me the truth, who is behind the Gustavo Alliance?" she demanded, her voice echoing slightly off the smooth walls, imbued with an authority that brooked no defiance.

The being inside the cell, its form shimmering with a yellow light, replied with a fervor that bordered on fanaticism.

"Lord Gustav is our God, our personal savior. There is no 'behind,' for he is the forefront, the guiding light of our mission."

Elevora's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin.

"Spare me your zealotry. I need names and structures. Who orchestrates the moves? Does Gustav even know of the existence of you lots?"

The being seemed to curl within itself, a flicker of hesitation passing through its ethereal form.

"You seek shadows in a well-lit room. Gustav is the epitome, the culmination of our faith and actions. We are his to command, his to deploy as he sees fit on the chessboard of this universe."

Unsatisfied with the circular answers, Elevora shifted tactics.

"Then tell me about your aims for attacking Earth. What was the objective?"

"We were to bring Earth under our dominion, as we have done with other planets," the being responded, its voice a mixture of pride and regret.

"But we underestimated Earth's strength. Our unit thought ourselves too mighty even though we were warned. It matters not. Where we have failed others will succeed. They shall carry out the grand design."

Elevora pressed on, her tone sharpening like a blade.

"And what is this grand design? What is the endgame of your so-called Gustavo alliance?"

The room tensed as the being paused, its brightness dimming as if drawing in energy for a significant revelation.

"The endgame," it began, its voice now a hollow echo of its former vigor, "is to support our Lord and Savior Gustav in his ultimate mission—to bring an end to the existence of the universe."

The words hung heavy in the air, charged with the magnitude of their implications. Elevora felt a chill run down her spine as Gustav's face flashed in her mind.

"To...end the universe?" she repeated, disbelief threading through her words.

'Gustav would never do that... these fools must have higher-ups that pursue such a goal.'

"Such madness!" Elevora spat.

"It is not madness but enlightenment," the being insisted.

"To end is to begin anew. Our Lord Gustav sees the flaws in the fabric of reality, the errors in the cosmos's code. He wishes to reset it, to create something purer, free from the chaos that currently defines it."

'Doesn't sound like him at all so now I'm assured that these fools are acting on their own. I need to tell E.'

Elevora's mind pieced together the information with makeshift scenarios.

"You speak of apocalypse as if it's a renewal," she countered sharply.

"That's destruction on an unimaginable scale. Lives, planets, entire galaxies—erased? For what? A chance for your little group to play god?"

She knew Gustav wasn't responsible for what they had in mind but she was nonetheless bothered because they clearly had plans set in motion.

"What are beings but brief sparks in the eternal darkness? Gustav offers a return to the singularity from whence all arose. A noble sacrifice, a return to purity."

Elevora felt a surge of anger and helplessness, her fists clenching at her sides. Theirs was no mere terrorist organization or a tyrannical regime seeking dominion. They were dealing with a cult with existential destruction as their creed.

"You're delusional but your beliefs are your own," Elevora finally said, her voice cold as the void outside.

"But know this—when the real Gustav eventually sets his sights on you fools, everything will come to an end. Pray you don't make a stupid decision before then because erasure would be the least of your concerns."

With those final words, Elevora turned sharply on her heel and exited the containment area.

Her steps were measured, but inside, her thoughts were a maelstrom.

...

...

...

The silence of space was absolute, broken only by the muffled sound of the spacecraft's engines and the soft beeps of its operating systems that only echoed within an enclosed bubble.

Gustav and the others gathered around the control room before a console.

A holographic display cast a blue glow across their faces as an intergalactic transmission with E.E played out.

"Gustav, we've just repelled another attack by the Gustavo Alliance. They're becoming increasingly troublesome," he voiced, sounding disturbed.

Gustav's brows furrowed in confusion as he responded, "The Gustavo Alliance? I've never even come across a single one of them but I've heard of some weird groups using my name."

E.E. sighed, his face weary from the burdens of what had transpired on earth.

"Did you know that they've also been conquering planets in your name? They're spreading the belief across the universe that you are their leader, their so-called god."

Gustav's confusion deepened into concern.

"In my name? That's absurd. I have no connection to this so-called alliance. Right now, we are deep into deciphering data related to finding Planet Humbad. We have enough on our plate."

E.E. nodded, understanding the complexity of Gustav's predicament.

"I get it man, but you need to know—your reputation is taking a hit. Every planet they take over in your name makes it worse. The intergalactic alliance will have more of a reason to condemn you."

Gustav leaned back, rubbing his temples in frustration. "That's a reputation I'll have to endure for now," he said resignedly.

"Until we resolve the current situation."

"Maybe you could consider going after them?" E.E suggested.

~sigh~

"I don't know. We really don't have much time left," Gustav answered.

The transmission continued, the weight of the universe's eyes on them growing heavier by the moment.

E.E. shifted his attention to Falco, who had been quiet in the background.

"And Falco," E.E. added, his tone softening, "your Earthly father misses you. Any plans of coming to say hi soon?"

E.E seemed to have already been briefed on everything that had transpired as he spoke with a knowing tone.

"I miss him too but..." Falco replied, his voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and determination.

"This takes priority at the moment. Maybe you could help me send a message. Tell him, I'm fine," he added.

E.E. smiled slightly, a brief respite from the dire news he had delivered.

"I will. Stay safe, all of you. I will try my best to stabilize things over here."

The holographic image flickered as the transmission prepared to end.

"Keep us updated, E.E.," Gustav said firmly.

E.E nodded before the transmission ended.

After the transmission ended, Gustav went back to facing the display of data relating to the warp demolator and Stagnant Siterus void.

Endric turned to Gustav with a look of earnest inquiry.

"You've been poring over this data in the last few days. What have you uncovered? Any insights that could help us navigate to Humbad?"

The rest leaned in, anticipation hanging palpable in the air. They all respected Gustav's intellect, which had proven on countless occasions to be second to none.

His ability to discern patterns and meanings where others saw only chaos was almost legendary.

Gustav, who had been staring intently at the holographic symbols and equations, finally turned to face them. His expression was one of cautious intrigue, hinting at the depth of his discoveries.

"I have a multitude of theories," he began slowly, his voice measured, "but there is one that resonates the most, perhaps the most radical."

The crew shifted, their interest piqued as they prepared to delve into one of Gustav's quintessential revelations.

Gustav continued, "Remember I mentioned that the Stagnant Siterus void is not any known place within the universe? But what if it doesn't exist yet?"

A murmur of surprise and skepticism ran through the group, with Falco furrowing his brows in confusion. "Doesn't exist yet? How?"

Gustav replied by pointing back to the display where the symbol for 'Premonition' floated next to the term 'Stagnant Siterus Void.'

"We've been interpreting 'premonition' as a warning or a vision of impending events. But what if in this context, it doesn't just mean foresight? What if it's actually a clue indicating the future?"

Aildris, trying to keep up, chimed in, "Are you saying that the Stagnant Siterus Void is a place that doesn't exist yet but will exist in the future?"