[quote=The Chosen Story - Multiple Authors][h3][center][b][color=gold]A tale about a Revolution[/color][/b][/center][/h3] Long, long ago there was a person. A scientist placed in an impossible situation. She devoted herself to solving the situation, to make it more bearable and eventually thrive, despite it. Most could say she succeeded. Out of the ashes of humanity, a new race of humans was created. Like the mythological phoenix, the scientist made it so that humanity will be reborn. She named them…The Chosen. In the process of saving humanity, the Chosen elected her as their Goddess. A fact she despised but it was what was needed. The only way for her to shape history. It worked. 300 years later, The Chosen spanned over their hostile world and the nearby one. Billions of them. Stronger, faster, more intelligent, zealous. In other words, [i]better[/i], yet they were still humans at heart. The Gateways reopened and the scientist discovered they were not alone. While it was anticipated that one day the Gateways would open, what was on the other side wasn’t. Humans and aliens, political factions of every kind, enemies and friends. To the scientist’s surprise, she also found her family. A sister. Lost to the void for hundreds of years and then again a few more hundreds. The discovery that they weren’t the only ones only made her Goddess status feel more and more pointless and actions began to be taken for her to step down from it. It started with speeches, continued with a war against xenophobia-loving humans, then with a cure to the scientist’s greatest mistake, the Rejected. A by-product of the Chosen. Monsters in everything but name. A cure which existed but would’ve caused the very thing that the scientist tried to avoid. A civil war. Senseless death of civilians.This cure was provided by the scientist’s sister and her own private advisor. A way to show the Chosen that non-believers aren’t below themselves. Unfortunately, not all took the decision well. The cure not only fixed the many errors in the Rejected DNA but improved them. Made them better than the original Chosen. Sacrilege and blasphemy for the more…pious Chosen. A zealous leader rose from the ranks of Chosen. A Zealot through and through. One that questioned the scientist at every step when it came to any kind of interaction with the non-believers. The zealot soon uncovered a secret that was buried. Their Goddess wasn’t the original one for you see, the original scientist died in her 60s, precisely 200 years ago but before her death, she did the impossible once more. She cloned her mind into an improved body, barely human. Over 40 different DNA strains in one clone. Stretching the definition of “human” or “chosen” to the limit. Not born out of any womb but created by science. [i]Now the story breaks into different pieces, please select which option seems more of interest to you from the menu below:[/i] [Hider=The Beginning of the Revolution] As the Zealot made the secret public, he started something that nothing could stop anymore. The Chosen were forced to pick sides. The newly formed faction, The Zealots of Ashevelen took control of 2 out of the 5 arms of the Church of Ashevelen, while the Followers, those that chose to accept the scientist’s apology and explanation, controlled two more. The last arm of the Church Of Ashevelen, the arm of the Assassin stayed neutral or better said played both sides for as long as they could. The Zealot’s forces believed in, what they called, the “True” Goddess. The one that died centuries past. The original. The one that created the first Chosen serum and gave the power of life in a place where human life wasn’t welcomed. His teachings spread hatred and death for the unbeliever seeing them as lessers. On the other side of the spectrum, the Followers, understood the vision which the scientist imposed on their civilization and while most of them weren’t alright with being lied to for almost 3 centuries, they understood it with only one condition. After the civil war ends, the scientist would be exiled from the planet. A way for both her and them to get rid of the lie. [/hider] [Hider=The War on RADX-001, Part 1] The Civil War between the two main factions of the Chosen started in high spirits as each side managed to take cities and territories from one another with minimal loss of life. It was clear from the very beginning that the two sides were evenly matched. The battles raged on amidst the sprawling metropolises, a clash between old believers and new. The opposing forces, divided by their conflicting visions for the future, clashed everywhere they could. In the jungles, cities, air and water. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow upon the gleaming towers and neon-lit streets, the first salvos were fired in the capital. Skyscrapers crumbled and shattered under the might of devastating acidic blasts and explosive ordinance, while aircraft roared across the skies, their engines filling the air with a deafening roar. The Followers and The Zealots, once brothers and sisters, now fought with an unyielding determination. On one side, those who believed in the “True Goddess”, clinging to the familiar traditions and an untrue faith. On the other, the vanguard of progress. Days turned into weeks as the battle waged on, leaving in its wake a city scarred by devastation. The once vibrant streets lay in ruins, littered with debris and the fallen soldiers. The toll on both sides was enormous, with families torn apart and futures shattered. The exact thing which the scientist tried to avoid in the first place. [/hider] [Hider=The Exalted Ascent] On the desolate and barren planet RADX-002, the Rejected struggled to survive in their squalid conditions. Cut off from the advancements and privileges enjoyed by the Chosen, they eked out an existence on the fringes of society, relying solely on the goodness of the Chosen. Rumours of a cure had been heard, cure not from the Chosen but from Ishtar their allies. They proved to be real as an Ishtarian ship arrived on RADX-002’s largest settlement, followed soon after by the scientist herself. Alongside them, a group of [i]weirdly[/i] looking Rejected. Light seemed to pour out of some as if they'd been blessed and almost immediately the Rejected were on their knees, despite the obvious pain of some of them. Hours of talks between the scientist, Rejected and Ishtarians followed. Hours of planning, explanations and tears. The true story of the Rejected, the scientist’s plan and her status of Goddess were spoken about. In the end, the cure was released in the atmosphere of RADX-002 and would soon start to affect everyone who wasn’t too far gone to be saved. Yet it wasn’t the only thing that happened, as a clear leader was chosen from the Rejected ranks, they agreed to a pact. Independence in exchange for help for what’s to come. Independence in exchange for a fraction of forgiveness for the pain that the scientist caused for centuries. Forgiveness for the death of untold millions. [/hider] [Hider=The Meeting Place] The Zealots of Ashevelen while fighting on RADX-001 had other plans in motion. The destruction of the “symbol of blasphemy”. The Assassin’s troops infiltrated the hospital of the Followers which continued to operate as normal even during the revolution, nothing would stop them from helping the helpless and the needy. A great deal of bombs were placed within the hospital, maximising casualties over property damage. A message to be sent. A threat to be made. Nowhere is safe. The blasphemers must die. Chosen or otherwise. And they died. Hundreds died as the bombs detonated at the same time. Many more were injured by the ensuing chaos. Chosen, Hyginians and whatnot. In minutes the hospital was sealed off by the other nations alongside loyal Chosen. Yet again, that wasn’t the end. After an extensive search, more bombs were found. Many-many more bombs. Spreading everywhere. Hidden assassins passing into locations held by the others. Luckily, no other bombs exploded as the assassins were caught. [/hider] [hider=The Galaxy’s Reply] [I]Pending release of classified information[/i] [/hider] [Hider=The War on RADX-001, Part 2] Amidst the crumbling capital city, the clash intensified. Explosions and devastating blasts shattered the remnants of once-majestic architecture, bathing the scene in an eerie glow. The Exalted, guided by their newfound abilities and united purpose, fought alongside the Followers. Their coordinated assaults struck at the very heart of the Zealots' defences, threatening to unravel their zealous fervour. Even assisted as they were by the Assassin’s forces, the combined power of the Exalted and the Followers was too much. The Zealots of Ashevelen, once unwavering in their devotion, found themselves on the defensive. The unyielding determination of the Exalted, bolstered by the tactical brilliance of William and posed a formidable challenge. Doubts began to creep into the minds of the Zealots as they witnessed the unwavering resolve of their opponents. The Zealot himself was never seen on the battlefield, preferring to “guide” the masses from afar. Through the ruins of the capital, the Exalted and the Followers forged ahead, a beacon of unity amidst the chaos. William, a leader who inspired loyalty and resilience, led his comrades with unwavering determination. The Zealots, faced with their impending defeat, began to question the dogmas that had guided them. The once-implacable faith in the Goddess wavered in the face of the undeniable strength and unity displayed by their adversaries. As the dust settled and the smoke cleared, a fragile peace descended upon the shattered cityscape. The war had reached its conclusion, replaced by a truce forged through the alliance of the Exalted and the Followers. In the wake of the destruction, treaties were signed. Alliances made and the rebuilding started. Together, the Exalted and the Followers changed the very fabric of Chosen society. Led by William, their alliance not only shifted the balance of power but also sowed the seeds of change for a new era. The scars of war remained, but the flicker of hope burned brightly, illuminating a path toward a future where unity and progress could prevail. [/hider] [Hider=The Death of a Traitor] The Scientist and the Protector, the quiet behemoth, set out on a dangerous expedition to penetrate the heavily defended Zealot enemy base deep within the depths of the forest where . They went stealthily through the thick vegetation, their senses acutely tuned to every rustling and whisper of the jungle. The anxiety in the air was palpable. The Scientist braced herself for the impending showdown with a deadly glare. Her arms changed into sleek, deadly blades made with extreme perfection. With the body she created for herself, she was ready to eliminate the head of the snake once and for all. Beside her, the Protector, his towering figure draped in formidable armour, emanated an aura of silent power. While unable to communicate through words, his actions spoke volumes. His immense strength, forged through relentless training and raw physical prowess, made him a force to be reckoned with. Despite the enemy's superior firepower, the Protector’s towering presence struck fear into the hearts of those who dared to stand against him. As they neared the fortified base, the distant hum of machinery and the occasional echo of gunfire grew louder. Aware of the imminent threat, the Scientist relied on her intellect to devise a plan of attack. She knew that their success relied on precision and swift execution. For even as powerful as the duo was, they weren’t immortal. Navigating through the shadows, they closed in on the enemy base. The Zealots, armed with guns and driven by fanatical zeal, formed a formidable line of defence. The Scientist with some reluctant help from the other nations discovered the Zealot's HQ deep within the jungle. With a subtle hand signal, the Scientist initiated the assault. Swift and agile, she darted from cover to cover, her blades cutting through the air with deadly accuracy. The Zealots, caught off guard by her lightning-fast movements, struggled to keep up with her elusive nature. She utilised her superhuman reflexes to dodge incoming attacks before they even started, narrowly avoiding their lethal trajectory and even when she couldn’t, her skin proved resilient enough. Meanwhile, the Protector charged forward. Bullets bounced off his armour, like pebbles striking a fortress wall. With every step, he closed the distance between himself and his adversaries. His massive hands delivered bone-crushing blows to the Zealots, sending them flying with sheer force. The battle was intense, the sounds of gunfire and the cries of the wounded echoing through the jungle. The Scientist and the Protector fought side by side, their synchrony a testament to their unspoken bond and shared purpose. Their combined strength and tactical prowess proved to be a formidable force against the Zealots. The Scientist with her enhanced healing, shrugged off minor wounds and fought on with undying resolve. The Protector with his unending silent fury, continued to overpower his foes with raw strength. In the end, the once-impregnable Zealot base lay in ruins. The scientist and the Protector stood amidst the wreckage, their spirits unbroken. The silence that followed was broken only by the whispers of the jungle, as if nature itself celebrated their minor victory. Yet this wasn’t the end. With the main defenders dead, the Zealot’s elite guard remained and the Zealot himself. The Protector went forward to draw the elite guard away as the scientist went to do what she came for. What she should've done a long time ago. Kill the Zealot. What happened afterwards there are no records but the survivors said they heard blood-chilling screams and then nothing. Only the scientist, covered in blood head to toe and a dark grin on her face. Vengeance. [/hider] [Hider=The RADiance] Months passed and rebuilding began. Pacts were made, others were broken as a new nation rose from the ashes of the Chosen. The RADiance kept full control of RADX-001 but decided to split ways from Ishtar. With no scientist to keep them together and the revelation of their role in the Exalted's ascent, many didn't trust them or simply had no reason to do so. Yet, by allying themselves with the Exalted they formed a bond of strength as strong as they had before. It was agreed that each nation would be led separately under their own laws but in case of war, they would join together. President William was elected as the first official leader of the RADiance due to his efforts not only during the war but his reputation from before. [/hider] [Hider=Endings] [I]Please select which ending you'd like to view:[/i] [hider=Ex-Goddess Ashevelen aka. The Scientist] [I]Redacted[/i] [I]404 not found[/i] [Color=gold][i]I'm on vacation.[/i][/color] [/hider] [hider=Pontius aka The Zealot] Pontius lived a long life and if it weren't for his beliefs he would've lived an even longer one. Never a friend to Ashevelen, nor to anyone else he saw as less than him. He wasn't a good man and many things can be said about him but one thing prevails above all: He died for his beliefs and he never backed down. He met his end at the hands of Ashevelen. Quite literally. [/hider] [hider=Catherine aka The Assassin] Playing both sides for as long as she could, in the end she chose the wrong side. For all her cunning, she felt betrayed by Ashevelen and underestimated her. A mistake which would have proved brutally fatal if not for William's act of mercy. As the person responsible for the sabotage and bombing of the Meeting Place, she was given to the other nations to do as they see it. She's pending trial but all her enhancements have been effectively disabled. [/hider] [hider=The Exalted Split] The Exalted, now finally cured, chose to look inwards before thinking about the rest of the galaxy. The barren planet of RADX-002 is in the process of being terraformed and great cities are being built with RADiance's resources. They have kept the Ishtari as their loyal allies as a sign of gratitude for their major role in the development of the cure, promising them a fleet greater than the Chosen ever had. [/hider] [hider=Julius aka The Protector] Unknown current location. Julius acted as the personal guard of Ashevelen for the past 100 years. A fixture in Chosen society. It is said that he has gathered all the remnants of Ashevelen’s most loyal forces and the remaining Zealots. The Seraphim was hijacked shortly before his disappearance. [/hider] [hider=The Zealots Of Ashevelen] With their leader killed and most of their assets taken or destroyed and their reputation shattered, all but the worst were slowly reintegrated in RADiance society with much to atone for. The worst offenders were sentenced to life in prison. The ones that were offered reintegration but refused, received a punishment worse than prison, exile on the pain of death if ever been found on the ex-Chosen side of the Gateways. [/hider] [/hider] [/quote] As the mysterious figure put the e-book down, she looked up at the stars and nodded to herself with a smile on her face. "[Color=gold]Yeah, they'll be alright.[/color]" and with that she jumped from the cliff she resided on and let out a loud [i]woop[/i].