THE REGIS OF RUIN.

It did not take long before the Siege of Avalon became known throughout Hyperion space. How a single warship drove back an entire fleet by itself, led by a young woman with red hair and one arm. The nobility was abuzz with gossip, as a battle of such ferocity hadn't happened in centuries. Avalon, a small insignificant world in one corner of the galaxy was attracting attention.

The Xilften Commerce Union were the least pleased about the scandal, as it had been one of their Barons and their fleet that had suffered the humiliating defeat. Information about the woman known as Nya Crimson was quickly sought out by every power in Hyperion and the news eventually reached the attention of Providence.

Ryla Ayona sat in a grand conference room at the heart of the Templar, with twenty-seven of her highest ranking agents, most of whom had been knighted by her father and now served her. Her mother was addressing all of them.

"This is the rumored Nya Crimson," Mrs. Ayona said, bringing up an image of Nya captured by the Baron, "Grand Marshal of the world of Avalon, a special rank dedicated for her that set her as the head of their armed forces. She somehow has in her possession, a class 10 warship of a kind that dispatched an entire fleet of class 5 to 7s singlehandedly. She is not some common rabble to be ignored, she is a threat."

When she laid eyes on the image, Ryla's heart skipped a beat and she felt her lust flare. She wanted that girl, very much so. But then a voice in her hear spoke up.

[DANGER!] her phantom, Arax screamed.

"What?" Ryla asked

[This Nya Crimson is a danger to Providence!] he spoke again, this time for everyone present to hear.

"That is what I'm saying" Mrs. Ayona said, "What do you know about her, Arax? She was a nobody a few months ago."

[She is a Regis!] he revealed to their collective gasp

"Impossible, all the current Regis are being monitored," one of the officers said

[She is a pioneer Regis, new to the horizon. Her phantom is different from the rest of us. She will bring ruin to us all if we let her continued.]

"Alright, as of right now, Nya Crimson, the Regis of ruin, is to be observed, studied and understood. She is a priority triple alpha." Mrs. Ayona ordered, "Get it done."

As the officers left the office, two people did not move. Ryla was transfixed, fantasizing about ravishing the body of Nya Crimson, the singular arm gave her some ideas. The other person was knighted not too long ago to fill the role left after her mentor was killed from injuries sustained fighting a monster, her name was Tomes Dylon, and she had been given a second chance to avenge her mentor.

***

After the discovery of the Vulcan station in the now Atlantean sector, the powers at be on Avalon were ecstatic. There was a long and tiresome enquiry into the discovery and ownership of the station; the government believed that they should have control over it and the Black Excalibur, but Nya along with Kiva, Terror and the Inquisitors, adamantly stated that Vulcan station was Nya's property by right of discovery, and the Excalibur was designed and constructed by her without Avalon input. The fact that no one but Nya knew how to control either, concluded the debate in Nya's favor.

With the Black Excalibur and the Avalon fleet, they were able to find the Praxian gate in the Garner system and relocate it to the Draxia system, where it was to be studied –an act of good faith from Nya. With the coordinates and calculations provided by the Red Angel available for the High Order, Nya allowed an expedition of Avalon researchers to Vulcan station. Maybe they could learn something about it while her attentions were elsewhere. From what Praxian technology Nya allowed to be studied aboard the Excalibur, Avalon civilization was able to achieve futher advancements. A new line of paladin class starships was constructed by Cerberus command, along with several dozen new defense satellites and platforms. With the growth in civilization came the need to expand, so plans were drawn to colonize several nearby planets in the Draxia system.

Within sixteen months of the siege by the Baron and his fleet, Avalon had experienced another transformation, brought to them, once again, by the hand of Nya Crimson. On the ecumenopolis, from the shining capitol to even the most remote island towns, the name Nya Crimson is as revered as that of any god, statues in her honor had been erected in every city square on the planet and her influence was ironclad amongst the people.

With her recently explosive fame, Nya took the opportunity to relocate her base of operation to the Black Excalibur.

Onboard the Excalibur, Nya was in her suite, sitting cross-legged at the base of her king-sized bed, meditating. It had been a long time since she last meditated and she needed to re-center herself. Her powers had grown stagnant and now she needed to consolidate it.

She found herself in her mindscape, there she was in the gardens of liberty park in the capital, beside her was an exact clone of herself, except completely in red.

"Merlin," Nya greeted

[I'm glad you recognized me. I've taken a liking to this form and would like to show it] the phantom said [I need your permission to take corporeal form]

"You can do that?"

[I don't see why not.] Merlin shrugged, [this ship is essentially made of trillions upon trillions of composite particles, I can just repurpose a few of them to construct a body. Anyway, what is on your mind?]

"Take a look at this" Nya said as a window appeared before the two of them;

[SUMMARY]

Name: Nya Crimson

Age: 26

Condition: Normal

Alias: The Blood Angel;

Titles: REGIS; Strategist; Grand Marshal

Classification: N/A

Species: Vampire-based hybrid

Rank: World Lord

Phantasm: Blood Aura; control over blood matter + unlimited evolution from blood matter.

[REGIS COMMAND]

Phantasm: Merlin

Caste: Warrior

Court Members: 3 [2 Paladins + 1 Sage]

Origins Claimed: 1+

Sanctuary: Avalon; Black Excalibur

Divine Sanction: Gate of Purgatory

Alliances: N/A

[Doesn't look any different from the last time I saw it] Merlin said

"Exactly," Nya replied, "No change. It's been stagnant for months, and in my mind; stagnant is as good as dead. So, I was thinking of going hunting."

[For what?] the phantom enquired

"There have been reports of pirates roaming in the local systems, this would usually be the responsibility of Star Command, but why don't I take it off their hands?"

It was then, that Nya and Merlin were hit with a massive mental strike that shocked Nya out of her trance.

Grabbing her head and screaming in pain, she demanded, "What the fuck was that?"

A moment later, Amara, and four other inquisitors arrived in her suite, surrounding her protectively.

"Is something wrong, Nya?" Amara asked, "I sensed you distress."

[Nya and I just got hit with a massive psionic blast.] Merlin replied over the speakers, [Any lesser being would've been braindead.]

"Amara, let me up," Nya said as she stood up, uneasily, "We need to…"

"You are too disoriented to move right now," Amara said, "We'll alert Kiva and Terror."

Since the siege, the Inquisitors had grown more autonomous, they were their own separate entity outside of Cerberus, currently stationed on board the Black Excalibur as its primary crew. While there were still plans of further expansion, including the construction of an orbital base, they had grown and currently had a few hundred members, with a majority of them scattered among the territory.

A few moments later, Kiva showed up, opening a small wormhole to transport in. Her powers had grown since she was knighted, she was now almost as revered as Nya among the adept community, the same as Terror was among the omen. While Nya still oversaw all of Avalon's military and diplomatic actions, Terror served as her direct subordinate and assumed the rank of Command General of Cerberus, acting as the unifier for the different branches of Cerberus Command. Meanwhile his wife Mari, became the first officially elected Primark, her expert leading skills during Nya's absence were praiseworthy and her decisions made during the crisis of the siege, even while in labor, aided in the post-battle recovery. Their son, Noah, took after his mother as a taurus, and his twin sister, Erin, took after her father as a lycan, Nya was even named the godmother of the two of them, although she couldn't understand why.

As Kiva ran her hands over Nya's head, Nya noticed the ring on her finger,

"Congrats," she groaned, "you and Amara finally tied the knot? A shame you didn't invite me."

Amara cleared her throat and Kiva sighed ruefully, "Um, n-no. We broke up months ago,"

"Well, this is awkward," Nya said as Amara walked out of the room. "That explains why I haven't seen you two together, how did I not know you guys weren't a couple anymore?"

"Because you spend all you time in this warship." Kiva said, "Your head should be fine in a little bit, whoever attacked you must be insanely powerful."

[I think I was able to track the psionic blast.] Merlin said, materializing as an exact likeness of Nya, except her skin was red, her eyes were completely white and her hair was far shorter, stopping at the neck. On closer inspection, it was actually a solid hologram.

"Did I always look that good?" Nya asked

Merlin shrugged, [Yes. Anyway, using the new probes you launched out into Hyperion, I was able to scan the mana waves and find the source.]

"Wait, you can track adepts?" Kiva said finding the through intrusive

[No, this specific signature was unique, so unique that it left a psychic impression that I was able to trace with the probes.]

"And where is the fucking adept that tried to kill me?" Nya asked

[Adryn-VI.] Merlin replied

"Fuck me." Nya cursed

"What?" Kiva asked

"That's where I'm from, where I started." Nya said, "It's some sort of clue,"

"Are you going?" Kiva asked

"Do I have a choice?" Nya replied

"I'm coming too." Kiva said, "The Institute of Magecraft is in stable hands with my apprentice."

"Are you sure it's not going to be a problem, spending time on the same ship as Amara?" Nya asked, she didn't really care, but still asked for her wellbeing.

"Yeah, we're both adults." Kiva said, chuckling nervously.

***

In the Avalon capital, Terror was enjoying a quiet day in with his wife and two children at their penthouse apartment in the capital city. As the proverbial 'first family' of Avalon, they are protected by the best security system available, plus an elite unit of Inquisitor sentries, personally selected for the task by Nya herself. For a former thrill-seeker, the domestic life suited him well. He enjoyed spending time with his children, and he loved his wife, the only thing that'd make things better would be if Nya or Kiva showed up for a visit, it'd been so long since the three of them were in the same room together.

It was at that time, a flash of light appeared right in his living room and the two women in question materialized.

"Hey Terror," Kiva greeted hugging him

The two toddlers lumbered over Nya, grabbing her coat by the hems and looking up at her.

"I think they want you to pick them up," Mari chuckled as she entered the room.

"I only have one hand, who's going up first?" she asked before picking up Erin, "Hello, little Terror, how are you today?"

The one-year-old giggled and laughed, touching Nya's nose with her stubby fingers.

"They are disarmingly adorable," Nya commented, "I wonder if I should get one?"

"You? With kids?" Terror asked taking Erin from her.

"Believe it or not, I have great parenting skills." Nya boasted as she made Noah float using her telekinesis.

"So, what is the reason for this chat?" Terror asks

"Am I that obvious?' Nya asks

"Yes." Mari answers

"I need to borrow a ship," Nya says.

Both the director of Cerberus Command Headquarters and the Primark of the High Order look at her incredulously,

"Say again?" Terror asked

"I need to borrow a ship," Nya said,

"Last I checked, you have a pretty big warship that you live on," Mari said

"Yes, but the mission I'm about to go on requires stealth, not force." Nya explained

"Why don't you just build one?" Mari asked, "You have Vulcan station,"

"It'll take too long." Nya said,

"Someone just tried to kill her." Kiva revealed

"What?" both husband and wife said

"I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, but someone tried a psionic attack on me while I was meditating," Nya said downplaying it

"Your brain was half mush when I got to you," Kiva says

"Who could do that to you?" Terror wondered

"Whoever they are, they're on Adryn-VI," Kiva said, "her original homeworld."

"Anyway," Nya said, "Merlin's identified them and I now want to go beat the shit out of them."

"Alright," Terror said, "I can't commandeer active vessels for personal errands, but right now Star Force is coincidentally retiring a number of old ship from the World Lord's regime. I suppose I could arrange for one to be handed over to you."

"That would be a huge help." Nya said

"You know I'm coming with you this time," Terror said,

"No can do," Nya said before his wife could object, "Amara and Kiva are already with me, so I need you to stay here as my proxy."

"I never get to do anything exciting anymore," Terror sighs as he picks up his two kids and leaves the room.

"Thank you," Mari mouths

"No problem," Nya shrugs

"Stop by anytime, the kids like you." Mari said as both women are teleported out of the room.

***

On the massive anchorage station that serves as the space port for Star Force Command, a technician is going over the specs of a transport frigate that they are supposed to be retiring, but has been recommissioned for a private voyage.

"Where's the fucking crew for this thing?" he demands, his face in his tablet,

"Right here," someone answers from behind him

"About fucking time. Do you know how goddamned long…" the technician loses the air in his lungs as he looks up from his screen. Before him was Grand Marshal Nya Crimson, the hero of Avalon, and he just yelled at her.

"Those are the specs for the ship, yeah?" Nya asks, looking at the old ship, it has a plain boxy design, dull grey hull and three engine thrusters at the back, a relic from before the World Lord.

"H-h-h-here, y-y-you g-go." He stuttered as his trembling hands, give her the tablet.

"Alright, thanks." Nya says walking past him, her entourage follow her lead and walk onto the ship, leaving the man stupefied as the exterior hatch seals.

Once inside, Amara and one of her lieutenants proceed to the cockpit and guide it out of the anchorage.

"What do you think is waiting for you on Adryn-VI?" Kiva asked

"Trouble." Nya answered simply, "This is the last thing I need right now. I just hope nothing else goes wrong."

***

On Vulcan station, the crew of Avalon scientists and engineers that were tasked with excavating and researching the ancient complex were still getting acquainted to the systems, the history and mechanics of the station were absolutely captivating to anyone who saw it. There was so much to witness just looking out a window and seeing the ring of debris orbiting the station. A small exploration team was sent to that debris ring to see what kind of mysteries it held.

"Why are we checking out junk again?" the captain asked

"We're supposed to catalogue everything, who knows what could lead to the next great discovery?" his second told him.

Their small shuttlecraft approached a massive derelict, torn to shreds eons ago by weapon fire, from the damage patterns and burns.

"This looks promising." The second said beaming with curiosity.

As the two of them wandered onto the derelict, they found it covered in what appeared to cobwebs.

"Ugh, even ancient civilizations had to deal with this shit," the captain said as cobwebs clung to him

"Don't worry, it's just a harmless little cobweb, nothing dangerous about it," the seconds said as she cut through thick cluster, only to be knocked over by what fell out of it, a mummified carcass.

"Eeep!" she screamed as she pushed the corpse off of her, while the captain burst out laughing. "That isn't funny!"

"What, it's just a harmless little carcass," the captain jabbed, "nothing dangerous about it."

As they walked on, they discovered other cocoons with mummified corpses plastered on the walls, floors and ceilings.

"What the fuck happened here?" the captain wondered

"These poor people," the second said as she cut open another cocoon, pulling the body out of it and laying it on the floor.

"What are you doing?" the captain demanded

"I'm examining the body, looking for how they ended up like that." The second said

[I… can s-show you,] a quiet voice hissed at them from the walls,

"What the fuck was that?" the captain demanded readying his weapon

"I-I don't know!" the second said, also drawing her weapon, the two of them stood back to back, with their flashlights peering outward.

[A-ah, n-ew fl-esh. w-welcome to the collective!] from the cocoons, the corpses burst out, their eyes glowing a sickly yellow, and their shriveled skin illuminated by yellow veins.

The explorers opened fire without a second though, and the decayed flesh of the corpses couldn't offer much resistance, their limbs fell off and their bones snapped at the slightest application of pressure, so they were mowed down, but not before one cocoon above the explorers broke open, and the corpse it was holding fell onto the woman, biting into her neck with its frayed, decayed mouth.

The bite managed to breach her environment suit and break into the skin below, but did not much damage against the strong muscles of the neck, but breaking the skin was enough.

"Hey, are you okay?" the captain asked checking on her as she convulsed and her mouth foamed. From the bite, her veins took on a sickly yellow glow, as did her eyes. She looked up at the man and lunged at him clawing at him as she took her helmet off. The vacuum that the ship was exposed to would've killed her if she wasn't already dead. With brutal strength, she bashed his head with her helmet, shattering his helmet in the process and once his choking face was exposed, she bit into him, ignoring the bits of helmet shards that stabbed into her face and eyes.

Once this was over, both the man and the woman stood, their eyes yellow with yellow veins glowing underneath their skin, the injuries they had suffered healed themselves as they looked at each other, speaking at the same time.

[We are the Maja,] they said in unison [and the Maja is reborn.]

[It appears that another has claimed the black box.] the woman said, [a host.]

[Then we must claim them. For the glory of the Maja.] the man answered

[The collective is weak right now.] the woman said gesturing to the decayed corpses that suddenly lost their drive, as if whatever spirit had possessed them had moved out. [Engaging the host now will prove disastrous to the collective.]

[But out there is new flesh for the collective.] the man pointed at Vulcan station, which had two paladin ships patrolling it, [New flesh with interstellar capabilities.]

[The collective will grow, for the glory of the Maja.] the both said as they began walking back to their shuttlecraft.

***

When Nya left Adryn-VI, several years ago, she had no intentions of ever returning. The girl who used to occupy her current body was from there, her family was still there, her friends, it didn't seem right for them to witness someone else walking around in the body of their loved one.

She was in a cabin, resting, when there was a knock at the door, "'s'open," she slurred, and Kiva walked in.

"How are you?" she asked

"Not exactly thrilled about this mission." Nya said taking a swig of a mysterious bottle.

"Where did you get that?" Kiva asked

"In there," Nya gestured to an open compartment full of different bottles, "Someone had a secret booze stash."

"Some of these are expired," Kiva said reading the label on one of the bottles

"I call it aging," Nya said with a drunk grin

"Is something wrong?" Kiva asked, "you don't usually drink,"

"I just picked it up," Nya said popping out the cork of another bottle with her teeth, "so far, I'm enjoying it. It might become a habit."

Kiva looked around awkwardly,

"You want to say something?" Nya enquired

"I still don't understand why you didn't take the Excalibur," Kiva said, "It could get us there much faster and it's handy in a firefight."

Nya held up her hand, on her ring finger was a thick black ring with red designs etched all over its surface, "This is a command interface node Merlin devised, it's basically a key for the Black Box. With it I can connect with the Excalibur from anywhere in the galaxy, plus I can control any Praxian tech I've bonded with." She explained, "And I didn't take the Excalibur because the entire situation seems suspicious. Whoever attacked me must've known I'd survive, so they're trying to draw me out."

"But isn't it working?" Kiva said, "You're on your way to a planet you say you hate because of this."

"Yes, but I don't want them to know that just yet." Nya said, "The probably think they know me well enough to anticipate my actions, so I want to prove them wrong."

[The plan is sound… somewhat,] Merlin affirms, materializing beside Kiva

"Gah, stop doing that." Kiva protested.

Ever since she decided to become corporeal, Merlin had remained in hologram form for most of the time.

[Nya, we are exiting the hyper-stream, Adryn-VI is within reach.] the phantom said, [what will you do once we get there?]

"Investigate," Nya said, "Something's not right about this whole situation."