Chrysalis

Carter's form began to glow brightly, morphing into a radiant white humanoid shape. It curled up, holding its knees, as a semi-formed bubble enveloped it, stopping just below its stomach.

[System]

The process of creating a form of this level could take millennia. To expedite this process, the system must focus solely on its creation, meaning the host will enter a hibernative state until completion. The host simply needs to give the command, and the system will proceed.

Carter contemplated the risks. If the X3X attacked while he was incapacitated, the consequences could be catastrophic. After a moment, he nodded. "Alright, let's do it. But first, I need to inform my sentinels about my absence."

Switching his consciousness back to his god form, Carter teleported to his throne room within the sanctuary, where his glowing chrysalis form hovered beside him.

"Your lord calls for you, my sentinels!"

In an instant, all seven sentinels appeared, kneeling in a triangular formation before him.

"Your sentinels are present, my lord," Ralak announced.

"I have gathered you all to inform you that I will be entering a hibernative state. I may return before the war begins, but if I do not, the responsibility of protecting our home will fall to you."

The sentinels exchanged glances but showed no hesitation.

"As the Lord commands!" they answered in unison.

"Good. While I am gone, you will oversee the training of my celestial knights and manage my worlds. If you find any individuals of extraordinary potential, take them under your wing—"

Carter continued issuing instructions, ensuring every detail was accounted for should he not awaken in time for the impending war.

"Now that everything is in order, it's time for me to go. System, resume the creation process."

[System]

[Resuming creation process of the host form…]

[Putting all system functions to sleep while the process is in effect…]

[Placing the host into a hibernative state until the process is complete…]

Carter's consciousness left his god form and entered the forming body. The galactic-colored bubble surrounding him began to expand, gradually enclosing his entire form and solidifying around him. As his awareness dimmed, he felt something unfamiliar—a strange comfort.

This… feeling… it's not so bad.

[System]

[Creation process resumed. Host has entered a state of sleep.]

Meanwhile, several light-years away, the ship Carter had released was speeding toward the X3X, its remaining crew desperate to deliver a warning.

The cockpit was deathly silent, save for the quiet sobbing or occasional gasps of the traumatized crew. Only nine of them remained, their faces pale and haunted by what they had witnessed.

"Fu*k, fu*k, fu*k, fu*k FUUCKKKKK, WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?" a fur-covered crewman broke the silence, clutching his head, tearing at his fur, and tapping his feet anxiously.

"I don't know either," the pilot replied, his voice trembling. "But we need to get to one of the teleporters and report what we saw. The empire has to know."

The group fell silent again, though fear lingered in their eyes. Some had already succumbed to despair, while others teetered on the brink. Several had even taken their own lives, leaving only the nine aboard.

Finally, they reached a small space station, its structure resembling a glass orb with all sorts of mechanism's inside suspended in the void. The ship entered the station, and the glass dome sealed behind them.

"Hurry the hell up and get the teleporter running!" the fur-covered crewman barked, sweat pouring down his face.

"Can you calm down? I haven't even entered the coordinates yet!" The pilot snapped back. He quickly punched in the coordinates and yanked the lever to start the teleporter, but nothing happened.

The fur-covered crewman leapt from his seat, panicking. "Oh no… oh no no no. I knew this was going to happen. Those bastards!"

"Calm down! It's probably just a glitch. I'll try again."

As the pilot prepared to pull the lever, a video feed flickered to life in front of them.

On the screen appeared a bull-like demi-human, his massive hands locked on a table as he stared at them with cold, detached eyes.

"Major Lieutenant Trak!" one of the crew shouted. "We've been trying to reach you! That monster wiped us out completely. Even Fur—"

"Shut up! You think they don't already know?" The furred cover crewman added, his look of hope faded.

The bull said nothing for a moment, his silence heavier than any words.

"Your service to the empire will not be forgotten," he finally spoke, his tone devoid of emotion, before cutting the feed.

The remaining crew erupted into chaos. Some screamed. Others wept openly. The pilot, however, sat still, his head tilted back as a single tear ran down his cheek.

"Fuck the empire." 

BOOM!