<u>Epilogue</u>


    <u> </u>


    It had been 15 years since that day , and Alex was looking at the night sky from his penthouse while his friends were assembled in the living room .


    “I still think it looks like the Death Star from Star Wars” said Alex to Helena while pointing at the artificial moon .


    “Yes sweetie , you told everyone a hundred times and everyone agrees with you” joked Helena .


    I know tonight is a big event , but shouldn’t you be explaining why everyone had to come to our penthouse instead of being with their loved ones ?


    “You know we’re not the only ones with kids these days , although ours are almost adults” whispered Helena the last part .


    “In a minute , I’ll join you in a minute” said Alex while watching the box on the table .


    Inside were the newest models of equipment similar to Da’grass , and one of them would replace the casing where he was housed .


    “Whatever you still want to do , do it quick , everyone is nervous and would rather be with their families” said Helena before entering and joining their friends.


    “You’re sure this won’t harm you , Da’grass ? I wouldn’t want to lose you , especially now” asked Alex .


    “I’m sure , just hold me close to one of the cuff bracelets , and I’ll transfer my program . It won’t take long” replied Da’grass .


    After my program is uploaded , your bracelet will come off and destroy itself , in that order .


    Alex did what Da’grass told him , and after a while , the cuff bracelet came loose and he let it drop on the floor .


    A burning smell came from the device , and Alex felt like he was missing a part of himself .


    For a moment , he touched his arm where the bracelet once was , and flashes of images from more than 20 years flooded his mind .


    Alex shook his head and put the new bracelet on ; it was lighter , thinner and more sleek .


    “Are you there Da’grass ?” asked Alex .


    A hologram appeared before him , projecting the image of a little dragon .


    Yeah , I’m here Alex . I know you liked dragons , so I took this image for the time being until we decide which form you’d like me to take .


    I’ve got several updates , and I even have to alter the nanites a little bit .


    Afterwards , I can install a neural link which will provide you with an interface that can play videos and show you messages in case discretion is needed .


    There are more uses , but I won’t be explaining them for now since you’re pressed for time .


    Oh , and I have an active camouflage emitter now ; no one will know I’m on your arm if you don’t want them to see me .


    “That could have come in handy numerous times while I was still figuring things out” laughed Alex .


    “The best part is that this new casing is even stronger than my old casing” said Da’grass .


    “Well , time to officially appoint my government .


    We’ll have plenty of time to discuss your new abilities” said Alex while he grabbed the box .


    He looked upwards one more time and sighed .


    “Well it could have been worse and been a borg cube” murmured Alex and went inside .


    Everyone was present ; the people he considered his best friends and confidants were here in this room , except for Cynthia who was looking after her own kids .


    She refused babysitters and didn’t want her children to come with them to Alex’s home , claiming that they were to young and needed their sleep .


    John’s child was older and was nine or ten , Alex wasn’t sure .


    After two consecutive terms in the government , he had gotten the message that only two terms could be served in a hundred years unless there were special circumstances and was thanked for his service .


    Sarah didn’t have anymore children , claiming two was enough for her , and had sold the companies on Earth and in the Nexus for a ton of credits at Alex command .


    No one had any property anymore on Earth or in the Nexus , but their wallets were well filled with credits .


    “Care to explain why we were called over ?” asked John while he was looking at Alex’s arm .


    No offense , but if anything goes wrong , I would rather spend my last moments with my family .


    “Nothing will go wrong , but before you return to your families , I want to give you all something” replied Alex .


    After saying this , he started distributing the cuff bracelets to everyone in the room .


    Sam got two , one for Cynthia and one for himself .


    El’Anor and Cathy tried to refuse at first but accepted when he shoved the bracelets in their hands .


    Even his daughters got one , and they couldn’t stop grinning .


    “You’ve all been great friends and confidents . You helped me manage my faction and asked nothing in return but my friendship” started Alex .


    I couldn’t wish for better friends than I have .


    These bracelets contain the same technology as mine but with restrictions , you’ll be the captains of my faction , so to speak .


    I’m just making it official since you guy’s have always been my hands , conscience , and advisors in everything I tried to do .


    “We hardly did anything but support you” said Mary .


    “Your actions meant more to me than you will ever know” replied Alex .


    The moment you first log in the Nexus , you’ll be tier four , and in time become tier five .Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    You’ll only be answering to me in terms of decision making .


    If a decision you make has to big of an impact , Da’grass will be notified and the decision will be evaluated by me .


    But as I said , I consider you my advisors and conscience so I’ll be counting on you guys .


    And girls , I know you’re smart but you’re also inexperienced , so take caution with what you do with the bracelets .


    “Ah , come on , dad , we’re only a bit younger than you were when you got Da’grass” replied Kimberley .


    “No , he is right sis . Dad had a lot of luck when he built all of this .


    We can’t expect everything to go as we wish just because Dad got lucky” said Samantha .


    This made everyone laugh warmly , and Alex went red in the face .


    “Ah , come on , sweetie , you did get lucky .


    You got me and the girls to prove it” joked Helena .


    “Let’s put on the bracelets and meet our own versions of Da’grass” said Sarah .


    I can’t wait to have my own personal sentient AI .


    While everyone was busy , Alex thought back at the day that Etherea made her plans known to him .


    “Ethera wants to speak with you , Alex” started Da’gras that day .


    “Hello Alex” started Etherea .


    You’ve made quite the ripples and I can’t ignore them anymore .


    “Did I do something wrong ?” asked Alex.


    “On the contrary , my dear Alex” answered Etherea .


    You’ve made many right decisions albeit sometimes with a little help .


    You started a faction , helped your people reach new heights , established a base of operations , contributed to the Nexus , resurrected multiple species , and asked little in return .


    If that doesn’t deserve a tier up , nothing will .


    So congratulations !


    “You’re making me tier five ?” asked Alex .


    “Yes , but with this decision and considering what you’ve achieved in such short notice , I want to ask you a question that will define what will be happening from now on” said Ethera .


    Should you accept , your life will change once more and drastically at that .


    So before I ask you this question , I need to know if you would be willing to leave life as you know it behind , relying solely on your faction .


    No contacting Helena this time . You’re the faction leader , and this is your decision .


    Sorry to tell you this , but I need to know before you log out .


    “This has to do with why none of the Ethereans remains here in the universe , am I right ?” asked Alex .


    “They were supposed to check in regularly , but none has returned” answered Etherea truthfully .


    I need to know , Alex . I’ve already said to much , but I can assure you that your safety will not be endangered by me .


    “Well , everyone I care about is already in my faction .


    So if you can assure me their safety , I would be willing to consider your proposal” replied Alex .


    “No harm will come to you or your faction , I promise you this much” said Etherea.


    For a moment , Alex considered everything .


    Even if he had some doubts , he had nothing left on Earth to tie him down .


    His greatest treasures were already with him on Aurelia .


    In time , it could offer more than Earth , and as long as he was within reach of Earth , their benefits could become the target of greed .


    “I would do it” answered Alex .


    “Would you be willing to continue the mission of the Ethereans ?” asked Ethera.


    There are three objectives : one is to search for the Origin universe , two is to establish the Nexus where there is none , and three is to link them if possible .


    “The Origin universe , if I’m not mistaking that’s a children’s story of the Ethereans” started Alex .


    It’s the reason why Samantha and Kimberley taught themselves to read .


    They were smitten by the thought that every story created its own universe and that people lived in the stories written down .


    “Well , we don’t really believe that , but we do believe there is an origin universe , the first of many” said Etherea .


    The man who created the children’s story really believed it , and it was the closest thing we had to the start of a religion in our existence , but he went mad shortly after and decided to end his life , refusing treatment to his disease .


    But the children were inspired by the story , and we had an increase in productivity .


    They wanted to spread the Nexus while searching for the Origin universe , which coincided with the will of the government .


    I’m not expecting you to actively search for the Origin universe or link them together through the Nexus , but I do hope that you would spread it if you should travel through universes .


    Even if you would only seed one universe with the Nexus it would be worth it .


    “I’m not the first outside the Ethereans you asked , am I right ?” asked Alex .


    “No , it’s the main reason why there are so little species with high tiers” replied Etherea .


    It’s a contingency plan created by the Ethereans in case nobody came back .


    But I can assure you that they reached their destination and that I’m not sending them to their deaths !


    “I’ve got children , you know …” said Alex .


    “I would be sending your entire solar system . Even if something went wrong , which will never happen , you would still have a planet to live on” answered Etherea .


    The power needed to open the connection requires the most energy ; after that , it’s almost negligible what size has to go through .


    “Why do you want to spread the Nexus this badly ?” asked Alex .


    “The Nexus’ main objective is to function as an ark to preserve as much as possible that ever existed .


    Even if the universe would die of heath death , the Nexus would survive” replied Etherea .


    “How did you create the Nexus ?” asked Alex .


    “The precise manner is kept a secret , but an oversimplified answer is that we hacked the universe” answered Etherea .


    “Just out of curiosity , is time travel possible ?” asked Alex .


    “It’s prohibited unless special authorization is granted” said Etherea .


    I hope I satisfied your curiosity .


    Can I have your answer now ?


    “You’ve been nothing than honest with me , so I can only assume that our safety is indeed guaranteed .


    But this is a big decision that doesn’t only include me” answered Alex .


    “I would be providing you with everything you need” started Etherea .


    I would help you construct all the facilities needed and mine as many recourses as you would need including gifting you a capital city .


    You’ll need it anyway if you want maximum efficiency .


    “Include the complete education course from tier seven and you’ve got a deal” said Alex on the spur of the moment .


    “Done , but no more sharing with Earth” responded Etherea


    The day you leave , you’ll officially be tier seven , and all faction members will be automatically elevated to tier three .


    It will be hereditary as long as they are part of your faction .


    You’ll also be granted the ability to hand out the tech to which Da’grass is bound .


    I’ll be sending over everything you need , and we’ll start construction immediately .


    “Now I just need to make preparations to harvest a black hole for energy” murmured Etherea .


    Welcome to the collective !


    “Did you just agree for just a complete education course ?” asked Da’grass .


    “I guess I did . I don’t know what I was thinking” answered Alex .


    Don’t mention this part to Helena , okay ?


    “Hahaha , welcome to the collective , Alex” said Da’grass .


    Back to the present , everyone was configuring the templates of the AI and talking to them .


    Sam had set the template of his AI to a Bernese Mountain Dog , Kimberley to a fairy , and Samantha to a black cat .


    Everyone had chosen something that appealed to them , and they seemed to get along with their AI’s just fine .


    “You were spacing out , but I don’t think anyone noticed” said Helena to Alex .


    “I was just thinking about something in the past” replied Alex .


    We should send them home ; it won’t be long anymore .


    “Did you ever notice that no one ever mentions religion here in Aurelia” asked Helena suddenly .


    “No I didn’t notice” replied Alex .


    “I asked my AI , and apparently Da’grass never considered religious people to join your faction” said Helena


    “Strange , but the Ethereans didn’t have religion either .


    They are all fine people as far as I know , even if sometimes security has to part a few individuals” replied Alex .


    “It’s best if we integrate a moral education course for the children before problems arise” said Helena .


    “Very well , we’ll set it up after we’ve arrived . We’ll have around ten years before the Nexus will see daylight according to Etherea” answered Alex .


    But we’ll have access to everything we’ve had , just no real connection to the universe .


    One by one their guests came to say goodbye until only Alex , Helena and their kids remained .


    Even Sarah was returning to her home were Max awaited her return .


    After a few hours of small talk and playing with their new AI’s , they got the notice that all pin point anchors were checked and ready for activation .


    Alex looked at his family and said to them , “Whatever happens , know that you are the pride of my life and that I will always love you guys”


    “Etherea will be talking through me for a while , at least the version we are taking with us” said Da’grass .


    Alex , we are set to go in 5 , 4 ,3 , 2 , 1 , transportation .


    Strange , I get all kinds of updates , sending my own …


    Oh my , these readings !


    Our universe …


    Its in a state of flux .


    It exists and doesn’t .


    It’s the beginning and the end .


    You ‘ll only know where and when you are if you enter it .


    And according to these readings , we can’t enter it .


    Getting a new set of coordinates .


    Adjusting.


    “Etherea , are we in danger ?” asked Alex , looking at his family .


    “No , Alex , everything is working as it should .


    But remember this” said Etherea .


    If there’s another Earth , we’ll find it when the Nexus comes online .


    Everything you do is through your own will !


    The End