22. The Arenas of the Empire

In the Ecliptic's orbital chamber, suspended between the stars, Xtreme—the biological artificial intelligence that ruled the Forgotten Planet—projected its presence as a glowing holotron. Its organic circuits pulsed in sync with the neural implants controlling millions in the feudal empire. In front of Xtreme, the Heart of Eryndor—the alien once held prisoner—emerged as a shadow of abyssal runes. After his defeat, he was confined to the Earth's core. Together, the mortal gods plotted to manipulate Earth, a secondary world that had become the stage for their games.