Interstellar Age

To say that Erich was shocked by the rapid change in the boarding party who had been affected by the dark and oozing energy of the Maw would be an understatement. He did not know how such a thing would affect him if he came into contact with it, but he made a conscious note to avoid it at all costs.

In fact, he was not alone in this mentality, as the afflicted Elves' comrades treated them as if they were infected by some kind of flesh eating virus, where they were quick to put the two of them down with their weapons.

"I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"

There were tears in the eyes of the remaining members of the boarding party when they pulled the triggers of their energy weapons, which completely and totally vaporized the afflicted Elves. Once they had been rendered into less than dust, the leader of the boarding party sighed heavily before giving the command to his troops to continue on their journey.

"We have our orders... We must find Daelia no matter what state she may be in! Just whatever you do, don't touch the black ooze!"

Though it took a few moments for the other Elves in the squad to recover, they ultimately did so, and followed their commander deeper into the depths of the Exploration Vessel. The ship itself was quite small compared to the decadent monstrosities that the Alfheim had fielded well into the modern era.

It was at most 250m in length, from bow to stern, and had only four stories. One of which was simply a cartography deck with a star map in it. But what was terrifying about this ship was the atmosphere.

A thick miasma made it not only difficult to see but also difficult to breathe as one instinctively tried to hold their breath, even in a pressurized suit like the ones that Erich and the boarding party were wearing.

Even the powerful weapon lights which the boarding party had on their energy rifles failed to fully pierce the thick fog which suffocated them. Not only that, but if any of them made one wrong step, their fate would be like those who had been vaporized in the hangar bay.

Because of this, there was an overwhelming sense of dread that even affected Erich. But what was perhaps the worst thing about this mission was the fact that there was a ghostly wail which penetrated into their minds every few meters as they progressed into the ship's interior.

"Go away! The darkness consumed all!"

Though the Boarding Party didn't realize it, Erich knew for a fact that this was Daelia's voice. Yet as far as he was aware, she did not have telepathic powers, which, as a telepath himself, he was aware when one would attempt to probe his mind.

At least he had never experienced such a thing from the woman in the modern era. So why, why was she now capable of such things here in the distant past? Perhaps it was an effect of the Maw which Erich knew virtually nothing about.

It took some time for Erich and the Boarding Party to search the ship, and throughout their journey they would come across several other of these Primordial Dark Elves, each of which appeared to have lost their minds. So much so that they would attempt to pounce on the boarding party, almost as if they were trying to devour their flesh.

Because of this, the Boarding Party would have to fight their way through the thick darkness. And it was not until they reached the bridge where they found their target. Daelia was nearly unrecognizable to Erich.

Her skin was as black as ink, her hair was a shining platinum, different from the white hair he had known from her and Lunaria during his time. But the most disturbing thing of all was her glowing red eyes, which did not look at the boarding party when they entered, but rather pierced the stealth field generated that surrounded Erich and gazed directly into his eyes.

Where her voice quickly followed, though it did not speak aloud, rather it flooded directly into Erich's mind.

"You damn fool! Why must you come here of all places? If you do not leave quickly, you will become afflicted by the Darkness the same as I!"

Erich was stunned when he realized that Daelia was talking to him directly, and more specifically that despite there being nearly a million years separating the her of this time, and the her from the time which he knew her, the Dark Elven queen still seemed to recognize Erich.

Yet he had to be sure, and because of this, he was quick to ask how this was possible.

"You… You know me?"

Daelia smiled as she nodded her head, before confirming that she did indeed know exactly who Erich was, and what his goals were.

"How could I not recognize the face of my husband? What are you surprised that I recognize you? The maw has shown me everything… All that is to come, and all there has ever been. Did you not find it strange that it was so easy for me to forgive you for what you had done to me when we first met? Or that I had even gone so far as to try to convince that bitch of my sister to align with us? She is the one, after all, who is responsible for my suffering!

We have not been entirely honest with you, and for that I apologize, but you must go now! If stay here for any longer, you will become affected by the Maw as well! Go now! Leave! I will tell you everything when you the time comes, but you must not stay here any longer!"

After hearing this, Erich wanted to know more, but he suddenly found himself back in his own time. He was so stunned at first by everything he had seen in that darkness that he did not even hear Tia calling out to him.

'Welcome back Master!"

It was only after Erich had heard this that he snapped back to reality, and when he did, he did not even entertain Tia. Instead, he announced his intentions while rushing out the door.

"I need to speak with Daelia!"