Spaceticides: The Eternal Struggle:

Epoch of Despair

Cast off into space, separated from all that they had ever come to know, the Anathemans appeared destined to suffer a most unfortunate fate. The compass of the cosmos guided them past even the farthest of stars and into an existence that was as foreign to them, as they were to it. As the weeks turned to months, and the months to years, they passed the darkest recesses of space, and light quickly became nothing more than a distant memory. Shadows blanketed the vast landscape, and seclusion from even the smallest group of neighbouring beings was an unavoidable reality. History seemed determined to erase them from its pages. Their names would soon be forgotten by the sand and winds of time and it would be as though they never existed at all. Just as these fears appeared to be coming to fruition, and resignation was widespread, a resurgence of spirit overcame two prominent Anathemans. Their motivations could not be more different; however they bonded together in their quest to save Anathema from its horrifying state.

The first to speak to the masses and break the time of silence was Odon, an elderly sort, filled with wisdom and intellect but short on image. Odon provided a glimmer of hope where there had been none for so long, speaking in volume and with great passion, detailing a future for Anathema that would allow for upcoming generations to grow and prosper. She reasoned that the Anathemans were people of the land and should act as such, despite their sunless existence. And so, new Seeds were fused and grown and life improved as well it could under circumstances as they were. The longing for Kalos and what once was, remained, but all agreed, much was improved.

Sensing the dramatic shift of his people, Craeton, a distinguished Seedizen, due to things he had achieved long ago, recognized a rare opportunity to renew his place. Craeton, armed with much wit and even greater control of words, was everything that Odon wished to be, and saw this as his great chance to achieve all that he had desired. And so, Craeton waited until the time was right, a moment that only he could measure, and began to spread the kind of whispers that cause another's reputation to come into question. Those that knew better refused to believe what their ears had heard, for they were certain in their belief of Odon’s work and their loyalties remained where they had always stood. Others, the type who believed that Craeton was the greater of the two, fell victim to his penchant for scandal, and soon he possessed their frail allegiance. As Craeton continued his attack on Odon's character, Anathemans were forced to choose a side and defend it with great vigor. At first the dispute was innocent enough, demonstrations were held and words were spoken, but life remained very much the same. It was not until Craeton's charming smile turned, and his patience had thinned, that Anathema became truly divided. And so, the War of Akanthos began.

War of Akanthos

Odon, for all her limitations, was a great Seedizen. She was easy to follow for she cared little for her name to be spoken, that time had long since come and gone, and was devoted solely to securing Anathema with a life that all could be proud of. Because of this, her legions, who had acquired the moniker of the Veritas, were profound in size and rule of the land. In opposition, Craeton's followers, who he titled the Spaceticides for reason not what you would think, were dwarfed by the Veritas both in numbers and loyalty. Because of this, the Spaceticides displayed limited interest in testing fate and challenging the Veritas’ dominion, as their presence was acquired either through Botanickels or lies and not devotion to Craeton’s authority. And so it seemed as though Anathema would remain as it was, and avoid the dastardly deeds that Craeton had always intended for it, except, fate with its ruthless nature, decided to intervene and prolong Anathema's state of affliction.

An Anatheman by the name of Maelstrom, a close ally of Odon’s, came upon a sight strange to her, for nothing like this had been seen for as long as anyone could recall. Light appeared to be emanating from the High Forest. More intrigued than frightful, Maelstrom advanced and, upon his arrival, made a most pleasant discovery. There was company to be found of foreign descent and he hurried to draw their attention. Scouts from Insula, chartering a ship to expand their knowledge of the Darkened Abyss, spotted Maelstrom and warmly welcomed him aboard. It was there, that Maelstrom listened intently to the Insulas, while they explained their presence and the way of their people. The Insulas inhibited a small planet that was as bare as it was diminutive, but they possessed a considerable understanding of advanced technology. It was this technical knowledge that inspired them to continue their scouting excursions and assist less established planets in achieving a better life, free of terror and fear. The Anathemans, as described to them by Maelstrom with no exaggeration of the truth, were in need of greater assistance than any they had ever laid witness to.

Maelstrom, burdened by the duty of his friendship to Odon, struggled to silence the whispers of greed churning in his head. However, the bounty of awaiting riches was too great and Maelstrom's thoughts became consumed. Without further hesitation, he sent word to Craeton. Unaware of Craeton's true intentions, or the delicate situation brewing in Anathema, the Insulas were quite generous in their tutorials, and knowledge was exchanged. Craeton could barely believe his good fortune and was quick to manipulate his new knowledge, implementing it in ways not intended by the Insulas. Weapons and armour, the likes of which were beyond anything ever dreamed just days before, were constructed and donned. That was all that was needed to shift the power in the War of Akanthos. The Veritas were good-natured Seedizens, but far too simple to withstand the Spaceticides' impressive force despite being ten times as strong in number. Odon, fearful for her admirers and thinking of their futures, conceded to defeat and pledged her support to Craeton, determined to fight again under a more forgiving moon. Craeton then enslaved the Insulas, robbing them of all that of their knowledge and preventing them from telling a soul about what was occurring on Anathema.

Using all that the Insulas had to offer, Craeton went in search of new planets, with new technologies to exploit and new forces to suppress. The majority of Anathemans were horrified at Craeton's actions and disapproved of what they as a people had become. A few spoke longingly of the darkened times, for life was hard but consciences were clear. All of that mattered little, for what was done was done and the past could not be easily revised. A new era was upon them, as was a new name, for all Anathemans would be known as Spaceticides from that day forward. New civilizations were found, invaded, conquered and ultimately controlled. The universe seemed to turn a blind eye to Craeton and freed him to do as he pleased without fear of consequence until enough time had passed and Craeton tested fate one too many times.

Starry Denunciation

Pioneering a voyage to a planet that knew no map or compass, concerned Craeton little. He had yet to encounter a resistance that offered a challenge of any sort and so his confidence silenced any concerns his better sense may have raised. Armed with Anathema's greatest warriors, Craeton landed on Pandora under the cover of night, filled with intentions of victory by sundown. Little did Craeton know that the battle he envisioned would not last half that. Pandora was home to a species that could rule the universe if they so desired.

Bearing the same name as their planet, the Pandoras were a race of pandas that knew no trade except for battle. Their days were spent training for times such as these, and their nights wasted, recanting all that had transpired hours earlier. The Pandoras, while aggressive by nature, rarely went in search of battle, for they were content to live as they were. Their size was what you would expect from a species with no equal, and their cunning ensured that they would not be easily fooled. Those who questioned such facts need only look to the fate of a species of pendgwyns, whose name has since been forfeited for their acts against the Pandoras. The pendgwyns dared to enter the realm where Pandora resided, filled with false bravery and foolish ambition. Within hours, the pendgwyns learned the error of their ways, and, from that time forward, have spent their time answering for their ignorance. Now, following in the nameless pendgwyns’ misguided footsteps, came the Spaceticides, who were equally as outnumbered. They had awakened an opponent as daunting as one could imagine from a species whose mere name filled even the bravest souls with fear.

The Spaceticides were still a considerable distance from the Boobam castle, yet their presence had long since been discovered and discussed. Never one to linger, the Pandoras' movements were swift and calculating and far too forceful for any Spaceticide weapon. The first wave of warriors vanished, engulfed in a thick layer of dust, their screams replaced with silence, as confusion dominated the air. Craeton watched in horror, as his considerable legions disappeared as if the planet was swallowing them whole. It was not until the wave of dust had further advanced that Craeton saw the Pandoras, in all their glory, displaying their extraordinary battle skills. Still in disbelief, Craeton struggled to grasp his grave misfortune, finally comprehending that this was a battle that could not be won. Not one to tempt fate a second time, Craeton retreated and took what warriors he could, blazing across the skies at a speed not safe for a ship of any kind. The Pandoras, offended and angered, were not the kind to simply let things settle where they may, and swore vengeance on Anathema and its people. Word was quick to spread across all four corners of the universe and Craeton soon understood all that he had done. A time would soon come when the Pandoras found Anathema and did to them what they had done to the pendgwyns. Opposition would be futile and only further anger the Pandoras, and so there remained but one hope, a return to their home, Kalos, a sanctuary from all that the Pandoras intended for who would expect the Spaceticides to return to a land that has banished them so long ago? And so, just as they had left all those years ago, the Spaceticides went in search of what was once theirs and what they hoped, would be theirs again.