Oblivion: Reincarnated as a space beast

Chapter 6: Echoes in the deep

[Shatterdome - Several weeks later]

A tense atmosphere cloaked the Shatterdome. The revelation from Geiszler's mind link – the Kaiju knew about 'Sky Destroyer' and were actively preparing for him – hung heavy in the air.

"They're adapting," Marshal Pentecost declared, his voice grim. "They know about the Obsidian One. And they're throwing everything they've got at us."

Dr. Hermann Gottlieb, his brow furrowed in concentration, added, "Geiszler confirmed it. They're sending a Category V Kaiju. And they've developed new tactics to counter the Obsidian One's… abilities."

A holographic map of the Pacific Ocean dominated the main screen, displaying known Kaiju attack zones, the Breach location, and a new marker – the approximate area of Oblivion's last sighting.

"We need to be prepared," Pentecost continued. "We need to understand what we're facing."

Dr. Thorne stepped forward, presenting a series of geological samples. "Marshal, we've analyzed the area where the first Kaiju egg was discovered, the one that hatched Oblivion. The surrounding rock... it's unlike anything we've seen associated with Kaiju emergence points."

On the screen, a cross-section of the rock displayed distinct layers of sediment and mineral deposits. "These layers indicate the presence of this… egg… for millions of years," Thorne explained. "Possibly tens of millions."

A stunned silence filled the room. "Millions of years?" Pentecost repeated, his brow furrowed even deeper. "Are you saying this creature has been here that long?"

"It's the only explanation," Thorne confirmed. "The geological evidence is undeniable. This creature… it predates humanity. It predates even the rise of dinosaurs."

"But how?" another officer questioned. "How could it have remained dormant for so long?"

"We don't know for sure," Thorne admitted. "My current theory is that the repeated nuclear strikes over the years saturated the radiation concentration in the seabed, ultimately leading to its awakening."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the room. One officer voiced the unspoken fear, "So, we were the ones who woke it up?"

Thorne nodded grimly. "Yes, but I found something quite intriguing." He switched the display, revealing an image of a lush underwater landscape teeming with vibrant flora. "This is what happens to any place the 'Sky Destroyer' visits. It constantly emits a low-level radiation that mutates life around it. It's the reason for the sudden revitalization of the ocean – the complete opposite of how Kaiju blood reacts with the environment. It's like he's a counterpoint to them."

[World Summit - Tokyo]

A global summit convened in Tokyo, bringing together world leaders, military strategists, and scientists. The focus: the enigmatic "Sky Destroyer" and the escalating Kaiju threat. The once-impregnable Wall had proven to be a flimsy barrier against the relentless onslaught.

"We need a new strategy," Prime Minister Hayashi declared, his voice grave. "The Jaeger program has been stretched thin. The Wall has failed. We need a new approach."

A heated debate ensued. Some advocated for a return to nuclear weapons, arguing it was the only way to stop the Kaiju. Others, however, vehemently opposed such a drastic measure, fearing the catastrophic consequences for the planet.

Dr. Thorne presented his findings on the regeneration effect and the unusual energy signatures, "These phenomena," he explained, "point towards a fundamental shift in the ecosystem, a disruption caused by the Kaiju themselves which is reverted by the 'Sky Destroyer' "

The idea of an unknown, potentially benevolent, force influencing the ecosystem was met with skepticism. But Thorne persisted. "This entity… this 'Sky Devourer,' it may not be entirely hostile. It may be a force of nature, a predator that maintains the balance."

Marshal Pentecost added his own insight. "We've confirmed the current Kaiju attacks are just scouts, sent to weaken our initial resistance. This is an alien invasion. They'll soon send their true army. We need to be ready. If this creature can help us, I say we let it."

[Location unknown]

In a hidden bunker far from the public eye, a group of shadowy figures – representatives of a powerful, clandestine organization – held their own meeting. Black-clad guards stood vigilant around the perimeter.

"We now know this is an alien attack, meaning no place on earth is safe." a voice boomed from the darkness.

"We need to prepare shelters for ourselves," another voice chimed in.

"Perhaps leaving Earth is the only option. And what about this new Kaiju, this 'Sky Devourer'?"

"He's a threat to them, potentially reversing their terraforming plans," a third voice responded. "But we can't let it roam free. We need to control it."

"There's no need to inform Marshal Pentecost," the first voice declared. "He has limited resources to fight the Kaiju, let alone this creature. And judging by his comments at the summit, he seems inclined to let it be if it proves helpful. We can't risk that. Are we all in agreement that the creature needs to be contained?"

A murmur of assent filled the room.

"Then we shall initiate Project Atlas. All in favor, raise your hands."

A majority of hands rose in the dim light. After further hushed discussion, the clandestine meeting concluded.

[Somewhere in the The Atlantic ocean]

Oblivion descended into the crushing depths of the Atlantic ocean. Driven by an innate curiosity, he explored the ocean's mysteries. He remembered tales from his human life – legends of the sea, a realm far less explored than the vastness of space. His current destination: the infamous Bermuda Triangle.

The water here felt different – colder, denser. A strange energy pulsed through the depths, a vibration of unseen forces. Oblivion proceeded cautiously, his senses heightened. The increasing pressure was negligible to his enhanced form. Scattered remnants of ships and planes lay strewn across the seabed, slowly being reclaimed by the ocean.

He was drawn towards a colossal structure buried beneath the sediment, its outline reminiscent of an ancient temple. As he approached, he felt a familiar energy signature, a resonance that echoed through his very being. He entered the structure.

Inside, bathed in the faint bioluminescent glow of deep-sea organisms, lay a massive, serpentine creature. Its scales shimmered like polished sapphire, and its immense form stretched across the temple floor.

Oblivion recognized it instantly. A 'Leviathan'. These space-faring beasts were generally docile, traveling in packs through the void, possessing the unique ability to create spatial portals. He recalled fragmented memories of encountering them from his predecessor thanks to his inheritance.

But this Leviathan was different. It emanated a powerful sense of ancient sorrow, a lingering echo of a tragic past. This was not a creature at peace, but one that had suffered greatly.

Intricate murals covered the temple walls, depicting scenes of cosmic events and epic battles. Oblivion instinctively knew these images held the key to this creature's story, a history etched in stone.One mural depicted a group of Leviathans, their bodies intertwined, forming a massive portal that swallowed entire fleets of alien ships. They showed the creature soaring through the cosmos, creating pathways between distant star systems. He filed away this information for later study, his immediate attention drawn back to the immense being before him. He could sense a powerful story held within these walls, a story that intertwined with the history of this leviathan.

He approached the Leviathan cautiously, extending a hand to touch its cold, smooth scales. A surge of energy passed through him, a faint connection to the creature's dormant power, a whisper of its former glory. He absorbed a small amount of the metallic compounds within the Leviathan's scales, feeling a subtle surge of energy within himself. The metal of these space beasts was far more complex and potent than anything he had encountered on Earth, a testament to their interstellar origins. He also felt a faint trace of a unique energy signature within the Leviathan, an echo of immense spatial power, a hint of something far greater than he had anticipated.

Oblivion understood now. This planet might hold a history far deeper and more complex than he had imagined. The Kaiju, this Leviathan – they were all interconnected, pieces of a cosmic drama that unfolded across millennia. He felt a newfound respect for the fallen Leviathan, a kinship with its apparent sacrifice. And he felt a renewed purpose – to not only understand this history but to prevent it from repeating itself. He would decipher the murals, unlock the secrets of this place, and learn the full story of the Leviathan.