Ralak
Outside the palace, Carter's celestial energy swirled and took form, recreating Ralak’s body. His memories were restored within him. As Ralak slowly opened his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of an enormous golden palace. The structure gleamed with an otherworldly glow, its surface made of intricately carved gold, with celestial patterns that shimmered under a star-filled sky. The palace seemed to float above the vastness of space, surrounded by a cosmic mist. In front of him stood a towering golden door, embellished with engravings of stars, galaxies, and swirling cosmic energy. It stretched hundreds of feet into the sky, making Ralak feel like a mere ant in comparison.
“What is all this? Wasn't I just giving a speech to overthrow the Vorasis? Why am I suddenly here?”
Ralak’s mind raced as he tried to piece together what happened. He vaguely recalled a loud explosion and then... nothing. “Did I die? Is... is this the afterlife?”
Despite his confusion, Ralak’s heart filled with a strange sense of peace. This place, though overwhelming, exuded a serene, divine aura. His curiosity pushed him forward toward the massive golden door. Even though it looked like it weighed more than 10,000 tons, the door opened with an effortless grace at his touch, slowly parting with a soft hum. As the massive doors fully opened, Ralak’s eyes widened. At the end of the vast golden palace, Carter sat on a grand throne, his arm resting on the throne’s armrest and his hand under his chin. His divine-like aura filled the room, radiating an overwhelming sense of power and authority. The sight was both awe-inspiring and humbling, making Ralak feel as though he were in the presence of a true deity. He couldn't help but walk toward Carter, a mix of reverence and urgency in his steps.
“Lord, you must be my lord!” Ralak gasped as he hurried forward, his arms outstretched. When he approached the throne, he dropped to his knees, unable to bring himself to stand before such greatness. “This humble servant bows to you,” Ralak whispered, his forehead pressed to the floor, afraid to gaze directly upon Carter for too long.
“Raise your head, my child,” Carter’s voice echoed throughout the chamber, both gentle and commanding. “Do you know why you are here?”
“No, my lord, what could have given me such a great honor?” Ralak stammered nervously, unsure if he had been summoned for a great purpose or a terrible fate. His mind raced, wondering if this was punishment or some divine mission.
“Do not fret, my child,” Carter’s voice boomed with reassurance. “I have chosen you to be my proxy.”
Ralak’s heart skipped a beat, confusion and awe swirling within him. “The Treken you once knew is gone,” Carter continued. “I have created a new and improved planet, which you will now call Carter. This world is yours to guide, but you must spread my word across its lands and seas.”
Ralak’s eyes widened, struggling to comprehend what he had just heard. His people, his world—gone?
“To aid you in this mission,” Carter said with a commanding yet benevolent tone, “I will grant you a gift that allows you to live forever, unbound by time. And a gift of power to show my greatness to the masses.”
Ralak sat in silence, processing what he had just heard. The Treken he once knew—his homeland, his people—were most likely no more. But as the weight of that reality sunk in, a new understanding emerged: his people had been given another chance, freed from the rule of the Vorasis.
“My lord,” Ralak began, his voice steady despite the swirling emotions inside him, “you have chosen this lowly servant for such an important mission. I would be a fool not to abide.” He paused, a sense of resolve flickering through his sadness. “My planet may not be the same, but it will always be my planet. And I will follow you, my lord, and spread your word to every corner of planet Carter.”
Ralak’s eyes burned with a fiery determination, a mixture of grief for the past and hope for the future. Though his heart ached for the Treken that were gone, he felt a renewed sense of purpose—ready to lead this new generation under his lord’s divine guidance.
“Good,” Carter said, rising from his throne. He flew into the air, his six dark wings unfurling and leaving shimmering trails in the air with each powerful flap. His arms spread wide, and a radiant light began to emanate from his form, illuminating the vast palace. "Ralak, my proxy, spread my word to all seven races of this planet. Let them know who the true lord is."
In Carter's hands, two drops began to form: one green, the other a brilliant gold. He hovered before Ralak and let the green drop descend onto his head.
As it touched Ralak, a sensation like no other surged through him. He felt an overwhelming warmth coursing through his veins, a peace that washed over every part of him. It was as if time itself had unraveled and re-woven into something infinite. His body felt renewed, strengthened, as if the burden of mortality had been lifted from his soul. For the first time, he felt truly eternal, as though nothing could stop his devotion or his mission.
“This will allow my proxy to serve forever. No matter how long it takes, you will be able to continue your task,” Carter said.
Ralak, overwhelmed with gratitude, struggled to hold back tears. But before he could speak, Carter placed the golden drop on his forehead. This time, the sensation was entirely different. Power surged through him like a raging river, every fiber of his being ignited with strength. His muscles tensed, and his mind sharpened, as though the very essence of Carter's divine strength now flowed through him. His senses heightened, and he felt his body pulse with untapped potential.
“This,” Carter continued, “will allow you to wield great power to show my own greatness. Use it wisely, and protect my name.”
Ralak trembled under the immense power now coursing through him. He had never imagined possessing such abilities, yet now, the weight of responsibility was clear. With this divine gift, he would defend Carter’s name, no matter what came before him. His heart swelled with pride, faith, and a burning resolve to fulfill the task bestowed upon him.
A swirling portal materialized behind Ralak, shimmering with a bright blue hue. Through it, a vast alien forest stretched out before him. The trees were colossal, towering to heights unimaginable, their bark a deep purple with veins of luminous green energy coursing through them. The leaves, as wide as houses, shimmered with iridescent hues under a foreign light, and small floating orbs hovered near the ground, casting an otherworldly glow—a sight that was both reminiscent of Treken and yet distinctly more alien.
Ralak took a deep breath. He knew his mission had begun. With a final bow to Carter, he turned and walked toward the portal. Each step felt heavier as he neared it, the weight of his responsibility settling in. As he reached the threshold, he paused and turned to face Carter once more.
“What should I call you, my lord?” Ralak asked, his voice carrying a tone of reverence.
Carter remained silent for a moment, his six wings gently flapping as he hovered above his golden throne. After a brief pause, his voice echoed through the grand palace. “I am nameless, but if my name is required, I shall be known as the Primordial God, the one Celestial Being.”
Ralak nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. “Yes, Lord Primordial,” he said with devotion, before stepping through the portal and vanishing into the alien forest on Planet Carter. As the portal shimmered and slowly closed behind him, Carter watched, knowing his divine plan had been set in motion.