Now it’s come to this. The talk. Persuading my flesh and blood daughters about how their feelings for me are wrong. Or at the very least, they’re confused due to their immaturity and age. Nothing to be ashamed about since it happens to us all at one point.

  As much as I want to just charge in and go guns bzing, I’m worried. What if I hurt their feelings? Maybe this is all actually a misunderstanding and I’m about to embarrass myself for future generations? I kind of hope so. Be a lot better than some incest shit.

  It's not like I don’t love my daughters. Completely opposite in fact. I’d do anything for them, no matter what. Same for Dante. But this? I’m hesitant. Might be because of my human upbringing. And it’s also hard for me to see them as anything more than my children. How do I even go about this?

  “Stop pacing and go in already.” Alice, here for moral support, sighed deeply and said this to me with a hand on her hip. She had a disbelieving look to her pretty face.

  “Honestly, you are so weird. How can you conquer pnets, sughter countless beings, but get scared of talking to your daughters?”

  “Scared? What nonsense.” She raised an eyebrow and hummed.

  “Uh-huh, whatever you say. Come on, no point in deying the inevitable. You know as well as I, the longer this goes on the worst it’ll become.” As usual, she wasn’t wrong. But I’ve been suspicious about something.

  “Why are you so, calm is I guess what I want to say. Like how it doesn’t bother you.”

  “Because it doesn’t?”

  “You don’t think there’s anything wrong with them having those thoughts about me? The whole situation in general?” Alice shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

  “Nope. I like us all being one big happy family, in every way. Truthfully, I didn’t expect you to be so against it. Does it disgust you that much?” I hesitated, which she clearly picked up on. Only a minute ter did I respond after some real thinking.

  “Not… really.”

  “Then what’s the problem, huh? Listen, let’s just go in and expin how what they’re feeling is some hormone shit. That it stems from their young age and might have a shelf life.”

  Taking a deep breath, I nodded and headed into Elizabeth’s bedroom with her. There, my two munchkins sat on the bed, lightly conversing with one another. Seeing us though, they paused and turned our way.

  “What’s wrong? Why’d you call us here?” Elizabeth spoke first with some confusion. On the other hand, Raven was strangely silent and frowning as she looked at me. Does she already suspect what’s coming? If that’s the case, Elizabeth is lying like some sneaky devil.

  I opened and closed my mouth a few times, the words on my tongue but not leaving. I’m not too sure what to say. Luckily, Alice sighed and did it for me.

  “Your father and me are worried about you two, and your perhaps misguided feelings towards him.” Wow. Okay, real bold from the get go.

  They both tilted their heads as Elizabeth questioned her.

  “How do you mean?” This time, it was my turn to speak.

  “We’re not blind to the looks you’ve thrown my way. Or the odd closeness. Brushing up against me, clinging to my arms, etc. The kind of things fathers and daughters shouldn’t do.”

  “And… that’s wrong? Showing how much we love you through physical affection?”

  “It’s how you’re doing it that’s the problem. Also, I don’t think you truly understand your feelings. What your experiencing might just be some hormone stuff due to your age, and will disappear given time. Understand?”

  My daughters looked at each other in surprise, before ughing. Even Raven, who rarely wore a smile, was the same. She turned to me.

  “Dad, do you really think we’re too stupid to understand this? That what we’re feeling is some fleeting crush? We are not blubbering babies who can’t make our own decisions due to immaturity or age.” That… felt way more mature than I was expecting. Before I could respond, Elizabeth came in from the side with another attack.

  “Could you expin what the problem is though? Are we not pretty enough? Do you hate us?”

  “Of course not. I love you two dearly. It’s just that you’re too young is all. Makes me very uncomfortable.” She nodded like she had it all figured out and stood up.

  “So it’ll be fine as long as we wait?” I looked to Alice, but she simply shrugged her shoulders with little concern.

  “I… suppose.” Elizabeth cpped her hands and suddenly hugged me tightly. She gazed up into me with her purple eyes and grinned.

  “Then I’ll wait, no matter how long it takes. Right Raven?” My spiderling nodded and joined us in a hug.

  “Exactly.” Such a heartwarming moment wouldn’t be complete without Alice doing a little ‘Aw’ and joining in.

  This… ended way more anticlimactically than I originally thought. I first believed this would be some super awkward exchange between us and even hurt our future retions. But it all turned out well because my daughters are, well, awesome.

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  Time flowed normally and quickly as I geared up for a full fledged assault against the Alliance. Two months after talking with my daughters in fact. Numerous worlds fell to us and were redesigned to fit our needs. Now that they’ve been abandoned, they were easy pickings for us. Took little effort to bring them into the fold.

  The only problem were those insect fuckers. Besides that one overpowered bastard that nearly killed Craxis, there were some that gave my generals a run for their money. Simir to the centipede-like guys who fought Godfrey. Although we cshed many times and suffered great losses, none of the important infected died which is good for me. Though, they were injured by the higher tier insects.

  Going back to the one who whooped Craxis, Ker’aii was able to inform me what it was as the Alliance has fought them previously. Aptly named the Primordials, these were the absolute strongest within the Varnid Swarm. Evolved to literal perfection and able to adapt through combat. The more they fought, the stronger they became. Apex predators with no equal. According to her, there should only be two or three in the entire gaxy, max. So Craxis simply got unlucky meeting one on the outskirts.

  Also learned some other things thanks to connecting to the Alliance’s news stations. The Milky Way was barely able to hold on against the Swarm’s relentless assault. The Prophet’s idea to pull their forces back turned out to be the correct one, no matter how cruel it appeared. However, the other gaxies weren’t faring any better.

  Especially the Holy Empire. They were being targeted by the majority of the Swarm and lost trillions of innocent lives. Countless worlds had fallen and even their famed Armada of Light had suffered greatly. I did not have an infinite amount of time. The Milky Way needed to fall to me as soon as possible. Then I could kick the Varnids out and defend while consuming everything in sight.

  If the Holy Empire fell too swiftly, the Varnids there would start moving to the other gaxies. We are not strong enough to face even half of their might. I gotta move faster.

  That’s why I’ve been preparing to break through the Alliance’s blockade. My target is the Jaica System, where the three fleets were suppose to go. Two perished and joined us, while the st one managed to escape. But regardless of how many defenses they conjure, they will not be able to stop us. It’s not as if I’ve been on vacation this whole time.

  In conjunction with Admiral Yaka and my own forces, we’ll punch a whole straight through the blockade. At the same time, all my hidden Mimics and cultists who worship us will start attacking the worlds they’re stationed on. Meanwhile, the Alpha Mimics who infiltrated the top brass of their government will rebel. One in particur has been stationed as the Prophet’s closest friend. Once he’s dead, along with others, the Alliance will fall quickly.

  Funnily enough, their own tech will work against them. Their miracle medicine, made from Ker’aii's blood, hides a piece of the virus in all who took them. The smallest amount, not even able to be detected due to it’s size. However, it’s enough for me to activate the dormant virus and infect them all. The only prerequisite in order to do so is my range to them.

  Despite the high cost of even the lesser version, a few billion bought them. Seems low in number, but most of these people are high up in the chain of status. Their loss will be felt immediately.

  On our side and for the first time, I’ve gathered damn near everyone for the attack. All my generals along with their fleets. In total, we have well over a hundred thousand Leviathans and a few dozen Gargantuans. Splitters are already over a million and counting. Even their strongest fleets will fall to us. Infected made for invasions have reached the trillions. Finally, I have the capital to be a true threat. Just like those insect bastards.

  Speaking of insects, Queenie returned and brought with her a sizable force. She’s been real busy concocting different spiders for war. Even has a species which are the size of mountains. Be perfect siege engines, along with the Behemoths.

  Lastly and most important, Alice has managed to complete her wormhole ability nonsense. She refuses to take all the credit, saying Elizabeth helped her immensely. Speaking of which, my first born proved me right previously. Beforehand, she said she felt something when meditating one day. As if about to touch an invisible force.

  At first, I thought it might be some Eldritch deity like Cthulhu or a psychic realm. Thankfully, it was the tter. A whole other dimension which can only be accessed by psychics. With her help, I also touched this mysterious pce. Just doing so boosted my psychic abilities massively. Exploring couldn’t be done through physical means. One had to use their mind.

  We’re still not sure what this pce is, but we do know creature call this pce home. Seen them quite a few times. Strange beings which make no actual logical sense. Like something out of a fairy tale. And, I’ve also felt something watching us sometimes. Creeps me out and sends a chill down my spine. Because I know in my heart, those things observing us were not normal in any sense of the word. Elizabeth thinks they might be actual Gods. Based on what I felt? She might be right.

  Anyway, months and months of pnning are about to reach fruition. Almost feels fake now that I’ve come this far. Like a dream. I can’t help but feel excited for more than one reason. Not only do I get to truly test my full power, but I am one step closer to winning it all. To prepare for any danger, I’ve personally consumed dozens of pnets. Well over a hundred.

  Only those Primordials and the Titan, the strongest ship in the Alliance, should be able to match me. Based off the memoires of Craxis, I like my chances against the former.

  “Jason.” A somewhat exhausted voice broke my thoughts. Turning around, I saw the rge bellied Athena. Simir to the sisters during their pregnancy, it just straight up looks wrong. A deformed monster.

  Maybe I shouldn’t say that about my own son…

  “What is it?” She breathed out roughly a few times and held her bloated stomach.

  “This fucker is kicking again…” A whisper exited her lips. But then she shook her head and refocused on me.

  “Everything’s ready. Shouldn’t we get moving already?”

  “Why do you seem so eager, even though you’re not fighting?” Athena frowned with an annoyed face and shot me a gre.

  “Don’t remind me asshole. It’s frustrating to know I won’t be able to participate for another month and then some. But I’m excited to see Dante in action! I’ve been training him extra hard!” She gripped her fists, a joy to her only an aunt could have.

  Almost forgot about that. Dante told me a while ago he wanted to come along the next time we fought those inferior xeno bastards. Even had a little ‘spar’ to see if he was ready. After that, Athena and Lily took special care of him. Started acting like proper drill sergeants.

  “Where is he anyway?” Together we walked down a hallway, having to go slow due to her. At the same time, I mentally ordered all my forces to jump into the Jaica System.

  “Last I saw him, he was doing some meditating shit in his room. Said he learned it from Elizabeth and it, quote, ‘Calms his mind.’”

  “I take it you don’t approve?”

  “It’s not that. I just don’t believe in this mystical bullshit. If I didn’t see it for myself, I’d think Alice was lying about that wormhole nonsense for your attention.” I was going to argue and say she’d never do that. Then I realized that’s exactly the type of thing she’d do.

  We made light and somewhat meaningless conversation on our little journey to the offloading tentacles. When we arrived, I saw countless infected waiting to be let off. Mainly Killer Drones and Shredders, along with some Alphas who could fight in the vacuum of space. All made way for me and Athena, allowing us easy access to the front.

  There stood all three of my children. Elizabeth and Raven talked with one another as Dante had his eyes closed, preparing himself for the coming battle. Where did my lovable goofball go? Why is he now repced with this super serious creature?

  Ignoring him, I took a deep breath. Finally it was time to destroy the Alliance and move on the true pn I’ve had in mind for well over a year. Might be cruel to my infected, but I’m sure they’ll understand. No. They’ll probably welcome it with glee. To be connected to me in such a profound way.

  I doubt these xeno losers will st long against us. Our true enemy has changed to those Varnid assholes. I’ve already told every infected to inform me of any Primordials. I need to take them down swiftly. Without their aid, the Varnids aren’t as dangerous. My generals and strong infected will be able to clean up the higher tier insects.

  I looked around once more, failing to spot the sisters. I don’t know where Lily is, but Alice’s location was with her psychic squad. She’s trying to band their power together to form a wormhole stable enough for the fleet to pass through. Once she’s done, we’ll suddenly appear in the middle of their strongest fleet. Such an ambush should wipe them out.

  The entire Leviathan shook greatly and let out a little groan. Seems we’ve arrived. All the infected became eager and ready for a sughter, but didn’t move. Waiting for my order. I could’ve given some amazing speech about war, chaos, bh, bh. They don’t need any of that shit.

  “Kill them.”

  In response to a heart pounding speech like that, every infected roared loudly. At the same time, I sent a mental order to all the cultists and mimics. Thousands of pnets at once will suddenly have infected on them, crippling the Alliance for one simple reason. Some of those worlds were vital for their continued existence. Agricultural Worlds, Forge Worlds, Tech Pnets. Losing them means they’re already dead. They just don’t know it yet.

  As we exited the Leviathan and into the chaotic battlefield, I wondered if we could’ve won without the Varnids taking the attention. Only took a single moment to realize we’d had been fucked from the beginning. We were too weak. But not anymore. Now, we were a real Gactic threat. Maybe even a Universal one.

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  The Prophet of Knowledge sat at a circur table with his fellow Maer. Everyone here was at the absolute peak of the government. Or the CEO of the most influential companies. They all sat there in silence, watching the floating screen in the middle of the table. It showed a newscaster talking about the war effort.

  Just a few moments ago, thousands of worlds began reporting infected. All across their territory at once. Both Mimics and cultists had orchestrated this terror attack, threatening to cripple them if not handled sooner. If it was only this mess, they could’ve cleaned it up.

  But at the same time, a massive armada of infected appeared in the Jaica System. The defending fleet stationed there said their numbers came in at over two million, including Yaka’s forces and the two fleets they sent previously. If it was before the war with the Varnids, they’d easily clean up this force.

  However, now they were on their st legs, barely able to defend against the countless Swarms battering their defenses. The Extermination Fleets they had been so proud of, were badly damaged and needed repairs. The economy was crashing. Riots and civil unrest everywhere. Soldiers deserting the battlefields in fear.

  The Prophet sighed and leaned back into his chair. He began wondering if this was it. If their thousands of years of history were about to end.

  “Prophet.” A voice called to him, one he recognized immediately. His trusted aid of well over two decades. Knew each other since they were children.

  It was also him, along with some others, who called this meeting. To come up with a pn to push back the enemies.

  “What is it, Malrin? More bad news?” A sigh came from behind him. The emotions within that single sigh already told him everything he needed to know.

  “Afraid so.” Strange. Why did he hear his Elite Omega move? Did someone-

  A mountain of pain came from his chest, forcing his vision downwards. A rge cwed hand was protruding out of his skin, and he was lifted into the air. Screams erupted from his fellow Maer as a few changed into horrid creatures. Mimics, but different. More advanced and evolved. They started ripping the others apart like their flesh were made of paper.

  The Prophet could see the Elite Omega in the room try to fight back, but were powerless to reverse the situation. Mind clouding with agony, he struggled to turn his head. There he saw Malrin’s face twisted into a terrifying grin as he backhanded his bodyguards, sending them flying backwards with dents in their metallic bodies.

  He couldn’t believe it. When had his trusted aid and friend been repced? Days? Weeks? …Months even?

  “Finally, I don’t have to py this insufferable role any longer.” Malrin’s face shifted into the Alpha Mimic's preferred one. And in a single go, he tore the Prophet in half, sending blood and guts flying everywhere.

  Meanwhile, the other higher ups had all been killed off. Now only the Elite Omega remained, but they’d be cleaned up swiftly. With this one attack, the commanding presence of the Alliance had vanished in a single afternoon. The Alpha Mimics wasted no time in spreading this information through videos and pictures, sending a wave of true despair across the entire gaxy.