Family system-Chapter 246: The Birth of a Cosmic Empire

Lysara – Chief diplomat, ensuring that all territories under Aetheria's control remained loyal and stable.

Each member of the Council had absolute authority within their domain, with Jack as the ultimate ruler overseeing their actions. This decentralized governance allowed efficiency, ensuring that decisions were made swiftly and purposefully.

Aetheria's armies were more than just soldiers—they were a force of nature.

The three main military divisions ensured that no enemy could ever rise again.

A professional, standing army millions strong, trained in conventional warfare and divine combat.

Each soldier was enhanced with divine blessings, making them stronger, faster, and more durable than any normal warrior.

They maintained order and security across Aetheria's cities, ensuring peace and prosperity remained untouched.

A specialized strike force designed for rapid invasion and shock warfare.

They handled border disputes, insurgencies, and external threats, ensuring Aetheria's enemies never had time to regroup.

Their brutality was legendary—when the Hand of Kali arrived, entire nations fell in days.

Operated in the shadows, eliminating threats before they could manifest.

Responsible for espionage, counter-intelligence, and controlling potential rebellions.

Ensured no betrayal could ever form within the empire.

Aetheria's military was not just powerful—it was unstoppable.

Under Ela's guidance, Aetheria's economy became the richest and most advanced in history.

The foundation of this economic system was built on three pillars:

Controlled every major trade route, ensuring that all commerce flowed through Aetheria.

Specialized in mana-infused technology, enchanted materials, and divine artifacts.

The merchant class flourished under direct imperial oversight, ensuring no single trader could become too powerful.

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A centralized banking system that held and managed the wealth of nations.

Allowed nobility, traders, and citizens to invest, borrow, and grow their fortunes under Aetheria's economic laws.

Introduced a single currency, stabilizing the economy across the entire empire.

Investment in research, magic, and technology allowed for continuous progress.

Entire cities were powered by divine energy, eliminating scarcity and inefficiency.

Innovation was encouraged, ensuring that Aetheria never stagnated.

The Faithful Order, led by Amaterasu, ensured that Aetheria's citizens worshiped one god—Jack.

The temples of the old gods had been converted or repurposed, each one now a center of enlightenment, prosperity, and devotion.

New religious doctrines were established, teaching that Jack was the pinnacle of divine strength, wisdom, and ambition.

Festivals and grand ceremonies were held across the empire, celebrating the unification of the world under Aetheria.

The Faithful Order trained priestesses, healers, and scholars, ensuring that Aetheria's culture remained strong and unshakable.

With faith, the people found purpose, unity, and devotion.

With total dominion over the world, Jack set his sights beyond the present.

Entire research divisions were created, exploring the mysteries of magic, the abyss, and the divine.

Mana-infused architecture made cities larger, stronger, and more advanced.

Alchemy and medicine flourished, leading to longer lifespans and near-perfect health for the people.

New weapons and magical constructs were developed, ensuring that Aetheria remained centuries ahead of any future threats.

Progress never stopped.

For all his power, Jack knew one truth—

There was more beyond this world.

Aetheria was not the end goal. It was the foundation.

Jack stood at the highest tower of his citadel, overlooking his empire.

Everything he had built was unchallenged, unbreakable, absolute.

And yet, he wanted more.

He had heard whispers of realms beyond this one, of gods who resided beyond mortal reach.

He turned to his most loyal companions—Amaterasu, Kali, Selene, Ela, and the others.

"We rule this world. But I do not intend to stop here."

Their eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Aetheria's Golden Age had begun.

But the real conquest had yet to start.

Jack's empire was ready.

It was time to look beyond the stars.

The vast expanse of the cosmos stretched before Aetheria, filled with countless realms locked in eternal conflict. Minor deities, fallen gods, warlords, and chaotic empires fought endlessly for territory, resources, and influence. There was no single ruler, no divine law, only raw, untamed chaos.

Jack had chosen this universe precisely because of this. It was the perfect proving ground.

And now, Aetheria was ready to step beyond its world and into the stars.

Jack's first decision was not to attack but to observe. If there was one thing he had learned from conquering Aetheria's continents, it was that information was the most potent weapon. Before waging war on these celestial rulers, he needed to understand their weaknesses, strengths, and ambitions. Thus, the first move was made—exploration and intelligence gathering.

To navigate the chaotic universe, Jack commissioned the creation of the Expansion Fleet, a division of Aetheria's military dedicated solely to cosmic exploration and conquest. Each ship was not just a vessel but a fortress of divine power, fueled by mana cores, reinforced with abyssal materials, and guided by technology and magic. The first fleet consisted of three primary vessels. The Dominion's Reach, a massive command vessel, served as the primary base of operations. The Eclipse Hunters, a sleek, high-speed reconnaissance ship, were designed for stealth and data collection. The Titan's Wrath, a frontline warship, carried an elite strike force should combat be necessary.

With the fleet prepared, Jack ordered to go, learn, and return. And so, the first envoys of Aetheria set sail across the cosmic tides.

The universe beyond Aetheria's homeworld was in turmoil. The first scouts returned with staggering reports. Empires were locked in endless wars, each trying to carve out their dominion. Alliances were fragile, betrayals were constant, and stability was nonexistent. Ruins of once-great celestial cities drifted through the void, remnants of past empires that had risen and fallen in an endless cycle. There were also forbidden zones, pockets of reality where the laws of existence warped, creating realms of pure chaos that swallowed entire fleets without warning.

But more importantly, there were no absolute rulers. No single being controlled more than a fraction of the cosmos. This was exactly what Jack had hoped for. A universe ripe for conquest.

One of the first realms encountered was the Dominion of Zarakis, a territory ruled by a self-proclaimed god-emperor, Zarakis the Undying. Once a lesser god of conquest, cast out from a higher pantheon, he had gathered warriors, mercenaries, and fallen champions, carving out a small empire in the void. His domain consisted of three primary worlds. Dravok was the world's capital, a fortress city covered in war banners and divine sigils. Vakros was a world-sized forge where weapons infused with celestial power were crafted. Ithrak was a prison world where his enemies were broken and enslaved.

Jack's envoys, led by Lysara, attempted diplomatic contact. Zarakis's response was nothing but laughter. "You serve a pretender. Your so-called empire is nothing but a dream. Leave before I send your corpses back as a message."

Jack smiled when he heard the report. He had expected arrogance. And he welcomed it.

Jack did not send an army. Instead, he sent Selene and a small strike force of elite operatives. Their mission was simple: sabotage Vakros, cripple Zarakis's weapon production, and send a message.

What followed was a masterpiece of destruction. Aetherian infiltrators bypassed the planetary defenses, using shadow magic and divine cloaking to pass enemy patrols. They poisoned the forges, corrupting the celestial energy and making all weapons brittle and useless. They detonated the primary energy core, causing a planetary blackout that crippled Vakros's ability to supply the war effort. Within a single night, Vakros was rendered useless.

When Zarakis learned of the attack, he raged. He gathered his forces, preparing for war against Aetheria. Jack was waiting.

Zarakis, believing himself unstoppable, launched his counterattack directly at Aetheria's cosmic fleet. Jack allowed him to make the first move.

As the battle commenced, Aetheria's forces demonstrated superiority in every way. Selene predicted every move before it was made, cutting off enemy supply lines. Amaterasu and Kali personally descended onto the battlefield, their very presence shattering Zarakis's champions. At the peak of the battle, Jack himself unleashed his new abyssal abilities, corrupting Zarakis's forces from within, turning them into mindless husks under his control.

The war ended before it began.

Zarakis begged for mercy.

Jack gave him none.

Zarakis was stripped of his divinity, his body shattered, and his essence absorbed into Aetheria's growing cosmic might. Dravok fell. Aetheria had won its first battle in the cosmic frontier.

Word spread quickly.

Aetheria, a force that had once been unknown, had destroyed a god-emperor and claimed his entire dominion. Other celestial rulers watched in silence. Some saw an opportunity to ally. Others saw a threat that must be eliminated. But they all now understood one thing—Jack was not like the others.

He was not content to rule a world.

He was coming for the entire universe.

And there was nothing they could do to stop him.