In the depths of the universe
A silent, lifeless star drifted alone through the void, wrapped entirely in ice. From a distance, it looked like a colossal sculpture carved from frozen crystal, lying suspended in space.
This was a world locked in ice.
Long ago, the star at the heart of its solar system had burned out, marking the end of its life. Without its sun, the planet lost all light and warmth, plunging into an endless ice age.
And yet, against all reason, there were still traces of civilization here.
It was unthinkable.
"Where on earth have I ended up? Is this even Earth anymore?"
Inside a shelter, Ren rubbed his palms together, breathing warmth into them in a desperate attempt to drive away the cold.
The idea of transmigration being transported into another world was something he used to think existed only in fantasy novels.
But now, perhaps, it had truly happened to him. And not just the usual kind either this was a full physical transmigration.
He had once been an overworked office drone in the twenty-first century, living under the grind of a brutal 996 schedule.
Then came the night Earth was showered by an unprecedented meteor storm.
On impulse, he had wished upon one of those meteors, begging for an end to his suffocating life, dreaming of a chance to change his fate.
And then…
That wish had come true.
He only remembered a flash before his eyes, and the world around him transformed.
The cozy warmth of his apartment vanished. In its place stretched a land of endless snow and biting cold.
Within a few breaths, he felt as though the very blood in his veins would freeze solid.
Fortunately, before he lost consciousness entirely, he dimly glimpsed shadowy figures drawing near, peering curiously at him.
Humans?
But why did they look like something straight out of science fiction?
When he woke again, he was told he had been brought to the so-called Nation of Peace.
The name, he was told, reflected the nature of its people they longed deeply for peace, and so their nation bore that title.
At first, Ren thought he had ended up somewhere near Earth's poles, but after speaking with them, he realized something was very wrong.
How could there be a country in Antarctica?
After further explanations, the truth became clear.
A long time ago, their sun had exploded, plunging their entire world into an ice age.
The average temperature on the surface had fallen to an unimaginable two hundred degrees below zero.
And yet the civilization here had survived. Their technology was so advanced that, by Earth's standards, it could easily be considered a Type IV civilization.
They had the ability to explore deep into space, even beyond their own star system.
Over the centuries, they had done everything possible to ensure their survival, clinging to the belief that their scientists would one day bring back light.
To that end, they had built countless planetary engines across the frozen surface, and at the planet's core, a vast control tower that served as their central hub.
Ren couldn't help thinking the whole thing sounded eerily like a certain sci-fi movie back on Earth.
But unlike in the movie, the people here communicated with him through a device a language translator. Their native tongue was incomprehensible to him.
And in truth, the idea of sending their planet wandering through the galaxy was only one of several proposed solutions.
When their sun exploded, their greatest minds had split into factions.
One group built thousands of engines, hoping to move their world to a new home.
Another group argued for a different path developing a permanent energy source capable of sustaining their planet's ecosystem indefinitely.
The trauma of losing their sun had left them unwilling to trust another. What if the next one exploded too? Better, they reasoned, to change their way of survival altogether.
This second plan gained wide acceptance.
Ren rubbed his temples, groaning. "Am I ever going to get back?"
He was starting to miss even the grind of office life.
He knew now that he wasn't on Earth. He wasn't one of them he was just a fragile Earthling.
The climate here alone was enough to kill him.
Even worse, this planet's gravity was several times stronger than Earth's. Every step was crushing.
That he hadn't died on the spot was already a miracle.
But the truth was, his survival had only been possible thanks to their technology.
He had awoken in a nutrient chamber, barely clinging to life. A few seconds later, and it would have been too late.
Even now, without the adjustable gravity system in this shelter, his organs might have collapsed under the strain.
Once, he had asked if they could return him to Earth.
But the answer had been a firm no. They explained that the entire universe was in turmoil, engulfed in a war of invasion. Their own world lay at the very center of that storm.
Which meant they were at risk of being targeted by the brutal legions of an interstellar empire.
"Wait… did you say Andros Super Warriors?"
"Yes, the ones fighting against the Empire. That's what they're called, isn't it?"
Ren frowned. The name sounded… oddly familiar.
He almost remembered something, but the thought slipped away.
"Success! Our scientists have done it!"
"Wonderful!"
"Is it true? Have we finally broken free of this eternal night? Will we see light again?"
Cheers erupted outside, catching Ren's attention. Curious, he leaned toward the window and activated the shelter's communicator, calling the only person he knew here.
"Brother Tars, what's going on? Why does it sound like everyone's celebrating?"
In this strange place, even the smallest change set his nerves on edge.
Tars, the man assigned to guide him, answered with barely contained excitement. "Ren, it's incredible! Our scientists have succeeded we can finally break the curse of darkness!"
"For generations, through centuries of effort, they've developed an artificial sun powered by infinite energy!"
"We call it the Plasma Spark. Its light will drive away the shadows once and for all!"
"After so long, light will finally return to us!"
Ren froze, his expression tightening.
Wait.
No. Something about this wasn't just familiar it was infamous.
Plasma Spark?
This wasn't coincidence. This was a name known far and wide.
Before he could gather his thoughts, Tars continued urgently:
"One more thing, Ren. You must be careful. Your genetic makeup is far too… primitive. Exposure to this light might come too soon for you."
Ren's heart skipped. "What happens if—"
But before he could finish, a blinding, searing white light erupted from the horizon.