The Lonely God

It was a one in a billion chance. With each anomaly found, the probability is exponentiated. The possibility that the radiation from the explosion would alter the genetic code of a human being to such a level of precision, with just the right permutation to create... meta humans is beyond unfathomable. Yet in this eve, we may just caused an evolutionary leap for mankind, gentlemen.

- Doctor Youssef Rawling, Ph.D in Nuclear Physics

Prologue

It is the year 2032. With the evolution of artificial intelligence, the world had shifted into an age of data. Everyday tasks were automated by computer processes. Computer science was paired hand in hand with society. Improving mankind.

And with the rise of artificial intelligence, the use of automation and machine learning had enabled multiple frontiers in science and engineering to be unlocked. Cutting edge technology had become more and more prevalent. And soon, governments from all around the globe raced to represent the country to discover the next ground breaking medicine, technology, physical phenomena...

and weapon.

"General Routh." Lieutenant Baker solemnly took off his hat.

"Our Orion Squadron has... been eliminated."

Routh slowly placed the papers he was holding in his hand on the glass surface of the desk. The congress was silent, as the sounds of gunshots peppering the air could be heard from the communication device, echoing in the enclosed bunker.

"Lieutenant Baker, state cause of elimination."

Baker closed his eyes.

"It was them. The high powered mortars of the Vaticus. The Orion stood no chance, sir."

SLAM.

"How many more lives will it take, General?" An officer took to his feet, indignation finally breaking through his objective mask.

"Young men and women are on the front, fighting for their lives. Fighting those... those Torvi bastards. Ameradans. Canareians. Our brothers and sisters across the border. At this point, we are deploying our next generation to their deaths. While we, the Ameradan Military Leaders, cower behind steel walls!"

"You will speak to your superior with respect, Lieutenant Voorhes." A woman cut Voorhes off, her cold glare causing great discomfort to ripple across the congress.

"No, General Livia. He is right." Routh muttered.

Livia was silent, slowly taking her seat.

Routh knew what Ameradan, the nation he had been called to serve, was doing. He knew his soldiers were being torn apart. But there was nothing they could do.

There was nothing the United Nations could do against Torvus now.

While Ameradan and Canaria had taken full advantage of the advancement of artificial intelligence to greatly expand their technological empire, it had not been enough.

Breakthroughs of research in medicine, science, energy, transportation, greenhouse gas reductions... For a time, it had led to a flourishing economy in both nations.

While it had indirectly benefitted their military might, there was a limit to ethical engineering.

And in the end, ethical engineering would always be eclipsed by unethical engineering.

The philosophy of using AI and machine learning to fully benefit the military might of a nation.

This was the philosophy adopted by the nation of Torvus.

And when Torvus had chosen to finally invade their neighbouring nation, Kronia, a member of the United Nations, they had decided to declare war against the world.

"Hey. Ukko. Is this working?" An adolescent voice suddenly broke the silence of the room, causing a jolt to run down Routh's spine.

"HELLOOOOOO. I know you Ameradans can see this! Don't ignore me!" The voice sung, as the screen suddenly changed.

The face of a young girl smiling illuminated the entire congress, causing a wave of chaos to ripple amongst the members.

"What the hell is this? River, have we been breached?"

River furiously mashed the buttons on his computer, but to no avail, as the girl continued singing, moving and tilting the camera angle in an unorthodox manner.

Routh clenched his fist. Despite the chaos ensuing in the consensus, his mind was fixed solely on the maniacal eyes of the girl who had taken over the assembly.

Her short blonde hair dancing in the wind, the bodies of the numerous soldiers who were disembowelled behind her. Their blood, staining her Torvian military uniform. But it was a special uniform.

A uniform assigned only to Torvus' most elite Taskforce.

"Kanna Beckingdale. What do you want." Routh said, as he eyed the girl.

"Awww. General Routh. You're going ahead and calling me by my real name! How embarrassing! Eeee!" Kanna squealed, putting her hands against her cheeks.

"But you know, you really shouldn't be giving me the cold shoulder. After all..."

The phones of the congress suddenly began beeping.

"Dammit. Beckingdale's powers go through even the high density Osmium borders of the Pod?" A voice panicked.

"That bitch!" Another said.

With each voice that filled the air, Kanna's smile continued enlarging.

You don't know when we will strike again. And whenever we strike, we know you cannot stop us. None of you can.

An alert sound erupted all around the room, causing numerous military personnel to attend to them.

"General Routh! Another shelter has been compromised!"

Routh ignored Kanna and ran to the side. Kanna watched the General with a sadistic curiosity.

"General Forger. Report!" Routh said, sternly.

"General Routh... no... Quentin... It's over. We did all we could. But..."

"You have my orders, you have my permission, Forger. Use the atomic cann-"

"I'm sorry, Routh. We... we've already used it. He nullified it all. He..."

RIP.

SCREEEEE.

"Listen to me, Forger. The civilians of Kronia are your first priority, you-"

"Quentin... it's over for us. All those rumours about Atomos. They were true. They were...."

KABOOM.

The screen shifted to the image of a man, who stood before the screaming civilians.

"Soldiers..." Forger muttered, the screen broadcasting Atomos from the General's point of view, shone to the whole congress.

"We will defend the people of Kronia with our lives. Hold off Atomos with your lives. A soldier serves their country. But today, we will serve Kronia. Because Kronia is our comrade."

Frustration surged through Routh's body, as he watched Quentin Forger, his best friend from since the first day the two enlisted in the US military, to the day the both of them were promoted to generals, was slaughtered live.

Knowing full well there was nothing they could do.

Against the might of Torvus' elite.

The Obsidian.

Atomos, a direct result of Torvus' military research, was a Torvi soldier who had willingly participated in numerous genetic mutations through AI, and possessed the power to generate tremendous amounts of energy by seemingly initiating atomic bond breaking and formation in his body. Doing so allowed him to not only release energy, but manipulate it.

From previous reports, it was Atomos who had destroyed half of Amerada's aerial fleet, there was not a single military missile that could defeat him. And with Kanna Beckingdale's technomancy, thee two were seen frequently together.

And whenever a member of the Obsidian appeared, the world was subject to their mercy.

This war...

Would always be a war destined for Torvus to win.