Intergalactic conquest with an AI

The doorkeepers were unlike anything Rex had encountered before. They stood at nearly 15 meters tall, their grotesque, insectoid frames covered in thick, gleaming black exoskeletons that radiated a faint green glow through jagged cracks.

Their six limbs were built for destruction; two massive arms wielded long, spear-like weapons that pulsed with an ominous energy, while their lower limbs looked like they could crush steel beams with ease.

Each of their heads was adorned with massive, curved horns, and their glowing, predatory eyes scanned the approaching group with cold precision.

As soon as the champions' group and Rex came within a certain distance of the entrance, the doorkeepers moved.

With deliberate, thunderous steps, they advanced forward, blocking the path. The sound of their heavy limbs meeting the organic ground reverberated through the hangar. They crossed their energy spears in front of the group in one smooth motion, the tips of the weapons humming with dangerous power.

Rex froze in his tracks, his instincts screaming at him to be on high alert. His suit's scanners activated almost instantly, analyzing the immense energy readings emanating from the doorkeepers.

[Scan complete.]

Threat Level: Tier 6 (Peak).

Warning: Individuals detected possess stellar energy manipulation and enhanced organic durability. Combat is not recommended without appropriate support.

Rex's breath hitched slightly. These weren't just guards; they were some of the strongest beings he had ever seen. If he made one wrong move, these doorkeepers could end him before he even had time to react.

The champions accompanying Rex stopped in unison, their movements calm and rehearsed, as if this were a routine occurrence for them. One of the Khryssari champions stepped forward, and it was T'Kalthar.

"We are here under the orders of the Hive Queen," T'Kalthar said, his voice firm but respectful as he addressed the towering guards.

The doorkeepers tilted their massive heads slightly, their glowing eyes narrowing as they processed his words. But they didn't move their spears. Instead, one of them spoke, its voice deep and guttural, vibrating through the air like the rumble of an earthquake.

"The human," it growled, its massive, chitinous face turning toward Rex. "Step forward."

Rex stiffened, his muscles tensing. The weight of the Tier 6 creature's gaze felt suffocating, like he was being crushed under an invisible force.

"Well, darling~," Ys said from beside him, her usual playful tone doing little to hide the slight edge of nervousness in her voice. "Looks like they want to have a chat with you."

Rex shot her a sidelong glance, his voice low. "What kind of chat involves two walking tanks blocking my path with spears?"

Ys giggled, though it was clear she was trying to ease the tension. "Don't worry, they just want to assess you! Think of it as a little... test."

"A test?" Rex muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Great. I love tests. They're so much fun."

Still, Rex knew he didn't have much choice. The doorkeepers massive frames loomed over him, their unblinking eyes locked onto his every move. If he hesitated too long or showed any signs of weakness, it might be interpreted as an insult, or worse, a threat.

Taking a deep breath, Rex stepped forward, his boots sinking slightly into the organic floor as he moved past T'Kalthar and the other champions. He could feel their eyes on him, but it was the oppressive gaze of the doorkeepers that made his skin crawl.

As he stood directly in front of the two towering guardians, they lowered their spears slightly, the tips of the weapons humming faintly with energy.

"You," the left-doorkeeper rumbled, its voice resonating through Rex's very bones. "Are you worthy to stand before the Hive Queen?"

Rex tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes narrowing behind his helmet. "I guess that depends on your definition of 'worthy,' doesn't it?" He replied, his tone calm but firm.

The right doorkeeper's mandibles twitched, emitting a faint clicking sound that Rex couldn't interpret. It leaned closer, its massive form casting a shadow over him. "We will decide."

Without warning, both doorkeepers raised their spears high into the air. The energy at the tips flared brightly, and in an instant, a powerful field of energy surrounded Rex, isolating him from the rest of the group.

Rex instinctively reached for his weapon, but before he could act, Ys's voice cut through the tension.

"Relax, darling~!" she called out, still standing behind the champions. "It's just a little pressure test! They want to see if you can handle it. No big deal!"

Rex grated his teeth. "Yeah, easy for you to say. You're not the one trapped in an energy bubble."

The doorkeepers slammed the butts of their spears into the ground, and suddenly, the energy field began to compress. Rex felt an immense pressure slam into his body, like the weight of a collapsing star bearing down on him.

His suit's systems blared warnings in his HUD:

[Warning: Gravitational stress detected.]

Pressure levels are increasing. Structural integrity holding at 92%.]

Rex clenched his fists, his body straining against the pressure. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but he held his ground. The thought of backing down or showing weakness in front of these towering creatures wasn't an option.

The left doorkeeper tilted its head slightly, observing him closely. "Impressive. Most would have already been reduced to pulp."

The right doorkeeper clicked its mandibles again, and the energy field suddenly dissipated. The immense pressure vanished, leaving Rex standing there, breathing heavily but otherwise unharmed.

The left doorkeeper raised its spear and stepped aside, its booming voice echoing through the chamber. "You may proceed."

Rex straightened, his breathing steadying as he walked back toward Ys. She was grinning at him, her eyes sparkling with pride.

"See? Told you it was no big deal!" she said cheerfully, latching onto his arm.

"Yeah, no big deal," Rex muttered sarcastically. "Just casually surviving an attempt to turn me into a pancake."

As they passed through the now-open entrance, Rex glanced back at the doorkeepers. They were watching him intently, their glowing eyes following his every step.

"Those guys are definitely not on my birthday party card list," Rex muttered under his breath, earning a giggle from Ys as they continued deeper into the Queen's chamber.

As soon as Rex stepped inside the Queen's chambers, he immediately understood why the earlier "test" from the doorkeepers had been necessary.

The immense pressure in the room hit him like a tidal wave, a force that made the air feel heavier, the walls seem closer, and every step feel like a battle against gravity itself.

This was a level of energy unlike anything Rex had ever encountered before, an aura of power that seemed to warp the very space around it.

Rex gritted his teeth, his armor straining slightly as he forced himself to move forward. His HUD was blaring multiple warnings in his vision, the words "Extreme gravitational stress detected" flashing across the screen.

"Are you okay, darling?" Ys asked, her usual teasing tone absent as she placed a hand on his arm to steady him. She was kneeling now, clearly accustomed to the weight of her mother's overwhelming presence.

Rex, on the other hand, refused to kneel. His legs trembled slightly, his body straining against the invisible force trying to crush him, but his determination burned brighter than the pain. "Don't worry," he said through clenched teeth, his voice unwavering.

"I'm good. Nothing's going to make me kneel. Not today, not ever, unless I'm dead. Let's just hope I don't die today." Enjoy new tales from empire

She gave him a small, worried smile but said nothing, her admiration for him shining through her expression.

With each agonizing step, Rex forced his legs to move forward. The chamber stretched out before them, impossibly vast and ornate in its alien design. The organic walls shimmered faintly, pulsing with green bioluminescent light that seemed to mimic the rhythm of a heartbeat.

Massive tendrils and spires rose from the floor and ceiling, creating a surreal, cathedral like atmosphere.

After several minutes of walking through the oppressive environment, they finally arrived at what appeared to be the Queen's throne, a massive, elevated platform carved directly from the organic structure of the chamber itself. It was adorned with intricate patterns of glowing green veins, resembling the circulatory system of a living being.

And there she was.

Rex's breath caught in his throat as he laid eyes on the Hive Queen for the first time.

She was a towering figure, nearly 20 meters tall, her body exuding an aura of regal dominance and unparalleled power. Her shimmering, iridescent black exoskeleton reflected the dim light in eerie, shifting patterns, creating an almost hypnotic effect.

Her elongated thorax and abdomen gave her a commanding presence, making her look like a living monument to both beauty and terror.

Her legs, sharp and silver-like, clung to the edges of her throne with elegance and menace. Her wings, though folded neatly behind her, unfolded slightly as she stirred, revealing intricate translucent blue veins that glowed faintly, like the night sky etched onto fragile glass.

Her head was crowned with a massive crest, giving her the appearance of royalty beyond comprehension. Six glowing green eyes stared down at Rex, burning with intelligence, predatory cunning, and an almost supernatural awareness.

Her long, elegant mandibles twitched faintly, a subtle reminder of her raw physical power.

His scanners immediately flashed an alert in his HUD:

[Scan Complete.]

Threat Level: Tier 7 (Peak).

Warning: Run.

Rex's hands clenched slightly, his instincts screaming at him to leave, to run, to escape this overwhelming presence. But he stood his ground, even as every fiber of his being told him he was standing in front of a living god.