Intergalactic conquest with an AI

Without hesitation, Rex removed the last of his clothing, his gaze locked on Cleo. Her eyes widened, a mix of curiosity and apprehension flickering across her face.

This was new, uncharted territory for someone who had lived lifetimes but had never experienced the depths of physical connection in this way.

Though her people once engaged in such intimacy, it had become a forgotten practice, leaving her both intrigued and captivated by the forbidden nature of it all.

"R-Rex... wait, I..."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Cleo's voice faltered, uncertain. She tried to express her hesitation, but before the words could form fully, she felt the warmth of his touch and the closeness of his presence.

A soft gasp escaped her lips as she instinctively gripped the sheets beneath her, her body responding to sensations unfamiliar and overwhelming.

"What... is this?"

she whispered breathlessly, her voice trembling with wonder. The unfamiliarity of it stirred something deep within her, a sensation both strange and magnetic.

Rex's eyes softened as he watched her, noting every subtle shift in her expression—the way her brow furrowed slightly, the way her lips parted in surprise. Gently, his hands found her waist, steadying her as they navigated this moment together.

She was stunning in her vulnerability, her purity shining through even as she surrendered to something unknown. The contrast of her innocence ignited something primal within Rex—a desire to protect, to cherish, and to guide her through this experience.

Slowly, he moved closer, each action deliberate, each touch measured. He could feel her body tense, then gradually relax as she acclimated to the sensations washing over her. Their connection deepened, and the rhythm between them became a silent conversation, one of trust, discovery, and unspoken desire.

Cleo's breaths came in soft, uneven waves, her hands reaching out to steady herself, though she was unsure if she sought to hold on or to ground herself in the reality of this moment.

"Is it... always like this?"

She murmured, her voice barely audible, as if afraid the question itself might break the spell surrounding them.

Rex responded with quiet intensity, his movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring every second. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her temple in a gesture of reassurance.

"It's different... because it's us,"

he whispered softly, his words carrying a weight of sincerity.

Cleo's heart raced at his response, the vulnerability of the moment weaving them closer together. As their connection grew more profound, she felt a warmth blooming within her—a sensation that spread from the core of her being outward, enveloping them both in its glow.

Each moment felt infinite yet fleeting as they explored this new dimension of their bond. Time seemed to blur, the world outside fading into irrelevance. There was only this—their shared vulnerability, their growing intimacy, and the quiet, powerful connection that bound them together.

When the intensity of the moment reached its peak, Cleo's fingers tightened around his, her breath catching in her throat as a wave of warmth coursed through her. She exhaled slowly, her body trembling with the aftershocks of their shared experience.

Rex held her close, their foreheads touching as they remained entwined, savoring the lingering intimacy.

"It's... so warm,"

Cleo whispered softly, a hint of wonder still in her voice, as if she were discovering something precious and rare for the very first time.

Rex smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "

It's you,

" he said quietly, the words carrying a depth of meaning that neither of them had fully understood before now.

In that instant, the world outside ceased to matter. There was only this... their shared discovery, their bodies and souls intertwined, exploring a depth neither of them had ever known before.

Once it was over, Rex remained on top of Cleo, both of them breathing heavily, their eyes locked in a lingering gaze. Unable to resist, he kissed her again, soft, slow, and deep.

Their lips eventually parted, leaving them both flushed and silent. Rex rested his head on Cleo's chest, which was slick with sweat, and closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of her body with their connection still intact.

"So... did you, well, you know, like it?"

Rex murmured, his voice quiet, almost hesitant, as he nestled closer.

Cleo didn't respond with words. Instead, she wrapped one arm around his head, pulling him in tighter, while the other hand gently combed through his hair.

For reasons she couldn't fully explain, after everything they had just shared, all she wanted was to hold him. The warmth, the closeness... it was enough. Words felt unnecessary.

An hour passed, maybe more. They had cleaned up and now lay together in bed. It was different tonight. Instead of retreating to their usual sides, they found themselves in the center, wrapped around each other.

Cleo lay sprawled on top of him, skin against skin, her head resting on his chest. Rex had one arm around her waist, the other tucked behind his head as he stared at the ceiling in thoughtful silence. The room felt still, heavy with unspoken emotions, until he finally broke it.

"So... I've been thinking,"

Rex said softly, running his fingers gently through her hair.

"Everything we've been through, it's been wild, right?

"

Cleo tilted her head slightly, her voice softer than usual, almost tender.

"What do you mean?"

Rex let out a breath, as if gathering his thoughts.

"A few years ago, I was just a slave. Then I became a corporate worker, an office worker slave. Not much of an upgrade if you think about it. But then they shipped me off with the bald guy to that desert planet. And... that's where I met you. And Ys."

Cleo's lips curled into a small smile as memories surfaced.

"Yes, you were half dead when we found you."

"Ha. Yeah, I was pretty messed up,"

Rex admitted with a chuckle, though the memory still sent a shiver through him.

"I thought I was done for. Honestly, I was sure I was about to die, or maybe I did, in a way. But that's not the point."

He paused, his hand resting lightly on her back.

"What I really want to know is... why? Why did you choose me?"

His voice grew quieter, as if he'd been holding onto that question since the day they fled the unforgiving sands of the desert planet.

"Well… at first, the plan was for me to take over your body once you died, in exchange for a painless death,"

Cleo began, her voice trembling slightly as she avoided Rex's gaze.

"But you refused me. And since you were the only compatible body I had found in hundreds of years..."

Her arms tightened around him as she continued.

"I wasn't going to let you go, no matter what. I didn't want to stay in the dark any longer, waiting for my energy to fade and for me to stop existing altogether. So... all I can say is that you're my savior."

Rex blinked in surprise before breaking into a soft smile. He placed a comforting hand on her head, ruffling her hair gently.

"Well, I could say the same to you, Cleo. You saved me too, you know? If it weren't for you, I'd be dead. So I guess that makes us even."

He paused, his expression turning thoughtful as he shifted the conversation.

"Oh, right. That reminds me, have I told you about the weird dream I had? I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out first."

Cleo tilted her head curiously, her golden eyes locking onto his.

"A dream? Go on."

Rex nodded and began recounting the details of what he had experienced. He told her about the strange, vivid encounter with the lady in white who claimed to be his mother, how she spoke of the twins being in danger, and how it all felt far too real to be just a dream.

Cleo listened intently, her brow furrowing as she processed his words. Once he was finished, she crossed her arms, her mind already racing with possibilities.

"Mmm... there are indeed many races with powerful mental abilities.

"

she said while summoning a series of glowing holo-screens with a flick of her wrist. The screens floated in the air, displaying various alien species, each with unique traits and abilities.

"But,

" Cleo continued, scrolling through the data, "

I don't have any record of a race strong enough to create an entirely fictional world to communicate with someone. That kind of psychic feat would require a staggering amount of mental energy on the scale of a small star."

Rex leaned closer to the holo-screens, his eyes widening slightly as he scanned the alien races displayed before him. He was amazed by the sheer variety of creatures, some with shimmering, crystalline forms, others with glowing eyes and flowing, ethereal bodies.

It was a visual feast, even for someone like Rex, who had grown up on a bustling commercial planet where countless alien species came to trade.

"You're telling me no one fits the bill? Not a single one of these guys could pull it off?" Rex asked, gesturing to the screens with a hint of disbelief.

Cleo shook her head.

"None of these species match the description of the lady in white from your dream. And even if one of them could manipulate mental energy at that scale, there's another problem..."

Rex raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of problem?"

"Your astral image,"

She brought up another screen, showing a glowing humanoid outline with faint energy radiating from it.

"Your astral image is what your soul truly looks like. It's the essence of your being. Even the most powerful psychic can't manipulate or change that, it's an immutable part of who you are."

Rex leaned back, his hand rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Huh. Never thought about that before. I've never really paid attention to what my astral form looks like. Can you see it?"

Cleo hesitated for a moment, her expression faltering slightly. "

Negative,

" she said finally.

"While my race does possess strong mental powers, we aren't capable of perceiving astral images. But there is someone you could ask..."

Rex noticed the hesitation in her voice and tilted his head, a smirk creeping onto his face.

"Oh? And who's that?"

Cleo glanced away, clearly reluctant to answer. She fidgeted slightly, her golden eyes darting back to Rex before she spoke.

Experience new tales on empire

"...Ys."