The gentle hum of the spacecraft vibrated through the air as Ezra reclined in his quarters, his communicator glowing faintly on the desk before him.

His fingers hovered over the sleek surface, the endless potential of the information at his fingertips both enticing and overwhelming.

"Crux Nebula" he murmurs under his breath.

The name had been mentioned in passing during his training and again by Aren and Thalrok before their departure.

Yet, despite its significance, Ezra realized how little he truly understood about the place he was headed.

Opening his communicator, he began to sift through the available data.

The interface responded smoothly to his touch, displaying images, videos, and text at his command.

The first thing he goes through is the brief history.

For one, the Crux Nebula is called the center of the universe not because of research or discovery but rather because the universal civilizations designated it as such right at the start of their rule.

As he read, the intricate web of power that governed the universe began to take shape.

The Crux Nebula, he learned, was established millennia ago by the Five Universal Civilizations.

> "The Bloodbourne Vampires, Energite Dragons, Dreamers, Gold Titans and Automatons"

Ezra mouthed the names silently, feeling the weight of their legacy.

Each civilization held sway over vast territories, their influence stretching across the entire universe.

Together, they had created the Crux Nebula as a neutral ground, a place where diplomacy and competition coexisted in precarious balance.

To this end, they declared the Crux Nebula a place where all could gather to share knowledge and resources so each race could better one another and would also form a joint front in the case of enemy invasion.

Afterwards, they issued an invitation to all main races to establish a branch clan within the star field in light of this to facilitate development.

’Invitation?’ Ezra felt the term to be suspicious. ’More like threatened, probably’

Fast forward to today, and the Crux Nebula had become extraordinarily boisterous, being a sprawling vibrant, chaotic hub where countless species, cultures, and civilizations converged.

It teems with the largest concentration of activity and perhaps the second largest concentration of life in the known universe.

All this by default, basically made it the capital of the known universe, rather than the vanguard it was originally purposed for.

As Ezra read, the information unfolded like a map in his mind:

The Crux Nebula wasn’t just a location—it was the location.

A vast expanse of interconnected star systems, each teeming with planets, cities, and colonies.

At its heart lay colossal megastructures that serve as its administrative epicenter—the core.

This place also hosts the headquarters of certain universe renowned organizations such as the Arcane Order, a universal organization meant to promote cooperation and exchange amongst mages together

Following this, you have the Mind Consortium, an organization mirroring the Arcane Order, but for Psychics and then the Ironblood Legion for Gladiators.

While Ezra had brief glimpses of such organizations whilst learning about the universe, he knew nothing of their inside workings.

But from all this section of information, Ezra could decipher certain things with his insight.

Bustling with so much activity meant it would be extremely volatile with affairs constantly changing.

Moreover, in the grand scheme of things, physical might and political power would probably be highly valued, perhaps wealth as well.

But Ezra imagined wealth would be to a much lesser degree of importance since the echelon of the star field would all probably be tycoons.

Whatever the case, Ezra doesn’t discard the fact that he could be wrong.

But it was clear that whatever actions taken by the clans and corporations, either alliances and rivalries would cause ripples that inevitably affect the power dynamics and political landscape of the rest of the universe.

Ezra leans back, his gaze drifting to the ceiling.

"So this is where it all happens" he thought.

A mix of anticipation, unease yet simultaneously exhilaration and delight coils in his chest.

He then frowns, realizing he needs a clearer picture of the dynamics at play.

’Zydrax’ Ezra calls.

A few seconds later...

[You called?]

’Yes’ Ezra nods, gesturing to the communicator. "I’m trying to get a better grasp of the Crux Nebula and I feel you would have a better understanding of it than most"

[...What would you like to know?]

"The official accounts make it sound like a utopia, what is it actually like?"

A low chuckle echoed through Ezra’s mind.

[Perceptive as ever. No, it does not. The Crux Nebula is no utopia. It is a stage—a grand arena where the powerful pit themselves against one another under the guise of unity. Shall I elaborate?]

"Please do" Ezra responds, leaning forward.

[The Crux Nebula as we know it today was indeed founded by the five universal civilizations] Zydrax began, his tone measured.

[But their reasons were far from noble. They claimed to create a ’joint front,’ a place where all species and clans could coexist and thrive.

In truth, they sought to consolidate their power by concentrating the strongest forces in one place. A contained fire, if you will]

Ezra frowned. "Why would they want that? Wouldn’t it be better to keep the clans and civilizations scattered, less likely to unite against them?"

[That is why the Crux Nebula exists as it does today] Zydrax replies.

He continues.

[By bringing the most powerful and ambitious clans together, they create an environment of endless competition.

These clans vie for resources, influence, and recognition, but in doing so, they also inevitably weaken one another.

They expend their strength against one another rather than turning their gaze upward at the true rulers of the universe]

The implications settled heavily in Ezra’s chest. "So it’s a controlled battleground, I see. They’ve turned ambition into a weapon against itself"

[Precisely] Zydrax said, his tone sharp.

[The universal civilizations maintain their dominance not through brute force alone, but also through strategic manipulation.

They have laid down a system so intricate that even the most ambitious clans are quickly ensnared within its web without realizing it]

Ezra sat back, frowning, his mind racing. "A system? You mean the Crux Nebula itself?"

[Yes and no] Zydrax replied. [The Crux Nebula is merely the stage, but the true mechanism lies in the rules that govern it.

The universal civilizations established a hierarchy—laws, traditions, and unspoken codes that force everyone to play their game.

These systems dictate access to resources, control over territories, and even the recognition of power]

"And the clans?" Ezra asked. "Where do they fit into all of this?"

Zydrax’s voice deepened.

[The clans are both players and pawns in this intricate game.

Those with power and influence carve out their territories, vying for dominance within the nebula.

The most promising clans are given just enough room to grow, but never enough to threaten the balance of power]

Ezra leaned forward, intrigued. "How does that work? If the clans are powerful, shouldn’t they be able to break free?"

[In theory, yes] Zydrax acknowledged.

[But the universal civilizations have ensured that no single clan or faction can gain enough strength to challenge them directly.

They seed competition among the clans, foster rivalries, and create incentives for conflict.

Resources are distributed unevenly, forcing the clans to fight each other while they keep on smoothly progressing]

Ezra’s lips part to reveal an evil smile "Using the clans like farming tools to maintain control while keeping them too weak to rebel. How despicable"

But his smile only widened.

[An apt analogy. You seem confident?]

"Confident...?" Ezra’s voice trails off. "No...I don’t think that’s what this is"

The Crux Nebula wasn’t just a place of opportunity—it was a battlefield, one where survival meant navigating a labyrinth of alliances, betrayals, and power plays.

"It’s just...the truth is always comforting to me"

His smile widens into a full grin, radiating exhilaration with a tinge of madness in his eyes.

[Good. But there’s still more to be said]

To this, Ezra’s eyes perk up, his full attention engaged.

[At the time when the Star field’s position was finalized, the Astral Sea had not become a known phenomenon] Zydrax points out.

[In fact, it was chosen as the center of the universe primarily because it hosted the largest portion of battles fought during the Supremacy War, much more than anywhere else]

[Meaning, it held an extraordinarily large amount of ownerless treasure and artifacts from that time, all ripe for the taking to whoever is able to find it. This was the bait the universal civilizations laid to lure in the other civilizations]

Ezra’s gaze deepens with realization.

[The moment a few clans agreed, the others were forced to follow in their footsteps if they didn’t want to fall behind as a result. I hope that answers some of your questions]

Ezra nods in slow motion.

[The Crux Nebula offers opportunities found nowhere else in the universe—not even in the territory of the universal civilizations]

’Hmmm’

[Knowledge, Power and fame—all can be yours if you are willing to risk everything to gain unparalleled rewards. In the face of such possibilities—how many can actually resist?]

*Gulp*

[This is the genius of the system they have designed.

The Crux Nebula is a furnace intended to burn away their competition and it is carefully maintained by the universal civilizations through agents embedded everywhere—spies, informants, enforcers.

They monitor potential alliances and dismantle them before they become threats.

Moreover, the competition within the Nebula ensures that no one trusts anyone else.

Unity is a distant dream, crushed under the weight of ambition and self-interest]

"How...scary..." Ezra realizes his palms have become sweaty.

[But regardless, when did things ever go according to plan?] Zydrax questions, leading him on to the next point.

[Things did go smoothly for a while, with the clans killing and feuding with each other in an ,endless perpetuity, that is, until the Astral Sea came about to shake things up]

[With its appearance, the clans were forced to gather their power as one, a joint effort to fulfill their role as a vanguard as protection against the invading Astral Beasts]

[Inadvertently, this led to the rise of unforeseen alliances—fractured, tentative, but alliances nonetheless.

The clans, once consumed by their individual ambitions, found themselves forced to cooperate in the face of a threat that could not be defeated alone, and slowly but surely, as they shed blood together in battle, they began to find one another much more tolerable]

[Worse, the valuable materials scavenged from the body of the Astral Beasts was used to strengthen themselves, rising the strength of each clan qualitatively]

"How did the universal civilizations respond to this?" Ezra asked, his voice curious.

[Ah, an excellent question] Zydrax said, a faint trace of amusement in his tone.

[They adapted, of course. They used the Astral Sea as a means to reinforce their rule.

To do this, they provided opportunities to the clans battling the Astral Beasts, ensuring their role as indispensable benefactors.

And they did this by opening a pathway to admit outstanding individuals into their ranks right after the Astral War ended—the first of its kind—claiming it to be a reward for those of the highest valour.

A mouth watering opportunity to those who are clueless while simultaneously a vicious move to openly siphon the strength of these clans.

In doing so, they tightened their grip on the Nebula, presenting themselves as the capable overlords they were] Zydrax pauses. [But this move only partially worked as logic rarely governs the actions of those driven by ambition]

[The clans in retaliation to this, banded together to hunt Astral Beasts Astral Beasts serve as both a threat and an opportunity.

Clans began using them to test their warriors, as a source of harvesting rare materials and to claim glory for themselves, basically outsourcing a means of competition where the clans wouldn’t have to shed each other’s blood as they did before.

Literally and figuratively, the beasts thus became a stepping stone to greatness, no longer a reason for unity, giving the clans a much better way to resist the universal civilizations—and that mindset was passed down to our current time]

"Exemplary..." Ezra mutters, his entire view has morphed, but something is bugging him.

"Are you an historian?"

[I’m a mage, so of course I read a lot of books]

"I see"