First Intergalactic Emperor: Starting With The Ancient Goddess

Dominic Hart stepped through the front door of his sleek, high-security home, the weight of the day’s work still clinging to his shoulders. He first went to his own room, hoping to see his wife sleeping, but the bed was empty. When he called her, the phone rang until it went to voicemail. Typical.

Next, he moved to his son Maximilian’s room to ask him if he knew where his mother went. The door of his room was slightly ajar, and the glow of a VR headset flickered across his face. Maximilian was too engrossed in his game to notice his father, so Dominic didn’t disturb him.

With a sigh, Dominic headed to his bathroom, stripping off his uniform as he turned on the shower. The water hissed to life, steam rising in the cool air.

Just as he was about to step in, his phone buzzed.

Aldric Blackwood.

Dominic answered with a smirk. ”Enjoyed the little show I performed today?”

Aldric’s voice was smooth, satisfied. ”Very much. Couldn’t have asked for better.” A pause. Then, sharper: ”Is Xavier’s report ready? Sent to the UJC yet?”

Dominic’s smirk didn’t waver. ”Not yet. Still need to take his statement, record it, insert it into the report.”

Aldric’s voice turned icy. ”He’s been arrested for over ten hours. Why the delay?”

Dominic chuckled. ”Haven’t received payment yet. Once my bank balance updates, I’ll make sure his report is perfect.”

Aldric’s tone dripped with venom. ”Your own son is involved in this. You should be doing this for free to save him.”

Dominic scoffed. ”I have the power to save my son and still get Lucas and his friends arrested. But I want my money. One hour, or I start drafting reports for them instead.”

Aldric’s breath hissed through the phone. ”Fine. I’ll transfer it soon.” A pause. Then, darker: ”I can’t wait to hear about Xavier’s tragic accident in prison.”

Dominic’s smirk widened. ”We only made a deal to keep him locked up. With the crimes he’s framed for, he’ll spend his entire life in prison.”

Aldric’s voice was a snarl. ”Not enough. Someone could bail him out.”

”Bailing him out would cost at least ten million,” Dominic said, unfazed. ”And even if someone is backing him, no one wastes that kind of money on someone replaceable.”

Aldric’s voice was a growl. ”I don’t care. I want him dead. Lucas’ birthday is next week. I want to gift him the news of Xavier’s death. And once that village rat is dead, I can revoke the suspension from Lucas and his friends, too.”

Dominic listened, his fingers drumming against the sink.

Aldric wasn’t done. ”I have one more request.”

Dominic raised an eyebrow. ”Oh?”

Aldric’s voice was cold. ”I want remains. Preferably his head. A gift for Lucas.”

Dominic pondered for a moment. Then, casually: ”I can fulfill that request... for the right amount.”

Aldric’s voice was a snarl. ”How much?”

Dominic’s smirk returned. ”A measly one million.”

Aldric shouted, his voice cracking with fury. ”You’ve gone mad!”

Dominic’s tone was calm. ”Xavier isn’t my problem. I can keep him in prison until someone bails him out.”

”You bastard son of a motherfucking bitch!” Aldric cursed, a string of venomous words. Then, through gritted teeth: ”Fine. I’ll transfer 1.5 million. 500k for the arrest, one million to kill him.”

Dominic’s grin widened. ”I like the sound of that.” He hung up.

Without hesitation, he dialed the prison. ”Add Xavier to the list. Open his cell with the other twenty-four tonight.”

Then, humming a tune, Dominic stepped into the shower, the water washing away the day’s grime—and any lingering guilt.

Because in his world, money was the only law that mattered.

At the same time, Oliver sat on his bed, the dim glow of his phone casting long shadows across the walls of his room. The screen displayed Cassian Voss—his father. His thumb hovered over the call button, his heart pounding in his chest like a drumbeat.

’Should I?’ He asked himself.

He pressed it.

The line rang once. Twice.

Then—”What is it, son? I’m busy at the moment. I have to attend an Important meeting in ten minutes.”

Oliver’s breath hitched. ”Dad—Xavier was arrested today. Can you—can you do something?”

Oliver’s grip tightened around the phone, his knuckles white. ”He’s being framed. He’s innocent. If we don’t help, he’ll—”

”Oliver.” Cassian’s voice was sharp, cutting through his words like a blade. ”I said no.”

Oliver’s voice cracked, desperation bleeding into his words. ”Please. I won’t ask for anything else. Ever.”

Silence.

Then—”I’ll try tomorrow.”

Oliver exhaled, relief flooding him like a wave. ”Thank you. I love you.”

Cassian’s voice softened—just slightly. ”By the way. No pocket money this month.”

Oliver blinked, confusion flickering across his face. ”Why?”

”You met Xavier. After I told you not to.”

Oliver’s throat tightened, his mind thinking of a response. ”I don’t care. As long as he’s safe.”

The line went dead.

Cassian set his phone down, his gaze flicking to the monitor on his desk. The footage played—Xavier dropping Oliver off on his bike, Oliver’s face alive with laughter, his smile bright, his eyes sparkling with a joy Cassian hadn’t seen in years.

Cassian zoomed in, his lips curling into a faint smile.

’First time I’ve seen him smile like that since... his mother’s death.’

He reached for the bell on his desk, its brass surface gleaming under the office lights. A moment later, an aide entered, their footsteps silent on the plush carpet.

Cassian sent over Xavier’s picture, the edges slightly worn. ”Everything. On this boy.”

The aide nodded, and opened the image before disappearing as silently as they had arrived.

Meanwhile, Oliver stared at the ceiling, the moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting a silver glow across his room. His mind raced, the events of the day playing on a loop in his head.

’Xavier predicted everything. I was confused why he had suddenly called me into the washroom,and there he told me what would happen. Xavier said he was prepared for everything.’

But knowing didn’t stop the anxiety from gnawing at him, didn’t stop the fear from coiling in his stomach.

Oliver then checked the time and it was exactly12 am.

Oliver muttered. ”Today’s exam result of the first years should be out.”

His fingers flew over his tablet, the screen lighting up his face as he pulled up the academy’s app. He scrolled through, and went to the exam section and selected today’s exam to check the scoreboard.

And there it was. Xavier’s name. Xavier had scored full points and once again ranked #1.

”Calling him a genius would be understatement...”