It was supposed to be a regular trip.
One that Alioth had completed many times. The Followers of the Rapture were on a recruiting trip, just as they had been doing for the past few weeks. More members were needed for their cause. The visions the groups were seeing were only becoming harder and harder to interpret. Sure, a few of them were strong in the Force. Alioth was one such person. But being Force sensitive only got someone so far when it came to discovering the secrets of the galaxy. Whoever was calling them...whoever was sending these visions through the Force...they were desperate to be found. Whatever planet they inhabited was calling to be rediscovered. They had a duty to find it, as scientists and as explorers.
Alioth had been send out in a small shuttle by himself. His fellow Followers were visiting a nearby system, while the man decided to venture out on his own. People were more willing to talk with a singular person rather than a whole group of 'cultists.' Sure, that is what the group was identified as, but not in the literal sense. They were a collective with one true purpose: Finding the hidden planet of their visions. It did not matter how long it would take, but they would find it and unlock the secrets of hyperspace to share with the people of the galaxy.
"Alright, let's hope this jump is a quick one."
Readjusting his grip ever so slightly on the control yokes, Alioth eased his vessel into hyperspace, aiming for the next nearby system. A routine jump on a well-charted trail. Yet something was different this time. The trip felt bumpier than usual. The blue-white swirl of hyperspace was starting to shift in color, almost turning black and grey. Looking down at the flight screen, the trail quickly became a rat's nest of lines, guiding the ship in every possible direction. The man did all he could to regain some sort of authority over the ship. But it was no use. Staring out through the viewport, Alioth did all that he could to search for answers. Maybe this was the one giving him a sign. The one who had been sending all of the Followers their visions. Maybe he had finally unlocked the path they were searching for all their lives.
The answer soon formed in response that sent chills down his spine. Appearing from the flurry of color was a Starweird. Powerful creatures with unknown origins. Signs of death and despair for any spacer. A yelp a fear escaped the man's lips as he frantically searched for anything to defend himself with before it was too late. The second Alioth's eyes returned to the viewport, the mysterious being had entered his starship, phasing through the Durasteel. There was no time for the Follower to even raise his weapon. In a flash, the Starweird attacked, implanting itself inside of the man's head, corrupting his mind. There were rumors about how Starweirds took over the minds of their victims. Killing them from the inside out, letting their own madness take control. No one had ever lived to tell the tale. He dropped to his knees uncontrollably, clutching the side of his head. Screams of pure terror and agony ringed throughout the ship. To make matters even worse, the vessel entered into a violent spin, the hyperlane collapsing right before his eyes.
So., this is how he was going to die.
In a matter of moments, the shuttle was thrown from hyperspace, careening across the stars. Alioth bounced around the ship like a ball, slamming into the walls. His mind was filled with just as much pain as his body. His thoughts were no longer his own. Something was happening that he could not explain. That Starweird was still there, trying to take over what little sanity he had left. But unfortunately for the both of them, it was looking like neither of them would survive this. When the ship finally came to a halt, Alioth skidded across the floor, eventually resting upon it.
"H-help..."
That was all he could muster before another voice spoke up. One that he had never heard before but sounded all too familiar. A voice that was a friend and foe all at the same time. One that infected his find like a virus. At first the man thought he was only dreaming of it. A trick being played by his subconscious to provide him a comforting death. But the remark given proved otherwise.
"₩Ⱨ₳₮ Ⱨ₳VɆ ɎØɄ ĐØ₦Ɇ ₮Ø ₥Ɇ?!"
Before a response could be given, Alioth passed out. The last thing that he saw was the Starweird, the exact same one that attacked him. Yet the image remained within his head like a plague. One without a cure.
