Time had passed since the summoning of new heroic spirits and the initiation of large-scale fusion projects, and now the world Dr. Dew and his companions had built teetered on the edge of its next monumental phase. With tensions climbing across the stars and Chaos beginning its slow encroachment, Dr. Dew turned the full focus of his empire inward—toward creation rather than defense. They would birth a new force, one designed not only to stand against galactic horrors, but to redefine the very meaning of civilization. This was the true beginning of Project Gaia.
Unlike previous defense initiatives, Project Gaia was not about mere weapons or barriers. It was about synthesis. A new breed of life. Advanced androids fused with conduit energy, Isu genetic design, and Monster Hunter-derived cellular enhancement. They wouldn't just follow orders—they'd think, feel, and hold purpose. Each unit would be assigned to a mythological framework—Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Shinto, and others—reinterpreted into living forms, not to rule but to protect. More than symbols. Living heritage. They would be stationed across Pangea in regions reflective of their myths to act as protectors, stewards, and cultural anchors.
But building such beings required more than engineering. They needed magic. And so, deep beneath the city's artificial stars, Dr. Dew and his team prepared for another summoning.
Celeste leaned against a pillar, arms folded. "So this is how you pull gods outta nowhere?"
Paracelsus corrected her: "Not gods. Conceptual legends condensed into a temporary form."
"Still sounds like ghosts to me," she muttered.
Dr. Dew stood at the center of the summoning chamber, the Ankh of Anubis in hand, conduit strands flickering around him. He focused—not on a name, but on an idea: magic. Sorcery. Old power. And the first thoughts that came to mind were Merlin, Morgan le Fay, and King Arthur.
The circle detonated in radiant light. From the shimmer stepped three figures.
Artoria Pendragon. Regal, composed, clad in silver and blue.
Morgan le Fay. Cold and calculating, wrapped in arcane elegance.
Merlin. Relaxed, smiling, robed in white and violet.
"Well, this is new," Merlin said, brushing off his sleeves. "Where exactly are we? Doesn't smell like the Throne."
"You're not," Dew said, catching his breath. "You're in another universe. And… I'm sorry. The summoning wasn't supposed to pull in three of you. I was trying to summon someone to help us understand magic better. It reacted to my thoughts, and... here we are. We'll explain everything properly—after dinner."
Morgan raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
Artoria nodded cautiously. "We'll listen. But we want answers."
Merlin's eyes twinkled. "I never say no to food."
Later, beneath a dome of artificial moonlight, the group gathered for a war council disguised as a meal. Foods grown from Starbound synth cultures and Earth hybrid orchards lined the table. No pomp. Just necessity.
As they ate, Dew activated the central display. Project Gaia's symbol shimmered above the table.
"This is why you're here," Dew began. "The Imperium of Man is growing. So is Chaos. We won't stay hidden forever. We need something more than weapons. We need culture—defenders who are more than tools. Beings with soul and purpose."
Blueprints appeared above the table—schematics of androids themed after ancient mythologies. Zeus. Ra. Susanoo. Odin. Each android god would bear traits and aesthetics from their respective pantheons: Zeus with lightning weapons, the Fallout weather machine, and Assassin's Creed-styled armor; Thor with storm-powered systems and his own distinct loadout.
Cassidy leaned forward. "And they'll all know they're artificial?"
"Yes," Dew replied. "They'll know everything from the moment they come online. There'll be no lies. They'll look like gods, but they'll live like everyone else. Think of them more like civic guardians—themed leaders who guide and protect."
He looked around the room.
"And it won't be a problem. Look at us. Most of the people here are either synths, resurrected humans from the Starbound respawn tech, androids, or Heroic Spirits. Even I'm a genetically engineered synth. These androids won't be less—they'll just be different. And there's another reason for this design."
He adjusted the hologram, which now showed global regions labeled with historical themes.
"We're building cities around them not just for defense—but to preserve our past. Greek, Egyptian, Japanese, Chinese, American—all of it. So we don't forget Earth's history. These androids are the stewards of culture as much as they are protectors of land."
Morgan tapped the table. "You're giving soul cores to mechanical constructs. That's inherently unstable."
"Not if they're stabilized through the Isu's human soul device," Da Vinci chimed in. "We're replicating the same structure that gave humanity its soul. Our Androids will have real emotions, magic circuits, and the capacity for independent growth."
Paracelsus added, "Their bodies include homunculus matter to ensure magical compatibility. They'll learn magecraft as naturally as a person might learn a language."
Tesla nodded. "But make no mistake—they're not invincible. Heavy damage can disable or destroy them. Their transformations into god-forms are temporary. Like the Isu gods in Assassin's Creed Origins, they're powerful, but limited."
Cassidy smirked. "So no one's nuking the moon."
"No," Dew said. "And if someone shows up with a planet-killing weapon, our only option is to evacuate using Starbound ships and start over. These androids are built for defending against sky and ground-based threats—not cosmic annihilation."
Merlin leaned back, swirling his drink. "You're threading divinity into infrastructure. Bold."
"It's not about pretending to be gods," Dew said quietly. "It's about remembering where we came from—so we can keep moving forward."
Artoria looked up from her meal. "Then they are not gods. They are people—just designed with meaning."
"Exactly."
Morgan offered a small nod. "Then let's begin. I'll assist with the Greek region. But the pantheon must be moderated. The original was... problematic."
"I'll shape Norse," Merlin said with a grin. "And I expect my own tower."
Paracelsus raised his hand. "Shinto and the Eastern domains will require care. I'll oversee them alongside the soul threading."
"And the Titans?" Cassidy asked.
"They're mine," Dew said. "Metal Gear frames. Fallout alloys. Isu reactors. Titanfall logic. They're not just weapons. They're symbols—giant protectors stationed at planetary defense nodes."
The table fell quiet as the scope of it all settled in.
Finally, Da Vinci spoke. "Then this is it. Project Gaia begins."
And under the synthetic stars of Pangea, the future stirred.
End of Chapter Thirty-Eight