Galactic Exchange: The Merchant Sovereign
Chapter 27 – Vault World: Eidolon Theta

Chapter 27: Chapter 27 – Vault World: Eidolon Theta

For most traders in the galaxy, Vault Worlds were myth. Whispers in encrypted channels, half-erased coordinates on star charts, and legends spoken in pirate dens told of places where reality bent, time warped, and memories breathed. They weren’t destinations. They were warnings.

To Kairos, they were opportunity.

The Contract

The encrypted message arrived moments after Kairos achieved Tier 3 in the Relic Trade Path. Unlike the usual trades filled with flexible terms and item codes, this contract bore the unmistakable scent of finality.

Sender: Anonymous (Quantum-Bound Signal) Contract ID: #RX-994 Objective: Retrieve Living Relic — Codename: "Eidolon Fragment Alpha" Location: Vault World – Eidolon Theta Compensation: 70,000 Star Credits, 3 Void Merchant Tokens, potential Class-A System Sync Deadline: 96 Galactic Hours

Attached was a single line of plaintext:

"Retrieve the girl. Trade nothing. Speak carefully. Return swiftly. This Vault remembers Earth."

He read it again.

Then once more for the chill crawling down his spine.

Arrival at Eidolon Theta

The Jade Vulture exited subspace with a stomach-churning jolt. Floating before them was Eidolon Theta — a world that shimmered with green and violet hues, ringed by a decaying orbital field of broken satellites and derelict probes, all long dead.

"Initiating cloaked descent," Nira said, flickering into view. Her hologram appeared unusually dim. "Warning: Eidolon Theta exists within a Level-9 Awareness Zone. The planet may react to conscious thought."

"React how?" Kairos asked.

"Terrain may shift. Emotions may influence weather. Memories could manifest."

Kairos narrowed his eyes. "So... a haunted planet with a mind of its own."

"Essentially."

Descent into Madness

Clouds opened as the Vulture descended. The trees were colossal, their bark gleaming like obsidian, while roots stretched miles across the surface like a sleeping organism. Bioluminescent rivers pulsed with a rhythm that mimicked breathing.

Halfway down, the voice came.

"Welcome, Sovereign of Threads. You are early."

Kairos flinched.

"That wasn’t you, was it?" he asked aloud.

"No audio transmission was registered," Nira replied. "The planet is attempting psychic contact."

He grabbed the Thorn, its familiar hum comforting.

[System Alert: Entity Detected – Sentient Planetary Core. Designation: Eidolon Theta. Cognitive status: Active. Intent: Observation.]

First Contact

They landed near a clearing carved into the forest by unnatural symmetry. As the ship touched down, trees realigned to form a path. Flowers unfolded, displaying sigils of forgotten languages. In the center of the grove stood a girl.

She looked human, but wasn’t.

Her skin was pale blue, subtly radiant. Her white hair floated gently around her, and her eyes—those golden, swirling orbs—seemed to stare through time itself. Her cloak shimmered with strands of code, weaving constantly.

[SCAN: Relic-Class Lifeform Detected] [Identifier: Eidolon Fragment Alpha] [Status: Dormant/Linked. Trade Value: Incalculable]

She spoke.

"You came."

Kairos approached slowly. "You’re the one I’m here for?"

She nodded. "I am the last memory vault of Eidolon Theta. I remember Earth."

His breath caught. "Then you know what happened to it?"

"Yes. But the knowledge must be earned." She extended her hand. "Trade me your True Name."

[System Warning: Trade Requested — Your True Name for High-Level Historical Data Access. Risk Level: Severe. Consequences: Irreversible.]

He hesitated.

That name. The one from before. From Earth. From before the system chose him. Before he became the Sovereign.

He clenched his fists. "No trade. Not yet."

She nodded with understanding.

And then the air screamed.

The Ledger Attacks

A ripple tore through the grove as four black-armored figures emerged from the shadows. No emblems. No insignias. Just the silence of death.

"Silent Ledger," Nira growled. "Four units. Class-B Disruptor Loadouts. They’re here for the Eidolon."

Kairos drew the Thorn.

[Ability Activated: Whisper of Collapse]

A pulse of psychic interference blanketed the grove. One Ledger agent dropped, clutching their head. Another took aim — too slow. Nira tackled them mid-leap, unloading twin blasts into their chest plate.

"Get the girl!" she shouted.

Kairos grabbed the Eidolon and ran. The forest moved to protect them. Branches twisted to block incoming fire. Roots surged up to trip their attackers.

"We’re not getting out by foot!" he called.

"Jade Vulture prepped. Extraction window: 17 seconds," Nira replied, appearing at his side, half-phased into the terrain.

They reached the clearing just as the remaining agents emerged behind them. Kairos hurled a Phase Charge behind him—a one-use relic he’d bartered for months ago.

The explosion didn’t burn. It erased.

Onboard – Aftermath

Back aboard the Vulture, the girl sat in the medbay, silent. She didn’t blink. Didn’t fidget.

"That was a Ledger strike team," Kairos said. "Why are they hunting you?"

"Because I remember things they want forgotten," she replied.

He leaned against the console. "About Earth?"

"Yes. Earth was not lost. It was sealed. By a Sovereign like you. The first."

His jaw tightened.

[Quest Chain Unlocked: The Locked Origin] [Objective: Locate the Sovereign Seal and the coordinates of Earth]

He turned toward her. "Why me?"

She smiled.

"Because the system chose you. And because... Earth is calling you home."

Status Summary:

Cosmic Units (C.U.): 8,200

Star Credits: 54,800

Trader Rank: Tier 3 – Relic Trader Path

Reputation: +13 (Vault Traders, Relic Circles)

New Acquisition: Eidolon Fragment Alpha (Living Relic)

Threat Level: High – Tracked by Silent Ledger

Unlocked Quest: The Locked Origin – Find the First Sovereign Seal

Pending Trade: True Name → Access to Earth’s Location

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