The galaxy whispered his name.
After the public vaporization of the Peace Fleet envoy and the subsequent collapse of multiple "neutral" governments, Kael Vortan's image had spread faster than any propaganda ever could.
Yet Kael himself stood quietly inside the Oblivion Crown's war library, reviewing the latest analytics.
TYRANT PROTOCOL UI
[Admiration Index]: 51% ↑
[Political Meme Spread]: "Kael is Love, Kael is Law" – viral across 92 systems
Kael blinked. "...Cult?"
Lyrios shimmered into view beside him, sipping holographic wine.
"Oh, yes. A new religion popped up overnight. Name's still in flux, but they're calling it The Way of Eternal Conquest. You're a messianic flame that burns the weak to purify the cosmos."
Kael scowled. "I told you I'm not here to be worshipped. I'm here to rule."
"Oh, they're very clear on that. You're not their god. You're their divine tyrant. Totally different."
He flipped through a few floating images. One showed a cathedral being built out of melted enemy tanks. Another showed a wedding where the bride wore Kael's helmet style as a veil.
"And look at this."KAEL SAYS SUBMIT™, the brand: new, popular, terrifying.
Kael turned to General Vale, who had just entered. "Is this a sanctioned campaign?"
Vale hesitated. "Not by us. But their efficiency is... statistically optimal. Entire planetary militias have laid down arms just hearing your title recited."
Kael looked again at the meme data.
One featured him backlit by starfire with the caption:
"Obey or be aesthetically reduced to atoms."
Another showed his silhouetted hand pointing, with glowing text:
"He doesn't forgive. He upgrades."
Kael sighed. "...Fine. Let the cult grow. But monitor it. I won't be hijacked by my own PR."
Meanwhile, deep in the Remora Belt, a hidden rebel faction known as The Marrow Fangs gathered around a smuggled broadcast of Kael's speech.
A young revolutionary whispered, "He's cruel… but he gets things done."
Another nodded. "At least he doesn't pretend. The Council smiles while they kill you. He stares and makes you thank him for the privilege."
Even rebels began to waver.
Kael's greatest weapon wasn't just his fleets.It was the certainty he offered in a chaotic galaxy.
Back aboard the Oblivion Crown, Kael reviewed a live feed from one of the newly renamed Peace Fleet worlds: Ashfall Minor.
Citizens gathered in the square, cheering as the Sovereign's banner was raised: a crimson crown encircled by collapsing stars. They wore ceremonial robes modeled after his armor. Children chanted his name in flawless cadence.
"Sovereign Kael! Sovereign Kael! Order through terror! Fear through honor!"
Kael stared at the screen.
Lyrios whispered, "Told you you'd make a great idol."
"I'm not trying to be loved."
Lyrios grinned. "And that's exactly why it's working."
In the next war council, Kael addressed his inner circle.
"I want a formal structure built. If the galaxy insists on idolizing me, then we will use it. Not as faith—as fear management."
Vale leaned forward. "A propaganda ministry?"
"No," Kael said. "An Imperial Aesthetic Division."
There was silence.
Then a slow nod from Lyrios. "Oh. I love this."
Kael continued. "Uniforms. Symbolism. Set design for public executions. Sculptures that intimidate. Chant rhythms that stick in memory."
Vale raised a brow. "You want... art?"
Kael's eyes darkened. "I want obedience that sings."
The next month was unlike any in recorded galactic history.
Planetary monuments were reshaped in Kael's silhouette
Loyalist cities played orchestral intimidation tones over public intercoms
Galactic timekeeping was reset to Year 1 of Sovereignty
A pop single titled "Tyranny Is My Love Language" went triple platinum in three sectors
On Ashfall Minor, a street preacher screamed:
"His blade is law! His law is mercy! His mercy is annihilation!"
On Regret Prime, a teenage rebellion was crushed by… other teenagers who liked Kael more.
In places where order once came with lies, Kael brought terrifying truth.
And for that, they loved him.
But not all were convinced.
Inside a black citadel orbiting a dying star, a cloaked woman watched the viral feeds with disgust.
Her name: Virela, former lover of Lucien Vortan, ex-strategist of the Council of Suns, now an unaligned warlord with a private armada and a grudge sharper than her smile.
"So this is the Sovereign everyone fears," she whispered, sipping starwine. "A man who wins by meme and murder."
She turned to her AI.
"Schedule an assassination."
The AI blinked. "On Kael Vortan?"
Virela smirked. "No. On his public image."
Back on the Oblivion Crown, Kael was adjusting his new mantle—black velvet, edged in plasma-thread, complete with a crown that doubled as a targeting interface.
Lyrios clapped. "You look horrifying. In the best way."
Kael didn't respond.
His gaze had shifted toward the outer edges of the map—sectors not yet touched by conquest or faith.
"TYRANT PROTOCOL UPDATE: Unclaimed Systems – 734Resistance Forecast: HIGHChance of Conversion via Cultural Influence: UNKNOWN
Kael raised one gauntleted hand.
"Prepare a campaign. Not war. Not occupation."
Vale looked confused. "Then what?"
Kael smiled.
"Let's host a Cultural Exchange Festival."
Everyone blinked.
Lyrios gasped. "You're… expanding the empire with ironic propaganda festivals now?!"
Kael nodded. "Yes. We give them shows. Relics. Chants. Scary music. We let them see how much more elegant it is to kneel... than to be forgotten."
And so the First Sovereign Cultural Conquest Tour began.
Across outer space, Kael's empire sent mobile exhibits—part theater, part psychological warfare.
Day 1: A symphony of screams from subjugated generals—autotuned for radio
Day 2: Fashion shows of new planetary uniforms (inspired by Kael's armor cut)
Day 3: Free executions for those who volunteered to die in the Sovereign's name
It worked.
Again.
By the time Kael returned to his throne, eight systems had joined voluntarily.
One system even renamed their sun "Kaelos."
And in his dark chamber, Kael Vortan finally allowed himself a smirk.
"This galaxy is broken."
He rested one hand on his sword, the other on the throne.
"So I'll fix it. My way."