Intergalactic conquest with an AI
Chapter 93: Progenitor.

Rex raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward himself.

"What? Of course, it's safe! I can guarantee you my blood is top-notch. I don't smoke, I don't do drugs... well, I drink occasionally, but it's been a while, so I'm clean!"

He gave them a thumbs-up, grinning.

Lyra frowned slightly as she swirled the golden liquid in her glass, watching it catch the light.

"It's not that, Uncle Rex. It's just… your blood is golden. We've seen red and brown blood before, but we've never seen anything like this."

Rex blinked, looking genuinely surprised for a moment, then leaned back smugly.

"Huh. Guess I'm built different,"

he said with a shrug.

Cleo stepped in, her analytical tone taking over.

"Affirmative. Rex's blood contains a significantly higher concentration of aura and nutrients compared to most races. For a member of the Blood Clan, this should not be an issue. In fact, it will act as a powerful stimulant, temporarily enhancing your abilities and strengthening your bodies."

She gave the twins an expectant look, gesturing toward the glasses.

"Drink it. You'll feel better."

The twins exchanged hesitant glances, their apprehension written all over their faces. Nyra's fingers trembled slightly as she brought the glass closer to her mouth, and Lyra gave her a tiny nod of encouragement. After a long pause, they both tilted their glasses, the golden liquid flowing into their mouths.

They frozen the moment they swallowed, their eyes widening. A wave of warmth coursed through their bodies, their pale faces gaining a faint flush of color. For a few moments, neither of them spoke, their expressions a mixture of shock and amazement.

"How do you feel?"

Rex asked, leaning forward with concern.

Lyra set her glass down slowly, her voice soft but steady.

"It's… warm. And sweet. I didn't expect it to taste like this."

Nyra nodded, her voice trembling slightly.

"I feel... stronger. Like I was starving before and didn't even know it."

She paused, looking at Rex with a new sense of awe.

"Uncle, what are you?"

Rex scratched his head awkwardly, giving them a sheepish smile.

"Just a guy trying to help you guys out. Nothing special."

Cleo's lips curled into the faintest of smirks.

"Nothing special, he says, while his blood could probably fuel a small army."

"Alright, alright, no need to hype me up,"

Rex said, waving them off.

"Just glad you're feeling better. And hey, Cleo, next time, you're donating the nanomaterial equivalent, alright?

"

Cleo didn't dignify his comment with a response, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes as she watched him banter with the twins.

As the conversation drifted into lighthearted topics, Rex noticed something strange. He furrowed his brow and pointed at the twins.

"Hold on... what's that coming from the girls?

"

Cleo turned her head, following Rex's gaze. Her golden eyes studied the faint, glowing white smoke rising from the twins' bodies.

"Hmm? Interesting,"

she murmured, narrowing her eyes as her scanners activated.

"It looks like they've adapted to your aura and absorbed it."

Rex blinked in surprise, leaning closer to get a better look at the twins. Their brown hair was now gradually turning a brilliant, snowy white, and their once soft, brown eyes had shifted into a vivid crimson that seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light.

Cleo tilted her head slightly, clearly fascinated

. "This is truly remarkable. I've never seen anyone from the Blood Clan develop these characteristics. Usually, when they awaken their ancestral bloodline, they gain red hair and red eyes, but never white hair. This is something entirely new."

She ran several scans on the twins, data scrolling across her holo screens.

"Their transformation isn't just aesthetic. Their energy signatures have increased exponentially, and the latent aura in their blood has awakened fully."

Rex scratched the back of his head, watching the girls curiously as their crimson eyes focused on him, unblinking.

"Wait, so you're saying they're not pure blood?"

he asked, feeling a bit uneasy under their intense stares.

Cleo shook her head.

"No, they're pure blood, but not from the Blood Clan we know. Their transformation is likely tied to your aura. The power in your blood is far stronger than that of the ancient Blood Clan progenitors."

She paused, folding her arms as her piercing gaze locked onto Rex.

"Rex, just who are you? There's no way you're a normal human."

Her words made the room go still. Lyra and Nyra both stared at him, their glowing crimson eyes fixed on his face. Even Cleo, normally composed and detached, seemed genuinely intrigued, her expression unreadable.

"What do you mean, who am I?"

Rex said, blinking at them like they were crazy.

"I'm just me. A regular guy. Well, I was a regular guy before I met you, Cleo. Just an orphan slave working with Carlos, doing what I could to survive. You know my story.

" He shrugged casually, as if her question had no weight at all.

Cleo's neutral tone didn't waver.

"Your story doesn't match the science. I've scanned Carlos' blood before, and while his DNA is typical for humans and several humanoid species, yours is completely different.

"

She summoned two DNA helix projections into the air, one glowing a soft blue and the other a radiant gold.

"Look at this. The helix on the right is Carlos', a perfectly standard human genome. And on the left is yours, which... She gestured toward the golden helix. "Doesn't match anything. No known race in the galaxy has a genetic structure even remotely similar."

Rex stared at the projections for a moment before shrugging again, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "

So what you're saying is, I'm a limited-time collectible? Great. Now I feel totally special."

Cleo sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"I'm being serious, Rex. Your blood and DNA are unique, and the fact that it's affecting the twins so drastically proves that your existence isn't ordinary."

"Yeah, well, my DNA's probably all messed up because of you and Ys,"

Rex replied with a smirk.

"I'm pretty sure you two cooked me into something weird along the way."

He crossed his arms and gave the twins a cheeky grin.

"Anyway, why are you two staring at me so hard? I mean, I know I'm handsome, but come on, I prefer more... developed girls."

Nyra's face flushed immediately.

"W-who said we were staring at you!?

" she snapped, turning her head to hide her embarrassment.

"But Sis,"

Lyra said with her inocent voice, "

we were staring at him.

" She tilted her head innocently, her crimson eyes still locked onto Rex.

"Oho?"

Rex's smirk widened.

"I see how it is. So little stubborn Nyra's too shy to admit it, huh? Alright then, brave little Lyra, tell me, why were you staring at me so hard? Please don't tell me it's because I look like a walking cafeteria to you now."

Lyra blinked at him, her expression completely earnest.

"It's because Uncle Rex is shining so brightly. There's something inside of us that's drawn to it. It feels… comforting."

Her soft, calm voice carried a strange weight, as if she didn't fully understand what she was saying.

Rex raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Shining, huh? That's a first. Alright, what about you, little stubborn Nyra? What do you feel?"

Nyra's face burned red as she refused to meet his gaze, glaring at the wall instead.

"I didn't feel anything!"

she snapped, crossing her arms.

"I was only staring because Lyra was doing it!"

She bit her lip, furious with herself. There was no way she could admit the truth, that Rex's presence felt overwhelming, like standing before a god, and that a primal instinct inside her made her want to obey him completely.

Cleo observed them silently, her analytical mind already piecing things together. What no one else in the room realized was that something extraordinary had just occurred. Rex's unique blood had fundamentally altered the twins, awakening a power that had long been dormant within them.

What's more, they had unconsciously recognized him as a progenitor, a force unlike anything in the history of the Blood Clan. The Blood Clan had only ever had three progenitors, all born from within their race. But now, for the first time, an outsider had become the source of new blood.

Cleo's expression grew distant as she considered the implications. Whatever had just happened to the twins was only the beginning. Rex's existence was about to send ripples across the galaxy.

"Alright,"

Rex said, stretching and glancing at the glowing crimson-eyed twins.

"It's late, and since you girls already had your 'dinner,' it's time to get some sleep. But before that, go brush your teeth."

He paused, rubbing their heads affectionately, then frowned as if reconsidering.

"Actually, scratch that. You two need a proper shower first. You probably haven't had one in days or weeks."

Lyra tilted her head curiously, while Nyra just gave him a suspicious look, crossing her arms.

"Better yet,"

Rex continued, pointing toward Cleo,

"go with her and take a nice, long, hot shower. She'll help you clean up. I'll... uh... take care of some other things while you're busy."

He grinned, stepping toward the door.

"Well then, Cleo, the girls are officially in your care."

Cleo blinked, raising a delicate eyebrow.

"Understood,"

she replied simply before turning her sharp gaze to the twins.

"Come along, little girls. We'll get you cleaned up, and afterward, we'll figure out something more suitable for you to wear."

She swiped her hand through the air, summoning a series of holo screens in front of her.

Her fingers danced across the projections as data flashed rapidly.

"Attention, all units in the Necrotech world. This is a top-priority order. Begin searching for female clothing immediately, casual wear, nightwear, anything that fits. I'm transmitting size specifications now. You have thirty minutes to deliver everything to the transport ship. Failures will be noted."

With a swipe of her hand, the screens vanished, leaving Lyra and Nyra staring at her in stunned silence, their mouths slightly open.

"Now then,"

Cleo said with her usual neutral voice, offering her hands to the twins,

"let's take that shower."

The twins hesitated for a moment, still processing what had just happened. Lyra, as always, was the first to move, placing her tiny hand in Cleo's. Nyra, after glancing suspiciously at Rex as he left the room, reluctantly followed suit, grabbing Cleo's other hand.

"Good girls,"

Cleo said with a small, approving nod as she led them toward the bathing quarters.

Meanwhile, Rex chuckled to himself as he walked down the hall.

"Man, Cleo really runs things like a military operation. Thirty minutes for clothes? Those poor Aegis units are probably panicking right now."

Shaking his head with a smirk, he headed off to tackle his own tasks, leaving Cleo and the twins to their newfound routine.