Background

Ascent's world was thrown into chaos as word spread that the maker of the sky was found dead. Countless contestants rose to wage war against each other for the throne, most of those from the Empire, because of course. They didn't really care about the throne. They just wanted to hit the Empire where it hurts and stop it from exploiting the power grab.

But things kept escalating. Ascent gathered more sympathizers. Allies. Comrades in arms. And they... looked up to them. The people looked up to them. Nations looked up to them. The gods... the gods that Ascent once prayed to... now looked up to them as an authority figure.

Ascent was torn as their battles continued to escalate and their duties piled up. Cherished memories. Burdens. Critical duties. Chores. Ascent's exploits were all of these things, simultaneously. They care too much to stop. The cost for stopping would be too much. But the cost for continuing is also steep. They do not want to be a god-monarch. They want to feel the same peace and relief they protect for everyone else.

The Crossover Event Horizon answered their prayers. Cedi and Teq's then-fledgling startup found itself at Ascent's doorstep. The ascendant bugs shared stories of each other's works, and Ascent... envied the way Cedi and Teq saw each other as equals. When Cedi offered that their organizations formally coordinate, they accepted without thinking. Ascent is, technically, doing more work than before liasoning between both worlds. And yet, they felt peace.

Thoughts on the Stellarthropods

• ON THE PANTHEON: "You have no idea how exhausting it is to be your universe's lynchpin keeping the fabric of reality in check every weekly refresh. It's not even hard, it's just... so much tedium. Having comrades who see me as equals instead of the most specialest leader ever keeps me sane."
• ON CEDI: "He reminds me a lot of the bragarts I lead raids against every Tuesday, except... he has actual principles? He holds himself accountable to his own hype? He's fun and helpful and easy to discuss heavy shit with??? I know that sounds like a backhanded compliment, but I mean it in the kindest of ways. Trading lessons and hobbies with a guy like him keeps me... grounded. Like when I... no, nevermind."
• ON TEQ: "Let me train you for FREE dammit. You've already helped me so MUCH with the accounting it's the least I can do??? No??? Okay, fine."
• ON HELANTH: "I buy him drinks after every big job. Man's capacity for emotional labor is the equivalent of a forklift cross bred with a freighter. If I had to pass down leadership of the sky brigade to any of us, I trust him most.

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