(EE-thur Prym)
Aether Prime is one of the galaxy’s most coveted luxury commodities—and one of its darkest open secrets.
Bottled from the blood of enslaved Aekosi, Aether Prime is a shimmering, silver-pink liquid sold legally under the full sanction of the Sovereign-controlled Central Directorate. Marketed as a high-end wellness elixir, it promises temporary youthfulness, rapid healing, enhanced libido, and improved vitality. In elite social circles, it’s consumed at exclusive galas, used as a beauty serum, or even served in ceremonial toasts, often without the consumer ever considering—or caring about—the origin of the product.
Only those of Civica and Sovereign status can afford it, though many Sovereigns don’t need it, as they keep private Aekosi slaves to feed from directly. Civica citizens, lacking such access, view Aether Prime as a symbol of status, wealth, and indulgence. It’s available in high-end clinics, specialty shops, and private sellers with exclusive access to the legal supply chain.
Its effects are undeniable. In non-Aekosi, even small doses temporarily mimic the regenerative benefits of Aekosi blood—accelerated healing, increased stamina, resistance to illness and toxins, and a warm, euphoric high. Heightened blood flow also causes a notable aphrodisiac effect, making it popular in underground pleasure houses and Sovereign-run brothels.
But behind every bottle is suffering.
The blood is harvested in blood camps—government-sanctioned prison facilities where enslaved Aekosi are kept in barren cells and drained regularly. These camps are known for brutal physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, and while rumors swirl of resistance efforts and attempted liberations, few ever escape.
Despite the cruelty involved, Aether Prime remains perfectly legal. The Sovereigns justify its distribution as an economic and medical necessity—and the truth of its origin is hidden beneath layers of propaganda, redacted records, and the willful ignorance of a galaxy that thrives on convenience over conscience.
Among free Aekosi, the consumption of their blood is sacred. It is only to be given with consent—shared between bondmates, offered to save a life, or given during pregnancy when necessary. That the same blood is commodified and sold as a luxury item is a violation of the deepest cultural principles of the Aekosi people.
Aether Prime is more than just a substance. It is a symbol of Sovereign corruption, of the commodification of life itself, and of the fight that still rages—quietly, furiously—for freedom.