Firi

A series of small gifts to my friends! (✧ω✧)

@firikus 's character - Tɛpi

Link to this character - *click*

AHHHH LOVE IT SO MUCH ty Falco !!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! ! ! ! !!!! !!!

I had planned to do this fanart right after the update came out, but I got sick (×_×)⌒☆

Just adore Caldarus Σ>―(〃°ω°〃)♡→

Sah’Erna are the descendants of humans who arrived on Cotes AA2 aboard the starship "Theseus". This ship was partially a research facility, primarily designed to transport all the necessary equipment for studying Cotes AA2, along with a team of researchers.

As part of one of the experiments—whose ethical implications are up for debate—the ship carried an “ark,” a special storage unit containing frozen male and female gametes for transportation. The ark originally held 2,000 pairs, but due to prolonged exposure to unsuitable storage conditions, only about 700 pairs survived. From these, only 500 viable zygotes formed, and after undergoing extensive mutations caused by ether exposure, just 200 individuals ultimately survived to become the new human population of Cotes AA2.

By the time they were “born,” these new humans already differed significantly from their ancestors. At the very least, due to the presence of manganese in their bodies, their skin tones ranged from deep plum to ochre. However, the first generation still bore a strong resemblance to humans, though they already had tails, dual ear structures, and an ether horn.

Over the course of several millennia, the Sah’Erna evolved rapidly, with each generation differing noticeably from the last. Their physical evolution progressed quickly due to the harsh and unforgiving desert environment of Cotes AA2, as well as the ether’s tendency to trigger rapid mutations and accelerated adaptation.

Because of this, the Sah’Erna who migrated to the ocean and those who moved north to the steppes and plains developed distinct differences—not only in appearance but also on a deeper biological level. Interbreeding between these groups is rare and often results in unexpected mutations or frail offspring prone to illness. While the Sah’Erna do maintain contact with their kin from other regions, it is mostly for trade. They differ in culture, lifestyle, and even biochemistry, particularly in how their bodies accumulate ether. If the desert-dwelling Sah’Erna are considered the baseline, then those from the steppes have a significantly higher ether capacity, while the ocean-dwelling Sah’Erna have a much lower tolerance, making them extremely sensitive to ether exposure.

What Is Ether? Ether isn’t exactly a substance, but it’s not a living organism either—it’s something in between. If try to compare it to anything, it’s kind of like carbon. But unlike carbon, ether exists in everything on Cotes AA2—living organisms, water, even rock formations. On top of that, it has a hive-like intelligence, with the planet’s core—made entirely of ether—acting as the “queen.”

At high enough concentrations (for example, in water, plants, and soil, its levels are minimal), ether can change its form and properties on its own. However, for it to develop any kind of intelligence, two conditions need to be met:

Because of this, the core of Cotes AA2 is actually a sentient being known as XII Costas (someday, I’ll draw her concept).

How Does Ether Affect Humans? Ether is an insanely powerful mutagen. Even at the lowest possible concentrations, it can cause cancer-like growths. Pure, concentrated ether is way worse—if inhaled or if its particles make contact with human tissue for 3–5 hours, it completely breaks down the body into biomass. That said, this only happens outside of Cotes AA2.

Ether particles are also present in the planet’s atmosphere, so if someone were to stick their hand out of their spacesuit without actually breathing it in, they’d still mutate. However, on Cotes AA2 itself, the mutations are way slower and less aggressive. This is because, outside the planet, ether particles lose the control of their “queen” and act purely on survival instinct. On Cotes AA2, mutations tend to be highly random and almost experimental, like the “queen” and the hive are actively running tests.

Ether Feeds on Information So yeah, to it, humans are basically an exotic delicacy.

Ether Horns Ether horns grow throughout a Sah’Erna’s life. They’re the body’s natural response to ether exposure. The more often and intensely a Sah’Erna interacts with ether—especially by consuming it—the faster and larger their horn grows.

Why Did Humans Travel to Cotes AA2? Ether is the perfect fuel for starships, allowing them to travel through wormholes. "Theseus" runs on the second prototype of the Ionized Ether Engine—an experimental propulsion system that integrates ether into an ion drive. This tech outperformed both standard ion thrusters and warp drives, but due to the ship’s massive size, its efficiency took a hit.

ALIENS GUYS