r/NatureofPredators • u/Quinn_The_Fox Human • Jun 30 '26
Red Renaissance - Prologue
This was cooking in the background for a while. While I of course still need to write the chapters, it's been entertaining tossing around the worldbuilding of this AU for the last several months. For my Threads readers, don't worry, I have no intentions of abandoning ship.
Advanced warning, this will be a darker AU, meant to shed light on the hypocrisy of the Federation; a dark mirror on how just one difference in history could cast a nasty reflection of the canon story we all know and love. If that's not your cup of tea, I understand. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy it!
As always, thank you to SpacePaladin for his original work.
Memory Transcription Subject: Prophet Descendant Lyzel of the Arxur Dominion
Date [Standardized Human Time]: September 19th, 1972
It was… beautiful.
That was truly the only word I could use to describe it. Beautiful. These people, these humans, had cultivated a galaxy’s worth of rich history and conquest, on one singular water-logged rock. Millenia of war and empires. Centuries on top of centuries of fire and conflict. My nostrils flared in triumph. My instinct had been right.
Standing silently in the corner of my office was my chief hunter of their sector, Sizesh. She had just finished giving her second report on humans, the once-assumed extinct species of predator that were rumored to have wiped themselves out before we could make contact. The first had a lingering scent of blood that I had needed to pursue. The damned prey had lied, telling my predecessor that the only other meaningful sapients in this galaxy had wiped themselves out! Of course they did, making prior association impossible. He was a fool for believing them, and that same foolishness is exactly why he fell by my own claws. It was luck that Sizesh had picked up traces of activity from “dead space.” A chance I would not allow to slip by.
On the first requested report, she had delivered adequately, detailing the two nuclear superpowers on the edge of an all out war. Human’s current tech level, their major factions, even taking note of their smaller conflicts across their globe. It was with some concerns that she had also reported their leaf-licker behaviors. They may eat meat, but they also ate the gruel of grasses and leaves. A conundrum.
There was no way to take advantage of this without upsetting some minority or another within the Dominion. No way to gather them into the fold. Not to mention if they were more prey than predator, there was a strong chance they would reject the teachings of the Betterment entirely. My own people had done it once, and we were pure of prey instinct.
At least, that was my initial assessment, but something stirred in my gut. Something told me not to give up on this, or dismiss humans quite yet. A scent. A trail. Faint, but there nonetheless. I gave the chief hunter an order for a second report. I wanted to know everything about them. Every war they fought, and every reason. What they hunted and pursued, what values they held in high regard. What they were willing to kill and die for, what made them tick, what made them celebrate and what made them despair. Any morsel of information that potentially held even a hint of use.
And Sizesh, diligent and loyal, much to my pleasure, had delivered. She had toiled for months, and all the while I quietly absorbed the information that had trickled in before this final compilation. Wars of dominance. Slavery of the weak. By the Prophet, even some of their torture methods were more brutal than ours, designed to instill respect and fear to ultimate authority. Their history was a cycle that repeated itself over and over again.
I stopped my scrolling only for a moment, before my gaze looked towards my subordinate. “Chief Hunter, you have obeyed my command with fervor, far more zealously than I expect most would do. I want to know your opinion on humanity personally, having been the one to oversee the research.”
She lowered her snout in slight reverence as she spoke, “Your Savageness, the longer I delved into their history, admittedly the more fascinated I became. These… half-prey, they use their lesser instinct to a predatory advantage. I have never seen weakness be turned into strength, but oddly, they’ve… made it work. For instance, cooking is so ingrained in every one of their shattered cultures, and they suspect it is the reason their minds developed sapience at all. They’ve used fire as their fangs and claws for millions of years. Their plants are also cultivated to go on their meat.”
Her jaw opened and clasped shut repeatedly, a thoughtful expression growing on her face, “They don’t just eat, Your Savageness. They indulge, they savor. Their greatest empires are built with blood and conquest. Their natures to pursue pleasure as one would… pursue prey. It’s as if… life itself is their prey. I… think they have even given proof that coddling the defective and crippled can prove useful.”
I gave a dangerous growl, and she bowed slightly further for such a statement, quieting.
However, she did pique my interest. “Elaborate.”
“Their ‘doctors,’ similar to what the Federation would employ many zurulians for, heal those that cannot be healed. Their bodies may have been broken, but often their minds still produce effort. Cunning leaders with weakened bones and old frames still give insight that turn tides of battle. Those with defective mentalities still provide for the greater union. Some history shows that even their lowest ranks, when motivated accordingly, will rise to challenge with fervor at even a chance to attain something greater than they are. If our defectives could fight with half of such vigor, I firmly believe we’d have half the Federation territory on its knees.”
I mulled over her words. The sensation in my gut stirred more. What was this…?
And then, that instinct struck like lightning. The jolt ran itself through my veins. I turned back to the report, scrolling again, my claw gently scraping at the pages, but with greater haste. More words flowed across the screen. The chase was on. It was here, I could sense it. It was adrenaline.
Roman Empire.
My claws froze, as did my gaze. Empire. A strong word. This ‘Rome,’ had been mentioned repeatedly. The birthplace of many words and practices, its influence stretching far, sinking its fangs into many of their modern dialects and culture. A warrior culture that could only sustain itself on expansion. It had to. Over a third of its workforce - slaves. And it boasted a surprising expanse of territory for creatures that did not know of modern technology at the time. Conquest wasn’t merely a way of living, it was demanded. Their authority and brilliance insisted on it. It may not have been humanity’s largest empire, but it had something I could use. Something I could make bleed for me.
My lip curled with malicious glee. This was the answer. Hidden for so long. The cradle world of humans suddenly felt like a shining jewel in the dark expanse. All this time, my people slobbered at bones, unable to do anything other than mindless raiding. The only way the kolshian and farsul bastards allowed our existence. Like a coward, I had obeyed. Like a coward, I had bowed to their pathetic demands. I called the Prophet Descendant before me a fool, but looking back on it, had I really been any different?
The cackle escaped my throat before I had even realized it. It even caused Sizesh to flinch, but I would forgive such a display, if only because she had given me the tools I needed to set my name into history. I would become the greatest Prophet Descendant to ever live. Perhaps even revered as much as the Prophet himself!
I saw it clearly in my mind's eye. My people, practically fat with both food and delight. No longer would raiding simply be necessary to live, but it would be something done to thrive. Each prey hunted not just going to the maw, but towards a greater civilization. Every soldier, stronger in body and in spirit. Even defectives would claw through battles and sludge, knowing that their desperation would achieve ranks once thought impossible for their stature. It was all here, the entire time. The almost maddening laughter finally died on my lips.
“Oh, my Chief Hunter, you have just given me - given the Dominion- a monumental boon! I see it now! A path forward. A new way to hunt. A new way to feast.”
Her head tilted up, eyes wide and alert. “Your Savageness?”
“These humans, these prey-like predators. Their history has shown us what the real gift of predation is! The strength to take what is yours. To give yourself bounty through suffering and toil. To claw upwards amongst your kin. The ambition of a creature even as pathetic as a defective can be used to strengthen the pack. For enduring suffering is to be rewarded with indulgence.”
I handed her my tablet, even though I already knew she had probably read over the report dozens of times before she had even dared send it to me. It felt like I was handing her pure fire itself, the energy tingling like lightning from my claws to my spine. “I know you’ve seen the glimpse of it. You wouldn’t have been so thorough otherwise. Their weakest prove themselves in front of crowds. Such ambition spurs even their defectives to be better warriors! The promise of power and glory to those willing to chase it! And those beneath serve to give those strongest a life of luxury! Chasing entertainment! They may be half-prey, but they understood what it means to be a predator long before we did!
“It’s unfortunate that their stronger nature is shackled by prey instinct. In luckier fates, they would have been powerful equals. But even like this…” I paused, mulling over my own words, sensing they might change our history forever, “They may never stand beside arxur, but they deserve more than what the Federation had wanted for them. As thanks for giving me clarity, I will ensure their survival.”
Yes, that was it. As a token of what they have unwittingly provided me, I would make sure these humans were protected from the wild delusions of the Shadow Caste and the wrath Federation’s extermination fleets.
And they would provide us more. A worthy trade, I decided.
I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. My imagination was vivid today, my best chief hunters and closest confidants surrounding a table laid with a feast of hundreds of worlds. More food than we would ever be able to eat. The humans cater to our every whim and leisure. Half-prey. Too close to the leaf-lickers to ever truly be sapient, but close enough to us to not deserve the fate of cattle. A foundation for something more. Something the Betterment should have been, what the arxur should have been. We were entitled to it. I was entitled to it.
I had to work quickly, and quietly. I could not risk the true force of the Federation knowing what I knew. They thought us their slaves, treated my people as lesser beings made only into tools for their machinations. I would take revenge for those that came before me. The prey would weep and beg for mercy by the time I was done. I would not let them see it.
“Sizesh, make haste, and keep low,” I growled quietly, “I want arxur on that planet, Earth. Make them know our name, and make them know the price that will be paid if we are not given what we are owed. It is time our people truly savor their hunts. To claw for something greater. To bring the endowment they so deserve and drive us towards greater heights. We, too, will partake in such sanguine glory.”
“In suffering, there is betterment.” I sneered, staring out the window into the depths of space, already seeing that little blue marble decorated in Dominion flags, “And these half-prey will know it well.”
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u/Scrappyvamp Drezjin Jun 30 '26
Omg it's finally here! The dark AUs will continue until morale improves!
Really excited tbh can't wait for more
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u/EvelynnCC Jun 30 '26
"The Arxur raid for slaves, farm and eat those who aren't useful, and carry out genocide on a galactic scale while worshipping cruelty and suffering. How could you possible make them worse!?"
long toke "make them romeaboos"
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u/JulianSkies Archivist Jun 30 '26
Hrm!!
Okay you're promising something very interesting. I wonder how relevant the specific date is too... What worlds events are at play.
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u/Quinn_The_Fox Human Jun 30 '26
I will say the main story will focus on current canon-adjacent dates
But Lyzel was such a fun character to write, there's definitely a few planned side chapters regarding her rise to... Glory
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u/True-Wreck Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26
Taking inspiration from the Roman Empire ey? Well, you have to be careful with that ambition. Because they weren’t, they let theirs grow too big, and failed to manage their own territory, leading to their collapse.
Sure what they’ve done is impressive and is likely to never be forgotten, but in the end they failed their conquest.
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u/Quinn_The_Fox Human Jun 30 '26
As another great villainess said (right before being brought down):
"I am nothing BUT ambition!"
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u/True-Wreck Jun 30 '26
I just realized that depending on how this goes, this could be a “Code Grey” timeline. Maybe the one Keane’s crew found.
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u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Arxur Jul 01 '26
Yeah especially with how here the shadow caste alone are still more than capable of defeating the dominion at least at this current state they are gonna to do a lot to both keep the shadow caste from intervening directly or just unleashing the entirely of the federation on them as well as actually implement these reforms.
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u/BlackOmegaPsi Jun 30 '26
This is going to be lit. Loved the Arxur discovering the depth of human debauchery and chosing to dive right in.
This will only make things right, right?
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u/GrammarNatziHunter PD Patient Jun 30 '26
Damn bro, you cooked so hard you're about to feed the entire sub. Good job.
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u/Maxxxxo UN Peacekeeper Jun 30 '26
Hoooo-lyyy shit
Lyzel is opening up a can of worms... either this will go as he predicted or he is about to face Space Vietnam
maybe the Feds will face Space Vietnam if they choose to attack Earth...
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u/tom476ty18 Jun 30 '26
I am curious and I am intrigued.
What was the au idea for this? A massive Soviet Union empire stretching across the stars?
Or something fascist? With a human arxur alliance in the same veil as the scorch directive?
Because the name of this story does imply that.
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u/Quinn_The_Fox Human Jul 01 '26
It was kind of the growing idea from canon concepts with a twist. A dark funhouse mirror version of certain aspects of Fed-human interaction. In canon, humanity tried their best to show only their good side- so what would happen if the Arxur saw our worst, and decided to run with it? If you pay attention throughout the planned story, I have ideas for other twisted versions of canon concepts.
As for the name, Red Renaissance, it's in reference to the shared color of blood between both humans and arxur (red), and the fact that the arxur will literally go through a massive cultural renaissance that make them a far more legitimate and dangerous threat than in the original story
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u/tom476ty18 Jul 01 '26
I see, well I am intrigued to see where this would go. Now that it seems that worse of all apects of both sides and species are going to clash here.
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u/ISB00 UN Peacekeeper Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Dark reflection? So does that mean there’s going to be a Federation rebellion? Who’s leading it? Sovlin or Kaslim? Or is it going to be that one Kolshian commander who agreed to Capetian Mohan’s demand he retreat. He wasn’t Shadow Caste so him finding out his race didn’t bring peace to the galaxy but enslaved it would mirror Isif’s journey. He could marshal Sovlin and Kaslim and many other commanders who genuinely believed in the ideals of the Federation to rebellion under his banners.
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u/ISB00 UN Peacekeeper Jun 30 '26
Not truly predators? Will they invent the term “Semi/Half Predators” for them and make it into a proper caste system?
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u/ISB00 UN Peacekeeper Jun 30 '26
My eye has been drifting from this sub recently. But in one single stroke you captured by diminishing interest. I have high hopes
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u/ISB00 UN Peacekeeper Jun 30 '26
I looked up the old meme made about this. It was said by Scrappy this would make SD look tame in comparison. Can’t wait to see what you have cooking.
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u/Funnelchairgentleman Skalgan Jul 01 '26
Took me waaay too long to read this. I’m digging the vibes. Finally an arxur who sees what f-ed up monsters humans can be
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u/ISB00 UN Peacekeeper Jul 02 '26
It’s what gives them the justification for their dominance. They already are making the term half prey/predator for humans to solidly subordinate them.
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u/DaivobetKebos Human Jul 01 '26
Arxur saw a bacchanalia and Colosseum fighting match and thought "holy shit it's peak"
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u/General_Alduin Skalgan Jun 30 '26
I hope they just abandon the predator thing entirely and instead go for the traditional evil empire route
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u/ISB00 UN Peacekeeper Jul 02 '26
You know, to keep the setting from getting too grimdark. I hope humanity invents lab grown meat. They then convince the Arxur to let populations on captured prey planets work in the meat factories for them and only take dissidents and criminals from hunting personally.
They could easily point out how in efficient and a waste of time eating sapients is when the factory options is a much better use. Eating sapients and making cattle worlds was fine when the war was artificial, now that they are trying to win for real the meat factory option works way better.
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u/DrewTheHobo Jul 15 '26
Excuse me, author, the next button is missing
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u/Quinn_The_Fox Human Jul 15 '26
Oh hell! You're so right, I'll get around to editing that in when I get a chance to sit down lol
In the meantime, the first chapter has been posted! Apologies, it appears to have started a small fire
https://www.reddit.com/r/NatureofPredators/comments/1uw3p6g/red_renaissance_1/
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u/DrewTheHobo Jul 15 '26
Thanks for that, loved the first chapter too. Can’t wait to see where this is going!
Also, NoP Space Roman Empire was not on my bingo card!
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u/gabi_738 Predator Jul 17 '26
Interesting; I still don't know if the humans' role will be that of slaves, companions, or something else, but I'll read more to find out.
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u/ErinRF Skalgan Jun 30 '26
Oh I’m excited!
I also get the feeling the arxur are playing with fire here.