Report: Another Astronauts Discover the Cursed Sarcophagus on an Extraterrestrial World…
In the vast, silent expanse of the universe, humanity has always sought answers to the mysteries of its origins, existence, and potential companions among the stars. When the crew of the Celestial Horizon set out on their mission to explore the newly discovered exoplanet TR-47b, they anticipated encountering strange flora, unusual terrains, and perhaps microorganisms. What they found instead was something far more unsettling a discovery that would test their courage, logic, and resolve to survive.
The Discovery
TR-47b, a rocky planet orbiting a dim red dwarf star, had long intrigued scientists with its Earth-like qualities. The Celestial Horizon’s six-person crew, led by Commander Elena Vance, was tasked with conducting the first on-ground exploration. Upon landing in the shadow of a towering, jagged mountain range, they encountered a desert-like expanse littered with crystalline structures that shimmered eerily under the star’s faint red light.
As the team ventured deeper into the terrain, they stumbled upon an anomaly: a massive structure buried halfway in the sand. It was an ancient sarcophagus-like object, carved from an unknown black alloy that seemed impervious to their tools and scanners. The object was adorned with intricate alien glyphs, spiraling patterns that seemed almost alive, shifting subtly when observed.
“We should proceed with caution,” advised Dr. Amir Salim, the team’s xenolinguist. “This could be a cultural artifact. Or a warning.”
But curiosity prevailed. With the aid of their rover’s advanced equipment, the team unearthed the structure, revealing its full length over 20 meters. At its center was a circular mechanism that pulsed faintly with a dim, violet light, as if responding to their presence.
Opening Pandora’s Box
Despite the warnings of Dr. Salim and pilot Sofia Reyes, the team’s lead engineer, Dr. Alex Monroe, was determined to open the sarcophagus. “We’re here to discover, not to shy away,” he argued, his voice tinged with excitement. After hours of analyzing the glyphs and the glowing mechanism, Monroe managed to decipher a method to unlock it.
The sarcophagus split open with a hiss, releasing a fine, glittering mist that dissipated into the thin atmosphere. Inside lay a humanoid figure, preserved as though in suspended animation. Its features were both alien and hauntingly familiar elongated limbs, translucent skin that shimmered with iridescent colors, and hollow black eyes that seemed to pierce through the veil of time.
The moment the sarcophagus opened, the planet itself seemed to react. The ground trembled slightly, and a low, resonant hum filled the air. The crew’s instruments began malfunctioning, and the temperature around them dropped sharply. Dr. Monroe stepped back, his earlier confidence replaced with unease.
“I think we’ve made a mistake,” Commander Vance muttered, her eyes fixed on the unmoving figure.
The Curse Unleashed
It wasn’t long before strange events began to unfold. The crew reported hearing whispers, faint and unintelligible, emanating from the sarcophagus. The once-dormant figure within began to decay rapidly, its body crumbling into an ash-like substance that seemed to seep into the ground.
Then came the visions. Each crew member experienced vivid hallucinations glimpses of a world consumed by chaos, alien cities collapsing under storms of fire, and shadowy entities consuming all life. Dr. Salim theorized that these visions were a form of psychic transmission, perhaps a warning or a fragment of the creature’s memories.
But the worst was yet to come. Hours after opening the sarcophagus, the crew discovered that the crystalline formations around them were growing at an accelerated rate, encroaching on their landing site. The crystals emitted a low-frequency vibration that disrupted their communications and began affecting their mental states. Reyes, the pilot, described a suffocating sense of dread, as if the planet itself was alive and hostile.
The Race Against Time
Realizing the danger, Commander Vance made the decision to evacuate immediately. However, the sarcophagus’s influence seemed to extend far beyond their immediate vicinity. The Celestial Horizon, docked a few kilometers away, was now encased in a lattice of crystalline growths. Its systems flickered erratically, and the engines refused to ignite.
Desperation set in as the crew worked tirelessly to free the ship. Dr. Monroe, wracked with guilt, attempted to destroy the sarcophagus, but his efforts only seemed to exacerbate the situation. The crystals reacted violently, growing faster and emitting bursts of energy that disrupted the team’s equipment.
“It’s as if the planet is trying to keep us here,” Dr. Salim remarked grimly.
In their final hours on the surface, the crew discovered the true purpose of the sarcophagus. Using a handheld scanner, Reyes detected a massive network of tunnels beneath the surface, leading to what appeared to be a central chamber. The sarcophagus, it seemed, was a containment vessel, designed to imprison the entity within and prevent it from infecting the rest of the galaxy.
“We didn’t just open a tomb,” Commander Vance realized. “We opened a prison.”
The Escape
With no way to stop the spreading crystals or the malevolent force they had unleashed, the crew devised a daring plan. Using the rover’s remaining fuel, they rigged an improvised explosive to blow open a path for the Celestial Horizon. It was a risky gambit, but their only hope.
As the explosive detonated, the crystals shattered momentarily, and the ship’s engines roared to life. The crew scrambled aboard, their suits battered and their minds haunted by the whispers that grew louder as they ascended.
The Celestial Horizon barely escaped TR-47b’s gravity, but the ordeal was far from over. In the silence of space, the whispers persisted, a chilling reminder of what they had unleashed. Dr. Salim theorized that the entity’s influence might have extended beyond the planet, hitching a ride on their psyches or the residual energy from the sarcophagus.
Commander Vance transmitted a warning to Earth, detailing the events on TR-47b and advising against any future expeditions to the cursed world. The crew agreed to place themselves in quarantine upon return, uncertain of the extent of their contamination.
The Aftermath
Months later, back on Earth
