The guards immediately blocked their way. One wore a colourful red and black armour, who would be Samuell, while the other wore a gold and blue, and that would be Maduk. They couldn't see their facial expressions. They were a lot more professional and stricter than the receptionist at the lobby.

"State your business."

“Hey! We’re from the Soul-Core. We were tasked to establish an alliance between Testharia and the Soul-Core.” Claude smiled with his hands on his waist.

“Do you have a permit with you?” Samuell asked.

“We do!” Claude handed them the permit. Samuell snatched it from his hands and started inspecting it up close. After a good 30 seconds, he handed it back to him and shook his head.

“Soul-Core, correct?”

Nanasu, Claude and Mikael nodded their heads in unison. Samuell and Maduk, the guards, would look at each other and then turn around to come to an agreement.

Claude raised an eyebrow, were they gossiping against them?

:: Maduk, they’re Soul-Core...! ::

:: I know! Do they know that Dark Intrinium is in an alliance with us? ::

:: Goddamn, Asheera made a mistake we can’t walk away from! ::

:: Wait wait, it’s not that bad... What if we don’t let them in...? ::

:: Maduk, they’re Soul-Core! What if Dark Intrinium turns against us and we don’t have anyone to save us? ::

:: Why would we have anyone save us in the first place...!? We’re Testharia, we got the manpower! ::

:: No no no... Lord Veyron is the issue! ::

:: ...Fggh... Sachiel can fight him, right? ::

:: Maduk! I don’t want my home city to be burned down because of a stupid agreement! Let’s just let them in, and hope Sachiel agrees to an alliance. He needs to terminate the alliance anyways! ::

:: ... Alright alright! ::

Nanasu and Mikael looked at each other. They couldn’t hear him and nor Claude could. After a few seconds, the guards turned around in unison, maintaining their professional behaviour.

“Ahem... you may enter.” They went out of the way and opened the door to them.

“Sweet!” Claude walked inside first. Nanasu and Mikael followed suit, and the door was closed behind them.

They were presented with a beautiful looking hotel lobby. But it was more like a home for the Eria Family. There are hotel rooms in this floor as well however, one guest being Jumkou Katatoria.

Claude’s eyes were closed, concentrating on the Soul Aura. “That one must be the Great Kamisword... but the other one...”

Mikael walked over to one of the sofas in the lobby, sitting down to wait for when they could be seen.

Nanasu was in her own world, looking down at the entirety of Tristate City from a window pane, laughing. “This place is so cool! It looks like Coruscant!”

Nanasu was also a fan of old media, such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones and A Mystical Divergence. “It really looks like... You wouldn’t find a city like this anywhere!”

“It’s like you can smell the tradition!” Claude smiled.

-

A couple meters down, a door would open, revealing a family member of the Royal Family. It wasn’t the Great Kamisword they were looking for, but the Princess, or so, the Viceroy herself.

She coughed, looking to the right which was the hallway upon noticing foreigners. “Ramiel! Did we have guests!?”

Ramiel appeared just seconds before Asheera. “I don’t think so... We did have a meeting with the Septo Corporation just then...”

Claude and Nanasu’s eyebrows were raised upon hearing the Septo Corporation. Despite Septo’s neutral policy, many database leaks showed a large amount of transactions with Dark Intrinium. This could only mean one thing, that they were aligned towards them.

For Testharia to have a meeting scheduled with them, it was worrying.

Claude walked up to Asheera upon noticing her and kneeled in respect. “Your highness...”

Asheera looked at Claude with a raised eyebrow, taken aback by his sudden kneeling. In Testharian culture, kneeling was never a thing. Nevertheless, she cleared her voice and put on her formality. “A- Hello... We were not expecting any guests, this is a surprise to say the least.”

Mikael followed Claude, bowing his head – having read a book on Testharian culture issued to him on the shuttle ride.

“Sent here by the Soul-Core military, ma’am.” He fixed his posture, smiling.

“We were here to speak with the Great Kamisword.” Mikael said, raising his head. He turned to where Nanasu was, gesturing her to join him and Claude in introducing themselves.

Asheera nodded, walking with them to the sofa. “I see. He is currently on patrol duty outside Tristate City. I am overseeing this tower for the time being.”

Nanasu stared at Asheera, finding a new sense of beauty in her. While she looked alien, Asheera resembled a human more than the average Testharian. She had long, silky pink hair, black eyes, a pale skin. They were tall and slender. She was the epitome of beauty in Testharia.

Foreigners wouldn’t get a kick from seeing her, though.

.:. That’s... the Viceroy? She’s more beautiful than I thought. .:.

“What’s with all that Soul Energy left suspended in orbit?” Claude asked, cutting to the chase entirely. He referenced the Dankasho Incident that happened yesterday.

“Eeh...” Ramiel grimaced under his helmet – still ashamed of himself for how he handled the situation. Asheera sat on the sofa, waiting for the others to take a seat as well.

Everyone followed suite, while Asheera shook Nanasu’s hand in advance, greeting her.

Ramiel broke the silence. “We were attacked by a terrorist – you may know him as the one who attacked Progen City.”

Claude put a finger on his chin. “I see. The Soul known as CHAOS. But he shows up here, why? He was hidden for such a long time.”

“We are just as lost as you, sir...” Asheera said, unbeknownst to her what his name is. She looked away with a tinge of embarrassment.

“I questioned him before battle. He emerged to spread chaos and nothing else. He was just living up to his name.” Ramiel crossed his arms. “He arrived like a meteor. He was most likely floating in space for ages.”

Nanasu chuckled, half-joking. “Fuuck... would’ve been a golden chance to put an end to him for goo-“

“You wouldn’t have killed him.”

“Heh?” Nanasu looked at Ramiel in confusion.

“No, not that... We did kill him, but he just got back up like it never happened.”

CHAOS. The most powerful Synthetic-Class, even known by all Soul-Core personnel. A veteran like Nanasu didn’t know something like that. What was she really doing back in the space station? Was she playing video games? Was she sleeping through the 6 year downtime?

“You didn’t read anything, Nanasu?” Claude looked back at her. “He is deemed to be the most powerful Synthetic-Class by Soul-Core. Even I would have a tough time against ‘em.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

She looked at Ramiel, Claude and Nanasu conversing with each other. She was just coughing through the conversation, which gave Mikael and Ramiel the feeling that something was wrong with her.

“Are you alright, Viceroy?” Mikael noticed, having not spoken since they got to the sofa. Ramiel turned his head also, noticing it.

“I am just a little ill.”

“Hmm. I could go to the med bay to get you medication. It could still be lingering injuries.”

Asheera put her hand up, waving around, signalling that she declined his offer. “There is no need for that, Ramiel... Thank you. Now, about Chaos.” She stood up, coughing again.

“Yes. We did kil him, but as Ramiel said – he got straight back up. Which led me to think that something else was controlling the person... the Soul. Prior to Chaos dying, they spoke more casually, but when CHAOS emerged...” She put emphasis this time. “They were more sophisticated, and stronger.”

“Hm.” Claude thought. “That’s a possibility...” But then, he cleared his throat. “Ahem... Anyway- we came here on behalf of a... negotiation.”

Asheera now focused on Claude, sitting back on the sofa. “Proceed, sir.”

“Well... Since I don’t like beating around the bush. I will cut to the chase. At the request of our General of the Soul-Core military, we want to propose an alliance.”

Asheera’s eyes widened in shock, and she immediately tried hiding her shock. Soul-Core wants to propose an alliance, to an ally of Dark Intrinium? She thought back on the conversation she had with Kytan Veyron, about Soul-Core being worse than it shows.

But she realized just after the conversation that those were all just manipulation tactics... moreover, she spoke about that with Sachiel.

= = =

“I... I know you’re agitated, and I apologise... I know- I fucked up...I should’ve consulted you before diving into any negotia-“

Sachiel sat elegantly on his large comfortable chair, which was made of rusted weapons, and it was glowing yellow and blue. The colours having different meanings. He interrupted before she could finish her sentence.

“Asheera. We have adhered to the policy of not trusting any outsiders that may want to come in contact with us for years, and you broke that with the very person that is a menace to the galaxy. You are still an amateur when it comes to diplomacy, and yes, you should have put your choice on hold before agreeing so impulsively.”

He was angry, and it was justified. Testharia was now in looming danger of an incoming betrayal, something that Dark Intrinium has done with a lot of allies in the past, except the Septo Organization.

“Additionally, I never gave you an order that you were to negotiate with outsiders when I was not available. You should’ve not forgotten about that. What made you act on impulse?”

Asheera didn't know what to answer, and she felt a sense of guilt rising in her body. She didn't think that a simple meeting between two individuals could lead to something like this. “I just... look, Sachiel... I’m sorry.”

Riddled with guilt, she sat down, unable to look his great brother in the eyes.

However, Sachiel did look her in the eye. While crossing his other leg, he didn’t look agitated. He merely showed that in his ‘dialogue’ with her. It was more of a lesson than pure anger. He remained expressionless with a smile that almost said nothing.

Sachiel had known a lot about Dark Intrinium and their tactics for many years. They were ruthless. who would do anything to get what they want.

Dark Intrinium is an authoritarian empire made up of thousands of star systems, just like Soul-Core. They are primarily concentrated in the east. Dark Intrinium was formed by the Veyron family, founded after disagreements with Soul-Core’s ideology. Believing that with the awakening of Soul-Wielders, a galaxy ruled by them would be suitable, rather than with an elected authority. Which is why the mostly embody the strong, ambitious and callous.

Dark Intrinium operates under the ‘survival of the fittest’ ideology, believing heavily in one’s personal strength and fostering an environment of betrayal and violence. While the acts their members do in the name of power is deplorable, the Veyron's primary teachings are surprisingly well thought-out; teaching to be proud of one’s strength, to foster their Soul and to strive for more in life. Dark Intrinium is typically safer to travel through than Soul-Core, as piracy is heavily controlled.

When Asheera mentioned that they had offered an alliance, he became suspicious. He knew that they were not to be trusted and would always have a hidden agenda. He had advised his sister to be careful, but she was young and naïve and did not listen.

In fact, he had specifically told her not to negotiate with outsiders when he was not around. However, he did not realize that she would not follow his advice.

Now, he feared that the consequences of her actions would come back to haunt them. He could only hope that the damage would not be too severe.

However, he knew that the most important thing was to learn from this mistake and not repeat it again, while silently terminate the alliance.

“We know nothing about the outsiders, Asheera. Nor do we want to. It’s best for us to explore and connect by tourism. Not with alliances. You ought to know that.”

He grabbed his cup of Shukrann wine and closed his eyes as he drank it all away. His butler would grab the empty cup and walk away with it. “If you truly call yourself heir to the Kamisword throne, you have a long way to go, young sister...”

= = =

The elevator on the right opened, revealing the person that they were looking for, causing Asheera to snap out of it.

“Hey, Asheera. Myrcella called that you had guests.” He quickly took off his jacket and hung it on the rack.

Claude immediately stood up. “You must be the Great Kamisword.”

Sachiel smiled, reaching for a handshake. Claude did as well as they shook firmly. “Indeed, apologises. I do not believe we have met yet. I am Sachiel Eria.”

“Claude Magami!” Claude smiled.

Sachiel patted Asheera on the shoulder. “I’ll take over for now, Asheera. Thank you, go rest.” He then sat on the sofa while Asheera nodded, waving the guests goodbye and leaving the room.

Ramiel waved the guests goodbye too before walking away, into the hallway. He wanted to check up on his armour repairs and since he still wasn’t used to seeing Sachiel in person, he found it off-putting.

Not that he disliked Sachiel, but because the person scared him.

Claude cut to the chase as he did with Asheera, sitting down. “Great Kamisword! On behalf of Soul-Core and it’s military adjacent, I propose an alliance with the Mobilizers of Testharia.”

Sachiel leaned back on the sofa, smiling. “An alliance, you say. What an intriguing offer! That is rare indeed. We have had two alliance proposals in the same month. The Soul-Core military, hm?”

Claude nodded.

Sachiel’s smile then faded away, as he sighed, about to give them the bad news. “Unfortunately, gentlemen and lady. We are already in an alliance with a huge body. Lord Veyron of Veyronia was quicker than you gentlem-“

“Lord Veyron?” Claude stood up.

Mikael pushed off the wall and Nanasu was left speechless.

“Great Kamisword... with all due respect.” Mikael clenched his fists. “Are you aware of the atrocities that Lord Veyron and Dark Intrinium have done? All those factions that have been reduced to serve Lord Veyron? Kiss his feet and make his bed?”

Claude crossed his arms, turning serious. “He is a man that cannot be trusted, Great Kamisword. With all due respect, I think it is in your best interest to terminate the alliance. Lord Veyron will have your planet conquered before you even know it. If you side with us, Soul-Core will have no trouble in aiding your people and this wonderful planet.”

Sachiel nodded, crossing his arms as well. He crossed his legs, closing his eyes, thinking. “I have heard such a suspicion from my sister Asheera herself. 3 weeks ago, Asheera conversed with Lord Veyron of Veyronia. Lord Veyron had proposed an alliance in exchange for strengthened transfer trade power in our favour. She was the person who accepted the proposal... impulsively.”

He continued. “They will understand the motives behind our termination of the alliance. In fact, I had terminated the alliance effective immediately yesterday. How can we know that an action like that will not speed up the invasion, hypothetically speaking?”

Claude smiled. “Well! That is our job! To make sure every part of the galaxy can in peace and prosper!”

Mikael added. “If they were to invade, not only would you have your highly talented military defending you – but the millions and millions of Soul-Core soldiers at your side. There is a reason why so many of our alliances succeeded in the past hundred years. You can count on us, Great Kamisword.”

Claude topped it off with a small sentence, saying: “We’ve got your back.”

Nanasu was sound asleep on the comfortable sofa, taking nothing in of the conversation. Everything she heard came right back out of her thick skull.

“I’ve seen what happened to worlds who side with them. They become bloody wastelands or an asteroid field. I’ve too seen Lord Veyron in action before. He holds devastating power, so much that none of us can beat him. He might even be a difficult man to kill for you.”

Sachiel Eria stood up, staring at Mikael and Claude. “If this really is true, can I entrust everything to Soul-Core? We are not too fond of outsiders who dare to propose alliances or trade routes to us. But we have been running low on resources. We’re entering a glacier period far colder and stronger than the previous 10 years ago. Can we, really, trust you?”

Mikael crossed his arms, standing beside Claude now. He reiterated his point. “Great Kamisword... As someone who comes from a world similar to your own – I can guarantee that the Soul-Core will be there to supply and protect your world. If it were not for Soul-Core, my world would have been nothing but a never-ending sheet of ice.”

Claude clenched his fist and slapped it against his palm, signalling that he was ready for a fight should an invasion happen. “And leave Dark Intrinium to us, I know your people want to remain impartial. We will fight so you don’t have to!”

“Hm...” Sachiel thought before extending his hand for a handshake. “You gentlemen are kind beings, for sure. I would not reject such a nice offer. Thank you for setting our priorities straight, Sir Magami.” He smiled.

Claude shook his hand with a big smile. “Just Claude is enough!”

In Testharian culture, informality is sometimes seen as coming off rude, except with friends and family. Claude was just another foreign stranger that Sachiel spoke to. But, he didn’t mind the formality. In fact, Claude was just a happy individual overall, serious when he needed to, lovely person when not.

“Then it shall be Claude. Thank you once more.”

Mikael walked over to Nanasu, who had fallen asleep. With a small wave of his hand, he slapped her.

“Eu, huh!?” A voice greatly overpowered all the noise happening in the room. It was Nanasu waking up from what seemed to be her falling asleep. “We’re going?” She looked around, standing up quickly, bowing in respect and apologising. “I-s-s-s-sorry! I fell asleep! I haven’t slept for hours... s-sorry for being so rude!”

Sachiel laughed, looking over to Claude. “If the lady needs a little bit of rest, we have a vacant family room, reserved for the three of you.”

Mikael glances over at Nanasu, then back at Sachiel. “Do you allow pets?”

Sachiel nodded, before looking back at Claude. It seemed that Claude wanted to ask something else. “By the way, Great Kamisword.”

“Yes?”

“Who is the other person that I am sensing around here? Their Soul Energy readings are high.”

“That may be our other guest – Jumkou Katatoria. She is currently sleeping in her own room. I...” He thought back on the day he found her in Snowfall Heights. “It is a long story.”