Emerging from hyper speed, one of U.o.K’s competent members set course for Testharia. Aria Fujimara was ordered by Lord Veyron himself to arrange outposts on planet side for Dark Intrinium soldiers. However, Aria wasn’t so pleased with how Testharians played around with security.
“Damn Testharians and their obnoxious security measures.”
She was using one of the many personal fighters of Dark Intrinium. Her own one. As she reached Testharia within orbital range, she would activate her communication radio, connecting to the space station.
“This is Second Follower – Aria Fujimara. I request a landing within Tristate City.” She spoke over the communication radio towards Dankasho for permission.
After about 20 seconds of waiting, she received a return message. “Hello, Aria Fujimara. State your purpose for the visit.”
“I was sent here on behalf of Dark Intrinium. My purpose of this visit is to only be discussed within higher-ranked officials.”
She slowed her fighter down until she was given permission. .:. Like you would want to know. .:.
The communication officer responded harshly and didn’t lift the barrier. “Unfortunately, without a proper reason, we cannot allow you access to Testharia. Properly disclose your reason and we shall lift the barrier.”
“Huh?” Aria was confused. They were in an alliance with Dark Intrinium. Surely their own aircrafts would be given direct access. Something fishy was going on, and Aria knew that.
“I’m sorry? I do believe that Dark Intrinium is allied with the Mobilizers of Testharia. Any information for the reason and such is rightfully disclosed at the higher ranks. Do you understand that?”
“As per our security measure, your purpose of the visit is directly radioed to the Royal Family. They will know of your visit.” The communications officer didn’t stop.
“Why keep me here, officer? Is there a termination notice that we do not know of, and we are not allowed direct access anymore?” Aria Fujimara asked with a strong voice.
After about 10 seconds of radio silence, the officer responded to her last statement. “This is a security protocol that every visitor must go through, with or without a governmental alliance in place. As I said, without a proper disclosure of your stay is hostile behaviour, and shall you enter with force, you will be arrested immediately upon landing. We apologize on behalf of our Dankasho militants and Testharian Royal Forces for our strict rules.”
.:. What a golden retriever... .:.
“If that’s how it will be then I have no other choice.” She sighed. “My purpose of the visit is to meet the Great Kamisword. To discuss our continuation on how to deal with conflicting trade power.”
The communications officer quickly routed whatever she said through the personal radio, which connected directly to the radio on the 128th Floor of the Eria Tower. Then, the barrier was lifted, and Aria was granted passage, before saying the words: “Welcome to Testharia.”
“Right.” She would speed her fighter down through the lifted barrier, and towards the atmosphere of Testharia.
= = =
Mikael sat in the room assigned to the Star Gazers Squad, having little interest to explore the city and instead preferring to just wait until he came home. He read a guide on Testharian culture – wanting to not cause offense in the event he ever did leave.
The long ride to the planet had somewhat soured his expectations of it. The planet, while impressive, looked rather boring to him.
Being nothing but gleaming skyscrapers or small towns, it was really just a billionaire’s dream instead of a commoner’s issue. The fact they had been aligned with Dark Intrinium, however short, affected this too.
Nanasu was sleeping on the big bed to fight her slothful nature. Having only slept about 14 hours in 3 days, she was really desperate to get some shut eye in before they left. Her tiredness and boredom were further exacerbated by Mikael’s annoyance and Claude’s hyperactive nature. She didn’t quite fit in, but she was a good addition to the SGS arsenal.
Mikael turned his gaze towards Claude. “So... when are we going home?” He asked bluntly after a few minutes of listening to nothing but snoring and eating.
Claude was eating Sagrejau, which was a sandwich filled with cabbage, cheese, Testharian tuna and drizzled with garlic sauce and harissa sauce. A few seconds later, he turned his head towards Mikael with a dirty face. “What’s home to you, soldier?”
Mikael grimaced under his helmet, cringing at his disgusting face drowning in sauce. “You know what I mean... When do we leave this place? We’ve done our job, it’s a little odd that we’re still staying.”
Claude finished his food, using the only napkin he has to clean his dirty hands and face. He then stood up. “Right after I discover who this guest is that the Great Kamisword mentioned, then we’ll go.”
“Do we have to? What business do we have with the guest anyways?”
"Don't you feel it? They're strong. That gets my blood boiling, and my curiosity piqued. Don't tell me you don't feel the thrill when fighting someo-“ He stopped mid-sentence, his eyebrows furrowing and his smile fading.
“...Do you feel that?”
Mikael stood up, grumbling. “Yeah. I feel something, and that’s an increasing annoyance I feel from Nanasu’s snoring!”
“No, not that. There’s another Soul-Wielder nearby. This one has a staggering presence. Penetrating.” He looked around.
Nanasu would wake up from the sudden staggering presence, as she opened her eyes and looked at Claude and Mikael upside down. Her sleeping position was insanely comical. “Au... Auh... wazhappen!?”
“Someone is coming. Must be someone strong if Claude is worried about it.” Mikael crossed his arms, looking at Claude with a hint of worry.
“Euh... alri- WHAT!? Are we going to fight!?” She fell off the bed, before rubbing her eyes and looking straight at Claude. She was still half-asleep.
“You don’t feel that, rookie?”
“Don’t call me a rookie! I just woke up... Gimme a damn second...” She yawned.
Mikael walked over to his counter and grabbed his Testharian culture book, pelting it at Nanasu, hoping that she would catch it. It would at least indicate that she was fully awake and putting on an act.
“Aeh!” She caught it, pouting towards Mikael.
“’Least you’re awake.” He held back a chuckle.
“Not funny!”
“I wasn’t trying to be. We may have a threat coming.”
-
Aria’s fighter landed on the landing pad. There was a visible U.o.K. logo on the side of the flaps, indicating that they were truly Aria Fujimara – Second Follower.
The alliance with Dark Intrinium and the Mobilizers of Testharia was not publicly disclosed, so the people were welcoming the fighter like any other outside visitor in their own way. With love and grace.
The hatch-window popped open with Fujimara climbing out and off the ship. “Huh, lambs and sheep, all of them.” She gave the people a disappointed look, speed-walking towards Eria Tower, ignoring any welcome she gets.
She didn’t care for any Testharians nor the architecture. This planet was going to get conquered anyways. Destroyed or not, it was their property now.
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She approached the front desk. “One permit for the top floor.” She said, as if she knew that they needed a permit. It was not disclosed by the space station officer, which was suspicious. But Aria Fujimara was let known beforehand of all this of her meeting with the Great Kamisword.
“Ah! Miss Fujimara, welcome.” The receptionist smiled, reaching under the counter for the permit. “While you are here, how do you like Tristate City so far?”
Aria didn’t say anything and simply waited for the receptionist to find the permit. She did get impatient. “Come on...” She muttered. She had one hour to walk in, talk, walk out, and fly out after all.
As soon as the receptionist reappeared with the permit, it was snatched from her hands. “The elevators are to-“
“Appreciated.” She would walk down the hallway and towards the elevator hallway, entering the leftest elevator out of them all and going straight to the top floor.
After about 30 seconds of fast travelling to the top floor, the elevator doors opened, and she was met with a long hallway with two members of the Royal Squad standing guard. They obstructed the door.
“Out of my way, I’m here to speak with the Great Kamisword on behalf of Lord Veyron himself.” She didn’t waste any time and quickly ordered the guards to make way. However, the guards didn’t budge and asked for her permit.
“The permit, please.” The guard asked nicely.
“Are all of you sheep?” Aria asked bluntly.
“The permit. Or no access.” The guard took a step forward, taking her body language and insult as hostile behaviour. Of course, Aria Fujimara was no match for the Great Kamisword should something bad like a fight happen.
However, it would scare the 14-year-old living in the quarters.
Aria grumbled and gave the guard the permit.
After about 20 seconds of checking the permit, the guard gave it back to her. “Welcome.” They gave way to her and opened the door.
Sachiel was in the same top floor, waiting for the ‘guest’ to arrive. “This one presence worries me.” Sachiel sensed it, which made him worry a bit more.
Enter: Second Follower – Aria Fujimara.
The doors would open, greeted by Sachiel.
“Welcome, Miss Fujimara. We hope the people of Testharia have treated you well on your way here.” He extended his hand for a handshake, and Aria took it with respect.
“Great Kamisword. Lord Veyron has sent me for an arrangement on your planet. We request that we set up personal outposts for Dark Intrinium personnel to patrol.”
This was unprecedented, for Asheera and Sachiel. They had taken note of Aria’s ‘reason’ for coming here, and that was for discussing dealing with trade power. Sachiel knew that a follower of the Uprising of Kytron was capable of lying just to get here.
Aria was now in perfect reason to be arrested, but Sachiel would do no such thing if he wanted to protect his planet from a sudden invasion.
“I see... Come take a seat, we shall discuss this. The journey must have been exhausting.” He took a seat on the sofa. Aria followed through, taking a seat on a chair nearby.
“Outposts for Dark Intrinium seems like a good decision, but I must ask...” He sat upright. “Why are outpost necessary in a peaceful land like Testharia?”
Aria cleared her throat and sat elegantly, with her legs crossed and her hands interlocked.
“Great Kamisword. While you have clearly proven to have created a utopia for your people, you will find that not every bit of peace is safe from violence that occurs outside. Fortunately for you, Lord Veyron has blessed his presence upon this planet. I believe from here on out, it will be a much safer place than it was prior. With our combined manpower, no invasion or ambush from other bodies like Soul-Core, White Eye and Eukaron will result in you losing your planet. The outposts can prove to be extra security for Testharia as well as a quick shortcut to other planetary territories.”
Sachiel scratched the back of his head. “I see. By placing outposts and deploying Dark Intrinium soldiers to strengthen trade and ensuring fast travel, in addition to strengthening our manpower and ensuring us more safety from invasions or ambushes is a good proposal, indeed. However, we have strictly adhered to our historical policy of putting our people first, and the outsiders second. The people shall not like this, and a special reason for is soldiers. Should an invasion happen, we do expect your soldiers to do the work with us. Do you understand?”
Aria nodded.
“As such, I would like this matter to be decided by the people. ‘Vox Dei, Vox Populi’, is our policy. No democracy used is freedom lost, and without freedom there would be no prosperity. This is how we have kept our power for years.” He added.
Aria knew now that Sachiel added that the people would not like the change, the ‘democratic’ solution would not work, and the outposts idea would not go through. To battle this, she had to try and persuade Sachiel, who was a thick wall to crack.
“Great Kamisword...” She would divert from the political lane into the mystical lane.
“Surely, as a Soul-Wielder of insane strength and class. You do understand how much power you hold, do you not? You’re a king to your people, why not make this change as per your own decision, and not theirs added?”
“This is not my power, Fujimara. The history of all the people that has ever lived in Testharia, and the people that are alive now, have allowed me to rise such a level. They have given me a position where they expect me to flourish with them. I would not lead them astray, as I share my ideologies and my changes with them. They rule the government in the same level I do, and I shall not leave them in the dark in the choices I make.”
Aria glared Sachiel with a fiery look, as her patience started to run out. There was no going through the Great Kamisword. “This isn’t a governmental issue, Great Kamisword. Do you not believe what you could do with just Dark Intrinium at your side? I’m not so sure that disagreements would suffice for us.”
Sachiel crossed his legs, smiling, leaning back. “Disagreements can be compromised in ways where we can agree with each other, and we learn from it as people. I appreciate you coming here personally to talk to me about this. I hold no bad blood towards Lord Veyron or you. I understand that Lord Veyron wants total insurance of our safety, but I do not want it in a way where our soldiers are limitised to what they can do. As I said, we put our people first and outsiders second.”
Aria got frustrated now.
“I can allow Dark Intrinium soldiers in the same army, but I will not agree to setting up Dark Intrinium outpost around the planet.”
Aria took a moment to look around, having sensed a small bit of Soul Energy that was on par with her, before looking back at Sachiel. “This room... who created it to such perfection?”
Sachiel smiled. “My greatfather – Azrael Testharia, built it to perfection. Many generations passed this very room down to him, and then to me. It is home to our history and much more.” Sachiel called for his butler to pour him his favourite Shukrann Wine.
The butler wanted to ask if Aria wanted to drink but was shut down by her. “A man of high power such as you with righteous morals and leadership truly earns the position of leading Testharia, or am I mistaken?”
“You are not mistaken, Fujimara. In fact, you are most correct.”
“Then let me ask this. This would mean that you are the only person in your level amongst the Testharians, am I correct?”
“That is also correct, Fujimara.”
Sachiel’s butler came back with the drinks. The butler would freeze for a second, feeling a dark feeling wash over him by looking at Fujimara. Sachiel would take his full-poured chalice and start drinking.
“What would explain that then, Kamisword?” She pointed to the wall which directly pointed towards the room Jumkou was sleeping in. “No one told me that there would be another person as strong as you.”
“....... The person whom you may be referring to was lost on our planet and is currently in rehabilitation. It has nothing to do with the main topic.”
“...” Aria glared at Sachiel once again. She had it with his quick intuitiveness and thinking.
-
During the whole conversation, Claude was suppressing his Soul Energy. He had the most out of the squad and as such, needed to lay low. There was no need to, as Jumkou Katatoria’s Soul Energy surpassed theirs by a whole lot. It was overshadowed by hers.
Nanasu would feel a little scared, leaning on the supporters of the bed. :: Man... what’s happening inside there? I’m scared. :: She whispered to Mikael, hugging herself.
:: Don’t be scared. You have the most experience out of all of us. Claude will tell us what happened when he’s back. ::
Claude was eavesdropping at the conversation, behind the door of the hallways was where he was hiding. His curiousness led him to here, but would curiosity kill the cat in this instance? He hoped it wouldn’t. If this was Aria Fujimara – Second Follower, then he needed all the information he could squeeze out of them. After all, Soul-Core was now allied with Testharia.
.:. That’s trouble... Anytime when powerful Soul-Wielders such as Sachiel and Fujimara are nearby, it typically results in a rivalry or an alliance. .:.
It wasn’t like Claude to be concerned.
-
“Onto the topic at hand. Our proposal is the allowance of Dark Intrinium guards to patrol the city and alongside our soldiers, but the building of outposts is not allowed by any means.”
She turned back, nodding. “If so, then I suppose that it will work.” She stood up.
Sachiel stood up with her, smiling. He extended his hand again for a handshake. “It was pleasure doing business with you, Miss Fujimara.”
Aria didn’t see Sachiel extending his hand and was still fixated on the wall that separated Jumkou and her. Her mind became boggled by the two powerful Soul-Wielders. Normally, she would’ve persisted on the request, but she accepted the alternative instead.
.:. Something is definitely wrong here... .:.
“Well, Great Kamisword. I do hope the day pans out excellent for you.” She bowed, before turning around and leaving. The quick travel elevator opened its doors and quickly closed.
Exit: Second Follower – Aria Fujimara.
Claude sighed deeply. .:. Oh man... .:.
As a result, Nanasu’s fear faded away. :: Are they gone? :: She whispered to Mikael.
:: Seems so. ::
:: That was scary!! :: She facepalmed, taking deep breaths.
Claude emerged out of the hallway and walked before Sachiel with his hands on his waist. “That was close, wasn’t it?”
Sachiel turned towards Claude, who sounded like he knew what was going on, which could only mean one thing. He was listening in.
“Were you eavesdropping on our meeting, Mr. Magami? I must say that is quite rude.” He smiled.
“Uhh... heh... hehe... yeah.” He scratched his head, chuckling.
“Gooood... Morninngg...” Jumkou yawned while entering the lobby. Who dare disturb her beauty sleep? She got a good night’s sleep for the first time in ever. Besides, it wasn’t morning, it was evening time. Was a body clock even a thing for her?
“Ah! Good morning, Jumkou! I must say you look better each passing day. Are you well rested?” Sachiel turned towards her, smiling and admiring her beauty. It wasn’t normal for him to low flirt with her.
Jumkou nodded.
“Yo, good morning!”
“Good morning, Claudeeee...” She said.
...
...
Claude? I remember that name bright as day.
That is Claude?
Did I just say good morning to Claude?
Claude Magami? Out of everyone else?
Claude!?
CLAUDE!?
Claude Magami is alive!