Nero continued walking down the Royal Hall with the chest. As he approached the exit of the Royal Hall he took note of a man cloaked in brown rags with a hood.
He and the man met eyes and Nero scowled. He felt a sharp, powerful, and dangerous ki presence on this unknown man. Had he not just promised his Empress to go with haste, he would’ve attacked this man outright with no questions asked. He was a clear and present threat to the Empress.
As it stood, however, Nero ignored the urge to end the man’s life on the spot and focused on his given mission.
The man in brown cloaks was ready to defend himself, and he was met with utmost surprise when Nero passed him by after clearly noting him as a massive threat. Likewise, the man thought to himself, “So that is Nero? He has grown in power. The power on him felt threatening even to me. Empress Victoria must have an obscenely powerful buff on him while within the castle. I best be careful. He may very well be able to fight me to an annoying standstill if he so chooses. But why did he ignore me? He didn’t even notify the guards?”
With Nero gone, the man walked openly down the middle red carpet of the throne room towards Empress Victoria who was only just now taking her seat upon her throne. As she took her seat, the royal guards rushed towards the man.
The guards yelled, “Halt right there stranger! You reek of foreign stench! Unhood yourself or we will attack with lethal force!”
The man revealed only a smile from underneath his cloak, and a booming voice called out from the throne, “Stand down guards!”
The captain turned to her, “Empress! This man is a clear and present threat!”
Victoria smiled, “Stand down guards. Unless, that is, you think you can take on the ruler of the Heraklinos Empire all by yourselves.”
She grinned at the man who took down his hood and smiled up at Victoria, “Forgive my clandestine arrival, Victoria BloodStar.”
“You could’ve just called. Jarek Heraklinos.” She stood from her throne in her regal red robes laced with gold accents and descended the steps. She walked up to Jarek and said, “It has been a long time, Jarek.” She grabbed his arm gently and said, “Let’s walk.”
She led him to an open-air walkway that circled around the rear of the castle offering views of the ocean with crystal clear water near the beach below. Jarek lost himself in the view of the outlook thinking to himself, “Such a shame this beauty is lost to the rest of the world. It is a true marvel of the world.”
He took it all in as he had the ultimate beauty of nature in his sights and the ultimate beauty of Victoria grasping his arm as they walked side by side.
Victoria broke his thought by finally saying, “Come now Jarek. I gather you aren’t here to kill me. So why are you here?”
Jarek peeled his gaze from the beautiful scenery and directed it back at Victoria, from one beautiful sight to another, “There have been rumors Victoria. Very serious rumors.”
Victoria laughed, “Rumors? This is the BloodStar Empire. The world has made rumors of my empire since the Great War. We are a mystery. Who is concocting these rumors?”
Jarek smiled knowing she wasn’t wrong, “These rumors are different. Master Sage has some very interesting information that has drummed up a sentiment leading many of the Allied leaders to lean towards opening a second war front here in the BloodStar Empire.”
Victoria gave a small laugh, “Master Sage. A young master. Were we so different all those years ago? Foolish and naïve.” She looked to Jarek and said, “I think you have your hands plenty full on the one front of this war already.”
“I am here because it was a last-ditch effort by me to convince the others to avoid a drastic misstep. Would you mind at least answering some questions for me, so that I may convince my peers that a second front is a terrible idea? As you say.” Jarek spoke honestly to his longtime foe.
Victoria released her grasp on his arm and leaned her back against the open-air walkway rail as she came to a stop, “I’ve held up every single measure in the treaty signed by me, you, and others after the Great War. Why would I start dissenting this late in the game?”
Jarek stopped alongside her, “You have followed the letter of the treaty but certainly not its spirit.”
Victoria laughed, “Maybe not. What are your questions Master Heraklinos?”
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Jarek assumed a stern look and crossed his arms, “Erika and her councilman allege that an ancient BloodStar ceremony took place recently right near where we stand currently. And if I recall, ancient BloodStar ceremonies don’t ever lead to anything good, do they?”
Victoria smiled at him full of charisma just like her daughter would, “An ancient BloodStar ceremony? Gosh, I thought all knowledge of those had been lost to time. Not even my own archives delineate the steps needed to perform such powerful feats.”
Jarek replied, “That brings me to my second point. The councilman alleges that in his youth, he once read a scripture from my top security archives pertaining to the ceremony performed. Something about a large column of energy et cetera. The only problem is… those archives were stolen by Constance Khan and are presumed to be here in your possession now.”
He began to pace back and forth in front of her, “I previously used my clout to sway the other Masters that stolen archives weren’t enough to merit a direct war with you. However, you can see the dilemma I am facing now. Can’t you?”
Victoria feigned to be in thought, “Oh those archives. I do remember Constance bringing me such materials.”
Jarek nodded, “Please take me to them.”
She hopped to his side and took his arm once again, “Right this way. To my personal quarters.”
The two walked side by side up an elaborate staircase and down a hallway littered with priceless paintings as Victoria made small talk, “Things haven’t changed much since you were here last. Have they?”
Jarek shook his head, “It is just as I remember. Are you one to long for the old times?”
Victoria smiled to herself as she looked down, “Well. I do miss the glory days of war. But I put that mantle up long ago. What I truly miss are the days before the war. Do you remember those days?”
Jarek didn’t smile, “I try not to. Those are days that will never exist again.”
She led him inside of a large room filled with luxuries down to the finest detail as she said, “You must know Jarek that perfection is transient. It exists in moments. Not in a permanent state. Time is too cruel to allow us to keep something so precious as perfection.”
Jarek didn’t refute her words, and he only let a meaningful sigh. Victoria let go of his arm and said, “That is why our old days together, and your days together with Sabrina are perfect.”
The two met eyes and she said, “I don’t blame you for taking the path you did. In the scheme of the world, it was the right path. But you also should know that I too cherish those pre-war days together.”
Jarek merely looked at her, “The archive papers, Victoria?”
Victoria shook her head softly, “You’re right. Enough reminiscing.” She walked over to the fireplace and pointed to a pile of black ashes, “Here they are.”
Jarek looked at the pile of ashes and then looked to her with a serious look. She met his look with a serious expression of her own, “As you say. The ceremonies are quite dangerous. There is no place in the world for such information. I think your council would quite agree.”
Jarek shook his head and said, “They would. Were it not for the sole fact that you have destroyed extremely valuable and incriminating evidence against yourself.” He turned around and raised his voice, “I am trying to do you a favor!” He grasped the back of his head with his hands and walked around the large room.
She looked to him as he paced, “I need no favors, Jarek. You know that.”
He raised his voice at her once more, “And what about your daughter, Xenia BloodStar? She is currently under siege. Negotiations have been dreadful. She isn’t a graceful diplomate like yourself. She is bloodthirsty. Would you tell me the truth in exchange for her life? She is about to go up against Jacek and Karasu.”
Victoria laughed, “Jacek and Karasu? My my. You really don’t know her strength do you?”
He walked towards her and stopped short of her face, “If that doesn’t work Victoria, I will kill her myself. This is war.”
“As you say, Jarek. This is war. And all war is based on deception. And yet here you are asking me for the truth.” She stood her ground.
Jarek shook his head, “So you would rather leave your daughter unprotected and prone to certain death than tell me what this ceremony was all about?”
Victoria nodded, “She is a big girl. She can bear the consequences she has brought on herself. And I don’t plan to interfere. I have no doubt that you will bail Jacek out the moment he needs it. And he will need it. But I will give you my word, Xenia is on her own. I won’t be coming to her side other than to retrieve her body and honor her should she fall in battle.”
Victoria ran her hand along Jarek’s face as they stood ever closer to one another, “This is their war. We had ours.”
Jarek took a step back and walked to the door, “Then why do I have the distinct feeling you are helping Xenia with indirect measures that no one knows of?” He huffed and puffed before saying, “Goodbye Victoria. I think you know how this all ends.”
Victoria took a seat and said, “I know the next step. But how this all ends? Only a fool would presume to know. Wouldn’t they?”
Jarek turned to leave making no further comment. He traced his steps back down the hall, along the beautiful open-air walkway, through the Royal Hall, and down the steps of BloodStar Castle as he made way for his ship.
As he boarded he looked to his commander, “Prepare to disembark! Is the General back?”
The commander looked over Jarek’s shoulder, and said, “I believe he comes now, sir. Look.”
Jarek stood and welcomed General Magnus, “Vega, were you successful?”
Vega nodded, “Two of the known three, yes sir.”
Jarek responded, “As discussed, Xenia likely has the third by her side. Excellent work, Vega.”
Jarek turned back and yelled, “We are headed home men! Let’s move!”
Meanwhile, within the BloodStar Castle, Victoria took her seat on the throne as a royal guard approached, “Empress, as expected, a separate infiltrator has invaded the dungeons below the castle during your discussion with Master Heraklinos. The infiltrator was identified to be General Vega Magnus, and we are certain he has boarded his ship with two void daggers. Should we pursue him?”
Victoria smiled and raised her hands together clasping them in front of her face, “No. Let them leave. Everything is going just as planned.”