The next morning King Ramses and Queen Zara scrambled hastily to gather their belongings. They had a chartered private jet waiting for them on the tarmac of the royal runway waiting to take them to the Sage Empire.

Ramses worriedly said, “This empire has lost its way. Xenia now has more authority than either you or me. If she were to find out we acted as informants to other empires and nations about her death, she may very well kill us.”

Zara nodded, “The sooner we leave, the sooner I will feel safe again. The dust will need to settle on this war before we can safely return. Leaving under the cover of war time as ambassadors is a foolproof plan.”

The two made way for the royal airstrip and boarded the private jet awaiting them. Ramses entered first and abruptly stopped causing Zara to bump into the back of him. She looked up to see Ramses staring ahead.

Xenia sat on the couch lounging with her feet up on the table. She was not wearing her warlord armor and instead wore her usual black leather military outfit. She looked up at them both and said, “You two look like you’ve seen a ghost. Aren’t you glad to see me alive? I’ve only come to see you both off. You two decided to leave on such short notice.”

She smiled and twirled her hair playfully as they nodded in agreement. Zara stuttered as she said, “Warlord BloodStar. We are merely on our way to the Sage Empire to serve as ambassadors during war time. We hope to avoid direct conflict with other major powers in the world as much as we can.”

The atmosphere aboard the jet was tense as Xenia stood and walked towards them. She continued to smile and said, “Well of course. I think that is a great idea. Although I must admit I secretly hope you fail. Politics may be your predilection, but mine is killing.”

Ramses and Zara bowed their heads to her as she walked by them towards the exit of the plane. Both Ramses and Zara couldn’t help but fear for their lives in that moment. Her emphases on ‘fail’ and ‘killing’ were certainly not without purpose. It was a safe bet to say Xenia knew exactly what they had been up to; however, now they could only wait and pray for her to act mercifully in the moment.

Xenia turned and said, “I have heard that the dreadful Erika Sage has sunk her claws into Jacek Heraklinos. Tell her I will be reclaiming what is mine with due time.”

King Ramses bowed his head and said, “I promise that is the very first topic we will broach upon our arrival.”

Zara bowed as well, “It will be made a priority and perhaps even a bargaining chip in the discussions to come with the Sage Empire.”

Xenia smiled, “Thank you both. I will be making my way to the North American continent soon. I truly hope this war won’t stop with the Holy Light Empire now that the United States has been laid claimed to by both the Heraklinos and Sage Empires.” She sighed and exited the plane as she waved goodbye to them.

Ramses waved her off with a smile and then wasted no time closing and locking the airplane door. He shouted to the pilots, “Get us in the air at once!”

The engines started to spool, and the jet was cleared for takeoff. Zara looked worriedly at Ramses, “You don’t think… you don’t think she would shoot us out of the sky, do you?”

Ramses grinded his teeth with a worried look on his face and said, “She would do anything. Be on alert.”

As the jet took off, Xenia stood next to Nero on the runway watching them.

Nero grunted, “The King and Queen are known traitors. Empress Victoria has ample evidence to prove this fact if you are in need of compelling proof to act on their malfeasance.”

Xenia smiled and waved to the plane followed by blowing them a kiss. Nero said, “If you would prefer, I can also strike the plane from the sky. It would be a clean kill I can assure you.”

Xenia laughed, “Nero! You sound like me!” She turned to walk away, and Nero followed. She continued, “I am letting them go. They are more useful to me alive.”

Nero frowned with confusion and said, “How do you mean?”

Xenia smirked, “They most certainly won’t counsel the Sage Empire to submit to my rule. So when the times comes, I can declare them traitors to our empire. I can declare the Sage Empire to be in collusion with our traitors. With the Sage Empire having been housing these traitors for many months by the time this develops… it will be cause for the BloodStar Empire to invade if we so choose.”

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Nero nodded, “I see. A chess match of sorts.”

Xenia replied, “Yes. Certainly Erika has had similar thoughts. She must think the alliance of the Heraklinos and Sage Empires is unbreakable. I hope to be the one to test her mettle.”

________________________________________________________

Hours later, Pope Gregory sat at his papal desk within his basilica. He hung up the phone and grimaced with a very displeased face.

He then picked his phone back up and dialed it angrily. A voice on the other end picked up, “Yes, father?”

Gregory slowly began, “Michael. I have bad news. Genuine bad news that will make both of our lives much more rigorous for the coming days and weeks.”

Michael paused before saying, “The BloodStar Empire is sending reinforcements? Is Empress Victoria joining the fray?”

Gregory chuckled, “Actually, now that you mention it… things could be worse. Victoria is not joining. However, her daughter, Xenia BloodStar, has survived and is en route to Texas as we speak. She will be there within the hour.”

Michael had a somber tone, “I see. That is bad news. But I am capable of facing her to a standstill in battle. This will only make my job more difficult. It will not change the calculus.”

Gregory sharply responded, “Don’t be a fool! She is talented, smart, and ruthless. She will have learned her lesson from the last time! Furthermore, this news comes from the Sage Empire where her siblings King Ramses and Queen Zara have defected. Ramses and Zara report an unusual and powerful change in Xenia’s aura. A change we should be cautious of.”

Michael replied, “Aura changes can be accompanied by great leaps in power, it is true. However, how certain are we that Ramses and Zara are not part of the BloodStar war effort to cause hesitation in our camps?” He paused and said, “You will recall they are also the source of Xenia’s death confirmation rumors.”

Gregory thought for a moment, “Hmm. You make a good point Michael.” A moment of silence transpired before Gregory continued, “There will be no hesitation from us. However, I will be joining you at the front lines out of an abundance of caution. We will take her on together if we must. And this time we will be sure to finish the job.”

Michael reminded him, “She will arrive well before you do, father. Taking her on together may not be an option.”

A silence between the two lingered before Michael broke the silence asking, “Where is Peter? The three of us together made it look easy last time. If I can stall her until at least you or Peter arrives then this will be no problem. Surely he isn’t still entertaining Lady Innocente?”

Gregory’s tone changed for the worse, “I’m afraid the news from the Sage Empire also suggests that Peter has been captured and is being held prisoner within the BloodStar dungeons.”

Michael quickly responded, “Why are we not attacking the BloodStar mainland then!? Peter will be tortured!”

Gregory shook his head and said, “No one in history has ever successfully attacked the BloodStar mainland. No one. We would be annihilated in seconds. Victoria’s curse only applies when she leaves her homeland. But within her empire… she is unstoppable.”

Michael and Gregory shared an awkward silence until Gregory finally said, “This won’t be easy for you to hear Michael, but… the easiest route to getting Pope Peter back home safely is to initiate a trade.”

Michael didn’t like where this was going, “I’m afraid I already know what you have in mind.”

Gregory was quick to assure him, “This would be the highest honor to our God to exchange your life for the return of a Holy One! Even you must admit that it would be a huge success to trade you for Peter. A general for a God!”

Michael scoffed, “You mean to say a lesser son for a greater son? Is Peter not the lesser son for having been captured? He gloats in his strength, and his lack of discipline begets costly mistakes such as this one.”

Gregory snapped, “Watch your tongue! Peter is a Pope of the empire. One more word, and I will have you executed for blasphemy. And I mean it Michael!”

Michael couldn’t believe what he was hearing, but he ultimately fell in line with his father. “Fine. I will set up a meeting with Xenia BloodStar and arrange for a trade. Surely she has had her fun with Peter and will be ready for a new prisoner.”

Gregory thanked him, “I know this isn’t easy Michael… for you or me. But it is what is right for the empire. You will need to sell this trade with all of your acumen regarding Xenia BloodStar. What she likes, what she plays towards, and what you offer to her if the trade is to be successful.”

Michael sighed, “I will do my part for the empire.”

Gregory replied, “Thank you, son. And should you die in the BloodStar dungeons, the Holy Light Empire will honor you as a martyr.”

Michael could already tell his father had no plans of repatriating him should he end up in BloodStar hands. He grew tired of the conversation and abruptly said, “Will that be all? I have much to prepare for.”

Gregory confirmed, “That will be all. Prepare to fulfill your oath and to accept your fate under our God.”

Michael hung up the phone and grit his teeth as he thought to himself, “He has truly forsaken me. Asking me to trade my own life for Peter’s. He would serve me up on a silver platter without a second thought.”

Although mentally shaken, Michael picked up the phone and called his second-in-command, “Set up the negotiation tent for a dinner with the opposing side’s leader. Prepare the negotiation tent to welcome a world-class leader.”

The officer responded, “Yes sir. I will send the invite to President Davis at once.”

Michael quickly corrected him, “No! Address it to Xenia BloodStar.”