Hours later, Xenia returned to the Saber Fortress. Half of the Saber Fortress consisted of Heraklinos Empire career men and women who sneered at her return knowing she had just taken down one of their most important allies. The other half were simple enlisted men who had quite the affection for Xenia. Not to mention she had made many of them very rich by way of Victoria advising them to bet all of their money on her.

She waved as she entered in her war-torn outfit. Her hair was a mess, and she was exhausted from battle. She had been on the brink of death several times throughout the battle. Nonetheless, her disheveled look was still both charming and sexy. Men ogled her as she walked down the main pathway of the fortress towards the Command Center where her quarters were located.

As she approached the Command Center, the premier reporter of the coverage was awaiting. The well-dressed and professional woman shouted to Xenia, “Warlord BloodStar! Warlord BloodStar! A couple of quick questions please! The world needs to know the details of your intended rule of the Holy Light Empire!”

Xenia had originally planned to ignore this reporter and proceed to take a long, hot shower. However, she ultimately couldn’t pass up a global platform to speak. She stopped next to the reporter and said, “A few quick questions if you must.”

The beautiful reporter suddenly looked pale in comparison standing next to Xenia. She felt ever more inferior knowing the same beautiful woman had just defeated a Master of the world. She gulped and asked, “The people of the Holy Light Empire are afraid. What would you tell them to calm their fears and panic following the death of their Pope?”

Xenia graciously smiled, “I would tell them not to fear but to rejoice! I am going to usher in an era of prosperity for the Holy Light Empire. I do not intend to micromanage the empire. In fact, I have already appointed St. Michael to lead the country for me on a day-to-day basis. Citizens will hardly notice but a difference in their empire. Aside from my pretty face being around occasionally.” Xenia then tilted her head and smiled as she put her hand under her chin to pose for the camera.

The reporter followed up, “So the citizens can feel safe at home? There will be no BloodStar Empire incursion to overthrow and overtake local and state governments?”

Xenia put her hand up to her chest offended and gasped as she put on a show for the global audience, “Why I would never! Unlike some rulers of this world, I do not seek to rule to my own desires. I would very much prefer to leave the governing to St. Michael who knows his people.”

The reporter continued to aggressively question Xenia, “So if not rule, what will you do?”

Xenia smirked, “What I will do is protect the interests of the Holy Light Empire and its people to my own death. You saw what happened when my Texas allies were threatened, didn’t you? Let that be a warning to the rest of the world. Anyone seeking to harm my territories or allies can count on facing me in battle. And unless you’re far stronger than Pope Gregory, I don’t like your chances.”

Xenia winked and then turned and walked away as she called out, “Now I’m off to take my shower and revel in victory!”

Crowds around the world reacted to Xenia’s brief interview with joy and relief. In particular, the Holy Light Empire breathed a collective sigh of relief to hear that there would be no more bloodshed. Furthermore, their immediate leader would be a familiar and welcome face, St. Michael. He knew the country like the back of his hand, and he had always served the people under his brother and father. The people trusted him.

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Leaders around the world also hoped that this would conclude any further skirmishes that may explode into larger wars. For the moment, this had been contained to a war between the BloodStar and Holy Light Empires over a small state, Texas. Leaders around the world were keen to hold a conference to ensure the fighting stopped right here and right now.

Xenia stepped into her steaming hot shower and relaxed for the first time in weeks. She ran her hands over her perfect body admiring her flawless skin as she washed herself. She had a post-battle buzz giving her a feeling of ecstasy and power. She had just established herself as a foremost power in front of the entire world, and she couldn’t be happier.

Her mind wondered in the shower as she bathed until finally she remembered something, “I can’t wait to see what Constance has readied for me upon my return home! She always knows how to make me so happy.”

_________________________________________________

President Monroe sat deep within the White House in Washington D.C. He slouched over in his chair as he watched the highlights of the battle from the day.

He gestured towards the television, “The biggest event in modern history since the Great War, and we are on the wrong side. Jesus Christ! How could Pope Gregory lose?!”

Vice President Morrow had a glum expression and merely responded, “He lost because he… or rather we… have all underestimated the Princess BloodStar. Who could’ve ever guessed she would have such power?”

Monroe grimaced and shook his head, “And to think we had her as our ally and turned her away.” He put his hand to his head, “I will be history’s biggest fool.”

Morrow immediately responded, “Mr. President, not all hope is lost. After all, if there is one empire stronger than the BloodStar Empire, it is the Heraklinos Empire… our current ally. We have merely traded one strong ally for another.”

Monroe grunted, “I suppose you’re right. But I know Arthur is celebrating a well-earned political victory tonight. He looks like a genius.”

Morrow quipped, “We both know Arthur is a risk taker. He is in bed with a very dangerous ally. We both know he has come to know Xenia personally in more ways than just professionally. How long can he hold her favor until she removes him from power?”

Monroe shook his head, “I hope he can hold his power for as long as he can. We will need a level head to negotiate with. I fear the fight for North America has yet to commence but will come eventually.”

Morrow leaned forward in his chair, “She wouldn’t dare attack the United States while we have Heraklinos support. Would she?”

Monroe looked to Morrow, “I don’t pretend to know what someone like her will do. She is immensely powerful, and after her victory today over Gregory, she will likely feel emboldened. And why shouldn’t she? She just took down a high-tier Master.”

The two men sat in silence before Monroe began again, “We need to convince Jarek to station a strong force here.”

Morrow asked, “What force would intimidate Xenia? Aside from Jarek himself, there is no one in the entire world that I can think of.”

Monroe laughed, “If not Jarek himself, then his son Jacek. Jacek has been training non-stop I hear. Furthermore, if she dare to attack Jacek, she knows she would also be drawing the ire of Jarek directly.”

Morrow nodded, “We could convince him to not only send Jacek as a military leader but also as a student learning to rule a foreign land under the Heraklinos flag. Experience that a young leader is very much in need of.”

Monroe smiled, “Not all is lost it seems. We can keep Xenia from encroaching on our lands. Tomorrow, make it a priority to set up a meeting with Jarek. I will fly there myself if I need to. Just make him agree to see me for a short time.”

Morrow smiled, “It will be done, sir.”

Monroe stood and stretched as he yawned, “I am going to need a lot of rest. The coming days, weeks, months, and years could be very long. Although I must admit, I don’t hate our current position in the world power structure. The BloodStar Empire has always been strong, but they have also always been on the losing side of history. I plan to ensure it stays that way.”

The two men bid each other goodnight and went their separate ways for the evening.