“This is outrageous!” Queen Zara stood from her chair as she yelled out at Empress Victoria during a video conference call. “The royal guard. The entire royal guard! Dead. Killed. She needs to be reined in. She needs to be controlled.”
Empress Victoria calmly sat on the other end of the conference call in her throne room. She waved off her soldiers and other attendants in the room before responding. She then said, “Queen Zara! Xenia is the heir to my empire. She has a bloodline power. She cannot be controlled by anyone. She has full control of foreign affairs because she is more powerful than I am outside of our homelands now. Her power is immense and continues to grow.”
King Ramses pat Zara on the back easing her back into her seat as he said, “But Empress, her actions are tantamount to treason. She has betrayed her empire by killing her own brethren in what appeared to be nothing more than a sniper rifle competition agreed upon over a power struggle between her rising power and our established diplomatic power.”
Victoria maintained a stern expression, “Don’t speak to me of treason Ramses. You and Zara both disobeyed a direct order to return to the BloodStar Empire given to you by your Warlord.”
Zara tried to interject, “But we-“
Victoria gave her no chance to interrupt, “And that was after she clearly explained to you both that she had been given my full and expressed consent to make such orders. Don’t speak to me of treason because it is I who is preventing you both from being labeled traitors by Xenia.”
Zara snapped, “She wouldn’t dare! You and Xenia both underestimate the faction of our people who follow both Ramses and me.”
Victoria raised her hands gently, “I know all too well that at least half of our population looks to you both for leadership in a more civilized manner than Xenia can offer. And that is why I am saving both of your necks.”
Ramses spoke up, “So what is to come of the death of our royal guard? The death of Captain Felton?”
Victoria shook her head, “What is there to be done? It was a repercussion for your behavior. My advice would be to obey such orders in the future.”
Zara shook her head and began to cry, “That is unacceptable mother! If you are not going to punish Xenia or diminish her powers inside and outside our homelands then I am not coming back until you do!”
Victoria gave a heavy sigh, “I fear that was already your decision Zara. And yours too Ramses.”
Ramses gave a confused look and Zara broke off her sobbing to ask, “What do you ever mean? We love our home.”
Victoria nodded, “Yes. I know you love your home. But I also know that it was you both who fed confirmation of Xenia’s death to the other Masters around the world, notably the Sage and Heraklinos Masters.” She eyed Zara and Ramses sharply, “Another… traitorous act.”
Ramses and Zara stumbled over their words at hearing Victoria. Zara finally managed, “As diplomates we must spread the truth for the sake of transparent negotiations with other empires. We never meant to-“
Victoria raised her hand to stop her, “Do not offend me with your feeble attempts to explain your actions away.”
Victoria stood and adjusted her decorative armor she wore in the throne room, “If you are so keen to leak confidential information, if you are so keen to disobey orders of those I have ordained with power, and if you are so keen to reside in the Sage Empire over your own home, then you may be so keen as to pick the other side in this war.”
Ramses softly said, “Mother, it is time for you to think hard on the coming war. Xenia won’t stand a chance against the combined might of the world against her. You won’t be able to help her. Our absence and admonishment of Xenia’s actions will splinter the BloodStar Empire, and we will all witness the fall of our empire once and for all whether you are there to protect it or not.”
Victoria gave an aghast look, “I have heard enough. Allow me to make it easier for you both to betray the country which bestowed you with power and knowledge. I hereby banish King Ramses and Queen Zara from the BloodStar Empire. You are stripped of your titles and resources. And you may not return until this war and your involvement in it is fully resolved should we all be alive to see that moment come.”
Victoria was furious as she stormed off after ending the call without allowing a response from them both. She immediately made way to strip them of all titles, resources, and luxuries offered by the empire.
_______________________________________________
The next day, the conference of the masters was being held in the heart of the Sage Empire. Attendees included Jarek Heraklinos, Jacek Heraklinos, St. Michael, and President Monroe. Notably absent was Lady Starfallen of the Starfallen Empire of the African continent.
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Erika walked into the large and ornate conference room with two people trailing behind her, “Welcome! Welcome everybody!”
She stood behind her seat before taking it, “I would like to announce that King Ramses and Queen Zara will be joining us today. They have been formally renounced as traitors to the BloodStar Empire by Empress Victoria. I have given them asylum status in the Sage Empire until they can one day rule over their empire without interference from Empress Victoria or Warlord BloodStar.”
King Ramses and Queen Zara smiled and nodded, “Thank you all for accepting us. Our family has not been kind to history or present-day events. We seek to right those wrongs.”
After a short welcome from each Master, Jarek stood, “I would also like to announce that Master Karasu has been inducted as a formal Master in the world. He has agreed to offer northern support in the war to come in the United States. He and his ninja clan will be instrumental in forming a united and impenetrable front against the BloodStar invasion from the south.”
Jarek then took his seat and continued, “Now on to the business at hand. Xenia has not declared war yet, but she will. She is clearly maneuvering within the Holy Light Empire in preparation to invade the United States in cahoots with Arthur Davis from Texas.” He turned to Michael and asked, “What can you tell us of the situation?”
Before Michael could begin, Erika interrupted, “Michael. You are obviously playing both sides here. Your attendance at this meeting was debated. Why should we believe you are on our side?”
Michael confidently responded, “An appropriate question if not an offensive one as it shows you have given little thought to my situation. Allow me to walk you through the thought process, Master Sage. What would you do in my situation? Would you cut tail and run to the Heraklinos Empire? The safest empire in the world from the BloodStar reach.”
Erika didn’t appreciate his tone and sat with her arms crossed silently. Michael continued, “I don’t think you would. And why not? Because Xenia has offered me the opportunity to lead my people. She is smart, very smart. She knows I have an obligation to my people. She knows if I run to a safe haven, my people will suffer. She knows I need to take care of my people. Just as you would.”
He shot her a look and said, “You would care for your people wouldn’t you?”
Erika sat with a displeased look on her face but answered, “Yes, I would.”
Michael threw his hands up and asked, “Then what part of my actions are you calling into question if you would admittedly do the same?”
Erika scowled, “What I am calling into question is your friendliness with Xenia BloodStar.”
Michael smiled, “Ah yes. My friendliness. Trust me, Erika. If it were not for my friendliness, I would be long dead. Instead, I am here for my people. Instead, I have priceless counter intel. Were you in my position, your people would be alone and your allies worse off. I expect recognition for my efforts and instead I receive unfounded questioning.”
Jarek intervened, “That’s enough you two. Michael, if you are to boast about counter intel then let’s hear it.”
Michael looked around the table maintaining attention and eye contact as he spoke, “She is planning to ‘re-unite’ the United States. The people of the Holy Light Empire absolutely adore her for reasons put in place by my father largely. If we are to extract any support from within the empire, we must contact Nathaniel Jackson and Solomon Bautista before Xenia does. They control 10% of the nation’s wealth between the two of them and command provinces that number in the tens of millions of people likely still loyal to them rather than Xenia. However…”
Michael took a long pause, and Karasu impatiently said, “Yes. However, what?”
Michael sighed, “She has sent me here to request a formal armistice.”
Jarek pounded the table, “She wouldn’t dare! That is a move on her part, plain as day, designed to slow us in our actions against her.”
Michael nodded, “She said as much herself. It is a false move.”
Jacek nervously chimed in, “If I may. We should agree to it.”
Everyone suddenly turned to eye Jacek as Erika sharply asked, “And why should we agree to her demands of an armistice?”
Jacek then continued, “There can be no question that it would buy her time, but it could also buy us time. There can also be no question that it would be easier to covertly rescue Peter before active war breaks out. This may be our one and final chance to do just that.”
Ramses immediately rebutted, “That is a bad idea. Victoria would sense it and crush you all. There is no such thing as covert around the BloodStar castle. Don’t forget, she is a monster within her own empire where the curse does not apply.”
Karasu sneered, “I would love to rescue Peter, but I still don’t trust Michael. The second we agree to such an operation, he will run and tell Xenia. We would be dead in the water before it even begins.”
Michael slammed the table, “I will not be talked down to by a fledgling Master! Especially not one I could beat into a pulp!”
Karasu yelled back, “I’d like to see you try! How can we trust you?!”
Jarek stood up and yelled, “Enough!!”
Michael calmed himself, “Fine. Would you all trust me if I could draw her out of her empire? I could arrange to have her visit the Holy Light Empire.”
Queen Zara chimed in, “That could work. Xenia will be dying to show off her newest spoil of war to Victoria in person. Furthermore, Ramses and I both have detailed schematics of the dungeons. It could be in and out. Very quick.”
Jarek nodded, “All in favor?”
Everyone nodded, and Jarek continued, “Very well. Michael, we will await your efforts in drawing Victoria out. And Ramses and Zara will provide schematics. I vote that Jacek lead a team to rescue Peter.”
No one opposed the plan, and Jarek quickly nodded, “Then it is settled. Contingent on Michael’s efforts, we will be exercising an active incursion into BloodStar Empire during a time of ‘armistice’ to save Pope Peter.”
Jarek stood and ended by saying, “If Jacek is successful, I would also vote him to lead the North American incursion. He and I have been training. He is ready.”
Every Master present knew that Jarek refused to train anyone, even Jacek in recent years. However, not only had he been recently training Jacek, but he had also declared him to be ready. Such a compliment was not taken lightly by the attendees of the meeting, and they could all only assume that Jacek had reached great new heights in strength.
The attendees of the meeting all nodded save for Erika who hesitated to send her love to war on the front lines. However, she caught Jacek’s eye who nodded at her, and she finally said, “If the committee thinks that is best. Then I will support the decision too.”