Shiru let out a low groan as Deag helped her stand.

She wiped her tears and after taking a few deep breaths, she turned to Deag.

“We must build the Sable army as soon as possible.”

“I agree, but for now I’d like us to shift out attention to our guests.” Thneia said while turning to face the thousand humans, three of whom walked towards the Draconic Knights.

All of them were dressed in ornate, but rather dirty robes, that were covered in imagery that depicted dragons.

The foremost of the three, an old man who, much like others had a head covered in tattoos depicting dragons, walked up to Thneia and suddenly fell to his knees.

“Oh, great dragon! I thank you for allowing us to come into your abode!” The old man yelled but Thneia signed in response.

“It was not me who offered your people a new home nor was this my home to offer. The one you should thank is Lord Katsíki, but he’s not here right now.”

“Oh. Mikael spoke of a Katsíki and he did say that this city was built by his hands, but surely it was all thanks to your divine guidance, no?” The old man asked with a pained expression.

“No. Also, don’t you think you’re being quite bold in your assumptions?”

“My apologies! This lowly mortal is merely uniformed. Allow me to beg for forgiveness!” The old man yelled with a lowered head but Thneia rolled her eyes in response.

“Ugh! Listen carefully, everything you see in Coh- no, everything in the Expanse was created in his name. We Draconic Knights were-“

Thneia stopped as she Llana tapped her shoulder.

“We, as vessels of the Black Flame, came to his side to help him usher a new, peaceful age. By choosing to come here, you are choosing to serve his will. Is that clear?”

The old man’s face twisted with confusion, but Thneia sighed before stepping aside, allowing Llana to walk up.

“Could you three follow me please. The rest of your people will be taken care of shortly.” Llana said.

The old man stood up and followed Llana out of the tent alongside his companions.

“Should I inform Serylea about our new… citizens?” Shiru asked.

“Yes. I’ll go inform Koráki about-“

Thneia stopped upon hearing commotion.

She turned along with Shiru and Rix to find several Rendaro and humans fighting each other, although it was only with their fists.

“Please, stop them before anyone gets hurt!” Shiru cried.

Thneia rushed up to the group and it didn’t even take her reaching them to make then stop.

Everyone unhanded each other and as Thneia walked up to a guard who’s helmet had been torn off.

“What is the meaning of this?” She hissed.

“Why are they here? They’re our enemy! We should lock them up and absorb their lives and deaths!” The guard spat making several human gasp.

Thneia let out a loud and deep sigh, making everyone in the tent tremble.

She then lowered herself so that she could look the guard in the eye.

“So… you’re telling me that you’re willing to punish these innocent humans for something they didn’t do?”

“I-“ The guard struggled to say as the air grew hotter and hotter.

“No, speak up. You were willing to throw your fists and curse them a moment ago, no?” Thneia asked as she stood upright.

“Listen here, all of you. So long as you walk atop the soil which he cleansed, you will incite no violence and spill no blood. He told me himself that he wanted Coh to become a home for all. Rendaro, dragon and even human. Am I saying that you shouldn’t hate humans? No. I’m saying that you shouldn’t hate these ones. Is that clear?” She asked.

“Yes, ma’am!”

The guards all said.

“Good. Now, apologize to our guests and treat them well until they are appropriately accommodated.” Thneia said before returning to Shiru’s side.

“Go to Serenaya. I’ll take care if things here.”

Shiru nodded before making her way to the teleportation platforms in Southern Coh, she then made her way to Serenaya which was as busy as ever.

Countless buildings now sat along the coast.

Serenaya had become a bustling port town and sitting eerily to the north wad Rahadiya.

One could see, even as the sun sunk into the horizon, the floating remnants of the city.

Shiru made her way to Serylea’s office where she was met with a bittersweet sight.

Sleeping on her table, atop a pike of documents, was Serylea.

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Shiru left the office and made her way to the nearby mess hall where she got two trays full of food which she and Raer took back to the office.

Shiru then sat next to Serylea who woke up shortly after.

“What brings you here? I heard someone escaped from Site A.” Serylea asked as Shiru offered her a plate of food. A serving of stewed fish and mashed Nýchta.

Serylea cleared her desk before joining Shiru in eating as the darkness of night enveloped the town.

“I wanted to tell you that Rix has returned with the Flamouriá and all one thousand of them will need a place to stay. But I came and saw you sleeping, so I-“ Shiru stopped as Serylea rummaged through a pile of blueprints to her left.

She then offered Shiru a certain sheet.

“Give this to Neaj and give him the necessary manpower to complete it.” Serylea yawned.

Shiru inspected the schematic and saw that it was for a town.

“Alright.” She said before handing the sheet to Raer.

She then joined Serylea in eating and it wasn’t long before they were finished, but Serylea frowned upon seeing that Shiru wasn’t standing to leave.

“Let me guess. You’re not gonna leave until I’ve gotten some rest?” She asked as Shiru handed their used dishes to Raer who disappeared shortly after.

Shiru then grabbed a nearby blanket which she used to cover Serylea who looked at her with a pained expression.

“What kind of leader abandons everyone just to tend to a single, tired woman?” Serylea asked with a yawn but Shiru didn’t say anything.

Serylea scoffed weakly before folding her arms and resting her head on them.

She let out a low, tired hum Shiru gently rubbed her back.

.

..

Shiru stood up after sitting next to a sleeping Serylea for about thirty minutes.

She then left the office and made her way back to Coh where she then made her way back to Site A which was still being reconstructed.

Countless slabs of stone could be seen being carried out of the bow vacant hole and countless more smaller bricks were being sent into it.

Shiru entered a certain tent near the edge of the construction site and she gasped lightly upon seeing a half naked and shivering Neaj pouring over various documents.

He looked up and looked Shiru over and his face grew a little red as he covered his bare chest with the document in his hand.

“W-what do you want?” Neaj asked with a sniffle.

“Why are you naked?”

“It’s quite simple. I believe that the brain functions better at lower temperatures. So-“ Neal stopped as Shiru walked up to him.

She then picked up the shirt that sat on the ground next to Neaj and offered it to him.

He accepted it before bashfully slipping into it.

“Ahem! What do you need?” He asked with a cough.

“First off, it’s winter, so try to keep as warm as possible. Also, Raer?” Shiru called prompting Raer to appear and handed Neaj the document from before.

Neaj looked the plans over and sighed.

“I’ll… get to work as soon as I’m done here.” He said as he wiped his nose.

Shiru’s face twisted in pain.

She walked up to Neaj, who’s head hung and hugged him gently.

“I know the task ahead may seem daunting but you must persevere for the sake of the Expanse, ok?” She asked.

Neaj weakly nodded but Shiru could see that his spirits were still low and so she held him even tighter while thinking of a way to reward him for all his hard work.

She didn’t really know much about Neaj, even though he was one of Farin’s best students.

“Is there anything I could do to ease the strain?” She whispered while running her hands through his neck long hair.

“You… you’re the leader of the UEF now, right?” Neaj asked. His voice muffled within Shiru’s bosom.

“Yes.”

“Mmm… could I ask that you lend me Yna’s sword-?” Neaj let out a pain squawk as Shiru squeezed him a little too tightly.

“What for?” She whispered.

“I-I’m working on a certain project! A new type of soldier! Strong enough to protect the Expanse. Just as she did!” Neaj cried.

Shiru took a deep breath before unwrapping her arms from Neaj and gently placing her hands on his cheeks. Hands which were surprisingly warm.

A chill ran up Neaj’s spine as he looked into Shiru’s half open eyes.

“I… I’ll talk to Voliah and ask her, ok?” She asked and Neaj nodded.

“Good. Now, get dressed and be sure to get some rest when you can, ok?” She asked and again, Neaj nodded.

“Good- oh! Where are Aevana and her father right now?”

“Oh- your Kommáti should know. They’re in a house in Southern Coh, although it’s under surveillance.”

“Thank you!” Shiru said before kissing Neaj’s forehead.

The young man grew red with fluster as Shiru dashed out of the tent.

She and Rear then teleported to a certain house in Southern Coh in front of which stood two Kommáti.

They opened the door, allowing Shiru to enter.

“Hello?” She called upon seeing that the Kitchen and living area were empty. Lighting them were a few orbs of light.

She walked up to one of the two bedrooms and lightly knocked on its door.

A moment passed and the door opened revealing Aevana, only she was dressed in a rather short silky gown and although it was rather dark thanks to the moonless night, Shiru could see Aevana’s breasts as she hadn’t fastened the gowns only fastener.

Sitting on the bed behind her was a small, skinny blond man who’s eyes had a faint glow to them and although he was half covered in a blanket, it was clear that he was naked.

“Is there something you need?” Aevana asked.

“Actually, I wanted to check up on you and see if everything is going well in Site C.”

“And you thought now would be an appropriate time to ask?” Aevana asked while crossing her arms and Shiru smiled in response.

“Yes.”

Aevana’s eyes lowered and her arms fell.

“T-things are going smoothly. Due to the lower cost of production, the soldiers are all being created rather quickly. Cavumium shortages are being taken care of and we are already researching ways to improve the entire process.” She reported.

“I see. Well, be sure to ask me if you need anything, ok?” Shiru said and Aevana nodded without raising her eyes.

Shiru nodded as well before exiting the house and making her way to the crater where she stood in the dead of night.

“Voliah?” She called and a Kommáti appeared in front of her.

Her helmet was off, allowing Shiru to see her narrowed dark eyes.

“Could… could I borrow Yna’s sword-?” Shiru’s eyes widened as the air suddenly grew heavy.

“What for?” Voliah asked rather flatly.

“Neaj needs it for a secret project he’s working on.”

“Did he specify what it was?”

“Yes, although we didn’t delve into the specifics-“

“Why not?” Voliah snapped.

“I trusted that he would do what’s best with it.” Shiru said with a frown.

Voliah let our a groan before looking to the north.

“Take me to him.” She said and it wasn’t long before they were standing in front of a rather shaken Neaj again.

“Tell me what you plan on doing with it.” Voliah said and Neaj suddenly jumped onto his feet.

He then dug through the contents of a bad behind him for a bit before pulling out a crumpled piece of paper.

He excitedly slammed the sheet onto his table, revealing to everyone what looked like an anatomical diagram of a person only…

“My goodness.” Shiru gasped.

“Yes. I know it may seem unethical- for goodness sake, making someone undergo the procedure required to make them this would ruin their mind and possibly even their soul, bit I believe it’s the key! You see, Mr. Farin described the Haneem not as gods, but powerful beings who had bottled up their life forces in stone bodies. This was just a theory, of course but it led me to wondering, what would happen if we ripped someone from their body and placed them into a shell made with the intent to surpass all biological inhibitors. Yes, I know transferring life forces of things other than dragons doesn’t work, but this… this may every well be the key to true immortality, although in our case it may be the key to our ultimate triumph over mankind!” Neaj declared loudly.

He then turned a nervous eye to Voliah who stared at him blankly.

“Young man… what drove you to seeking immortality?” She asked and Neaj’s eyes trembled.

He then lowered his head before clenching his teeth.

“It was… the death of my parents.”