'Be steady'
'... this is just but the start of it...'
'...I was wrong...'
'... they're coming...'
'...they're looking at you...'
'Be steady'
'...they'll serve you well...'
'... find him...'
Hundreds or even thousands of voices sounded in my head, and a chittering noise in the back was driving me mad as a golden hue alongside what could be described as violet gas surrounded me.
'Be steady'
I tried to ignore the voices while the memories started to come back to me. The sudden realisation of what had happened made me feel bitter. I got confident and paid the price.
Although it was a good thing that happened now rather than in a more threatening situation. What was more, I was able to know an important piece of information that would serve me well for the time to come, and the people that I would eventually face.
The psychic energy of the warp was able to harm us. To what extent? Well, that needed more testing for me to see. But one thing was true.
Not even our godly bodies were able to withstand the raw power that the inmaterium was able to create.
'But the ki is also able to face it, there's definitely more that is escaping my current notions and knowledge.' I thought to myself while the images of my attack tearing apart Urocain's shield came to me.
The ki and the warp were able to counter each other. So it all remained to see which one was able to overpower the other with less quantity.
'Bann'
I recognised the voice as one of the many that were echoing in my head, yet seeing it overcome the other I paid it attention this time.
'Come and see me.' The voice said with great effort, almost as if was in its last legs. It sounded weary and pitiful.
Yet for some reason, it was able to reign over the others.
I waited for the voice to sound again, only for the amalgamation of thousands of voices to keep saying different phrases while that voice remained silent.
Deciding to train instead, I delved into my mind while I felt my body relaxing. The golden hue started to get clear in my mind, while a sound started to increase each moment that passed.
A chittering started to increase, forcing me to further try to ignore it. Only for me to realise something.
The sheer magnitude of it was deafening the thousands of voices, while an oppressive feeling started to encroach my chest. The golden hue that surrounded me, started to diminish while a giant nebula was slowly approaching my position, painting my surroundings with its colour.
I felt my chest accelerating like a drum while my ears started to ring as the chittering was slowly driving me mad, my eyes moved around while started to feel dizzy and lost.
"Are you okay, Bann?" Opening my eyes wide, I recognised the voice of Ramela at my side. Turning my head towards her I was able to see my pale and fearful face through the reflection in her onyx eyes.
Making me close my eyes while I took a deep breath and opened them to stare at her with a reassuring smile "Yeah, I'm okay."
Although it was clear that my response didn't convince her as there was concern in her expression, I chose to divert her attention with questions "How's Urocain? Did I sleep a lot?"
Although I wasn't able to see the state I left the Eldar, what I did know was that I slapped the man pretty hard. Mostly because I recognised that if I didn't use part of my strength, the battle would've been lost.
A wry smile formed on Ramela's face as she answered "Yeah, that man is okay, he only looked pissed that you left him with fewer teeth." She then brought her chair nearer the bed that I was laying into as she continued "And it should have passed half a day? I don't know really since we took you to the space station."
When she said the last part, she motioned with her chin towards the window to the other side of my bed, making me look in the direction and see the planet.
Letting out a sigh and closing my eyes I mumbled under my breath "God damn it, I wasted half a day like this..."
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Hearing my words, I heard Ramela laughing while she mocked me "Hehehe, you lost to a lanky man" I opened my eyes and saw a playful glint in her eyes while she said this.
Snorting I answered her while saying "Well, we both did commit mistakes this day. Although mine was worse." A wry smile adorned my face while Ramela nodded her head.
"You should have seen Seleri's face." She moved her head closer while she whispered "She was ready to pounce at anyone if that blondie pointy-haired woman didn't heal you." She then moved her eyes to her left top as she started giggling.
"Heh, she even flew away a couple of hours ago to let out some steam..." As I heard her words I couldn't help but smile to myself while a warm feeling filled my chest.
It was nice to know that Seleri held me in such esteem.
"How lucky I am, I've got two strong Saiyan warriors looking after me," I said to Ramela with a toothy grin while teasing her.
Instead of the reflection or mock that I was always accustomed to her, Ramela flushed her cheeks as she lowered her gaze and suddenly looked meek.
Noticing her muscles tensing, I heard her muttering "Of course I'll look after you... You always have taken care of me..." She then raised her gaze and looked at me for a moment. Until she moved her gaze away while she said "...And you're the only one that doesn't believe I'm an idiot."
Although not expecting such words, I let out a sincere smile while I grabbed Ramela from her shoulders and brought her in a tight hug while reassuring her as I caressed her back "Of course, you're not an idiot, Ram. You're such a sweet girl."
I heard her mumbling some unintelligible words in my chest while I continued hugging her and caressing her head "It's their loss if they can't appreciate your golden retriever energy" I couldn't help but curse at the others for making her think this way of herself.
Feeling Ramela moving her head, I stared at her while she looked strangely as she asked "What is golden retriever energy?"
I couldn't help but let out a laugh while I started trying to explain to her. During all the time caressing her as we hug each other. Staying that way for around twenty minutes until I saw it more necessary to move out of bed and do what was needed.
Getting help from Ramela to put on my armour, I stared at the torn pieces in certain parts of my black body spandex while I told her "So it's only the two of us in the space station and the Aeldari?"
Hearing Ramela humming in confirmation as she brought my only remaining spare piece of armour while saying "Uh-huh, they all went down after confirming you were stable. So they should be hunting down Orks by now."
I remained silent while I nodded in acknowledgement.
It was a good thing that they continued with their duties, after all, we were now in charge of the security of this planet, and each setback would threaten any of our plans.
Putting on my scouter on my left ear, I touched it a few times until the power level scanner started to beep.
Blip [8.049]
A slight smile formed on my face while I confirmed the number. Since I woke up I noticed a great increase in my power level. Passing from 6.822 units to 8.000 was a great boost in such a short time, successfully putting me behind Seleri, who I knew had more than 12.000 units.
We weren't able to scan her full scope of power, as she never raised her ki until now since it wasn't necessary 'I kinda regret sometimes teaching them how to manipulate the ki.' I thought to myself.
Although during our oozaru transformation, the ki manipulation was akin to breathing, it wasn't something the average Saiyan would perceive as something they could use outside the transformation. So I wasn't surprised after knowing what ki was why didn't the Saiyan from the show and manga learn before.
'And even now after a decade, I'm still unable to use more complex techniques....' I tried to disperse such thoughts from my head as the jubilation for finally surpassing Rucule still drew a smile on my face.
Making Ramela notice it as she smiled me back while saying "So I guess you noticed it, huh? It's incredible how you were able to surpass us all through the years." Her bright eyes diminished as she lowered her gaze as she added "while us who were supposed to be the elite are still behind you." Yet, instead of mopping she clenched her fist as I saw a fierce glint of determination pass through her eyes as she raised her head and stared at me again.
Raising her fist she exclaimed, "I promise you Bann that I will also get a lot stronger so I can surpass you again!" The sheer will and energy behind her words made me feel pumped up as I grasped her fist with my palm.
Eyeing her with a wide grin I said "I'll take your word if that's the case." Then in a swift motion, I slapped her perky, wide, muscle-filled asscheek with a *PLA*, making Ramela get flushed while she let out a somewhat cute "Kya~!"
Not minding her reaction I just exclaimed while walking forward "Now let's go meet those Aeldari, I hope our little battles helped to rearrange their heads, hehe."
Now that both sides' strengths were showcased, it was time for round two of negotiations.
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Once they met with the Aeldari party, they went and sat in the Royal Chamber while the food was sprawled on the coffee table while Bann wolfed it down. His appetite after such a battle and taking grievous wounds was astonishing.
Not minding his manners he started to speak "So, now that we had time to cool off and see the other's capabilities, what about resuming the negotiations?" Bann asked while he munched a piece of leg from an unknown animal.
Urocain looked first at Anáeth as he let out a deep sigh while nodding his head and making an utmost effort to not open his mouth as he spoke "After today's event, I cannot say that your race capabilities aren't marvellous." He then paused as he stared at Bann with a frown as he asked, with trepidation and a beating heart something that gnawed his mind through the entire morning "Before we delve deeper, tell me, have you taken our battle seriously?"
Although he didn't explicitly say, Bann grasped the meaning behind his words as he gulped down the food from his mouth, while slapping Ramela's hand from picking a piece of food.
Then, staring with fierceness at the warlock he simply said "No." His response brought an immediate response as both Irelene and Urocain reacted negatively, before letting a misunderstanding take place he added "I put myself some limitations, but I took it as seriously as I could under them."
A wry smile appeared on his face as he further said "I underestimated your capabilities and paid the price." Urocain stared intently at Bann's eyes in search of deception, yet all he saw was pure sincerity.
A notion that brought shimmers down the spine of the warlock, as one possibility made itself apparent.
After seeing his ki's attack, Urocain admitted bitterly to himself a harsh truth. In a real-life scenario, there won't be a battle between the two. As he would vaporize before he could be able to do something.
Yet, finding relief at his response, a subtle smile dawned upon the stern Aeldari face as he said "Then that makes things easier." Subtly eyeing Anáeth he added, "Since we've only found dissent in one matter yesterday, what about this proposal."
Bann stopped eating while he motioned Urocain to continue with his head. He was curious about what the warlock came up with.
Motioning with his hand towards Anáeth, Urocain started "Our healer here has shown her interest in staying at your side for the time being. We can take this matter more slowly as things may sprout or not, while at the same time, I'll find willing... females, to fulfil what you wish for." Irelene immediately shut tight her lips as she raised her neck.
The words spoken by Urocain were like an insult to her ears. Yet she knew to say otherwise.
The individuals in front of her were far more capable than she first thought. And after a brief but deep talk with each other. Urocain convinced her of the rightness of his actions.
Even further, the person who was the victim here, Anáeth, looked expectantly at Bann. Although she didn't explicitly say that she was interested in him. She did mention that she found entertaining their company and that she was willing to fulfil what the Farseer tasked her.
'Holy shit, I've got the big prize!' Bann was over the moon in his mind while he tried to maintain a plain face.
Even If he didn't end up boning the Eldar female, just having her at his side and giving him a constant zenkai after every battle was enough to seal whatever deal they may reach with the Craftworld Mymeara.
Slowly nodding his head, Bann spoke with measure "That's a fair offer, and it certainly showcases your willingness to abide by your words." Gathering ki around his right hand, he vaporized whatever remains of food could be there as he raised towards Urocain.
"If there's nothing else, I think you have a deal, Warlock Urocain." Eyeing his hand, Urocain slowly moved while raising his head to stare at Bann.
Saying himself "You'll find your action today as a wise one. From now on, you're a friend of Mymeara." Seeing the formality of the act, made everyone in the room rise on their feet while they looked solemnly.
An alliance that would forever alter the fate of the Eldars was made. And the doom of a God from the Chaos was on the march, to the joy of a certain fate weaver.