In a massive silver chamber, booths that would seat the various species were arrayed around a center stage dotted with a small podium. Each booth had its own species representative. The High Council reconvened at Azariah's request and all were present aside from Tarma as he was still on his mission. The silver chambers lights dimmed around the booths accentuating the speakers' platform in the center.
Azariah cleared her throat and began her address "Gentlebeings, I received a BlackBox message from the taskforce that was sent to retrieve the hitherto missing Atteni. Honestly, I have watched it myself already... What I saw was terrifying, yet incredibly enlightening. I propose that we simply ask for the vassalization of our Galactic Compact into this Terran government. I know that we have had this debate before. I am now also very aware that we had only seen an actual cargo ship. A rather small one at that. Here is the full, unedited footage from the Mizan team BlackBox." she said, as the senate floor lit up with a 360-degree video of the whole BlackBox recording from the point that the taskforce dropped from warp.
Immediately their vision was filled with dazzling lights and their ears were assaulted with otherworldly sounds that somehow managed to travel through hard vacuum. Shocked gasps and exclamations filled the silver chamber as they watched the battle between gods and demons. The Yambi representative in particular was beyond appalled at the startlingly familiar appearance of the tentacled creatures.
Past that the Askari and Moguran Council members were equally astounded by the image of a single being flying through the vastness of space and cleaving through whole swaths of the horde. They watched the being with somewhat of a fanaticism that only increased as they heard the ancient words of the gods flow through the vacuum of space. They could hardly make out the words in the garbled mess of noise, but they were able to make out the names of Maleficus and Mael.
Just as they were about to begin debating on the possibly divine nature of the beings a flash of light erupted throughout the chamber as the planet-sized ship fired off a beam that had energy readings that made no sense. The beam bathed the battlefield in a blanket of light that couldn't be seen through using the camera on Mizan's ship. But once the light cleared up, they were greeted with a sight that left each member of the Council with chills. A massive tentacled horror that radiated a feeling of power even through the recording.
As the Council watched that gigantic being they began to feel like they were seeing something they shouldn't have, something that shouldn't exist in their universe. A true god of the veil. The camera zoomed in on the comparatively tiny Bi-pedal creature that had just cut swathes through the hordes of creatures before. The horrifying god spoke down to the tiny being before grinning horribly and shooting a ball of light towards Mizan's ship. Seconds later they see the man closer and identify him as one of the Terrans before the camera was burned off by the residual heat.
The video cut out, leaving a stark silence in its wake as everyone attempted to process it. The Askari Council member was the first to make a sound from his dark booth. "I, High Councilor Atrenta advocate for our vassalization into the Terran Empire effective immediately. The Terran clearly used the name Maleficus when he drew on the powers granted by the Myriad Hells. Thus, the Terrans share our faith in the goddess of death, and clearly, they share our desire for battle. Furthermore, the sheer power that Terran displayed shows that he is likely a chosen of lady death. His power is indicative that he is her apostle and nothing less."
The Moguran Councilor, Malenth burst out with laughter, "Finally, something that you battle freaks and I agree on! As the High Councilor and the Makent of the Moguan peoples... I demand that we meet these Terrans favorably. He is quite clearly the apostle of death, and he is also quite clearly working to preserve the natural order of life here while the bastards of Mael the great betrayer try to break into our universe. The great apostle was protecting Mizan and her task force, thus showing his intentions to us unknowingly. Maleficus is on our side, just as Lunisia is. For life and death are sisters who both cherish our tiny lives."
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The Fel High Councilor stood up and gave a solemn bow despite being shrouded in darkness, "Though I, Lela, may represent the Fel people here... I believe that this is a matter that is too large for a few people to decide upon. This decision will affect all of our people. Also, my people worship the goddess of life Lunisia as do most of yours... What happens if we are told to change our religions to that of the Moguran or Askari view and worship Maleficus instead? Would we not have a disaster just the same? There are far-reaching consequences to simply rolling over for the Terrans. We must meet them as equals, even if they try to negotiate us down."
Lela's argument resounded in the hearts of most within the Council and hot debates and curses began to fly between the various races. However, almost as soon as it began, Azariah cleared her throat and took the mic, "Ahem! These Terrans possess powers beyond our comprehension. Yet, they went out of their way to protect a strike force that was there for the express purpose of infiltrating their ships. I personally doubt that these Terrans are evil. In my view, it seems as though they have been trying to protect life, while those abominations try to destroy it. Protecting life is within Lunisia's doctrine. Even if it is under the name of Maleficus, they are carrying out Lunisia's duty. That's why I propose that we have a less... heated debate on the vassa-"
she was cut off as a chill descended upon the entire room. The room was still at a comfortable temperature but no individual felt any warmth, only the cold embrace of death. Then they saw ten little green flames appear out of thin air above Azariah who promptly ran off the stage as fast as she could.
The little flames turned into vicious-looking claws that pulled apart the space between them. As the rift was slowly torn open it revealed a massive abyssal-black being covered in metallic scales and glowing green runes. His draconic eyes gazed down imperiously upon the tiny Council as he stepped through. As soon as his feet contacted the floor it shook the entire chamber. As he stretched, his wings unconsciously unfurled, causing a gust of wind to sweep the nearby guards who had just rushed in off their feet.
He gazed back down at them and gave a demonic-looking smile, "Hello, My name is Basillius. I am the Emperor of the Terran Imperium, and I mean no harm. The circumstances required me to make it here as fast as possible, so I couldn't afford to come in the slow way. Apologies. I would like to propose an alliance. One that is fairly one-sided, in your favor of course. So I hope that you accept, as it will make helping you much easier..."
He looked around at the still frozen aliens around him. Their hair was on end and the stench of pure fear permeated the air. He sighed heavily, "Really, I'm sorry for coming in this way... Please don't be so scared of me..." he looked around helplessly and then turned back to the rift, "Amaranth? Can you come out with Catherine and the others?"
As soon as Amaranth walked through the rift the feeling they got when they looked at Mael resurfaced, only much heavier this time. Atrenta leapt into the air and landed before Basillius and Amaranth, "This humble Askari greets your lordship Basillius and the lady of death, Maleficus..."
Malenth wasn't far behind him, hobbling over with his cane. "Great divine beings, this lowly one apologizes for his sluggishness. I was taken aback by the fiery blaze of godhood within you and failed to snap out of my reverie until sir Atrenta brought me back to my right mind."
Basillius looked down at the Raven who had gold lining his feathers, creating a mural on his body of a gigantic dragon destroying something before passing his gaze over to the small mole that was covered in what looked like incredibly ancient black robes. It was covered in rune letters detailing some ancient words likely from Amaranth in her era of madness.
Amaranth cocked her eyebrow, "No no, I am no longer the goddess of death, nor am I called Maleficus. I'm now simply Amaranth, Lady of death." she said as nudged Basillius with her elbow. "He's your god now."
Basillius groaned and he looked down at the two who were now looking at him with an even more reverential gaze than before.