Zeteria, Twelfth Domain

Asmor, Capital of the Twelve Domains

Stuck in the crowd, Lara and her father Lask could no longer advance. The main avenue was packed, and it was impossible to progress. They heard the melody of the instrumental parade in the distance. Everyone was piling up eagerly along the barriers to allow the procession to move smoothly.

“Why don't we take the smaller streets?” Lara asked

“Let’s do it.”

They turned back with difficulty through the crowd, apologizing when they accidentally jostled someone.

Finally, they had a little more space to breathe. Lara sighed in relief. She automatically checked that her gloves and coat were in place. It would be bad if part of her skin was suddenly showing. She longed for the festivities to end to regain her tranquility. She had a hard time understanding why her father was so keen on her going out like young people her age. Couldn't he understand she wasn’t like them anyway? She almost regretted giving in, but she also knew it would make him so happy ... She sighed again. Next time, maybe she would convince him to go out with his friends and leave her alone at home.

They entered the alleys parallel to the main avenue. Lask knew the place perfectly and knew where to turn to arrive at their destination.

The streets were narrow, and homes on several floors on either side prevented the sun's rays from reaching the cobblestones.

“Is it still far?”

“Two more streets, and we are there,” her father replied.

Three men suddenly emerged from an adjacent alley, blocking them. Their clothes were patched, their faces dark and determined. Lara shivered and tightened her coat around her. She lamented interiorly. For the fourth time today, she regretted having accepted her father's request to go out.

Lask pulled out his dagger before standing in front of her.

“Let us pass.”

Like her, he didn't like to fight, but their hectic life had taught him how to handle a weapon.

One of the mobsters smiled and revealed his yellowish teeth.

“Don't take us for simple bandits. We are soldiers. You can never beat the three of us by yourself. Give us the girl.”

“Out of the question,” Lask replied.

“We don't want to kill you,” The impatient chef added. “Don’t be stupid. We won't harm her.”

Stepping forward, Lask brandished his weapon.

“Don’t come any closer, scumbags! I won't let you take her to Kaligula.”

“Very good, since it is your wish… Guys, take care of him.” The leader said with a smile.

His accomplices drew their steel blades and advanced towards Lask.

A shadow hung over the street for a moment.

“Get lost! Now!”

The tone was freezing, cutting. The chef's smile vanished when he looked up. It was a Herald.

The Phemacian landed in front of Lask and his daughter. Firmly camped on his legs, sword drawn, wings slightly spread to take on a more threatening demeanor, his icy gaze didn’t leave the chief.

“Don’t make me repeat myself. Hurry up, before I change my mind.”

The threat was implicit. Knowing he was defeated in advance, the chief didn’t offer any resistance.

“This isn’t over,” he said, glancing at Lask. “Come on, let's go, guys.”

When they were out of sight, the Herald sheathed his sword and turned to Lask.

“Is anyone injured?”

“No, thanks to your intervention. You have my sincere gratitude.”

“I only did my duty.”

Lara came closer.

“Is it still a coincidence, Aydan?”

“No. I was looking for you.”

Lara raised her eyebrows.

“How come?”

The young man did not answer. Worried, Lara spoke to her father.

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“What's going on?”

“We've already talked about it, Lara. I don’t believe the presence of this young man is a coincidence. We are being watched. I imagine she should follow you.” He added, looking at Aydan.

“Yes. She is expected somewhere.”

Lask meditated on the answer for a few seconds.

“I see. Will she be safe?”

Aydan nodded.

“On my honor.”

“It's not really what we planned, but ... the choice is yours, kiddo.”

Lara shrugged her shoulders.

“I have nothing to lose by going, right?” She said, feigning an assurance she didn’t possess.

“I'll be waiting for you at home,” Lask said, hugging her. “And take your time. Don't hurry home for me.”

“Thank you,” she replied, burying her head in his shoulder.

Lask surrounded him with his arms for one last hug, before gently detaching her from him.

“Go on now.”

After one last look at her father, the girl followed Herald Aydan. They walked for several minutes in silence, in deserted streets. She had no idea where he was taking her. Since when a Mecen was dispatched as a mere guide? The elite Phemacian soldiers certainly had more important tasks.

“Who wants to see me?” She finally asked.

“I cannot answer your question.”

“Why?”

“These are my orders. Trust me,” he added facing her frustration. “You are my Brynhild. I won't let anyone hurt you.”

“I know the Phemacians are required to tell the truth, Aydan,” She stated angrily. “I just wish I was no longer kept in the dark,” she added after a moment of silence.

“I understand,” Aydan replied.

She waited for him to continue, in vain. Lara sighed. It was a waste of time, he would never tell her what he knew. She still had no idea who wanted to meet her. But one thing was certain, without Aydan, she would have refused to go with so much secrecy. The whole thing was a mystery to her. That person had such arrogance to assume that she should simply obey and agree to meet them without knowing anything. Frankly, who did this individual think he was?

Lost in thought, Lara was guided through busy streets.

“Why you?” She finally asked.

Aydan hesitated enough for Lara to notice.

“They assumed you would certainly not follow anyone else,” he said slowly.

He was silent for a moment.

“I was very lucky to arrive on time. If something had happened to you, I could never forgive myself.”

Well, she had at least learned she would not have one but several interlocutors. She thought hard about it. Was it one of the guilds? No, they would never be able to afford a Mecen. And what would be their reason to seek her out? She looked around, and her heart skipped a beat.

They arrived at the entrance of the Palace. This set of buildings, cut in blue metamorphic shales, was the seat of power of the Republic. Many buildings flourished around the high tower which hosted the apartments of the Consul and the Kaisers.

Parks dotted with gardens or small ponds adjoined the buildings, connected to each other by sandy alleys. All this beauty was hidden behind tall gates, guarded by soldiers carrying the Consul regalia, a stylized flamboyant phoenix taking flight on a black background.

Twelve doors, like so many Domains, allowed access. Aydan greeted the guard at the Ninth Gate, who granted them entry and advanced towards the Assembly building. They crossed several aisles lined with cut hedges. The nearby flowerbeds let a sweet scent hover in the air. In front of the solid wooden door of the building where the great phoenix was carved, two guards carrying the regalia of Lisandro stood alert. They greeted the Herald who turned to Lara.

“My task ends here. It's up to you to enter and continue on your way. May Elhain guide you.”

“Thank you,” she replied distracted, dismissing a strand of hair that fell onto her face.

The Kaisers. She was summoned by the representatives of the twelve planets. What was she going to do? She took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

OoOoOo

Lara found herself in a long corridor. Anxious, she took a few steps forward. Frames, representing different portraits, were hung on the stone walls. Lara recognized them for having studied in class. They were the previous Consuls of the Republic.

Hysko was the first to unite the twelve young planets. He had also sealed the pact with Hamon, the great phoenix, who had become the symbol of the Republic. The Empire of the Nine Worlds, already several millennia old, looked down on the young Republic which displayed its power. The Emperor reigned at that time over several hundred planets, which paid a heavy price to the Nine Families who shared power. The science from their geneticists was then at its peak. The creatures that came out of their expert hands beefed up the ranks of their army.

However, the Emperor always wanted more. He set his sights on immortality. The phoenixes, formerly respected, found themselves hunted down, captured, and eliminated. Their number was inexorably decreasing, yet the imperial scientists could not uncover the secret that gave the mythical birds the much-coveted immortality.

The phoenixes then left the Empire of the Nine Worlds and took refuge in the Republic. In the era of the infancy of space transport, phoenixes were the only known creatures capable of crossing large interstellar distances. Capable of communicating with humans, and of rare intelligence, they were respected by all and even deified in the most remote places. Seeing a phoenix was an omen of bliss and good fortune. If one landed on a roof, that house was instantly seen as blessed.

Therefore, the persecution of the Empire against them was considered sacrilege. Dissatisfaction rumbled into the ranks of the slave planets. In response, the Emperor sent his armies in bloody repressions, which only increased the anger of the people. The troubles increased. But what can the most powerful army in the galaxy do in the face of permanent guerrilla warfare?

When Emperor Nero learned that the phoenix had taken refuge on the twelve planets, his rage knew no limits. His fiercest armies were preparing to march on the Republic.

Hysko, just named Consul, received an ultimatum. If he didn’t want to see the Republic raze to the ground, he had to immediately deliver the phoenixes to Emperor Nero. Hysko having made a pact with the birds declared war on the Empire. His response left Emperor Nero speechless. He couldn’t believe the Republic dared to challenge him. Him, whose resources were unlimited. Over a hundred planets were under his direct control. He could mobilize enough people to repopulate the entire Republic. He had nothing to fear from them.

However, Nero had forgotten one detail, the discontentment of the people in his territory. Rebellions began, and the Emperor mobilized his army one after the other to quell the revolts. Little by little, the heart of the Empire was emptied of its military resources. Then, the Republic launched its attack. With its meager resources, it managed to defeat the shreds of armies presented to it by the Nine Families. Emperor Nero was captured by the army of the Republic of the Twelve Domains and beheaded. His death signed the peace between the two parties. And Hysko went down in history as the savior of the Twelve Domains.