Once they were all together, Rixel lead the group up towards the large, white structure. As they got closer, he could see that it had no windows and was completely smooth on the outside. He had never seen a building so peculiar before; or at least, he assumed it was a building and not just some giant weapon.

“What is this?” Kolivan asked Rixel.

“This is the Kafa,” Rixel gave him a wide grin. “It’s basically a lab and living facility over the largest source of Quintessence on Eioa, but it also has an impressive defense system… as you could see.”

Keith looked skeptically at the end of the Kafa where the damage was. “What happened to that end?”

“We were attacked by the Hauhet recently,” Rixel explained casually like he expected Keith to know what he was talking about. “It knocked out our communications and took down our camouflage defenses, but we’re getting it fixed up right now”.

“I’ll explain later,” Jira said quietly beside him.

“Camouflage?” Omek looked thoughtfully at the building. “It looks like it’s made out of the same stuff as your suits.”

“That’s because it is,” Rixel said. “Eioan technology that, when activated, only we can see it as it truly is.”

“It makes you effective in battle,” Kolivan grumbled. Rixel brought them to the outside of the Kafa and laid a hand on it; a door formed in front of them and slid open.

The inside of the monstrous dome was dimly lit apart from several pools emitting a pale green light from the center of the ground. Surrounding the pools stood several pieces of strange equipment and monitors and there were almost a dozen people operating them or standing near the peculiar, green light. Keith looked up to see a walkway and railing that wrapped all the way around the inside of the Kafa. People were walking along it, going in and out of doors and the room was filled with a nervous energy. He could tell the Eioans apart from the few Galra that were there; their eyes were black and their skin was various shades of gray. If their hair wasn’t white or black, they were completely devoid of hair. Like Rixel, many had horns and he even spotted a couple with gray tentacles coming off their heads instead of horns or hair. There were also a few, like Jira, whose skin was more purple or blue, and their eyes golden.

A Eioan dressed in a trim military uniform with long white hair that flowed freely down his back approached them, accompanied by another Eioan wearing a black robe with a flat face and tentacles on his head. Rixel stopped and gave the Eioan with long hair a quick bow.

“Who is this?” The Eioan asked Rixel, looking first at Kolivan, then to Keith. Kolivan and the other Blades removed their masks.

“We are the Blade of Marmora,” Kolivan reiterated, gesturing to the Blades behind him. “I’m Kolivan. Prince Lotor told us about your planet and we’ve come here at his suggestion.”

“Zalko,” the Eioan introduced himself, but he looked at Kolivan with scrutiny. “It’s strange that you would arrive here right before a Galra ship,” he said coldly.

“They shot our ship down,” Kolivan said calmly. “We know that Galra have been living her for nearly fifty years. I’m not sure if you’re aware of the situation of the Galra empire, but Lotor thought that we would be welcome here.”

“I know enough of the situation to know that the Blade of Marmora doesn’t stand much of a chance against an empire that size. I just hope that you coming here doesn’t bring any more unwanted attention.”

The Eioan beside Zalko gave him an amused smile and stepped forward. “Don’t mind him,” he said in a hoarse, but friendly voice. He took Kolivan by surprise and shook his hand eagerly with both of his.

“I’m Horm!” he beamed. “I’m sure if our communications were functioning properly, we would have received word from you or Lotor beforehand. That Hauhet is a persnickety thing but we’re working through it!”

“- we did try to contact this district- Olorin, correct?” Kolivan asked.

Horm nodded quickly. “Olorin is the right place to be if you’re looking for other Galra. It’s been so long since we’ve had visitors! You’re more than welcome here, after all, you actively fight against the empire. Why would we have any qualms against you coming here?” he glanced over at Zalko and gave him a smug look.

“We didn’t think that a Galra ship would be out this far,” Kolivan said. “We apologize for causing you any trouble.”

“Well you and Zalko’s Elites already took care of the issue, so we’re already working together.”

“Elites?” Keith said, looking at the Eioans wearing the white suits.

Horm swept up next to Keith and gave him an unsettling grin. “The Elites! They’re Eioans personally selected by Zalko to defend the Kafa and everyone living on this base- can I touch your face?” he asked, poking Keith’s cheek. “I’ve never seen a specimen with skin this pale before… what do you call yourself? You must have some Galra blood in you, you’re wearing that fancy getup.”

“Horm don’t do this,” Zalko warned, but Horm ignored him and circled Keith.

“I’m from earth,” Keith said, annoyed with the eccentric alien. “I’m half human.”

“Half human,” Horm said, lifting up Keith’s arms and inspecting them. Keith pulled away and took a step back from him, noticing Jira trying to suppress laughter.

“Fascinating!”

“Sorry about Horm,” Jira said. “he doesn’t get out much.”

“I’m very busy, would you like to see what the Grangint and I have been working on?” he said, eagerly clapping his hands.

“Wait, we should-” Zalko said, but Horm was already bounding back to a large monitor. Zalko let out an exasperated sigh before continuing. “I’m sure you have plenty of questions,but tell me what you know about Eioa.”

“Well, we formed a loose alliance with Lotor about a month ago,” Kolivan explained. “After a large battle over a planet with the empire, we needed a chance to regroup and stay out of the empire’s way until we plan our next step. Lotor said he had allies outside of the empire’s influence; a small planet that he had sent a group of scientists to in order to study its unique form of Quintessence. We weren’t able to contact you, but we decided to come anyway after Lotor was worried about the empire taking the planet as their own.”

“Where is Lotor now?”

“He is back with our own allies, Voltron.”

Zalko’s dark eyes grew large. “Voltron?”

“You know of it?” Omek asked.

“Even if our system is small and fortunate enough to be safe from the empire, we’ve heard many things about Voltron. Are they planning on coming to Olorin as well?”

“Yes, soon.”

“Rixel,” Zalko turned to the talk Eioan. “Send word to President Drundlo and General Wunrik. Tell them to come to the Kafa as quickly as possible.”

“I hope this isn’t an intrusion,” Kolivan said.

“No we should feel honored that Voltron is coming… and it’s been nearly ten years since Lotor has been here. President Drundlo is the leader of Olorin district and was the one who established the treaty between the Eioans and the Grangint. He’ll want to be here to meet with him again, I’m sure.”

“Thank you for accepting us.”

Zalko still didn’t look to sure, but he gave Kolivan an attempt at a smile and gestured to Horm. “Horm can answer any questions that you may have. I should take care of the enemy ship.” He bagan walked away and stopped. “And we’ll get a crew to bring in your ship and start on repairs.”

“Thank you,” Kolivan said, giving him a nod.

“Come this way!” Horm yelled over to them, waving his arms madly.

“Is he always like this?” Keith mumbled to Jira.

“No, sometimes he’s even more eccentric.”

Keith grimaced as he approached him. Horm twiddled his fingers together and stepped up close to a glimmering pool.

“I will now accept any questions.”

Keith peered to the end of the dome, looking at the damaged wall. “What is this Hauhet that everyone keeps talking about?”

Horm’s face fell in disappointment. “Alright, don’t mind the glowing well of mystical substance, it’s fine,” he grumbled. “The Hauhet is a creature that has been on Eioa far longer than we have. It has incredible camouflaging abilities and it’s what we modeled our clocking technology after.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Why did it attack the Kafa?” Omek asked, giving the green pool a wary glance.

“It’s very protective of Quintessence and attacks if it feels that it’s being threatened. It’s what has made our research here very stressful at times- alright, most of the time- It’s incredibly difficult to extract any Quintessence without angering the Hauhet, so most of our research comes from observation.”

“Why not just kill the Hauhet?” Keith asked which earned him another hard poke on the cheek from Horm. “Hey-”

“Don’t disrespect it like that,” Horm warned. “If the Hauhet dies, the planet dies with it, as does the Quintessence.”

“Oh.” Keith said, rubbing his cheek. “So kind of like the Balmera, but more… violent?”

“I’ve heard of other creatures that are connected to Quintessence in a unique way, so yes,” Horm said, putting his hands behind his back. “Lotor was interested in this planet because of the unique form of Quintessence. He understood that it couldn’t be extracted for selfish purposes, but still saw potential in it. Drundlo respected that the prince was not like his father in that way, so he agreed to let Lotor send some scientists here to study it. Plus Drundlo didn’t want to fall to the empire, so he sought to be proactive by forming a sort of alliance with Lotor… despite Lotor’s questionable motivations at times, but that’s a different story,” Horm added with an uneasy smile.

“We can understand that,” Kolivan said with a sneer. “So what about this Quintessence makes it so unique?”

“Well, I’ve been the head researcher here for… well a long time,” Horm chuckled. “While Quintessence was discovered on Eioa thousands of years ago, it wasn’t until several hundred years ago that we noticed something about it; over time we realized that in the areas with the most Quintessence, there were people born with extraordinary abilities. At first it seemed to be a random occurrence, and it wasn’t hereditary, but when the Grangint came to Olorin and married into the Eioan race, the children of the two races had a higher chance of being born with an ability.”

“What do you mean an ability?” Omek asked skeptically.

“Oh, you know, they could be many things,” Horm shrugged. “Many of Zalko’s Elites have abilities since they’re usually good in a fight. Jira is a good example of one.”

Keith and the others looked at her and she smiled sheepishly.

“Is that how you knew what we were up to?” Keith asked her. “Do you have telepathic powers or something?”

“Not exactly…”

“Hers is less of a combative nature, which is not uncommon, but it did get me thinking about the nature of the Quintessence,” Horm continued. “It’s not yellow, so it’s not raw Quintessence, but it’s not concentrated either-”

“We’ve dealt with concentrated Quintessence before,” Kolivan interjected. “It’s very powerful.”

“It’s certainly not concentrated… it’s more like it’s filtered, if you will,” Horm said. “We think that the Hauhet affects it in some way, but as you can imagine, it’s difficult to study the creature.”

Kolivan scratched his chin and stared at the deep well. Behind them, the door opened again and Rixel had returned with two more Eioans behind him. One looked regal, with white hair tied in a knot at his neck and horns adorned with thin gold bands that curved back on his forehead. The other was tall and gaunty with piercing black eyes, a sharp angled face, and a bald head. They walked up to Kolivan briskly and introduced themselves.

“I’m President Drundlo,” The horned one said in a soft but commanding tone.

“General Wunrik,” said the other. He scanned the Blades individually with an icy gaze.

“Kolivan,” Drundlo continued. “Rixel informed me of the situation. Please, I’d like to discuss with you privately.” He turned his attention to the other blade members. “The rest of you are welcome at our barracks here at the Kafa. Rixel, show them to our vacant rooms.”

“Yes sir. Follow me,” He smiled at them. While the other Eioans they met out in the jungle had dispersed and went about their own business, Jira followed them outside.

“Do you live in the barracks?” Omek asked her.

Jira nodded. “They’re really pretty nice. I get my own room which is great… but I room next to my brothers, which is less great.”

“Brothers?” Keith piped up, walking up next to her. “Are they Elites too?”

“They are!” Rixel said, his demeanor more casual and relaxed. “They also have abilities, as do I, but I’m a full blooded Eioan.” Beside him appeared another image of himself; a perfect copy with the same impish grin. “But I was lucky enough to be born with an ability.”

“Rixel, you don’t need to brag,” Jira said, clenching her teeth.

“This is my Mirror,” He explained. “It does and says whatever I want it to.” The Mirror stopped next to Keith and put an arm around his shoulder. If Keith concentrated on the figure, he could tell it was transparent and could see blurred shapes through its body. It was almost weightless as it leaned on him.

“Anyway,” Rixel said, and the Mirror disappeared. The abilities of the elites really vary. You guys will probably meet the others soon though.” He led them to a plain white building in a courtyard with three other identical buildings.

“This one is mostly empty, so you should all be able to have your own rooms,” Rixel said.

“Thanks,” Keith said, looking up at the building. He glanced back to Jira.

“You never explained your ability,” he said to her.

Jira scratched the back of her head nervously. “People tend to get a little weird around me after I explain it… but I’ll tell you what, let me shower and change and then you can ask me any questions you want.”

“Okay.”

“My room is on the second floor,” she said, pointing to the building right across from the one the Blades were staying in. “Meet me in 20 mins?”

Keith nodded. “Sure.”

***

Keith had already gotten into the shower before he realized his extra clothes were back on the ship. Though his room really had nothing more than a bed, and a dresser, he found a plain white t-shirt and a pair of pants in one of the drawers. The pants drowned him in length, but they were a light fabric that he could roll up easily enough. He snuck down the hall, and back outside. Darting across the courtyard, he slipped inside the barrack and crept up the stairs. Though once he got to the top step, he realized that Jira didn’t tell him which room was hers.

“And I’m the idiot who didn’t think to ask,” he mumbled under his breath. He snuck down the hall, trying not to cause too much noise.

“Jira?” he called out in a hoarse whisper. He stopped at the first door and knocked lightly.

The door flung open. “For the last time, I did not take yo- oh?” On the other side of the door stood a slim Eioan boy with short black hair. He squinted at Keith and stuck out his hand, touching his face delicately.

“Are you a ghost?” he asked Keith, smushing his cheeks now with both hands. Keith pushed his hands away.

“What is it with you people and touching my face?”

“-But you’re so pale?”

“I’m perfectly normal for my race,” Keith cried defensively. “...kind of.”

The boy folded his arms and sized him up, though he stood no taller than Keith.

“What are you then, Ghost boy?”

Keith sighed. “Look, I didn’t mean to bother you, I’m just looking for Jira.”

The boy gave him sly smile. “Now that changes things. Tell me who you are and I won’t kill you.”

“What?!”

The door across the hall burst open and another, more strapping boy busted out into the hall. He towered over Keith and glared down at him; his head was without hair and he instead had two horns and a few spikes atop of his head, and a stern crease on his forehead.

“What is going on?” he demanded of both of them.

“This lover boy is looking for Jira,” The shorter boy grinned mischievously.

In a swift motion, the taller of the two scooped Keith up by the scruff of his shirt and hoisted him up to his face. Keith wanted to fight against him, but given his size, he figured it would be best to cooperate.

“It’s not like that,” Keith said hastily. “She just told me to meet her here after she got out of the shower- I mean, uh- I didn’t mean it like-”

“Stop talking.”

“Yeah that’s probably a good idea.”

The shorter boy cackled. “Junx, you don’t have to scare him to death, but please continue.”

Another door opened, heightening Keith’s embarrassment. Rixel stepped out into the hall in a towel and a toothbrush in his mouth.

“Keef! Whaut are you doin heerf?” he struggled through the toothpaste.

“Regretting my decisions,” Keith mumbled.

“Junx, let him down,” Rixel ordered.

The giant dropped Keith and he landed unsteadily on his feet. “Thanks,” he said, rubbing his neck and glaring at Junx.

“What do you want with our sister?” Junx asked menacingly.

Keith’s stomach dropped. “Wait, you’re Jira’s brothers?”

“That’s Jinx to you,” the shorter one said, puffing out his chest next to his brother; not that it made a difference.

The door next to Jinx’s opened and Jira stepped outside, her hair wrapped up in a towel.

“What is your problem?!” she spat at her brothers.

“You tell us, you sneaky minx!” Jinx said.

Jira rolled her eyes. “Keep it down, or you’re going to wake everyone else up.”

“Who is this pale alien?” Junx asked with a stoic face.

“Holy Hauhet, his name is Keith,” Jira said. “And he’s part of the Blade.”

The brothers’ expressioned changed to that of awe and confusion.

“A Blade?!” Jinx said excitedly. “You’re not very purpley for a Galra.”

“If you’re a Blade, prove it.” Junx demanded.

“I’m only half Galra,” Keith said, getting a bit tired of explaining his heritage.

“Relatable,” Jinx smiled. “But really, what are you doing over here? I heard the Blade members were staying in the barracks across the way.”

“He just had some questions about us and our abilities,” Jira explained. “So if you don’t mind, we’ll be going now.” She took Keith’s arm and started to lead him to her room.

“Wait, I want to explain things!” Jinx said, following them.

Junx did the same. “You two shouldn’t be left alone.”

“Look Jira, we can wait another time,” Keith started, his face hot with discomfort at the situation.

Jira’s turned to her brothers and sly smile spread across her face. “Actually, I have an idea; why don’t we go show Keith the Fountain? That way everyone is happy and he’ll get to see something really cool?”

“That’s a great idea!” Jinx beamed. “I want to drive though.”

Jira pulled her towel off her head and let her damp hair fall onto her shoulders. “Oh, I’m taking my own hoverbike then. You’re too reckless.”

“That’s not true,” Jinx said leading the way down the hall.

“Don’t stay out too late,” Rixel said, going back into his room.

“I will drive,” Junx said, pushing Jinx out of the way.

“Okay, that’s not fair!” Jinx protested, jumping on Junx’s back as they made their way down the stairs. They continued to argue all the way to the hangar with the bikes.

“Well I’m taking my own bike with Keith,” Jira said. “You two can fight over your own, but don’t take too long.”

“Are you sure about this?” Keith asked, climbing up behind her.

“Don’t worry,” Jira smiled as she braided her hair down her back. “I know a shortcut.”