The ring of Talabor glistened like a rainbow, the rays of light from the sun highlighting the many colors and lines in the orbital circle. Far in the distance, a small silver glint drifted through the planet’s ring, as a shuttle gently descended towards the surface. The craft was small for a space fairing vessel, the battleship it had embarked from still nestled in the massive band of asteroids and gasses surrounding Talabor.
Every so gently, the shuttle drifted, entering the planet’s orbit, the shields easily managing reentry as the atmosphere ignited a bright orange fireball around the craft. After a few minutes, the craft stabilized, the slender silver vessel evening out, its boosters igniting and the shields retracing as the space craft switched over to aircraft maneuvers.
The silver shuttle’s engines roared, and tilted towards the surface, a defiant shark’s mouth paintjob proudly displayed on its front. The name Earhart was proudly inscribed in bold red and gold lettering on either sides of the nose of the craft as it raced through the surface. As the Earhart led the decent, numerous more of its brethren embarked from the battleship and joined on its downward journey.
Off in the far distance behind the bold silver craft, a dozen more balls of orange fire had appeared in the sky, as the rest of the shuttles began landing procedures. Down and onward the craft descended, the warm surface of Talabor rising to greet the new arrivals.
Lush farmland, forests, and mountains drifted by underneath the belly of the Earhart as it continued its journey, it’s destination emerging on the horizon in the far distance. As the aircraft approached, the looming fortress grew, along with a large swath carved out of the surrounding forest, with long dark tarmacs deeply embedded into the planet’s surface.
As the shuttle began to circle the destination, the passengers could see the looming citadel, and the ever-growing primitive city growing around it. Comprised of humble thatch and wood buildings, and dirt roads, the citadel looked like something out of a story of dragons and knights, oddly paired with the modern airfield comprised of concrete roads, metal hangers, and vehicles zipping to and from the city like tiny grey insects.
The Earhart altered it’s trajectory, seemingly having gotten clearance from the air control tower far below, as it started to land. As the craft got closer and closer to the ground, the passengers could see a small greeting party awaiting them at a circular landing pad, illuminated by bright blue and green landing lights.
Small attitude adjusting boosters erupted from the bottom of the shuttle, as the craft evened out, it’s landing gear emerging from the silver belly of the craft. Within a few minutes, the Earhart landed gently. It’s landing gear bending and taking on the full weight of the shuttle as the Earhart settled on the grey tarmac, it’s engines winding down, heat rising off the sleek wings and tail fins. The cargo door opened, yawning outward like the mouth of a massive beast as the greeting party strolled forward to welcome the arrivals. Out of the cargo bay door descended three men.
The one in the far back had long white hair despite appearing to be in his twenties. It was tied neatly in a bun underneath a headband bearing an oath in Japanese, his sharp face framed with a glistening air of content, a mischievous look in his eyes. A long sword was tucked into his leather belt, his grey and blue tunic smart and official looking.
Besides the Japanese man with white hair strolled a massive man with blonde hair, his broad and brooding face framed by a blue beret, a green bomber jacket barely concealing his hulking body. A white tank top with blue stripes resided underneath, tucked into his green combat pants. An AK-47 was slung over his back, with a full battle belt laden with ammunition, a knife, and numerous tools.
The two men walked on either side of the dark man in the front. His hair was nearly pitch black, evenly faded with a precise haircut, combed over to the side. He wore a dark military uniform, a knife tucked into his battle belt, with a beowulf rifle slung across his back. His mismatched grey and green eyes narrowed and glaring as they emerged out onto the tarmac.
As the three men advanced forward, a woman with raven black hair, green eyes, bearing silver armor and a silver laurel came forward. At her side was a massive man with a bushy beard and long hair, his armor ornate and immaculate, a gold crown resting on his head. Behind the man and woman stood two ranks of men in armor, along with several teenagers in orange jumpsuits, with multiple metal arms and ocular implants.
“Welcome, Captains of Zion, to Talabor!” the man with the bushy beard boomed.
“Thank you for the warm welcome, your Majesty. It is an honor to stand once again on Talaborian ground, King Alexander,” the dark man said, as the three bowed.
“Long time, no see, Nameless,” the dark-haired woman mused.
“Good to see you too, Rachel,” Nameless said gruffly.
Rachel sighed as the King smiled warmly.
“Come, my friends, allow me to show you my hearth. Tonight, we have prepared a feast in your honor!” King Alexander cheered.
“That will not be necessary, my friend. I must see to the labs straight away, much is needed to be done before our operation can begin,” The Japanese man said in a cool tone.
“The Forge Master shall have everything he needs!” Alexander smiled.
The King turned to the knights behind him, saying something in his native language. A knight nodded and beckoned to the teenagers with extra metal arms. The odd party departed, leading the Japanese Forge Master away, towards the citadel.
Nameless turned to the massive man in the bomber jacket.
“Yuri, mind making sure the guys find their barracks? I want everyone hunkered down and accountability up before nightfall,” Nameless said.
“Will do,” the man in the bomber jacket nodded, walking away.
The remaining people gazed skyward, as the dozen or so shuttles began landing, the hulking body of the battleship framed by clouds as it waited to land.
“No portals this time?” Rachel quipped.
Nameless smirked.
“Every Professor and Ethereal is busy helping Zyhara right now, it’s portal directly off of Zion and engines from there on out for us peasants,” Nameless said.
“Figures,” Rachel sighed.
Nameless turned his head, studying the King who was still smiling.
“I along with the NCOs and Officers will gladly attended tonight’s feast, your majesty. In the meantime, do you mind if Lady Rachel and I have a moment?” Nameless asked gently.
“But of course, I am sure there is much the Heroes of the Zion War have to catch up on,” Alexander smiled.
The King beckoned to his men, and the Talaborians walked away, towards the hangars as long lines of people began disembarking from the landing crafts. Nameless and Rachel stood alone, the soft breeze gently caressing them. Relief filled him; it had been a year since they had been made War Captains. Nameless barely felt adjusted, so much had happened. And to see her again, after what had felt like so long, he was a bit excited for the first time in a long time.
“Whatchu gawking at fuck boy?” Rachel laughed, turning, and strolling away.
“Is that any way to greet an old friend?” Nameless laughed, following her.
Rachel shrugged.
“Are we friends?” She asked.
“What else would we be?”
“Acquaintances caught up in some ridiculous other-worldly bullshit?”
Both laughed as they walked down the tarmac.
Rachel’s smile melted as her eyes drifted.
“How is she?” Rachel finally asked.
“Good,” Nameless nodded. “Busy as ever. Being a queen suites her.”
Rachel smirked.
“That kid was made for leading.”
“So are you,” Nameless said.
Rachel rolled her eyes.
“I hate that bullshit, all that war captain stuff and paperwork, I’m fine doing the grunt work.”
“You’re basically queen of this planet, the hell do you mean leading isn’t for you?” Nameless laughed.
Rachel shook her head, as they strolled onward.
“Any signs of, you know?” Rachel asked.
“Him?”
“Yeah.”
“No, everything’s been quiet on that end. Zion is too busy integrating with Mars, Mars is trying to keep the peace with Earth, all the other dimensions are falling apart without Zions’ trade routes, disasters at every turn. You know, typical space politics,” Nameless sighed.
“But, no Alpha Centurion?”
“No Alpha Centurion.”
“Good, I kinda like peace,” Rachel sighed.
“But how long will it last?” Nameless asked.
Rachel looked at him, her green eyes studying him, the sun’s light reflecting off of her silver laurel. The sun set, gently framing her beautiful form.
“That’s why you’re here, ain’t it?” She shrugged.
Nameless nodded.
“You think this will work?” Rachel asked.
“Has to. I’ll crush them if it doesn’t,” Nameless sighed.
Rachel chuckled.
“I missed your bravado. C’mon cowboy, we got a few hours to kill, I got something to show ya,” Rachel laughed.
“Where we going?” Nameless asked.
“My place,” Rachel said as she flicked on her bracelet, holographic buttons appeared, and she pushed some.
“Oh really?” Nameless arched an eyebrow.
Rachel darted him a look.
“In your dreams, fucker. Besides, I still barely like you,” Rachel spat.
A speeder approached, heeding the signal Rachel had sent out. The brown craft’s engines roared as it sped up beside them, it’s passenger doors opening.
“What? Killing a god, and reaching our full powers wasn’t enough bonding for you?” Nameless teased.
“Urgh, god you are so unbearable. C’mon, let’s go before I change my mind,” Rachel scoffed.
“Lead the way, m’ Lady,” Nameless smiled.
Rachel darted him a murderous look as she climbed into the speeder, Nameless following. Inside the craft was spacious, the leather seats and soft music welcoming them as they sat inside.
“Where to, my Lord and Lady?” The driver asked, in his smart grey uniform.
“Residential block two please, my place,” Rachel called.
“At once, Lady Rachel,” The driver smiled.
“So, what is it you got to show me?” Nameless smiled.
“You can’t fucking wait?” Rachel spat.
“I’m just itching to know,” Nameless smirked.
Rachel scrunched her nose, squinting her eyes at him.
“You’ve gotten bolder. I liked you better when you were a stoic mercenary,” Rachel growled.
Nameless shrugged as the speeder zoomed across the airfield. They were quiet as the hover craft followed the dirt roads past the airfield, careening at breakneck speed towards the houses that had sprouted outside the citadel walls.
Wonder and admiration filled Nameless. Seeing Talabor spring back so quickly from such a devastating war and watching the people in their medieval garb, warmly, wave and smile as they passed by them. It was truly a testament to the natives stalwartness and pride.
Soon, they arrived at their destination. Rachel’s wood and thatch house was nestled on top of a small hill. It was a small, two-story house with an addition that mimicked a garage on the side of the building. As they got out of the speeder, barking caught Nameless’s attention. He looked up to see a fully grown German shepherd bound forward, and pounce on Rachel. She smiled and giggled as the dog happily welcomed her home. The dog then looked over at Nameless, low growling rising as his ears cocked back.
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“Yeah, that’s right! Get him Duke,” Rachel growled into the dogs ear.
Duke barked loudly, as Nameless stretched out his hand nervously.
“What’s the matter,” Rachel laughed, reading his timid expression. “Never seen a dog before?”
“Nah, not really, actually. Not in this life anyway,” Nameless said.
Rachel sighed, and pulled a dog treat out of her armor pocket.
“Here, give it to him,” Rachel ordered.
Nameless meekly took the treat and held it over the dog as it continued barking.
“S-sit,” Nameless mumbled.
“Nien. Setz dich!” Rachel barked.
The dog obediently sat down, still growling at Nameless.
“I didn’t know you spoke German,” Nameless laughed nervously.
“Bitch, I am German. Give him a treat, don’t tease the poor guy,” Rachel barked.
“Oh, that’s gold coming from you,” Nameless laughed, feeding duke the treat.
“The hell is that supposed to mean?” Rachel huffed.
Duke lapped up the treat, getting up and nestling his head against Nameless.
“Nothing,” Nameless smirked eyeing her.
Rachel crossed her arms, her brow furrowed as she glared.
“Great. Now the asshole gets along with my dog. Fantastic,” She rolled her eyes.
“Hey, you gave me the treat, man. Besides, maybe he actually likes me. I’m not that bad of a guy,” Nameless sighed.
“Doubtful, c’mon,” Rachel sighed, leading the way across her lawn to the home’s door.
The wooden door’s iron hinges creaked open softly, the dark room foreboding and dimly lit by the ambient light from the sunset. Rachel struck a match and ignited some candles. The growing warm candlelight bathed the long bookshelves, the floor covered in a deep and rich fur rug from some exotic beast. A wooden table that was covered in maps and technology stood in the center of the living room, with several other pieces of luxurious wooden furniture placed oddly around the room.
A staircase ran upwards along the right wall, into the second floor, the far back left wall of the living room open, entering into a humble kitchen. It was a smaller house, yet roomy and very comfortable. Nameless noticed a solitary door next to the kitchen, perhaps storage, or some medieval equivalent to a garage?
“Make yourself at home, there’s beer and food in the fridge. Imma go change, do not mess with my work,” Rachel called as she ascended the stairs.
“Sure thing,” Nameless chuckled.
He wandered over to the kitchen, and saw a small portable refrigerator hooked up to a generator, which was also supplying power to Rachel’s databank portal resting on the stone counter. Nameless swung the door open and recognized the cheap beer inside from one of his previous lives as an American. As he cracked open the can, the long-forgotten taste tingled his memories.
His current life’s memories took most of the real estate within his mind, however whenever something that was important in one of his past lives was brought up, distant tastes, smells and muscle memory returned for a brief moment.
Nameless sat on a wooden chair in the living room, and began playing with Duke, rubbing his belly, and scratching his ears. The dog was warming up to him, and Nameless found himself grinning and giggling a bit. Time past, as Duke bounded around the room, happily playing with Nameless.
An odd sensation prickled Nameless’ mind, as if someone was watching him. He looked up, to see Rachel coldly studying him, leaning on her stair banister. Her armor had been replaced by a green hoodie, jeans, and combat boots. Nameless smiled and held up the beer.
“I thought you didn’t drink beer,” Nameless chortled.
“I don’t,” Rachel sighed, walking down the rest of the stairs. “But you were coming, I figured you would need a beer for this. Had it shipped over from some other Earth crew dropping supplies from Zion. I grabbed a few from them.”
“So, whatever you’re showing me is that bad huh?” Nameless asked with mirth.
Rachel said nothing as she walked over, then gazed at the maps on her table. There was an ominous silence as Nameless studied the Angel of Death.
“Remember what you said to me on the tarmac? About reaching our full powers?” Rachel asked softly, not lifting her eyes from her maps.
“Yeah,” Nameless asked.
Rachel looked at him.
“What if I told you this was nothing compared to what’s out there?” Rachel asked.
A dark feeling overcame Nameless.
“For you maybe, I doubt there’s a power limit for Death’s Mantle.”
Rachel looked at her maps, her hand traipsing the paper.
“My daughters have been giving me locations. Whenever I’m not busy, we go out to these distant places, and find more power caches previous lives left me,” Rachel said softly.
“So?”
“I found a few of yours out there,” Rachel said, looking up.
Nameless was stunned, his eyes wide, his body trembling.
“Aryus said this was it,” Nameless said softly.
Rachel nodded.
“Follow me on this cowboy, Aryus made contact with previous lives through lost memories, technology, old data banks. But, what if I told you Aryus wasn’t the only life you had that had been successful in gathering power?”
“I still barely understand how power manipulation works,” Nameless groaned.
“You understand DNA, right?” Rachel asked.
“Yeah, sure,” Nameless nodded.
“Okay, you then get how your DNA was passed down for hundreds of generations, those genes evolving? The same goes for our energy. Call it a soul, an aura, whatever. Every life we’ve lived has shaped the energy we manipulate today. Following?”
“Barely,” Nameless sighed.
“Three other lives of yours gathered power. The zeniths of their energies DNA, so to speak. You could, in theory, collect these caches, and become the most powerful version of yourself, ever. Just like what I’m doing now,” Rachel said.
Nameless shook his head. He went to drink more of the beer, and noticed it was empty. He sighed, and lifted the can, looking at Rachel.
“Go grab the rest, I don’t care, just focus here!” Rachel scoffed.
Nameless nodded abashedly and hurried to the fridge. He grabbed the remaining twelve pack and brought it back to the living room. He sat down again, and cracked open a new beer, chugging it heavily. He then looked back at Rachel.
“What you’re suggesting, it’s gotta be impossible, right?” Nameless asked.
“Never been done before and impossible, are two different things.”
“But, that much power in one person. Wouldn’t I just burst into flames?”
“You’re memories would probably eat each other, and your mind collapse, yeah. But you would be the most powerful Scourge, ever,” Rachel sighed.
“Oh joy!”
“But I can mitigate this,” Rachel said.
“You’re going to say some really, really crazy shit, aren’t you?” Rachel nodded.
Nameless sighed and finished his beer. With a new one in hand, he rolled his hand motioning for her to continue.
“You remember in the throne room, when I siphoned the life force out of those lizard freaks?” Rachel asked.
“Vividly. Literally the scariest shit I’ve ever seen,” Nameless chortled.
“Yeah…um…I can kind of do that…to your mind,” Rachel said slowly, averting her eyes.
Nameless gave her a blank stare, then slowly blinked.
“What?”
“I know it sounds nuts!” Rachel barked, raising her hands.
“That’s definitely one word for it,” Nameless sighed.
“Just hear me out!”
“Okay.”
“One of my previous lives taught me. I may or may not have tested it out already…”
“Rachel!”
“They deserved it!”
“On whom?!”
“Dark Axium fucks, just follow me on this okay?!” Rachel protested.
Nameless shook his head, drinking more beer.
“Dude, I literally just got here. And you want to mind wipe me after I power up? How about, ‘hi Nameless! How was the flight? Hey, once you’re settled down, I got this crazy idea I wanna try on my new guinea pig, you!’”
“You think Alpha Centurion is gonna wait for us to settle down? What do you think that avatar of Armageddon is doing right now? Tell me with a straight face that he isn’t preparing to rock our shit,” Rachel growled.
Nameless was silent. He leaned forward in his chair.
“Let’s say I go along with this. Let’s say I become as powerful as possible. And we deal with him when, not if, he shows up. Who stops me once he’s gone?”
Rachel bit her lip, leaning backwards on the table, arms crossed.
“Who, Rachel? You?”
“I may have considered it.”
“Oh how very thoughtful of you.”
“Oh how very bold of you to think you would rise beyond death!”
“Rachel, we fought actual gods. We jump from dimension to dimension; we are literally here to mass produce demigods in the hopes it’ll stop the end times. Fine. Remove ourselves from the situation. You give some guy that much power, how is he not going to abuse the absolute shit out of that?”
Rachel sighed, nodding her head.
“It’s a good idea, but we need checks and balances to this. I’m trying to kill the fucker, not replace him,” Nameless said darkly.
“I know,” Rachel sighed.
“Let’s keep this in our back pocket. Plan Z. All else fails, I’ll do this, then you put a bullet in my head. That’s the deal,” Nameless said.
Rachel smirked.
“Ya know, this isn’t how I thought this conversation would go,” she said distantly.
“Sorry to disappoint?” Nameless arched an eyebrow.
“Not really a disappointment, actually. Maybe there is a good guy buried underneath all of that douche baggery.”
Nameless laughed.
“How dare you question my integrity mortal! Bow before your god!” Nameless mockingly boomed, raising his arms.
“Aaaaand there it is,” Rachel rolled her eyes.
“I wanna be the god of beer and tits! Oh, and guns!” Nameless laughed.
“Okay, Aj,” Rachel chortled, lifting herself off the table.
They both laughed as Nameless got a new beer, patting Duke’s head happily. Rachel narrowed her eyes, studying them.
“You smile a lot more,” She said cautiously.
“Free beer and an awesome dog, man. Dunno what to tell you,” Nameless shrugged.
“Uh huh, c’mon I got something else to show you,” Rachel beckoned, walking to the far-left door.
“Oh great,” Nameless groaned.
“No more cosmic secrets, c’mon fuck boy,” Rachel called.
Nameless meandered behind her, his mood had lifted and a nice warm buzz was settling in. Rachel opened the far door and stepped into the darkness. As Nameless cautiously followed, Rachel snapped her fingers. Bright black flame engulfed her hand, illuminating the room in a ghostly clear light. Nameless squinted, studying the flame.
“Ya know, never did get how black flame is even possible. Like, shouldn’t black flame not give off any light or whatever?” Nameless asked.
Rachel cleared her throat, head nodding to the room. Nameless sighed, and turned his head, gazing in. His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. In front of them in the wooden and thatch garage lined with power tools and cabinets, was parked a 1968 Plymouth Barracuda. The car was pitch black, down to the rims and tint. The only other color was the two bright white racing stripes running down the hood. Beside the Barracuda, sat a majestic 2020 model Hayabusa, painted in midnight black and pearl white.
“Holy shit,” Nameless whispered.
“Yup.”
“These are yours?!”
“Uh huh.”
“Dude!” Nameless shouted, pouncing forward.
“Damage my girls, and I will destroy you,” Rachel seethed.
Nameless studied the Barracuda like a small child, ogling the pristine interior.
“The car was my dad’s, built it from scratch and took care of it his whole life. Drove my mom down to Florida for their honeymoon in that beauty. We’d cruise in it every weekend,” Rachel sighed, igniting the electric overhead lights as the garage generator sputtered to life.
Nameless whistled in awe.
“The bike is mine. Bought it from a police auction down near Camp Lejeune when I was stationed there. Some dumb ass boot got booked drunk as fuck on it, everyone else was too busy prepping for doom’s day to attend,” Rachel said.
Nameless’s joy melted away, replaced with a somber air. He looked at her as he straightened up.
“You never did tell me what happened to your Earth.”
Rachel shrugged.
“Ever seen any of those big Hollywood movies about aliens coming down and wrecking everything? Basically what happened.”
“I’m sorry,” Nameless said meekly.
“Shit happens,” Rachel sighed darkly.
Nameless studied her. She was a pillar of fortitude, never took any crap, always giving it. She never minced words, was a nightmare on the battlefield, and easily one of the most beautiful women he had ever met. Not to mention his wife from a previous life. But even with her cold tone and stiff body language, he felt closer to her. He doubted she was the sharing type.
“How’d you manage to get these beauties off world?” Nameless asked in awe.
Rachel grimaced.
“When a world falls, the last survivors get their choice items whisked away to the institution. My families and friends bodies where gone, so I chose these to be taken with me to Zion.”
“So you brought a car, a bike, and the pipe from home? Is that all you got left?” Nameless asked.
Rachel’s face darkened.
“Yup,” she said stiffly.
“Damn,” Nameless sighed.
“How often you go cruising in these?” Nameless asked, trying to lift the mood.
“These days, pretty often. Almost never did before. Not too many worlds Zion sent me to had gasoline available. But being here with all the new trade and naval traffic, I can actually fill the tanks up again,” Rachel shrugged.
An idea crossed Nameless’s mind.
“Yanno, we might know someone who has a knack for alternative power supplies,” Nameless smiled.
“I am not turning these electric, you don’t ruin art like that!” Rachel spat.
“What about energy?” Nameless arched an eyebrow.
“That’s the same thing---” Rachel paused. Her eyes lit up.
“Spider?” She asked.
“He’d have a fucking field day with these,” Nameless smiled.
“Maybe, someday,” Rachel sighed. “C’mon, we’re gonna be late.” Nameless nodded as the garage door opened. Both of them walked out, Duke following and wagging his tail happily. Rachel smiled, and shooed him back inside, the garage shut once the dog was secure. She then came out and stood next to Nameless.
“So, War Captain Nameless, ready to start your next big mission?” Rachel laughed.
“Only if the great Lady Rachel is,” Nameless laughed.
“Oh shut up,” Rachel rolled her eyes.
Her energy ignited, and her black wings sprouted from her back. With a whoosh of wind, she ascended into the air. She halted when she saw he still remained on the ground.
“We could have just flown here from the Skyport. Whatever. Why are you trying to show off now?” Nameless called.
“We’re the most powerful Light Bearers Zion has, gotta make a good first impression. Unless you want to take the Taxi to the most important party of your life,” Rachel chuckled.
Nameless sighed. With a simple thought, his gold energy burst into flames around him, as he propelled skyward to join her.
“Race you there?” Nameless asked.
“You don’t even know where you’re going,” Rachel laughed.
Nameless pointed to the tallest building in the citadel.
“I’m gonna take a wild guess and say it’s at the great hall,” Nameless chortled.
“Keep forgetting you remember your earliest Earth Lives. Fine, on three,” Rachel scoffed.
“Three, two, one!” Nameless shouted rapidly, barreling forward.
“Cheater!” Rachel bellowed.
The two comets of fire, one black the other gold, raced across the sky. Below them, houses and farmland whisked by. They were close, nearly neck and neck despite Nameless’s head start. Soon, the battlements crowned with banners and watch towers went by underneath them. Nameless studied the city and citadel in awe, happy to see all of this. Soon, they came to the great hall.
It was a massive building, with a tower in the center of the triangle like roof. Several shuttles where parked outside in the courtyard, with a long line of horse drawn buggies dropping off guests. Rachel and Nameless came barreling out of the sky, landing hard on to the stone leading to the steps that made up the pillared entrance of the wood and great hall.
“I win,” Nameless panted, straightening up.
“Bullshit,” Rachel spat.
It was now Nameless realized everyone was looking at them.
“You!” Rachel snapped, pointing a finger at a guard. “Who landed first?!”
The poor man trembled; his face white as his spear shook.
“I believe master Nameless won, my dear,” a familiar voice called.
Both looked up, to see Professor Thaddeus descend the steps in a smart looking suit, his white hair combed and neat, his blue eyes sparkling.
“Oh yeah? Well, you’re probably biased,” Rachel huffed, dusting herself off.
Thaddeus smiled as he joined them at the bottom of the steps.
“You look marvelous my dear, good to see you again,” Thaddeus smiled.
“Yeah, yeah, good to see you too,” Rachel sighed.
“Professor Bullshit,” Nameless grinned.
“My dear boy, I trust there was a good reason for scaring all of our, less advanced, guests?” Thaddeus quipped.
“She wanted to race,” Nameless shrugged.
“May I remind you both of your status? You two are our greatest warriors. How do you think the delegates from other civilizations will see humanities greatest assets behaving like school children?” Thaddeus scorned.
“Yeah, yeah you’re right,” Nameless sighed.
Thaddeus tutted, shaking his head.
“Come along, we have a feast to attend to. Oh, and do try to behave yourselves as civilized folk. This is not the battlefield, politics is far messier,” Thaddeus said. Both light bearers nodded, and followed Professor Zion up the steps, into the great hall.