"What is war without death? What is the flesh without faith? What is the soul without spirit?
Mindless, pointless, meaningless."
-Tur Lynn, Gesala of the 3rd Clan (Now known as the 5th Legion)
//CERES
//THE YAUU (THRONE OF THE VODRANTI EMPRESS)
//2.7.1963 AV
//HALLWAY OF YEARS
“This is outrageous!”
“Most things are.”
“Dakai, I beg of you, just this once, to trust me. We have fought side by side for years. Why would I decide now to deceive you? The Empress knows you will not survive this. She knows that the longer you live, the sooner the 3rd Vodranti Clan will rebel. She wants you gone so that the 3rd will have none but their frail gesala to guide them to certain death!”
Dakai made a sudden stop as she walked down the hall away from the Empress’ chamber- almost causing Yurrick to crash into her. She turned sharply to face him.
“I have an oath to serve my people.”
“Yes! Your people! You serve nothing by throwing your life away for this upstart ‘empress’! She is a usurper, nothing more! How can you not see that you will damn your clan by fighting the Grailborn? Do you truly believe that this will-“
She turned back to her original path, unmoved.
“Dakai!”
No response.
“This will not bring him back.”
She did not so much as hesitate before passing through the doorway. There was much to do. The work lies ahead, as it always had.
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//CERES LOW ORBIT
//LEGATUS XXARCARRIER OF THE THIRD CLAN
//2.8.1963 AV
//BEFORE THE IVORY THRONE
“This is impossible.”
“Most things are.”
“Kenyr, loyal as you are, understand that I may only allot so many of our ships to aid you. The Grail has access to pre-Epoch anti-orbital weaponry the likes of which our craft cannot outmaneuver. Once you enter orbit, you sign the death warrant of many, many ships, and the crew that staff them.”
“I am aware.”
“I see. As Kenyr, their blood and steel would be on your hands.”
“I understand, my Gesala.”
“Dakai, you have served me for many years. You need not refer to me as a superior. We are of the same blood.”
“I understand.”
Nul walked down toward the ground from the Ivory Throne, on which a Gesala normally rests. He lowered himself to Dakai, removing the barrier of rank between them.
“Sister, the Empress intends to kill you. There can be no doubt. Once you are disposed of, there will be no one to lead the Legion. I am dying, Dakai. You know this.”
“I understand.”
Nul Lynn’s cool demeanor faded. His eyes, formerly filled with royal disconnect for the sake of appearance, became that of hard scrutiny.
“Are you deranged? Do you not see what is happening? I have no heir, and whoever may replace me is far, far from Ceres. And now you, the last Kenyr in a million kilometers, will now flee to battle like a coward!”
Dakai was unmoved. Her brother’s face turned to an intense scowl before he turned to walk away.
“You wish to die? So be it. If you cannot face the world, then I will not face you.”
“It is what Tur Lynn would have wanted.”
“Do not speak her name! She was my mother just as much as she was yours. And you dare invoke her to justify your suicide?”
“She obeyed the Empress. Saw her as what she is- the Old Kings returned again to guide us.”
“She was naïve. And how convenient for her to die alongside our elder sister who was due to inherit the throne- leaving the diseased brother to have it forced upon him. Once I die, you will take it- or rather, you would if your damned faux-honor did not delude you thus!”
“I will complete the mission. The Grail must be stopped.”
“We are human, mortal, as any other. Even if you do succeed, how can you possibly guarantee your survival?”
Dakai scoffed. “We are more than that. Far more. We are not human. We are Vodranti. Sapiens Silex.”
“What proud talk.”
An elongated, raspy exhale emanated from Nul’s mouth.
“Hark Mikan killed his own cousin, Usur, to show him the Empress’ lies.”
“Usur is…dead?”
“Sister, with Usur dead, nobody dares contest Hark’s control over the Clan of Vesta. And even then, who would? Mikan saw straight through the Empress’ plot, and that of her Warlock. His people know the truth. So, what is it that blinds you? Binds you?”
“My honor."
"Honor? Honor? What is this honor? Where is it, so that I might find it? Examine it? For I see nothing but delusion and pride here!"
"Mars calls me. It is time to go. I wish you long life, and good health, brother.” Dakai turned to leave.
“Damn you. Damn you, Dakai! I curse you! I curse you with every inch of power I can muster! I spit on your name, for if it were not for my mercy and your rank among our people, I would have your head! May the Grail take your flesh as it took your husband’s. Damn you!”
Dakai was unaffected. She pressed against the massive doors of the throne hall, and with a thunderous roar, they opened.
“This will not bring him back.”
She did not so much as hesitate before passing through the doorway. There was much to do. The work lies ahead, as it always had.
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