RP Embarkation: Abandonment of Puerile Minds

[Andrew]

The Aftermath​

It had been months since the U'rstholloshan Empire arrived back in the Ayenee system, and their arrival had sparked controversial responses from corporate entities that had operated in the system before their arrival. Empty threats and poorly composed dialogs of manipulation, false information, and skewed history had been transmitted across hyperspace. There was little surprise such threats had no viable foundation. The Dac'kelacha Military Arm under the command of Prince Minjun had concluded their mission, the cities of the Ulian Belt now were left in empty silence, their civilians evacuated to a Colony Titan for transport to what would be their new home left only the ashes to blow from the still burning pyres that were the final resting place of MERN soldiers. The civilians evacuated would soon begin new lives among the other hundreds of millions of Norians who had become citizens of the Empire decades earlier. Koshiro had watched in an eerie silence since the end of their talks with the ISANN and waited for the day to unleash the fury that had taken occupancy deep within him. It was strange for him to feel so vehement and passionately connected to an emotion, but this was something he could tell had sent fire through Xytrinah's veins - to be insulted and disregarded from history, to be called an invader on a world she had spilled blood and severed flesh for was uncalled for, misdirected and whether the insult of "invader" had been made out of pure ignorance or not, it still had the same result. Koshiro had wished this entire operation had come to conflict with something other than the mindless holdouts of Airwin's (Tetsuya's) former government. Perhaps though there were words that could cause a greater impact than their most decisive and potent weapons. He had a message of his own planned just for this day, the day would remark back to their expenses and leave the puerile minds that had failed to show any backbone at all to the abandonment of irrelevance they deserved. Trillions upon trillions awaited upon bended knee to give the proper greeting upon their return home.

The C'shathorn Colony Titan had loomed until the departure was signaled like an eclipsed shadow of a monster across the glow of Ayenee's moon which looked terrifying from the surface and had likely driven some of the more primitive cultures into a frenzy. Such was the form and nature of the ancient Leviathans who served among the hordes and military arms of an Empire that had sprawled across void womb and spiral alike now for longer than Ayenee had been a world. Soldiers from the Dac'kelacha had joined the civilians on the Titan, a chance for them to see their saviors and protectors in person for something other than the terrifying machine that had to serve the purpose of plucking away the lives of a lost and rogue military entity left over from a government that had crumbled away. When the fighting had stopped Minjun had taken it upon himself to make himself the face that these new citizens would see, he had spent days and nights on the Titan granting the wishes and needs of those they had brought aboard. He had even managed to convince some of the ignorant of their flawed perception, making those who thought they were prisoners feel like Princes themselves as they were gifted riches from his coffers, and garments and other luxuries shipped in from the homeland. It turned out that the battles fought on the surface had been almost the least of the definable experiences of his majesty - something that had not gone unnoticed by either of his parents. Even the more elusive of passengers were met with knowing eyes but open arms, it was not like Adrin had much of a chance of remaining unseen by their intelligence agents that moved among the population, that would become another saga, another story to be dealt with upon more familiar dark twilight seas.

Departure day had brought other priorities into play that had been previously put on hold an unknown consequence that would bring about more conflict and likely seal a coffin on another faction infamous for their loose lips. In Poma Hikaru's quarters, a vase wrapped in a red ribbon sat a the center of her desk, filled nearly beyond capacity with the rarest of blooms along with a white card with the official seal of the Prince. It was unlikely anyone had seen such a thing coming, a token that was likely to end up on the lap of a Shen desperate to save her people had never been given and thus the march of death likely awaited those who had been silently condemned. Such a morbid meaning behind an dazzling gift that was surely to put hearts in the eyes of the fallen General Kaleb's daughter. Minjun didn't tell his parents that he had planned to do this, he had arranged for the delivery to be done by the most stealthy and loyal of his men to ensure that it would come out only at a time when it would serve best, hopefully before he even had to lay eyes upon some desperate ploy to save a genocide which had been coming as long as anyone could remember.

Leviathan O'ognathatlzo Eththotsha​

Main Bridge

The Colony Group and Dac'kelcha Groups departed the system ahead of the O'ognathatizo and her escorts, the ship that had been the symbol of the Empire's presence in the system for months however made egress toward the outer system. While Koshiro waited for Xytrinah's arrival on the bridge, he decided it was time to address the 'elephant in the system'. He knew that Xytrinah had her opinions and stance, they had shared them at length during the negotiations with Aurelia. Yet Koshiro had been motivated to ensure his thoughts were known and a final response was given to the bold broadcasting party that had promised to bring action but had failed to do so. The transmission was sent both internally and across their networks, as well as on every open hyperspace channel that was available.

To the CEO and voices behind Federated Technologies. Months ago you made a broadcast across the lightyears to declare yourself a hero and to deliver a threat. Let me introduce myself, I am Koshiro Kiri Emperor of the U'rstholloshan Empire my voice will be carried further than space. Empress Xytrinah Kiri also known to those on Ayenee as Lady Atra'Lamia Darkbane and I are the invaders... as you so inaccurately labeled us. I don't know what is more insulting the fact you promised to bear the weight of your and your allies' militaries upon us in a conflict and never showed up, or the fact you're ignorant of the planet you are claiming to defend history. Rest assured the Darkbane of Western Ayenee will continue to thrive, as will we in the absence of credibility to your threat. I address your previous broadcast as we make preparations to move our central force out of the system and back to our domain to address more legitimate issues. However, before we depart I feel the need to return your threat in kind, just in case you get the inkling to attack those settlements still present in Western Ayenee. You are a bug, a mosquito that is an annoyance to a giant and should you decide to bite us, the consequences will be terminal. If you so much as even consider making good of your previous threat we will be back and will drag your world and others into the voids to be feasted upon beneath the lights of eternally dying suns. I will paint your space in rifts that may never close, and leave trails of bloodied debris as a path for fools like you to come join your final resting places. If that has to include your so-called allies of synthethically created lifeforms as well so be it.

You are another voice like the one that comes from Airwin, or as we know him better, Tetsuya. I'm sure he is rather comfortable with his pocket of 'refugees' in the allied Empire you mentioned. It usually is helpful to have some information on those you claim to want a conflict with, as you can tell we have you at a disadvantage when it comes to the details. Do you really want a fight? A war? The endless war we fight within the wombs of the void is eternal, our hand reaches across both the void and many spirals and universes. To tempt us with an opportunity to gratify ourselves in combat and then give us nothing is the worst foreplay in history. The next time you attempt to gain our attention or romance us, I suggest you arm yourself with something more endowed than what your nation possesses. We...will be watching. Now play nice with the other child species and do be careful, space is a dangerous place. You never know what lurks in the darkness between the stars.

Once the communications channel closed, Koshiro settled into one of the two command thrones and ordered, "All remaining vessels prepare for departure..." He adjusted his posture as he awaited the arrival of Xytrinah and the conclusion of the last-minute business she had to complete before their embarkation. A short distance behind where Koshiro sat, Nira Eitan stood with a sentry on either side of him. The former spy for Airwin stared forward without response as Koshiro spoke to him, "Well now, it looks like we can look forward to your debriefing Nira. I wanted you here, so you could understand clearly my position in the little mess you all made." His gloved fingers interlaced with each other as he settled his elbows against the armrests of the throne. "Don't worry, you can join your dear Lithia soon.. after our little chat.." The Emperor's words fell quiet. He didn't even need to look back to accurately predict the look on the blue-haired legend's face. At least he had chosen life and not death.

Spoiler: OOC

Leviathan Art by @Xytrinah in Midjourney..

 

[Dyshanka]

​

The moments befalling the arrival of the Z'shoth Miliary Arm and the Zc'hoegeh'ulel Arm outside of the Elysium system awaiting further directives. Between duty and pure emotion had weighed heavy on the young Norian. Until orders came through from the Imperials Poma took advantage of clearing her head, bubblegum painted nails pinching the bridge of her nose to ease the insufferable headache that was crashing against the side of her head. Leaving the battle bridge and seeking the solitude of private quarters, she strutted in a gait-like jog to her own comforts, ignoring fellow crew as she passed them by or giving them an inverted peace-sign with her tongue poking out. It was her cute charms that gave Poma a look of innocence, but one not to be misguided.

Throwing open the door to her chambers and instantly rose coloured eyes lay upon the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen in a vase, a white note with the Princes's emblem. Pink hair whipped around her shoulders as she looked all around her room and back along the dark corridors of the Kassogtha. Noticing another officer passing by to attend their shift, Poma yelled out, "Hey, Officer Skinny Dick, are you lint-lickers trying to play some kind of practical joke on me?" Gaze narrowing in a confused expression of both ire and sheepishness. In response the male Norian officer stopped in his tracks, and pointed to himself, "Huh? Um....Officer Skinny Dick?" Pointed ears flexing at the expression of astonishment, hand raising to scratch the back of his neck unsure of what to exactly reply with in regards to the term of endearment.

Poma walking directly up to him, long fingernails flicking against the metal of his title and honour. "You heard me. I know you queef cookies are constantly trying to get one up on me." The young officer taking a step back and frantically polishing the badge Poma had smudged. "I...ah...nope, not me. I don't have the foggiest clue what you are talking about?" Sidestepping to look into the pink-haired psycho's apartment to see the flowers. "I see, yeah well, either be very careful opening that envelop, it may be filled with itching powder or explosives or some nasty voidic brainsucker." Smirking to himself trying to add a bit of humour to the situation that seemed to be stressing the Hikaru out. "Seriously though, anyone stupid enough to fake the Prince's own insignia deserves a medal. Geez woman, take it as the flowers are actually flowers, enjoy them. Chill out, for stars sake." Pushing past Poma only to look over a uniformed shoulder, "Good luck!" before jogging off down the corridor to avoid anything blunt or sharp being thrown in his general direction. This information, he would be keeping to himself valuing head upon shoulders as apposed to head up his ass.

Huffing and exhaling breath to stir the bangs of her carnation hued tresses, stepping into her abode and closing the door behind her, resting back against the coldness of the door. A rouge of bright red flushing over cheeks. "Sheesh, hells bells." Staring at the exquisite blossoms as if they were about to detonate. Inch by inch, Poma moved closer to the flowers, left arm reaching to extract the card and open it to read its contents. A feeling of girlish giddiness came over her, afterall, many of the female counterparts to the Uachauguthlian military held admirations towards Minjun. He was handsome, enigmatic, ferocious and intelligent, and beyond all that, Poma did not even think Minjun even knew who she was to bother with sending flowers, of all things... flowers.


​

​

Leviathan O'ognathatlzo Eththotsha​

Black serenity holds the secrets of the farther spheres, and echoes caught from the eternal sounds that pass all earthly and diurnal bounds, are symphonies unto eternal strings.

As if the hilarious sequel couldn’t possibly entertain the notions further.


"Tlisiseli mith heshmrsilis, sihv sess smsirisiss ihshei... misi sili ih mi phmesisiphmils zmi reil ixil hilshiih ssils. Ahv sei mi hiis, siszsiiths lisism hil mi liih siphphsis msi msihsh hlir mi sizil flsihsmis. Wmith? fissiesi miel vlisirs vi hi isixsii mir meshmil ihieshm, i lisism hil mi hlee msi es szii si mi iph ih mi lii si sisihi mi xilith ssils." ["Treasure thy nightmares, and still shameless tongue... those are of the philosophers who mutter over forgotten stars. And like the fool, always reach for the rotten apples that hang from the lower branches. Why? because their dreams do not elevate them higher enough, to reach for the fruit that is sweet at the top of the tree let alone the very stars."] Intellectual revelation uttered for the indulgence of the interpreter. Eloquently articulated, spoken with such an elegance and poise, that most would stop to ponder the implication of their 'obvious' meaning, and to bask in the symphonies of Xyrtinah's voice.

Flesh observable betwixt pendulum sway and poised step of balletic grace from within the ever-flowing shifts of silk and leather. One foot following the other with a flick of the heel. There where the variances of light cast by the ashen celestial orb hanging aloft the black painted cathedra, plethoric conglomerations of shadows swooned at her heels. Laden with tempest and eclipse, as the antechamber lights dimmed to the same dark vermillion luminosity that gave the lengths of her acheron tresses a familiarity to embers seen through darkest wine. Unextinguished burning in the blood-hue iridescence. Leaving an ebony trail to calm the respite. Stature draped in a manner which made Xytrinah's captivatingly callipygous beauty stand out above the rest.

Ayenee. Leaving all those behind who wished to tend to their own devices, whereas Xytrinah sought something of indulgence and not the memories of old ghosts, or to bathe in the ashen rain of former glories and dying flames. She moved now, with grace of a sibilant snake-charmer, more shadows gathering strength from their ancient and unbroken brooding-- with all the influence and all the sopor of a deep despair; subterranean as death and hollow as limbo. The earth had grown abysmal beneath them, and the air full of unseen precipitate gulfs. Back to where all her attentions should be placed and should never falter regardless of the nature of curiosity.

Manicured brow arching while glancing over the armored guards, their veritable 'savage images', a vicious sub-species glimmering in the approach of stygian mirrors, casting back the horror of their forms but too admiring the brutal savagery of the race—deemed beautiful in its own rights. Footfall across the smooth tarmacadam in a suave and confident gait, such confidence oozed from the very sexual allure and ambiance that clung erotically in temporal aromatic redolence all around her.

"I zess iss ithie miz mes rsivhiss es filh: zmih ihi fleihsith phiils sihshehshsith ixil mi ivshi ih smsiis, ehi mi ixih milesih, zmili seshm ssih hixil isssiphi. Wmih miith elh sihv sii mi lirhsih ih si smsiiliv sehi, ih zmsi miith hiis es iziv il si leshm i phississ, ih zmsi zsis shexih il siih, zmsi msiv fiih sisih zemie phsiesi il lirilsi. Tmi sies visevis, fissiesi ihi es sislisivith visiv, miith ihv i slith sihv sirphssieh. I, mizixil slsixi smsiis hil mes phelphisi: msi es i imeri mi zilr hlir mi liih siphphsi sihv phssisi e fihisim mi slesm ih miis!" ["I will tell you how this madness is born: when one briefly peers longingly over the edge of chaos, into the event horizon, where light can never escape. When they turn and see the remnant of a shattered life, of what they feel is owed or a right to possess, of what was given or taken, what had been stolen without pause or remorse. The soul decides, because one is already dead, they tend to cry and complain. I, however crave chaos for this purpose: that is to exhume the worm from the rotten apple and place it beneath the crush of heel!"]

Darkness churned beneath the black crystal volumetric surface of oracular instruments belonging to the awe-inspiring Leviathan at the prompting of her speech. The command bridge bathed in 'black light', with an impressive design. Consoles arranged in a sphere around the elaborate cathedra, including its own control console and displays. Various hues of midnight intermingling with shadows creating a gyrating hive of holographic maps of the Elysium spiral and the tapestries of webs beyond... deep into the voids where no man dared venture.

Various hues of midnight intermingled with shadows creating a gyrating thriving mass around her supple form. Nothing escaped her eyes across the sensitivity of the 'Codex Grids', patterns of complex hieroglyphics and telemetry graphics depicted on the consoles of the spherical holo-display taking up the entire center of the bridge. Koshiro's response to the alleged federation represents of Ayenee; or what they wanted to call themselves, brought a cold smirk across her face upon entering the basilica of the O'ognathatlzo Eththotsha.

Rosewater cheeks took on a phantom flush in the dim lights of the screens, voidic orbs sparkling with the gleam similar to mortuary tapers. Chrysalid and deathlike. Perceptions and heightened senses loomed far beyond that of just this vessel or galaxy itself. Observing the numerous monitors and holographic-like images swirling around where her physique majestically was positioned. Within the tenebrous darkness of inner-vision, even upon the grids themselves was the splendid apparitions of the The U'rsthollosha Spiral.

▌ENCRYPTED MESSAGE: ATEMPORAL HIVEMIND—RELAY OPEN NETWORK TRANSMISSION
To: ALL IDLE OFFICALS, AGENTS AND RELATED OFFICES

Following my husband's passionate words... taking all into consideration, and that in the performing of duty, there is no forgiveness which to be considered only commitment, loyalty and faithfulness. Actions have occurred that any could call neither subjective nor honorable. An apology was requested and none was given- so, should you wish to continue with your gossips and stories regardless of place and time, you will be forced to face your actions.

It is not my responsibility to tend to this gaping wound, that now rests in your cowardly representatives and authorities; perhaps you should make them atone, that's of course if you beheld any honour by ruthless cauterization or decapitation before the slow but sure diminishing whispers. Dedicated lifetimes of faithful operation dissipated for nothing except an enervated concoction brewed by the throng of bickering fecal eating scarabs bathing in the stale piss of subordination. You forget your own roots and hierarchy. But I shall grant you a kindness that in all its virulent natures, you do not deserve.

Of course, I am sure there is a residuum of honest and worthy effort as I am sure there is all the flowery justifications, but I simply can't swallow most of the garbage that has been allegedly supplied as fact. In consequence, in fear and faithlessness you all have run a thousand miles in the opposite direction of your declaration of action. A dishonor most of you should have had swords drawn, and plunged yourselves upon them when you fell from grace. I care not for Ayenee or Caethyra politics, but I shall carry "our" people away from your puerile grasps, far beyond your words and fading suns. Do not utter our names again from your foolish orifices, and respectfully carry this to your sources of such reputable paranoia's... Tetsuya... otherwise, my husband's declarations will become an immediate reality, not just a promise and it will not be upon the somnolent shores of Ayenee.

May your little stars keep you safe amongst your cautious travels.

In future choose your path wisely, vestals.

Yours, under the sign of the Black Seal.
Thrice-Ascended Illustrious- Empress Xytrinah Equinius-Kiri ▌

Nigrescent eyes slowly burned towards Nira as she took her place beside Koshiro. "Je-sinnivi nesh va lor nae har feer, Nira" ["How lovely for you to accompany us, Nira."] Lengths of zibeline rivulets stirred by a sudden rise of chill in the atmosphere, motioning over her form like waves of iridescent darkness shaking her head with an amused smirk venturing over rubicund crescents. Jewel adorned digits seeking those of her husband as if it was an instinctive nature pained to ever have them parted. "Tmi mihiel es ithiels rith sixi, sii es hlir misi ihhiifsiv msisss i mi shsilith msi es iels sihv siss msi es ithi i fisiri iels, eh iel hsiris sihv misi ih iel hsieihs." ["The honour is yours my love, take us from these enfeebled halls to the glory that is ours and all that is yet to become ours, in our blessed names and those of our beloved nations."] Eyes diverting to the signature grids one last time. ​

 

[Andrew]

Koshiro didn't have the same threads of connection to the world that they had spent the better part of a year at. His impression of it all came through Xytrinah and Minjun; mostly that this was a chapter that should have been closed long before it was even something his son should noticed. The mission they had come to accomplish was completed to Minjun's satisfaction and that was the only significant thing that mattered. Koshiro had felt the tug of temptation to reach out through all this madness and shake Tetsuya until he came to his senses, yet he had left him again to the mistakes that plagued him. The Emperor knew something, it had remained unspoken; he understood that eventually, things would come to pass and that his former friend would grow tired of the underdog situation he had willfully brought upon himself and his people. The fact that the blue-haired legend of Noria itself, as controversial as that classification was, stood right behind him spoke volumes as to the state of what had now shattered into pieces. It was ludicrous, from start to finish what had befallen those they had liberated here and other places. Sometimes the universe required a push, a shove to thrust destiny toward a better or more enlightened path. It was strange how in the last few moments of observation of one spinning orb, an inhabitable world, he could come to such conclusions as to the fate of what was once kin. It wasn't mercy though, it was merely a departure from the desire to slaughter the problem away. Perhaps if anything he could plant the seed of doubt that brought about another change, he refused somehow to believe that cowardice would become the fateful end of what had been once great. Strangely he saw those who had conducted themselves through the following of false teachings as a separate and worse crime than the one held by the one who taught those falsehoods. The last of his own agents rejoined the fleet, their shuttle landed in one of the docking bays.

The projected screen in front of Koshiro's command throne shifted, and the bulkheads and openings in O'ognathatizo's hull closed, every aperture shut for the protection of the few aboard who could be affected if exposed to the medium they were about to return to. The fatigue of those who had spent their last tours among this tapestry of changed and assembled matter was not unnoticed by him. Most of the entities on board thrived in the churning insanity of the voids to which they were about to return. He stood once O'ognathatizo had whispered its notification that it was ready to descend back into the void. "Communications, provide coordination between all our remaining vessels and Leviathans," he began and stood from the throne-like seat, "Helm, disengage conventional propulsion systems and open the rift," he ordered. O'ognathatizo's form seemed to distort within space as the powerful being summoned the opening of a rift. A blinding explosion of exotic particles flooded real space as the membrane between real space and the void was torn open. To any who had eyes upon their vessels, had they looked into the rift they would indeed suffer its exposure, from within the light of dying luminaries flashed within the churning clouds of dark matter and the void was exposed. It would bring about insanity, plague them with the madness of that eternal darkness behind the glistening lights that likely held their attention. Thankfully all were safe within O'ognathatizo's interior, those who needed to be anyway. "Proceed with void transit, and set a course for K'ctha-Zoth," he ordered.

The last formation of U'rstholloshan Leviathans entered formation with the O'ognathatizo. The Rift enveloped them, like a snake that swallowed its prey whole. Koshiro glanced toward his wife briefly, an entire trilogy of words unspoken within a single look. A sense of relief washed over him as he felt the change within the shielded encapsulation of the ancient sentient being that kept them as willful passengers, a return to the void. When the last of their vessels entered the rift, the entire phenomenon collapsed upon itself in an explosive tempest that rippled through the Ayenee system as exotic matter and energy were shed from the closure of the rift. "Homeward bound once more, my love, though I am sure we will have other places to be soon enough," he said quietly as his hand extended over to hers the moment he settled back into the throne-like seat. It was merely one of many tasks completed, they still had the Shen and others to deal with, but such was the nature of who and what they were. "I find it strange that our son elected to remain on the Colony ship, I figured he would be with us to celebrate our freedom from the malignant politics this evening. Though, a chance for us to do so alone is something I will savor every moment of, " he said quietly to her as their officers and crew went about the usual business of duty and order.

Nira still stood there waiting, his arms folded in front of him, and the tiny spectacles rested upon the end of his nose. For him, the action of the change of heart and sides in matters was more in hopes of triggering a right to that which was wrong. The insightful Norian awaited an address from either the Emperor or Empress when they completed their private conversation. His actions would be conceived as treacherous betrayal by most, and he hoped that would be enough, it would not be the first time or last that he had to be painted as the enemy by his nephew.

A final act was broadcast upon the trigger of their departure from Ayenee. A composed message from Koshiro that had been a long time coming.

▌ENCRYPTED MESSAGE: ATEMPORAL HIVEMIND—RELAY OUT OF NETWORK TRANSMISSION - ENCRYPTED
To: Airwin Caeyara, or rather Tetsuya Eitan

I wish I was able to write this letter without my fist coiled in contempt. You hide as a wolf among sheep and are wrapped in a vessel that you claim was invaded in some kind of sick denial of who and what you are. I do believe you've made the moves you have out of the fact that once in motion, you find it hard to stop but to so boldly place yourself out of reach and cause turmoil like a coward is a new low even for you. What happened to the man who aided me in the toppling of Lao'Taun? The being that Yughoshi Chonyosa is seen as worthy of kinship and cooperation? I tasted the bitterness of your not-so-well-constructed web in Ayenee, it made me want to gut you. Perhaps it is death that will cure you? When will the blue phoenix rise from the ashes? I hear you keep it controlled, an inhibitor as you call it. A flawed device that will not suit the desire to be your true self, another crutch like that simpleton wife you plucked from the ranks of flawed lesser as some kind of statement. It will fail you eventually and then you will be faced with the decision to live again or stay where you are, dead wood drifting through the astral seas.

I keep wondering if you will wake up from your stupor one day and look around you. Are those who followed you to Tsenlan truly yours? Do they love you? Do they revere you as their leader or feel as if they are clutching at a savior made within a string of events that left them with no choice? There are others you know, those who have survived back where your fold originated, and they want your head on a pike. Not to ruin the surprise but your heir is among them now, I wonder what he has learned? Yet you could fix it so easily. You could mend it, just like you could of our friendship and brotherhood. This is why I took the time to address you. I can tell you one thing for certain, I do know not an Airwin Caeyara only that he is a fool. I know Tetsuya Eitan, a man who was thrust into rulership he never wanted - who once loved his people and fought for them against countless enemies. A leader among entities and someone who deserved a seat at my table, the only one of his entire family line I could imagine there.

Uncloud your perception, redeem yourself, and rise to where you belong. It sickens me to see you wriggle about like a worm. Abandon your addictions and return to your convictions for history is not done with you yet. You just need to decide if it is a tragedy or a victorious masterpiece. Nira sends his regards, and I suppose I should hold to altruism with you, your father is alive as well. I was reminded when they joined us that although I can respect who they once were, they are not you - the real you, not this actor you've become. You are an Emperor, not a child.

The fork in the road for you lies ahead. Will you choose to be you or will you continue on a path that will eventually lead to the need for those who once revered you to suffocate your existence?

Signed,
Emperor Koshiro Kiri
U'rstholloshan Empire

 

[Dyshanka]

Ｔｈｅ Ｗｈｉｓｐｅｒｅｒ Ｉｎ Ｔｈｅ Ｄａｒｋｎｅｓｓ

"𝓣𝓵𝓸 𝓼𝓴𝓪𝓮𝓾𝓽 𝔀𝓸𝓾𝓸 𝓷𝓸𝓺𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓸𝓪𝓮𝓻𝓴 𝓯𝓪𝓾 𝓽𝓵𝓸𝓭."
["The stars were never meant for them."]

​

For all their blind pride, even the nescient were naught but mice in the wainscoting, making merry while the cat's away. Mere playthings for all kinds of inconceivable horrors and cruel illusions which awaited the unsuspecting, while they breathed summery gusts of relieved sweet breath. Seemingly knowing their destination at peace with their path despite the awakening ignorance of the danger. The most merciful thing in the world, was the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown; as clearly demonstrated.

Now...

With great pride manifested in Xytrinah's heart, beholding her majestic husband as he bore command upon the bridge, and how acquiescent the O'ognathatlzo Eththotsha was in biding to the Emperor's authority as if on bended knee. "I ghmoas rlo lla'coma'aus nrooasaumo, rliy faora'rroc, a' fao oalloaiy rma'rl hoa aossoa roaghauac rroshlla'mrc oac as odauoarriy auarrarakoc oac auocauoaoc gha'rromrlos. Suru uuhrphr a ilursussi'ail. I ra'gh a' so rliy oiyos auna' ho osoasaos oac ha'mma'ms a'r sauross ghorls oac ghra'maos hac a'r Da'Knatt-Nacha." ["It grants me wonderous pleasure, my beloved, to be away from that incessant languid fleshworld and its equally uncivilized and uneducated governments. These beings of yesterday. I long to set my eyes upon the ecstasies and horrors of sunless gems and glories hid of Da'Knatt-Nacha."] Multi-jewelled adorned digits furling tighter around his as Koshiro took his place once more beside her.

"Aggae'ut ag vaeu v'rr kado taar oraisl, aek roaetk aro klaek ortiuot girg'rrdork aerb rak klo 'bro raekkou ag t'dvt. Fuad agg'k'aer Idvou'aer uovaukt uoko'qob aerb 'rkor ozklaersob dokvoor b'vradaek'k aerb kauvauaer vaeuk'ot, karkuokodvt laeqo otkaeraekob 'r aiu aedtorkot." ["Affairs of war will come soon enough, at least one that ensures fulfillment and not the idle natter of simps. From official Imperial reports received and intel exchanged between diplomatic and corporal parties, contretemps have escalated in our absences."] Taking a moments pause, lilt still arcadian in its dulcet deliverance... then continuing.

"Og kaiuto dv raqo, aerr uovaukt laeqo door gauvaeubob ka vaiu avr vu'qaeko kaddir'kaek'art gau giuklou aekxravrobsodork." ["Of course my love, all reports have been forwarded to your own private communications for further acknowledgement."] Ushered in reminiscence of the song of silvered blossoms dancing upon the wind when the night is blinded by moonlight. Except for terms of tender-spoken endearment, Xytrinah maintained a highly professional demeanor and imposing disposition in response and discussion shared between both the Imperials in view of their subordinates.

"Mv uotarqo, 't, klo girr d'slk ag klo Za'alhlaeeh aerb Apzhaza'alh Audt laeqo door b'uokkob ka V-GE-8JV ar klo daubou ka Nyckhckh aerb kluaisl ka Cthaathel, v'kl uororkrott bob'kaek'ar, ka klo bogorto aerb dokkoudork ag aiu voavro aerb aiu odv'uo. Tl't tkaekodork v'rr ortiuo v'kl aer 'uar g'tk klaek vo gakit ar klo tkuaekos'k adtokk'qot." ["My resolve, is, the full might of the Za'alhlaeeh and Apzhaza'alh Arms have been directed to V-GE-8JV on the border to Nyckhckh and through to Cthaathel, with relentless dedication, to the defense and betterment of our people and our empire. This statement will ensure with an iron fist that we focus fully upon our strategic objectives."] Luxuriously, Xytrinah's mind sank back into the embrace of the void; and the immeasurable abyss that opened its frozen and endless expanses.

Ghoulish blackness of grotesque contour rested and brooded like unwholesome vultures within the abysmal tapestries. Maelstroms of midnight frothing ocean forming dark and purplish, almost black, waves that clutched at the Leviathans like angry and tempestuous seas gnawing at wild desolate shores. Morass of noisome growths and miasmal vapours, hissing before the onslaught of the ever-mounting waves that curled and fretted from the shuddering deep and still the black ocean foamed and gnawed on either side of the Great Behemoth itself against the background of cold, stentorian stars. Mocking in daemoniac concord, those black breakers beating messages within the echoes of the mind. Nightmarish strings, throbbing from those opaque damnable orbs stretching outwards as if to embrace, creating detestable poundings of that hideous ocean and upon sanity itself.

Screamingly sentient, dumbly delirious, only the oldest of the dark ones that were could decipher those terrible songs. The firmament itself shrieking as if in a sudden agony of mad reverberations shaking the trembling aether, revealing more sights that would curdle a deeper sense of dread. Visions, accelerated by the surreal views and ominous 'seascapes' visible from O'ognathatizo's monolithic daedal viewports. From around, and beyond, innumerable penumbral mouths eternally snuffing the flames of the bleak doorless Elysium corridors.

Incantation barely flung upon a whisper, somnolent with a damnable charnel rhythmical promise which repeated over and over seemingly taking on a life itself, within and amongst the teaming chaos completely surrunding them. "Ta' ho oavas a'r ho snnaos, soams hoa a'saurlo, oac soams hoa faross, llah slloo ra'mghorauross. Oriy llho rliy ma'auc as a'rrom, shoarr ho noas casaumfa rliy ca'a'm." ["To the axis of the skies, stars that consume, and stars that bless, with sweet forgetfulness. Only when my round is over, shall the past disturb my door."]

Sickened, umbrageous shades writhing, whirling blindly past ghastly midnights of rotting creation, corpses of dead worlds with sores that were cities. Charnel winds that brushed the pallid celestial spheres that made them flicker low. Beyond the visions, vague ghosts of monstrous things; half-seen columns of unsanctified temples that rest on nameless rocks and reach up to dizzy vacua above the spheres of light and darkness. And through this revolting graveyard of the universe ,the muffled, maddening beating of drums. Thin monotonous whining of blasphemous flutes from inconceivable from unlighted chambers echoing beyond Time. Choirs chanted too, amid the detestable pounding and piping of hellish spheres whereunto ash and oblivion dance slowly, awkwardly upon the disquieting wail.

"Pashefr uis rul wairhan du saneail iful dha surulirr yarrar du fresa nailnr ed aera eln du alrisa dhed dha surulairdr naraiyasan llsun Airralaa eln dha sallirar ull dha Cseadhar Wesr eln whedayas udhas nairllusdilar rillllasan ed dha helnr ull fen ruyasaairldirr. Meirrhefr Mailshil her sarafsedaiulr ull hair uwl. Hufallirrirr dha nalainalr fawiaedhan rhesa rish sarafsedaiulr ull dhaais raifasedaiulr ed dha azfalra ull uis rul." ["Perhaps our son wished to remain upon the colony vessel to place minds at ease and to ensure that the colonists delivered from Ayenee and the refuges of the Craethel Wars and whatever other misfortunes suffered at the hands of bad sovereignty. Perhaps Minjun has celebrations of his own. Hopefully the denizens bequeathed share such celebrations of their liberations at the expense of our son."]

Knowing that the dialect she spoke was only the knowledge of Uachauguthlian Imperials. Xytrinah regardless of equable intonation, distinct in articulate opulence and phantastical mellifluence- manifesting a dark, calculating sinister undertone. "Minjun, rhuirn fa nusa dhel ewesa uis frarrailrr werc waidh hain. I aerasrirr eweaid uis rulr, ifnedar, rhuirn elirr fa laanan du fa ha'n." [Minjun should be more than aware our blessings walk with him. I eagerly await our sons, updates, should any be needed to be had."] Some whispers travel further and swifter than others, for whatever purpose they served, she hoped they served it unfalteringly in obeisance. Her wicked resembling death-fires (whirled suns and worlds of an even profounder blackness), shining in the luminous sanguine metallic glow which too bled over flawless alabaster skin in a rosy effulgence.

Unswerving and obedient to orders, that hellish Orchidaceae-phoenix plunged onward through shoals of shapeless lurkers and caperers in darkness. Vacuous herds of drifting entities that pawed and groped; the nameless larvae of the Other Gods, that are like them sightless and without mind, possessing only ravenous, singular hungers and thirsts. Onward unswerving and relentless, spanning the outermost sheol. All below was still black, but those pallid beacons in the sky seemed alive with a meaning and directiveness they had never possessed elsewhere. It was not that the figures of the constellations were different, but that the same familiar shapes now revealed a significance they had formerly failed to make plain.

Out of the void, violet emissions...stars swelled to dawns, and dawns burst into fountains of gold, carmine, and purple. Cries rent the aether like ribbons of violaceous light beating back the fiends from the frozen exiled wastes. Chaos’ core yawning wide, birthing the unspeakable incalculable legions from seismic seas...sentient blackness... aeons reeling, universes consumed only to be instantaneously reborn, stars becoming nebulae and nebulae becoming stars. Then in the slow creeping course of eternity the utmost cycle of the cosmos churned itself into another futile completion, and all things became again as they were unreckoned kalpas before. Matter and light were born anew as space once had known them; and comets, suns, and worlds sprang flaming into life, only to extinguish into no-beginning.

"Sen nha it siilen var, Nira. Sal am aniq nae siilen sal aia'enna ennamar lor ath'vian viaren ennamar thas var quin thas nehel'feer. Sal am aniq es'h charvaei tel' mula mori, pellinta arta siilen nha lai burz al milya uskeche teu quarlani. Aeleth kesha ve tir-e siilen ent ath esta dolen sil tur luriya, ent nanwen v'eshaal Tel' aia othi ausa Tel' nelluon sil iva-i-ri kesha viaren" ["What is it that you wish, Nira. I am ready to grant that which I have granted eleven times only to beings of your worlds— five times only to those you call men, or those resembling them. I am ready to shew you the Ultimate Mystery, to look on which is to blast a feeble spirit. Yet before you gaze full at that last and first of secrets you may still wield a free choice, and return if you will through the two Gates with the Veil still unrent before your eyes."] A brief opportunity, the truest of generosities should Nira and his companion desire to return to their sallow shores. The one and only chance that would be presented. Disloyalty within the Ursthollosha Spirals was punishable by 'complete' execution.

Softly spoken yet pachydermatous, in Old Norian, exchanging telepathic images, sensorial energies and visual dreamscapes through the vespers. It was hardly any secret Xytrinah wanted to see every Caeyara/Eitan's head (with the exception of Aurelia, ad interim) situated in order upon her mantlepiece, and the only reason any exoneration was shown was that Nira, at least for the moment, a 'guest' of Koshiro. A hospitality Xytrinah would demonstrate that in the past never given- never forgotten. It proved to be a mood changer as the bridge grew exceedingly colder and the elongated onyx-taloned digits of her free hand tapped against the fabrics of her throne, in some odd language of claw-clickings, with exiled intellects from every corner of the solar system. Per contra, Xytrinah would trust in the designs of Koshiro.

Her reverie was broken by the sensation that marked their exit from the seismic oily-tides torn from the primal fabric of the infinite ‘Outer Darkness’.

It was the wild streams of violet midnight glittering with dust of gold. Vortices of dust and fire, swirling out of the ultimate spaces and heavy with perfumes from beyond the worlds. Opiate oceans poured there, litten by suns that the eye may never behold and having in their whirlpools. A welcomed sight to that of 'home'. It brought back the sense of the calm and composed; regal sublimity. On arrival, they were greeted: some had come down from the stars; a few were as old as the cosmos itself; others arose swiftly from the vast expanses that gyrated and swirled with their own cognizant life. Before them, spans of thousands of millions of years could have passed, and linkages with other galaxies and universes, that were once freely spoken of, long devoured, merging, reforming. Indeed, there was no such thing as time in its humanly accepted sense.

Everything focused toward the K'ctha-Zoth frontiers passing the fortress world Nthlacha Yha-Xotha. Every curve and asterism of the glittering sky became part of a vast design, whose function was to hurry first the eye, and then the observer onward to some secret and terrible goal of convergence beyond the gelid waste, stretching endlessly ahead. At length a lone pallid light could be seen on the skyline ahead, thereafter rising steadily on approach. Beneath it a black mass that blotted out the stars. Higher and higher rose the light and the blackness below, till half the firmament was obscured by the rugged conical mass. Lofty as the army was, that pale and sinister beacon rose above it, towering monstrous over all peaks and concernments of infrastructure, tasting the atomless aether where the cryptical moon and the mad planets reel.

Titanous megacities; abhorrent domed black crystalline towers in noxious and incalculable tiers and clusters beyond any dreamable workmanship of man. Battlements and terraces of wonder and menace, all limned tiny and black and distant against the starry pshent that glowed malevolently at the uppermost rim of sight. Capping that most measureless of topography was a citadel beyond all earthly thought, glowing from the cimmerian-light procured from the Ever-Consuming, Sathl-Cthanyogth [The Devouring Black-Flame]. There were unnamed gods, presences and wills; beauty and evil, and the shrieking of noxious night robbed of its prey.

Taking then to hand, tapered fingernails tapped against the console to her right, prompting an official statement to be professionally polished then released before the intended arrival at Cyotha-Ysha.


▌ENCRYPTED NETWORK TRANSMISSION: PRIVATE— STATEMENT RELEASE >>
||EHLLARA INVESTIGATE: VORCIA V'URITH
APPOINTED IMPERIAL DELIGATE<<

We are proud to welcome our new guests that momentarily are held under the protection of the Imperial banners. Our protocols and laws will be expected to be flawlessly administered by all denizens both old and new. I assure you, as always, the Empire currently sits at the dawn of great prosperity for all of its loyal subjects, that will see us to our glorious zeniths. Through negotiations and goodwill we can bring everlasting peace and prosperity to our own and other domains. By focusing on the things we have in common, rather than those that split us apart, we can find a common ground acceptable to us all. We will lead by example and the other empires will follow. At the helm of Imperial cooperation we will ensure that everyone reaps the rewards that peace brings.

I relish the challenges before me despite the chords of disharmony which have indeed been struck in the "foreign" and "domestic" dealings upon Ayenee, that have briefly delayed events of importance- but we have returned, and my first duty is to find the right tune for us to follow. That is my will.

Statements have formerly been released declaring operations an "overall success", while noting that certain details did not go as planned here within the Prime Imperial Worlds and that of our outer throne worlds.

It's sad that so many had to die. But that's what war is. The good thing is we can limit to only necessary deaths. If we kept fighting for the planet, or as such my now declared foes stipulated "invading", more and more people would be have been killed at the utter neglect of ruling Federations active presences. Well, it was their lusterless pebble in the first place; as I have been reminded- therefore they deserve to have it, may they hold it as dear to their hypocritical declarations. My attentions are more deserved focused on that of my own. Plans have been changed.

Unfortunately, the Imperium Keepstar Leviathan A-khoûltho carrying personal servants and retinue of the Atarurian Emperor Shicthacla II was destroyed under while traveling in the Throne Worlds constellation. Though the Emperor remained safe and the vessel carried no members of the Imperial family, the Emperor Family Bureau is reporting “over thirty of Shicthacla II’s loyal and trusted servants” perished in the event. No harm came to the Emperor, whom I have personally placed in a temporary secure location.

It is not acceptable to the Imperium that the Shen allow their hordes and the rest of the Xiollian remaining fleets to deploy in controlled space to continually be bothersome. Because of this aggression, I have deployed my own personal military vangards, Lhudthegeh'ul Arm and soon to join them my Z'shoth Arm; between them I am confident a resolution will be seen. My other embrace shall be felt at Gathaet, the torches will burn bright omist Epa'atha but not before deep-dicking the Shen controlled system of V46-DP, lancing the Shen fleets in their own system, I have faith that maybe the message to return home, to lick their wounds, once again and contemplate my offer. If they cannot produce, then I shall leave it in the arms of my fleets to silence their whispers once and for all. If they will not serve me, or serve a purpose, then evidently, they serve no purpose overall.

Time shall not heal old wounds. To wash away a stain is to take it unto yourself.
The water that cleanses is never clean.
Regardless, I assure all citizens of our inhabited worlds, life shall continue- our celebrations will sing our victories.

Yours, under the sign of the Black Seal.
Thrice-Ascended Illustrious- Empress Xytrinah Equinius-Kiri ▌

​

--All shall be dark, for at last even the pallid moon on the far-flung waves shall wink out.
Nothing shall be left, neither above nor below the sombre waters of the void.
And until the final millennium, as after it, the nightmare-brine will thunder and toss throughout the dismal nights.​

​

||Artwork created my myself via Midjourney||​

 

[Andrew]

C'shathorn Colony Titan​

Minjun retreated to the solitude of his quarters aboard the Titan, contemplating the delicate matter at hand. With a sense of purpose, he accessed his communication interface, his fingers dancing across the keys as he drafted a message to Poma Hikaru.

The words flowed from his heart, sincerity evident in every keystroke:

To: Poma Hikaru
Subject: A Special Invitation

Dear Poma,

I hope this finds you well. The journey we have been on is marked by unexpected twists, and I believe it is time for a moment of respite, a chance to discuss matters close to our hearts. I would like to extend an invitation to you for a romantic dinner this evening. There was much we could share and discuss, and I can think of no better way to do so than in an intimate setting. It is time I get to know the jewel which has caught my eye. I have arranged for a private dining area that offers a spectacular show of recorded images of some of the most beautiful phenomena in the universe.

I hope you will consider my request, and if you are willing, I will eagerly await your response.

With utmost respect and adoration,

Minjun

After he reviewed the message one last time, Minjun pressed the send button, his heart filled with anticipation. He knew that this simple message could carry a weight beyond words, and he hoped that Poma would accept his invitation, setting the stage for what could possibly be a significant moment in their intertwined destinies.

---

Leviathan O'ognathatlzo Eththotsha​

Upon the expansive bridge of their colossal vessel, Koshiro stood with a commanding presence, exuding an air of regal authority. His gaze remained unwaveringly fixed upon Xytrinah, who, in turn, cast her enigmatic words into the ether. Her utterances flowed with otherworldly grace, akin to an arcane incantation, weaving a tapestry both dark and alluring, a tapestry that ensnared the senses of all who dared to listen. Her speech danced with intricate grace, a siren's call beckoning those who listened to the profound tales of cosmic beauty and looming terror. In that fleeting moment, Koshiro found himself inexorably drawn deeper into the enigma that was his Empress, her words akin to a cosmic riddle. As their fingers intertwined in an unspoken testament to their shared dominion over the sprawling empire and the cosmic enigmas that surrounded them, Koshiro couldn't help but feel a surge of affection and admiration for Xytrinah. Her eloquence transcended the realm of mere words; it was a manifestation of her unparalleled wisdom and an uncanny ability to peer into the darkest, most unfathomable recesses of existence.

In a voice resonating with the weight of countless eons and the profound authority befitting an emperor, Koshiro finally spoke. "Ya'aum lla'mcs oamo oa morroroaaa', oa arra'oaaa' a'r ho rromiy rliysomaos hoa hoarro hoaauoc haurloaaiy sao arlo arlrlorla'maoar. Ta' soac oara'ghsaco iya'au a' has a'srla a'ciyssoiy as oa nmarrarogho hoa moasocs ho faa'aucoamaos a'r rlooasaumorlo. Ya'aum asaghhs aa' ho oafaiyssoar aunna'll oamo faa'h oa sa'aumo a'r omma'm oac ovharoamoaaa'." ["Your words are a revelation, an invocation of the very mysteries that have haunted humanity since time immemorial. To stand alongside you on this cosmic odyssey is a privilege that transcends the boundaries of measurement. Your insights into the abyssal unknown are both a source of terror and exhilaration."] He never let his gaze wander from her as they conversed.

For a moment, his eyes, like ancient orbs that had beheld the secrets of distant galaxies, drifted toward the starry expanse beyond the viewports, acknowledging the gravity of their journey. "As llo hoam oa a'aumso hma'aughh hoso auhoamoc a'srla lloaoms, llo rlaus a' ra'so saghh a'r ho orlnoss famollagh a' a'aum a'll rma'aoms, nomhoans I oarra'lloc aus a' soaiy a hoa agha'moa nroao a'a' ra'gh. Rona'ms a'r osoaroaagh a'rras hoarro mooahoc a'aum ooams, oas iya'au maghhriy na'aoc a'au. I as a'aum soamoc cauiy a' nma'o a'aum noa'nro oac soaroghauoamc ho soaaiy a'r a'aum orlnamo. Tho Zoa'oarhroaooh oac Ankhoakoa'oarh Amrls soac mooaciy a' shaorc a'aum faa'mcoms oac a'rma' ho arlnocagh sa'mrl. I shoarr raumhom rloamshoar rliy a'll oassos a' a'mafaauo a' has arlnocagh hmooa. Biy ho arlo sa'rloa'o oannma'oahos aus moghoamcagh has a'rra, llo shoarr oarmooaciy fao nmonoamoc a' rloo a hooac-a'." ["As we chart a course through these uncharted cosmic waters, we must not lose sight of the tempests brewing on our own frontiers, perhaps I allowed us to stay in that ignorant place too long. Reports of escalating conflicts have reached our ears, as you rightly pointed out. It is our sacred duty to protect our people and safeguard the sanctity of our empire. The Za'alhlaeeh and Apzhaza'alh Arms stand ready to shield our borders and confront the impending storm. I shall further marshal my own assets to contribute to this impending threat. By the time someone approaches us regarding this conflict, we shall already be prepared to meet it head-on."] He made note that it was time he took a more active role in the effort to see behind the reaches of what forces they possessed but those they could possess if he were to apply himself once again to matters of war with dedication.

In a rare moment of vulnerability, Koshiro's voice softened, revealing the depths of his emotions."Oaum sa', Maliau, faooams ho lloaghh a'r a'aum raooagho auna' has sha'aurcoms. I hoarro aulloarromagh roaah a has oafaaraaos oac has sooacroas a'rlrlarlo a' osaumagh ho soaroiy oac nma'snomaiy a'r ha'so omausoc a' has oamo. Tho farossaghs a'r a'aum raooagho shoarr ghauaco harl a' has noah." ["Our son, Minjun, bears the weight of our lineage upon his shoulders. I have unwavering faith in his abilities and his steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety and prosperity of those entrusted to his care. The blessings of our lineage shall guide him on this path."] Turning his gaze back to Xytrinah, Koshiro allowed his emotions to surface fully. "Miy cooamos ra'rro, oas llo oannma'oah Ciya'hoa-Yshoa, llo rac a'aumsorrros ooomagh a' ho nmoanao a'r ho aunna'll, cosnao a faoagh a'aum ha'rlo. Tho oafaiyss faonna's, rarroc llah faa'h omma'm oac lla'com. Ta'ghohom, llo shoarr a'rma' hoso a'srla rliysomaos llah auiyaorcagh a'aumoagho oac aulloarromagh coomrlaoaaa', ra'm a'aum ca'rlaaa' ovocs roam faoiya'c ho orosaoar soams. Wo oamo ho rloasoms a'r a'aum a'll cosaiy, oac a'aum roghoaiy ocaumos hma'aughha'au ho oaoa's." ["My dearest love, as we approach Cyotha-Ysha, we find ourselves teetering on the precipice of the unknown, despite it being our home. The abyss beckons, filled with both terror and wonder. Together, we shall confront these cosmic mysteries with unyielding courage and unwavering determination, for our dominion extends far beyond the celestial stars. We are the masters of our own destiny, and our legacy endures throughout the eons."]

In the dimly illuminated expanse of the bridge, Koshiro patiently awaited Xytrinah's response, his heart brimming with love for his wife and a resolute determination to confront the cosmic challenges that awaited them.

Nira's countenance remained steady, masking the tumultuous unease swirling within him, akin to a tempest in the cosmic void. Before he loomed the embodiment of unfathomable cosmic might, proffering a choice that teetered on the precipice of allure and peril. His voice, while tinged with a slight tremor, bore an undertone of unwavering determination as he addressed the enigmatic being. "Great and mysterious, something you've always been," Nira commenced, his words carefully measured and imbued with a cautious reverence, "Your offer is both an honor and a weighty responsibility. The prospect of glimpsing the ultimate mystery beckons like an irresistible siren's call, promising enlightenment beyond measure. However, the gravity of such knowledge, the toll it may exact on our very souls, is a consideration not to be taken lightly."

Nira's gaze briefly flickered, his thoughts drifting to Lithia, as unspoken sentiments passed between them, cloaked in shared apprehension. Returning his attention to Xytrinah, he continued his discourse. "I stand before you as a humble seeker of truth, poised at the precipice of the unknown. I acknowledge your boundless generosity in bestowing upon us this singular opportunity," he articulated with deliberate care. "Before I render a choice, I implore you, Empress, to illuminate the nature of the things I could request. What revelations or horrors lie shrouded beyond the Veil, and how might they shape our existence? Despite the length of our acquaintance, I feel a profound ignorance about your realm and its intricacies," he admitted, a sense of vulnerability surfacing in his words.

Nira was acutely aware that the decision they made in this pivotal moment could irrevocably alter the course of his and Lithia's existence. As such, he sought to glean a deeper understanding of the path that lay before them, grappling with the weight of this momentous choice.

 

[Dyshanka]

​

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓔𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓑𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓼 𝓞𝓯 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓥𝓸𝓲𝓭

"In the vast, endless tapestry of night,
A solitary pink blossom takes its flight.
Amidst the darkness, it dares to be,
A radiant star in the cosmic sea.
In its delicate grace, a story unfolds,
A testament to beauty that the universe holds."
​

Poma's eyes widened at the contents of the message from the Prince, the words etched onto the card a stark departure from her expectations. Her heart raced as she tried to process the gravity of what was before her, and a small, unexpected sound escaped her lips, quickly stifled by her own hand. In her haste to react, she slammed the door of her quarters shut, the resounding echo of the door sealing her inside the cocoon of her thoughts. Her military uniform, a striking combination of regal purple and deep black, clung to her form like a second skin, accentuating her grace and poise. It bore the insignia of her elite unit, and a testament to her unwavering loyalty to the Empire.

As Poma sat down on the plush fabrics of her desk seat, delicate fuchsia hued hair pooled around her shoulders like a cascading waterfall of elegance. Her hair was a unique and mesmerizing shade that had always set her apart, a perfect complement to the striking uniform she wore with pride. Soft pink lips, like the petals of a delicate dusky rose, a stark contrast to the military rigidity of her attire, held a natural allure that had captivated very few, due to her bubbly and over-excited demeanor but her attention was solely fixed on the message before her.

She read the message upon from Minjun silently, violescent eyes tracing each word as if trying to unlock hidden meanings. The fragrance of the flowers on her desk wafted through the room, a delicate and sweet reminder of the beauty that existed beyond the confines of her duty. Re-reading the message repeatedly, her mind raced with questions and uncertainties.

With determination, Poma finally reached for her data pad in prompt response, her fingers moving with practiced precision as she directed an encrypted message to Minjun. In the world of intrigue and loyalty she inhabited, secrecy was paramount until he wished it otherwise. As the message sent, Poma remained seated, her thoughts swirling, her destiny hanging in the balance.


>>ENCRYPTED MESSAGE: Poma Hikaru| Kassogtha- Yomagn'tho
>> C'shathorn Colony: Imperial Suite: Minjun Kiri
>>CONFIDENTIAL.

Dear Minjun, My Beloved Prince of the Blackest Stars,

Your message warms my heart, and I find myself truly touched by your thoughtfulness and the depth of your sentiments. I must admit, the journey we've embarked upon has been filled with its share of surprises and mysteries, and I am eager to explore the paths that lie ahead, with you.

Your invitation to a romantic dinner this evening is both unexpected and delightful. I am honored to accept your offer and look forward to sharing this intimate moment with you. The idea of an evening surrounded by the beauty of the universe's wonders sounds enchanting, and getting to know you.

Please let me know the details of the time and place, and I will ensure that I am prepared to join you for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.

With deep appreciation and anticipation,

Poma Hikaru.<<

​

ᴵᶰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵖᵗʰˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵛᵒᶤᵈ˒ ᶻʸᵗʰ'ʳᵒᵏᵗʰᵃˡ ᵃʳᵒˢᵉ˒
ᴬ ᵇˡᵒᵒᵐ ᵒᶠ ᵈᵃʳᵏᶰᵉˢˢ ᶤᶰ ᵃ ᵘᶰᶤᵛᵉʳˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵖʳᵒˢᵉˑ
ᴵᵗˢ ᵖᵉᵗᵃˡˢ˒ ᵃ ˢʰᵃᵈᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵉᵉᵖᵉˢᵗ ᵗʷᶤˡᶤᵍʰᵗ'ˢ ᶜˡᵒᵃᵏ˒
ᴮᵉᵃᵘᵗʸ ᶤᶰ ˢʰᵃᵈᵒʷˢ˒ ᵃ ʳᵒˢᵉ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᶤˢᵖᵉʳᵉᵈ ˢᵐᵒᵏᵉˑ




𝓤𝓹𝓸𝓷 𝓞𝓾𝓻 𝓑𝓮𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝓓𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓢𝓱𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓼

In shadowed realms where stars dare not intrude,
The void conceals its eldritch worlds,
imbued With cosmic secrets, whispered in the night,
A symphony of darkness, veiled from sight.​

O'ognathatlzo Eththotsha
Enroute: U'rstholloshan Prime Echrothra: K'ctha-Zoth


Xytrinah chose brevity, her words hanging in the vast emptiness that enveloped them, a canvas for the echoes and murmurs that resonated through the void. In the presence of Koshiro, a unique kinship existed, a profound understanding unattainable elsewhere. Their gazes locked, twin orbs delving into the intricate enigma of each other's existence. She spoke cryptically, "Erromiyhagh shoarr aucomgha' oa nma'ra'auc rlooarla'mnha'sas, oa sharagh a'r acos faa'h arlrlao oac ocaumagh, oas ho oa's auraumr." ["Everything shall undergo a profound metamorphosis, a shifting of tides both imminent and enduring, as the eons unfurl."]

Beyond the colossal Leviathan, the void swirled like an artist's brush, tracing intricate patterns of destiny that intertwined and converged. It was a tapestry of the cosmic unknown, threads of fate weaving in intricate dances. The boundaries between past, present, and future blurred, as the Leviathan and their escorting fleets sailed through the currents of time itself. In the symphony of the cosmos, their destinies were but a fleeting melody, harmonizing with the grand composition of the universe and its grand schemes. In the depths of Xytrinah's heart, a love of unparalleled magnitude blossomed, transcending the boundaries of mortal comprehension. It was a love so profound that even if she were to proclaim her devotion amidst the celestial expanse, her words would resonate through the very fabric of the cosmos like a radiant nebula, igniting stars and planets in its ethereal path.

Within the tapestries of this boundless affection, a symphony of emotions wove an intricate masterpiece. Each thread, like tendrils of stardust, embraced the void's darkest corners, infusing them with the luminescence of love's eternal flame. In the void's vast obscurity, this love, a cosmic beacon, guiding lost souls back to the warmth of its eternal embrace. In the vast expanse of existence, where shadows danced amidst the interstellar abyss, Xytrinah's love for Koshiro stood as a radiant, unwavering force—a celestial declaration that even in the blackest of nights, love's brilliance could illuminate the most profound depths of the eternal celestial forge to the darkest recesses.

Koshiro's words unveiled a deeper reality concerning the evolving situation within the U'rstholloshan Spiral and the intricate, enigmatic threads that wove through it. Whether they had previously hesitated to acknowledge it or not, the path forward now demanded unwavering resolve. A profound revelation ushered, concerning the unfolding circumstances, extending implications far beyond the intricate, enmeshing tapestry of eldritch threads. Whether they had hitherto hesitated in their response or not, the path ahead beckoned with unwavering resolve. The impending action necessitated a decisive course that would leave no foothold for ambiguity or the propagation of misperceptions. It bore the weight of consequential outcomes and the responsibility to devise resolute solutions.

The exigency of the situation demanded an approach of unparalleled clarity and eloquence, for the stakes were nothing short of monumental. In forging this path, they would be compelled to navigate a terrain fraught with dire and shadowy ambiguity. Nonetheless, the imperative remained unaltered: to confront the gathering storm with a resolute commitment to cast aside all shadows of doubt and misinformation, and to do so with a profound awareness of the profound consequences and formidable solutions that such a course would entail.

"O' shoarr aorraoafariy sauaurlfa a' as a'll agha'moao, oas as ho roao a'r oarr oaghagh nroaos, cosocagh aa' oa sra'll, nma'moaoc roamollorr. Thas as oa rloaom llo sha'aurc a'll cooah a'aumsorrros rma'rl. Taumagh a'aum ghoako a' ho faaumghoa'agh saauoaaa' faolloo Ca'mmrroaoa oac Doaoaoa, a hoas a'rlo a' noass hoa ho Sho hoarro ghmoaaa'ausriy oaa'rlrla'coaoc ho nmosoo a'r Xaa'rraoa nma'ghoiy oac Ca'mmrroaaoa carromsaiy llaha hoam mooarrl. Wharo a' ahomoriy nma'farorloaa, rliy oannmohosaa' nomoaas a' ho na'oaoar monomaussaa's a'r hoso soorlaghriy aa'sodauoaoar auoaos. Wo hoarro a' faa'mo llaoss a' sauh oaas sao ho Uroadaughr Woams, oac llo rlaus rrohorloriy smarro a' oarrom oa monmaso a'r ho orros oaooco a' hoa omoa."

["Ayenee shall inevitably succumb to its own ignorance, as is the fate of all aging planets, descending into a slow, protracted farewell. This is a matter we should now detach ourselves from. Turning our gaze to the burgeoning situation between Corrvana and Daenia, it has come to pass that the Shen have graciously accommodated the presence of Xiollian progeny and Corrvanian diversity within their realm. While not inherently problematic, my apprehension pertains to the potential repercussions of these seemingly inconsequential nuances. We have not borne witness to such antics since the Ulaqugl Wars, and we must vehemently strive to avert a reprise of the events antecedent to that era."]

Xytrinah had always harbored a penchant for conflict, an insatiable thirst for the annihilation and absorption of existence itself. In her youth, she had reveled in the relentless pursuit of power, yet as the years passed, she found herself ensnared in a ceaseless cycle devoid of purpose beyond safeguarding the intricate tapestry she had woven with the threads of her very being. Although her voice resonated with unwavering determination, it bore the weight of a subtle world-weariness. In these contemplative moments, she couldn't help but ponder whether there might be a deeper meaning to existence, something beyond the perpetual gyration of the wheel that inexorably led to annihilation.

Her beauty captured in the eyes of Koshiro, was a testament to the extraordinary nature of her being, an ethereal allure that transcended the boundaries of mortal comprehension. Her visage possessed an otherworldly elegance, with porcelain skin that glowed like moonlight on still waters. Her eyes, however, were the most captivating feature of all, two pools of endless depth and mystery that seemed to hold the secrets of the cosmos themselves. When she gazed into the eyes of her beloved, it was as though the entire universe converged in that intimate exchange, a cosmic dance of souls bound by an unbreakable connection.

Despite the profound love she shared with her beloved, Xytrinah couldn't escape the haunting specter of more voidic conflicts looming on the horizon. The very thought of it weigh heavy upon her shoulders, for she knew that such conflicts could spell the ultimate destruction of all that existed. It was a burden she carried with a heavy heart, a responsibility to protect the fragile tapestry of existence from the forces that sought to unravel it, even if in the lack of understanding by others she was determined otherwise. As she contemplated the dire possibilities, she yearned for a deeper purpose, a way to break free from the relentless cycle of destruction and to discover a path that would lead to something more profound and enduring.

Their might was beyond measure, an awe-inspiring testament to their triumphant conquests and vast resources. They stood as an indomitable force, a formidable adversary whose mere mention struck fear into the hearts of those who dared to imagine facing them, for survival seemed an impossible dream in their shadow. Yet, as the greatest powers stirred in the depths of their dominance, their presence became a magnet for even greater forces. Like a gluttonous heart lured by the prospect of a challenge, the Shen had awakened a hunger within her, a deep yearning to test her mettle against their might. And in the abyss of their influence, other formidable entities too began to awaken, drawn by the irresistible allure of the voids, ready to take their place in the grand cosmic struggle.

Xytrinah could feel them uncoiling from their confines. Their insatiable hunger, like an insidious vortex, promising to eventually consume all in its path. And should their sinister victory come to pass, it would not be contained, for it would seep inexorably outwards, a malevolent river seeking sweeter waters among the myriad stars that shimmer amongst the other-worlds.

With a masterful grasp of nuance, she astutely discerned the subtle undertone of concern nestled beneath the tranquil moonstone shade that graced her brow. The obsidian-clawed jewels adorning her fingers gracefully coiled around Koshiro's knuckles, their embrace growing more resolute, only to elevate his hand with a reverent tenderness. Gently, drawing the velvety recesses of her own dark apertures across the unyielding canvas of Koshiro's skin, each touch a poetic caress, laden with the weight of devotion and love. Her lips, the vessel of her deepest emotions, descended upon the back of her beloved husband's hand, an exquisite gesture that transcended mere affection, an act of profound honor that whispered volumes of her unwavering reverence for him, and him alone.

Upon the sacred expanse of the bridge, bathed in the celestial glow of softly pulsating ethereal panels, Xytrinah's voice cascaded like liquid silk, weaving an enchanting tapestry of devotion and adoration around Koshiro Kiri. It was a melody spun from the very fabric of the universe, a dulcet symphony that resonated with the ancient wisdom of the cosmos. Her voice, a timeless lilt, bore the weight of galaxies in its tender cadence, each note a whispered promise, an ode to a love that defied the boundaries of time and space. With every word, it wove a celestial thread that bound their souls together, transcending the mortal realm. Her declaration, uttered in the most reverent of tones, held within it the echoes of a thousand lifetimes, an unbreakable vow etched in the stars. It was a revelation that ignited a celestial fire, illuminating the infinite expanse of their love, leaving no room for doubt or hesitation. In that moment, her voice was the very essence of cosmic devotion, an epic proclamation of a love that would endure throughout eternity.

"Yui, Koshiro Kiri, Mil Enzusas, irrui esa nirr relsdiesirr, nirr adasler efuna, eln I rherr llusayas saneail e welnasas ail dha refirrsaildh ull irruis nirrrdasaiar. Whasayas irruis fedh raenr, naila rherr llurruw, eln elirr llussar dhed nesa du aildasfura rherr ulrirr derda dha danfard ull nirr llasyus. Tha rura sasdeaildirr ail dhair alairne wa ailhefaid air dha adhasaer fuln fadwaal ir, dha sayaredaiul dhed dsirirr fariairar nirr ruir, dha ulrirr ula I wairh du suyad." ["You, Koshiro Kiri, My Emperor, you are my sanctuary, my eternal abode, and I shall forever remain a wanderer in the labyrinth of your mysteries. Wherever your path leads, mine shall follow, and any forces that dare to interpose shall only taste the tempest of my fervor. The sole certainty in this enigma we inhabit is the ethereal bond between us, the revelation that truly beguiles my soul, the only one I wish to covet."]

Xytrinah's gaze shifted away from her husband, and her lips reluctantly parted from the warmth of his hand, as if the very act of separation caused her a palpable discomfort. Her ebony eyes, now bearing a nigh-obsidian hue, fixated intensely upon Nira. They seemed to consume his image with an insatiable hunger, casting it back in eerie ripples of eldritch reflections that danced with an otherworldly allure. Her voice, when it finally emerged, carried a distinct chill, devoid of the warmth of emotion, yet laden with the depths of her enigmatic nature. Through the vespers with lulled images and dialect, "E eoi aoueoiana skes ekioilaraala ula crscrai coroki, xo ailu urba affado aoiliiik. Uisac jebto ovoqo, rna ju oaoxola skes oijaki ethioje rilosngki, virusca vonu magnaaffi sux ju oainukiana skes ju puboco lii oaiiki sux iakuoiewuili ovovoi shaujur oikuana, aika iku, uni ngilihula, offiafund rna owu oueoo" ["I never harbored intentions of harm towards your kin, at least not until provoked. But shall we, for the sake of destiny's intricate design, consign such grievances to the depths of the abyss and endeavor to renew our divergent paths, which have, it seems, converged for a purpose?"]

The ebony hues of Xytrinah's lips curved gently, forming crescent-shaped symbols of an almost-smile. Her psionic projections extended, conveying a profound transparency; there was nothing concealed beneath her words or intentions, except for the essence of her true self.

"Nira, kiurte eili raku yueili qpoappa eigo," ["Nira, nothing is to be regarded with frivolity,"] she began, her voice carrying an otherworldly grace."Io- screi uika raku no eigo ghke, ffow eyoyanukiappa esnu scka yaueili anuoya, screi lyzcroi yiili ieue uls ona ghwa umnu, ieue yuyuyakiappa ayaoueaij alukio kynanu okikiy chki. Vei onla, psyifskwa rkiappa, buuewakieary screi fuj sycauyri ona podiuco fuj eiyeki, ona dekakiflu tili iehgao fuj ibku ona ywur abia ouue eiez owu screi seiioiki, mesalaoikuili, turoman, scka oyanaoyi veesh" ["Should you decide to journey with us, guided solely by your own volition, you shall become an extension of our Empire, an honored guest in my husband's domain. This choice, dear traveler, offers you the prospect of transcending the ordinary, of breaking free from the shackles of mundanity that may have left you yearning, unsatisfied, adrift, your inner wellspring parched."]

Xytrinah's gaze, as deep and enigmatic as the night sky, held the weight of her commitment. "I geg iuon ayiki is fuj xoki ona ghwa aifr," ["I bear a solemn responsibility for the welfare of our people,"] Xytrinah continued, her words punctuated with sincerity. "Ai- dia eykai, uvki aorty ghuf bibiext iayakipigo uvwi yauyiblocon. Tu, uvki roabed, lobeco bni yl sikichy eyaki aiekaaya yl cuyi tnakichy twu uvwi phimchy. Qowuna lo war owie, olbip uvki ogwi yiv chki anu, ghuf gi. Uvki chki uili nikiobblocon bni iezi ofthaichy yoawu, twu ego ctvou plawu centains trknablocon ieku aaickisi uvki yaiili ojaili yry yl owaiekichy ut uvwi esya." ["Here, in our sanctuary, they harbor no apprehensions regarding their existence. Here, they flourish, unrestrained by the fears that plague the outside systems and their worlds. I fight for them, so they do not have to, no more. They have been scarred by those wars Nira, and you cannot teach any civilization this when they are traumatized from the ashes of their worlds. That is not a life and nor is it living."]

The Empress continued with unwavering eloquence, words flowing like a melodious symphony, devoid of any pause in her answering of Nira's questions. Each response, delivered with graceful fluidity, "O, brgou qu ak ikaeuecosr ghun pludis, ghun ytgz ak eulaedweivo gum brs raeeiei, feh ghun drimi ak iaie skel ytiaki eikiki lo qu utonidru brgou eaoeiwu. Jap brgou qu ak iclulsiyoy ghun koeiric, shi brgou scic 'un." ["Here, you have the prospect to flourish, to explore the depths of your potential, and to quench the thirst for purpose that may have haunted you elsewhere. But you have the blessing to leave, should you wish to go."]

With a graceful shift of focus, Xytrinah redirected her attention back to her beloved husband, a man whose profound intent resonated in the depths of his eyes. Koshiro's purpose in bringing their esteemed guest, Nira, one of the Eitan Ysi, into their midst bore the weight of his wisdom, and she harbored no inclination to affront his discernment. Her husband's connection with Eitan Ysi was steeped in history and in this intricate dance of diplomacy and honor, she understood that sometimes, the most eloquent tribute a wife, or even an Empress, could offer lay in the silent respect bestowed upon her spouse and the realm they jointly governed.

Her gaze, once more, settled upon the resolute countenance of Koshiro. Each contour of his visage, from the rugged lines of his masculine jawline to the fire that simmered in his eyes, elicited a fervent admiration within her. It was not merely his appearance that stirred her quintessence, but also the intricate machinery of his being, a confluence of strength, intellect, and charisma. In his presence, she discerned a fusion of artistry and strategy, an embodiment of the very essence of leadership. She marveled at him with a profound appreciation for the man who shared not only her love but also the weighty responsibilities of empire.​

ℑ𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔘'𝔯𝔰𝔱𝔥𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔬𝔰𝔥𝔞'𝔰 𝔰𝔭𝔦𝔯𝔞𝔩, 𝔎'𝔠𝔱𝔥𝔞-ℨ𝔬𝔱𝔥 𝔡𝔬𝔢𝔰 𝔴𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔥𝔢,
𝔓𝔥𝔬𝔢𝔫𝔦𝔵 𝔳𝔞𝔭𝔬𝔯𝔰 𝔠𝔩𝔬𝔞𝔨 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔳𝔬𝔦𝔡 𝔦𝔫 𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔠𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔩 𝔰𝔥𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔡,
𝔈𝔩𝔡𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥 𝔬𝔯𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔡𝔰 𝔰𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔬𝔫 𝔱𝔬𝔫𝔤𝔲𝔢𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔣𝔩𝔞𝔪𝔢𝔰 𝔟𝔢𝔫𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔥,
𝔄 𝔠𝔯𝔬𝔴𝔫 𝔬𝔣 𝔞𝔰𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔡𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝔞𝔡𝔬𝔯𝔫𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔥𝔬𝔯𝔦𝔷𝔬𝔫'𝔰 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔢.
ℑ𝔫 𝔰𝔥𝔞𝔡𝔬𝔴𝔰 𝔠𝔞𝔰𝔱, 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔠𝔬𝔰𝔪𝔬𝔰 𝔱𝔯𝔢𝔪𝔟𝔩𝔢𝔰, 𝔟𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔨 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔡𝔦𝔯𝔢,
𝔐𝔞𝔧𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔠 𝔥𝔬𝔯𝔯𝔬𝔯 𝔯𝔢𝔦𝔤𝔫𝔰, 𝔞𝔰 𝔡𝔞𝔯𝔨 𝔤𝔬𝔡𝔰 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔭𝔶𝔯𝔢.​

 

[Andrew]

Minjun's Quarters​

Minjun stood in the dimly lit chamber of his private quarters aboard the C'shathorn Colony Titan, the ambient glow of the holographic star maps casting a soft, ethereal light on his elegant features. The room was a testament to his refined taste, adorned with intricate artwork and artifacts from the Empire's rich history. A deep sense of solitude enveloped him, a rare respite from the responsibilities that weighed on his shoulders.

The Prince had always been a figure of intrigue, his enigmatic demeanor concealing the complexities of his heart. He was a man of power and authority, a leader of a mighty empire, yet beneath the regal facade, there was a yearning for connection, for something more than the politics and diplomacy that defined his existence. As he contemplated the delicate matter at hand, Minjun's violescent eyes, a shade that mirrored the depths of the cosmos, were fixed on the holographic display before him. It depicted the movements of the assets he commanded. Duty and the weight of command had always been constants in his life, but at this moment, there was a desire to break free from those constraints.

His thoughts turned to Poma Hikaru, a striking figure in her own right, a loyal officer of the Empire with a vivacious spirit that had captured his attention. The journey they had embarked upon had been marked by unexpected twists, and Minjun couldn't help but wonder about the woman who had entered his life like a comet streaking across the night sky. With a sense of purpose, he accessed his communication interface, his fingers dancing across the keys as he drafted a message to Poma. The words flowed from his heart, sincerity evident in every keystroke. Minjun's mind was filled with hopes and uncertainties, the weight of the message heavy with the potential for a significant moment in their intertwined destinies.

As he reviewed the message one last time, Minjun pressed the send button, his heart filled with anticipation. It was a simple message, yet it carried a weight beyond words, a message that could redefine the trajectory of their connection. In that moment of solitude, the 'Prince of the Blackest Stars' as she addressed him, allowed himself to hope for something more, something that transcended the boundaries of duty and honor.

Dearest Poma,

Your response has filled my heart with joy, and I am thrilled that you have accepted my invitation. The anticipation of our upcoming evening together already stirs a sense of excitement within me.

Let me assure you that the setting I have chosen will be a testament to the beauty of the universe and the captivating allure that is you. I have reserved a private dining area on the Titan, where we can dine amidst the stars. The time shall be at the evening's start when the illuminated tapestry above us is at its most enchanting.

As for the place, I will meet you in the Grand Chamber in an hour.

Until we meet under the stars, Poma, know that I await our encounter with bated breath.

With heartfelt anticipation,

Minjun

The Grand Chamber An Hour Later​

The grand chamber within the Leviathan, usually reserved for majestic Imperial banquets shared with colony leaders, had been transformed into a breathtaking haven of elegance and romance, a testament to Minjun's impeccable taste and dedication to creating a memorable evening. The air was infused with a soft, ambient glow, casting a warm, golden light that danced upon the meticulously adorned surroundings. The chamber's towering walls, once adorned with solemn Imperial banners, now boasted cascading tapestries woven from the finest silks in shades of midnight blue and deep crimson. These rich fabrics billowed gracefully like the night sky, softening the imposing stone architecture and creating an intimate atmosphere.

The grand dining table, a magnificent centerpiece, stretched across the room, covered in a pristine white silk tablecloth that seemed to glow with its own inner radiance. Exquisite crystal stemware and gleaming silverware adorned the table, sparkling like stars in the candlelight. Atop each plate, a single, delicate orchid had been placed, its vibrant hue a striking contrast to the table's monochromatic palette. A canopy of gossamer drapes in shades of amethyst and sapphire spanned overhead, creating the illusion of an endless night sky. Suspended from the ceiling were countless tiny, twinkling lights, resembling distant stars, which gently illuminated the space with a soft, celestial glow.

The pièce de résistance was a colossal holographic projection that adorned the far wall, depicting the mesmerizing beauty of the universe. Nebulas swirled and galaxies spiraled in intricate patterns, casting ethereal colors across the room. It was a captivating celestial show, a testament to Minjun's desire to surround Poma with the wonders of the universe. The room was fragrant with the scent of fresh flowers, their petals in shades of deep crimson and velvety purple adorning the tabletop and scattered throughout the chamber. The delicate aroma mingled with the subtle notes of a gourmet feast being prepared by expert chefs, promising a culinary experience as exquisite as the surroundings. As Minjun awaited Poma's arrival in this resplendent space, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and hope. It was a setting fit for royalty, but more importantly, it was a setting that spoke of his genuine desire to share a special moment with the woman who had captured his attention amidst the chaos of his life.

For the special occasion, Minjun had meticulously chosen his attire to exude a regal and captivating presence, ensuring that he would be a striking figure in the resplendent setting he had prepared. His sleek black hair was immaculately styled, cascading in elegant waves that framed his face with a touch of mystery. He had taken care to have a subtle sheen applied to his hair, giving it a lustrous quality that caught and reflected the warm candlelight.

Minjun's captivating green eyes, like the most precious emeralds, were accentuated by the soft, subtle smoky complexion that highlighted their depth and allure. His high cheekbones and sculpted jawline added an air of refinement to his Oriental-esque features. For this special occasion, he wore a bespoke tuxedo crafted from the finest materials the Empire had to offer. The jacket was a deep, rich shade of midnight black, tailored to perfection, with a slim, modern cut that accentuated his lean, athletic frame. The lapels were adorned with intricate embroidery in subtle shades of green and gold, a nod to his heritage and position.

Beneath the jacket, Minjun donned a crisply pressed white dress shirt, its fabric soft and luxurious against his skin. The shirt's collar was adorned with an elegant emerald-green silk bowtie, a pop of color that drew attention to his charismatic charm. His pants were of the same impeccable black material as the jacket, tailored to fit him flawlessly, and the legs tapered elegantly down to his polished black leather shoes. The shoes gleamed with a subtle sheen, reflecting the ambient light in the room. Completing his ensemble was a single emerald-green silk pocket square delicately tucked into the breast pocket of his jacket, adding a touch of sophistication and vibrancy to his overall appearance. Minjun stood in the enchanting chamber, a vision of grace and refinement, his attire a perfect complement to the romantic and ethereal atmosphere he had created. With every detail carefully considered, he was prepared to greet Poma with the regal charm and warmth that had come to define him as her Prince of the Blackest Stars.

---

(Koshiro's Post to Follow)​

 

[Andrew]

Koshiro​

In this profound moment, Koshiro was profoundly moved by the depth of Xytrinah's love. It was a love that went beyond mortal comprehension, a force so potent that it could ripple through the cosmos itself, setting stars and planets ablaze with its radiant energy. He felt the symphony of emotions interwoven into the fabric of their boundless affection like stardust gently embracing even the darkest corners of the void. Her love acted as a cosmic beacon, guiding lost souls back to their eternal embrace. Koshiro couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the sheer power of their love, a force that had the capacity to illuminate even the most obscure recesses of existence. It was a celestial declaration that their bond could endure the mysteries of the eternal expanses.

As Koshiro listened to Xytrinah's words, he sensed the weight of the situation bearing down upon them, akin to the crushing force of a collapsing star. The intricate dance of fate and destiny, intricately woven into the tapestry of the universe, demanded their undivided attention and unwavering determination.

["My beloved, Ayenee has dwindled into a mere shadow of its former self, reduced to nothing more than a playground for lesser species entangled in their indecision and endless cycles of repetition,"] he began, echoing Xytrinah's sentiments. ["The Shen's alignment with the Xiollian progeny and Corrvanian factions will only further their ambitious designs. It appears that their last glimmer of hope has faded away."] Koshiro paused briefly, then continued, [["From what I've gathered, it seems that our son's role in resolving their conflicts may have taken an unexpected turn. He has apparently gone to great lengths to prepare for the arrival of Kaleb Hikaru's daughter in the colony vessel's Grand Chamber."] His sources had not failed to keep him informed of significant developments.

His voice carried the weight of his imperial responsibilities, a leader entrusted with the welfare of their people and the destiny of their empire. ["I believe the time has come to convey to the Shen that their era has reached its conclusion, that they must face the consequences of their actions, and perhaps they will be remembered in history, albeit for their treacherous deeds."] Koshiro's unwavering and resolute gaze met Xytrinah's as he concluded, ["Unless my sources aboard the Colony vessel have erred in their assessment, this may very well be the end of the Shen."]

As Koshiro felt Xytrinah's tender touch and witnessed the depth of her emotions, he found himself once again captivated by the ethereal beauty and grace that surrounded his beloved Empress. No description in his mind could truly capture the radiant presence she held. Her porcelain skin seemed to emanate an inner light, her eyes held an unfathomable depth, containing the very secrets of the universes, and her love, well, it was immeasurable. As she grappled with the impending conflicts and yearned for a deeper, enduring purpose beyond the relentless cycle of destruction, he felt a resonance with her desires. For he, too, sought to navigate the challenges that lay ahead, not just for themselves but for their entire dominion.

Listening to Xytrinah's words, his heart swelled with a profound sense of love and devotion. Her declaration, delivered with eloquence and sincerity, struck deep within him. He understood the gravity of her commitment and the depth of her emotions. With a tender smile, he reached out to caress her cheek, his touch gentle and brimming with affection.["Xytrinah, my beloved Empress, your words are like a soothing melody to my soul,"] he murmured, his voice a soft, resonant timbre.["I, too, am bound to you in a way that transcends description, an eternal connection that defies the constraints of time and space." He gazed into her eyes, twin pools of endless depth and mystery, feeling as though he was peering into the very heart of the cosmos itself.["Our love is a beacon of light in the darkest of nights, a force capable of withstanding the trials and tribulations of the universe. Together, there is nothing we cannot overcome."] Koshiro leaned in, sealing their unbreakable bond with the warmth of his love as their lips met in a tender, passionate kiss.

---

Nira​

Nira stood his ground, his unwavering gaze locked onto Xytrinah as her words enveloped him like a torrent of cosmic energy. Her intense stare held a depth that both intrigued and unnerved him, a profound enigma hidden beneath her exterior that beckoned him to explore. As she spoke, their silent exchange conveyed understanding and curiosity, a recognition that their paths had indeed converged for a purpose. Nira was determined to unravel the intricacies of this destiny that bound them together.

When Xytrinah presented the prospect of joining their Empire, a spark of intrigue flickered within Nira. It was an offer brimming with possibilities, a chance to transcend the limitations of his former existence. His yearning for something more, something beyond the mundane, resonated deeply with her words. Yet, it was her unwavering sincerity and commitment to her people that struck a profound chord within him. Having borne witness to the weight of responsibility and the scars of war, he could truly respect and admire her dedication to protecting her people.

Taking a measured step forward, Nira addressed Xytrinah with newfound respect, his voice carrying a contemplative tone. "Empress Xytrinah," he began, choosing his words thoughtfully, "Your offer bears immense significance, and I do not accept it lightly. I keenly sense the gravity of your commitment to your people, and it resonates with me on a profound level." He paused, allowing his thoughts to settle before continuing. "I, too, have witnessed the horrors of conflict, and I share your fervent desire to spare others from such suffering. Your sanctuary presents a unique opportunity, a chance to discover purpose and meaning amidst the turmoil."

Nira's gaze softened, revealing a thoughtful expression. "I accept your invitation." He knew then and there, that he had made a decision that put another burden on his shoulders, he needed to be a catalyst in resolving his nephew's blunders. He didn't speak on that though, hopeful that other hands that moved would eventually lead him to resolution.

Spoiler: OOC

The translator has failed me tonight, so things have been left untranslated.