Tianna and Sephiel had stayed with the other Xegin to help restore stability to the region before returning home to Zelrega. Keta had been asked to wait until the two of them returned until he departed.
But is this move the right one? Keta wondered to himself. After the old Master had perished and Sanction fell, Keta had moved with no direction. He had simply wandered around and did what he could wherever he ended up.
Now that the gods had returned, and one of them was now leading the Brotherhood of Shadows, he could no longer afford to act with such misguided focus.
Sanction needed to evolve.
“General Alpha has taken on the position of Imperial Commander to replace Commander Tyrannes. She has been in talks with the Humans and they have agreed to dissolve the current administrations and form a united government,” Tianna reported.
Pent raised an eyebrow. “Just like that? You’d think there’d be more...animosity, considering the recent hostilities.”
“We were easily turned against one another because we were divided. That was not the true purpose of Teforia. It was to be a land of peace. Unfortunately, we allowed ourselves to become segregated. And because of this, we were easily misled by the Brotherhood of Shadows.”
“Commander Alpha will lead the nation. She was Tyrannes’ first ally, she will uphold his values.”
“What about the Humans?” Keta asked. Their former Administrator had been aiding Master Inferno apparently, who had in turn been impersonating one of their own military generals.
Tianna was quiet for a moment. When she spoke, it was a delicate thing. “The council will be dissolved. They were woefully ignorant of the activities their own leader and general were up to. They must be held accountable.”
Keta folded his arms. “Hold on, that doesn’t make sense. The Xegin were responsible for almost wiping out the Humans by following General Delta. Should they not also face some consequences?”
“The Xegin are more advanced than Humans. They are the most qualified to lead,” Sephiel muttered, walking forward. Keta then realized that the girl was imposing, even in civilian clothes.
Tianna put a hand on her ally’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t have put it so bluntly, but yes, it seems that the Xegin believe they would be best in charge.”
Keta sighed, but Pent laughed. “It seems they are less than willing to give up their power after all that.”
“Perhaps. But they are the most capable of leading the nation and protecting it’s people. I support this decision. They have decided that it would be in their best interest, however, to have one of the soldiers from the previous government serve as one of the Imperial Generals,” Tianna added.
An interesting way to ensure that Humans still have a say in things, Keta thought to himself. “Who have they taken into the Imperial Generals?”
“You might know her. Her name is Giselle Leclair. She was a lieutenant for the late Erisda Walker. She has been indispensable in keeping order in the colonies.”
Keta nodded. Giselle had been tough from the first time he had met her, but the death of her leader Erisda Walker had hardened her. The last few weeks, she had thrown herself into her work to try and distract herself, but it had taken its toll on her.
“Also, it seems that she has taken in the orphan of Erisda Walker, Silvia Walker. She was the girl we rescued back in the plains with Ophelia and Luna. Giselle and the general were quite close. It seems she wants to make sure that girl has a good life,” Tianna added.
Perhaps this was the best way for the girl to move on. She could do some real good as one of the leaders of Teforia. And helping Erisda’s daughter would be a good way to both honor her fallen mentor’s memory and help keep the two from despair.
Of course, there was the topic nobody wanted to address. “Any news of the Empire?” Keta asked finally.
The Empire had been strangely quiet the last few weeks. The man from the Genesis lab, Albert Warren, had claimed he was an Empire scientist. Shouldn’t his death have caused an international incident?
“They’ve been completely silent. No envoys, no scouts...nothing. We Xegin feared that the civil war would have attracted an attack from them, to strike while we were weak. But there has been nothing,” Tianna said.
Keta nodded, unsure if no news was good or not. But it solidified his decision. “Right then, that’s where Pent and I will head first. We need to discover exactly what their intentions are.”
“Hold on,” Tianna said, stepping forward and raising a hand to interject. “Are you telling me you plan to just go traipsing through the Empire territories? Are you mad?”
“Why not? The old Master used to do so with Sanction back in the day,” Keta pointed out.
“Yes, but wasn’t he some kind of Dragon time lord or something?” Tianna countered.
“This is true. But I am a Kitaan. It should be fine.”
“Besides, he’ll have me to look after him if he gets in trouble,” Pent chimed in.
Keta cast a grateful glance at the boy. Though he was merely a Demon, and a young one at that, Pent had become remarkably skilled in the art of war and used resources to augment his already impressive arsenal.
A pang of sadness rang through Keta, remembering his last confrontation with Xuan. He had defeated his friend, but he had not turned him to his side. He was gone by the time everyone had returned to the plains.
Where have you gone, old friend? Keta thought wistfully.
“You’ll have more than the Demon to look after you, Keta Night. You’ll have us.”
Keta was snapped back to his senses by Sephiel’s voice. When he turned to her, she was staring at him with those golden eyes. They were different from when she had stood against him. They still held the same determination, but there was something else.
A glimmer of warmth.
“What do you mean I’ll have you?” Keta asked, dumbfounded. He searched her face for any sign of jest. But then, the Kitaan girl was not much for lighthearted humor. He turned to Tianna. “You can’t leave, you are part of the Xegin Imperial Generals, aren’t you?”
Tianna raised a finger. “Almost an Imperial General. I was never formally inducted into the order. And considering the circumstances and the way things went regarding General Delta, I’m not sure I could ever really atone. So...this will be my penance.”
“And where Tianna goes, I go,” Sephiel replied simply.
Keta paused, and started pondering the situation. These were two of the finest soldiers Keta had ever seen in his lifetime. One possessed a rare gift, and the other was a Kitaan like him.
However… “I’m sorry, but if your reasons for joining are simple penance and loyalty to another, then I must refuse. My Master always taught me that it was the duty of those with power to protect those without. If I have power, then I should put it to good use.”
Keta pointed out over the water, towards the Empire that would be in the distance. “The path I walk is a dangerous one. I do it for the people. I chose to assist Master Xehemoth, knowing full well the peril. Because I believe in a better world.”
Master Xehemoth had always felt that Keta was too gentle. And yet, he had given Keta the tools necessary to seek the truth for himself. His own justice. He had taken it upon himself to fight for the people. Because one day, he had hoped that Teforia would not be a land of peace. The whole world would be.
Keta believe that with all his heart. Pent was cynical, but he wanted to believe in a better world. The question was, what did these two believe?
Sephiel was silent, but Tianna spoke up after a moment. “I believe you asked me a similar question back when I joined you to fight against the Brotherhood. I told you that you needed help and you should just accept my aid.”
Tianna placed a hand on her chest. “I am a proud Xegin, and I uphold their ideals. The greatest ideal for the Xegin is to one day have a world where we everyone lives in peace. By that logic, the greatest chance for peace lies with Sanction.”
“I could have
touched Delta’s mind and ascertained his intentions. But I was afraid. And it cost many their lives. But you...I’ve seen your thoughts. You are...different from the others. There is an innocence to you, a genuine desire to help everyone. It is naive...but perhaps we need more who share that naivety if we are to change the world.”
The Xegin woman reached up and pulled her helmet from her head, long hair tumbling down. She knelt down on one knee, holding it in her arms. Tianna looked at him with unseeing eyes.
“I am a soldier, but I will do my best to aid you. Someone needs to make sure that you do not overextend yourself. Someone needs to protect you while you uphold your ideals. This is my pledge to you. Let me join you and together we can work towards a better future,” Tianna said, her voice full of sincerity.
Keta was silent, at a loss for words. Many have called him a fool (Pent seemed to call him this daily). But nobody had ever expressed such a heartfelt desire to want to help change the world. Nobody except Max…
Keta’s fist clenched. Even weeks later, his friend’s death weighed on him. The Demon had been selfless in his goals. While he had wanted to rescue Luna, the woman he loved, he had also believed in making a better world. Even when he had been part of the Brotherhood of Shadows.
Stop it, Keta told himself. Remember what Pent had said. Honor his sacrifice and remember him as a warrior. The Demon clans were a very proud people. In the end, he had saved Luna and his unborn child. He was a good man and Keta would always count Max Revia as one of Sanction.
Keta extended his hand to Tianna. “I would be honored to have you by my side, Tianna.” The Xegin woman flashed him a brilliant smile and took his hand. Keta then turned to Sephiel. “And how do you feel about all this? Why do you want to join us? Simply because Tianna wishes to won’t cut it for me.”
The Xegin girl...no, he would need to start recognizing her as a Kitaan...moved forward, to meet his gaze. “I will always show deference to Tianna, she is the closest thing to family I have. But I am also this world’s Kitaan. Is it not my duty to protect it?”
Keta frowned at hearing this. It had not been that long since he had discovered the truth of his birth. He was still having difficulty processing this at times. Even more so the fact that this young girl was the true heir to the Kitaan.
“Oh, um...I did not mean it as you think,” Sephiel said quickly, turning to the side slightly. Keta could almost see the slight flush of her cheeks, but it was gone quickly and she had composed herself. “I simply meant that I must do what I can as well. I am Kataro’s successor after all.”
Keta nodded. For Sephiel, a girl that had despised him for so long, that was quite a bit of growth in their relationship. He smiled, and extended his hand to her. “A Kitaan’s work is never done, huh? Welcome to the team.”
After the two had shaken hands, Keta knew what he had to do, though he did not like it. He had gotten used to the weapon, to the guidance of the elder Kitaan spirit. But he knew that it was not his by birthright. And so, he held out his hands, Reikon lay across them in it’s sheath.
Sephiel’s eyes narrowed. “What is this?”
Keta struggled to keep his emotions in check, and keep his voice calm. “Reikon is the sacred blade of the Kitaan warriors, an ancient heirloom. As you are the heir to Kataro Tiansia, and the last natural Kitaan, it is only fitting that the blade be returned to you.”
The girl stared at him, and Keta could not see what lay behind. Sephiel was still vastly unknown to him. Whatever she was thinking was a mystery. Still, he needed to do this. It was only right.
“Last natural Kitaan, you say? And you would hand this blade over to me, despite being my senior in age?” Sephiel asked.
Keta nodded. “It is only just. I would not rob you of your birthright.”
“Hmph...keep your sword, Keta. I am no swordsman, I have no use for such a weapon,” Sephiel said, pushing the weapon back towards him.
Keta had expected this. But he would not back down. “Sephiel, you don’t understand. This sword...it contains the power of our ancestors, hidden abilities of the Kitaan people. You are the true Kitaan...for a fake like myself to wield it over the true Kitaan...it would be blasphemous.”
Keta had reluctantly accepted his creation. But he would not allow his existence to interfere with the world’s natural order.
Sephiel fixed him with a hard glare. “Do you remember when we fought back in the Imperial Plains during the war? I had just suffered a humiliating defeat against you. Do you recall what you said to me?”
Keta shook his head. The adrenaline and danger of that day had been too much for him to remember anything aside from fight after fight.
“Then allow me to enlighten you. You said this to me. Regardless of the circumstances of my birth, I choose my own path. If so, does that not apply to we who were born naturally as well?”
Keta was surprised by the way she had taken his words, but he nodded. The girl smiled. “Good. So take the damn sword and let that be the last I hear of it.”
Keta was sure his mouth was hanging open. Sephiel was...smiling? That was quite a rare sight. “But…”
The girl cut him off. “Besides, if it really does grant you more power, then you’ll need it. I’ve no idea if being a false Kitaan reduces your power or not, but you still need work if you are going to keep up with me. I can show you a thing or two, now that we’ll be working together.”
Keta couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes...quite. Well, I have no objections then. How about you, Pent?”
The Demon boy regarded them all with his red eyes. “If you can fight, then you’ll make a good ally. And hopefully you’re not as foolhardy as Keta here. I’m here to make sure he doesn’t make any stupid moves.”
The other two nodded, and Pent laughed with them. Keta sighed, but he knew that regardless, he had a new team to work with. Master Xehemoth...Master Inferno. Watch me, I will create a future both of you can be proud of.
“All right then,” Keta said, looking to each of them. His new comrades. The start of a new Sanction. He then turned to take one more glance at the water. The Empire that lay beyond was their next destination. “Let’s go.”
EPILOGUE
DIVINITY
Pandora had been watching for countless generations. She had refused to take sides during the war, simply remaining neutral. She had resigned herself to an observer while Xalphora created her society.
However, unlike Lachesis, she was not concerned with anyone’s destiny. Why would she? She was the Goddess of Chaos after all.
Pandora lounged amongst the flowers, her white dress becoming green. She could clean it of course, but why bother? She liked the way it looked on her at the moment. Life was better with a little unpredictability.
She was admiring a flower when she heard someone approaching. Casting a glance to the side, she saw a familiar face. Pandora smiled.
“Still acting like a child, I see?” Kalezstros said, standing over her with arms folded. The Goddess of War was as impressive as always.
“Hello, sister,” Pandora said, spinning onto her stomach to look up at Kalezstros, holding her head in her hands.
“You are a tough one to find, Pandora. It has taken me years,” Kalezstros said with an annoyed voice. She then plopped down beside her sister, laying down in the grass. “I still don’t know what you see in this type of mundane activity.”
“And yet you still join me each time,” Pandora giggled. She was the youngest of the gods, and though Kalezstros was not the eldest, she was the most serious. When the sour faced goddess grunted, she added, “You know me. I like to watch from the sidelines in silence.”
“Indeed. Though you realize that with all the conflicts that you witness, your power grows even greater,” Kalezstros pointed out.
Power. That was all Kalezstros ever seemed to get excited about, Pandora mused to herself. This was one of the most regal beings in all the realms, and yet her concern was always about what battle came next.
It m
ade her wonder. Did the mortals fear Kalezstros? It was something that they could never hope to prevail against. Or so she thought. She had interacted with them briefly back when the Realms were unsealed. They had piqued her curiosity.
She waved a hand flippantly. “Hasn’t been much in terms of conflict lately. After that tussle back in that nation, the mortals have gotten along pretty well, at least for mortals.”
“Yes, this is true,” Kalezstros muttered, but her face betrayed her emotions. She must have been thinking the same thing as Pandora.
“This is mostly due to the actions of Sanction, yes?” Pandora asked.
Another grunt. “Don’t play dumb. You probably see more than I do these days.”
Pandora laughed, and she got to her feet. It was time to address her sister’s intentions. “I assume you have spoken to the others?”
Kalezstros frowned. She was not a complex woman, so it was easy to read her. She was a creature of action and instinct. But she rarely had the mind for philosophical conversation. Not the way that Elthea had been.
Pandora grimaced. She did not blame either of them for the way things had turned out between them. It made sense, as she was a creature of chaos. However, she did feel sadness that their feud had ended in Elthea’s death.
Elthea had understood that Pandora was as necessary as light and darkness. In fact, it was her power that bound the realms together. It was her power that the Demon Inferno had used to perform the ritual to unseal the realms. Something she had never understood. But she embraced it.
But Kalezstros was different. She didn’t rise. “Formetis is part of her little freedom fighter brigade. She still fights for her people. Lachesis is as she always is.”
It was only then that Pandora realized it. Kalezstros was frightened. So she was aware of what was going on after all, she concluded. But she figured she would press the matter anyways. “And the Arbiters?”
This got a reaction out of Kalezstros. The normally composed woman was looking distressed. “They...have not made any moves since the opening. Do you think that they are gone?” she asked.
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