Without wasting any time I entered the Command Center early in the morning. The date of withdrawal was getting near. I walked up to the big, round table placed at the center of the tent. Upon seeing me, an officer approaching... a soldier saluted me then opened the map of the Galeform city. The map had all the markings of the progress that was being made in restoring their city. I stood near the table and started to keenly investigate all the markings to find any irregularities in them. While doing that, I asked the officer.

Me: “Give me the status report of the northern part?”

Captain Glaucus: “Yes, Commander!

Most of the buildings have been fully repaired. 70% of the Galeform populace has been relocated into their new homes. The rest are all taken care off in the Camp site.”

Me: “Good... and what about the eastern and western part of the city?”

Captain Glaucus: “They have been fully restored and almost all the populace have returned to their homes.”

Me: “Are the soldiers ready to depart Captain?”

Captain Glaucus: “Yes Commander, they are all ready.”

Me: “Very well, contact Commander Rotun Monik and inform him that the Alpha Battalion will move out of the city within the end of this month. He should be ready with Bravo Battalion and move in the newly created Army outpost outside the Galeform city as soon as we have pulled out.”

Captain Glaucus: “As you wish Commander.”

Me: “Dismissed.”

Captain Glaucus saluted and walked out of the Command Center hurriedly. I unfolded the map in front of me and kept it aside on the table. After taking a small breather, I moved out of the tent and walked towards the Meeting Tent.

Delegates from the Council of Zoit came to have a conversation with me and I have a pretty good idea what would it be about. They came in yesterday night so I asked them to rest and we would have our meeting in the morning.

Hmmm... What should I say? Well, I will see when the time comes.

I approached the Meeting Tent which was heavily guarded by the Zoit soldiers. They saluted once they saw me. I saw a few lower Councillors of the Galeform Clan stand outside and discuss something in private. They straighten themselves out once they recognized me. The Galeform Clan is one of the few that maintains their hierarchy and follows them vigorously. I gave a slight nod towards them and getting the same in response. I stopped just outside the entrance and asked one of the guards.

Me: “Soldier, how long have they been inside?”

Soldier: “Commander, it has been just about two hours.”

Me: “How many of them are inside?”

Soldier: “Five in all... Commander. Three from the Council of Zoit and two from the Galeform Clan.”

Me: “Thank you, Soldier.”

The Soldier saluted before parting the covers of the entrance to the tent. I took a moment before entering inside. When I entered, I was greeted warmly by all the Councillors. Galeform Councillors were friendlier towards me than their counterparts from the Council of Zoit.

By their looks, I guessed they would be from the Department of Defence, but what surprised me most was the fact that a Blood Zuma was within them. How could this be? Did Le’On sent him to oversee me or did that monster of beastwoman Adi’Je sent him? Did I loose my standing? All these questions bubbled within me. I forced a smile and started my conversation with them.

The Red Galeform Councillors were first to engage with me.

Nerues Galeform: “Welcome Commander Eldin, we were just talking about you.”

Me: “Nothing too serious I hope.”

I slowly sat on a chair opposite to them.

Astreus Galeform: “Absolutely not... We were just informing the Councillors from the Council of Zoit about your bravery and tremendous grit you showed fighting against those horrible Dynoths.”

Nerues Galeform: “Yes! We were all destined to be wiped out from existence if you hadn’t stopped them in time. We lost so many of our clan members during that senseless attacks... it’s... it’s very hard to quantify our gratitude towards you Commander and towards the Zoit Army.”

Me: “Please Councillors... I was only doing my duty which is... to defend and save the Zoit clans from any harm. Believe me; I am full of regret for my failure to save more of your clan members and for my failure to come in your aid a little sooner than we did.”

Astreus Galeform: “You did the best you could Commander Eldin and we are very grateful for that. We are very happy to return to our homes at last. Now, we just want to resume our lives.”

Me: “I understand Councilor Astreus.”

Astreus Galeform: “Now if you will excuse us Councillors... Commander... I think it's time for us to return back to our work. There are still many Galefoprm clam members in distress.”

Both the Galeform Councillors stood up from their respective chairs. We also followed suit and stood up from our chairs... a respect shown towards a Councillor. With a smile on their faces, they left the tent, leaving me to deal with the delegates from the Council of Zoit.

After the Galeform Councillors departure, I turned and sat opposite to them. There was a big rectangular wooden table placed between us. I had a good minute of observing them and their body language. At first glance, they had a smile plastered on their faces, but it was forced. That... I don’t hold against them as even I had the same cold, fake smile on my face.

I waited for them to start the conversation and sat there through the silent, staring contest which soon turned awkward. The process was simple... to see which one starts the conversation first because they couldn’t stand the silence. Judging by their body language, two members had no qualms about the situation. They sat with grace, but one of them showed signs of breaking.

I took this small window of opportunity to observe the Councillor from Blood Zuma Clan. He was different from Le’On... not in their physical traits though. The Blood Zuma Councillor in front of me had no horns on his head, which I also noticed on the rest of the Blood Zuma that came with Le’On. Only Le’On had horns protruding out of his head.

No... The difference lies in the aura I think. The aura this Zuma was giving out was much less dangerous than what Le’On normally gave. It feels like as if Le’On is on a different level... much, much higher than the rest of his clan members. I have to know more about them to understand him.

“Commander Eldin Vest... My name is Thelfri Elidae.”

Finally... someone spoke. I trained my eyes on the Councillor that spoke first. This beastman is on the shorter side... about 5’ 3-4”ft. This was the clan trait of the Elidae’s. He had the typical physical appearance of the Elidae Clan. Black eyes, brown skin tone and white fur under his chin, running down towards his chest.

He is wearing a white vest under a blue overcoat with the Council of Zoit’s insignia attached on his chest, same as the other two Councillors. It was natural for him to start first. The Elidae Clan located in the western quadrant are known for their clan trait of extreme nervousness. It’s quite comical, but still true. Although they are very potent when it comes to politics.

He continued on.

Thelfri Elidae: “These are my colleagues... Councillor Doran Vajek and Councillor Bar’Rok.”

He pointed towards the other two Councillors.

Thelfri Elidae: “We chair in the Department of Defence, Commander Eldin.”

Me: “Hello Councillors... pardon me if I haven’t shown you proper respects.”

Councillor Doran: “Please Commander... we have come here to inquire about a few things. First of all, I think you should know about the relief package awarded to the Galeform Clan.”

Me: “I am listening Councillor.”

Councillor Elidae: “The Department of Economy has decided to give a package worth 1 Million Gold to the Galeform clan. They will have to use it to reimburse the families who lost their loved ones and to help boost their economy as well as to be used in reconstruction.”

Me: “Well... it’s quite a huge relief package and I am okay with everything except the Zoit Army officially lend the Galestorm Clan funds with which the reconstruction of many houses have began. Will the Army be reimbursed too?”

Councillor Doran: “Yes... we have instructed the Galeform Council to repay the Zoit Army as soon as they receive the relief package. Can’t have the treasury of our Army dwindle can we?”

Me: “That would be very bad Councillor Doran.”

Councillor Doran: “Indeed Commander. Now... onto the next matter.”

Councillor Elidae: “Commander Eldin, your unit will receive their reward when you report in the Capital. The Capital is eagerly waiting for your return.”

Me: “I am hoping of withdrawing Alpha battalion by the end of this month. My soldiers fought really hard and I lost many good soldiers in this... war.”

Councillor Doran: “It is... very heartening to see so many casualties on our side in this fight, but the result you have produced is in no less than tremendous. The Council of Zoit is very happy with your work.”

Me: “Thank you Councillors, but the Army were not the only one that fought in this conflict.

Your Clan members also fought alongside us and they were a key asset responsible for ending this conflict... Councillor Bar’Rok.”

He gave a genuine smile which had pride mixed with them.

Councillor Bar’Rok: “The Council of Zoit has already acknowledged the Blood Zuma’s contribution in this war.”

Me: “I bet... you never would have thought that the Zuma’s would be praised for a military operation.”

I did not see Councillor Bar’Rok being fazed by that comment.

Councillor Bar’Rok (smiling): “Commander Eldin... The continent of Zoit never would have guessed that the clan they thought was good enough to let be wiped out of existence turned out to be so powerful.

Powerful to the point, where hundreds of Zoit soldiers died to fight the Dynoths... only a handful of Blood Zumas led by our King and Queens won the battle with a few days.

I bet... no one would have thought that could happen.”

Me: “Indeed... Councillor Bar’Rok... they were something else.”

Councillor Elidae: “The Council is however more interested in the fact about the actual culprits behind the Dynoths attack.”

Me: “I have already filed my report Councillor.”

Councillor Elidae: “We want to hear it from you personally... Commander Eldin.”

Me: “As far as we have uncovered, there were three culprits belonging to the continent where Zendon people live. They call their land the Queendom of Deirdre Mhic. Those three belonged to a covert operation to start disruption within the Zoit continent with the aim of affecting us massively.

There names were Rhea Lexia, Zoreth Lexia and their leader Braxrad Ranter. They controlled the Dynoths by some kind of crystal.”

I took out the broken crystal given to me by Le’On for this exact purpose. I showed them the crystal and placed it on the table, close enough for them to reach it. They fixed their gaze upon it and seemed like they went into a deep thought.

Councillor Doran: “How does it work Commander Eldin?”

Me: “Unfortunately, this crystal broke while we were engaged in battle with them.”

Councillor Bar’Rok picked up the crystal from the table and investigated it closely. Why is he doing that?His own King did all this... maybe to put a show in front of his fellow Councillors... How sneaky are they?

Councillor Bar’Rok: “I think we should hand this over to our Research and Development Unit. Maybe they can find out how this thing worked.”

Councillor Doran looked towards Councillor Bar’Rok and with slight nod of his head he replied.

Councillor Doran: “I agree... this... this type of information is really very unsettling.”

Councillor Elidae: “To think we have been breached and the entities have this level of malice intent towards us... Absolutely disgusting... So many lives lost, even a whole Clan got decimated with these attacks.”

Me: “What action would the Council of Zoit take now, Councillor?”

Councillor Bar’Rok: “As far as we know... our border with the Zendon people are secured, but with this recent news we got to know a few things.

There maybe possibly more infiltrators just like them... waiting for the right time or order to attack or start a major disruption within our continent.

And our borders are not as secured as we thought. We have to find out how did they enter our continent and we have to start thinking about countermeasures for possible invasion from them.”

Me: “We could have a large scale war in the future. Are we even prepared for it?

I think we are not.”

Councillor Elidae: “How can you say that Commander?”

Councillor Doran: “We didn’t even know they existed until a few days ago. How can you expect to be ready for an enemy we had no prior knowledge of Councillor Elidae?”

Councillor Bar’Rok: “Even thinking about this type of questions makes me feel uneasy.”

Councillor Bar’Rok puts the crystal inside his pouch.

Councillor Bar’Rok: “I am taking custody of this crystal officially from you, Commander.”

Me: “I understand Councillor Bar’Rok.”

He stood up and spoke.

Councillor Bar’Rok: “Now if you will excuse me... I have to report all of this to the HQ. Councillor Doran and Councillor Elidae, I will wait for you both in our tent. I shall also see to our arrangement for our departure.”

Councillor Doran: “Okay Councillor Bar’Rok.”

With that, Councillor Bar’Rok exited the tent. The rest of the two Councillors slipped again in deep thoughts. They were more rattled than I would have liked. We could really face a large scale invasion and if this was the attitude of our leaders then... we are in grave danger.

Councillor Elidae: “Commander Eldin... the Council also wants to know about King Le’On of the Blood Zuma.”

Me: “Why?” I asked them.

Councillor Elidae: “We want to know more about him.”

Me: “Don’t you work with a Blood Zuma Councillor? Why don’t you ask him about that? And doesn’t Council already have his profile?”

Councillor Doran: “Councillor Bar’Rok would give his biased opinion of his King and the Council wants to know specifically King Le’On’s battle prowess and his soldier’s capability.”

Me: “Battle prowess... hmm... He and his Clan members are more fearsome monsters than the Dynoths. I wouldn’t want to turn them as my enemy in the near future. If I had to give the Council of Zoit my opinion of him... then it would be...

Don’t think for a second they could be defeated easily. If we enter in a full scale conflict with them... we as a continent would have to pay a huge price both in lives of soldiers and resources.”

Councillor Doran: “You are exaggerating Commander Eldin.”

I smiled a little and replied.

Me: “I wish I was exaggerating, but sadly I am not. We were struggling to even keep whatever portion of the city that was left under our control. We were about to be overrun and then they showed up. A mere group of 20 to 25 Blood Zuma.

Within the next three days, the Dynoths were pushed back to the Amoith Mountain and our soldiers learned how to properly fight them and they even saved many lives during the fight; and all this without even losing a single member.”

Councillor Elidae: “That... is very disturbing to know and especially at this point when we uncovered another enemy outside our gates.”

Me: “Still the Blood Zumas are not an enemy of the continent of Zoit. Stop trying to project them as one. They are our strongest deterrent against the new enemy... we should treat them as such.

A very profitable means to an end.”

Councillor Doran: “You think so Commander Eldin?”

I lean a little forward and replied.

Me: “Yes Councillor Doran.”

Councillor Doran (sighing a little): “Then we will present our report on this matter to the Council with your recommendations mentioned within it.”

I nodded my head for a bit.

Me: “Okay, Councillor Doran.”

Councillor Elidea: “Who would have thought that we would have to take the Zumas this seriously?”

Councillor Doran: “It is very unnerving to think about it.”

I too agreed with them.

Me: “I agree Councillors.”

I agree with you, but on a different matter. I would never have thought to be a bound servant to the Zumas. Such... insult has been faced by neither me nor my entire Clan. Such... such monsters... I shiver a little thinking about the punishment Le’On gave me after I failed to poison him, but how did he survive such strong poison? How?

Me: “Councillors... if you have no other things to discuss, I must return to my post. There is still much work to do.”

Councillor Elidea: “Yes, yes Commander Eldin. We understand about the pressure of work you are now subjected. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions with us Commander Eldin. We would surely try to stress more on your opinion about the Zumas when we meet with the Council.”

Me: “Thank you Councillors for listening to me.”

I stood up and so did they. As they belong to the Department of Defence, technically... these two Councillors along with Councillor Bar’Rok are my seniors. So I showed them our sign of respect for our senior ranking members. They seemed pleased too.

When I came out of the tent, I saw Councillor Bar’Rok waiting outside. Noticing me, he walked towards me.

Councillor Bar’Rok: “You are leaving Commander Eldin?”

Me: “Yes Councillor Bar’Rok.”

Councillor Bar’Rok: “Good... then excuse me while I visit my colleagues inside the Meeting Tent.”

I nodded and he walked passed me. Just then... I heard a passing comment.

“Queen Adi’Je hopes you have been a good concubine while speaking about us.”

A large shiver ran through my spine hearing her name. Le’On is not the biggest monster within them... it is his first wife.