Chapter 25: A Talk

Amaya gazed at her cousin who seemed a bit off on such an important day. No matter Amaya would be the one responsible for today’s matters. From the disappearance of the great families of the west to the upcoming meeting with Princess Karla to discuss the future of her empire. As well as the farmer who said to have found something interesting. Interesting enough for it to be sent up the chain of command and pull the attention of the Young Lord.

“Aegis,” Amaya said pulling her cousin’s attention back to the present. They were in the war room with the map of the Last Kingdom constructed through the sand. The princess would be arriving shortly, and Amaya did not want her cousin playing the fool any longer.

“Yes, Crimson General,” Aegis responded. Amaya noted the spark in his eyes returning.

“This is very important. It won’t look good for your thoughts to wander at such an important time.”

“Yesterday I met the Star God.”

Amaya quickly turned from glancing down at the sand-covered magical device to her cousin.

“You what?” Amaya asked looking over at her cousin in worry.

“Yes, they came as I was breaking through. I don’t know if it was an illusion or reality but… they want me to convert the 20 million citizens of the Last Kingdom into followers under the Church of the Star.”

Amaya just stared at her cousin hoping he would say this was some elaborate joke he was playing on her just as he did when they were children. Aegis looked from the sand-covered table to his cousin.

“I know how to beat the Nox as well. At least I think so.”

“Another bomb dropped on me so early in the morning? Aegis with the princess arriving so soon why did you not tell me this over breakfast?”

Amaya sent a harsh glare to her cousin her plans for the Last Kingdom changing as she spoke knowing there was only one way Aegis had beat whatever the Nox attempted. The conversation about the Star God is put to the side for now.

“Are you willing to gift your magic to others? Almost all our troops have taken the oath. Will you be there for the twenty million souls to pledge as well? No Geas can hold that many. What will you do?”

“Announcing Princess Moriah. Announcing Princess Karla.”

Amaya gave out a soft groan before her demeanor returned. The Crimson General that was beginning to take shape became present. She shot Aegis a glare whose gaze was once again back on the sands forming the Last Kingdom.

“You’ve broken through. Congratulations,” Moriah’s voice rang out as she took her seat. Her gaze focused on Aegis. “Allow me to help you get used to your new level of strength.”

“Thank you for the offer, Princess Moriah but I believe my cousin will suffice.”

Whatever was troubling her cousin’s mind was gone as he focused on the princesses. His gaze held Karla in regard for a few moments and the Warrior Princess chose that moment to speak.

“Congratulations on your breakthrough. Your method of cultivation is like our own but not quite the same.”

“Thank you, Princess Karla.”

“We’re all amongst equals here. Let us do away with titles.”

“You’re right Moriah. Let’s,” Amaya spoke using this small break in the developing conversation to take over.

“We’re gathered today to discuss the Last Kingdom becoming a vassal nation underneath the Kan family and our dukedom.”

Amaya noted the way Karla’s eyes harden as they got down to business. She waved her hand and Sofia amongst other servants began to serve them refreshments. After they all took a sip of the refreshments Amaya laid out her three-part rules. The negotiations as well as everything they were to do with the inhabitants of the planet was to be left up for the cousins to decide, and Amaya had spent many nights drafting terms that would not kill the people of the Last Kingdom and could benefit both parties.

“The Last Kingdom and those of the continent itself can come under the banner of the Kan Dukedom provided they follow these three main conditions. One any new leader of the Last Kingdom whether it be through elected council or bloodline must also receive the acknowledgment and the blessing of the current Lord of the Wall or their representative. This is bonded to the highest leadership of the Last Kingdom.”

Amaya noted how Karla’s eyes flicked to Aegis who was now paying attention.

“Two, the Kan Dukedom will take 35% of all gross income of the Last Kingdom. These terms are not negotiable for a period of 50 years but maybe contested afterward.”

Amaya noted the way Karla did not seem to bother by the terms even agreeable to them as she nodded her head in understanding.

“Three, the Kan Dukedom will provide sufficient force in the event of an invasion by another realm in the form of either man or objects and weapons of equal value. However, for a period of 10 years, the World of Prima must provide 45% of their gross income in the case of the Kan stepping out to help. This is non-negotiable but in the event of another realm invading after we secure the safety of this world the Last Kingdom is allowed to use whatever means necessary to obstruct and repel the aggressors until the forces of the Kan Dukedom respond.”

It was here that the Warrior Princess spoke up.

“What of the magic the Young Lord used to repel the soul attack of the Nox. Is it means available to my people?”

Her eyes were solely focused on Aegis and in turn, he gazed at her. Amaya’s eyes flicked to Moriah who gazed in interest. Her Watchers were not able to glean any information even if some of their soldiers were more than willing to aid the Empire.

Aegis star-lit eyes then turned her direction and she held his considering gaze. She nodded and let her intentions known through her golden irises. No matter his decision or path the Crimson General would support. Clearing all obstacles in his way.

Aegis smiled as her intentions came through.

“Yes. It is high time for my magic to be released into the world. Any, no matter their age group, will be able to use it.”

“What is this magic of yours?”

The question came from Moriah who was sitting up and staring intensely at Aegis her gaze flicking towards Amaya every few moments.

Her cousin smiled.

“Why don’t I demonstrate?”

*

I looked at the monolith constructed by my first two hired blacksmiths. Before we arrived deep at the bowels of the HH. Heartfelt. Moriah summoned Alexa who arrived shortly. The group had waited in silence since. The massive ship is now stationed outside and next to the city. The ship was covered in dirt and soon fresh grass would grow on top. My solution to the eventual rise in population as citizens of the Last Kingdom migrated and the commoners and skilled artisans, I brought along having children. I didn’t want anyone messing with the ship

Once Alexa joined us, I made my way into the ship followed by the rest of the party. Amaya kept in step with me, and I was glad to have her support even if I didn’t tell her as much as I should.

As we arrived in front of the monolith covered in runic symbols, I began to recognize a few symbols that were written upon my soul itself. The air was still and grew quiet. The party basking in the aura let off by the only active monolith.

“Place your hands upon it and let your life be changed forever. You have my word that this is no demonic art that will bind you to me or anything dark in the same manner. This is a new path to power. One that I haven’t explored the limits of myself.”

My starlit eyes met Moriah’s who gazed back slightly wary but intrigued as she was finally getting to the bottom of what her spies had so desperately tried to find out. Then those eyes turned to Karla who was solemnly facing the runic-covered monolith as if it was her destruction, or perhaps the salvation her people needed.

She stepped up first and her small hand reached out gently touching the glowing monolith. Then her life changed forever. I could see how the essence in the air rushed to her. As it had done every single time someone new began to become inducted into the system. This time however I had an inkling as to what was going on. That essence was most likely carving symbols into her very soul. Symbols that bound her to a strange entity that I had little understanding of.

I could see the moment her eyes lit up in excitement as so many had already when choosing their first aspect. The common ones were always available. The Aspect: Strength Speed, Vitality but for her, I knew there would be something more something that would give her the edge she needed to defeat an opponent she had known all her life.

This was the third time someone outside of my direct control would be allowed to have an aspect. The first was Ryna who even now requested a meeting with me that I was debating on. The second was present. Amaya gazed at me, and I nodded back. She was the one who understood as much as me what was at state. I was unleashing the power to the population. The power that I barely understood and if I had been taught anything. It was how the nobles of the Empire had held onto their power for so long. Not showing the true cultivation path to those outside of their control. Even now my troops had no idea they could follow two paths. Only believing I was a gifted genius and someone who held the power of a bloodline.

The third, stepped away and for the first time since I met this princess since I met Karla, I could see a new emotion radiating through her being. I could see hope.

*

Alexa could scarcely believe her ears once a Junior Watcher came running in delivering the news. The news that Aegis Kan was ready to reveal what he was hiding. Yet as Alexa rushed to meet the party outside of the city one thought kept going through her mind. One that she decided to voice after seeing the essence do something to Princess Karla.

“Why now?

The Young Lord frowned, and Alexa remembered her station. Quickly opening her mouth to apologize.

“Because it was necessary. Because I needed to do so for myself. Men of Kan do not fear. So, I jumped. Men of Kan do not hesitate. So, I jumped.”

He turned and fully looked at her.

“Because. Men of Kan cannot die.”

His gaze turned to her liege as he said the last words and she noticed how close Princess Moriah was to the strange object.

“Princess allow me to…,” but before Alexa could finish, she watched as the princess’s hand whipped out lightning-fast and touched the monolith. A glance shot to Princess Karla who stood staring off in amazement as if she was reading unseen words.

The same process that overtook Princess Karla occurred to Princess Moriah and Alexa instantly flashed a dagger and was at Aegis’s throat.

“Free the Princess of whatever this thing is.”

He raised his hands slowly and Alexa’s eyes widen at the fireball that appeared at her head. Her gaze turned to Amaya who hadn’t even chanted while forming the spell construct. The ball radiated power and such an explosion would hurt all the participants in here.

“It would be wise to let go of my cousin. The Princess is in no danger as he’s already given his word. For a commoner to question the word of a soon-to-be duke? Even being a Watcher will not save you if a drop of Kan blood is spilled today.”

Alexa hesitated only for a moment but let go of the soon-to-be duke. On the inside, she was surprised at the reaction time of his cousin and how quickly a spell was formed but what also surprised her was the long knife that appeared in the Young Lords hand and quickly disappeared just as Moriah came out of her trance.

“Touch the monolith Alexa and tell me what power you receive.”

“My Lady I believe we should immediately confiscate this device in the name of the Empire and hand-deliver it to M-TRI for further study. Or at the very least have Lady Mariam study it as its effects are unknown. The last time something was taken from a Forbidden Zone-.”

“Touch the damn monolith. It is no demonic power or something of the dark arts. Or any magic is forbidden to the Empire. It is something new that I’ve never seen before. Something interesting. A system? A system of magic. Mariam will check it out soon. Where did you get your hands on something like this?”

The last question was directed to Aegis and Alexa also listened in interest. She was against touching and interfering with unknown magic as she was taught how dangerous such things could be. Yet the eyes of Moriah told her she had little choice in the matter, and she sighed before reaching out to touch the monolith. The conversation between her Lady and the Young Lord completely removed from her awareness the moment she reached out.

Alexa felt the essence rush into her body then move deeper. It passed through her until it reached something that Alexa intuitively knew was her soul. Yet Alexa did not know what it did there yet in a moment a screen appeared in the common tongue in front of her eyes

Welcome!

Congratulations on becoming a user of the System! A new path of power is available to the myriad races of the universe. Your qualities are being analyzed as you read, and in a moment two aspects spaces shall be available to you allowing you to choose any aspect that you qualify for and meet the requirements. Congratulations and may your potential continue to grow and push you beyond your mortal limits.

Alexa looked at the glowing box in front of her vision before waving her hands in front of her eyes and pinching her left thigh. The pain was real so whatever was going on was also real. The moment she finished reading an acknowledged the message. A few new glowing boxes appeared.

Aspect: Strength (Common)

Requirements: Aspect space.

Effect: Doubles current body strength, increases mental resistance, increases endurance.

Unlocks perk: Limit Breaker (Common).

You meet the requirements of this aspect. Equip?

Aspect: Speed (Common)

Requirements: Aspect space.

Effect: Doubles current body speed, increases mental resistance, increase endurance.

Unlocks perk: Faster, Better (Rare).

You meet the requirements of this aspect. Equip?

Aspect: The Fighter (Uncommon)

Requirements: Aspect space, higher intelligence.

Effect: Gain a basic understanding of all weapon types including ranged, increase mental resistance, increased endurance.

Unlocks perk: Hand Combat Mastery (Rare).

You meet the requirements of this aspect. Equip?

Aspect: Vitality (Uncommon)

Requirements: Aspect space, strong vitality.

Effect: Triples the amount of vitality your body has, increases mental resistance, a major increase in endurance.

Unlocks perk: Heal (Rare).

You meet the requirements of this aspect. Equip?

Aspect: Spy

(Rare).

Requirements: Aspect space, espionage training.

Effect: Generate a field of inattentiveness around you allowing your face to be forgotten by all who may have seen it. Become a master of disguise using the objects within your surroundings when on a mission.

Unlocks perk: Facial Reconstruction

You meet the requirements of this aspect. Equip?

Aspect: Watcher

(Rare).

Requirements: Aspect space, espionage training, member of the recognized group of spies and assassins known as Watchers.

Effect: Enhance all stats which include but is not limited to users’ vitality, physical strength, and mental endurance. As a Watcher, you can blend into any area even if one of your race does not belong.

Unlocks perk: Calm State

You meet the requirements of this aspect. Equip?

Through all this only one question was at the forefront of Alexa’s mind. How and what did this magic know about the Watchers.