The conference room dimmed to warn of the coming of the ancient, Balvendro.

Bethon presided. "We are honored to have several visiting elders and it is encouraging to see such a robust response to this common threat. I would like to invite you to join me after the meeting to discuss our future alliances. As a matter of protocol, if you are not an elder, do not speak unless called upon directly."

"What about queens?" Etaine asked sweetly, her voice lilting across the space between them.

"Do whatever you want, Etaine. I'll let Balvendro decide your place among us."

Hominids were in the minority. Only half a dozen were present besides Anakron and Cratus. Bethon and the other elders had abandoned their human interfaces.

The species were represented in their true form. There were a few other voldarkans present, though none as large and intimidating as Bethon. The arangas were well represented, headed up by Colonel Munaci.

The garwolvens and BakoNaat kept to themselves. In contrast the tamaroos moved gracefully among the elders, making introductions. They were rarely seen in Bethon's sector and had traveled the farthest to attend.

Various elders formally offered their resources to lend support, including energy, materials, or monetary assistance. None offered their services directly for combat except the tamaroos with their stealth craft.

The room went totally dark momentarily as the Ancient approached. A blinding light followed as the interdimensional being arrived. This time a full physical formation of Balvendro materialized in the center of the room.

His bearing was the very definition of an ancient god with his impressive physique and chiseled, bronze face. The gold-plated armor was ablaze with its signature flames crackling all about. Balvendro stood well over ten feet in height. The room fell silent and everyone rose to greet him when he appeared.

Balvendro swept the room and read the minds of all present. He paused, then chuckled, finally breaking out in laughter that bellowed across the room.

"It appears I missed the floor show. I would have liked to have been here a little earlier," Balvendro remarked. "I must say, Bethon, your group is the least boring in the sector.”

Bethon nodded but offered no comment.

Balvendro turned his attention to Etaine next.

"What a strange creature you are."

Etaine stepped down from her throne, came forward and curtsied low to the floor.

"Thank you, Blessed Ancient. I've done the best I can with my circumstances and hope to serve the BakoNaat in death."

"Normally I would forbid duplication of an individual, but you are distinct from Greyla and may remain. The BakoNaat have chosen well," Balvendro said, casting an eye at Bethon. He then turned to Tajlon. It was difficult to tell if it was amusement or displeasure that flickered across his brow.

"And here we have the opposite situation; a merging of two distinct individuals," Balvendro said.

"I saw no other way, Blessed Ancient," Taljon said.

"I understand why you chose to merge with Nova but question the necessity. You have a unique connection to Nova, but after this mission is complete, you must return to being a single individual," Balvendro said. "Explain your plan for dealing with the demon to the elders, Tajlon."

"He appears to be driven by his hatred and Nova is the embodiment of that hate," Tajlon said, repeating Hal's story. If Balvendro noticed the falsehood, he refrained from exposing them in front of the elders. "We plan to bait the demon and lead him into the black hole at the center of the galaxy. I feel certain the demon will attack us, assuming he has not become so disorganized that he can’t remain clearly focused. I have not learned the details of the rest of plan.”

Greyla moved forward to be recognized. Balvendro could simultaneously read the minds of everyone. The presentations were for the benefit of the elders, no more. "Yes, Greyla."

"I can use my empathic abilities to monitor the demon's stability and intent," Greyla said. "I will alert Tajlon in the event the demon catches on to our plan by sensing his emotional state. I should be able to determine if he shifts his focus from attack to evasion."

“A sound approach," Balvendro said. "Hal?”

"It’s experimental at best,” Hal said, stepping forward. “We have gathered space skulkers in energy traps that can be teleported remotely. We plan to release the skulkers simultaneously in a circular pattern around the demon. The BakoNaat believe we can best use the skulkers energy to create a field effect which we can then manipulate to condense the cloud into a more manageable plasma. In truth, we don't know who will eat who. The demon could well engulf the skulkers first."

The BakoNaat elders came forward when their role was mentioned. After Hal finished speaking, Etaine spoke for the BakoNaat. "I would like to add we are seeking a formal alliance between our sectors, which to my understanding is a first in the history of the Tor Galaxy, The BakoNaat have unique skills. I doubt the plan could succeed without our assistance."

“Excellent. This alliance is long overdue,” Balvendro bellowed.

Hal continued, "I will pilot the pod with Widhbo, Tajlon and Nova. Assuming the demon will give chase, we’ll lead him toward the black hole, without letting him catch up with us until we are ready to spring the final trap."

"There's no reason for you to take that risk Hal. You know I can pilot the pod as well as you," Tajlon spoke up. "You can pick us up afterward."

"I knew you were going to say that," Hal said shaking his head.

"The fewer lives at stake, the better," Balvendro said. "Tajlon will pilot the pod. It will be an opportunity to prove his worthiness as a godling before all the elders. What is the escape plan, Hal?"

"Timing will be critical. That's where Widhbo comes in," Hal said. "I am working on adapting our pod with a giant trap with a large capacity energy attractor. We're hoping the demon won't notice our proximity to the black hole."

"May I elaborate?" Widhbo asked. He had been fidgeting constantly in his eagerness to speak and constantly fiddling with the zippers of his jacket.

"By all means, speak and be still." Balvendro said.

"In the final moments as the devourer approaches our pod, I will jump into a small magiton body pulling Tajlon and Nova in with me. Our smaller size will minimize the tidal forces from the black hole. I will trigger the attractor on the trap in the pod, pulling the demon inside of it. I then teleport the magiton body outside the of pod shell where I can channel a large energy stream at the demon, pod and all. I hope to propel him past the event horizon while pushing us away. Finally, we are picked up, apparently by Hal, in a separate rescue pod."

"Plausible, but risky," Balvendro mused. "And you are responsible for this chimera of man and leopard, are you not?" The ancient separated the leopard from Tajlon, causing Nova to appear next to him. Balvendro's voice boomed out in indignation, "My godling is not to be the subject of random experimentation."

"I permitted it, Blessed One," Anakron said. "The responsibility is mine alone."

Balvendro nodded. "But you could not have performed such a feat without the alien's assistance." He looked to Widhbo

"I admit I merged them when it was requested of me," Widhbo said. "I saw no risk to Tajlon. I myself have merged with the leopard previously and as you can see, I am perfectly well. I survived with all my sensibilities." Widhbo flapped his arms a couple of time and adjusted his jacket.

"You seem to have some trouble getting the bird out of your system, however," Balvendro said. "And even though it put him in no danger, I did not expect to find Tajlon caught up in a brawl with a drunken garwolven."

"It won't happen again, Blessed One." Tajlon said. "Please don't blame Nova for what happened. He was simply defending me."

"Yes, don't blame Nova,' Widhbo said. "He is a fine specimen, very protective. You might have have overlooked the fact he saved baby Tajlon's life when he was hardly more than a chubby cub himself."

""I don't overlook anything." Balvendro's said, his voice boomed across the room and echoed off the walls. "You would do well to remember this."

"Of course, many pardons," Widhbo said. "I suppose I shouldn't mention it, but the risk of fighting a garwolven is far less than facing the devourer."

"It is a far more noble cause, which justifies the risk," Balvendro said. 'In recognition of the courage you have all demonstrated and the great risk involved in this mission, I will grant you a blessing of protection. The Beldorians will come forward," Balvendro commanded.

"Am I included?" Etaine asked.

"What do you think?" Balevendro asked her in return.

"I'm no longer Beldorian. I'm BakoNaat now," Etaine replied. "But it makes me sad to not receive your blessing."

"I concur," Balevendro agreed. "The BakoNaat have long suffered from lack of governance. From this day forward you shall be officially recognized as their queen. You may remain on your throne and that shall be my blessing for you this day."

Etaine was gratified and Balvendro motioned for the others to come forth. Hal, Tajlon, Nova, Greyla, and Widhbo all gathered before him.

There was some whispers among the elders who grew restless in anticipation of bearing witness to such a rare event, Balvendro raised both arms. Blasts of fire shot out of his fingertips. Firebolts entered the bodies of Etaine and the Sora crew, engulfing them in golden flames which did not burn.

A wave of ecstasy passed through each of them, terrifying in its sheer force. They barely remained conscious as they were infused with overwhelming divine power. Fears evaporated, replaced by a supernal calmness as deep as the Sora Seas of Beldora.

Nova let out a stunned ‘meow’ before Balvendro caused him to merge with Tajlon again.

Widhbo was rendered oddly still by the experience.

"We are grateful for your blessing," Tajlon said when he had sufficiently recovered enough to speak.

Balvendro concluded. "I have decided not to interfere further at this time. I wish you well." He was gone in flash of light, as quickly as he had appeared.

"That was quite a rush.," Hal said weakly. Greyla merely nodded in agreement,

Etaine sat on her throne, her eyes closed and a look of pure bliss on her face which caused a shudder to pass through Bethon, whose gaze constantly drifted her way.

“If you have no further business, Admiral, we’ll be leaving,” Anakron said. After a simple nod from Bethon, he wasted no time ushering his subjects, Etaine excepted, from the room.

Widhbo followed saying, "His blessing nearly kills you; I certainly wouldn't want to get a curse from that fellow."