Disclaimer: I don't own any IPs that might appear in the story
A Potential Release
A Council of Thirteen universe story
One shot
Beta:
"It certainly has been peaceful since the end of our conflict with the Sapphic Circle," the Twelfth Lord mused to himself as he enjoyed some of the Volcanica African Kenya Coffee that Yuki and her wife had gifted him during their visit to his abode during their honeymoon from his favourite spot at the top of his tower. "There has been nothing that has truly needed my attention at all for years."
Which whilst something he was grateful for, was also a state of affairs that had him feeling anxious. In the millenia that he'd lived, hard won experience had taught him that there was always some storm or other brewing somewhere. Any peace that he might enjoy were merely intermissions between crises.
Not that he wouldn't treasure the idyll, mind you. He wouldn't be sitting atop his tower drinking fine coffee and savouring the fantastic view of Sanctuary it offered if he didn't think there was merit in making the most of it, but at the same time he knew not to let the peace lull him into a false sense of security. As such, even as he relaxed, he kept his senses sharp to anything that might threaten their world through his connection to the magic of the Compact of the Thirteen and the universal magical weave.
It was this vigilance that allowed him to sense the subtle shifting in both that took place as what should've been impossible happened. As a new connection to the very core magic of the Compact of the Thirteen and through it the very fabric of their world was forged. One that whilst still tentative and fragile was every bit as deep as his own and which radiated potential.
"I-Impossible," the ancient Lord gasped and he turned North towards the frozen wall of ice that marked Sanctuary's boundary and to the Antarctic mountains beyond.
In the depths of one of said mountains that made up the range that surrounded the valley that contained Sanctuary, Dominique Tredecim channeled the magic of the various wards and protections that protected her family and other loved ones into a single point using the same techniques she'd used to create Legion.
Having seen the success she'd achieved in creating her son, she'd been inspired to duplicate the feat and forging a being to govern the various wards and protections used to keep everyone safe so as to alleviate some of the trouble required to maintain and create them.
To that end, she'd prepared a special chamber underground, carved a ritual circle into its rocky floor and was in the process of directing the various strands of magic of the myriad wards together. A feat manifested before her in the form of dozens upon dozens of streams of magical energy in a kaleidoscope of different colours that were flowing into the magic circle and tying themselves together.
"Synthesis is at 75%." Legion, who was standing behind her, informed her from his avatar for the day. An intimidating machine with a vaguely insectoid head and a lanky humanoid frame. It was, Dom knew, a body that was quite the deadly combatant should the need arise. His choice to use it today as he supported her in her endeavour spoke of how cautious he was being. He wanted to be able to fight if whatever the ritual created proved to be hostile.
Though I'm hoping that his worries are unfounded.
"Synthesis is at 80%." Legion announced, pulling Dom from her thoughts and her focus snapped back to the centre of the ritual circle wherein the rainbow colored strands of magic had finished tying themselves into a knot. The knot didn't stay that way for long though, instead it slowly began to morph into a shape that resembled nothing more than a fetus. One which went through the development process in fast forward, such that in just a few minutes with a massive burst of power and brilliant white light, it had transformed into a translucent rainbow colored spirit with crimson eyes, long hair and dressed in a collared, long-sleeved shirt with matching scarf, a long skirt and boots.
Standing at the middle of the circle, the little girl blinked her eyes and tilted her head to the side in adorable confusion.
"Are you my Mummy?" The spirit asked, in an absolutely winsome voice.
"Yes, I am Nexus-chan." Dom said, naming and opening her arms invitingly for her new daughter.
Nexus-chan smiled at the confirmation before she once more shifted to confusion as she saw Dom's open arms.
"She wants to hug you, sister." Legion explained on Dom's behalf.
"Oh!" Nexus-chan said before running into Dom's arms and wrapping her little arms around her neck even as the Thirteenth Lord happily hugged her tight.
"Welcome to the family, Nexus-chan." Dom said as she kissed her newest child's forehead.
The same day that Nexus had been born, Mummy had organised a whole party to welcome her. Thankfully it was a small one that only included Felicia-mama, Shirayuki-kaasan and her mothers' biological daughters. Nexus was rattled enough meeting so much new family at once. She didn't think she could handle meeting the whole family!
"Are you okay, Nexus-chan?" Fleda-nee asked, as she knelt in front of her as Nexus-chan snuggled shyly into Shirayuki-kaasan's side on the couch in the private family living room in their home in Sanctuary's Governor's Palace after everyone had introduced themselves. "You look a little overwhelmed."
"I am a little." Nexus-chan confessed. "I'll need to get used to it. We have a big family."
"That's true," Shirayuki-kaasan said even as she tightened the one-armed hug she had wrapped around Nexus, not at all fazed by the fact that Nexus' spectral nature meant it was probably not too much different from hugging empty space. "But if it's too much for you, we can tone it down."
"Yeah," Fleda-nee agreed as she sat down on the carpet. "I think we should limit the number of people during the next round of introductions. You're basically a newborn, Nexus-chan, we don't want to overload you."
"That's very true." Felicia-mama said as she sat down on Nexus' other side and passed a drink over to Kaasan and Fleda-nee before wrapping one arm around Nexus too, just as unfazed by her nature as Kaasan was. "Maybe keep it to one or two next time? Would that be okay with you, Nexus-chan?"
"Umm… I think so." Nexus said after a moment of consideration.
"Then that's what we'll do." Dom-mummy said as she and Legion-nii, or more accurately his android avatar, walked over. "Legion, make a note of it for when we arrange for the rest of the family to visit to introduce themselves to Nexus-chan."
"Already done, Mother." Legion-nii said.
He's so efficient. Nexus could help but think, looking at her brother with awe and a fierce desire to follow his example.
That did not however mean she'd forgotten her manners though. Mummy had made it a point to program them into her when she'd been created, so as a good girl it was only right she followed them.
"Thank you, Mummy."
Mummy smiled and leaned down to kiss Nexus on her forehead before taking a seat beside Shirayuki-kaasan. It made their couch a little cramped, but no one on it was inclined to move.
"Legion, sit down." Felicia-mama said chidingly, shooting him a firm look as he continued to remain standing.
"I am fine standing," Legion-nii insisted.
"Legion, sit down." Mummy ordered.
"Yes, Mother." Legion said with a sigh as he sank into an armchair, causing Nexus to giggle.
"Hey, Mum, where's Chihiro and Alyssa? They were here a minute ago." Fleda-nee asked, surveying the room and finding them missing. Nexus had detected them leaving the room earlier based on the movement of the wards around them that she governed. She, of course, didn't control all of them. Giving control of all of them to someone else, even family, would be reckless and dangerous, but she was linked to some of them at least. Enough to keep track of everyone in their family and the places they lived.
"I think they went to the kitchens." Nexus informed them, determining her sisters' location via their wards. "They're on the way back now."
"Yes, they are." Mummy confirmed. "They are preparing a little surprise for you, Nexus-chan."
"A surprise?" Nexus asked, blinking in surprise. "For me?"
"Yup." Kaasan said, patting her head. "To welcome you to the family."
"They didn't need to."
"We want to." Alyssa-nee said as she shouldered the doors to the room open for Chihiro-nee who walked in carrying a massive cake whilst she herself carried a set of plates and cutlery.
"You're our little sister," Chihiro said, offering her a smile as she put the cake onto the coffee table at the center of the room. "Let us big sisters spoil you a little."
"They get that from you, Dom." Felicia-mama said with a chuckle before she stood up and offered Nexus a hand as Alyssa-nee began distributing the cutlery with Fleda-nee jumping up to help. "Come on, let's enjoy your cake."
Nexus shot Kaasan and Mummy a questioning look and received encouraging nods from both of them.
"Okay," Nexus said shyly as she put her hand into Felicia-mama's waiting one and allowed her to pull her off the couch and towards the coffee table.
They had just reached the table and Nexus was admiring the delicious looking cake when suddenly Alyssa-nee clapped her hands and everyone turned towards her.
"Okay, like we all agreed in three." Alyssa-nee said as she began counting down to something.
"Two." Alyssa-nee continued as everyone stood up and crowded around Nexus. "One."
"Welcome to the family, Nexus-chan!" Her whole family shouted in joyous welcome, bringing happy tears to the newborn spirit's eyes.
Making her way back to the master suite that she shared with her wives, Dom sported a smile at having finished making sure that her biological daughters had retired for the night, or at least retreated to their rooms. She had no illusions that the three were going to sleep anytime soon. As young women in their late teens and early twenties, they were a little too old for her to impose bedtimes on them anyways so she didn't begrudge them that. But she was still their mother no matter how old they were and so she worried about them and was relieved that for tonight at least, none of them had plans that would take them outside the safety of the Governor's Palace.
You are a hopeless worrywart, you know that? Felicia chided her teasingly through their bond from where she was keeping Nexus company in their suite, the little girl having asked to spend the night with them. Those three rascals can take care of themselves. They might not be Lords of the Thirteen like Legion and Yuki, but they're capable mages in their own right.
Plus it's common knowledge that you're their mother. Shirayuki added. I doubt anyone would dare to do anything to them. No one wants to earn a visit from the Assassin Lord.
Or most of, if not the entire rest of, the Council of Thirteen. Felicia continued with a chuckle. They're family to half of it.
Never underestimate stupid. Dom shot back with a giggle.
And you think anyone stupid enough to actually attempt to hurt our girls would be a threat to them? Felicia sent back with a snort.
Felicia's right, Shirayuki sent with a mental nod. Besides, Nexus-chan wouldn't let anything happen to her Nee-chans, right?
The yuki-onna must've spoken that question out loud to their newest daughter as well as sending it over their bond, for almost as soon as she finished speaking, said spirit replied enthusiastically.
Never! Nexus whispered into Dom's ears through her link to her wards. I'll never let anyone hurt my family!
"I believe you, Nexus-chan," Dom told her little girl, sporting a proud grin.
Last than a day old and already so fiercely protective of her family. Truly she was a daughter after her own heart.
Oh! Mummy, someone's astral projecting into the Palace. Nexus informed her suddenly. I think it's the-
"Twelfth," Dom said, barely stifling a gasp as she came to an abrupt stop at the sight of her fellow Lord unexpectedly manifesting one of his projections next to her. She recovered her poise quickly though. "Good evening. Might I know what brings you here? Especially at this hour?"
"Good evening, Dom." The Twelfth said with an apologetic bow. "I realise that it is late. However, I have a few things I would like to discuss with you."
Whatever it is, it has to be important if he couldn't wait until morning. Dom concluded with a frown as she tried in vain to figure out what it could be. There weren't any pressing matters that she was aware of that would warrant the Twelfth's attention, much less such urgency from him. So what could this be about?
"I understand," Dom said with a firm nod. "Shall we discuss it in my study?"
"There is no need," the Twelfth said with a shake of his head. "I will not take too much of your time. I merely wish to check with you if you have succeeded in creating a spirit to govern your wards as you mentioned you would?"
"Yes, I did." Dom said, frowning in confusion and a growing sense of worry at the direction the Twelfth was taking the conversation. "Nexus-chan was born earlier today. Wha-"
"Can I meet the child?"
Dom's first instinct was to refuse. The Twelfth was being incredibly mysterious and her motherly instincts were triggered, worried about what the ancient wanted with her little girl. But her duty as a Lord of the Thirteen prevented her from immediately dismissing his request out of hand. Surely her fellow Lord had a good reason why he wanted to meet Nexus. The question was what that reason was…
Let him. Felicia urged. Meet Nexus, I mean. It's not like he wouldn't have in short order anyways.
Yes, we were planning to introduce them to each other tomorrow anyway. Shirayuki added.
Alright. Dom agreed. But be on guard nonetheless.
Both her wives sent her bursts of exasperation at her paranoia and overprotectiveness but nevertheless accompanied them with their wordless acquiesce.
Satisfied, Dom returned her attention to her colleague.
"Follow me," she informed the Twelfth as she continued walking to the master suite. "Nexus is sleeping with us tonight."
"She needs to sleep?" The Twelfth asked, sounding genuinely curious.
"Strictly speaking? No." Dom said with a shake of her head. "But when I moulded her essence, I tried to make her as human as possible, so she'll try to at least imitate human behaviour."
The Twelfth nodded in understanding. "I take it that this does not affect her ability to carry out the task for which she was created?"
"Once I'd made the decision to create her, that was frankly a secondary concern." Dom told him, shooting him an annoyed look. "But yes, she has full mastery over the wards for which she is linked to."
"And other wards? Or magic?"
"We haven't tested it. Today's only her first day alive. But she should be able to link to other wards too, either to suborn enemy ones or to take control of new ones we make." Dom replied. "As for other forms of magic, again we haven't tested it, but she should be able to duplicate any effect of the wards she's linked to."
"Considering the sheer variety of those, her magic will be diverse indeed." The Twelfth said, sounding impressed.
"It should." Dom agreed as they reached the doors to the master suite and they swung open ahead of them.
"Hello, Twelfth-sama." Nexus said, offering the ancient a curtsy. One she pulled off admirably despite being dressed in a nightgown. "It's nice to meet you."
"Good evening, Twelfth." "Hello." Felicia and Shirayuki offered as well, but Twelfth barely nodded in reply. His full attention instead devoted to Nexus.
"Hello to you too, little one." He said, looking the little spirit over with searching eyes. "You are a truly special child. It has been a pleasure to meet you."
Nexus looked lost for words at that and she wasn't the only. Her mothers were likewise stumped by the Twelfth's uncharacteristic behavior.
"Twelfth," Dom said, recovering first. "I must insist you tell me what is going on? What is with your fascination with Nexus?"
"I am merely in awe of what she represents, Dom. At what you've achieved." He said even as he shot the little spirit a comforting smile that only served to rattle her and send her running to hide behind Shirayuki's legs.
"What do you mean?" Dom demanded, shooting him a glare for upsetting her daughter.
"If what I spent the whole day researching is correct? She might one day be my successor." The Twelfth told her with a smile. "A potential end to my long existence."
"What?" Dom gasped out in shock.
Of all the things she'd thought the Twelfth could've said, this was not one of them. Yes, she'd created one Lord of the Thirteen already in Legion, but to create another? And a replacement of the Twelfth no less!? That was just impossible! Wasn't it?
The Twelfth was visibly amused by her shock and just patted her shoulder.
"You truly are the Mother of Lords," he said goodnaturedly as he teleported away, leaving Dom, her wives and Nexus to try to make sense of the bombshell he'd just dropped on them.
And done!
Super short, I know. But this little short is more of an introduction to Nexus, a character that will be important to the rest of the stories in the collection than anything else, so I hope you guys don't mind. It's necessary setup for things to come. What do I mean? Well, if you're interested to find out then keep reading.
Till the next chapter xαῖρε πολλά (kaíre pollá)!