`A/N: It's been a while, eh? Sorry for being late, but I recently had to rewrite my whole plan for this story out, so I figured quality over quantity might be appreciated. Now enjoy the new chapter!
**********
Back on Deviluke,
Before
Gid Lucion Deviluke sits on his throne, alone, his wife having left during his recuperation to return to her work to smooth over the recent tension between Gaama and the remainder of the universe, hoping to avoid igniting any of the smoldering embers of war that Lacospo's boasting could have stirred up. He had seen Zastin's slow recovery before overseeing the return of his daughters to Earth, with Rito and their friends in tow. Unfortunately after the first two days of recuperation, dealing with political idiots who had very little understanding of politics or the fact he could rip various organs from their body with one hand, he was in a terrible mood when he received a call from a very old, very unfriendly rival he once had before becoming King of the goddamn universe.
Retreating into his personal study and shutting out the whining mass of foreigners and diplomats 'threatening' withdrawal of their support for rejecting any more marriage applicants, after his daughter had affirmed her choice, Gid found himself sitting before a viewing screen that held the smug face of a youthful looking bast*rd that he knew to be a little bit older than himself. "What do you want, Flamberg?" the irate King asks the Flamian, who appeared to be in some kind of space ship and not on his home planet Igneus, "Did you call just to waste more of my precious oxygen, you hot-headed cradle-robber?" The slightest twitching in his face allowed Gid the satisfaction of a smirk, knowing he had gotten to the coal-hearted youth who looked half his age.
"Funny, Gid, but I thought I let you know I was leaving Earth after helping my cousin out of a bit of a jam, and I picked up some intersting chatter from the GPD bands on my way out of customs," The blonde haired, spectacled goth stated, sighing as he took of his glasses to wipe them clear of soot, "The silverfish where skittish, I overheard someone mention a rumor that some terrorist cell was putting Earth in it's cross-hairs." The frown returned to Gid's face, as he realized that whatever the claims were, it was must have been serious if the pretty-boy was calling to inform him after years of happy silence between them. "There part of my old crew, you know the ones I turned against when it turned out they were turning children into weapons?" Those words chilled even Gid's blood, as he remembers the waning years and the fallout of ending the Galactic War, "It seems one of Eden's old backers finally surfaced after all these years, once word spread that the Doctor was broken out of your maximum security prison, and it seems like he's made quite a name for himself as the 'Boss' of some small-time science-based terror organization named..."
"Solgam," Gid mutters under his breath, thinking back to a few days ago when he learned that the Grey Cells were broken into, "Unless your reports of them being small-time is wrong, they seemed to have cleaned up there act enough to recruit suicidal anarchists and well-trained military strategists into their ranks now, if it was Solgam who broke out the Doctor..." He snarls and whips his tail in clear agitation, while Charden Flamberg watched stone-faced all the while. The Devilukean emperor then looks back into the video screen, and stares hard at the Flamian. "Did you catch any hint of why they're targeting Earth, or what the silverfish think they're after on that planet?" Charden smiled slightly, before hitting some keys off screen and opening a picture onto his own. "Sh*t!" Gid snarls, before angrily tossing himself away from the chair and destroying it in the raw show of strength, cracking it from the grip he had given off as he hurriedly left the room to talk to Zastin.
"Send my greetings and declarations of love to the missus!" Charden called out, smirking as he prepared to end the call, "I didn't even get to tell you who the boss even is, idiot..." Charden sighs as he ends the communication, the screen blacking out to be replaced with the fizzling static that was the cosmic background radiation.
OoOoOoOoO
The Lunatique
Halfway to Earth
"Mizzz, it zzzeemzz we are being contacted on private band by the Devilukean King!" the Lunatique's artificial intelligence spoke up in the middle of the sleep cycle, popping onto the screen inside its mistresses room, "Zzzhall I put it through?" A mumble here, a slurred word here, and the artificial intelligence regulated its avatar to the main cockpit of the vessel, to await the arrival of its mistress. The blonde haired woman had just been woken from her sleep by the look of the black, shimmering nightdress upon her form, slightly stumbling into the cockpit followed by a sleepy-eyed Kuro and barely conscious Mea.
"Put it through, you bucket of bolts," Kuro absent mindedly insults the computer, "Whatever it is is obviously important enough to call us for..."
*Zzzap*
"Yowch!" Kuro cried out, as the cackling grin of the skeletal A.I. powers down the internal weapons array, the black-haired hero steaming as he stared down the incorrigible machine.
Yami hide the snicker with her hand, before quickly assuming appropriate attire and facing the screen. Soon the form of the silver-haired, currently disabled, knight of Deviluke appears on screen with a sullen look upon him. "Golden Darkness, Red-Headed Mea, and Black Cat, I am afraid I must interrupt your return journey home to Earth, and request you chart course for return to Deviluke post haste," Zastin semi-orders with his stern voice, "Urgent matters have come up that require a face-to-face explanation, but King Gid of Deviluke has informed me he is utilizing the personal contract we drafted up to hire your services, and all will be explained upon your arrival; Zastin out." At that the connection cut before they could argue, or get a word in edgewise, but it was clear to all three of the former assassin's that the clipped tone and urgency in his voice was genuine.
"I'm guwin back ta' bed-" Mea half mumbles, her loose, red hair cascading freely over the pair of puppy pajamas with designs that suspiciously look like Maron, as she yawns and heads back to the crew quarters of the ship.
Awake and both alert, Kuro turns to Yami with a knowing gaze. "There's only one reason Zastin would have called us personally back to Deviluke, as bad a condition as he was when we left," the golden eyed boy states, looking out of the main window to the swirl of stars, as the Lunatique slows to a crawl to readjust its course before entering high speeds once more, "The only reason they'd be calling us is for our skills, this isn't going to be something we can take lightly if you had any plans of going home soon, we might even have to get our hands dirty if the boss requests it..." Yami turns to him with sharp eyes and what to an normal person looks like an emotionless mask.
"Better than anyone else, we both know how much our experiences have changed us for the better," Yami states clipped, turning to face the newly streaking stars as a warp gate is opened, its destination plotted for Deviluke, "We've both learned how to do our jobs without spilling blood, and THAT is precisely why King Gid is calling us in; if he wanted blood spilt, he would have done it himself." Space folds before them, warping space into a tesseract and folding them inside it before rupturing space/time and propelling them to their destination. "Since he's become king, Gid has learned to play by the rules instead of making them his playthings," Yami states coldly but truthfully, "He has the power to rip planets to pieces, but lacks the finesse or training to hold back, that was why he hired us; that was why we accepted the contract for exclusivity." Kuro falls into the secondary chair, spinning it around as he lets out a tired breath.
"He keeps us in check, accountable under Devilukean Law and his power, and we help him become less regarded as a bloody King, is that it?" Kuro asks rhetorically, before huffing, "Feels like the Numbers all over again..." The frown on his face wouldn't leave him, as memories of another life surfaced again in his head, while he slowly closed his eyes.
oooo
"Hey there, silly kitty!" she had introduced herself to him on the day they met.
"You want my milk?" He had asked before she stole it out of his hands.
"Saya? NOoooo!" Were his last words to her.
"**** *** ** Kuro!" Were her last words him.
"Hello, again, Kuro..." The voice of the devil said, glasses reflecting his own terrified face back.
"Say goodbye"
oooo
Upon arrival at Deviluke, some two days later, the Lunatique's occupants were ushered down the halls and corridors, until they were left before the magnificent doors that led to the private hall where the King took audience with those he asked for. "Bit of a showoff, isn't he?" Kuro states, staring at the massive, engraved wood doors, stone walls clothed with ancient murals and silken rugs telling stories within their weaves, of Deviluke's fierce past, of its history and legends. Yami ribbed him in the elbows, while Mea snickered watching, before a the clearing of a throat from behind them alerted to the fact they were not alone before the door.
Turning to face their fourth companion, they find the dressed down form of an unexpected ally before them. "I am glad to see you are all here, it is unfortunate that Nemesis returned to Earth to accompany Rito and Princess' Lala, Nana, and Momo, but a suitable replacement has been found in the meantime," the silver haired general states, as he limps up the steps and raps on the solid doors, "She awaits inside having already been debriefed of the situation, now we will consult with all of you acquired for this mission." Yami takes the time to impartially observe the Devilukean warrior, noticing the sweat on his brown from the obvious strain he was putting on his body, but also observing the simple yet eloquently designed tunic and pants he was dressed in, the mechanical cast surrounding and no doubt keeping the injured tail set and keep it mending. Finally her eyes landed on the long, thin, metallic cane that held a large and heavy handle of some form of wood she did not recognize, though the same could be said of the black material that coated the item from three quarters of the way downwards to its tip. "Please, do not dally Godlen Darkness," Zastin reaffirms, the blonde blinking in realization her eyes had strayed far longer than necessary, "All will be explained inside."
Upon first entering the throne room, Yami noticed how her comrades gathered around the middle of the room with looks of varying confusion, while Gid sat in his throne. It was there that Yami realized someone was kneeling by the foot of his throne on the floor, a thin pillow separating her from the rough stone floor. Her eyes were closed and hands were folded over her knees, head bowed, as if patiently waiting for recognition from the man by which she sat. The chains on her wrists obviously meant she had kept her promise to the Queen, though it did surprise her that the former 'Tyrant Queen' was currently being kept leashed like a dog, so near the King. Her passiveness obviously was unusual, and it was Mea who spoke up first as Yami drew closer.
"So, the former 'Talhain Assassin Queen' reduced to a heeled dog?" the red-headed teen runs her mouth towards the white-haired woman, "finally, someone recognized her position as the b*tch she is..." Sharp eyes turned upon the youngest of the living weapons, though not from the dark-skinned assassin brought low, but from the King himself.
"If you wish to test my patience, Red-Headed Mea, please do not refer to your fourth companion as a b*tch, if you hope to successfully work together to complete your assignment," Gid states, as chains rattle and fall tot eh ground, "While Azenda of Talha, is indeed a prisoner of Deviluke, she is a willing participant and necessary addition to your team, and is in fact working off her reduced sentence by volunteering to assist you all... despite your varied histories with her." Golden Darkness can tell he is looking specifically to her, as Azenda frees herself from the iron shackles.
"The accessories were more for Zastin's convenience due to his current condition, and your comfort, rather than keeping me from resisting," she states, as she rubs her raw wrists to soothe the red skin, stretching as she walks forward to join the others while Zastin give's her a look from the right of Gid, "Besides, if you knew how much of a b*tch Sephie could be, you'd realize she'd never let her man fool around with any other women, let alone allow him any form of satisfaction from foreplay." She shoots a dirty look at Mea, then glances over to meet eyes with Golden Darkness while holding a neutral gaze that shows neither contempt nor defeat, before finally settling on the opposite side of Kuro, whom she dismisses after her eyes stray to the armament ever at his side.
"Very well, now that we are all here, Zastin, can you explain to them why I summoned them all here," Gid announces to the room, eyes settling on his subordinate General. The kneeling man grasps his cane as he uses it to support his wait, eyes glancing over the assembled group as he straightens himself up.
"Less than thirty-six hours ago, word came to us from a reliable source that a remnant of the group involved with the chaos and anarchy that followed the end of the Galactic War, has resurfaced on a fairly primitive planet that as of yet appears to bear no significant influence, resources, or reason for being targeted," Zastin states as he brings forth a handheld holographic projector that suddenly displays Earth and the Moon on a galactic map, "Earth is being tareted by members of a group called Solgam, its founding member said to be one of the scientists or backers, that funded Project:Eden under the former shell corporation that was once Tigris Industries; whom we know know were part of a large whole we now refer to as 'Eden'." Yami and Kuro both narrow their eyes at this, mea seemingly staring confused, while Azenda looks disinterested at this. "As you know during the days following Rito's recovery on Deviluke, there was a break-in at the 'Grey Cells', where the most important or dangerous scientists of the universe, those misguided or requiring protection, are held for the greater good of all, and one such person of the latter variety was aided in escaping confinement," Zastin states, Yami clenching her teeth now, as if waiting to confirm her suspicions, "though he is one of the most brilliant scientists of the modern age, Kousuke Kanzaki, alias 'the Doctor', has escaped into the hands of a terrorist organization that has slowly been gaining power: Solgam."
"Solgam?" Kuro states, now confused, "You mean those mad scientist types that act more like a gang than an organization?" He crosses his arms and puts a hand to his chin in thought. "Last I heard, weren't they the weakest group, made up of all those reject lab technicians and assistants with delusions of grandeur?" he continues, "I hear they recruit a lot of thugs for muscle, and trick idealist scientists into working for them just long enough to steal all their ideas and dump them when they stop being useful..." Azenda and Mea nod, though Yami chooses to speak up.
"While that is true, they seemed to be organized last year when they targeted Mikado sensei for her technology; apparently they had tried to recruit her before," she states, looking over to Zastin and Gid, "Is it true that Solgam was originally a threat years ago?" Zastin glances out of the corner of his eyes to his King, who smirks at the question and sighs, putting a hand to his forehead.
"Ahh... that was quite some time ago, but once, and only once, Solgam had taken enough of my attention to be a threat..." Gid states, putting his hand back onto the arm of his throne and looking over to Kuro, "A long time ago, a snot nosed brat had come to me with knowledge regarding a growing alliance of forces opposing the peace talks that could be the end of the war, and unify the galaxy under the Deviluke Empire..."
******
Years Ago
A black haired teen, heavily wounded after being shot, with bandages over his head, and sling on his broken arm, having just interrupted the war council of the young, newly appointed King of Deviluke. "Please, just let explain!" he states frantically, pushing away one of the guards trying to grab his uninjured arm to forcibly drag him out, "They know about the defector, and they've already moved from the base, your information is too out of date!" One of the officers shoved the kid to the side, for disrespecting their king. A drawn back fist was cut short, when the black haired ruler spoke up.
"Stop, if the boy thinks he has information, let him speak," golden eyes blaze at the guard, who lowers his fist and instead helps the kid stand. Brushing off the arm, the nervous looking kid steps forward before the King, the other assembled leaders in the room having their eyes gazing upon the child.
He nervously swallows, staring at some of the faces in the room, before gathering the courage to speak. "No offense intended, sire, but Charden Flamberg was made shortly after he left the organization, my friends- my former colleagues died walking into a trap, going off some of the information he had provided us," the teen speaks up, eyes glancing to the floor as the memories of that day haunt him, "Everyone was sent in to apprehend one of the bosses that were said to be searching for something big, some metal that could change the universe, and they ended up dying when the bases power supply overloaded and the inertial dampeners collapsed inside the volcanic base, killing them when poisonous gases and magma flooded the underground levels and cooked them all alive." The shock and murmurs that ripple through the assembled men and woman are silenced by the young Gid.
"Are you saying all of the Numbers were wiped out, they didn't even check to see if the facts were accurate?" the King harshly criticizes, "If everyone was supposed to be sent in, why weren't you killed too, why didn't they play it safe and send only a few of their men in; this is why you can't let a bunch of idealists play hero, when they don't even have any of the chivalric weaponry that...!" The young teen pulls out a weapon with a large and noticeable 'X' across its barrel.
"My name is Kuro, I go by the name of Black Cat, and I was given this weapon by the Elder himself, right before I killed him for being the traitor that betrayed our organization," Kuro states, not a hint of remorse in his eyes beyond a distant gaze filled with bitterness, "My master had been bought out with promises of inheriting a place in the 'grand new order' on the condition that he eliminate the senior Numbers and turn the rest..." He locks eyes with Gid, and the Devilukean could feel the gaze of a predator meet his own, causing his interest in this child to spike. "A man called Kousuke had been implanted in the training facility months ago, he was our medical specialist, and he ensured we were fit for duty with regular check-ups," Kuro states, "He was the man who approached the Elder, he pretended to be our trusted confidant, and when he killed the senior Numbers and gathered the remainder of the recruits, he showed his true nature like the duplicitous viper he was; poison words promising he would let us become part of something called 'Solgam', a new world order that would topple the Devilukean regime..." Gid noticed his general and right hand man tighten his grip around his sword, but lets the boy continue.
"He had injected us all with something, nano-bots with kill switches built into the inoculations he had been giving us, ones my Master had always found an excuse to have me avoid, and he used it to threaten us into surrender," he casts his eyes downward and tears begin to drip, "He didn't keep his word, people who joined him eagerly were the first to die, and my best friend and partner died in my arms before my eyes..." He grips his good hand and slams it against his knee. "Sir, I ran, I ran until I couldn't run no more, towards a ship I could flee in and hope to warn someone that something had gone wrong, but I was shot by my Master before I could make it," he looks up to Gid with tears in his eyes, "He gave me a choice, a test, and I managed to get that sole weapon away from his cold, dead hands, and ran before that monster with glasses could stop me from warning you all before you made a terrible mistake!" Paling the kid falls to his knees, but is stopped by the strong grip of Gid grabbing him and helping him stand.
"Stand proud soldier, don't let your sacrifices be in vain you clever cat," Gid offers cold praise, "You dishonor your fallen comrades if you give up here, you did your duty and I'll take your words into consideration; now go get some rest and take this with you, you'll need it when i call for you." He grabs the weapon and hands it to Kuro, who takes it and holster the gun with a weak nod.
"Thank you sir, you won't regret this," Kuro nods, before a pair of guards escort him back to the med bay. Gid then resumes his position at the head of the table and turns to the others assembled before him.
"Very well, you heard the boy," Gid states, looking them over, "We won't act on old info, so all of you get to work on finding out how 'Solgam' works in with all of these others trying to throw my rule into chaos, sift out what we need to know, and how we stop them!"
*****
"It would take years, but other important players came on scene, not the least of which was the parent organization, Eden, and the living weapon Golden Darkness being released upon the universe," Gid recounts to the others, "But fifteen years ago we came across the Doctor, using his own name as a false identity on... some planet, and managed to capture him and end what we thought was the threat of Solgam, but was obviously a ploy by the real 'Boss' of Solgam to build up a power base right under our noses..." Gid sighs loudly once again before staring towards Kuro, who looks a little bit older than he did then, all those years ago. "I know your personal vendetta against the Doctor is strong, but right now I need you on something more important; all of you, in fact," Gid orders, looking across the four faces, "While Charden's information about locations and people were out of date, his remaining information was accurate, and terrifyingly so..." Gid nods to Zastin and the General begins projecting another image, this one that causes Azenda's blood to freeze in her veins.
"No..." she whispers in horror and realization, before turning to Gid and hissing, "You never said this is what they were after!" The floating blob of red crystal being projected onto the screen is not familiar to anyone, save perhaps the two Devilukeans and the Talhain woman, and the others turn expectantly at her to elaborate. "If Solgam was going after the Anarchist Beryl, than you should be thankful that it was more hidden to history than even the Taoists Pearls were..." she elaborates, turning to face Gid, "If this weapon was to ever fall into the likes of these madmen, you'd be better off burying this in some far off galaxy then let this item loose in the inhabited universe..." She turns to the others, looking them all in the eyes. "If the Taoist Pearls could be said to have been the greatest accomplishments of the Taoists, the Anarchist Beryl could be considered the greatest mistake of those that perverted their ideals, a world killing weapon that could choke the life from worlds, and restore it to habitability just like that." She turns to Gid and gives him a harsh look. "If you knew what they were after, if you could even fathom the tales my people left as warnings for those that would follow them, you would understand why we should find it just to destroy that monstrosity!" she grasps her hands so tightly, feeling her nails dig into her flesh, "My people sacrificed their blood and tears, their gods and their homes to bury the location of where the Anarchist's beryl is hidden, if we go searching for that device and actually find it, it will be the biggest betrayal to who I am beyond being an Assassin."
Gid doesn't even blink, instead he turns to the rest of the group and addresses them. "Unfortunately, if Solgam were to get their hands on this device, and weaponize it to do just what you say, who is to say any planet in the inhabitable universe is safe," he turns slowly to focus on Azenda, "Who is to say that they aren't going to take it apart just to replicate even a portion of its power, and mass produce a weapon just as deadly and capable of destruction in their hands?" Azenda bites her tongue at that, a look of scorn thrown his way, before simmering down and taking her place back among the others. "Now, as you can surely guess from Azenda's outburst, the weapon has been found to be located in the Talha Galaxy, apparently the Tigris Industries mining corporation had been looking for more than just the Taoist Pearls when they were still in operation," Gid announces, before clicking a button and revealing a holographic overlay of the Talha galaxy, littered with red dots, "Of the three hundred and forty six known locations of operations being carried out, all but seven had initially been ruled out due to various factors and intelligence..." All but seven dots, sparse across the entirety of a galaxy, appear across the various arms.
"Fortunately, we can also weed out another four, as these stars are currently home to outposts of the Talhain Assassin's Guild," Zastin adds, as another three are eliminated, "If such a weapon had been found by them, it would have either already been sold off or utilized by now, or at least have whispers of such a treasure circulating about it..." He then limps forward on his crutch and turns to the others in the room. "These three planets are your destination, and we've gathered some intelligence on two of them insofar as what we already know from local merchants and travelers," Zastin announces, as the star charts focus in on certain areas of the galaxy, "Ilbis V is a localized system, centered between three lanes of warp travel, fairly traveled but uninteresting and very little value in terms of natural resources, the same holds true of Carrion Three-Nine-Two, an isolated but habitable gas giant that appears to be a source of frequent storms that eject matter into the upper habitable zone, creating floating islands where life thrives until the unique charges run out, plunging it back into the maelstrom." Zastin turns to glace at Azenda, before refocusing attention on the last dot on the map. "Unfortunately the final planet that has been deemed a potential, is the least we know about as it is part of the Talha Galaxy that is inhabited and protected by an ancient, zealous, religious order that has deep roots in the galaxy, with ties leading back to the Taoists," he straightens up and places both hands on his cane, leaning forward with a straight face, "While not a militant group, the area around this particular section is referred to as the 'Dark Sea', due to the fact it is a held within an area that is seemingly void of any stars beyond a dead stellar nursery that takes up a majority of the area; unfortunately this area is considered sacred and protected by a number of volunteers and mercenaries alike who hold to their faith."
"It's called Calpris Minora-β; it was a rogue planet that entered a habitable zone when the stellar nursery was still active billions of years ago, before its life was smothered from it and the galaxy continued to expand, slowly ripping the nebulae in two in the process," Azenda slowly speaks, surprising everyone with her oddly quiet addition, "The Shadow Chapter of the Talhain Triumvirate, leftovers of the original theocratic oligarchy that was overthrown by the peoples riots of 842 B.R., were given that area when they banded together the remnants of their faith and petitioned the Talhain Assassin's Guild for fealty in exchange for a place they could worship freely." She takes out her whip and stares at its bindings, dropping it to the floor and turning to the others. "I was an orphan taken in by the faith before I was an apprentice, I was one of those so-called 'zealots' who held the 'Dark Sea' as a sacred pilgrimage site, and I was taught to never go to Calpris Minora-β, or else I would risk excommunication for heresy and receive the death penalty." Everyone appears shocked by this, surprise even evident on the stoic Zastin's face, though Gid and Yami appear to be as still as stone. It is Golden Darkness who speaks next.
"I assume there is a reason this sight is held as sacred, something that requires such a sever penalty is not light," Yami states, walking over to face Azenda, "I understand this goes against everything you must believe in, but I require all pertinent information if we are to go into the unknown together, if I am... to put my trust in you, my former-enemy." Azenda blinks in shock at that, that the Golden Darkness recognized her as her enemy, no- her former enemy, and that she was willing to put her trust in her despite their clashes.
"A-alright, then- huh," Azenda closes her eyes and smiles, thinking how hypocritical she was being, "I have only ever visited the area once, and while the planet itself is forbidden, the location of it is well known as its historical significance, at least in the stories I remember..." She puts her hand out and uses her telekinetic power to return the whip to her hand, before opening her eyes to the others. "In ancient times, before my people had resorted to become thieves, assassin's, and grave robbers using their powers for parlor tricks, history tells that our range and use of our telekinetic arts expanded into the telepathic range and beyond, though genetic cleansing and wars caused by the people's riots all but erased these lost arts," she continues, "Once we were a caste group, separated by our powers and abilities, the strongest of all these castes, though, were the Triumvirate, a group of three of most powerful psionics, and their counsel, the most powerful 'Seer'; one whose power could advise them on matters regarding the future." She continues to tell her story, getting lost in the tale as she tells it.
"Long before my people called any one world their home, we had become nomads, travelers that sailed the stars of Talha, ever looking for a new home with no knowledge of how our original was lost" she sighs, wispily, "and as the tale goes, our journey ended when we began to breach the 'Dark Sea'; a veil of cosmic dust and birthplace of stars torn asunder to leave a void in the dark between." Azenda pauses, opening her yellow eyes to focus on the map that showed the single dot in a void, surrounded by the stars. "The original Triumvirate believed that The Ancient One, their Creator and their god, had given them a task to hide an evil that had been sealed away within a massive crystal that gleamed as red as blood; they sent them out into the dark to find a place so void of life that they could hide the crystal's evil away until the end of time," She weaves, drawing the others in with her story, "In truth, many believed the God's feared our potential, and cast us into the dark with a fool's errand, in the hope we suffocate under the weight of the impossible task... until the impossible became all too real." Covering her eyes with her hand, she sighs and physically droops under the weight of this tale. "Eventually doubt replaced belief, science replaced stories and myths, and knowledge became our goal, and along with it came the realization that the castes leaders, the Triumvirate, were only as strong as the people's belief, and that was failing fast," she states, "So the people took a holy relic, throwing away the beliefs and casting doubt on its contents, eventually it was given to the people to discover the truth, and with the truth came the revelation that our fool's errand had not been so..."
"I assume they found the weapon within the crystal?" Kuro postulates, looking Azenda in the eye, "Assuming they recognized it as something dangerous, this probably changed their whole outlook, wouldn't that have meant the Triumvirate was correct in assuming they were supposed to be hiding this 'evil' away?" Azenda laughed humorlessly at that, as she shook her head negatively.
"Except that wasn't the answer the people were expecting, and it wasn't the answer they were given, when the people decided to deny the evidence and claim it was falsified by one caste or the other in hopes of keeping the Triumvirate in power," Azenda states, "People, houses, families were divided on the matter, until everyone was either in the faction for the People or the Triumvirate... it was then that the matter was answered in the most unlikely way, in the form of a ghost from the past, by a Seer." Azenda goes on to explain. "Seers were classified in two categories depending on how their power worked; either they were a Seer of the Future, or of the Past, the former staying together, with the later becoming a sort of police force in connection with the lower castes." She states, raising a hand and pausing, she lowers it. "But once, but once, and very rarely, there was a Seer born who could see both past, and future, and tales were told that this was the man who first spoke with god, and began the odyssey of our people," she continues, sitting down and coiling her whip across her legs, "He appeared before my people, from among the crystals where there were later found to be projectors, explaining via a recording that he had foresaw this fate for our people, and revealed that if the further future was to survive, if their society was to thrive, then the people would have to sacrifice their freedom to hide the crystal, then the future would be theirs to make."
"And so the people chose; they revolted and dissolved the majority of the castes, leaving the Triumvirate and the crystal in the Dark Sea, abandoning them on the shores of Calpris Minora to forge their own future," Azenda continues, smiling wistfully at the memories, "The Sisters of the chapter used to tell tales to the naughty children, reminding them that the seas and shores of Calpris Minora- β ran red because of the blood spilt on that day, that the cries on the wind were those of the dying mixed with the groans of those who labored the rest of their days to erect the forbidden temple now..." She opens her eyes and stares into Gid's, her face neutral but hints of annoyance tinted her voice. "Now it is filled with traps and tests for those courageous and foolish enough to get themselves killed in search of the crystal, hoping to take its dangerous secrets for themselves," Azenda continues, "If Solgam had been foolish enough to continue Eden's search for the crystal, and it leads them to Calpris, then they will tear that nebula apart until that planet runs red with the blood of my people once more..."
At this Kuro puts a hand on Azenda's shoulder, and Yami stands closer to her former foe as well. "Then we will make sure that they never get a chance to retrieve it then," the black haired hero states, turning to flash a charming smile at his fellow teammates, "Looks like we've got some archeological treasures to dig for, then we can stash it somewhere no one can get to it..." He smirks at Gid, flashing him a grin as well. "What do you say boss, want to hire us for this job then?" he chuckles, "Wouldn't want something this dangerous falling into the wrong hands, for the safety of the universe and all..." Gid dryly chuckles at that, before retuning his attention to the group.
"Very well, by order of myself, King Gid Lucieon Deviluke, I will allow you to travel to the Talha Galaxy to retrieve this artifact and return it to me," he states, raising a hand to Zastin, "We will make proper introductions to the Chapter, and should they refuse you entry, I grant you the rights to take the crystal, by force if you must, to ensure our enemies do not retrieve it." At this, the others are ushered out by Zastin, Azenda the last of which who stays to turn to glance back at the King on his solitary throne.
"I pray you are strong enough to shoulder this burden, oh King of the Devil Star," she states, her eyes falling to the floor and face crowned with unease, "If the wisest and most powerful men can justify their grave robbing, I pray the king of the universe can prepare himself to face the wrath of the gods that sealed this great evil away..." Her words go unchallenged as she closes the door behind them, a shadow falling over his face, stealing away his reaction from those prying eyes. Were they to notice it would have been found they were instead intensely boring into the freshly laid stone and brick, just so off-color only the keenest eyes could see, where not too long ago a rip in space and time tore away a section of the floor. Ancient secrets buried long ago under hewn stone, lost to time as more was built and expanded upon, then revealed to the eyes of a man who had thought of himself too once like a god. Now that idealistic fool was burned away, and only bruised, mortal flesh and setting bones remained to remind him that, like that patchwork floor, he too could be replaced at any moment and his history forgotten.
"No longer," he says now alone, looking to the map of stars and the angry red dots that adorn it, "I will never again shoulder this burden alone, like those before me ignoring their duty, I-We will not forget anymore." In a single movement the throne is turned over in a feat of strength, the starry field is scattered into photons as its projector is destroyed, and the once strong King is left wondering why he seems to be so afraid of the dark thoughts plaguing his mind.
'Truly, uneasy is the head that wears a crown,' a dark voice whispers in his mind, his eyes flashing to the patched floor, then it adds, 'Perhaps the scorpion really cannot change its nature?' The voice goes unanswered and ignored, and Gid is gone before it can say anymore.
************
Updated A/N: Hello, again! I'm not dead! Also, I do not own Shakespeare's work, as quoted above, nor do I own To Love-Ru, or its characters.
I've got all these grand ideas penned down and written up for how I want this story to go, and everything just keeps growing and growing the longer I mull over it, so you might be seeing less updates from me overall, but I promise not to disappear for three or so months again without an update. I have to say excuse me for all the dialogue, but it's harder to pen down a movie in your head onto paper...
Well, next up is... well, that'll be my secret!
Ciao, leave a review, favorite, and/or follow!