I do not own Chaotic nor anything related to it. It belongs to TCDigital.

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The Lords of World Below

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The floating city of Kaizeph sometimes lazily drifts across the desert sky. At other times, it soars violently between towering mountain ranges. It even hovers mere feet above the water of the ocean occasionally. There is one place that, in all this time, the floating city has not approached: the Underworld. This has caused certain amounts of distress to the tribes living below the earth. The leaders and representatives of each tribe, barring the M'arrillians, have gathered at Iron Pillar, which passes as neutral ground, considering the strict border between the Overworld and Underworld.

Maxxor and Austin represent the Overworld, as is to be expected by now. As the "neutral ground" of Iron Pillar is still very much in the Underworld, Maxxor had demanded that he be allowed to bring more soldiers to guard him than would normally be allowed before he would agree to the meet. Austin, in stark contrast, takes with him a modest guard of only two Human soldiers.

Chaor and Lilth represent the Underworld. Absolutely no surprise there, except that they arrived separately. Whatever happened between the two most powerful people of the Underworld, they are certainly avoiding making eye contact. Chaor even seems more agitated than usual, snapping at his guards with only the smallest provocation.

Odu-Bathax and Sarah represent the Danians. It's not really unexpected, considering it happened in the show too, but Odu-Bathax has pretty much become the face of the Danian tribe, despite not being a member of the noble caste. The fact that he and Sarah are most likely in some kind of relationship right now might also have something to do with it.

Iflar and I represent the Mipedians. I'm also here representing the Dryland Alliance as a whole, for all the good that will do here. If things turn sour, there might not be an alliance anymore.

I rise and approach the pulpit that stands in front of the eight of us. I clear my throat, then pause. I need to get this right the first time around. Perim has never held a meeting in quite this way before, so explaining the rules is quite vital, rather than mere being ceremony.

"Before this meeting begins," I state, "everyone must keep these things in mind. First, whoever is standing at the pulpit has the floor. Those not currently speaking will remain silent and listen. If one has a question or statement that cannot wait until the speaker has finished, he or she will raise his or her arm to the square, like this." I demonstrate. "The speaker will give permission to speak at his or her discretion."

I put my arm down. "To whoever has the floor. You will remain on topic. If a deviation from the current topic is necessary, you will express your intent beforehand. When you are done speaking, you will declare who has the floor after you, then step down from the podium. Does everyone understand?"

Nobody says anything to the contrary.

"Very well, then this meeting will now begin," I say. I turn to Chaor and Lilth. "Will the Underworlders please state the concern they wish to bring before the Alliance?"

Lilth glances at Chaor, who glares at the ground and grunts. Lilth turns to me and raises her arm.

I nod. "I turn the floor over to Her Majesty Queen Lilth of the Human-Underworlders." Then I return to my seat.

Lilth does not waste time when she reaches the pulpit. "The city Kaizeph is supposed to be available to exploration to all people, regardless of tribal affiliation. The city's location, however, has so far barred the Underworlders from accessing it, due to what we feel are unreasonable restrictions placed on us during travel through the Overworld."

Maxxor immediately raises his hand.

Lilth does not defer to the lord of the Overworld, instead continuing, "The restrictions, namely on the type and volume of supplies available to Underworlders allowed on the surface at any time, have so far served to make reaching the floating city with any amount of success impossible. We understand the reasoning behind needing restrictions, but this is ridiculous."

Maxxor continues to hold his arm up.

Lilth sighs. "The floor recognizes Lord Maxxor."

Maxxor stands up. "The supply limitation was an agreement at the end of the M'arrillian war, a compromise to allow members of other Tribes access to Overworld territory while protecting Overworld citizens from possible attacks."

I hear Chaor growl a little. Lilth sets her jaw and states, "A little over a decade has passed since then, and the only change you have made was the recent lifting of many of the restrictions on the Mipedians. The floor recognizes Maxxor," she adds before Maxxor can raise his hand again.

"The Mipedians have showed their trustworthiness," Maxxor retorts.

Lilth opens her mouth to speak, but Chaor raising his hand stops her. "I turn the floor over to Chaor," she states suddenly before heading to her seat.

Chaor takes the stand. "Maxxor, I think you're referring to the incident with the conjurors."

"Ye-"

"I have the floor," Chaor growls. "Maxxor, the Mipedian conjurors have been the only creatures to attack Overworld citizens in the past decade, and not only that, they were repeat offenders. Yes, the Mipedians disowned the attackers and punished them, but realize this if you are holding all the Tribes to the same standards: not a single Underworlder has attacked an Overworlder in Overworld territory in that same span of time."

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Chaor and Odu-Bathax were quick to begin coordinating their speeches when it became apparent that they wanted the same thing. Iflar stayed quiet for the better part of an hour before starting to show support for Chaor and Odu-Bathax. Voices are rising over one another, and it's getting harder and harder to maintain order and civility.

As Maxxor once again tries to assert that he knows what he's doing, Austin's arm rises.

Maxxor blinks, his thoughts interrupted. "...The floor recognizes Lord Austin."

"Permission to have the floor?" Austin asks. After the heated discussions over the past hour, his calm and polite demeanor is quite disarming.

Maxxor pauses, then states, "I give Lord Austin the stand."

Austin pulls himself to his feet. He is most definitely using his iconic silver cane as a support now. He's around a hundred and eighty solans old now, I forget the exact number.

Austin slowly walks to the pulpit. When he reaches it, he braces himself against its side and catches his breath for a few moments. "One moment please," he gasps.

Everyone sits very still, very quietly, waiting for Austin to speak.

Austin holds himself as straight as he can behind the pulpit, and he speaks. "I have been listening to everyone so far, and I have come to a number of conclusions. First, the Underworlders and Danians have not asked to be allowed to bring weapons, mugic, or soldiers to the Overworld."

Odu-Bathax nods a little. Chaor folds his arms and grunts.

Austin directs his gaze towards Maxxor. "Rations, medical supplies, exploration equipment. My first conclusion leads me to my second: that the Underworlders and Danians are not building some kind of army on Overworld soil, as Maxxor is secretly fearing."

Maxxor looks outraged for a moment. "You are out of place, Austin."

Austin gives Maxxor a level stare. "So, there's another reason to deny food and medicine?" He grins slightly. "Oh, of course. I had forgotten that bread, meat, and medicinal herbs were the most lethal of all weapons."

Sarah snorts loudly and has to stop herself from laughing. Odu-Bathax doesn't bother hiding his. Chaor reluctantly grins, while Iflar closes his eyes and tries very hard not to look amused. Maxxor flounders for a moment before choosing to remain silent.

Austin leans on the pulpit. "I need a chair," he mutters.

One of his two guards brings one up to him, and he sits down.

Austin catches his breath, and he continues, "I propose that we replace the 'compromise' with the regulations that the Mipedians placed on their people. In fact, I propose we all follow their example. Each Tribe would be responsible for the actions of its citizens, and any disobeying its laws pertaining to the treatment of other tribes would be ejected from the tribe and brought to justice by their former tribe."

Maxxor raises his arm, as does Odu-Bathax. Austin states, "The floor recognizes Odu-Bathax."

Odu-Bathax stands up. "You can put your arm down, Maxxor, I'm certain we've thought of the same thing." He turns to Austin. "I have a hypothetical situation: let's say Prince Osiris organized an army and attacked Mount Pillar. What happens?"

I raise my arm. Austin nods, and I stand. "First off," I begin, "this hypothetical Prince Osiris is an idiot."

Everyone laughs. Austin chuckles, "Please remain on topic."

I nod. "Well, if I were to do such a thing, it would be the responsibility of the Mipedian Tribe to strip me of my title and my citizenship, then hunt me down. Simple as that."

Odu-Bathax continues, "And if they refused to do so?"

I knew that question was coming, and I have exactly the answer. "Then technically the Mipedians have to then remove their own citizenship and punish themselves. As that is unlikely to happen, it would then fall to the other three tribes to rectify that error."

"Basically, a war," Odu-Bathax states. "Three tribes against one. Hardly a fair fight."

"Exactly," I nod.

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Chaor and Odu-Bathax had immediately supported the idea. Maxxor needed some convincing. He and Austin are having a private conversation a distance away.

Sarah is already drawing up the agreement. To quote her: "Everyone here knows that by the time Austin's done talking, Maxxor will be a hundred percent on board with the idea."

It's not long before Maxxor and Austin return. Austin collapses in in his seat and wheezes, "Maxxor has an announcement."

Maxxor looks like he had to swallow something unpleasant. Likely his pride. "I too agree to the plan Austin has suggested."

Sarah waves the scroll she had been writing. "Good. We've already signed it, so now it just needs your signatures."

Maxxor sighs and takes the scroll. He spends three minutes reading it, then scribbles his name into one of the two remaining spaces at the bottom. Then he hands it to Austin.

It takes Austin a long time to sign the scroll. The pen slips from his hand a couple times. Eventually he finishes, and he sets the pen down.

Austin smiles at everyone. He looks a little like Santa Claus right now. "Crisis averted." He chuckles softly. "Now you can all get on with your lives."

Austin remains sitting while everyone else stands. Chaor approaches me and roughly shakes my hand. "Prince Osiris, Warbeast Wrestler," he remarks, obviously impressed. "And then you kill a man by simply scolding him not long after. Makes me wish that you'd been an Underworlder instead."

The praise makes my skin crawl. "...Thanks, Chaor."

Chaor releases my hand, only for it to be grasped by Odu-Bathax instead. "It's a pleasure to meet you again, Osiris."

"Mine as well," I say, grateful for something else to think about.

Odu-Bathax grins. "You know, the offer is still on the table. Picture it: a twenty-foot replica of the statue of your victory over Aa'une, oozing with masculine power-"

"No thanks! Not interested!" The next time I have to see that statue will be far too soon.

I approach Austin's seat. He still hasn't gotten up. I want to thank him for... well, basically preventing a war. Things wouldn't have gone smoothly at the end if he hadn't spoken up.

"Austin?" I call out.

Austin doesn't answer.

Something's wrong.

Austin is slumped back in his chair, his head leaning forward so his chin rests on his chest. His cane has fallen out of his hand and is lying on the ground. His left arm is resting on his lap, and his right is dangling to the side.

I know what's happened, but I can't make myself believe it.

I can hear shouts of alarm behind me. Cries of disbelief. Austin's two guards lay down their weapons and remove their helmets, and they kneel down on either side of Austin. Tears are running down their faces.

He's not breathing. I can't find a pulse when I check for one.

Austin is gone.

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Up next: The Dead Rest

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Thanksgiving is interfering with my writing plan, so this might be the only chapter to go up this week.