The Palace of Kanbalar was huge and imposing, just as one would imagine it to be. Walking through those massive gates into the foyer made Jude feel small and anxious, and though Alvin was at his side, his presence did little to settle the nerves. It reminded him of his first day at Talim, the feeling of insignificance while standing in the presence of doctors and researchers so great he was sure he would never be able to look them in the eye. Except in this case, the person he was to meet was not an esteemed researcher in the medical field, but the king of all of Rieze Maxia.

And instead of secretaries and students, he was surrounded by guards and servants, all with eyes on him.

Instinctively Jude clutched at his shirt pocket, feeling the disc still safely tucked away. Any moment now and he'd be standing before the king, explaining his findings. His fate, his home's fate, hung on whether he could convince the king to listen to their cause. Again the nagging voice in his head iterated that he was just a young boy, that the king had no real reason to consider his words.

Perhaps if he had grown up in Auj Oule he would not be so nervous; King Gaius was hailed as a hero in this land, much like King Nachtigal had been back home. If Jude had been called before the courts in Rashugal, he'd be nervous still, but honored that he could meet such a prolific figure. Nachtigal was known as a kind and just man, but Gaius… He knew nothing about him save that he won his position through battle. Jude wasn't even sure what he looked like, let alone what to expect personality-wise.

The lack of preparation was wearing on his nerves more than he liked to admit. It felt like forever since they were called to the palace to finally meet with the king, yet they were still standing in the foyer waiting, with Jude worrying over his words. He had already gone over his pre-prepared speech a dozen times in his head with different outcomes, some good, most bad. Was it really right to be so fearful of the king? Was he not considered a benevolent ruler?

"Stop thinking so much." Alvin commented, bringing him out of his thoughts and back to reality. In spite of Jude's own unease, Alvin seemed the picturesque of calm, even if his expression was already bleak.

"Then why don't you tell me what you're thinking?" Jude countered, ceasing his fidgeting and instead turning his focus on Alvin. "This isn't your first time meeting the king, is it?"

Alvin quirked a brow at his accusation, but chuckled all the same. "You figured me out. Yeah, I worked for him at one time."

"You worked for him?" That much was a surprise, and yet after he gave it some thought, it shouldn't have been. Alvin had been working for Exodus while being contracted to Rashugal, and apparently the same went for Spirius. How long had Alvin been playing multiple sides like that? But strategically, it made sense. What better way to gather information than to gain it from a source on the inside? Then again, that had apparently gone sour before, hence Presa's overall opinion of Alvin. Was it even a good idea to bring him along for this?

"Don't get all bent out of shape about it." Alvin shrugged off Jude's shock and attempted to set the story straight. "I didn't do anything bad, just gathered some intel that he needed. Not every mission I've had ended in broken hearts."

"Or murder?" Jude asked, still leery.

A low blow, and its effect was clearly displayed on Alvin's face. "Will you cut me some slack? I got us here safe and sound, didn't I?"

He had, to an extent, and yet Jude still felt embittered by Alvin's actions. He had thought he was doing better after that night in Xian Du, after hearing Alvin's motives for keeping up with Exodus and the admission of his faults. But Presa's words still hung in the air; about being hurt, being led on, then abandoned by Alvin. And then there was Alvin's statement from the night before, how he intended to leave once this was all resolved; perhaps that was what put Jude in such a foul mood while waiting for the king.

But was that really fair to Alvin? He had his reasons, right?

Or are you just running, Alvin? Jude wanted to ask, but let it drop. It wasn't like him to be so malicious about things. Didn't he tell himself that he'd give Alvin another chance after hearing his story back in Xian Du? Besides, it wouldn't do either of them any good to hold this over the Alvin's head right now. They had more important things to worry about.

With a sigh, Jude shook his head, casting a remorseful look Alvin's way. "I'm sorry. I guess I really am nervous about meeting the king…"

Instead of Alvin giving Jude any flack for his worries, he simply draped an arm around his shoulders, giving him a quick squeeze. "Hey, don't sweat it, okay? Yeah, he's bit on the severe side, but Gaius is a good man."

"You act as if you know him personally."

"You'd be surprised…"

Before Jude could ask about his cryptic remark, a guard approached them. Standing at attention, he spoke quick and stern. "His Majesty King Gaius will see you now. Do not waste his time." The guard warned, and Jude wondered if this was the same pikeman that they ran into at the city's gates for how bitter he was towards him.

It mattered little. The moment they were waiting for had finally arrived.

Alvin remained at his side as they entered the throne room; a long walkway decorated in red and gold over stone. Jude spotted Presa first, standing with arms crossed next to the throne. Three others assumed to be the remaining members of the Chimeriad were along with her; two men and a young woman, all watching him in an almost adjudicating manner as he approached.

And at the center was the king; dark skin and hair, elaborate red and gold robes, a stony gaze that pierced Jude's very being.

Jude remembered that gaze, that face…

"You are…!" He stopped himself before he blurted it out. That night at Film Noir, with Ludger!

The familiarity seemed to go both ways, but Gaius did not act on it the same that Jude did. Instead, he merely cleared his throat and spoke. "And who is it that has come before me?"

Presa stepped forward, adjusting her glasses, as if she too had not anticipated Jude's reaction. "Presenting Jude Mathis of Leronde, and Alvin Svent of Trigleph."

"An odd pair to stand before me." Gaius eyed Alvin momentarily, whom gave him a casual wave that earned Alvin a quirked brow. His attention returned to Jude, addressing him with all the grandeur one would expect of an esteemed ruler. "Word has reached my ears that you have obtained information that is vital to the livelihood of my people."

Jude took a slow breath before stepping forward, holding his head high to feign confidence. "Yes, your majesty." He didn't want to think that his voice was shaking, but Jude was sure it was, if only minutely. "I am a researcher currently stationed at the Helioborg base in Elympios. My team and I have been working on developing a renewable energy source that would no longer compromise the livelihood of spirits."

"A noble cause to assist their kind in righting their wrongs." Just as Jude feared, the king's opinion on the Elympion's choices was not positive. This may not end well, he realized with a sinking feeling.

"I…" Jude paused and glanced to Alvin, as if asking for reassurance. "We have reason to believe that a faction within Elympios is intending to use a weapon against Rieze Maxia."

The king's expression became decidedly sour, and suddenly he did not look so benevolent as he did before. "…Go on."

With the king and the Chimeriad watching, Jude told his story. He explained how Professor Haus and he had been working on a solution to the energy crisis, the professor's untimely death at the hands of Exodus. Jude regaled being pursued by Exodus at every turn, tormented in hopes of speeding his work along. The parts with Alvin holding a gun to his head were skillfully glanced over for the mercenary's sake, but Jude was sure to explain in great detail his findings from the archive.

The disc was held aloft, a glint of light from the torches reflecting off the metallic surface. "This contains the documents announcing the reinstatement of the Otherworld Reactor Project, specifically a weapon called the Lance of Kresnik."

The king raised a brow. "The Lance of Kresnik…?" He echoed, a note of recognition in his voice. There was irony to be had in Exodus naming their weapon after a prophetic sage from Rieze Maxian history, and even more so that said weapon shared a name with the man that the king was presumably dating.

Gaius's expression had transformed from concern to anger with only a moment's passing. But he was listening and that was what Jude needed. What they all needed. "Yes, your highness. I was not able to read much of the material, but my possession of it has caused Exodus to pursue me. I believe the content of this disc is something they need, and I don't know how long they'll wait before making a move."

The room fell silent as Gaius crossed his arms, closing his eyes in contemplation. None dare speak until their king said what he wished to say. "We agree to offer aid, yet they use it to create a weapon to be used against my people." Suddenly Jude became nervous; his tone, his stance… It wasn't what he hoped for.

Gaius stood, addressing the room as a whole. "From the beginning our truce has been tentative. I am not deaf to the cries of my people being brutally slaughtered in the name of some false superiority these Elympions proclaim." His arms were lowered, hands balled into tight fists. "And to hear that people holding seats of power have been encouraging these acts… I will not stand for it any longer."

"Your highness," One of the Chimeriad, a tall bearded man with broad shoulders and tribal garb, step forward to gain the king's attention. "Surely you do not mean to denounce the treaty…"

"It is precisely that." Gaius reiterated, and Jude felt his heart drop out of his chest. No, this wasn't what he wanted at all! If the borders are locked down again, the problem would only get worse for Elympios! More people were going to die, the violence would only continue, and Exodus…

"It won't change things." This time it was Alvin who spoke for him, taking a step forward so he stood at Jude's side once more. "Yeah, there are people high-up supporting Exodus, but not all do. And not all Elympions support their actions."

Gaius seemed put off by Alvin's protest, that much was apparent by the searing glare the man received. "That matters little when that support exists. It is as the boy said; our aid was used against us and for that there will be repercussions."

"Yeah, I get that, but you're forgetting that Exodus themselves exist on both sides of the border. They have for decades, right under your nose." Just for emphasis, Alvin tapped his own nose, winking at Gaius. "But you knew that, didn't you?"

The king was all but glowering at Alvin now, and Jude wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing that he was sassing the ruler of an entire country. Didn't Alvin have any sense of self-preservation anymore?

"You'd be wise to know your place, spy. Do not think I have not heard of your activities. I, too, have eyes beyond my border."

Alvin shrugged and Jude was beginning to sweat. This conversation was already going south and he was unsure of how to steer it back. And Alvin was not helping in the least. At this rate, they'd be thrown out for disrespecting the king, if not imprisoned.

But just as Jude was beginning to apologize for Alvin's remarks, another voice cut him off. "Perhaps I may offer a suggestion."

From behind them entered an older gentleman, garbed in a suit typical of the Elympion highlife. His silvery hair was tied back in a neat braid, a well-groomed beard accenting his pale features; the picturesque impression of a wise sage. "Things are looking lively as usual, my lord."

"Rowen." Gaius's attention was pulled from Alvin with the man's approach. "You have returned."

Rowen… As in Rowen Ilbert? Jude knew that name all too well. He was a legend in his homeland, a man that was said to have turned many battles in favor of the Rashugal army on many occasions, earning the nickname the Conductor. He stood as Chief of Staff prior to the fall of the king, and came to act as Prime Minister once the kingdoms were united. He had been on television numerous times, speaking on behalf of Rieze Maxia on the many issues both countries were facing. A man of great prestige; Jude would have been star-struck if he were not so anxious about the outcome of the conversation.

He approached the king and bowed at the waist, addressing him formally. "Yes, and at no better time, it seems. I am afraid that I stand with these outsiders on this matter."

Gaius was taken aback by his statement, but it was quickly masked by that stern visage of which the king seemed fond. "I imagine you have an explanation, then."

"Indeed I do." With hands tucked behind his back, Rowen spoke, addressing the room with all the grace one would expect of the Prime Minister. "For some time I have watched over the state of unrest within Elympios, and I have seen their plight first hand. Their world dies at their fingertips, and they continue to scramble for a cure to the disease that is causing their world to rot." He turned to Jude, smiling gently at the stunned boy. "That is why we of Rieze Maxia chose to offer our great minds and understanding of the spirits to find a solution."

"And though we offer aid, they still seek to bring harm to our country. They treat my people like beasts to be culled." Gaius countered, becoming heated once again.

Thankfully, Rowen was a practiced expert at cooling his temper. "Yes, there are many who fear our kind, but it is merely a fear of what they do not understand. We cannot hold that against them. Their people see just as much discrimination on our land as we do theirs."

"So are we to stand idly by as they continue this malicious plot against us?" Gaius countered, the heat rising in his tone once more.

Yet even with the king's anger ready to boil once again, Rowen merely smiled. He turned to Jude, regarding him with the same respect he had offered the king. "Jude, was it? What is it you think we should do?"

What I think? Jude could only stare back in disbelief a moment, finding it difficult to string together his thoughts into words. This was it, the turning point.

"I… I never gave much thought to what was on the other side of the ocean." Jude began, doing his best to keep eye contact with the Prime Minister. "Most of the kids in my class didn't even know Elympios existed, let alone that there were people among us from there."

Jude glanced to Alvin, who gave him an encouraging nod. "A while ago, I found out my father was from Elympios, that he fled from his homeland in hopes of finding a better way of life. He met my mom and started his life over, taking care of the people in Leronde. We don't always see eye to eye, but I know he's a good person. Being Elympion had nothing to do with it.

"Then, everyone started talking about the border treaty. I remember sitting outside of Talim and listening to King Nachtigal's speeches, speaking of another world that needed our help… And I thought, I could do that. If we could work together, we could help those people, just like my parents worked together to help the people of Leronde." A smile spread across Jude's face, warm and reflective. He recalled how his chest would swell with pride whenever they made a small breakthrough in research, the handful of people he had helped to heal small scrapes or twisted ankles. Even if he didn't always receive gratitude in return, he at least could walk away knowing that he had done the right thing. Jude was helping people, and in the end, that was all he really wanted.

Jude finally worked up the courage to look Gaius in the eye, unwavering, standing tall. "More than anything, I want to continue helping the Elympions. I want to see both worlds work together to better our futures. Yes, there are people on both sides that would disagree, but we can't let their opinions force our hand."

"I don't think I could have said it better myself, lad." Rowen applauded softly with gloved hands, regarding Jude with a slight bow. "Perhaps there is hope for the young generations of our people should they all think as openly as you."

Jude blushed vividly, quickly ducking his head at that compliment. "That's… Um, thanks."

Rowen gave another nod before turning back to the king, stroking his beard with one hand as he thought out loud. "Since it is Exodus who wishes the destruction of Rieze Maxia, then it is Exodus that we must seek out. We should address this with the governing bodies of Elympios so they may assist in this endeavor."

"It's not gonna be easy," Alvin interjected. "There are a lot of people high up on the food chain with stakes in Exodus. You're more likely to end up dead in a ditch if you take that approach."

Rowen gave a soft hum of contemplation. "After working closely with said food chain, I'm inclined to believe you. And if there is such a weapon that could so greatly affect our country, then bringing them to the media's attention could force their hand."

"Then a diplomatic approach is still out of the question." Continued Gaius, taking on a thoughtful look himself. "I suppose declaring war would not be in our favor either."

"As much as I'd like to believe in our abilities, we cannot stand against Elympios's technology with mere swords and shields."

Rowen was right; the Elympion army fought with spyrix weapons and had airships at their disposal. A small cavalry could outgun an entire platoon of soldiers given the right conditions. A war would only end with Rieze Maxia's loss.

But... Jude realized. It wasn't the military they had to fight, was it?

"The Lance…" His words caught the attention of the others and suddenly all eyes were on Jude again. "If we destroy the Lance of Kresnik and bring their leader to justice, that knocks the legs from beneath Exodus, doesn't it? Then if we expose their plans, they wouldn't have the means to attack."

"That would make sense." Rowen concurred. "Though can you be so sure that will put a stop to their plans?"

Jude shook his head, his hand coming to rest against the disc in his pocket. "I can't be sure, but the documents that Professor Haus lost his life over dictated that the Otherworld Reactor Plan was their ultimate goal, and that means the lance."

And then, Jude turned to Alvin, the courage burning in his gaze. "Alvin, I know you have ties to Exodus." Family, he reminded himself, but left that out for Alvin's sake. "But I have to ask you to help us. You're the only one who can give us any idea of where Exodus is storing the lance."

Alvin looked at him as if he had grown two heads, as if trusting him with such a task after all that had occurred was completely baffling to him. But Jude only smiled, feeling that deep down, Alvin wanted to do the right thing by stopping this mad charade.

If only Alvin looked as confident in himself as Jude did. "Are you testing my loyalties, kid?"

Again Jude shook his head to the negative. "I have no reason to. You said yourself before that you wanted out. You have no reason to stay with Exodus anymore, right?"

Those words seemed to strike a nerve with Alvin, and he once again looked like he had completely lost himself in Jude's logic. What was going through his head right now, Jude couldn't be sure, but he had little time to dwell on it.

"Your majesty, I would like to request your support in finding the Lance of Kresnik. It's a long shot, but I feel like this is the best way to stop Exodus in their tracks."

The king watched him, unyielding, before crossing his arms across his chest once again. "I agree to this request, and come time for us to face their leader, I hope to stand at your side."

Jude was positively beaming as he bowed as deeply as he could. "Thank you, King Gaius."

"Gaius will suffice." He quipped, before giving Alvin a disparaging look. "And for you, Alvin, I have a message."

Alvin quirked a brow, cocking his hips to one side. "A message?"

"It reads, 'You owe me a new shirt and at least three stiff drinks.' I trust these demand are in relation to your escape, and not something more malicious." There was a predatory glint to Gaius's eye, and Alvin gulped thickly. It would seem that the king was as protective of his lovers as he was the citizens of his kingdom.

"Right… Loud and clear, Erston." The quip was muttered under his breath, and if not for the distinct twitch of Gaius's brow Jude would have assumed he had not heard it at all. Perhaps he had been right to assume that Alvin and Gaius knew each other on a more personal level.

Jude did his best not to laugh at both men's discomfort as they were escorted from the throne room and to their quarters for the evening. They had a lot of work to do and they would need proper rest to do it. Jude just hoped they'd be able to find the lance quickly so everything could go back to normal.

If they went back to normal… Mused Jude. There's still no telling what will happen when this is all done… Silently he looked to Alvin, who was keeping his eyes straight ahead, avoiding every guard that looked their way.

I just hope things work out for everyone, especially you, Alvin.