Zoalords 6
New Blood
The Supreme Council of Zoalords sat in anticipation of the arrival of their new members. The addition of two more Zoalords would greatly ease the difficulties facing the eight current members, (Archanfel held no territory beyond the island of Silha), in ruling the world. The world had been distributed unevenly between them, due in part to simple ability. Lords Waferdanos and de Galenos ruled entire continents because of their great experience and power. Lord Czyvek, though powerful, was eccentric and idealistic, thus his responsibilities were limited to Japan. Czyvek was merely a glorified sector leader, a fact he recognized and accepted, most of the time, anyway.
Even Waferdanos drew a long breath as Archanfel entered the room. He wasted little time. "My Zoalords, allow me to introduce our two newest members, Lords Ali Bin Jamar and Johnatan Vorsted." Zoalord Ali bin Jamar entered the chamber first, a dark, handsome man in his mid-thirties with black hair and eyes, he wore battle armor based upon that of the ancient Ottoman Empire. A silver Zoacrystal was lodged within his forehead. He bowed respectfully before the Council, "It is my honor to serve, Lord Archanfel." Then, to the Council, "I hope that I can live up to the expectations of this most noble body."
Zoalord Johnatan Vorsted was a tall, well-built man with blonde hair and ice blue eyes. His Zoacrystal was not visible above his pale skin. "I, too, am honored to serve." He gave a respectful nod toward the others. He was a man of few words, and was dressed in light blue armor reminiscent of the stylized waves in a traditional Japanese watercolor.
Ali bin Jamar had served CHRONOS in various capacities since the age of 15, and his loyalty was beyond question. He had grown up in the slums of Palestine, and had come to believe that only CHRONOS could end the violence that was tearing his world apart. It appeared that he had been correct, though a heavy hand had been necessary, in the beginning. People could not understand the gift they had been given. His power was that of sound. He was a living sonic weapon, and a Lost Number. He would take over Northeastern Africa and the Middle East to assist Tuatha de Galenos, who had been overseeing the whole of Africa.
Johnatan Vorsted had been raised from birth in CHRONOS, at age eighteen he had become a Gregole, at age twenty-two, he was the head of a major Russian processing center. CHRONOS was in his blood, literally and figuratively, and he probably couldn't imagine a life without it. His power was that of water and temperature manipulation. He could freeze a foe to death in seconds, or turn back a tsunami. He was ceded control of Russia and Western Europe, relieving Lord Caerleon, who had ruled from China to Turkey since Khan's death.
There was still no one to officially oversee Australia. It was not exactly a hotbed of terrorist activity, but it needed a Zoalord Guardian to ensure that Makishima and his ilk didn't set up shop under the radar. Czyvek probably could handle CHRONOS Australia, but Barcus wanted him on a tight reign. The Young Zoalord was becoming a bit more practical and reasonable, the incident with Aptom had forced him to see that not everything could be solved without bloodshed. Yet he still clung to his compassion for Sho and his protectiveness of his troops. He simply wasn't ready for wider responsibilities.
To be continued . . .
Notes:
Shin Rubeo Amniculus - Energy
Archanfel
Hamilcar Barcus - Telepathy/Mind
Edward Caerleon - Dimension/Reality
Mikhail Czyvek - Lightning/Storms (replaced Purgstall)
Tuatha de Galenos - Earth/Fire
Ali bin Jamar - Sound/Wind (replaced Hayyan)
Imakarum Mirabilis - Gravity (replaced Guyot)
Ingriam Mirabilis - Gravity
Tran Nguyen - Bio-matter/Growth (replaced Khan)
Johnatan Vorsted - Cold/Water
Waferdanos - Forest/Flora