What followed my subject changing was, well, rather banal and mundane. And what came after that, well, boring wasn't really the word to describe it.

See, my presence and actions on Earth pretty much iced any potential conflict between Adrilla and Thanadeous for the immediate future - not when a new power showed up that could beat back the XADA so easily. The more militant groups from each party decided wisely to retreat to the shadows for now, whilst the more reasonable decided to negotiate for the return of the Earth. Each power was willing to advance their own interests in the pursuit, but surprisingly, none of the proposals left anyone out in the cold. It seemed appearing to stand united was one thing that all powers agreed on.

I made sure to allow each of them to return to Earth with roughly equal holdings - as in, enough that most complaints would come off as being somewhat pathetic and whiny to all parties. Additionally, I took pains to ensure that none of the group would receive any technology from me, barring Ivonix, who had already schedule an appointment to examine and exchange warmech and warframe designs - and that was going to be a public event, so that no one could glean any advances the others would not. True, that was giving Thanadeous the potential to reverse engineer the frames...but really, how would they do that without technocyte samples, which I was NOT giving to Ivonix. Better safe than sorry there, always.

Meanwhile, I sent out fleets to hunt down the XADA. It took me quite a long time, but I eventually managed to cut down their numbers to only a few, who were soon herded up and moved to a prison planet I'd created in my hub. Samples were also harvested and placed in my biological resource facilities to provide them additional research material for the warframes.

Perhaps one day, flood and necromorph tissue would also be incorporated into these suits. But that was not for today - the future, maybe, but not today. Even if I had Fllod biomass available - I knew better than to try and wield the might of the precursor right now.

XXXXXX

After all that was said and done, the rest of the year passed by in a haze. I'd decided to take a...protracted break from being a Commander, so that I could focus on improving my forces and myself for the next universe I visited. The newly acquired sentient technology I possessed proved to be immensely useful in updating both my mechanical and biological forces - helps when said technology is borderline between synthetic and organic. I also managed to figure out how to upgrade it to be more...resilient to the void. The Man in the Wall responded to all my attempts to remove said weakness by laughing and making my instruments explode. Surprisingly, Zen'hurros and his kin accepted this rather easily - I guess they knew not to mess with the childish yet supremely powerful intelligence of the void.

Oh well.

After that, most of my time was devoted to training, both physical...

XXXXXXXXX

Ducking under another sword blow, I quickly pulled out my kitgun and shot down the oncoming Orvius disk. All for naught, though, as a moment later, I found myself disarmed and on the ground.

"And so yet another victory for me," noted Teshin.

"True...Do you feel that I am improving?"

"Yes. Where once you only barely avoided my blows, now you have managed to go on the offensive. There remains room to improve, but improve you will."

"Thank you, sensei."

"Such a title cannot be applied to me. Please, do not use it."

"...Very well."

The sound of blades clashing turned my attention toward a nearby arena. There, two other Dax dueled with Vivienne. Her skill was unbelievable, but it seemed she had finally met her match. Despite her impressive combat abilities, they were managing to inflict many cuts upon her. Despite this, she refused to back down.

"Few beyond the Tenno can match the skill we have, even from other universes. And to answer the question you will inevitably ask, the few that have proven our equals are the greatest warriors of the Hissho, the Forerunner Prometheans and their equals amongst ancient humanity, and the Custodian Guard."

"What about the Progenitors?"

"They cannot be used for comparison - most relied upon power rather than skill. Though those who did have skill used it well."

XXXXXXXX

….and Mental.

XXXXXXX

Concentrate...concentrate...C̄̑͠ON̵̞̘̬̒ͤ͐Č̼̱̫̟̥̖ͅE̶̼̮̻̯̺͔N̪͔͍̐ͭ͐̊́ͮT̯̥͛̓̍ͬR͎̙̯̤̯͕̳̒ͯĂ̠̝̹͑ͅT̾̑͆̿̅̓ͅE͎̤!

"Enough," replied the Great Dreamer. "You have endured the test."

"How many more remain?"

"Quite a few. But that you have made it so far speaks of your determination, power, and discipline."

"Thanks."

XXXXXX

Time passes fast when you devote your focus to self improvement. In what felt like an afternoon, Christmas was once again upon us.

And when you have an ice and snow covered planet in your hub, where else to celebrate Christmas (or some other similar holiday) than there?

XXXXXX

On a snow capped hill, Bianka put the finishing touches on her ice sculpture. Nearby, Conrad had finished making a trio of snowmen and was busy making a trio of snow angels to go with it.

A roar in the distance turned both their thoughts to the nearby plains. There, Krel had gathered a pack of his own kind alongside many stovers, Kubrow and Kubrowdon, which he was now leading on a hunt for some kind of megafauna. The howl had signified victory in the hunt, and the hunters were now busy dividing the meat amongst themselves. Nearby, some of her siblings, who had witnessed the fight from beginning to end, were busy doing a reenactment of it, whilst the remainder had a snowball fight, their forts occasionally being undone by horrasques brought into the open by the vibrations the childish battle created.

Far away, an Eidolon and Zen'hurros rested, bodies adorned with lights. These monsters had decided to enjoy the holidays, allowing their forms to be used as the mightiest of Christmas Trees.

The nesting Condrocs and Sawgaws were rather annoying, though.

As for her father?

He was busy enjoying a private moment with Vivienne. The two had decided to take a moment to skate on a frozen lake, free from the rest of the cares in the world. Nearby, Elling was giving his companions a ride in a snow mobile.

The crunching of snow turned the two siblings' attention to the oncoming form of Cassidy, who was already looking at their sculptures and snow creations in earnest.

"Can I join in?" she questioned, shaking her red coat as she did so.

Bianka smiled and nodded. The more the merrier.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

AN: Last Christmas chapter you need to put up with for a while.

Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off! Happy Holidays!