Metroid Saga: Mythos

by Mental Omega

A collection of stories set in a reimagining of Metroid; here we start with the beginnings of the universe's two greatest warriors; Samus and Sylux. The Hatchling and the Neophyte. Born of K-2L and Cylosis, and bound by fate to decide the destiny of the cosmos. Note that this project started long before Prime 4 came out.

11. Forlorn: The Paths Entwine (AS & SA)

Orbit of Arganti, Aurelarch System, Argent Nebula, Black Eye Galaxy.

Thought stretched out across space and time to reach for the minds of the long sleeping and recently risen. Two old minds reached for each other, their threads wrapping around each other into an impenetrable coil of telepathic communication. Across the endless expanse of the universe; or rather, just this little room these two minds met again as they had time after time again. On one end the golden light of Re-Sekh, Old Bird; gentle and calming, loving and sweet. On the other end was the azure glow of Elmorni, the Muse, motherly and warm, soft and kind.

Since his reawakening they had spoken to each other many times, Re-Sekh always asking to meet Elmorni in person so that the two elders could compare notes as it were. To see what progress the other had made. She made her secret rendezvous with her counterpart on Arganti, a neutral place held by neither Chozo nor Alimbic. But now she had something else in mind. Looking across the circular room as she spoke to the elder, she caressed a flower in a trough gently with the split fingers from her hand before rotating her floating, neckless head back to her counterpart.

"-I appreciate your efforts to keep me informed of your actions wise one. Especially to journey all the way out to this distant star just to have a chat with an old friend. So much time lost that we have to catch up on.-" Ten years to catch up on more than fifty thousand years of lost time for their old friendship. So far it hardly felt like they had even been making a dent in the monstrous task of making up for the lost era. But every meeting was warm and amicable.

There were conversations that repeated themselves with every in person meeting. Things the two always wanted to share even the smallest updates on. Usually the little things, personal matters that moved day to day rather than anything to do with grand and sweeping schemes and matters of politics.

"How are Ygrak and Mortirk? Have you started to see anyone else for that matter? I would hope that you have opened your heart further even in this era of twilight for the likes of our species. It would be a shame to forever crystallise yourself in the amber of present relations."

She seemed to be elated that he asked, almost beatific. She hummed with a pleasant energy, her azure armour seeming to intensify the glow of its highlights as she swivelled her body fully towards him. And when she spoke again, her thoughtsong was wistful and melodic her mind drifting to ever more pleasant things. A topic she could bend his ear about for an eternity if he would only give her leave to speak about it.

"-Ygrak has started to take to the duties of caring for the boy more readily every day. Arne adores Mortirk...and I've started to see Agrama. Her thoughtsong is such rich music.-" She said. The thoughtsong of her voice was elated, rising above its usual sweetness to something a bit more wistful and happy.

"It is good that even at your age you can still find new things to inspire cheer. Were all of us who were so old so ready to find new joy."

She picked up on his small chuckle as he let his helmet part from his face in a fizzle of light so that he could drink from a cup of hot tea held in his left gauntlet. His beak clicked against the glass and let the rich aromas of the brown, heated water fill his nostrils. The intoxicating scent of tanin, theobromine, caramelised sugars and more invaded his scent as he took a sip. The smooth honeyed liquid slid down his throat with little issue, and he almost trilled in satisfaction as the hot liquid wetted his throat. He let the warmth fill him, feeling an almost bodywide relaxation as the tea seemed to spread itself into every pore and cell. A vice that he often indulged in, even in his autumn years.

She however, seemed envious. Such morsels seemed so delctable to someone who could not taste them. A pleasure denied to her by her choice to remain hidden away in her armour for now out of respect for one she saw as a peer and thus should be met as such at all times. But alas, this was yet more suffering she would have to bear in jesting silence. She might teasingly complain about it to him later though, of course. She had missed the playful ribbing they had once given each other in her fifty thousand years of sleep. But she sensed the heavy words of his name about to slip his throat, like leadened weights strung onto the air. Unpleasant, a burden on thought and a sore on the eyes.

"I hear you have convinced Zurvduat to attend the meeting. How much effort did you require to molt his carapace?" He asked after a prolonged sip of his tea. Unpleasant memories of prolonged arguments bubbled forth and had to be fought down just as swiftly. No, she reminded herself, don't let that spoil the mood.

"-Beyond your imagination. I had to entice him with the offer of a chance to demonstrate his superiority. And that Mother Brain of yours...will be attending I assume?-" She asked, the psychic equivalent of a brow quirk forming like an imperative in his mind.

"She insisted to be allowed to observe. I thought it would be harmless enough to indulge her. Though remember to keep her at arms length. She is gruff and unsuited for softer tasks, but given time she may learn."

His eyes looked upwards at the taller insectoid, red upon yellow, two into one.

"But your Neophyte...I will be very glad to meet him in person."

"-Likewise, I'm sure the Hatchling has grown to be a wonderful young woman.-" A genuflection was offered, prompt and polite.

A feeling of warmth exuded from him as he looked her dead in her singular eye, responding with a gesture of his own to show his respect for a fellow ancient of many years. "May they represent cooperation between our two peoples rather than division."

Cooperation, a nice thought. Perhaps unlikely, difficult with the heavy weight of foregone aeons weighing down all interactions between the two peoples. But it was very much a nice thought all the same. "-I would hope that we could all bury the ancient rivalry. Be comrades in philosophy as well as arms as we were in the old days.-"

"I would enjoy that greatly. To the shared dream." He said.

"-To the shared dream.-" She agreed.

Chozodian Creche, Zebes

Samus was just about bouncing with glee as she received the news. She had leaped straight out of her seat where she had been busy reading through datalogs on a screen, her white coloured sleeveless outfit flexing somewhat as she moved and landed onto her feet after managing the backflip. She calmed down quickly enough, stilling herself before she could do something like tackle the people who raised her to the ground. But there was a tense energy within her, one waiting for an avenue of release. Her eyes had a bright gleam and her expression, though relaxing gradually was clearly one of keen interest.

She had just about tackled Isa-Hesh with her hug, the Chozo letting out a surprised coo but returning the gesture all the same. She was a hugger, a platinum class triple A grade cuddler whose arms were as capable of gentle softness as they were of crushing the life from even the roughest of beasts.

"What's Arganti like?" She asked, the first question that came to her mind.

"A quiet planet. Once a place of discussion and trade. But for this meeting it can be so once again. A place of festivities and merriment, even given some of the company we will be keeping." August Wing said gently, stroking her hair as she spoke, getting Samus to rub her head into the strokes affectionately.

"Mmh, what about its biosphere? What lives on it now?" Ah, the real questions.

"Mostly docile life forms. You won't be finding any creatures of the wild to test yourself against there. But many machines of eras long past cling to its old bones. You will find excitement there, should you wish it." Grey Voice spoke up, folding his hands behind his back. Samus studied his face, impassive as ever unfortunately, just like his usual monotone. But then, why else call him Grey Voice? Colourless, dull...She banished such thoughts and nodded her head.

"Have you met the Alimbics? Are they like the stories say?" She asked.

Another presence dropped into the room with the grace of an anvil tossed out the airlock to make re-entry. A heavy, malignant aura that almost made everyone feel like they weighed a dozen times more than they should was now cast onto them like an eclipse's shadow. A spherical drone bearing an eye like camera floated around, a swarm of lesser drones hovering around it as if it were a bee queen being ferried to a new hive. When they spoke, it was with the telepathic equivalent of having a megaphonepressed to your ear, grating, unpleasant and full of noisy feedback.

"-Certainly their leadership has a better handle on how to approach the questions of galactic politics than most of those within this room.-" Mother Brain said.

Oh great, Samus thought.

"-What a pity then, that I am denied a chance to collaborate with them up until this point. No matter, the error of that will be corrected now.-"

"Mother...you were not invited to this conversation." Grey Voice.

He was stern, even towards her. While technically Platinum Voice had the run of things while Old Bird was away; Somek-Ka had the air of leadership behind him. He was still possessed of youthful vigour, and his gaze was harder than Inviolanium alloy. Even Mother Brain blinked when made to contest her gaze before that. But it was only a blink.

"-Zebes is my body, Grey Voice. The circuits you have woven through it are my nerves, the energy I draw from the zebetite my oxygen, the command nodes are my synapses, the machinery my cells. I will it, and it is done. Do not presume that I am a junior you can cut out of conversations simply because you dislike my presence. I will speak, and I shall be listened to.-"

Samus growled internally, low enough to ensure that she could not hear while her expression formed into a frown. Why did she have to barge into what was supposed to be a space she could speak privately in? It was bad enough that she literally had eyes across the entire planet and beyond through her enormous network of cameras and sensors, but having her direct presence in this room felt sacrosanct and invasive. An unpleasant reminder that Mother knew everything and could not be escaped.

"Can't you ask before you poke in here?" Samus said.

"-I am already monitoring your whereabouts and actions at all times, Infant. There is no need for me to request consent to move one of my Oculi avatars to your location.-"

"Shut up. Please, just shut up." Samus grunted, her voice low and private.

"-Your presumption to give me orders is unamusing and misplaced, Infant; and you would be wise to remember this. Need I remind you that after your stunt with the Iono-Feria you require special monitoring lest you have another temper tantrum.-" Mother Brain's insult prompted Samus to grab the spherical machine in her hands the second it floated near her to try and invade her personal space, her fingers starting to crush inwards with enough force to leave impressions on metal meant to survive even the molten heat of Norfair or the deepest seas of Maridia.

"Do. Not. Remind. Me." The growl in her voice was like that of a crocodile. What would happen if Mother Brain pushed it was made obvious as the Oculi's chassis began to crumple from the squeezing of her deceptively slender fingers.

"-And here we have another example of your lack of discipline.-"

"They were innocent, they didn't know what they were doing with those guns. You murdered them all after I disarmed them. Why didn't you trust me!?"

"-You are naive. They showed clear violent tendencies. It was simpler to eliminate than to rehabilitate.-"

"THAT'S NOT TRUE AND YOU KNOW IT!"

"That was about control, about showing me up for proving you wrong. Stop lying to me and get a clue!" She shouted as the metal for the Oculi started to crush inwards. Already immense pressure intensified further as she let her scorn be known, but Grey Voice's stern gaze was soon pointed towards her before she could show Mother Brain just how well she'd been paying attention in mechanical studies.

"Samus, that will be enough. She will be coming, but as one amongst equals. Is that not correct, Mother Brain?" He said, tilting his head at first towards the young girl, and then towards the machine she reluctantly let go of. Grey Voice gave a slightly pleased nod of acknowledgement that got the tiniest of smirks from the young girl, but a profound sense of disappointed irritation from Mother Brain.

"Samus is our child and appointed heir, you will respect her as she is due, Mother Brain." August said, clasping her gauntleted fingers together after patting Samus on the back.

"-Yes...your...our Heir.-"

War Fields, Sentus Primaris

Arne leaped out of the cockpit of the Sleipnir. The forward swept wings and enlarged tailfins almost gave the impression of having two sets of wings, like some insectile merging of the old Earth Su-37 and an enlarged Su-47 into one hyper-preformance fighter craft, and the canards on its conical nose almost gave one the impression that whomever designed the two tone blue and one tone red highlighted craft was very much of the opinion that having anything less than the greatest possible amount of control surfaces was the basest form of heresy. But the twin tails, angled subtly, when combined with its shifting thrusters and its rather smooth arthropoid like chassis made it clear that this was a craft that could dance in any atmosphere, not just space.

Arne himself had participated in designing the Sleipnir as his examination of choice for his technology studies program. And his reward for passing the test was the chance to name it at Ygrak's insistence. Zurvduat himself saw it as a waste of his time to oppose the endeavour, especially when the Palatine Mind A.I of the Caesarian Lance had given the boy his voice of approval. and so acquiesced. Even his authority had limits, however much he detested them. And he felt proud of his accomplishment.

That pride rose even higher when the sounds of the exploding practice drones his hovering craft had vanquished finally caught up to him as he landed. Thunderclaps and the keen of exploding plasma cells caught his attention, but his eyes were focused on Ygrak who was monitoring the exercise; the Red Tetrarch. His helmet dissipated into blue light while he looked with a satisfied smile at her approving nod. But her enthusiasm paled compared to the Black armoured Agrama; Chief of Engineers who regarded him with deep felt pride that rooted itself in his mind as if he was the one who felt it himself.

"-Your piloting skills are exemplary. Perhaps the best of any recruit I've ever had to work with. And your rate of improvement is just stellar. Good job, Arne.-" Agrama said, offering him a pat on the head that got a warm, affectionate smile from the boy. He looked at the Black carapaced Alimbic and gave her a quick embrace before pulling back and looking to Ygrak who

"-There was clear room for improvement, we should continue practice.-" Zurvduat said.

"+That will not be necessary. He has had four hours of continual practice drills, a break is recommended.+" The Palatine Mind chimed in. The Palatine's voice was firm but fair. Though merely an advisor, his judgements had never been anything less than reasonable. Arne liked him though he was ultimately distant, mostly seeking to optimise the preformance of limited resources.

"-He is right, let us give him more time. Especially when we will be departing for Arganti soon enough.-" Ygrak said.

"-Why would we allow him to break from his training to allow him to...vacation on Arganti? I remain opposed to allowing him to depart.-" Urim said, folding his arms, not even acknowledging Arne was there at all.

"I'm here you know? And I want to go. Please don't take this from me." The boy said. He was concerned that there was even a discussion about pulling him away from a chance to go out and explore the universe beyond Sentus Primaris or the Caesarian Lance. Especially after this trip had been planned for so long. He was honestly hurt that they'd even consider not letting him go for the sake of more damned by every single deity he prayed to retrials. Had he not already proven himself beyond any room for doubt that he could handle it? What more did they want?

"Didn't you tell me I was already the best pilot here?" He asked, pointedly looking at Urim who returned the gaze as if to say something before evidently thinking better of it. Urim disliked his tendency to ask questions, and he never made that not obvious in every interaction he had with the Green armoured Alimbic.

"-That you are the best among this limited company does not mean we cannot make you better still, that is all.-" Urim said.

"-You need not sound so apologetic for speaking the truth.-" Osith said, her voice as rigid as a metal pillar.

"-While I do not believe it is useful to continue to needle him for overall improvement, to deny that there were some flaws in his technique would be to coddle him. We have time, another practice run could be done in that span.-" Deglos said as Arne started to simmer in his corner. He didn't feel it fair or just that they should be given leave to go and...just talk about him as if he wasn't even there to listen.

But he had another sympathizer amongst the ranks of the Alimbics, and they had similar thoughts regarding the habits of the others. "-Perhaps your time in frontline service in the military has addled your memories but this is no way to raise a child. Arne, are you alright? They haven't asked for further obscenities of training have they? Is there anything you would like for me to pass to Elmorni before we see her?-" Mortirk said, his yellow frame floating into view and quickly pulling Arne away from the gaze of the Tetrarch's peers.

"-They've pushed him hard for the strike craft combat lessons, but he's fine for now. Still, I think it is time we move onto other topics, if it would please the military triumvirate; we of the civilian tetrarchy submit our appeal to end training for the duration of festivities.-" Ygrak said, offering a small bow to the gathered officials out of respect. Necessitated but not exactly desired. She was under little illusion that the military officials regarded her authority as scarcely worth the chameleocircuits of her armour but if she put her foot down maybe, just maybe they would listen to her for once.

Deglos and Osith looked to one another to confer in telepathic silence. The buzz of their voices inaudible to Arne. He wondered for a moment what they were saying, unaware of the vicious debate the two had. Deglos' apathy pitted against Osith's scorn. But even without being able to peer into the conversation he was able to sense a great deal of strife between the two. Mental heat washing over his mind's perception as they aired their proverbial dirty laundry in front of him. Definitely an experience he could do without. Zurvduat for his part was pointedly being distracted from the conversation by the attentions of the Palatine; to keep his mouth shut before he said anything.

Finally, the note of a bitter agreement was plucked in the air and he sensed a degree of satisfaction, signifying that they had resolved their debate with a degree of amicability. "Well? What do you think?" He asked, though he tensed visibly when the two of them looked back at him. He felt exposed, as if he was about to be punished. He very well could be, he had spoken out of turn after all, but he was starting to feel defiant.

"-You will have your rest then, Primoris.-" Osith said as if the words were poison in her nonexistent throat.

"-Excellent, may I suggest a range of fulfilling recreational activities then?-" The Palatine said.

"Oh...sure!" Arne smiled, a small victory but he'd take it all the same.

Orbit of Arganti, Aurelarch System, Argent Nebula, Black Eye Galaxy.

The Exodia dropped from N-space like a stone tossed from the water, rippling and stretching into the realms of normal space. The fields of energy that crackled around it came to a stop and a world that had once been a Jewel of peace and prosperity laid before the gathered Chozo within. It was a world with sprawling cityscape spider-webbing through carefully managed parks and reserves, mixing nature in with what could have easily been an ordinary ecumenopolis. Even though Arganti was a world in disuse, its starlanes no longer crawling with traffic and the background psychic noise that had once been so rich having faded. The ethereal, higher energies of once common rituals done in pursuit of mystic knowledge had diffused; no longer corraled by the ancients that once met in this place so regularly. Yet it, and the ring and flotilla of continent-sized orbitals built around it as a small gesture of unity, retained a sense of wonder despite all that.

It was once a Jewel, and when the less advanced, younger societies of the cosmos had reached the point where they would be allowed through its drone defences it could be so once again.

But for now, a world meant to offer hopsice to many trillions of guests was now host to a small event between just a few thousands. A reminder of how far things have fallen from the old glory days. Children in the shadow of the titans and gods of yesteryear. And for all that, it was the most wonderful thing Samus had seen. Continents with carefully geometrically arranged cities, gentle oceans spreading across the world, harmoniously organised nature. A true testament to the genius of those who had constructed this artificial planet more than three million years ago. A very different age, when the species of the girl looking out the window had yet to even really form and her hairy, crude, and rock shaping wielding ancestors barely comprehended the sights above them in the night sky.

To think that just sixty thousand years after man had truly begun to harness life in the form of purpose bred plants to fill their bellies she would be honored with a sight like this before her eyes made her feel proud. No human before her had ever seen this place, and many who visited it doubted whether humans would ever prove themselves worthy of its grandeur before the last of its custodians disappeared or passed into the long sleep. But she was here to stand proud amongst some of the last of the elders.

"It's beautiful." She said, her expression serene. The power suit that clad her body marked her as someone worthy to stand here to the drones that scanned the Exodia. Their sensory probes analysing every passenger before relaying their approval and to allow them through the transdimensional barriers that augmented such paltry things as mere shielding around this world. Spacetime contorted and then straightened to let them through to this sacred place. Like whipping a bedsheet straight to let something roll down it without obstruction. Sorcery, science, who could say?

The shielding of the planet wrapped around their ship as it descended to the surface, the blue sky lit by the artificial captive suns locked in an aesthetically pleasing pattern enveloping the ship once it reached a low enough altitude. Sound could be heard through the ship once it had deigned to allow as such, sensors reading the vibrations of the air to provide recreations of the sounds outside for the benefit of those inside.

The animals were singing, the drones were humming, and the air rustled with wind.

A statue dedicated to a moment of triumph by a grand coalition over a monolithic foe. Platinum Crest's eyes lit up with fond recollection, but she couldn't recognise more than half of the species represented. And most of the ones she did were just old stories. A quick glance at the others told the feathered old wizard that he was alone in his recollections, and his eyes dimmed.

"It's okay...you can share stories about them." Samus said.

"And that's all most of them are now...stories." He said.

She nodded sadly. She could understand his pain far too well for someone ten thousand times younger than he was.

A change in tracks was needed. This was not the time nor the place to dig up old wounds. There were to be guests coming here. The populace of the Caesarian Lance and a few relics of past ages such as Spire and Svhilay were all that were gathered for a somewhat lively by recent standards event for festivities and discussions. This would be her first, and she was legitimately excited. Yet...where were the Alimbics whose return was supposed to be such great news?

"When are the Alimbics arriving?" She asked, it seemed to be the most obvious question to her.

"Give them a little time Samus, I am sure they are attending to their business first. But they will come, all roads point to their arrival. We need only wait a little longer." August Wings said, Isa-Hesh's gauntleted fingers touching Samus' hair and stroking it gently as she spoke to her. Her eyes gazing down towards her with warm care and motherly affection.

"Spare a few moments of attention ahead if you would be so kind. Our Elder is coming to greet us." Grey Voice said, raising a hand before the air seemed to crackle with energy. The mechanisms of the planet's technology worked in ways barely perceptible to Samus' ordinary senses but the sense of anticipation from his impending arrival by ancient mechanisms made the air alive with colours no ordinary human could ever see to her other senses. And with a fingersnap, he was there. And his gaze switched targets from his kin to his daughter in an eyeblink.

"Samus! It's so nice to see you." He said with clear pleasure, a satisfied caw coming from the ancient's beak as he extended his robed arms to welcome the armour clad teenager towards him. He swept her up in his arms as she ran towards him for a hug and squeezed her tight before setting her down again. He patted at her head and met her eyes with his own in a comforting gaze before the two nuzzled comfortably into each other and shared a content exhalation.

"I'm happy to see you too papa." She said, smiling that wide "climb the highest mountain simply because it's there and nobody else has" smile.

"As I you...the person I miss most in these excursions is always you Samus. I have so much to show you around here." She kissed his beak once as a token of appreciation and he returned the favour with a light peck to her head, a tap with the blunt of his beak to the forehead that made her giggle slightly.

"Where's Elmorni? You talk about her so much, I'd really like to see her! Is it true what War Hawk is saying? Are you two nestmaking?" She said, getting a hearty laugh from the old avian.

"Horath-Baast has an active imagination, but she only bonds within her own kind in that way, and she prefers the company of women at that. We are just old friends happy to see each other again after so many years." His laugh faded into a small trilling chuckle as he pet her hair, gauntleted fingers warm to the touch.

"But you didn't answer my question..." She said, her voice slightly coy and expression still undimmed in terms of curiosity.

"Ah...she is waiting to greet Zurvduat." He said.

"What's he like?"

Old Bird seemed to almost come to a stop as he considered how to answer Samus' question. She had asked honestly and earnestly, and so she deserved an answer in the same kind. Yet his knowledge of the Knight-General was certainly...second hand yes, though what he knew was certainly far from flattering. If anything it made the idea of meeting him twist his gizzard into a number of very complicated knots. And what the distant sight informed him of the Grey General certainly did very little to alleviate the tremendous apprehension he felt regarding the very idea of having to speak to him in person.

"From what I know, not someone you would enjoy the company of. Nor would he enjoy yours." He said, condensing his thoughts down as much as he could.

"He's a mean guy I'm guessing? That's a shame...I'm sure we could find something to be friends about if I tried." She said, planting a hand over her chest and giving a grin.

"Remember Samus, a good friend is someone who will make effort with you, not make you take all of the burdens for them. Solidarity is what makes for friendship, not sacrifice."

"I understand papa, you've told me that many times already." She said.

He nodded beatifically and clasped his fingers around his cane. Simple, undecorated, something for a humble man with few ambitions. He was so happy to see her growing so quickly. But the distortions in the skies above told him of something else arriving; as did the ripples in his distant sight. He hazarded a look upwards, followed by her and the others. The mighty prow of the Caesarian Lance hung overhead, heavy and imperious as ever. Its forward swept pseudowings cut into the air like mightyu cleavers, and the primary eye cannon at the front glowed like the sun itself. The size of a mountain and with more firepower than some nations had in their entire fleets, its presence was here for the simple reason of intimidation. Comparatively, the somewhat pyramid shaped Exodia was humble, unassuming. Samus much preferred the latter, it felt less like the master of the ship had something to prove.

"An Exergis class Battlecruiser. Now that I haven't seen in a very long time." Grey Voice said, mildly impressed which was about the most emotion Samus had seen from him in a month.

"If only we were still operating such warships." Star Strider sighed bitterly.

"I believe that in the past we condemned the Tetrarch Order for such blatant intimidation." War Hawk said. "But in your day, didn't they also say that you were an Alimbic Knight born into the wrong society?" That got a laugh out of everyone else while Star Strider snarled beneath their helmet, clearly displeased with this blatant show of disrespect. However Grey Voice simply raised a hand to signal to everyone, Samus included that the time for a little giggle had passed.

"Well...we shouldn't wait too long to meet the people inside! Come on!" She said, starting to walk forward and gesturing her adoptive family to follow. Old Bird hesitated briefly though, there was a sour note in the air emnating from that ship.

Surface of Arganti, below the Caesarian Lance

Arne stood apprehensively in the room, looking out through the monocular visor of his helmet. It was isolated but it kept the others from reading his expression. He looked anxiously for signs of Elmorni from the data feeds, and sighed when he couldn't find any sign of her yet. But a hand from Ygrak made him feel wanted and cared for, his muscles relaxing as he felt her lay on them. He felt their bond of kinship and he smiled at her through his helmet, laying his hand on hers as she turned her floating, neckless head down towards him.

The mixture of architectural styles of the cityscape below interested him. As he looked down, the names of each of the cultures represented flashed in his recollection. N'Kren, Ylla, Alimbic, Chozo, Faera, Oronaerb, Pikdak, Sesyren, Xan-Thar, But the empty nature of the buildings made him feel as hollow as they were. Cities were supposed to have people, empty as they are now all they were was shells. Echoes of a once spoken voice. Now it was more like...an empty gym. It felt sad, pathetic. Even a little creepy. But most of all, it felt like a waste. People could be living here right now instead of keeping this place as some mausoleum.

"-Your feelings are righteous Arne. But some refuse to let go of the past. It's up to us to look to the future, and create a world where people can look to tomorrow eagerly.-" Ygrak said

He had read something much like that from the writings of his parents. Words he took solace in as they seemed so much warmer and more relatable than much of what he had been hearing from his current family. Well, mostly. His moms cared for him. Mortirk cared for him. The Mind...sort of cared for him in his own way. It was enough to make him smile despite everything that had happened. The knowledge that there was light made any amount of darkness seem paltry.

But there was sour thunder in the air, a presence to make him shiver with fear as he turned around to look upon its source. The Grey armour of Zurvduat loomed large in his eyes and he looked away with a heavy breath. He straightened himself, made sure he looked as presentable as possible and gave his "father" a nod of respect as he made himself respectable for his forger. He could sense the air souring as if it were curdling in his presence, perhaps a product of Zurvduat's power, perhaps simply because he could sense an intense malevolence.

"-You had best not embarrass me, boy. Remain at optimum performance and do nothing to besmirch the name of myself and the Order.-" Zurvduat said, his cold voice becoming deeper in his mind as Arne's vision seemed to stretch out until there was nothing but a black tunnel with Zurvduat and himself in it, the sight of Ygrak, the ship, and all the other alimbics vanishing as he suddenly felt far more alone. His submissive fear to Zurvduat allowed such a communication through, and his fingers twitched nervously as he tried to avoid the malevolent gaze

"-You will do nothing to make me look foolish before the Chozo. Or I will show you that even the Tetrarchy's affections for you only go so far in preserving you. You are a Knight in my image, a creation of my hand, a warrior of my school.-" Each word was spoken in a low, menacing growled psychic voice so unlike Zurvduat's usual aloofly disdainful imperious tones. This was a threat, and Arne began to breathe quickly as he felt like he had to run, but where could he go from here? Everywhere he looked there was darkness, save for Zurvduat's eye.

"-You will make me proud to have you in my service or you will regret not having perished with your family. Just as I have reforged you from broken splinters, I can break you again. Have I made myself clear? Or must I give you a demonstration?.-" Arne choked and nodded weakly. His body felt like there were needles, sinking into every inch of his flesh. He felt like his heart was trying its best to explode, he felt his muscles shaking and tremoring under Zurvduat's gaze. What did he do wrong? What would he do wrong? Why...what could he do to make it right?

"I promise...I'll do my best. Please, believe me. I won't do anything to upset you. I'm ready to do my part. You don't have to worry...just let me go...please..." He said, putting on his best attempt to appear calm. To be without fear, to be without worry, to be without weakness. The effort appeased the Knight-General however, and he relaxed. Dawn returned and the world seemed to unfreeze, shape and colour snapping back into place and Arne's tremors starting to subside and fade.

"-Excellent. You will do me proud, boy.-" Zurvduat said, laying a hand on Arne that made him freeze at first before he relaxed when he felt no accompanying pain. He just had to keep this mood going so that he could survive the day without having to deal with any ugly confrontations. He could do that, yeah...he just keep Zurvduat pleased. Then he would be so proud of him.

The teleporters crackled, he had missed a conversation and he found himself suddenly standing in the cityscape where the Blue Armoured frame of his adoptive mother stood looking upon the buildings before she turned her head around to look upon her son with the easy grace he had come to expect of her. His helmet fizzled in blue light and his expression shifted to one of elated delight.

"Mom!" He said without hesitation.

She turned around, pivoting in her hovering position and seeming to light up as she rushed over to him lifted him up to eye level with her. For a moment, he forgot all about Zurvduat and all about the fear of disappointing him. He had his first adoptive mother, and that was all that mattered in the whole of the universe to him at this moment. He kissed at her forehead and she touched head with him in return, humming a little tune that Gyda had once sung to him when he was virtually an infant all those years ago.

"-Little Eagle...how are you?-" She said.

"-All vital signs nominal, Mystromagus Elmorni.-" The Palatine Mind added. Elmorni brushed it off, a response she didn't ask for from someone whose commentary she had expressed no interest in hearing at the moment.

"Will I impress them?" He asked, privately, secretly. He whispered as quietly as he could, waiting for Zurvduat's attention to be elsewhere, knowing full well that Zurvduat could read the vibrations of his words to see what he said. He didn't want to show weakness before them, and Elmorni's psychic expression instantly changed to one of concern and worry.

"-Is Zurvduat frightening you again? I thought I made it clear to him that he was not to intimidate you again. Don't you worry about him Arne, I will talk sense into the General.-" She said, not at all enjoying the scared nod that Arne gave in response before she set him down and ruffled his silver-white hair slightly. She relaxed as he felt some relief and let out a sniffle, she had always encouraged him to be more open when he was upset. And so he wore his heart on his sleeve for her, sniffling again before she laid a hand on his face and hushed him.

"Are the uh...Chozo as nice as they say?" He asked, trying to switch course to a more relevant topic.

"-You cannot say any species as a whole is kind or cruel. Every person is shaped by the circumstances they live within, all of our choices are limited by the world we live in. But many of them will see you the way I do.-" She said, splitting a finger to hold his chin and turn his chin up towards her, a feeling of warmth coiling its way through his body and banishing his worries. Confidence reasserted itself, and he reassured himself that everything was going to be alright.

"Like a son?" He asked, teasingly and flicking his tongue out in a playful display.

"-Perhaps not exactly the way I do, but from what I hear, Old Bird loves his daughter the way I love you and that's seen as something to encourage. To relish. So I think you will like them Arne.-" She said, her gentle voice low and songlike.

"-It would be best for us to not keep our esteemed colleagues waiting. I detect the presence of many small portioned easily consumed meals and liquids with elevated degrees of saccharine chemicals. Snacks and drinks in other words.-" The Palatine Mind said, causing Arne's head to snap towards the Synthetic Consciousness' chosen avatar, the floating White Octopus like drone's monocular optic switching attention from him towards the hall of gathering.

Arne's eyes were drawn to the building and his head tilted from left to right and back again as he drank in the sights of the building. A dome like structure surrounded by statues of many species, many he did not recognise, many others he knew had not been seen by any living eyes in a very long time. But could the missing or the extinguished be lying in wait like his own adoptive people? Not gone, but simply resting and waiting to be found? But then...how many could that really apply to? Surely many really are gone for good...the thought saddened him so he relinquished it, refusing to hold onto the upsetting idea. He noted that some of the holopathic glyphs written near the Alimbic statue read "To our shared Triumph over those who sought to enslave."

"What was this building made for?" He asked, turning his attention back to the old Mystromagos as she gave a small laugh in that melodious grandmother's voice of hers.

"-That's a very old story Arne. It was old when I was last awake even. But there was a time when we all stood as friends who had vanquished a great and terrible foe together. A war where we learned to master the military art before we swore to push the boundaries of that art no farther. It's a long tale for a long war, and when we make leave for home I will tell you it in full. But for now, let's think less of solemn memorials, and more of getting you some ice cream.-" She said, the magic words making his eyes light up as he just about bolted towards the facility, getting a little laugh out of Elmorni as Ygrak approached her and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"-Do you think we have done rightly by him?-" Ygrak asked.

"-I cannot speak for others, but I believe I have at least.-" She answered.

"-Let's not leave him unsupervised for too long, shall we?-" She asked as she rested a hand against hers as they shared a warm memory through the touch.

"-Of course, come with me.-" She answered as she broke off the gesture.

Dining Hall, Citadel of Unity

Samus twiddled her thumbs slightly while she sat at her seat in the dining hall, a sweeping place filled with many tables at many elevations contained within its arching dome, food conjured at the desires of those partaking in this discussion by all those deemed worthy enough to sit at the table. Her yellow armour clad legs swung beneath the decorated table while the elders spoke amongst one another about high minded ideals of politics and philosophy. She was following most of it, but she didn't need to have mastered telepathy to know that there was more than a little heat between the Alimbics and the Chozo. While Zurvduat seemed to agree broadly with Mother Brain on a terrifying number of things, Re-Sekh had little love lost for him. It was interesting enough even if she thought that most of the people here were unfortunately unwilling to involve her in any of the conversations. She had wanted to join in, but there was a sense that Zurvduat was unwilling to speak with her as an equal. Something that made her rather furious actually.

Arne though walked into the room, darting around the various adults to find himself a seat. He wanted something to himself, some time to think alone despite the buzz of all the people around him. He wasn't allowed to leave while the great meeting was going on...but that didn't mean he actually had to put himself in a position to have to talk to anyone. He understood most of it, he just didn't want to be dragged into more talk of his destiny or more of the politics of the Tetrachy or anything of the sort. He knew what he believed in, he wanted to stay true to those convictions, and wasn't in the mood to examine the beliefs of his adoptive people. He slipped past Spire, who had finished conversing with the huntress Svihaly a little earlier, and looked around for some place where he could sit and listen without being focused on too much after getting something to fill his belly. He just so happened to turn his head past some pillars at the right moment.

Then the two locked eyes with each other as Samus' blue eyes flicked away from the arguing elders and towards a negative space in the crowd while he was looking around for food to grab, stepping into that space and turning to see her. The two seemed startled, blinking repeatedly as if they were gazing upon a hallucination. This was the first time either had seen a real live human in person for more than ten years. Samus dropped the fork in her hands and Arne's attempted outreach for the plate of food stopped dead in its tracks.

He thought of something...anything to say, and decided to start with why he was here in the first place.. Food, yes, preferably sweet. "Is this chocolate?" He said, not taking his eyes off of her while she remained similarly transfixed on him. He wasn't sure what to do, so he made a little smile to make her feel a bit more at ease. He really, really liked the hair on her head, and those eyes of hers had him transfixed. Her starstruck expression was cute, and he only hoped that he managed to avoid looking like a surprised fish himself.

For her part, she smiled back at him. His silver-white hair was...exotic. His crimson eyes, opened wide with surprise; were intriguing. His soft smile though? That was endearing. "Yeah that's...chocolate ice cream; why don't you sit down? We can uh...share chocolate yeah?" She said, the young girl raising her eyebrows in interest. She figured that was her best shot of getting him to sit with her and give her someone to talk to that was both her age and easy on her eyes.

Arne looked briefly around, as if he was trying to search for anyone who might object and then nodded. He grabbed the plate before anyone could notice, holding it in his hands and quickly seating himself; sliding it between the two of them as he found himself next to her. He straightened himself out and unconsciously reached a hand for his hair as if to make sure it was all in order before he turned towards her. Her own fingers played around with her tomboyish ponytail, eyes stealing glances towards him as the two waited to see who would be the first to take a piece of the artisanal desert.

"I'm Arne." He said, sitting down, pulling a seat for himself and resting his hands on the table after setting down enough chocolate ice cream for four of people. But he figured that they could do with extra, since he guessed they'd have a nice...long conversation. His mind raced around in circles trying to find something to say. The synaptic feedback systems in his gauntlets reported the sensation of rubbing his fingers together. He was nervous, but it felt like a much better sort of nervous than usual as he hung on her words.

"Samus, Aran. You're not just named Arne are you?" She said. She had always imagined what it would be like to see another human, another kid. A boy, a girl, or anything else...it didn't matter. She'd have loved the sight all the same. But for what it was worth, she felt glad that the first human she saw was him. She eyed the amount he brought over. Enough for four people. She'd have gone for six herself, she had no intention of getting out of this seat anytime soon. Not when she was busy thinking of what to say, something meaningful and from the heart.

"Skjoldr. My surname's...Skjoldr." He said. "It means shie-" He was about to start before she interrupted.

"Shield. And Arne means Eagle, so that makes you the shield of eagles" She said with a nod and smile. "Mine means Explorer of Islands...well, I think that's the nicer translation." She said, laughing a little. He shared in the moment, letting out an honest, heartfelt laugh. It might not have been that funny, but it felt nice to be able to share that sort of moment with another person.

"So Arne, what do you think of this gathering? It's nice to leave home isn't it?"

"Well uh, hrm. I'm not used to all these people being nice to me. Everyone seems so happy to see me and that's...weird but good for me."

He gave a somewhat bashful smile. He was still trying to work on being presentable socially, and he warmed when he saw her returning that smile. It made him feel like she cared about what he had to say, like he did when he was with his mothers. He saw the curiosity in her eyes and tried to figure out what she was thinking. Body language was a learned craft for him, so he focused carefully to make sure he wasn't getting the wrong signals; trusting his conscious senses to do what his instincts were poorly wired for. She was interested in him, and that encouraged him to keep at this conversation during this brief pause.

She was indeed interested. Intrigued even. She examined him, studied him and tried to figure out what he was at a holistic level. Like how did all of his parts fit together into the person sitting across from her? His interest in her also drew her notice. It was a different sort than what she usually received, a child's interest in another. She wanted to pick at this, to find out more and to learn all she could. How very odd it was, she thought to herself, that another person of her own species was such a puzzle to her. And her mind when confronted with this challenge, sought to grab onto it with both hands and pull him in.

"Yeah, it's really exciting to meet all these new people! I love it at home in Zebes, but I want to see the universe I'm supposed to help. I can't keep my wings stuck in a cage forever. I need a chance to stretch them and fly, and well...this is the first time I've ever really done that you know?" She said, her enthusiasm bright like the sun itself. And like a sunflower, his own spark of energy began to unfurl in that radiance.

"I...yeah. I'm really happy to get a chance to leave Sentus. I like seeing all the new people, and it's nice to just...look around and relax and enjoy things. And get to know the cosmos I'm well...expected to protect. And I like that people here all seem to be interested in me. It's validating."

Twice he's talked about how unusual it is for people to express interest in him as a person. That bore investigating, why was that? It didn't make sense to her, how could that possibly be she thought to herself. "But why wouldn't people be happy to see you Arne? I've just met you and I already have so many questions! It's...is it about your parents?" She asked before another name came to her mind. "Is it because of Zurvduat?" She remembered that name and how Old Bird seemed to be apprehensive about it. Was he the one making him feel this way?

And there it was, a brief flash of displeasure. His expression doured and his heart began to dip in his chest. He felt heavy for a moment, but he pushed it to the side. However he looked at her and realised that he wasn't going to be able to lie his way out of it. "...Yeah...I want to impress him, all of them really. Sometimes I don't do as well as I was supposed to and that makes them upset. So I try to be better. I just want them to be proud they adopted me." He said, steeling himself and trying to find comfort in his present situation; offering her a tired smile.

"If he doesn't find you interesting he's an idiot." She said surprisingly bluntly.

"I...what...but he's..." His brain was running in a short circuit right about now as he tried to process the idea of having his image of his second "father" torn down.

"I'm sorry but he's just...wrong!" She put on a face to let him know that this was not a position she was going to budge on.

"I...o...okay." He said. "What about your parents?" A swift if not exactly graceful attempt to redirect the conversation away from something he didn't feel like he was ready to confront.

She saw the attempted redirect a parsec away, but she also knew it wasn't a good idea to pry deeper straight away. He would open up in time. "Well, even the people who didn't think I belonged accept me now. Grey Voice doesn't show it, but he definitely cares for me. Old Bird and August Wing are also really close to me too. There's only one person who doesn't really like me. But I mostly try to ignore her or tell her to shut up." The thought of her made her stomach do twirls and got her to make a brief face. She didn't like to hide how or what she was thinking.

She laid her hand a bit forward, the other one scooping up ice cream with a spoon to funnel into her mouth whenever she wasn't speaking. So close to one of his own. She felt a psychic electricity between the two of them. Like two wireless devices that sensed compatible frequencies and were trying to build a connection. She dared to edge her hand closer, sensing with flashes of the distant sight that this was the right move to make.

He noticed the movement, and the faintest hint of red appeared on his face as he edged his own digits forward. He cleared his throat, trying to avoid seeming too awkward in the present moment. "Is she the A.I you've got floating around? Mother Brain right?" He said, getting a nod in response from her to affirm, redoubled by the gift of his telesense. Flashes of validation and flickers of security. "She's...kind of rude and judgy. I don't think I like her very much. She's just well, not like a good mother at all. Sorry if I'm not doing the word thing very well." He said, trying to breathe and then regather his focus. Okay, words, he can do words, words weren't as hard as his combat exercises.

"What I'm saying is, why is she called Mother Brain if she isn't motherly at all?" He cleared his throat. That was easy enough to say.

She gave it only a moment's thought. She herself wasn't sure of why she was identified as a Mother...mother of what? "Maybe it's like how a motherboard is the heart of a computer? At least that's what I think it is."

He tarried somewhat with scooping out the next bit of ice cream with his spoon. Why was it so much harder to find words to put into his mouth than to know what to do when he was being shot at? The way she waited for him to find something to say encouraged him to stick to it and it was only a second's delay; an eternity in his present state; before he thought of a reply.

"I mean...that sounds reasonable. At least I mean, I think it does. But...well, do you think she deserves it? Being called Mother?"

She paused, she let the thought roll around in her head. Was it something she thought the supercomputer deserved? Just the appellation and all it entailed?

"That's...I'm not sure...Do you think Zurvduat deserves to be called Father?" She knew what she thought on the matter, and she hoped that he felt the same way inside.

"...I...I don't know?"

He looked like he was genuinely lost, his sense of direction upended and his train of thought left to slip its moorings and drift on the sea of thought. Basically, he was fucking stumped.

"Well, um. I. I guess I have doubts?"

"Why?"

She shuffled a little closer to him in the seat, armour plating moving seamlessly as she did so. The tactile sensors of the suit feeding into her body letting her move the spoon in her finger with just as much precision as she could bare handed, even twirling it slightly in her hands as she waited for her answer to that question. A half second passed before she got it.

"He never lets me call him dad."

He frowned and she frowned. That didn't seem right at all. It seemed...sacriligeous. But not completely beyond her ken.

"Mother Brain never lets me call her Mama either."

The idea of a giant cybernetic supercomputer allowing anything to call it "mama" made Arne laugh. And his laugh brought some of her own out of her as the two just about doubled over in a giggling fit. Utterly asinine but hilarious, especially to those not overly familiar with more deft forms of comedy. It took a good ten seconds for the two to calm down, their giggling subsiding before finally cutting off.

"So...uh...what do you like to do when you're not practicing?" She asked, seizing the initiative to speak while he was still breathing. He patted himself on the chest, metal clanking on metal before he cleared his lungs as if that could force the last bit of unnecessary laughter out and calm himself. He gave a thumbs up to let her know that he was good to go, one that she returned almost immediately, beaming at him widely before he straightened himself.

"I mean, I like to study history. Just...go to places people live in or used to and see what it used to be like. I'm also really big on working with machines, it's really neat to take them apart and see what goes into them. But really? I like to fly. When I'm in a cockpit it feels like I can go anywhere and help anyone. And I really want to do that you know, there's a lot of good people in the universe and so many of them are hurting. But I feel like I can help them in this armor and in my ship." He said, glad that he was allowed to speak by her without interruption. Zurvduat and so many of the other Alimbics would always tell him he was losing sight of the real way to bring about peace; through the rebirth of the Empire. He felt appreciated when his word was allowed to be said.

But then why would she interrupt him? He wasn't done talking and had said nothing to warrant a pause in his speech. In fact, she was quite set on hearing out everything that came out of his mouth right about now, so long as he would give her the same courtesy. "Oh, a lot of that's stuff I'm really fond of doing too! But if I can tell you a secret? I like to hike and explore yeah, but I also really like interacting with animals. I also really, really like to read. Fairy tales, adventure stories, and mythology are some of my favourites! Also just about anything that has to do with heroes." She said, giving him a short pause with which to say something, smile undimmed and eyes just a bit brighter than before as she tilted her head.

"Heh...I care for two pet ravens and two mechanoids actually." He said warmly. She looked like someone who kept at least two animals company to him. Probably had taken some animals home that some disapproved of. He'd done the same many times. The way she lit up when he mentioned pets gave it away.

Ahah, something to speak together about! Uncomplicated and pure and simple. "Ahah! I knew you liked animals too. It was...a little hunch heh...but what are their names? I'm friends with Pyonchi and Gexom, a Rabil and a little geckobot, I'd really like for you to meet them!"

"My parents named the ravens Hugin and Munin, I named the mechanoids Geiri and Freki. All four of them should be here...just let me find Hugin and Muni-ahah!" He said, giving a small gesture towards two of the crows perching atop a table being offered a helping of bread by one of the Chozo. Munin gave him a look and tilted their head, tapping their beak slightly before turning back to the bread and opening their mouth widely to wait for the next offering.

"Odin's Ravens and Wolves." She said without a moment of hesitation, nodding in understanding.

"Oh yeah...I was thinking of using the name Valtamr when I start leaving Sentus Primaris. Secret identity you know?" He said, smiling a little sweetly as she tapped her chin.

"Huh, I guess it fits since Alimbics only have one eye...should I have one? Schathach maybe?" She hazarded for a moment.

"I'll have to think about that more." She said, eyes snapping back to him as she shifted a little in her seat.

"That sounds like a really nice name but, I like Samus too." He said, getting her to flush her cheeks slightly at the unexpected compliment. She wasn't sure why, a lot of people said her name was pretty, but so far they had all been far older than she was. Now she was getting it from someone much closer to her in age, a peer. That made it feel...blessed and honored Geshet and the spirits beyond. She regained her composure though and had something in mind to fire back.

"Well, I think Arne's a cute name too." She blurted out which made him flush rather more considerably red than her. He twitched his thumbs together. Great and kind Kereskal and his arkyls grant me the strength to deal with cute girls flirting with me, he thought. Okay, he could do this, words weren't hard to do. He was not going to look like an idiot, he swore to himself as he cleared his thoughts and looked up at her with a bashful smile.

"I mean, yeah. Well...I like to think there's at least two cute things in the room..." He said, making his voice quite small though he noticed her eyebrows shoot towards the roof, the rose hint to her cheek only grew brighter, but he himself was about as red as the primary colour of his homeland's flag. If they kept up this flustration arms race sooner or later they'd have exhausted every shade of red in the book to turn their cheeks into.

"Well, you and me both." She wasn't about to just let him get away with that even if it made her feel a bit heady herself just to say it as the two were met at an impasse. The great stalemate, the great superweapon crisis of one upsmanship and both of their fingers were on all out mutually assured embarrasment. Someone had to back out before they had to deal with the fallout.

"Aheh...well...Maybe we could see if we've read some of the same books?" Keeping the conversation moving and ducking out all in one stroke, smooth as sandpaper. She laughed though, which disarmed him slightly and got him to share a chuckle.

"Sure! I'd love to compare our reading." She said, bringing out some images projected from the orb on the back of her left gauntlet. They'd be at this for a while, so before it might be inconvenient to bring it up..."But afterwards, would you like to have a...more serious talk about more personal stuff?" She asked, taking a glance at him through the hieroglyphs she was projecting.

He gulped, but nodded. "Yeah, I think I can do that." he said.

Dining Hall, Citadel of Unity, 5 minutes prior

Re-Sekh had known Zurvduat for all of five minutes and already wished to claw his eye out. He did not even grace him with the courtesy of greeting him even, instead insisting on meeting with the commander of military forces amongst them. And when such was not provided, Zurvduat and the Triumvirate simply deferred conversation to Elmorni and the Tetrarchs. Only after a prolonged bout of bickering debate was he finally forced to relent and give Old Bird the courtesy of returning an open gesture of friendship. The pleasant conversations with Elmorni had caused him to forget why there was a cold war between the Mileu and the Order, Zurvduat's naked contempt for all around him was a reminder in the same way that a hammer blow to the genitals was a reminder one was in a fight.

"Knight-General, I am...honored you have deigned to grant us the courtesy of conversation." Grey Voice said through the most annoyed voice he could muster, the briefest of strains to his usually voice the equivalent of hissing through one's beak and snorting through nostrils in rage for most Chozo. But of course the revered Scholar-Philosopher was a always bird known for being cut from sterner stone than the statues on Zebes. To make such stone crack was a monumental feet that many could never hope to match. Truly, the commander of the Caesarian Lance was gifted in the art of infuriating those near him, Re-Sekh thought.

"-No the Honour is mine.-" Re-Sekh would ordinarily have thought nothing of "the honour is all mine" forms of replies, but out of the General it sounded pompous and condescending. Zurvduat of course, believed it was magnanimous, a gesture of what little respect he could give "-For I am pleased to see that even despite your pitiable present state and your deplorable pacifism, you yet endure.-" A heartfelt compliment in his eye. To endure despite being so pathetic, to live on and witness the resurgence of an Old Empire that would finally bring about peace and order.

"It does us great joy that you would spare a moment of your doubtlessly endlessly valuable time to consort with those you regard as inferiors." Isa-Hesh said as politely as she could manage despite her tremendous annoyance.

August Wings had spent much of her time pointedly looking at the hanging gardens throughout the Dining Hall, counting petals as slowly as her superhuman mind would be able to tolerate while still offering her leave of mind from this encounter. So far she had yet to be able to project out of this conversation and find solace in the sweet void of mental oblivion.

"-And you say this Confederacy sprung up under your watchful eyes? As did these other menaces? The War-Clans, the Star Serenity, the Trusts, the Kriken Empire and other messes you've allowed to grow under your sight? And even this very Federation you supported the foundation of...ninety two cosmic years and what do you have to show for it?-" Osith said, her cold, steely psychic voice accusatory and grating. There was no effort at diplomacy made here, just scorn for the waste of space she saw before her.

"Empires are not built on foundations of peace but death. They are maintained with mortar made of bone, and they are built with bricks of bloody gore. If we were to return to the old ways of Empire and beat the stars into submission would we have truly helped or compounded the woes of the universe with yet further miseries brought about by imperial domination?" Wise old Platinum Crest said, harrumphing as he did so.

"-And yet how much death and strife is created by your inaction? You stand idly by with technology and mystic knowledge that could transform every facet of society while knowing that there are those who could stand to benefit from what you have laboured to build. When our Order conquered, we brought our civilization, our progress and our structure to the places that we conquered.-" Urim said. The Tetrarchs seemed prepared to speak, but were silenced by a hand from Zurvduat.

"-Why have you changed so much in the time since we last saw you? Less than two hundred cosmic years and you have all gone so very, very soft. Why? Why reject the peace that we built together? Did our rivalry mean so much to you? Did you hate our ways so much that you forsake all responsibility to spite us?-" Zurvduat asked pointedly. And it was at this point that Old Bird felt in his bones that he may never make Zurvduat understand his reasoning.

Even worse Iron Heart, Star Strider, and Mother Brain however seemed receptive to the words of the General, though out of respect they remained quiet, focusing their communications entirely in the sphere of the telepathic, a chorus of silent voices speaking where the appointed mouths of two faded empires would speak. He would need to speak decisively.

"In the hundred seventy five and a half cosmic years since we last knew your people, your disappearance had caused a great realization that the quest for domination was akin to building houses on foundations of sand. No matter how sturdy the structure, it would one day sink just as your vassals gnawed at your bones once you had faded. Observing the end of your Order brought no joy to our hearts, but it made us realise that true; lasting peace must be made cooperatively." He said, tilting his head upwards to meet Zurvduat's single eye with both of his own. The General's stare was intense, but his own wizened ancient's glare was no less steadfast.

"-You are a bold bird I will give you that, old man. But when your Federation has already strayed so far from your path while you still cling to this plane of existence, what hope do you have of maintaining your grandiose vision of a realm of everlasting peace and liberty without hierarchy and inequity when you are gone? If we were peoples of flowers, your words would be worth the breath you expend on them. But alas, we do not live in a universe ruled by blossoms, ours is a harsh reality. What a pity then, that you are raising such a fine warrior as that girl under such foppery.-" Zurvduat scoffed.

"I would have thought that people such as you would understand the value and virtue of patience. The road we have laid out is long. But the payment will come soon. And I would have also thought yourself above such base attacks on my parenting methods. And what of your child then? Why has he refused to even look in your direction or call you father?"

"-I don't need a son to coddle and to pamper! I require a knight who will serve as the first sword of order in a cosmos lost to chaos! What will your "daughter" do when she has to make the hard choices to bring about peace in our time hrm? Offer flowers and kisses? Don't make me laugh. I do what is necessary to prepare my squire to do battle and make war, to make him a proper soldier and scholar in this army of civilization. So no, I don't want the human to think of me as a father to kiss his little scrapes better.-"

"And yet when the time comes, I think that you will find that your methods are lacking. Compassion, understanding, and empathy as much as brute power, raw wit, and martial skill to provide the heroes that the cosmos needs. To understand that the best choices to make are not the easy paths of leaving some to burn so some may prosper; but finding a way to bring betterment to all. So that she may bring not simply an end to conflict, but genuine peace and liberty."

"Now, I must insist that you allow us to see what can be done were we to join our forces. With our combined resources, the Hatchling and Neophyte could be a tremendous force for peace and liberation. But we should act sw-" Old Bird was not allowed to finish speaking.

Zurvduat's voice was dripping with venomous contempt for the wizened ancient "-You would have me infect my project with your coddling? You would have me forge a sword without hammering it? Keep your daughter if you wish. The Primoris will not have any of the weakness you gravebound bleeding hearts would seek to pass onto us.-"

"Perhaps it would be best to settle this discussion in methods with a test then? While I would dearly love to address your arguments for the thousandth time, even an old man such as myself must know when to adjust their tactics." He said, adjusting his cane slightly as he stood up. Relatively simple in appearance despite the usual splendour of Chozo artifice. Certainly far less ostentatious than the General's staff weapon. But Old Bird cast himself in the light of a monk, unassuming despite the armour beneath the relatively plain robes. He was not here for theatrics.

"-Tch, I see Elmorni has failed to convince you of my reasonings and ways. Disappointing. But a test you say?-" That got the old General's attention, the chance to prove himself and demonstrate his superiority. A dashing reminder of the conquests and pacifications he once lead in a now long gone era.

"Perhaps to see if your harsh methods have truly produced the steely warrior you claim to be nurturing. If you are so much better than we, why not prove it once and for all? Or are you afraid of showing the flaws in your ideals and your methods?" He said. He hoped to take Arne out of Zurvduat's '"care", and another fresh face upon Zebes would do wonders for the planet. But showing up this arrogant bastard would perhaps teach him some humility.

"-Yes...I see. Such may be all the ammunition I require to make Elmorni and her faction of wallflowers see reason...yes...I see the logic in that now. I will silence the dissent in my ranks and demonstrate the validity of my methods. Primoris, stand firm, I will accept this offer. Let us have trial by combat to settle who here has truly made the most of the time given to us. Then perhaps we will see if your daughter truly is all you say she is.-" He said, looking away as he thought, scarcely noticing that Samus and Arne had approached the table after finishing their conversation, here to ask a question only for Arne to freeze when he realised what was being discussed, Samus looking towards Old Bird with a frown on her face as he rested a hand upon her shoulder.

"Why not ask Arne what he thinks?" Old Bird said, looking down at him as he blearily looked up at him. He was about to form his words, probably saying he'd really rather just relax for now, but he could sense Zurvduat's judgement and gulped. A shaky "y-yeah...I'll do it." Emerged from him after significant internal deliberation after he gave Samus a forlorn look with his tired, bagged eyes. It was not an answer given happily, but it was a necessary answer. He gave Old Bird a look, and Old Bird wavered slightly before looking back to the Alimbic General.

"-Excellent, I will expect the field to be prepared within an hour.-"

---

Consolidated Logbook Entries

Individuals: Freelancers: Active: Diamond Rank: Uploaded Mechanoids: Unknown Affiliation: Svhilay

Svhilay is the only known operational N'Kren in the explored universe. With the rest of her kind having entered the long sleep for unknown reasons, Svhilay appears to have been dispatched as a caretaker to ensure that no long term threats to the slumbering N'Kren upon their Morphomundi. Svhilay primarily makes use of the Morning Star, which strikes enemies with tremendous crushing and expanding force that simply pulls the targets it strikes apart through catastrophic tensile and compressional force until they either implode or fly apart, with her particular variant of the weapon being able to chain to added targets. Due to her incredible durability thanks to her living metal construction and shielding, her sophark alternate mode, and highly sophisticated overall ability suite; she is considered a huntress with few peers.

Arne's Notes:
From what I've heard she shoots lasers from her eyes and lightning from her fingers and eats monsters for her breakfast routine. I don't know, I don't think she eats breakfast.

Samus' Notes:
I don't think I believe half the things said about her, but I'm very interested in seeing if they're true!

Species: Precursor: Extant: Dormant: Uploaded Mechanoids: N'Kren

The N'Kren were once a species of Germanium based life forms that would later upload themselves into mechanical bodies to transcend the limitations of their metallic flesh. They had mastered much of the physical sciences across their immensely long history even before they had discovered faster than light travel. Spreading from their power base in the Comet Galaxy, the N'Kren would come to encounter many societies such as the Chozo, the Alimbics, the Luminoth, the Ylla and later more primitive cultures such as the Bryyonians. The N'Kren Metallion would span across a considerable space and endure for more than two thousand cosmic years until the N'Kren decided to begin sleeping out of discontentment for the present state of the universe, hoping that one day there would be a better tomorrow for the cosmos. Known for their incredible technology as well as the lethality of their defenses prepared to ensure that would be tomb raiders are destroyed before they can disturb what they shouldn't, many colonies have been developed atop N'Kren Morphomundi only to be chased away by the defense drones when mining efforts begin.

Arne's Notes:

I remember stories some of the people on Cylosis would tell of what happened to revolutionary cells that tried to dig too deep into Morphomundi to establish bunkers. Not very pleasant stories.

Samus' Notes:

I really am not comfortable with the idea of uploading into a machine. It feels like sacrilege, but I'll stand by this. I just hope I never have to meet anyone I'm really tied with who uploads...I don't know how I'd feel.

Planets: Black Eye Galaxy: Argent Nebula: Human Habitable: Precursor Gathering Place: Visited: Arganti

An artificial planet constructed roughly three hundred sixty thousand years ago, Arganti served as one of the primary meeting places of the Sophont Commonwealth. A great community of many ancient and wise species required an equally great hub, and Arganti was designed to impress. While smaller than some other megastructures, the Jupiter sized world was once home to untold numbers of sophonts of countless species and regularly processed even more visitors. But as the members of the Sophont Commonwealth gradually disappeared one by one Arganti would gradually become abandoned and emptied of its guests and residents. With the decline of the Chojinzuko Milieu, Arganti fell into its terminal state and became an empty world. Now, Arganti is unable to be visited as the drones guarding it refuse to recognise most of the extant civilisations as having attainted the level of sophistication needed to

Arne's Notes:

I'm really interested in the engineering work that went into the city's design. It's...very fascinating to me how they managed to address the problems of housing species with so many different needs and all the traffic to and from the planet. Kind of sad that it's empty and no one can appreciate it though.

Samus' Notes:

The architecture on the planet is just so fascinating! The way they combine styles into a seamless blend and make sure it fits into the city planning sketched out for so many species. Ugh, I wish I could talk to some of the designers. Too bad I'll never get the chance, I wish I had a time machine, so many people I could meet!

Organizations: Extinct: Precursor: Sophont Commonwealth

Once a grand international congress of countless species that had grown to know and bond with one another, the Sophont Commonwealth was a testament to international unity to spread across tens of millions of light years. The Commonwealth was regarded as the bastion of understanding and reason, and served as the mediator for disputes for thousands of years as technology and understanding advanced ever farther and ever faster. After hundreds of thousands of years of general peace, the Commonwealth would face a grand test in the form of a tremendous war against a foe known by many epithets but whose true name seemed to be regarded as cursed, something to not be spoken of aloud. Eventually proclaiming victory, the Commonwealth would gradually splinter as the Tetrarch Order and Cojinzuko Milieu split over increasingly irreconcilable difficulties. It was declared defunct roughly a thousand years before the foundation of the Galactic Federation which was intended to be its successor.

Arne's Notes:

I really wish I could have seen it when it was in existence you know? It must have been an amazing thing while it was around. Just imagine all the people who lived better because of it! But...why would the Chozo replace it with anything like the Federation. They had to be better than this.

Samus' Notes:It's inspiring really! That what we had before was something so wonderful. How many wars did it stop? How many people were helped by it while it was around? Maybe one day the Federation can become something like it? Maybe I'll even help it get there.

Individuals: Alive: Human (Hybrid): Federation: Civilian: Freelance: Samus Aran (Part 2)

Following her adoption into the remnants of the Chojinzuko Milieu by Re-Sekh's population of Chozo against the recommendation of Somek-Ka, Samus Aran was genetically augmented with Chozo DNA to massively improve every aspect of her physiology, in essence making her almost a Chozo warrior-scholar in a human body. She also demonstrates a number of latent psionic and mystic abilities, such as the Distant sight. Samus is highly favoured by most of the Chozo although some question the wisdom of bringing her onto the planet and involving her in their affairs. Though she is well loved, she remains eager to leave Zebes and explore the universe.

Arne's Notes:

She's got such a nice smile and an incredible energy. Hahah, I'm...kind of jealous actually. But I think we can be great friends. I just feel like we can talk about anything and we'll understand each other? And that's something I really want.

Samus' Notes:

I'm hoping that soon I'll be able to start and just never stop! See every place I've ever wanted, explore all the most interesting places! Save people, make the universe a better place! Soon, I'll be able to reach above the sky...I'm going to grab at that chance above it.

Individuals: Civilian: ODOCR Citizen: Uskarling: Clan Grendakal: Human: Male: Arne Skjǫldr (Part 2)

After being adopted into the remains of the Tetrarch Order by Zurvduat on recommendation of Elmorni, Arne Skjoldr would be infused with the abilities of Alimbic DNA to augment him to levels matching that of Alimbic knights both mentally and physically. This has also come with a number of more esoteric augmentations as part of the bargain due to his psychic and mystic awakening. Arne is sometimes noted to have mood swings and a tendency to try and avoid direct conflict with most of his Alimbic caretakers, whom seem highly mixed on their opinions of him at best. He has a significant deal of anxiety about leaving Sentus Primaris, more particularly the wait to do so.

Arne's Notes:

I feel kind of glum and pensive lately. I don't know why but I have a lot of...complicated feelings about starting to go off planet, or even if I'll be allowed to do it more. I'm glad Elmorni and her faction listen though. And I hope I can find new people to talk to.

Samus' Notes:

He's such a sweet boy, but he looks so tired and lonely sometimes. I really want to try making friends with him, because I think that we can understand each other really well. And I think we both want that. Maybe I can even take him on an adventure?