When the group walked inside the chamber, the first thing they all saw were several men in lavish robes all sitting behind equally lavish desks. One desk, however, was higher than the rest, right in the middle of the others. Sitting behind this desk was a sankta man in white robes with a shining white halo above his head and hair equally as white as Yua's. This was the pope of Laterano, Yvangelista the XI
All the visitors from Rhodes Island bowed as a sign of respect for the religious leader. The pope, however, waved the gesture off, "Please, there is no need for such formality, Rhodes Island. You have done much to help Laterano. If anything, I should be bowing to you for everything you have done. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of this audience? My council have told me that this meeting is quite urgent." Yvangelista wanted to know what it was that was so important that Rhodes Island needed to see him with the upmost urgency.
Before Kal'tsit could speak, one of the other men in lavish robes spoke, "Your grace, with all due respect, why has one of those demons come here? I know that you said all are welcome in these halls, but are we really allowing the presence of a sarkaz to taint this sacred place?" The man in the robes pointed at Yua and sounded disgusted that she was here.
All of the other members of Rhodes Island looked in the same direction that the sankta man was pointing at and could see he was pointing towards the white-haired lung. Yua was frustrated with this. Her mood already wasn't that great, and the priest calling her a demon only made her feel even worse. "I'm getting so sick of this! You know what?! If we manage to beat Skadi, I'm changing my look so people will stop saying I'm a sarkaz! Maybe, I'll file my horns down! Or maybe, I'll dye my hair to look like mothers! Then people might stop calling me a sarkaz!" Yua was reaching her wit's end with being called a sarkaz. The white-haired lung promised herself that if she survived the current situation, she was going to change her look.
Ch'en could see her future daughter was frustrated with being called a sarkaz and decided to step in before the white-haired lung lost her temper. "For your information, Yua is not a sarkaz. She is a lung, just like myself. And, she is my daughter. So, with all due respect, do not call her a demon again in front of me." Ch'en told the sankta who had called Yua a demon that she was a lung and her daughter. The blue-haired lung also told the man to not call her future daughter a demon again. Ch'en managed to keep herself calm, but her voice did tell the man that there would be consequences if he called Yua a demon again.
"Excuse me?! That just sounded like a threat! You would dare threaten a member of his grace's council?! I should have you thrown out!" The sankta man didn't like the fact that the blue-haired lung had been so bold as to threaten him in front of the pope. All of the visitors felt that this was going to go wrong very quickly. Kal'tsit was about to admonish Ch'en for what she said, but the pope raised his hand to silence her.
Yvangelista then turned to his priest, "I'm sorry, but you have no right to call this girl a demon. Whatever she may be, she has come here for help. I will not tolerate that attitude from you. Anyone is welcome here as long as they have no ill intentions, no matter what race they are. One more remark like that, and I will remove you from this council. Am I clear?" The pope warned his priest very sternly against calling Yua a demon again.
The sankta man was about to object, but seeing the face that Yvangelista had right now quickly caused him to reconsider his protest. Instead, the priest simply decided that it was best not to say anything further for now.
Yvangelista then turned back to the visitors from Rhodes Island, "My apologies, my guests. Many of my people still bear a lot of animosity towards the sarkaz. I am trying my best to fix things and repair relations between us. Unfortunately, it is a long and painful process. It may take many years before my people can let go of their grudge." The pope sounded sad when he explained the situation between the sankta and the sarkaz. Yvangelista hoped that one day, tensions could deescalate to a point where the two races could live together side by side.
"I understand, your grace. I know that feeling all too well. That no matter what you do or whatever your reasons were, people will still hold it against you. Even if there is a bigger, more important reason that you have to co-operate with someone." Kal'tsit replied to Yvangelista that she understood the difficulties he was going through. The ancient feline then looked towards Ch'en when she finished speaking. The blue-haired lung knew that Kal'tsit meant those words for her. The situation between the two still wasn't the best between them.
Ch'en wanted to say something but held her tongue. The blue-haired lung remembered why she was here. They had to get help from Laterano so Rhodes Island could save the doctor and stop Skadi. Ch'en simply turned away from Kal'tsit, not bothering to retort.
Yvangelista chuckled at Kal'tsit's response before replying, "It's good to see that someone understands what I'm going through. I swear, it feels like a never-ending struggle sometimes. But if it means that the sankta and the sarkaz can live in peace one day, then it will all be worth it. But, enough about my problems. How can I help Rhodes Island? If it is within my power, then I will do my best to help."
Irene then stepped forward, "Your grace. The reason we have come here is to request aid from Laterano. Iberia is under attack, the seaborn are invading my country. My people can't stop them alone." The liberi got straight to the point about why Rhodes Island was here.
Yvangelista and his priests looked visibly shaken when they heard this news. All of those present at the council knew what danger the seaborn posed to Terra. "Are you sure it isn't just a large horde that is attacking? It surely cannot be a full invasion." One of the priests asked, sounding equally hopeful and scared. The man hoped that it was just a large group of seaborn attacking and not a full-on invasion.
"No, I wish that was the case. But it is as Irene just said. The seaborn are attacking, and they are being led by one of my comrades. Or rather, my comrade from a different timeline. She has been taken over by Ishar-Mla and has taken over the body of my friend from this timeline. Her name is Skadi." Gladiia was the one who delivered the grim truth to the council, that the future Skadi was the one responsible for attacking Iberia.
"Comrade from a different timeline? And, she has been taken over by Ishar-Mla? What on Terra do you mean? My apologies, but this sounds so surreal to me." Yvangelista was having trouble understanding what the aegir leader was saying. Mostima then took off her hood and stepped forward to speak to the religious leader, "My grace, I know that you may find this very hard to believe. But, what Gladiia says is the truth."
The priest from earlier that called Yua a demon was angry that the blue-haired sankta was here as well, "I can't believe this! First, we allow a demon to come here! And, now a fallen as well! Mostima, you have no right to be here! How dare you have the audacity to come here!" The priest was irate with the presence of Mostima. It was hard to tell who the man despised more between the white-haired lung and the blue-haired sankta.
Yvangelista had heard enough when his priest spoke out against Mostima being here, "That's enough! I told you one more remark, and I would remove you from this chamber! You have ignored my order! Remove yourself at once!" The religious leader was angry at his priest and ordered him to leave. The priest looked stunned at Yvangelista's order but did so. Before the man left, he mumbled something about Yvangelista becoming too soft as he walked past the guests from Rhodes Island.
"My apologies, Mostima. I know that you are a fallen. But I believe that you will find redemption someday. Everyone within reason deserves a second chance. Unfortunately, it's up to the law to decide when you are deemed worthy enough for it. Not me. Now, do you care to explain what your colleague means?" Yvangelista apologised to the blue-haired sankta and then asked for clarification on what Gladiia had meant.
"Thank for your belief in me, your grace. I promise I won't let you down. Now, about what my colleague has said. Yes, the one called Skadi is from the future. She is from a timeline that is different to our own. Skadi is the one who is responsible for that timeline's destruction. She has come to this one to claim the doctor of Rhodes Island for herself. In her timeline, Skadi was in love with the doctor. But unfortunately for her, the doctor loved someone else. He loved the one known as Ch'en." Mostima them pointed to the lung in question.
Yvangelista and the priests took a moment to look at the blue-haired lung. They then took a moment to register Mostima's story. Once they had time to take everything in, Yvangelista asked Mostima to continue.
"One day, Skadi then disappeared. It is my belief that during this time it is when Skadi fell under Ishar-Mla's influence. When the doctor of that timeline disappeared, Skadi's invasion happened not long after. For years, Terra battled against the seaborn. But it was a losing battle. Over the years, more and more nations fell and countless people died because of Skadi. All hope was lost, until one day, Rhodes Island found out information regarding time travel. A time machine was built, and someone was sent back into the past to warn this timeline. That person was Yua." Mostima then pointed to the white-haired lung.
The council was stunned by this revelation. They all looked towards Yua. They couldn't believe that the white-haired lung was the one who had been sent back in time. "Time travel?! This is extraordinary! But how did she do it?! And why does Mostima know so much about this?!" Yvangelista wanted to know more. This was so fascinating for the religious leader to comprehend.
"Mostima, how do you know about this?! Please, tell me!" Yvangelista asked Mostima sounding incredibly enthusiastic about it. "Of course, your grace. It is because I was there, or at least, the future me was. Let me explain, I had a huge influence on how the time machine was built. With my power, I sent Yua back in time. But I also sent a part of my consciousness back in time with her by mistake. Me, and the future me are one person now. Our memories are linked, I remember everything that happened in the future. If I didn't send part of my consciousness back in time as well, we wouldn't know about all of this. Skadi could have destroyed Terra before anyone knew what happened." Mostima explained the story regarding Yua's time travel.
"This is truly fascinating, Mostima. To think, if Yua hadn't been sent back in time, Terra would be getting destroyed right now. It's thanks to both of you that we have a chance to stop this." The religious leader was grateful for what Mostima had done in the future. Terra had a chance to stop the future aegir's plans.
Yvangelista then turned to look at Yua again, "Yua, please step forward. I wish to speak with You." The religious leader sounded eager to speak to the white-haired lung. Yua had been quiet so far, she didn't expect this meeting to go well. But now, after Mostima's explanation, it seemed to have gone much better than expected. The white-haired lung was still curious as to why Yvangelista wanted to speak to her but complied with his request and stepped forward.
"Yua, I cannot imagine what you have been through. It sounds like a world that no one should have to live in, you have my deepest condolences. But I have some questions for you. What is your connection to the doctor of Rhodes Island? And how is the Skadi from your timeline here?" Yvangelista was genuinely curious as to why the white-haired lung was here back in the past. If Ch'en was the one he loved, the religious leader believed that she was the one who would have been sent back.
"Your grace, the doctor is my father. I am the daughter of him and my mother, Ch'en Hui-Chieh. My mother wanted me to come back to the past not only to warn it, but to also make sure I got to have a future. As for why the Skadi from my timeline is here, we believe it has something to do with Ishar-Mla. The Skadi from my timeline has taken over the body of the Skadi from this timeline. We have a plan to help the present Skadi, but Rhodes Island can't do this alone. We need the help of Laterano. Please your grace, help us! I don't want to see Terra destroyed again! My future is lost...but this past...this past is worth fighting for!!" Yua declared with all her heart and soul that the past was worth saving. The white-haired lung didn't want to see Terra destroyed again.
Yvangelista then called all of his remaining priests toward him and they all began whispering to each other. None of the guests from Rhodes Island could hear what was being said, they all had their hearts in their throats waiting for the outcome.
After what seemed like an eternity, the priests returned to their respective seats. Yvangelista then stood up, "I have deliberated with my priests and we have come to a conclusion...Laterano will stand with Rhodes Island to fight this evil that threatens us all!" The religious leader declared to all those from Rhodes Island.
No one could believe it, but they were getting the help that Rhodes Island so desperately needed. They were all about to cheer but Yvangelista held up his hand, the religious leader had more to say. "However, we can't send our whole army. We need some personnel to stay behind and evacuate the civilians from Laterano if this plan you have fails. I will speak to my generals and I will order eighty percent of our army goes with you to Iberia. The rest will stay behind. I'm putting my trust in you Rhodes Island. Do not fail us. If you do, then Terra is doomed. I pray for your success in stopping this evil. Inform me the moment you are ready to march." Yvangelista and his priests then left the room to inform the army of the upcoming battle...
Later that day, the group that had travelled to Laterano returned to the landship and immediately began their preparations for the upcoming battle. Kal'tsit had informed the whole landship that a brief would be happening, and all those bar the group that had seen the pope were to attend unless they were on the upmost critical duties. They would get briefed later.
In her room, Yua was preparing her equipment and weapon ready for the upcoming battle. The day for the white-haired lung had been taxing on her emotions. This morning, Yua had felt the worst. She believed that the pope wouldn't offer any aid to Rhodes Island, that the landship would end up having to battle Skadi and her seaborn horde on their own. But, against her belief, Yvangelista had offered his help in combating the greatest threat to Terra. Laterano would stand next to Rhodes Island in fighting the aegir that had destroyed her timeline.
Yua's mood had improved considerably since the popes declaration of help, the white-haired lung now believed they had a chance of defeating Skadi. The last thing that Rhodes Island needed was for Ulpianus to show up, as soon as he arrived, Rhodes Island would head to Iberia.
A knock at her door drew Yua's attention and she told whoever it was to come inside. The door opened, and in stepped Ch'en and her sister Talulah. Seeing her aunt caught the white-haired lung by surprise, Yua expected that her mother would visit her. But, not the draco as well, Yua imagined that Talulah would be at the brief that Kal'tsit was currently giving everyone.
"Aunt Talulah, what are you doing here? I thought you would be at the brief right now." Yua asked the draco, sounding very curious. "Some of the operators were not happy with me being there. So, Kal'tsit told me to see Ch'en and get the information from her. Ch'en has told me everything, Yua. We just came here to check on you. Both of us know that it must be difficult for you right now, knowing that the seaborn are invading Iberia. Are you feeling better since this morning?" Talulah asked her niece on how she was feeling sounding concerned. Next to the draco, Ch'en was looking at her future daughter with just as much concern as her sister.
"I'm fine, thank you for asking, Aunt Talulah. I know that I wasn't myself earlier, I just kept thinking that we wouldn't get help. I thought that the pope would turn us away. It made me feel angry, and I took it out on others. I know I shouldn't have. I'm sorry for how I acted earlier, Mother. You were only looking out for me, and I pushed you away. Can you forgive me?" Yua apologized to the blue-haired lung. She was regretting her actions earlier.
Ch'en waved her off, "It's fine, Yua. I understand. What's important is that you are okay." The blue-haired lung didn't hold it against her future daughter for her behaviour earlier, Ch'en knew that Yua was dealing with a lot of emotions and memories from her own timeline. The white-haired lung was relieved that her mother forgave her, and this put a small smile on her face, Yua then returned to her preparations.
Seeing that their relative was fine, the draco and blue-haired lung were about to leave to begin their own respective preparations for the upcoming battle ahead. But before they left, Ch'en turned back to her future daughter, "Yua, just to let you know, if you ever need any help with anything, me and Talulah will always be there for you. Anytime and any place. All you have to do is ask, neither of us will turn you away. I just want you to know that." Ch'en and Talulah then left the white-haired lung on her own, Yua carried on her preparations until she fell asleep...
The next morning, the sun had begun to rise over Laterano. Amongst the empty streets a motorbike was navigating it's way towards Rhodes Island. On this motorbike was a large man dressed completely in black. The man had a black face covering on his face, and an incredibly large weapon strapped to his back. But this weapon did not impede his driving ability despite its huge size. The man glided across the roads with no difficulty at all.
When the man arrived at his destination, he stopped his bike and stared at the landship before him, "So, this is Rhodes Island. What has Skadi done? I told Gladiia to protect her, but she has failed. Now it's up to me to fix this mess, I just hope I'm not too late." The man grimly thought as he got off his bike and walked towards the entrance of the landship.
When the man arrived at the entrance, an operator caught sight of him. The operator, albeit slightly nervous at the sight of this man, walked up to him. "Hello sir, who are you? Can I help you with anything?" The operator asked the large man.
"Hello, my name is Ulpianus. I have come to see the one known as Gladiia, she is expecting me." Ulpianus replied to the operator.
With this the operator left the entrance to inform Gladiia...
Ulpianus had arrived...