Chapter 17

Many years passed after Graymor’s defeat. However, the Demihumans never stopped raiding the human colonies. After centuries of constant battle, a shift had begun to take hold in Lexandar. He was no longer the kind, optimistic young man that Maranu had instructed as a youth. He began to grow bitter, both towards the nonhumans he fought and the humans that he protected. However, the further that Lexandar drew towards the darkness, the more Sifa shined in the light. She became a beacon of hope to all factions, vowing to end the hostilities between humans and Demihumans, ushering in a new age of peace for humanity. Lexandar was not so confident in the positive aspects of sentient life. Though his amity for Sifa and Maranu never waned, he began to believe that Elementals would never be treated fairly and that the Demihumans would never see the human race as more than a blight to be expunged. With this belief came a radical new ideology within the ranks of the Elementals - who had rapidly grown in numbers since the first generation of the Founders. Lexandar argued that Elementals, with their longevity and power, had a higher understanding of the universe than their Pureskin counterparts - who still retained political control in the colony. Humanity was no longer a endangered species, but a thriving society capable of colonizing multiple star systems, thanks in no small part to the efforts of the Elementals. And yet, despite this, the Elementals were still seen with disdain and scorn, their efforts to safeguard the human race treated with ingratitude. Lexandar decided that something had to change.

A round of muttering rang up from the attendees as speculation of the Cosmic Cores erupted. Éclair thought she had heard the term before. Somewhere in her studies on the Sages, she read about devices meant to help commune with non-humanoid creatures whose brain functions operated differently than most sentient lifeforms. She thought she heard the word Psionic Core applied, but not Cosmic Core.

Zand held up his palm towards the crowd. “As agreed, Kormal will now be taking over for this part of the briefing as his people are the ones originally responsible for creating the Cores.”

All eyes went to the Sage as he stood up and made his way to the podium. Even Kevla looked surprised, which confused Éclair as it was hard to believe that Kormal could keep secrets from his daughter who lived inside his subconscious.

Kormal gave a polite bow, his large, black eyes seeming almost haunting as his usually kindly features turned deathly serious. “Thank you, Master. Before we begin, you should all know that the Prime Minister had to seek permission from the Triumvirate to disclose what I am about to tell you. It is a violation of the treaty between Tarrus and the Sages to even mention the Cores to anyone below the Fourth Level without express permission from the Council of the Six Elder Sages.”

Mozar snorted. “Of which you were once a member, so there shouldn’t be any need for all this pomp and circumstance. You Sages with all your rituals and regulations are odious to the extreme.”

Éclair’s hands twitched slightly, and she wasn’t the only one to react to the news of Kormal’s previous vocation. Kormal ... one of the Six Sage Elders. The most accomplished telepaths in the universe. Their mental prowess is said to rival even High Wielders like Eramar. Having felt his psions, I didn’t think he was that powerful. He always felt more like a low-tier Fourth, not a Wielder.

Kormal gave a patient smile to Mozar. “Once a member, my friend. Past tense. Having thrown yourself into exile as I have, perhaps you can understand my reticence in assuming the authority of my former title.”

Mozar only sniffed in response, crossing his arms as he turned away.

“Returning to our discussion, I will now entrust you with one of the most closely guarded secrets of the universe. The means by which Vessels are able to commune with Celestial Beasts, housing their strength within themselves. This is done through the Cores.”

The lights of the chambers dimmed as Kormal hit a switch on the podium which activated a holographic display. Twelve metallic orbs materialized into existence, floating in a mesmerizing circle around Kormal’s body. Each orb, about the size of a baseball, was made of silver or gold and glowed with lines of energy similar to the ancient runes that decorated Psionic Armor. Éclair had begun to comprehend a little of the ancient language used to reinforce Psionic Armor, a written variant of the Harmonic Tongue first invented by the Angels. However, though the runes on the orbs looked similar, the patterns slightly deviated from the norm, making the script indecipherable to Éclair’s trained eye. Each orb glowed with a different color. Red. Yellow. Orange. Blue. Cyan. White. Brown. Gray. Green. Purple. Pink. And Black. Éclair soon realized that the color schemes of the orbs corresponded to the banners of the Twelve Ministries. She didn’t know what such a correlation might entail, but she was already growing excited at the possibilities.

Kormal held out a gray hand, his long fingers accentuating the outlines of the orbs as they passed. “Normally, it is impossible for mere mortals to command the sheer cosmic force that is a Celestial Beast. These creatures are older than the universe itself, each possessing power equivalent to a Big Bang. No form of conventional Elemency or technology has been sufficient in suppressing their strength. But that all changed with the invention of the Cosmic Cores made roughly two hundred thousand years ago at the dawn of the Tarrus Empire.

“After the humans began settling on Tarrus, the normally passive Celestial Beasts became agitated, wreaking havoc within the cosmos. To stop the threat and create a necessary safeguard for the endangered human race, we Sages decided to intervene. Though, at first, we were content to sit by and watch mankind endure their fate, the Space Dragons interceded on behalf of the humans. The Great Golden Dragon, who is considered the progenitor of all Dragons, had decided to show pity upon mankind, so many of the Firstborn followed suit. Even in those days, we Sages held the Dragon peoples in the highest of esteem ... as we still do.”

Kormal rendered slight bows of respect to Tork and Grafael, both of whom nodded subtly in response.

“To that end, the Sages forged the Cores using telepathic techniques to bind the psionic energies of the Celestial Beasts both physically and mentally within these objects. The Cores suppress the full might of the Celestial Beasts and make it possible to partially wield their powers. However, only a rare few Psionic Users are capable of bending a Celestial Beast to their will, even with the help of a Cosmic Core. And thus, acolytes with full mastery of Elemency were chosen to take up the mantle.”

As if on cue, Saria stepped up to the podium next to Kormal and said, “Acolytes that would eventually become known as the Grand Elemental Ministers.”

The Fire Minister then held up her hand to one of the Cores, the red one. The holographic red-glowing Core seemed to sense Saria’s presence as it stopped its motion to float above her palm.

“This is my Core, or more accurately, it is Tava’s Core, created from the Great Flame Lion’s very essence. When I became the Fire Minister, the previous Minister gave it to me before retiring. The Core fused itself with my soul, becoming one with my body in a phenomenon known as the Bond. One of the conditions for receiving a Core is to be within the same Elemental Spectrum of the Beast you are communing with, which is why only Flamers like myself can Bond with Tava. The Core’s power is also imbued into my Psionic Weapons and Armor, generating more intense psions than what normal Elementals can use. It can only be removed from my possession under two circumstances. One method is through a ritual which occurs only during the inauguration of a new Fire Minister, a technique that can only be conducted by the Twelve Wielders of the Fire Council.”

Saria paused a moment, her face going grim. “The second is through my death. If I perish in battle, the Core will materialize soon after, making it possible to capture Tava’s power. This is one of the reasons that the Minister’s role in warfare is strictly limited. In the past, previous Ministers who were too careless have even lost their Cores to Mystic assassins. I don’t have to tell you the grave consequences that ensued afterwards with Mystics controlling the power of the Celestial Beasts. As such, all Cores that were lost were eventually reclaimed, but always at great cost. Thankfully, the Fire Ministry has been spared such a fate, which is one of the reasons that we maintain our power as the strongest of the Grand Ministries.”

Éclair, utterly fascinated by all these discoveries, couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer as she meekly raised her hand. “My Lady Minister. You say that there are twelve of these Cores, one for each Celestial Beast. And yet, there are only Four Grand Ministers. I take it that the Ministers from the Eight Lesser Ministries do not command a Core or a Beast. If I may ask, what became of the other Cores, and the fates of the remaining Celestial Beasts?”

Saria lowered her hand, and the Core that floated over her palm resumed its normal route with the others. She turned to Kormal who seemed to hesitate as he said, “At the time, the other eight Celestial Beasts proved too wild for any Elemental to tame. The Ministries simply didn’t have enough strength to contain the powers of all Twelve Beasts. However, thanks in large part to the efforts of their mother, the Great White Dragon, the Ministers were able to befriend the four strongest Beasts, making the others fearful of running amuck recklessly. They fled into the void of space, taking their Cores with them and guarding them zealously. The Cores limit their power tremendously, making them much less of a threat than in their younger days. Since that time, the Wild Celestial Beasts have remained mostly peaceful as they have wondered the galaxies. They are usually only aggressive if provoked, but otherwise, they prefer to remain anonymous in the conflicts of the universe.”

Éclair felt that the older Elementals were getting to a point, so she probably should’ve stayed quiet, but she couldn’t help but ask one more question. “Godfather, do you also have a Core that binds you to your Elder Beast?”

Zanderius shook his head. “The contract with my Beast is ... a little different than the Bond made with the younger Beasts. As you may know, I am bonded to the Great White Dragon, the mother of the Celestial Beasts. The details of our contract can only be made known to my successor when the time comes to pass on my powers.”

Éclair quickly looked away, feeling foolish and disheartened by her line of questioning. And that successor is me. But I will only succeed him at the time of his death.

Zanderius looked at both Kormal and Saria on either side of him as if asking their permission for something as he continued in that lecturing tone of his. “In the past, my counterpart, the Dark Dragon Lord, has infrequently managed to gain control of some of the Wild Celestial Beasts. We have reason to believe that he is attempting to do so again. Everyone here has already endured hardships from his scheming. The attack on Galsin more than a year ago was partially a distraction to allow him to steal the Core we have hidden here on Tarrus. An attempt that failed, fortunately.”

This time, it was Ryan who perked up. “Wait. You mean the Fire Minister’s Core?”

Saria shook her head. “No. That would be the Core from one of the Eight Wild Beasts that remain outside the control of the Ministries.”

Leon snorted loudly. “You’ve had a Core in your possession all this time, and you haven’t used it to create another Vessel yet. Why such a waste of resources?”

“That is because such a thing is forbidden by the Sages,” snapped Kormal, looking almost angry for some reason. “Sometime after the Wild Beasts fled into space, four of them were captured by Mystics and used to service the Dark Dragon Lord against their will. Out of desperation, the four Wild Beasts that remained free came to our homeworld of Placoon and made a pact with us Sages. They promised to stay peaceful and not interfere in the affairs of mortals, but only so long as they and their Cores were left alone. To that end, they tasked the Sages to protect their Cores and prevent any Elemental or Mystic from misusing them to create a Vessel. So we Sages took the four Cosmic Cores, keeping one for ourselves and scattering the rest to the far corners of the universe. The Wild Beasts made us swear to protect their Cores at all costs regardless of who might be trying to use them. On that day, all the Sages made a psionic bond to uphold the pledge with the Wild Beasts, meaning that ... we are honor-bound to go to war with anyone who violates this oath. That includes the Tarrus Empire if need be.”

Éclair gawked at Kormal, and Ryan more or less mirrored her astonishment as he said, “You mean ... you would really declare war on us if we used that Core to try and make a new Vessel?”

Kormal’s face seemed sympathetic but no less resolved as he nodded. “Understand that a psionic contract made with a Celestial Beast cannot be broken. It was reinforced through powerful telepathy to mark itself upon our very souls. The contract is passed down hereditarily, meaning that I would have no choice in the matter. Even if I am an exile, I am no less bound by my people’s most sacred laws.”

Éclair found herself looking to Kevla, who seemed to have a guilty expression as her gaze swiveled between her father and Ryan.

“The Core we have hidden in the Vaults belongs to a wild beast known as Nightmare, the Pteranodon of Magma, the First Erupter,” Saria explained. “The Sages kept his Core on their homeworld at first, but grew fearful of losing it after it was nearly stolen by Mystics ... a theft that was only prevented by Zand’s interference. The Core was later entrusted to the Fire Ministry by the Sages because of Zand’s good relations with the Triumvirate. But it remains in our care only so long as we do not attempt to create a Vessel with it. Violating this oath could incur the wrath of Nightmare, the other Wild Beasts, and even the Sages.”

“The most important thing is that Nightmare’s Core is safe,” interjected Zand. “However, the other Cores might not be. The Wild Beasts have been a tad more erratic as of late ... more aggressive. Furthermore, one of the Wild Beasts has recently gone missing from his normal route throughout the universe. Banshee, the Great Bat Spirit of the Screams. It is possible that he is simply in hibernation as he has been known to do in the past, but given how active the forces of the Forbidden Galaxies have been as of late, such a happenstance strains credulity. Before he disappeared, Banshee was behaving more volatilely than usual, like the others. It’s highly probable that someone has found his Core, and he is trying to resist its influence. The process of creating a Vessel from an unwilling Beast is a messy business, even with the aid of a Core, so it is highly unlikely that a new Vessel has been made with Banshee’s power given that the procedure can sometimes take years or even decades for the Bond to develop fully. So even if his Core has been found by an enemy, there might still be time to save him.”

Zand stepped forward, his bearing seeming to indicate a conclusion of some kind. “It is clear that the master of the Forbidden Galaxies has a vested interest in the Cosmic Cores. If the Dark Dragon Lord gains control of the Wild Beasts, the scales will tip in his favor. Furthermore, it is also clear that he is gathering allies, as shown with the Goblins and the Werecats who have been keeping too much company with Mystic Operatives lately. Therefore, my plan is twofold. To gather valuable allies among the Six Pillars throughout the universe, and to collect the Cores for safekeeping. Meaning that our immediate objectives will be aiding Atlantis in their crisis, and discovering the fate of Banshee who was last seen somewhere in the outer territories of Tarrus Space on the border of the Forbidden Galaxies. To that end, we shall have to divide our forces.”

“Divide our forces?” sneered Mozar. “And you’re just assuming that everyone here will simply go along with this plan of yours? A plan that is obviously not sanctioned by the Tarrus Government. Clandestinely making allies who will be loyal only to you, not necessarily to the Emperor. And gathering powerful weapons in these Cosmic Cores. Sounds like the preamble for a coup if you ask this one.”

Zand opened his mouth to speak, but stopped as Green-Eyes trotted forward, her four padded feet barely making a sound. She only stared at Mozar. The Werewolf met her gaze, though looked strangely uncertain. It was the first time that Éclair had seen anyone who could unsettle Mozar even slightly.

The womanly voice of Green-Eyes rang out as she said, “I know you have doubts, and I know that we have disappointed you in the past ... but can you claim that the actions of my master and I have not been for the good of the universe, or even the good of your own people?”

Mozar grunted softly, shaking his head. “Maybe that’s the problem. Maybe I wish you’d stop protecting this universe altogether. Just let us all be put out of our misery already ... that goes for my so-called ‘people’ too.”

Green-Eyes gasped softly, her quivering emerald irises registering a level of emotion that almost seemed human. Her voice came out in a harsh whisper. “You even sound like him. Do you even hear yourself?”

Mozar sighed tiredly and turned away, his hands resting on his knees.

Green-Eyes cocked her head to the side as she nudged Mozar’s furry hand with her nose. Strangely, he did not pull away from her touch. Éclair could not help but watch in fascination, unsure if there were some religious connotations in these strange circumstances. She didn’t know who the ‘him’ could be that Green-Eyes was talking about, but she felt it would be inappropriate to ask.

“Hemaran. I know you have more love in your heart than that. You can’t hide your true feelings from me. I know you still love your people despite your cynicism. So I ask you, will you help us?”

Hemaran, thought Éclair as she listened with bated breath. I think that’s an old Lycan phrase. It means...

Mozar grunted, still not looking at Green-Eyes as he said, “Shemaran. This one is very old and very tired. The last hunt beckons him. But it would not be so bad to go to the final hunting grounds in your service. At the very least, things might get interesting ... before the end.”

Green-Eyes’ canine face almost seemed to smile as she gave Mozar’s hand a soft lick. Éclair felt her breathing return to normal as the tension in the room evened out. She couldn’t know why, but she had been on pins and needles waiting for Mozar’s answer. She glanced over at Torsha, noting the Werewolf girl’s perked ears and brown eyes absolutely glued to Mozar with even greater fascination.

“That’s certainly a relief,” said Zand almost jokingly. “Because – and I probably should’ve mentioned this earlier, so I do apologize. But anyone here who doesn’t wish to be party to our plan will have to have their memories erased of this meeting, I’m afraid. Kormal and I already set up the telepathic field before everyone arrived.”

Mozar growled savagely, glaring at Zand. “This one should’ve known you’d pull something like that! Crafty as always, Alastar!”

Zand smiled good-naturedly as he addressed the rest of the group. “Now that the subject has been broached, anyone who doesn’t wish to participate is permitted to leave. You will simply experience a slight memory alteration when you exit this room, and then you’ll all be free to go about your lives. But if you do agree to our plans, the telepathic field in this room will put a binding spell on your psyches that will swear everyone here to secrecy until our designs have come to fruition.”

Zanderius paused, taking everyone’s faces in turn. Éclair felt her pulse quicken as his gaze settled upon her momentarily. “I will not lie. My plan comes with a great deal of risk ... the risk of treason, imprisonment, possibly death at the hands of the Emperor, or even at the hands of the Dark Dragon Lord himself who will no doubt seek to thwart our efforts. So if any of you have any doubts whatsoever, now is the time to leave. To undertake what I have conceived will alter the fates of every sentient lifeform in the universe. Such an achievement requires nothing less than absolute commitment for all involved. Therefore, I must ask ... is everyone here willing to see this plan through to the end?”

Éclair looked around the room. She saw a bit of uncertainty in a few, mostly in Rachel and Tork. However, that uncertainty was soon replaced with cold resolve as faces hardened and jaws were set. As for Éclair herself, she’d be lying if she said she didn’t feel frightened at the enormity of the task at hand. But more than fear, she felt a driving force within her. A deep feeling of purpose. Whatever her personal feelings for politics, she knew that things could not go on as they were. She knew that the once burgeoning Empire was decaying. Little by little every day, Tarrus was being eroded by the corruption of hubris. People like Chissler who polarized politics with their absolution were its source. Weakened ties between the factions and the slow, rotting denigration of society were the symptoms. And the end result, total annihilation at the hands of this mysterious Dark Dragon Lord, the ultimate predator of the universe who would not hesitate to pounce upon their weakness. The creature that had a hand in darkening Éclair’s life ... and Ryan’s.

Éclair chanced a glance at him. Ryan’s handsome face was set in a hard grimace, not an ounce of doubt to be found in his golden features. She couldn’t help but wonder how far his quest for revenge would take him ... and she couldn’t help but worry if that quest would take him to a place where she couldn’t follow.

I have to do my part for everyone’s sake ... and to make sure that Ryan doesn’t take his vendetta too far and get himself killed.

Smoothing out the wrinkles in her skirt, Éclair stood to her feet, accepting her fate with as much courage as she could muster. “Godfather, I think I speak for everyone here when I say this. Though the motivations may differ, we all want what’s best for the Empire, because like it or not, this universe is our home. If Tarrus falls, the universe falls into chaos. Squad 99 is my family. I will do what is necessary to protect this family and this universe.”

Grafael stood up, his broad frame nearly touching the ceiling. “Well said, protectorate.”

“Here, here,” cheered Tork as he stood with a flap of his mighty wings.

Ryan stood up as well, and everyone around the room stood soon after.

“We are already consorting with the most wanted fugitive in the universe, so it’s not like anyone would’ve said no,” said Leon somewhat smarmily.

Zanderius turned slowly to Saria in a way that made Éclair think he was asking permission for something.

The Minister of Fire took a deep, slow breath as her posture sagged in resignation. “It is a difficult thing you ask of me, Zanderius. I have ever sought the good of the Fire Ministry and the peoples whom we govern. You know how I feel about expanding my powers beyond my realm of authority. There is a reason that Elementals chose the life of soldiering over the vices of politics. Too often, power is not respected enough ... and lusted after far too readily simply for the sake of it. In the past, some Fire Ministers even thought to overtly influence all the other Ministries ... and paid the price for their conceited follies each time, resulting in much of the bitterness between Elementals that has lasted to this day. I would rather not have history remember me as a tyrant who ran the Ministry of Fire into the ground simply for the sake of her own vain ambitions.”

Zand smiled gently, a look of profound intimacy that she had not seen him display with others. “It is your humility that I have always respected. You who have known more power than most, but refuse the temptation to abuse it and foist your ideologies upon others weaker than yourself. Which is why I would hear your say in all this before we proceed.”

Saria closed her eyes and nodded slowly. “I’d prefer not to have a say if I’m being honest. And yet, it is also true that things are happening in our world that I can no longer ignore. The threats to the Empire, those from outside and those from within ... they will be the ruin of all that I love should I simply maintain the status quo. Even if some interpret my actions as tyrannical ... better that than the oblivion that awaits us should I do nothing.”

Saria took a step forward, and it felt like the Fire Minister had taken her first step into the annals of history. “I am with you, Zanderius. Come what may, the Fire Ministry will see it done.”

Zand’s green eyes quivered with emotion. He put a hand to his chest, bowing to the Fire Minister and the gathered attendees. Éclair nearly gasped to see his proud head go so low. “Thank you, my friends. Thank you, Saria.”

The proceedings that followed were fairly roundabout. Zand, Saria, and Kormal worked out the logistics of how they would go about gathering the Cores and preparing the Empire for war. Kormal explained that the whereabouts of four of the Eight Wilds Beasts and their Cores were untraceable, so they would focus on the three that they could pinpoint. Unfortunately, the exact locations of the three Cosmic Cores spread throughout the universe were unknown as the Celestial Beasts forced the Sages to erase their memories after hiding them. However, there were certain clues left behind in case the Cores were needed, so there was still hope to find those three.

Zanderius then discussed with the other older beings how they should proceed as various members of Squad 99 offered their input. Hannah would focus on protecting the borders in case of any incursions from the forces of the Forbidden Galaxies. Rachel suggested she work with their Space Pirate allies from Nirvana to that end, and the Light Priestess hesitantly agreed. Saria would keep up the search for Mystic infiltrators within the Empire as she expanded the Fire Ministry’s crackdown on crime. The Fire Minister would also be secretly negotiating with the Ministries of Earth and Air to possibly bring them into the alliance. Zanderius would continue his efforts to legally undermine Chissler by using his contacts in the Senate to combat the Anti-Elemental rhetoric of the media and the bureaucrats. Eramar, Thisimius, and Dr. Lanchester were to investigate the two Cores said to be hidden within Werewolf and Saurian Space. Most of Squad 99 were set to leave for Atlantis with a delegation from the Water Ministry to plan a rescue mission for the hostages being held in Nepton. The remaining members of Squad 99 would be sent to find the Core associated with the Spirit Bat called Banshee on the border between Tarrus Space and the Forbidden Galaxies. Due to the immediate threat posed to Atlantis, it was agreed that most of the Squad’s efforts should be concentrated there for the time being.

Given Éclair’s familiarity with Merfolk politics, she opted to go to Atlantis (as Ryan suspected she would). Leon dutifully volunteered to go with her, and Grafael did as well. Hannah asked Torsha to accompany them to help smooth things over between the Fire and Water Ministries, and the Werewolf Monk agreed. Mozar then asked to accompany the group to Atlantis, and Tork did the same soon after. Despite everyone telling him that he would be at a disadvantage on a Water Planet because of his Fire Dragon heritage, Tork insisted. That left Ryan, Rachel, Kormal, and Kevla to find the Spirit Bat and his Core.

A short time later, Zanderius used the holoprojections to create a map of the universe as they planned out their route. The map started with the Alpha Axis Galaxy, the largest galaxy in the universe which served as the hub for Tarrus power. The millions of stars, planets, and gaseous nebulas that made up the Alpha Axis Galaxy made a slow, hypnotic spiral shape around the room in dazzling colors of yellow, blue, green, and red. Then the map slowly expanded outwards, encompassing thousands upon thousands of smaller galaxies that surrounded Alpha Axis and comprised Tarrus Controlled Space. Hard to believe that the fates of trillions upon trillions of sentient lifeforms could be altered by the political machinations of one tiny planet of a single galaxy. The Tarrus Empire made up a territory of nearly a trillion galaxies which surrounded Alpha Axis, roughly a tenth of the overall territory in the universe. Many of those galaxies were many times smaller than Alpha Axis by a factor of millions. Most of the star systems under Imperial control were uninhabited and simply used for mining or travel between the more densely populated systems. There were even quite a few inhabited star systems that had yet to acquire interstellar travel, or so Ryan had heard. Éclair once told him that planets that had yet to attain the ability to travel in space were zealously guarded by Elementals to prevent more advanced cultures from corrupting or exploiting them. It was the ancient law of Sifa, the first Vessel of Purity. Éclair had only recently realized that Sifa was a distant ancestor as her surname had been wiped from recorded history, a fact that Ryan found increasingly more intriguing considering all the historical studying he had been doing lately.