Act 1: Ch.19 - Empires and Kingdoms

I stepped into the room with Kuni and Andrea following behind me. In the room already was Shion and Minerva who were busy talking over what looked like a chess game.

"Sister!" Minerva exclaimed before crashing into Andrea knocking her off her feet before laughing like a child.

Kuni jogged over to Shion going in for a hug which she accepted before walking over and embracing me.

"Been a while hasn't it… or has it? This whole above concept of Space-Time confuses me." Shion said shaking her head slightly as I put on a smile.

"You'll get used to it eventually." I reassured.

We turned after hearing some crashing to find Andrea and Minerva fighting like the two siblings they are, only this seemed a lot more aggressive than your typical play fight between sisters.

Andrea was barrelling into Minerva like a meteor while her sister unloaded Solar Magic blasts onto her.

"Shall we sit." I said after watching for a few moments, gesturing to the multiple chairs at the table.

"Why not." Shion said not taking her eyes off my two generals and getting out her notepad as we sat.

She put it away and turned to face me and Kuni.

"So, did you unlock your Capere Form?" I asked Shion and she responded with a smile her gradient red eyes flashing orange briefly.

"You could say that." She responded smugly. "What about the knock off assassin? Has he?"

"Hey, I'll have you know that I have actually." Kuni said looking offended.

"What sort of stuff can you do?"

Kuni smiled before biting his finger hard enough so it drew blood. The blood flowed out of his wound and floated around him in one long stream before splitting apart before forming into multiple kind of weapons. There were guns, spears, rocket launchers, knives, swords, crossbows, grenades and many other kinds of weapons.

Shion nodded, her eyebrow slightly raised.

"Not bad so you can manipulate blood into almost anything you want." She said as the weapons returned to liquid blood which then flowed back into cut on Kuni's finger as it healed.

Kuni grinned.

"Not only that I'm also kinda immortal in a way." He said which seemed to catch Shion's interest. "As long as there's blood (mine or not) even if my existence is erased, I can return. What about you Shion?"

Shion paused before lifting up one finger and immediately a mini sun the size of a coin formed but it looked different in the fact it seemed to have multiple layers that were marked by different colours. The first layer was black, then purple, then red, then golden orange with it then being pure white in the centre. At the same time, it seemed to flicker as if it was a flame while two golden halos overlapped each other and surrounded the mini sun.

"Nova can you open the window?" Shion asked sweetly.

Curious as to what was going to happen, I did, making a hole the window that gave view to the void that was The Beyond.

Shion aimed her creation and fired it straight through the hole. The sun like orb continued to fly further and further away until Shion closed her hand into a fist.

There was a massive bright light as the orb erupted into explosion that consumed our entire view while as it even slightly shook The Beyond itself.

I quickly closed up the hole in the window before the blast hit the building but even then, the force of the explosion cracked the glass that Kara herself had created.

"Well…" Kuni said after the blast subsided and a long pause made itself known. "Mind explaining what that was?"

Shion grinned.

"I've essentially become the embodiment of the Solar Element meaning I can manipulate pretty much anything that generates some kind of heat." Shion looked very proud of herself. "What I did was draw an amount of heat from this room, added other kinds of heat and radiation until it had an energy amount equivalent to a Reality. At the same time, I condensed that energy down to the size of a coin which caused the power of the energy to dramatically increase as I fed it more and more heat. After I fired that mini sun, I released all that built up heat and energy in the form of an explosion."

Quite the complex but impressive ability.

You think she could manipulate my Ethos Flames then.

Hmm… possibly Duo, though she would need to be strong enough to actually do that in the first place.

Very true.

Still (Unus, Duo) that is a very potent power. Most energies produce heat so she can now manipulate almost all kinds of Ethos.

"Hey Shion?" I wondered aloud, catching her attention. "What is the name of your Ethos?"

Shion paused for a moment causing me to suspect she was conversating with her Ethos.

"Her name is Soleil the Dragon Queen Ethos." Shion said calmly before her gradient red eyes flashed bright orange as her pupils narrowed to black slits.

I seemed to be the only one who noticed as no one else made a reaction.

Soleil!

Duo calm down.

No, I won't. That's my wife there. The Ethos who helped create the Dragons as well as raise them all herself. The one who taught me how to use my flames. NO. I SHALL NOT SHUT UP!

Duo, listen to Trio and be quiet.

Nova! Drop whatever thing you may have with Lazuli and get with Shion! That's my wife infused within her.

Duo shut up now or I'll never use your Capere form or let you out again!

My warning quietened Duo down, although he continued to mumble to himself, right as the doors opened up again with Rei and Lazuli stepping out.

"Nova!" Lazuli called out before running up and embracing me in a big hug. "It's great to see you again."

"My lord." Rei said nodding as Lazuli sat down with her friends, talking and catching up with them.

I gestured Rei to come closer until she was within whispering distance.

"How'd it go with her training?" I asked.

Rei simply smiled in response.

"What does that mean?" I said raising an eyebrow.

"It means that Lazuli has gotten much stronger however she does not wish to tell anyone how much." Rei said loudly so that everyone could hear.

We all looked at Rei before turning to face a sheepish looking Lazuli who was sitting in-between Shion and Kuni.

"Can you at least explain any new skills or abilities you've gained?" Shion said voicing everyone's thoughts.

Lazuli pushed up her glasses and smiled with an embarrassed look on her face.

"Sorry guys but I like to keep my cards close to my chest." She apologised while scratching the back of her head before giggling weakly.

Rei giggled a little before walking over to talk wither sisters.

Looks like Lazuli's learnt something from me though I don't remember telling her that though.

Shows you might be a good teacher.

Possibly Trio, or maybe she's a lot smarter than we take her for.

"Your no fun." Kuni said pinching Lazuli cheeks, causing her to whine before Shion slapped his hands off her and took hold of her friend like a protective mother.

"Looks like I came at an interesting time."

I turned round to find Alex casually standing behind me, wearing a smart looking suit and what looked like some kind of gateway that took the form of two large stone doors. The outline of the gate glowed purple with little flares of the same colour flickering off its outline randomly.

"Alex!" Minerva said shooting towards him before grabbing him by the cheeks and giving him a kiss.

The kiss seemed hungry, like when someone reunites with their lover after a long time apart.

"""WHAAAAT!""" Kuni, Shion and Lazuli all yelled at the same time, shock consuming their expressions.

"Good to see you to my love." Alex said after Minerva released him while he held her by the hip.

He turned to face us with a slightly embarrassed look on his face, his pale cheeks blushing slightly.

"It's been a long time." He said lowering his head as a sign of respect. "Shion, I see your still carrying that notepad of yours. Ever thirsty for knowledge as always."

Shion looked slightly confused, pulling the notepad out of her pocket, clearly finding it surprising that he was aware of it even though it had not been sight.

"Kuni, we may not know each other well but I can tell you've become a far more formidable opponent than before." Alex said with a small grin. "I can sense the power of an Omni Rank coming from you."

Kuni raised an eyebrow, a smile of his own crawling onto his face as he leant back in his chair.

"Is that a challenge?" He said, his voice dripping with excitement.

Alex shook his head.

"I'm afraid not. I'm more adept at ambushes, scouting, collecting information and very quick exchanges, I'm not a warrior like you."

"Shame," Kuni said waving the statement away. "I was looking forward to testing those prediction techniques of yours."

Alex smiled once more before his gaze turned to Lazuli who greeted him with a warm expression.

"Lazuli Titana," He said calmly, his voice filled what seemed like admiration. "you have become a fine warrior and Awakened Ethereal. Even though I have not seen you fight in this state of yours, I already have a rough idea on what your capable of and I must say that I pity whomever your next opponent may be."

"That's v-very sweet of y-you." Lazuli said, flustered slightly at the compliments.

Alex turned to see Minerva looking up at him pouting causing him to lose his composure a little.

I stood up as he collected himself before taking a step towards me and bending a knee in a bow.

"Your majesty." He said in a calm but serious tone. "It is my great pleasure to see you and serve by your side directly once again."

"It's good to have you back Alex. I can tell just how much work and effort you put into the execution my orders. You have my gratitude." I said before gesturing him to stand.

"I am unworthy of such praise, but I'll gladly accept." He said as he stood up straight.

Alex was by no mean my powerful soldier, that much was obvious by him being a Demon Rank while the other Generals where in the range of Omni Ranks but he makes up for that with his loyalty and adaptability. I don't put the just strongest of the soldiers in the highest ranks within my army, if I did that chances are the whole military would become very dysfunctional. The way my Wraith Army Skill works is by resurrecting the dead, turning them into a Shadow Soldier which allows them to be heavily influenced by me but not complete control over them. I can however issue something I call a Law Command over them, which is essentially an order that they will follow 100% of the time no matter their feelings on the order itself however I can only issue a Law Command once per soldier. That's why I value loyalty over all else, if one of my soldiers where disloyal and I issued a Law Command to them that's it. There's nothing stopping them from betraying me which is exactly why I have Alex as one of my Generals. Not only is extremely competent but he is fiercely loyal to me, earning him my trust.

"I assume you have arrived to take us to the negations I assume." I said eyeing the gate behind him.

He nodded.

"Yes, my lord. The members of the Demeoreal Council are awaiting your arrival to discuss matters of peace and co-existence."

At that the doors to the gate opened revealing what looked like one of the portals one creates when using the Dark Travel Skill only this time it was completely a deep violet colour with occasional flickering of white sparks.

"Rei, Minerva, Andrea." I called to my Generals who stood up straight like soldiers behind me, Minerva walking over to join them. "I'd like each of you to act almost like bodyguards to the specific person you trained. Make sure the safe and ready in case anything goes wrong."

"""Yes, my lord.""" The three sisters nodded.

"Alex one more question before we leave." I said quickly.

"Anything your majesty." Alex replied, bowing.

"Do the Council members intend to cause harm to me during this meeting?" I asked.

It had been something I suspected for a while now, ever since I found out about the meeting.

"From what I've gathered they do intend to aggravate you in some way however I can't say anymore under the orders you gave me, but I will if you order me to."

"No need." I said smiling proud of the loyalty my General had. "If that is all let us procced."

I gestured to the gate way and we all stepped through it into The Abyss Omega.

Stella where are we?

As I asked my Ethos, I walked beside Nova looking around at my surroundings. Shion and Kuni were behind us along with Rei and Andrea while Minerva was at the front with Alex who was currently guiding us in wherever we were.

We were walking in what looked like some kind of tunnel that was pitch black however the walls seemed to shift and move slightly and even though we were in the dark we all could somehow see quite easily yet there was no light source to be found.

We're travelling through a road of sorts that'll take us straight to a location that was set up when the gate was created. Kind of like when you put in an address or post code into a SATNAV. It's not exactly like a portal so to speak. One must have been to the location or know the exact coordinates of said location in order to create the gate with the actually travel itself (although incredibly quick when travelling vast distances) not instantaneous either like the way portal travel is.

I see that makes a bit of sense.

I did not speak for a moment as we walked, the only sounds were the sound of our footsteps and the conversations that could be heard in front and behind me.

"Hey Nova," I said catching his attention. "I've been wondering, why do the Demoreals want to speak to you directly."

"Oh?" Nova murmured, raising an eyebrow.

"I mean you're like the leader of the attack force and the second if not strongest Ethereal, but wouldn't it make more sense for them to talk to Viro for negotiations not you?"

Nova paused for a moment before giggling a little.

"Hey why are you laughing?" I whined.

"Sorry," He said finishing off his giggling. "I haven't told you about The Hierarchy of Power or the Ethorians have I?"

"No, I don't believe you have."

"Well, we've still got some time before we arrive so I can give you a brief rundown." Nova said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well explain away." I said gesturing him to continue.

"I'll start with this then." Nova began. "Ethorians is the name of a being who is infused with Ethos. Ethereals and Demoreals are just two out of the seven kinds of Ethorians. The other five are Vironeals, Izereals, Orthareals, Rimereals and Argoreals. Even across different Relics there doesn't seem to be any other kind of Ethorian. This leads me onto what I meant by the Hierarchy of Power. See in the Relic we live in each of the Ethorians have their own Territory of sorts which has led to the appearance of 2 empires and 5 kingdoms."

"Empires and Kingdoms?"

Nova nodded.

"Yes, exactly although on a much larger scale." He continued. "Demoreals aren't the only Ethorians who went on a conquest. The Vironeals, Izereals, Orthareals, Rimereals, Argoreal all run their own kingdoms while Demoreals and us Ethereals run our own empires. When you think of King/Queen, you think of someone who rules over a country and or nation. Well, the idea is the same for Ethorians except the title of King/Queen goes to someone who rules over a single Omega."

"A whole Omega?" I almost shouted, shocked at what that meant. "That much territory huh."

"Exactly and a King is actually the lowest position in the Hierarchy of Power." Nova continued explain. "See as Ethorians we are incredibly strong so we're natural going to expand our land and territory so let me bring out all the positions. As I said earlier, you have a King who is an individual who rules over an Omega. Above that is the position of Overlord. This is someone who rules over a kingdom which is made up of multiple Omegas and all of the constructs' leaders meaning they rule over Kings as well, this idea of ruler of rulers applies to all the other positions. Keep in mind that the number of Omegas that a Kingdom is made up of can vary from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands."

"That many huh?" I mumbled to myself. "Though we are immense beings after all."

"After Overlord we have an Emperor/Empress." Nova continued, passing over my comment. "An Emperor/Empress rules of an Empire, just like the ones on Earth, only instead of countries an Ethorian Emperor/Empress rules over a great number of Omegas. The minimum number of Omegas required for a territory considered to be an Empire for an Ethorian is a million Omegas."

If I was drinking something I would have probably spat it out.

"After that you have a Supreme Lord who rules over a whole Relic and all its constructs and leaders." Nova said casually like it was simple knowledge.

It kinda annoyed me how he was talking about it like it was the simplest thing in the world.

"There is a position after that however neither me nor my father has been living long enough to see someone in that position officially."

"What position is that?"

Nova turned to look at me.

"The High King/Queen. It's the position given to the individual who rules over most of if not all of the infinite number of Relics."

"So High King or Queen could very well be the most powerful being in existence right? Just under the Celestial Ethos of course." I said voicing my thoughts aloud.

Nova shrugged his shoulders.

"That's one possibility. It could also be something that is given to a child of the High King like one of your typical monarchies but since there wasn't been one for what could very well be hundreds of my lifetimes that seems unlikely." Nova said scratching his chin in thought. "For someone to become High King or Queen it would have to be either the option you came up with it is given to someone by a being or group of people whose power cannot be rivalled by anyone."

"Makes sense." I said, agreeing with him.

"I realise I'm rambling a little so I should probably answer your original question." Nova said sheepishly.

"Just a little." I teased giving him a friendly punch on the arm.

"Yes, well to answer your question, once upon a time Viro was King of the Primis Omega and Emperor of the Ethereal Empire while also being a contender for High King at his peak. He could also very easily at least take the title of Supreme Lord, but he has no interest in ruling. Which is strange since his obsession is attaining power." Nova explained, clearly showing distain in his voice at the mention of his father.

"I see, so wait. That means."

Nova nodded.

"Yes, I am currently King of the Primis Omega and Emporer of the Ethereal Empire." Nova said, though he didn't seem to be proud of the titles. "The Ethereal Empire actually rules over the Vironeal and Izereal Kingdoms with my sister and brother acting as Overlords for those Kingdoms as well as other parts of the Empire."

I nodded at this, understanding the logic but a question suddenly formed in my head.

Why isn't there currently a Supreme Lord of this Relic.

I can answer that. It's because of the war between Ethereals and Demoreals. The conflict has been going on for so long that no has managed to become a Supreme Lord.

"Hey everyone," Alex called out to everyone from the front, snapping me out of my thoughts and conversation. "we're here so get ready."

A thin smile appeared on Nova's face as light seemed to appear at the end of the tunnel.

"Time to get this over with." Nova said, cracking his neck.