7 The first move

The town square just outside the citadel of Grove 12 echoes with debates and discussion, squad leaders from all over the world and from orbits have shown up, either by themselves, through their representatives or holograms, along with their mortal servants rushing back and fort to offer refreshments and snacks. Up above, on the platform where his throne resides, Lucious sits quietly, flanked either side by Zorus and Severus, contemplating the chaos that is the politic of his invasion, they've all gathered here because Lucious' called upon a war council to discuss a discovery of dire nature, but now, he's not sure if it was a good idea after all. Apart from the many divisions of the Inquisition that have followed him here, there are also other factions, either recruited for the campaign, or volunteered to join in hope of achieving some minor glories and influences. Conclaves of magi, corsair cabals, convents of clerics, trading warbands and lesser dynasties of the Empire, every faction from every race that have joined him wanted something from this world, the only problem now is that they can't seem to agree on what the best action should be regarding the latest discoveries.

- This is a troublesome finding. - An elven warlord says, crossing his arms as he converses with his fellow commanders. - Imagine what would happen if these human misuse it.

- Yes. - A Lycanid general nods in agreement. - But the fact that the human carried it without any percussion is very interesting.

- Who care about it being interesting or not. - An Anacondrai, one of Lucious' kind snarls from the hologram, tail beating in anger. - Unauthorized mortals using Aza'Rothi technologies? This is heresy.

At the mention of heresy, the discussion bursts into chaos, some call for the extermination of the entire world's population, some urge a witch hunt, others suggest a more direct approach and just steamroll everything down in an all out assault. All the while Lucious sits quietly on his high throne, eyeing the object that has sparked this great debate. Set upon the pedestal of stone and locked in a strong stasis field, is a metal talisman no bigger than a palm, made from pure black stone, inscribed with the rune faintly glowing a blue hue, the mark of Ag'Ohg, the Tide Caller of Van'Shar. A Realm God shattered into shards and imprisoned ages ago, but like others, some were discarded, destroyed, or simply lost. Somehow, through the turbulent currents of the Outer Realm, at least one of them have landed on this planet, as the talisman is clearly responding to something.

- You should've captured him alive. - The Lord Inquisitor murmurs, just loud enough for his two guardians to hear.

- It cannot be helped. - Severus' face contorts into a regretting grin. - I was distraught by those idiots and spooked by the talisman.

- Chopper opened another one of his "hunting festival" didn't he? - Lucious rubs his temple in exhaustion.

- Kinda obvious isn't it? - Zorus remarks, having seen the drastic changes they've done to their territories.

- I'll have to personally discuss this with him, don't I? - The Lord Inquisitor sighs.

- That later, now we must deal with the shit storm that Severus has stirred up in our absence. - The green haired Anacondrai suggests, earning himself a death glare from his Lycanid friend.

- Indeed. - Lucious growls lowly then stands up to address his advisors.

Immediately, the crowd is silenced, all eyes turn toward their leader, the Lord Inquisitor and one of the Emperor's sons. All seems to fear him, or at the very least, having a begrudging respect for him, the marine commander thinks to himself as he watches the seemingly young man walks into view. So this is their leader, he thinks to himself, shocked and awed by the aura of absolute authority radiating from the man with hair the color of raven feathers and eyes of molten gold, his jet black armor masterfully crafted and adorned with many a trophy and decorative, more so than any of the other high ranking officers presence here.

Yet there's something to him, the authority, the ornate armor, the reptilian lower half of his body, along with his cold, calm and collected demeanor couldn't hide the fact that he, the leader, is a splitting image of Straw Hat Luffy. Even the scars under the left eye look the same, though they're more tattoo markings than scars, giving him a more menacing look. Unintentionally, the marine commander backs off a step, hand putting on the pistol on his belt, years of rigorous training and harsh discipline have made his body prone to acting up on itself. After a split second, the commander relaxes his muscles, removing his hand from the pistol with some difficulty, knowing it wouldn't do him any good, nor would it give him any vantage point. They've asked him to come here, to attend the war council with a formal letter of invitation, meaning that they want something from him, the marine reckons. But what is it that they could possibly want but couldn't take? Curiosity slowly replaces fear and nervousness, as the human eavesdropping on exchanges of whisperings between the officers as they waits for their leader to begin, something about alliance and heresy investigation.

- Brothers and sisters. - The Lord Inquisitor calls out. - I've called for you here to discuss a matter of great urgency. As you could see, my inquisitors have retrieved a crude talisman inscribed with the marking of the Tide Caller of Van'Shar, whose missing shard have been missing for millennia, we have evidence to suggest that the inhabitants of this world maybe be possessing it, if not worshipping it as a god.

- Heresy! - A high elf general hisses, backed up by a few of his peers, the petite warriors in what seems like leather armors don't take the news of human meddling with their things too well. - We can't let these primitive savages tinker with things they don't understand, lord. The Tide Caller shard is too dangerous to be left in their hands like that.

- I agree with the high elf. - One of the warrior women in golden heavy armor steps up. - These fools don't know anything about the dangers of our technologies. I say we purge the entire planet before this get out of hand.

- Purge?! Have you lost your mind? - A female reptilian warrior, an Anacondrai, snaps back, tail beating in disbelief.

- Purging the entire planet would cost us everything we've worked for. - A dark elf with silvery white hair chimes in. - Our conclave have invested so much into this campaign, a few dozens human aren't enough to compensate for it.

- Not to mention how they'd react. - A Lycanid voices his opinion. - These things feed on emotions and soul energy, an all out purge would give it enough of an energy burst to release itself from its prism, that is if it's still in dormant and haven't grown fat and powerful yet.

- Then we push the attack. - An elf with green hair and armor the color of emerald suggests. - We can quickly overwhelm them with our military.

- And what if we can't? - Another interjects. - A grinding war would drive them to drastic measures and release the shard themselves.

The debates rage on, many support the idea of taking out this entire world in one fell swoop, some want its entire annihilation while the rest arguing against it, claiming there are more subtle ways to deal with this threat, this "Tide Caller shard". It's chaotic, but with order, every one of them take each others' words with respects and careful consideration, unlike the bickering of the "rulers" of the world. The marine commander can't help but chuckle, the irony is too much to bear, that a group of inhuman bestial invaders are more civil and respectful to one another than the kings and queens and nobles of the world he's in. Yet still they couldn't seem to come to an agreement, all and all it'd come down to their leader's, this Lucious, decision.

- Everyone, please calm. - The Lord Inquisitor calls out, his voice reinforced by his green haired guardian who looks suspiciously like the pirate Roronoa Zoro stamping his double bladed sword to the metallic ground. As the conference is once again drowned in silence, the leader nods to acknowledge his guardian before talking to his subordinates: - We have no need for fear, - He reassures, his voice filled with confidence. - my best agents have run a full psy-scan on the entire planet, and although the psychic energy level is unusually high for a planet like this, we have no reason to believe that the Tide Caller has escaped or is being used as some super weapon. Most likely that it's still dormant and in a passive state, hampered by the planet's very one psychic energy field.

- But my lord, the risk still stands. - One of the warrior women says. - Even if it's still in dormant, we can't leave it in the hands of these…people.

- Indeed we cannot. - Lucious nods, then gestures his hand toward the marine commander. - That's why I've brought the honored guest of the event. Commander José, please come forward.

José's heart sinks, as he sees every eye in the clearing turns to him, surprised, shocked, offended and even enraged. Once again he attempts to reach for his gun, but decides against it before making his way toward Lucious, who's also descending from his platform toward the pedestal housing the talisman. The closer he gets to the Lord Inquisitor the more uncanny the resemblance to Luffy he becomes to the marine commander, save for of course the mature, calmed and almost emotionless expression, along with the overwhelming aura of authority, dwarfing even those of the rear admirals that occasionally drop by, possibly rivaling even those of the admirals.

- A mortal, here? Advising us? - A Lycanid snarls, shaking her entire body to shift into her true hybridized form of a woman and a wolf.

- Blasphemous! - A dark elf yells.

- My lord! - A warrior woman calls out, turning to Lucious. - Surely this is a jest! Our laws dictate that we are not to seek council from mortals that have not been integrated into the empire! This is heresy my lord! Even for one like you!

- And no rules have been broke. - The Lord Inquisitor coldly silences his oppositions before all hell breaks loose. - I have not asked for José to come as an advisor.

- Then what is he my lord? - A tanned elf in dark red armor adorned with fur and bones asks. - What is his purpose?

- He will act as our spy. - The inquisitor smirks, walking pass the marine then circle around him dismissively, not unlike how a cat would toy with its meal. - So tell me commander, what do you know about this…thing?

- V-very little sir. - José gulps before answering. - W-we have so-some reports about an obscured cult that uses the same symbol and talismans like this one but…that's the all I can tell you.

- Interesting. - Lucious' voice sounds so dreadfully intimidating against the murmuring of the crowd. - And, would you agree to help us find out more about this…cult, if we promise you safe conduct?

- I…I…I will, - José speaks with fear, too afraid to say anything else. - as long as me…and my men, along with the rest of the archipelago are unharmed.

- You have my word. - The inquisitor giggles coldly, golden eyes glisten as they stare at the talisman being bubbled in stasis field and taken away by many palm-sized robotic scarabs.

***

Why is he still here? José wonders as he follows Lucious deeper under the roots of Grove 12, where the invaders have set up a massive base, extending far above, carving into the tree itself and deep into the ocean. The entire compound is surrounded by the roots of the trees above and around it, with a few extensions reach out into open water for submergible vehicles to come and go from their patrols. Swimming outside of the base are hundreds, if not thousands of elven warriors, those these ones are different than the ones presence in the war council, more fish like in appearance but still possessing that elven alluringly haunting beauty. Occasionally others would join them, larger elves, having the lower body of a snake with shimmering scale classed in transparent armors, some with sail-like fins protruding from their hips, along with robotic replications of themselves gliding gracefully through the dark water.

But the inner sanctum that they've headed into is what really catches the marine commander's eyes. A vast throne room, connected to many transparent domes that house facilities, labs and prisoners, with busy staffs waling in and out of them, carrying cargoes and herding prisoners away to be "processed". José recognized some of them, citizens of the archipelago, even some of his men who've disappeared fighting the invaders previously, but they don't seem to recognized him, all bearing the same blank, soulless expression. He follows the inquisitor in silence, through clear hallways and many domes, the contents of each only raises the amount of questions he have for Lucious, but he knows better than to ask anything that he's not supposed to.

- You should consider yourself lucky. - The inquisitor says, as they reach the entrance to a dome, though this one is bigger than the others and covered in thick walls that prevent José from seeing the contents inside. - You're the third authorized free inhabitant of your world to be granted entrance into this place.

- And why is that? - The commander asks with nervousness.

- Because we plan for the future of this planet here. - Lucious continued, finishing the security sequences that'd open the door. - Do you know why I wish you to be here?

- To help you track down the cult? - José confusedly responds. - To track down your…god? Because you don't want us to worship it?

- Yes, partially correct. - The inquisitor replies, heading into the vast dome filled with test tubes, holograms projectors and engineering bay. - You human have a way too fragile and primitive psyche to handle that bastard.

- Why do you talk about your god like that? - The commander presses on with his questions. - Don't you worship him too?

- Worship? - Lucious stops in his tracks, then slowly turns to the marine with an amused expression, yet his voice gives hint of a mystical hatred. - No, you've gotten it wrong. We don't worship these…"gods". Not anymore. We once knew the gods, they came arrayed in gold and taught us of glory, and of lies. They walked from darkness and taught us of death, and of fear. They rose from fire and taught us of creation, and of oblivion. And for their gifts, we cast them down. Bound them to our wills. And now, most of them serve us.

- What? - José asks in shocked horror, trying to comprehend what he's heard.

- Imagine, if you will, being imprisoned for centuries, possibly millennia by your former slaves. - Lucious continues. - And suddenly given a chance to gain power for vengeance, wouldn't you want to use everything at your disposal to achieve that vengeance?

Silence befell José, not only his voice, but also his mind, the immense meaning of this discovery is…earthshattering, to say the absolute least. Wordlessly he follows Lucious deeper into the dark dome, contemplating the information to prepare for what to come. He wonders if he should report this to his superior. No, no one would believe him, the commander reckons, worse is that this might alarm the cult and push them to drastic measures and release the "shard" of the "god". Considering the fact that he's allowed this deep into their base of operation, José believes that these people really want a bloodless takeover, the releasing of the god shard would make them reconsider a more direct and brutal approach. But…if that's the only thing they wanted, why did Lucious bring him deep in here?

- Then why am I here? - He finally asks. - If all you want is a spy to track down the cult, why bring me here? Show me all of this?

- I said it's what I want you to do, I've never said that's the only thing I want from you. - Lucious glares back coldly, stopping at a large holographic table with many schematics, files and charts hovering, with two in particular catching José's eyes, the wanted posters of Portgas D. Ace and Edward Newgate, their biological details and more next to a pair of blueprints of something…big. The inquisitor surfs his fingers across hologram keyboard, immediately the blueprints start rotating slowly, showing them every detail. - Do you understand any of this?

- Something involving Whitebeard Pirates? - José scratches his chin. - If you want me to bring you their corpses, then I can't, it's outside of my power to…

- Do you know why the execution has been set back multiple times, commander? - The question cuts into his mind like a dagger made of ice.

- What? - He turned to face Lucious, who looks back at him with sadistic amusement. - Wh-what do you mean? What does the execution of Fire Fist A-Ace means to you?

- I understand the important of this execution, good marine. - Lucious smirks ominously, the faint light in the dome only makes him looks more sinister. - I understand meaning of the game that's about to commence, and the strength of the chess pieces being laid on the board. I too wish to start my own game soon, and I wish to acquire certain pieces to boost my advantages.

- You want to save them… - Realization dawns in the marine commander, he backs off, horrified and shocked, Lucious' asking for him to betray the marine, betray his world for some…criminals. - No! Y-you cannot! I will not help you save those….those…monsters! I cannot! They will not let me! Please! Ch-choose some other pieces! Anyone but them! W-we marines…have strong fighters too! We can… We can…

- But am I not playing against your government? - Lucious gestures with his finger for José to be quiet, a menacing, toothy grin now spread on his face from ear to ear, the commander can tell that he's enjoying every second of his panicking.

- Stay back! - Pulling out his pistol, José points it toward Lucious' head. - Stay back I say!

- You're disappointing me, commander. - The inquisitor's voice is of mocking disappointment. - I thought you want the table to turn, seeing how you decided yourself to let us remove one of the major political pieces without letting your men interfere.

- What are you…?

- I am not as oblivious as my…counterpart, of this world would seems. - Lucious growls lowly. - My lieutenant informed me of your willingness to let one of the major head figures of the world government to be taken away like that.

- But that…that monster… - José's head dips, recalling how he's refuse to do his duty, to uphold his vows and oaths. - The celestial dragons…

- Are oppressive to you, yes? - Lucious' words are like dripping venomous wine, his voice like malice. - You wish to see…justice? Wish to make a change? To see them be…punished?

- I-I do… - José nods, feeling Lucious brushing pass him, metallic fingers of the gauntlet slowly come to rest on his shoulders.

- Then wouldn't it be most beneficial for you, and most advantageous for me, if you just help me with this small task? - The inquisitor's words become whispers, sweet and alluring and all but true, his forked tongue ticking the marine commander's ear. - Wouldn't it be good if a certain woman, and a certain pair of twins, can live in a world without fear of slavery or piracy?

- My family… My family! - José snaps back to reality at the mention of his wife and children, tearing himself from Lucious' hands, he turns to face the smirking Anacondrai. - What have you done to my family you monster?! Where are you keeping them?!

- Relax. - The inquisitor chuckles with glee, his golden eyes and fanged teeth almost look like they're glowing because of the overwhelming darkness of the dome. - Your family may be safe, depending on your willingness to perform this task for me.

- E-even if I agree, I can't just release them! - José shrieks, desperately tries to make his new "employer" understand his situation. - I can't save them by myself! I can't release them! It's not up to me!

- Who said anything about releasing them? - The other man raises one eyebrow, before turning to the hologram panel showing Ace's profile. He reaches for the projection, clawed finger plucking out an oval red gemstone seemingly out of thin air then turns to the marine. - I simply want you to deliver this to the convict.

- What is…that? - The commander asks, staring at the beautifully cut gemstone.

- The human body is a vessel, a fragile one at that. - Lucious begins to explain, fidgeting the gem between his fingers. - But the souls, the minds, the personalities housed within those vessels and their potentials if given the proper ways to develop, that is what interest me. - He tosses the gem into the air and snatching it in his palm. - Your superiors' suspicion is correct, commander, something, someone have been causing ruckus all over the world to delay the pirate's execution, and it will continue like that until your task is completed.

- Wh-what? Why? - José stutters, confused by the inquisitor's words.

- Because I want to pitch you against each other, and by doing so, it will bring the Whitebeard Pirates under my command. - Lucious smiles, reaching out his hand to present the marine with the gemstone.

- Then why not just take over if you have the power to do what you're doing? - José gulps, fear slowly swelling inside him as he realizes how powerful this creature and his forces really are. - Why go through this trouble?

- Why fight a war yourself when you can simply have others fight it for you? - Lucious replies bluntly, smirking as he does. - I'm an investor, I've invested to help Whitebeard in his war effort, not to win a war for him, in return he will provide us with entertainments as the immediate payments, with his future services as interests.

- Is that all what we worth to you? - The commander shivers, he doesn't want to know the answer, but somehow, his mind made him ask it. - Entertainments and…service providers?

A low chuckle, one that makes the Lord Inquisitor close his eyes as the chuckle slowly grows. It's horrible, it sounds so dismissive, making José feel like a child being ridiculed by his parents, making him feel so small, so…insignificant. Lucious' chuckling only seems to grow, slowly turning into a malicious cackling and finally sinister, booming laughter that sends chill down the commander's spines.

- A foolish question, but not an uncommon one. - The Lord Inquisitor adjusts his composure. - To people who have power over you, yes, you're nothing more than entertainment and providers services. However it does not mean that my empire is like your world government, we don't take without giving back just the amount, if we promise you the payment for your service, we will compensate you justly. Like wise, you'd be punished and discarded if you fail to uphold your end of the bargain. The choice is between servants or enemies. Choose wisely.

- You're not giving me much of a choice. - José sighs, seeing no point in resisting Lucious offer, if what he says is true, then this whole service thing may pay off once day, hopefully. - But I can't just go give it to Ace, he's locked deep under Level 6 of Impel Down Prison, I can't just waltz myself in there without direct order or a justifiable reason.

- Correct. - Lucious nods, in agreement, pleased by his guest's change of heart. - You either need a prisoner important enough to bring to Impel Down, or a high ranking officer to come with you.

- I have neither. - José shakes his head.- If you have an idea, I'm all ears.

- I told you you're the third human to be allowed in here, didn't I?

Lucious smirks as he speaks, turning his head toward the shadow, where an old man in casual attires wearing a pair of round glasses is slowly making his way toward them, dragging behind a near unconscious infamous pirate captain from the New World and drops him at their feet, smiling mischievously at Lucious, much to the marine commander's surprise. So that's why he hasn't been fighting against the invaders, José thinks, clenching his fists in order to keep himself from charging at the man, the legend. The traitor. Silver Rayleigh have pledged his allegiance to the alien invaders.

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