In the vastness of space, Regulus gained perspective. He looked into the cacophony of stars, shining with every color in existence, and he knew. Maybe he had always known, and been too afraid to acknowledge it, but there was no hiding from it anymore, it was too late for that. They were going to die. All of them. It was a truth he realized long ago.

  Their enemies had them surrounded. Entire sectors overrun, taken, corrupted, or even obliterated so only the memory of their existence remained. He could still see Eltan when he closed his eyes. The lush forests, full of life and wonder, the endless ocean full of dazzling fish of all kinds and colors. To see it corrupted and decayed. The oceans black with bile. The animals turned into putrid abominations of undeath. It was more than he could bear.

  Just the memory of it caused his control to slip. His authority fluctuated, a wave of destruction and fire bellowed out of him, traveling across the stars for millions of miles. Regulus admonished himself. As old as he was, and as powerful as he was, losing control like that was something only children did. But, the wound on his heart was fresh. He had no other choice. Eltan had been taken by The Undying, and he could not allow them to have a foothold this close to the other sectors. It wouldn’t have been long until hordes of undead ravaged the other planets in the sector. And no matter how strong he was, he could not stop an incursion on multiple planets at the same time. One would fall. Then another. Then another. It would be the chink in their armour that would have doomed them. Not that it mattered in the end. Still, having to burn down the planet of his birth until it was nothing more than a smoldering rock adrift in space, would haunt him for as long as he lived.

  If it was only The Undying, then they would not have had to worry. It would be a long, drawn out war, that would cost millions of lifes, but in the end they would be triumphant and destroy their enemies. Yet, the world was rarely, if ever that fortunate.

  The Horrors were another terror upon their sectors . Traveling the stars, these dark amalgamations of flesh, bone, and madness, left a wake of ruin and desolation in their wake. Their cruelty knew no bounds. They would camouflage themselves as a denizen of a planet. Weakening its defenses. Break the minds of the inhabitants to bring them under their control. Then invade with millions strong. But that was not the end of their terror. Those they didn’t kill, they transformed. Mutating their flesh and bodies into monstrosities that had no rhyme or reason. The poor souls still concious in their disgusting form. They then joined the army of Horrors. Where they would kill their friends and family, knowing they were the ones that did it, not being able to do anything about it. Once the last inhabitant died, or became a Horror, then the Horrors would corrupt the very Spirit Roots of the planet, turning it into a planet sized Horror that would give birth to more Horrors and spread its abomination to the rest of the sector.

  Genocide was a truly abohorent crime that only the darkest and most evil of souls would even consider. Yet, Regulus would not hesitate to incinerate every single living Horror. He would watch as their skin blacked. Their bones turn into ash. Their eyes burst like balloons. Their unholy screams would be like music to his ears. He would pay back the suffering they caused a hundredfold. Not even the children would be free from his wrath. Regulus would burn their memory from the annals of this universe, their memory would be forgotten for all time. They were nothing. NOTHING. HE WOULD MASSACRE THEM ALL.

  A ginormous blast of black fire exploded out of Regulus. Hundreds of times bigger than before. Anything in its path burnt into ash. The fire would go on for untold miles. Any planet or moon in its way would be destroyed or at the very least scorched. Within the span of a tenth of a second, Regulus clamped down on his Authority, snuffing out the fire, before it escaped his control.

  Regulus knew something was wrong. Losing control once, was embarrassing, yet expected considering the circumstances. But twice, and to the extent that he did was troubling. He didn’t just lose control, he actively ignited his authority. After this was over, he would go into seclusion to find out what was happening to him.

  Most likely it was just the stress and the fatigue of war. The Grafted and the Nox were also formidable enemies that wouldn’t rest until they won or were killed off. Four factions, all supremely powerful, fanatically dead-set on the goal of destroying the empire, and with no regards to the lives lost on either side. Regulus had been through and survived many tribulations, so had the empire, yet he did not think they would survive this. There were too many enemies. They were too strong. And there was too much area to cover effectively.

  The empire would fall, but not before millions more innocents died. But there was a chance. It was fleeting and small, yet there was a chance. And even if they failed, the seeds of what he planted today would echo throughout the ages, giving future generations a chance to survive. That was why he was in this empty sector of the galaxy, to change the very fate of history

  Across from Regulus, in the vastness of space, a tear appeared. A jagged line cracked the very fabric of space, and lights of all color flashed out from the tear. In an instant the tear closed, and standing before him was Mazikeen, Queen of the Leviathans.

  She stood before him in her human form with all her regalia. Many men would fall in love with just a single glance at her. While born a fish, she had ascended through the ranks becoming a god. She assumed the form of a young woman in her 20s. Not a single imperfection marred her skin, and her hair seemed to be absorbing the darkness of space. Yet anyone could tell that Mazikeen was not nor ever been a human. Her eyes were the brightest amber with dark slits instead of pupils. Scales of the darkest kind married her arms.

  “My . . My . . . Regulus, you have gotten senile in your old age. I can still feel your authority. Lose control? It’s nothing to be ashamed of, someone of your age is expected to have problems like that,” a smirk appeared on her face

  Regulus ignored her, it would shame him more to grow upset as such a childish insult. “Mazikeen, I have called this meeting for a reason. This is no time for jokes. We are losing the war. Millions are dying. The enemy forces are endless. We need to take drastic measures if we want to survive. I thought you would have realized this. ”

  The smirk fell from Mazikeen's face. “ I realized. I have had to bury people too. I saw places I called home become vile and corrupted. I’ve seen my descendents turn into monsters. I’ve seen the strongest of men break and fall into despair. Don’t you dare lecture me. You do not need another enemy”

  “I . . I did not intend to insult you. I am just tired. I had to destroy Eltan. My homeworld. . . . . I look around and all I see is the bodies of everyone I lost. I just don’t see a way out of this for us,” he showed more emotion than was befitting for his station.

  Mazakeen's face softened, and she appeared next to him, a hand on his shoulder, “ I know your pain. But we must never give up or give in to despair. We have to remember and honor the memories of the fallen, and keep moving forward to protect the living, to do anything else would mean that they died for nothing.”

  Regulus was touched. It was rare for ones such as themselves to be so cordial, and it would be seen as dishonorable for most. Still, Mazikeen and him had been through alot. She was always there when he needed her. A true friend and rival. Perhaps in another life things could have been different. They could have been different. But the past was the past, and there was nothing he could do to change it. All he could do was move forward. He steeled his resolve, as he would need it for what came next.

  Another portal tore through this reality, and Ren, King of Slimes walked through. This time he took the form of a young man with bright green hair. At least this time he had enough modesty to wear clothes, if the dirty rags he had on could be called clothes. And as always, he had a shit-eating grin on his face.

  “Yo. What’s up Regy? How’s it hanging? It’s been forever since I’ve last seen you ” Ren rushed over to him almost shaking in excitement.

  Regulus brow creased in annoyance. Ren was young, not even reaching his first thousandth year, so he allowed some leeway in matters of decorum. Yet, calling him by that deplorable nickname was crossing the line.

  “My name is Regulus. That is how you will address me. Do you understand?” his voice taking on a sharp edge.

  “Ha ha ha. Look Mazikeen, I made Regy mad. He gets so worked up over the small stuff,” Ren unfazed by him, slung his arm over Mazikeen.

  “Ren, get off, we have company,” Mazikeen’s voice turn as cold as ice, as she must have sense a disturbance in fabric of space.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “Ughhh . . . Doesn't it get tiring acting all queen-like in front of others,” Ren bemoaned

  In an instant, three people appeared. All of them were dressed for war, their armor gave off no light and was full of jagged edges. The legendary Armor of the Tribunal. They must have just been to a battlefield recently. And a bloody one at that, with the stains on their armour. The human sectors had more contact with the Four Banes than any other faction. Just the fact that they were surviving was a tesetement to their will and resilience.

  “The Tribunal greets the Dragon King,” the three all said in unison

  “The Dragon King greets the Tribunal. I am glad that you have decided to join. We have much to discuss,” Regulus gave his formal greeting.

  “Ren, the Slime King greets the Tribunal,” his demeanor shifted to become more formal. As young as Ren was, at least he knew that not everything was a joke. A member of the tribunal, a man in his mid thirties, with azure colored hair, blood still splattered on his face, bowed deep to Ren and said, “The Tribunal greets the Slime King.”

  “Mazikeen, Queen of the Leviathans, greets the Tribunal,” she gave a slight bow, only what was considered necessary

  “The Tribunal greets Mazikeen, Queen of Leviathans,” the azure-haired man said curtly. It seems that the relations between the leviathans and the humans were still rough. That could be a problem, yet there was nothing he could do about it now.

  “Alas, the King of Hydras and the Queen of the Oni do not seem to be arriving, yet we must commence the meeting without them,” Regulus took a deep breath in, an old habit that his body didn’t need, yet it still calmed him after all these years.

  “You all know the state of the war. Millions are dying and we are losing worlds in scores. As we grow weaker and smaller, our enemies grow stronger and more numerous. We have released restrictions on forbidden and lost arts. We have even started to use Berserkers, and Spirit Pyre’s. But not even that has stopped the endless tide of our enemies. There is no end in sight, and if we don’t do something drastic, then our people will be slaughtered and our empire will be forgotten, just an old relic of a bygone era.” Regulus saw that the other Autarchs were going to speak up, but with a wave of his hand and a flex of his authority, he quieted them.

  “Please, let me finish. I have a plan, something that could save us, or at the very least give the future generations a chance. Before anything else, we must start enlisting from the Eternal Prision.” This time he could not stop his allies from protesting.

  “How would you plan on controlling them? ” Varnok, the azure-haired Austarch asked, his eyes gleamed with dark curiosity

  “ They can not be controlled, they are all monsters” Aurelia, another member of the Tribunal declared.

  “Well, can’t say I expected that from you” Ren laughed

  Mazikeen and the other Autarch of the Tribunal remained silent, pondering his plan.

  “I know your worries. They are uncontrollable. They are too powerful. They are monsters that know nothing but cruelty and hunger. Yet we have ways to control them. Hypnosis. Mind control. Illusions. Slave collars. We can even cripple them so they are still powerful, but not enough to be a problem. For the less violent and humane prisoner, we can promise them freedom once the war is over, as long as they do what we say. I wouldn’t do this if it wasn't for the survival of our people” It troubled Regulus to resort to such dark methods. Methods he had once thought deplorable and debased. Methods that he had murder others for committing. But there was nothing else he could do. They either compromised or died, there was no alternative.

  “Well, well well. How far the King of Dragons has fallen. I thought you were more honorable than that. I’m almost disappointed” Varnok mocked him.

  Regulus almost lost control of his authority then and there. It took all of his will to keep it clamped down. Varnok was toying with him. Everyone here was an Autarch. They had lived for millennium and had seen the depths of depravity and the worst horrors imaginable. They all had gone through their own trials and tribulations. Even young Ren had been through the ringer no matter how much of a child he decided to act like, in fact with his age he had probably been through more than most. Their tribulations had made them all realize a simple fact, honor was a luxury. Only those that had power and ability were able to have honor. Honor without power would lead to a quick and useless death.

  “Don’t play games with me. You talk about honor, yet you have none. I know what you three do in your kingdom, and it disgusts me. I have no choice, we either do this or we die.You have a choice yet you treat your people like slaves, and they are no better than fanatics,” Regulus knew that he had gone too far, he was supposed to cooperate with them, yet he couldn’t control the words spewing from his mouth. He might have just damned his kingdom by his quick tongue. What was happening to him? He hadn't made a mistake like this in a millennium.

  Contrary to what Regulus would believe, Varnok nor any of the Tribunal got enraged or evoked their authority, Varnok simply said, “ Watch your tone, Regulus. I was merely jesting. But if war is what you want then that is what you will get. But we both know that neither of our kingdoms would survive that. So instead, let us continue with our discussion.”

  Regulus' anger burned even hotter. Varnok had gotten the better of him. He had been impulsive and lost control. Now he lost face in front of the other Autarch’s and that was what he needed most right now.

  “You are correct. My apologies, now does anyone wish to say anything regarding the Eternal Prison.”

  “How do you plan on allocating the prisoners? What kingdom will get which inmates? How many inmates will they be given? Are there limits on the types of inmates we can use,” Mazikeen asked question after question, each of them sensible and important.

  “ The plan is that those who have the most contact with the Four Banes will be able to have the most prisoners as they will be the ones who need it the most, and can do the most damage to the enemy forces. Each kingdom will have the ability to choose the inmates that they think will serve them the best. But there are certain prisoners that must never escape the prison and will never be allowed out. I propose that a blacklist be created, for the inmates that are too dangerous to be enlisted. I also propose that prisoners be called out when necessary and that when their purpose is fulfilled they will be placed back in the prison. They should not be allowed out for longer than necessary; it would increase the chances of them breaking free.”

  “So you are saying that we will be getting the most prisoners? Why?” suspicion laced Varnok’s voice.

  “The relations between our kingdoms, or how we feel about each other does not matter. The only thing that matters is pushing back the tide of the Banes, if we focus on anything else, we will be eradicated.”

  “Wait, doesn't that mean I will get the least prisoners. I fight against the Banes all the time, that’s not fair,” Ren pouted, petulant like a child.

  “Your kingdom doesn't have much contact with the Banes, but even if it did, you know as well as I that you do not need them.You are strong, extremely strong for your age, and can face off invasions by yourself. While the humans are being bombarded by the bulk of the Banes forces, if they do not have aid soon they will fall.You have to at the very least see that.”

  “Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I get it, I'm just too strong. The prisoners would just slow me down,” Ren said.

  “I see the merit in the idea, yet it has so much potential to go wrong. In fact, it is almost guaranteed that something will go wrong. I will not gamble with the lives of my people. I will have to vote in favor of rejecting this proposal,” Mazikeen announced.

  “You are correct. There will be prisoners who escape, there is no question about that. But there is nothing else that we can do. We have done all that we can. If we don’t do this, your people will still die anyway, at least with this they will have a chance. It gives them longer to fight, to live.” Regulus didn’t add anything else, he couldn’t. That was all he could do to convince her.

  Mazikeen didn’t say anything else, she stayed silent, contemplating his words. Varnok decided to break the silence. “ I will have to agree with the plan. I won’t say no to the extra manpower, but I do have one question. What else do you have up your sleeve Regulus? This can’t be all of your grand plan. Even with the prisoners, they won’t stop the Banes, they will simply buy us more time.”

  There was only one thing that could give them a chance to save their kind. Something that could empower everyone, and hopefully make them strong enough to fight back against the Banes. Regulus steadied his authority, preparing for a possible fight.

  “I want the Asheka Records,” the very second that the words left his mouth, all of the Tribunal’s authorities exploded out of them. Prana of all kinds burst forth from them, enveloping the surrounding space.

  “NEVER. You will never get the Asheka Records. I would rather have my empire fall and my people corrupted than to hand it over to you. The Asheka Records have been the only thing that has kept humanity alive. Even a child knows that it is the most sacred of relics, and you demand that we hand it, and for nothing in return. I will not allow it to fall into the hands of you beasts. You have insulted the Tribunal twice today, we will not allow a third,” Varnok’s Song echoed throughout the void, flashes of lightning visible for miles.

  “ I have lived for thousands of years, your petulant threats do not scare me. If you wage war with my people, then my people and yours are doomed. We would be better off just ending it right here. So, Why shouldn’t I just let loose and see how many of you I can kill. They don’t call me the King of Destruction for nothing. I think I might burn a few sectors to ash, but who cares we’re all gonna die anyway. I should at least have some fun before I go. Don’t you think so?” All of my authority focused on the Tribunal, weighing on their shoulders with the weight of a thousand suns. They could feel my anger, my agony, my bloodlust, my WRATH.