Chapter Thirty-Five

The Empire's intrusion had come under the cloak of night, a shadowy siege timed precisely with the sunset that marked Aurora's summer solstice festival. While our defenses were primed for a potential breach, the barriers safeguarding our planet proved tragically inadequate. This was no mere accident but a meticulously planned onslaught, with the Lunarrian forces overpowering our safeguards. Their strike, brilliantly timed as it was, had taken us by storm.

Now, the once formidable castle was under the dominion of Emperor Chao. The operations for what they called "Phase Exitus" were in motion - a phrase that translated into Latin as "outcome" or "ruin." Our very foundation had been shattered, and Helios had risen as our new bastion, positioned as the foremost planet on our outer perimeter. The collective technology of our forsaken courts fortified Helios, its atmosphere shrouded by a cascade of redirected planetary shields. Yet, a chilling reality persisted – the Empire might utilize our homeland for their nefarious designs.

I grieved for my people, those who had either been ensnared in slavery or felled by the Empire's aggression. Friends of my youth, mentors, brothers in arms – all had become casualties in this relentless campaign. Seven years prior, a solemn vow had been exchanged, assuring them that the Empire's cruelty would never afflict them again. And just two years past, we had taken the ill-fated decision to resettle them on our planet. The once unshakable trust, in both myself and the Legion, now lay shattered. Astreaus’s reign would never be the same.

As the report reached its dismal conclusion, my internal world crumbled in sync with the reality that unfolded before me. My heart seemed on the verge of a cataclysmic eruption, yet I forced my mind to remain stronger. I had a duty to protect Irina, a duty to the only planet I had ever called home.

"Walk with me," I directed Ezra, who broke away from our remaining commanders to join me. His loyalty was unwavering, and in these trying times, his presence offered a much-needed balm. I sensed the Kaimari Warrior, flanked by Prince Azhrel and other Kairos advisors, trailing behind us, yet their presence seemed inconsequential in comparison. This was about my sisters.

Ezra's voice cut through the weighty silence. "You've done admirably, Irina."

"What of our prospects?" I inquired, fearing his answer. "Should I persist in committing to Helios, or..." My voice trailed off, weighed down by the awareness of our surroundings, the hidden ears that absorbed our every word.

Ezra, a master of discretion, met my inquiry with a response that was both an answer and a secret. "I cannot determine that, Your Majesty," he replied, his gaze holding a wealth of information beyond the words. Not here, he conveyed, later.

"Very well, I will focus on hosting our allies," I affirmed, and with each step, the celebration on the other side of the doors grew louder. It was a blend of festivities and negotiations, a dance of power and politics.

The guards stood poised, ready to announce my entrance, the grand arrival of their sovereign. My hand rose, halting their impending action. “Not yet,” I ordered.

I shifted my attention to Ezra, casting a swift, nervous glance toward Kade. My unease couldn't be contained. “What of my decoys?” I asked, shutting my eyes at the question.

“Irina, if I may–” Prince Azhrel attempted, but I cut him off as well.

My focus returned to Ezra, my confidant, and childhood friend, one of the few who knew the intricacies of my relationship with my chosen sisters. His emerald gaze held a mixture of apology and empathy, betraying the weight of what he was about to share.

"All four..." He faltered, but before Kade could intervene, I silenced him as well. A determined fire sparked in my gaze as I asserted my authority. "As heir to Astreaus, I command you to inform me of the status of the decoys."

Ezra held my gaze, a mirror of sorrow reflecting in his eyes. He straightened his stance, his voice resonating with gravity. "All four decoys cannot be located. The commanders of Astreaus have declared them dead.”

The words fell upon me like a crushing blow, knocking me to the brink. A pair of iridium-armored arms caught me just before my legs gave way, preventing me from crumpling to the ground. The world around me blurred, and I found myself entrapped in a whirlwind of disbelief, a loop of Senator Lyra's voice imploring me to rest.

"Rest, Irina," she urged, her words tender, trying to offer a semblance of comfort amid this unfathomable truth. "I will manage the proceedings on your behalf."

But I shook my head, my mind a tumultuous tempest. Nausea gripped me, and I murmured words without true coherence. "I am wearing the prettiest dress in the world," I muttered, my grip on reality faltering. "Yumi designed it for me."

“Irina, please, allow me to take you to bed,” Kaden implored. But I defied his touch, shoving away his support. Gathering my scattered thoughts, I locked eyes with Senator Lyra, a woman of steely resolve, a commander who had led her forces against the Empire during the Great War.

"No," I declared to her, my tone resolute, despite the turmoil roiling within me. “We will not let them see weakness.” My gaze shifted to the guards, stationed at the grand doors awaiting my cue. "Fortis cadere, cedere non potest." The brave may fall, but cannot yield.

With those words, I signaled to the guards to open the doors, to reveal the splendor of the gilded ballroom beyond, brimming with exultant cheers and hopeful faces. Linked with Ezra's arm, my steps were resolute as we entered the lavish space. The cheers grew louder, a tribute to their sovereign's presence.

“Death to the Empire,” I declared in a tone that echoed with serenity and unwavering determination.

“Death to the Empire,” Rey affirmed, appearing at my side and taking my hand in his.
----
Amidst the swirl of political maneuvering and calculated conversations that felt like an eternity of soul-draining nonsense, I found a rare solace, if only for a fleeting moment. A delicate glass of champagne rested almost numbly at my fingertips, the cold liquid a bittersweet companion to my thoughts. The grandeur of the Imperial Palace surrounded me, a regal testament to power, ambition, and the weight of responsibility that now rested heavily upon my shoulders.

As the minutes ticked away, a familiar figure emerged from the opulent courtyard, making his way to join me on the worn clay steps. Rey, my friend from the days of high school, approached with an air of camaraderie, his presence a welcome respite from the sea of unfamiliar faces.

"Taking a break?" he asked, his voice a warm invitation to share in a moment of reprieve.

I sighed softly, the sound a reflection of the exhaustion that crept into my bones. "Got any Stardust?"

Without hesitation, Rey produced a vape and tossed it to me. I took a long, deliberate hit, allowing the sweet-scented vapor to engulf my senses before exhaling into the expansive night sky. Stars, distant and ethereal, glittered above us, a reminder that amidst the chaos of politics and power plays, the universe continued its steady dance.

My gaze remained fixed on those stars as I ventured into the heart of my thoughts. "So what happened to the parents?"

"James was publicly executed," Rey's response held a somber weight, a reminder of the cruel reality we were facing. "Dawnlight Senate is scrambling to contain the video, but you know how fast things spread."

A haze of sadness clouded my expression as I took another hit, hoping that the artificial high would dull the edges of the pain. James had been more than a political ally; he had been a mentor, a guiding light in a world of shadows. "Politics is just an A.I. war," I muttered, a bitter commentary on the machinations that dictated our lives.

Rey's chuckle held both agreement and a hint of resignation, his eyes mirroring my sentiments. "And the mother?"

"Kept prisoner, cut off from us," Rey's words sliced through the night air, carrying the weight of the unknown. I exhaled a puff of smoke, releasing a tension I hadn't realized I was holding.

"That’s crazy man, utterly insane," I murmured, turning my body to lean against the balcony railing, my gaze fixed on Rey.

"What were you doing when it all happened?"

“Amaya,” he returned smugly, and I punched him playfully across the shoulder.

“No seriously–”

"I was with Amaya, Aurora," Rey's voice held a gravity that sent a chill down my spine. “You should have seen her face, I’ve never seen someone so overcome with panic.”

“You should see this one after training,” A new presence appeared at my side, his aura radiating a sense of strength and steadiness. Ezra, steadfast as ever, joined our makeshift gathering, his Dawnlight leathers lending him an air of authority that was both reassuring and slightly unsettling. His arm draped casually around my shoulder, a gesture of camaraderie that was appreciated.

"Hey, training was fucking hard," I playfully whined back to him, a hint of exhaustion weaving through my words. Rey's chuckle was a shared acknowledgment of the trials we had endured. A moment of silence settled over us, an unspoken understanding that amidst the chaos, we weren't entitled to a sense of ease.

"Do you guys remember our graduation?" Rey's question drew us into the realm of memories, and a soft smile crept onto my lips.

"When you puked on stage because of your hangover?" I teased him.

Rey's grin was unapologetic as he fired back, "Hey, at least I didn't tell Professor Finnick I wanted to fuck him."

I laughed, the memory all too clear. "That was a dare!" I defended myself, amusement dancing in my eyes as laughter erupted between Rey and Ezra. "Why does no one believe me? Irina promised me if I did it, she'd get a tattoo on her ass."

Ezra's laughter joined in, his emerald eyes sparkling playfully. "Wow, I never heard that part of the story."

Rey, always one for a teasing comment, chimed in, "Yeah, me neither. Was it a matching tattoo, perhaps?"

I rolled my eyes, a mock exasperation that belied the fondness in my expression. "It was not," I retorted, my voice taking on a more serious tone. "Nerida... would never allow it."

The laughter began to fade as the weight of our shared history settled around us. I attempted to lift the spirits again, ready with a profane joke, but as I turned, I noticed the source of the sudden quiet.

Prince Azhrel and Prince Kaden's presence had cast a palpable shadow over our lighthearted moment. Azhrel's words, an attempt at formality, hung in the air like an unexpected storm cloud. "Princess Irina, my father wishes to meet with you now."
Straightening my skirts, I acknowledged the interruption with a composed nod. "Of course. Excuse me, First and Second Commander," I offered a formal bow to Rey and Ezra, who I could sense were struggling to suppress their laughter.

"Come, Irina," Kaden's voice held an edge of sternness, a clear reprimand in his tone. Yet, beneath that, there was a subtle undercurrent, a hint of something deeper. His helmet pivoted slightly, locking onto Ezra's figure. "Come and meet your future father-in-law." His words lingered, carrying an unspoken challenge.

"I wouldn't be too bold," Ezra dared, stepping forward to stand by my side, his resolve unwavering. “You Kaimaris never change.”

The Kaimari's helmet shifted, his attention drawn. Tension was palpable as the air crackled with charged energy.

"The Princess may marry whomever she chooses," Rey's voice was steady, his gaze locked onto Prince Azhrel. "Perhaps not an individual whose mother is aligned with the Empire."

Azhrel's response was swift and deadly, his blades drawn with lightning precision, his intent clear. Before anyone could fully react, Ezra had his Dawnlight gun in hand. But the Kaimari was swifter, a blur of motion as he lunged at Ezra, knocking him to the ground with astonishing speed, poised to deliver a punishing blow.

"Stop!" I commanded, my voice laced with desperation, my hands grasping at the iridium armor. "Kaden, stop!"

"Kaden?" Azhrel's incredulous tone was a reflection of our collective shock as he managed to wrest Kaden away with the help of armored guards. "You're my brother?!"

The Kaimari stood, his stance still tense, his fists clenched as if he were only moments away from attacking Ezra again. "Don't you ever pull a gun in her presence again!" His voice was a snarl, a ferocious threat in his words. "Don't ever fucking touch her!"

Amidst the charged standoff, Maria's voice sliced through the tense atmosphere like a blade. We all turned toward her, her authoritative figure flanked by a group of heavily armed individuals. "All of you," she commanded, her tone brooking no argument. "Come with me, now."