Chapter Thirty-Seven

The lab was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the throne room. Its metallic walls gleamed under harsh fluorescent lights, reflecting the cold austerity of the Kairos military base. As I stepped inside, my senses were assaulted by the scent of antiseptic and the hum of machinery. The room was dominated by an unsettling symphony of armored Kaimari Warriors stationed on metal overlooks, their presence a silent yet imposing guard over the unfolding spectacle.
In the center of the room, a single chair awaited me, its contours designed for maximum restraint. The weight of expectation hung heavily in the air as I took my seat, flanked by Kaden, the Kaimari Warrior who had remained a steadfast presence at my side. Nervous anticipation rippled through me, my fingers fidgeting in my lap.
My gaze swept over the room, the doctors in white coats huddled together, their expressions a mix of clinical detachment and curiosity. Emperor Kao sat in the shadows, an enigmatic figure whose presence was felt more than seen. Prince Azhrel stood by his side, a reminder of the power dynamics at play. Advisors and officials clustered nearby, their watchful eyes fixed upon me.
The tension was palpable, a current that crackled between me and my surroundings. I glanced at Kaden, his helmeted form standing sentinel, a silent assurance that he was here to protect me no matter the outcome. His unwavering presence grounded me, a lifeline amid the storm.
The doctors approached, their faces masked in professionalism as they pricked my finger to extract a drop of blood. As they retreated to analyze the sample, my heart raced, the seconds stretching into an eternity of anticipation.
Kaden's gloved hand shifted ever so slightly, his fingers brushing the grip of his gun. The gesture was subtle, a wordless promise that he would shield me from whatever chaos might erupt. The unspoken message sent a surge of warmth through me, a reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, he was here to stand by my side.
Finally, the doctors returned, their expressions a mixture of shock and awe. The room held its breath as their report hung suspended in the air.
"You have the highest level of Ethereons we have ever encountered," one of them declared, his voice tinged with a mixture of disbelief and reverence.
The words hung in the air like a suspended storm, their impact reverberating through the room. Shock rippled through me, an electric jolt of realization that something had gone terribly wrong. My mind raced as I tried to process the implications.
As the truth unfurled, chaos erupted around me. The Kaimari Warriors on the overlooks expressed anger and disgust in a language I didn't understand, their accusations a maelstrom of incomprehensible fury. The term "Cloud Walker," a derogatory word that carried a weight of centuries of disdain, was hurled at me like a weapon. Accusations of witchcraft and sins lashed out, the words a stark reminder of the deep-rooted animosity between our worlds.
Amid the chaos, Kaden moved, his hand brushing against his gun, a silent vow that he would protect me at all costs. With a nod from him, we began to retreat from the escalating turmoil, his armored presence a shield against the tumult that surrounded us.
—-
I was led from the tumultuous lab into a strategy room that reeked of tension. The air was heavy with the weight of dozens of advisors and rulers of Kairos, their voices a cacophony of rambling and yelling. The room was filled with a thrumming energy, a volatile mix of anger and fear that crackled in the air.
Emperor Kao stood at the head of the table, his expression a mask of controlled authority. His eyes bore the weight of a thousand decisions as he listened to the barrage of voices around him. The room was filled with advisors, officials, and rulers, each voice clamoring for attention as they voiced their concerns.
"Our son cannot marry someone who possesses magic," one advisor declared fervently, his voice laced with conviction. "It goes against the will of the gods, the great mother herself."
The evidence of a long, bloody history between Atreus's distant relatives and the Kaimari was clear. The wounds of the past were still raw, the scars of conflicts that had spanned generations still etched into the collective memory.
Another advisor's voice rose above the rest, accusing me with a pointed finger. "She is a colonizer, a descendant of those who have subjugated and oppressed our people."
I met their accusing gaze, my heart heavy with the weight of their judgment. Astreus's past was a stain that I could not erase, a legacy that I now bore on my shoulders. "Astreus is not defined by its past," I said, my voice calm yet resolute. "We are committed to building a better future, one where unity and cooperation thrive."
The words were difficult to speak, for they were not truly mine. Yet, the sentiment they held was something I believed in, something I wished to strive for, even if my identity was not what they believed.
But as the accusations continued to fly, I couldn't help the swirl of conflicting emotions within me. I was not the true princess they believed me to be, yet I was receiving the brunt of their hatred and scrutiny. I had been oppressed and used just as much as their people, but I couldn't reveal that truth without exposing the precarious charade I was living.
The tension escalated further as the room erupted into chaos once again, the entrance of Senator Lyra, Master Kyros, Commander Rey, and Commander Ezra adding fuel to the fire.
I watched in horror as guns were drawn from both sides.
"Why was my pupil isolated and taken without our permission?" Senator Lyra shouted above the tumult, his face flushed with anger. "This is a violation of our trust!"
The chaotic atmosphere was electric, charged with anger, confusion, and suspicion. As accusations flew like daggers, I felt an overwhelming sense of unease. It was as if the very air crackled with the tension that had accumulated over years of simmering conflicts.
In the midst of this growing maelstrom, Kaden, the formidable Kaimari Warrior, stepped forward with a fluid grace. His armored form stood like a bastion of defense, positioning himself in front of Ezra, as if shielding him from the storm of animosity. The lines of his armor glinted in the harsh light, his presence radiating an aura of unwavering protection.
Tensions escalated as the voices merged into a dissonant symphony of frustration and anger. Accusations hung heavy in the air, each word a dagger aimed at my very identity. And then, as if adding fuel to the fire, a particularly venomous suggestion surfaced from the midst of the chaos.
"Why not imprison her?" one advisor spat, his tone dripping with malice. "Use her as a weapon in the war against our enemies."
Erza and Prince Azhrel moved with an urgency born of concern, stepping forward as a united front to intervene. They formed a barrier, their very presence a declaration that they would not allow any harm to befall me. Their voices rose in unison, seeking to quell the rising tempest of anger.
But amidst the tumult, Kaden's reaction was the one that cut through the discord with the sharpness of a blade. With a swift, fluid motion, he drew his blade, the steel glinting ominously. The room seemed to hold its breath as his low growl sliced through the turmoil. "Step back," his voice commanded, its authority ringing through the chaos.
“She is not yours to take,” Ezra said angrily, his finger unwavering on the trigger of his gun. “Step aside.”
Emperor Kao's voice emerged, carrying the weight of his supreme authority, cutting through the lingering tension like a blade through fog. "Enough," he declared, his words holding the gravity of a royal decree. The power in his voice was impossible to ignore. "Everyone off my ship–”
“But Your Majesty–” a particularly insistent voice protested.
“I am the supreme ruler of this galaxy,” Emperor Kao's assertion rang out, his gaze firmly on mine. “I need to speak with my future daughter-in-law.”
As the room slowly cleared, the echoes of the recent turmoil faded, leaving only the aftermath of the tempest. Left in its wake were my advisors and the Emperor's two children, each catching their breath from the heated exchange.
Finally alone, the room held an eerie stillness. Emperor Kao sighed, taking his seat before a large window overlooking the stars. He gestured for me to join him, a silent invitation extended. Amidst the lingering tension, the Kaimari Warrior's helmet provided a reassuring nod, a small yet significant show of support that propelled me forward.
Taking my place at the Emperor's side, the weight of the recent insults still hung heavy in the air. He signaled for wine, which was brought forth by a young woman whose hands trembled slightly. "Set a course for Prisma," he whispered to another attendant, who bowed deeply and hastened to obey. The Emperor then turned his attention to me, his gaze contemplative and inviting.
"I want to show you something," his words were an invitation, an opening in the midst of the storm that had just raged through the room.