Chapter 5: Council
"How curious. For some reason, I feel quite nostalgic today," a gorgeously stunning Mornan muttered softly with his gaze fixed on the window of his rather simple office - a breathtaking smile resting across his face.
It was located at the very top of the largest structure in Paradis, easily towering over ten thousand feet.
The Hold.
"…That's what you say almost every day, Sir," came the voice of his secretary, Ophilia. She was a female Remarta with glistening blue skin that shone slightly in the suns' rays. Her yellow eyes were complemented by her flawless raven-dark hair that flowed gently down her back.
A smooth thin spade-tipped tail swayed gently behind her as she lounged in the visitor's chair, scrolling through Paradis's Social Hub site.
The striking Mornan - Bastian, was the Sentinel of the N-0-A-1 Star System. Or the Prime Life Star System, as he liked to call it.
He was a White Mornan, with snow-white skin and elegant silver hair.
His bright purple eyes turned towards Ophilia with a slight gleam.
"Do I? Oh my. I suppose my mind tends to linger on the past too often whenever I'm unoccupied," he mused.
"That's why I always try to keep myself busy."
Ophilia stopped scrolling for a moment as she looked up at him with a blank expression.
"You have over 1,240 documents waiting for your review, sir."
…
Bastian remained silent for several moments, then coughed slightly.
"Well… not that busy."
"What I meant to say was, I enjoy living in the present. Appreciating all the wonders life has to offer me, for as long as I can," he stated.
"It's far less bothersome that way."
He turned to Ophilia again.
"You should learn to live in the present as well, my dear Ophilia," he said with a smile.
Then, his eyes widened slightly.
"Actually… no, wait, you shouldn't," he corrected, realising she'd probably book the fastest flight out of Paradis, if she did.
"You should learn to live more in moderation. I still need you here after all," he said with a nod, pleased with his quick recovery.
His gaze returned outside as a somber expression crossed his features.
"Tell me, Ophilia. Do you ever wonder how it must sometimes feel for the non-Renegade souls living in this vast and unforgiving universe of ours?"
"The ones who believe they have no power to change anything. And have only ever known the terror and chaos brought about by the Reincarnators."
His tone grew distant.
"I'd imagine life must feel quite hopeless for most of them at times."
"After all, the Reincarnators could succeed at any point and wipe out all life in this universe at any moment. They could even enslave us like they did before."
"…But for those who don't dwell on the things far beyond their reach or control."
"I'd imagine all that would seem inconsequential to them."
"They live their best lives, as if the end of reality would be the same as every other day."
He smiled faintly.
"And that's because it's true. There's no difference in them dying tomorrow in a random accident, to a sudden illness, old age - or to a Reincarnator."
"In the end, life must surely go on, no matter what."
"And the reason those people can live like that is because of the faith they put in the Emperor."
"In us, the Renegades."
"That's the reason we exist. To give every species in the universe enough hope and drive to keep going, while they leave all their fears and worries to us."
"And yet… It seems like we've failed once again," Bastian muttered as a sudden murderous aura emanated from him - shaking the entire building slightly.
"Ronin… that pest. To think he managed to slip out of the M-3000 Galaxy and make his way to this one."
"It fills me with so much contempt."
Ophilia glanced at Bastian with a somber expression for several moments before sighing.
"… Speaking of Terytl-B. Didn't you organize a meeting with the High Commanders to discuss what happened?"
Bastian exhaled, his tone turning serious.
"Yes, I know. I'm just stalling a bit because I know how troublesome it will be."
"This universe is changing fast. And yet those old geezers are too stuck in their ways to see reason."
His thoughts drifted to the countless lives lost once again.
"Still… I can't believe that the boy, Arbus, managed such a feat. For the second time, in fact."
"And yet, the Council still seeks to suppress such a talent - simply because of his origins," he shook his head slightly.
"Even Nash… It irritates me to no end."
"The Emperor himself commanded us to let Arbus live as he wanted. And yet I had to fight tooth and nail just to make him a Sentry."
"It's quite shameful that they even wanted to detain the boy after the second Reincarnator attack on Tarok - which he stopped," he said with a frown.
"…And now he's in the spotlight once again - and for killing another Reincarnator no less."
"Honestly, he's done more than I have. Considering I've only killed one myself."
Bastian muttered.
"That's just because you're lazy, Sir," Ophilia replied simply.
Bastian coughed again.
"Anyways, I have to convince them of his worth to the Renegades this time. And why he should be allowed to ascend the ranks normally. You'd think it would be simple, given his achievements, but as I said before, those geezers are quite stubborn."
"It wouldn't be the first time a half-human officially joins the Renegade."
"Although… The ending of that particular tale is quite tragic."
Finally, he turned to the pyramid-shaped clock on the wall.
"I suppose it's about time I head to the meeting. I've kept them waiting long enough."
He glanced at Ophilia.
"After it's done, I'll head to my study. I want you to bring Arbus and the Renegades I asked to escort him here."
Ophilia groaned slightly.
"Why can't I just get someone else to do that?"
Bastian smiled pleasantly.
"Because you're my assistant."
He turned to a seemingly normal wall and strode forward - as it slid open to reveal a passageway.
---
"That scoundrel. He must think it's funny to keep us waiting so long."
"Honestly, it's disheartening that a lazy brat like him had to be such a genius!" High Commander Oti bellowed with a scowl on his left face. He was a towering male aTer from planet Tar.
aTers were known for their bright purple skin and three conjoined faces attached to their head on multiple sides: one in front for happiness, joy, contentment, surprise, and various other jovial feelings; one on the right for sadness, disappointment, despair, fear, and other melancholic emotions; and finally one on the left for anger, rage, annoyance, irritation, indignation, hostility, and other wrathful expressions. Thanks to the Sentinel, Oti's left face got the most use whenever he visited this moon.
"Give him a little more time. You know how he likes to arrive fashionably late," came Tera, the High Commander and Queen of the Remarta.
Her full, voluptuous figure was complemented perfectly by her raven-dark luscious hair that reached the floor - and a silver spade-tipped tail twice her size.
The meeting room they were occupying was a spacious chamber with a mundane and modest design, due to Bastian's peculiar tastes.
At its center stood a humongous pitch-black round table, where all twelve High Commanders usually sat around.
Besides Oti and Tera, there were eight more High Commanders present.
Tristan, the only other Mornan on the Council, besides Bastian. He had silver skin and long blonde hair that reached his shoulders.
Silver Mornans ranked fourth in their race's hierarchy and were often seen as stronger than the White Mornans. That had not been the case this time. He was Bastian's closest friend and rival. He was in charge of every Mornan settlement in this star system.
Bel and Zub, twin rulers of the Shadon Collection, closely resembled shadows given solid form. They grew stronger together, a trait that had made it easy for them and past Shadon rulers before them - to rise to the rank of High Commanders and beyond in pairs.
Iberia, High Commander of ten out of the seventy planets in the star system, was a Bocheander. A race of green, blob-like shapeshifters who could take any form.
He managed the trading network across every planet in the star system.
Aztec, an old Aurnex and the head of the star system's Mesh department - responsible for crafting and managing the technology and weapons of the Renegades. Aurnexes bore a similar appearance to Mornans for the most part. The only differences being their extra pair of arms and eyes.
They were the most intelligent species in the entire universe, and the second most prominent race. Aztec was in charge of seven planets and twenty moons located in this star system.
Respen, the oldest member of the Council presently, and head of the Renegade Investigative department in this star system. His overall build was similar to that of a Mornan, but his skin was made up of a metal-like substance. His face lacked any facial features.
His species, the Qus, communicated by sending thoughts straight into the minds of others.
Umber, the newest member of the Council. He hailed from a civilization on a moon, orbiting the remains of a once massive planet.
The very same remains Paradis circled.
His species was a relatively newly discovered one, that was officially recognised 200 years ago.
They could not survive without their moon's unique atmosphere, so a special suit - much like a spacesuit, had been crafted by them. Its glass was fully obscured, hiding his true form beneath.
And finally, Nach Grimm, the chief and leader of the Tarokian race in this System.
His bright red skin and towering figure was a feature of his race.
His dark hair was plagued by countless grey strands brought on by his old age.
He was the father of Angel Grimm, the disgraced princess of the Tarokians.
And the grandfather of Arbus Kaelen.
The last two High Commander seats were empty for now, left vacant after their previous occupants fell in a battle in another star system.
Creek!
"Sorry for keeping you all waiting for so long. I had, um… important matters to take care of," Bastian said with a smile as he walked through the door.
Oti's left face scowled as he watched Bastian stride over to the head of the table.
Bastian took his seat as his smile suddenly faded.
"Now, shall we begin?"