The planet of Earth, renad Terra after the fusion of Gaia, had been in a state of chaos for quite a while as its denizens suffered from the constant attacks that left them reeling for months.
Clouds of flas seed almost a common sight as officials from all around acted the best they could to minimize the damage while also trying to maintain the economy that was now in turmoil due to the constant changes.
Automatons wielding advanced Artificial Intelligence that had once been heavily restricted by the Empire were now being heavily relied upon to give humanity ti to recover while cataloging the various new arrivals from Gaia.
Still, as Altair peered over the logistics of his empire's current state, he turned to Thanatos and asked, " Are the Amazon's population of n and won fully logged?"
"Yes, though they're not happy that they have to release their male slaves."
"They'll adjust," Altair dismissed the concern with a casual wave of his hand as if swatting away an insignificant insect. "We don't have the luxury of ti for pleasantries. We've invested nearly ten million Sols in a variety of Automatons. Simply assassinate those that are against ."
"That could lead to rebellions. Martyrs could be born."
"Then have Tasha or Vaiga deal with it." Altair continued, swiping a palm through the constellation of logistics over the holograph. " Raise their lands to the ground. Like I said, I don't have ti to play mortal politics. We have beco too big for that shit. The people will forget in ti. If not well…"
Thanatos hesitated but nodded nonetheless; he stood up, making a few calls across the empire to various officials.
"Aurora," Altair said as a feed of her present location appeared from within his office. " What is Zelos's current Eta?"
"He ought to arrive tonight," Aurora said.
Altair nodded. "How are the effects of the Soul Blossom going?"
"Wonderful… too good, really," Aurora said. We've already awoken most of the humans who entered a coma. Those who hadn't awakened to the System are now full-on Awakeners, while those who had gained a substantial boost to their souls."
"How big?"
"200 to 500 points to Wisdom and Charisma," Aurora said, sowhat alarming the Emperor. He'd underestimated the Soul Blossom. Even when it was diluted, its effects were vast, especially on humans, known descendants of distinct Godlings, Titans, and Celestials.
"So are awakening Psionic Abilities," Aurora continued, a smile branding her lovely face. It's rather terrifying. We've diluted the Soul Blossom water over a hundred tis, but the effects are… terrifying. I can't even imagine what would happen if we were to pull fruit from the Tree of Rebirth or the Pale Tree, said to grant insight into Primal Death."
Altair nodded, though he expected nothing less from such godly plants that withstood the test of Hell Cycles or Eternity and survived. If a single one of these plants couldn't change the foundation of a civilization, what would?
"Good," said The Emperor. "Since the effects are so good, send a shipnt to Syris. I want her to control the Soul Blossom distribution."
"The Saintess?" Aurora said, not understanding.
"The Soul Blossom, it seems, grants enlightennt and bolsters the soul. More than what Ava originally told us. Can you imagine the effect it would have on children who just awaken? I'm a third Circle with a soul of nearly two thousand points. Can you imagine how much stronger I would have beco if I had a Soul Blossom at age ten?"
Aurora gulped. "It seems we might have underestimated our resources. Might I suggest we don't put it on the market just yet?"
Altair furrowed his brow. "You haven't done so yet?"
"No. I was waiting for the annual AuctionHouse held by the Trading Consortium to advertise Earth's greatest resources. It Seems we were lucky. Our ignorance might have gotten us killed."
Altair grimly nodded. He could almost imagine entire armies raiding the Outer Rim of Terra in order to acquire such a precious resource. He almost wanted to stop the distribution of the 'water' that was infused with the Soul Blossom, but it was too late.
'My first fuck up,' he thought, frowning, drumming his finger across the command panel of his chair.
"Continue the distribution. I'll let Syris proclaim it to be water blessed by the Vale. Let's grow the faith," he said after a mont's pause.
Aurora nodded and disconnected the feed.
"dusa," Altair said, looking at his Sword Maid for the day. Happily organizing docunts.
She smiled at him. "Yes, Master?"
"Get Zagreus."
She saluted, like a child receiving a very important mission, before scurrying off. Monts later, she returned with a sulking Zagreus.
Altair thanked her before sending her on her way alongside Thanatos.
"You look like shit. And sll like cheap beer," Altair said. "I guess it's not going well with gara?"
Zagreus flushed, his fist curling into balls. He turned, having nothing to say.
"Zag… I'll be honest. I have zero clue what you're going through. Personally, I find the entire matter stupid. So I'll ask you now. Do you want to send her back to the underworld?"
Zagrues looked at him, eyes turning wide. "No!" The words ca before he could think, much less catch himself.
"Then pull yourself together, man. For fuck sake." Altair snapped. " It's embarrassing watching this shit. I don't have many words of encouragent because I don't know what you need to do. But this isn't it. Get your shit together, or return to your Father."
Zagreus's expression turned. "You don't an."
"I do with the Involvent of the Olympian Gods. War is bound to be on the horizon. And as you are now. I can't imagine you surviving any sort of major battle." He stood up, standing eye to eye with the man. "If you can't close your heart to such things. You'll die.
And I won't have that on my consciousness or what's left of it. Get your shit together. That'll be all."
Zagreus stood there for a second. Lost.
"Go find you a woman…" Altair suggested. "Or beco the man gaera wants. That's really all the wisdom I have."
Aimlessly, Zagreus left, drowning beneath a strange pressure of his own making.
"What the hell was Thanatos thinking bringing gaera to the surface? Three furies, and he picked the one Zagrues chose to flee from." He winced, shaking his head before continuing his work.
****
As the hour of Zelos arrived, Altair decided to personally welco him despite it being beneath his station. He left his castle and headed towards the Interstellar Transportation Hanger, several miles outside Zamphis.
Across the hanger bay, Altair stood alongside Thanatos and dusa as a shuttle entered his world's atmosphere. The shuttle was rather small, though it appeared luxurious, as though ant for kings and queens alike.
But as the shuttle docked, lowering its stepping platform, Altair did not spot Zelos as he thought. Only servants draped in the crest of the Burning Sun on their chest. There were seven of them, and each one of them was Transcendent, nearing the peak of their respective fields.
Altair blinked but did not speak, as one by one, the Seven bowed, presenting a dagger not to him but to the world itself.
Suddenly, the dagger shone a bright fixture of light, revealing a sigil, one of the infernal origins, before he appeared like a flash, gripping the dagger in his palm.
Altair nearly gasped as Zelos teleported in, screaming, " I'M BACK!!!!!" Arms raised like a child.
His servants all looked away in sha, already aware of their masters' antics.
"You can't have this ti, Truck-Kun!!!!!" he roared, his bloody eyes sparkling with wonder. He spun, eying the transport bay before fixing his eye on Altair. "You're a lot taller than I thought. Are we the sa height?"
Altair nearly smiled, offering a palm that Zelos instantly took. "How have you been, Lord Blackwood? I hope it's good."
"...yes…" Altair said, unsure why there was such excitent that was absent before.
"Oh… I almost forgot gifts." He waved his hand, conjuring a to lined with gold: " Compendium of Ascension. The Seventh Edition. It just ca out this year. It has a list of every God at the Omnis Rank. Please read it. I think you'll find a few familiar nas on it."
Altair smiled, accepting the nearly seven-inch-thick to. He didn't open it but handed it to Thanatos, who happily accepted.
"Now… before business…" Zelos began. "Kabobs."
"Excuse ?"
"Kabobs. Please tell Earth still has Kabobs. They don't make it in Genesis like they do on Earth. I've spent nearly thirty years trying to recreate the recipe, but Hells! I haven't been successful."
"Well, we did have a banquet prepared for you… but…" Altair said, his voice trailing off, looking at how excited Zelos had beco. "I guess we can skip it to dine at a traditional restaurant."
"YESSS!!!!!!!!" Zelos howled, shaking the skies, his transcendent might bleeding through. He was shaking visibly, tears nearly rising across his eyes.
Your next read awaits at empire
"You… You alright?"
"Lord Blackwood…"
"Yeah… You kind of ruined any sort of regality the mont needed. Just call Altair." The Emperor said, shaking his head.
Zelos seed to catch himself. "Sorry about that. But it's been a dream of mine to return to Earth. I just didn't think I'd return to it in a futuristic setting. Everything has changed."
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