BloodStar

News crews gathered around the front gates of the enormous mansion preparing for the imminent press conference. A notice had been sent out to all major news outlets that this press conference would contain sensitive information regarding world tensions.

Suddenly, the gates began to open, and news crews rushed in to vie for the best spots to capture the footage and ask follow-up questions.

Atop the ornate staircase leading up to the mansion, Xenia stood at a podium wearing her usual all-black leather military outfit.

As everyone filed in at the steps below her she said, “Welcome! Everyone welcome! I have a few very important announcements to make this morning.”

Once everyone settled and the cameras were rolling, she commenced, “It is with a heavy heart that I must announce some unwelcomed news. As you all know, the BloodStar Empire and the Master Family Alliance have agreed to an armistice to negotiate and settle the peace following Pope Gregory’s death. However… the Heraklinos Empire has flagrantly broken the armistice by sending Lord Heraklinos and General Magnus to infiltrate the BloodStar Empire in an act of war which violates the terms of the battle with Pope Gregory.”

Xenia’s tone sent a cold shiver over the audience. It was clear she was unhappy, and while she was the peak of physical beauty, everyone knew she was also capable of unspeakable violence.

“While I can understand the desire to rescue a prisoner, the detention of Pope Peter was an agreed upon term of the outcome decided by my match with Pope Gregory. The Heraklinos Empire and any empire who agreed to their reckless infiltration has thrown the terms aside and with it… broken my trust.” Xenia paused for the sake of theatrics and drama as she once again eyed the crowd before her with menacing eyes that matched her tone.

She then smiled unexpectedly, “Under normal circumstances, this would undoubtedly mark the beginning of the next Great War. However, as fate would have it, in their escape… Jacek Heraklinos battled my Gladiator Champion Nero and won.”

The audience collectively held their breaths. Even mention of the next Great War gave rise to thoughts of doom and apocalypse. She continued, “The defeat of Nero, gives the right of marriage to Jacek Heraklinos if I consent. Jacek is a strong warrior hailing from a powerful family, and he is quite handsome. So, allow me to take this opportunity to ask him. Jacek Heraklinos, will you marry me? To avoid the next Great War?”

Xenia followed up by saying, “Obviously, this is a big decision as it would shift the power axis of the world in favor of the BloodStar Empire. There will be many who oppose such a marriage. However, those many should think hard on the death of hundreds of millions of people that may result from such an opposition. My people will be safe. But will your people be?”

With her closing remarks resembling all but a threat to the populace of the Master Family empires, Xenia turned and retreated into the mansion leaving the audience with more questions than answers as cameras flashed and reporters hollered for her attention. However, she entered the mansion without looking back, and her security guards closed the door behind her.

The attention of the world now turned a sharp eye to the Heraklinos Empire as everyone awaited their response to Xenia’s proposal of peace and love to avoid war and hate.

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Jacek stood at the foot of the bed looking on at a still sickly Peter, “What is his ailment? When will he recover? Will he recover at all?”

The doctor at the bedside looked to Jacek, “My lord, these are all questions that will be answered with time. I am still studying the effects that have led to his current state. His vitals all seem perfectly normal. By my physical exam, he is as healthy as an ox.” He gave a heavy sigh and said, “We have all seen the news my Lord. Don’t worry yourself with Pope Peter and tend to your pressing international affairs. I will continue to work tirelessly until we have progress here.”

Jacek unfolded his arms and said, “Thank you, doctor. Please update me at once if anything changes.”

Jacek left the room to attend the emergency meeting called after Xenia’s press conference had hit the airwaves. The doctor turned back to Pope Peter and frowned as he thought to himself, “Perfectly healthy with no movement and no speech. This is a bit of a medical mystery. Hmm.”

Just then, Peter lifted his arm. The doctor rushed to his side and leaned over Peter watching for any clinical clues as he allowed Peter to complete his movements before asking any questions.

Peter grabbed the doctor’s arm. As Peter made contact with the doctor’s arm, the doctor had vision of paralyzing nightmares with a flash of a beautiful woman lying in Peter’s place. The doctor’s mind and body became more and more paralyzed with fear as the images of nightmares were relentless.

He managed to choke out, “You… You’re not Peter. Who are… Who are you?”

The imposter Peter stood from the bed and slowly laid the doctor down on the bed instead. As the doctor laid down, the mysterious person unveiled their appearance revealing a slender, beautiful woman with dark hair and big breasts. Had the doctor not known any better, the woman appeared to be Xenia at first glance though he knew that could not be the case.

The woman then used her ki to cast an illusion on herself as she became identical to the doctor across from her in mere seconds.

She leaned over the doctor and softly whispered, “Now, I’m going to give you nightmares so horrible, so unspeakable that your mind collapses under the fear. You’ll be dead in five minutes. And if you’re not dead, you’ll be wishing you were.”

She then turned and left the room promptly leaving the doctor alone with an illusion cast over him to appear as Peter. The doctor saw terrifying visions that appeared real, and his mind raced with fear and anxiety. He lay alone in the room muttering soft non-sensical phrases to himself as his mind collapsed into a state of disarray and terror.

______________________________

No more than a half mile away within the campus of the Heraklinos palace, the emergency meeting was convening with both in-person and virtual attendants.

Jarek commenced the meeting, “We knew this was a possible risk of such a mission. However, if we wish to maintain our integrity in a world that continues to fall further into the darkness, rescuing Peter was the right move. We are not here to second guess our actions. We are here to discuss our options in regard to Xenia’s unusual ultimatum.”

Master Karasu wasted no time expressing his strong opinion, “If I may, I think the obvious route is for Jacek to accept Xenia’s offer. The union of BloodStar and Heraklinos empires would sew the world together like never before. These non-sensical wars would come to a halt. While I agree, it would disrupt Jacek’s current relationship with the respectable Master Sage, it would also prevent death on a scale the world has never seen.”

Karasu paused and hesitated before adding his last bit, “And I would like to add that most men would kill to take her hand in marriage. She is rich, powerful, beautiful, sexy, intelligent beyond belief, and kind to the people she rules. And if I am not mistaken, do Xenia and Jacek not have a prior history of a tryst? The chemistry is certainly there.”

Karasu had spoken the obvious consideration that few would blurt out so willingly for fear of sounding uncouth. Erika could be seen steaming, and this was exactly the retribution members of the meeting wanted to personally avoid.

Erika sounded off, “This congregation cannot be seriously considering that option?! Are you kidding me? Jacek and I have a strong relationship with which we will build the world in a better direction than Xenia ever could. She thrives on violence and power. A marriage with her may stop this war, but it would put us on a path to a darker world in the long term. She would eventually use her position to subjugate the world including the Heraklinos empire with time. The very idea of Jacek marrying her is absurd, and she knows it!”

St. Michael stepped in, “I agree with Master Sage. Xenia does not want Jacek beyond creating an heir. The outlook of the world with her at the helm alongside Jacek would be uncertain. The only reason we are even considering it is owing to the fact that the alternative involves mass casualty on an unacceptable scale.”

President Monroe of the United States chimed in next, “As the country where the fighting would take place first, I say marry her. I have met her on several occasions. She can be tamed, and she is beautiful and charming.”

The other members scowled at Monroe, and he finished by saying, “You don’t have to like my words, but they are true. She is charming, and she is right. If you don’t choose marriage, the people of the world will cry foul against our alliance. We would be the monsters of war! Not her, in the eyes of the people.”

Jarek’s voice then boomed commanding the attention of the congregation, “Allow me to remind everyone. Xenia has framed this as marriage or war; however, just because we reject her proposal does not mean we must go to war. However, I believe this decision should ultimately fall on the shoulders of Jacek. He is a future leader of the world, and he is the one who would be committing himself to such an endeavor in marriage with Xenia BloodStar, an undertaking which would have… as the committee has stated… its fair share of both risk and reward.”

Jacek nodded to his father and said, “Speaking truthfully, my younger self would have jumped at this opportunity. There is a lot to like about Xenia BloodStar from the perspective of a young man. However, from someone who now genuinely has the interest of the world at heart, the BloodStar Empire has been a stain on the world for a long time. I can’t seriously consider marrying her for a second. I understand this will be a costly decision paid for with the lives of many, possibly even my own. However, I would rather rip the band-aid off now rather than give her the world on a silver platter. She wins long games. She thinks decades out. She will outlive everyone here with her healing abilities. She will ruin the world with time no matter who she is paired to. Her proposal is ultimately a clever veil to take over the world. The people of the world today will hate us for it. But the people of the world tomorrow will thank us. We have no real choice. We must rid the world of her.”

His speech was heartfelt by all in the room, even by those who would vote to see him marry Xenia. Karasu nodded, “I support Jacek Heraklinos.”

President Monroe sighed, “It will be costly as you say. But I support Jacek Heraklinos as well.”

Erika smiled. A tear rolled down her cheek as she said with a shaky voice, “I support Jacek Heraklinos.”

St. Michael nodded, “We have no choice. I support Jacek Heraklinos.”

Lady Starfallen nodded without comment.

The other members of the committee who had voting rights logged their votes silently supporting Jacek’s motion after his speech.

Jarek then concluded the meeting, “It is settled. I will issue our decision via press conference this afternoon. The sooner we act, the better.”

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