BloodStar

“Sir. As you can see from the report, we have had positive GDP growth for 10 consecutive quarters now.”

St. Michael took a sip from his coffee and flipped the page to look over the report noting that the two quarters for which Xenia had ruled the empire, growth was far and above expectations. He nodded, “Very good. Very good.”

His aide continued, “And if you flip the page, you can see the population report showing that our borders have never been more controlled. We have a healthy influx and efflux of people with utmost coordination from the United States.”

“Very good.” Michael continued to leisurely sip his coffee.

“And if you flip the page once more, we arrive at the crime statistics for the empire. Crime is generally down drastically save for one minor exception.” The aide cautiously eyed St. Michael hoping for him to gloss over the details.

However, Michael had been waiting for this part of the report, and he perused it carefully, “Tell me. Why is it that for all of our outstanding achievements, we cannot seem to quell this rampant serial killer? Every week we review trends, and every week the kill count rises. What is it at now?”

“If you are referring to the serial killer colloquially referred to as Jill the Ripper-” The aide was suddenly cut off.

“Of course I am referring to Jill the Ripper! We have excellent economic stats, border control, relatively little political discourse. Our biggest problem is this damn serial killer! People are scared, I am running low on patience, and I want to know what we are doing to counter her.” Michael was clearly frustrated.

The aide nervously replied, “Officially, the kill count exceeds 300 now. Killing has seen a significant uptick over the past two weeks.”

Michael sat silently, and the aide cleared his throat and continued, “Recall, we deemed this a politically fragile topic owing to the fact that it originates with Scorched Shadow. Thus, we have done very little. First General Ulysses Curtis assures our cabinet that matters will be taken care of by the end of the month, which gives him one week. He also assures me he and his men have a foolproof plan with weeks of research they have poured in to stopping this killer.”

Michael cracked his knuckles and leaned forward, “One week. And after that, I am stepping in to handle this. Personally.”

He stood from his desk and looked out the large bay window overlooking the plaza, “I am tired of these senseless killings. I will plan for General Curtis’s failure as he has shown little initiative thus far. And on that note, I am off to train.”

He walked around the desk and left briskly leaving his aide with stacks of reports and various files needing St. Michael’s signatures. The aide simply let out a large sigh, “I guess we will sign and verify these policies and procedures at a later time.”

_______________________

Nero walked through the halls of Bella Domina on his way to consult with Xenia after having a series of very unusual phone calls with Constance.

“What kind of foolish games is Constance up to? I will not allow this unnecessary risk taking unless it is an order directly from my empress.” Nero contemplated the details of his conversation with Constance, and he was not amused.

He pushed open a large door leading to a viewing suite which looked down upon a training arena below. The training area was roughly the size of a football field measuring 100 yards in length and 30 yards in width.

All of his thoughts suddenly took a back seat to the scene he witnessed below. Xenia sat in the middle of the training area in the lotus position, and the room was pitch black only illuminated by calm black and blue flames organized concentrically around her with 5 yards between each flame. The pattern continued outward filling the entire room.

Nero softly spoke to himself in near disbelief, “This… this is mastery of the nightmare ki technique, Death Domain.”

Nero was in genuine awe as he thought such a feat, if even possible, would take Xenia years to master. Instead, she had ostensibly mastered the technique in a matter of a few short months.

“The flames are so calm. The depths of her power must have returned.” Nero looked on as the blue and black flames, which were characteristically wild and uncontrollable, sat like well-trained dogs on a leash obeying her every command. There was barely even a flicker as the tips of the flames resisted dancing.

“This amount of power is unrivaled not only in today’s world but also throughout recorded history.” He stood in amazement knowing that if she wanted to, she could annihilate his every cell wiping him from the face of the Earth with ease. And with that acknowledgement, the problems he had arrived to discuss seemed meaningless now.

He slowly backed out of the viewing area as to not disturb his empress, and he closed the door. He walked away thinking, “Fine. I will allow Constance her silly games. With that kind of power, Xenia needs no protection. At least no protection I can offer.”

He made his way to an office where he sat at a desk and immediately dialed the phone making a call as Constance had requested.

A man picked up on the other side of the phone, and Nero greeted him, “Mr. Vand, how are you?”

John Vand happily replied, “I am well, and my day is even better having received your phone call BloodStar Immortal Nero. It is always a pleasure to be in your service.”

Nero gave a slight smile, “I would first like to thank you for allowing me to borrow your car, and I must apologize if the upholstery was returned in less than satisfactory condition.”

John laughed, “Nero, the entire bloody car was just that… bloody!” He laughed and then said, “Think nothing of it, the interior has already been redone from top to bottom. Would you like to use it again so soon?”

Nero shook his head, “No, actually I have a series of related but very specific favors to ask of you.”

“By all means, it is one thing to have access to my resources, but you are truly wise to utilize my power. What did you have in mind?” John was eager to help.

“I need to make a deposit at your flagship bank here in the capital of the Holy Light Empire. I need it to be in your most secure vault.”

John replied, “Such a small ask, Nero. Will that be all?”

“No. The day after my deposit, I will need an armed security detail present on site at the bank. I will need them to be briefed that there will be an attempted armed robbery of my deposit. Lastly, I will need every single security camera disabled both within the bank and outside the bank for at least five miles.” Nero paused and then said, “Will that be a problem?”

A silence permeated until John finally said, “Consider these requests fulfilled, Nero. But they are a strange set of requests. You want extra security but also less security? And why would you make a deposit if you know someone will attempt to steal it? Would it not be safer in your possession?”

John then followed by saying, “Of course, you do not have to entertain my curiosity.”

Nero grunted, “I am as confused by it as you. I am merely the messenger for these requests; however, the person authorizing them has trust in you, so allow me to tell you this.”

“These come from someone with much more authority than my own. And I believe it is some kind of game set up by the Mistress Khan.” Nero grunted with disapproval.

John had a lightbulb moment, “Ahh, would this not be the same person who borrowed my car?”

“The very same.” Nero grunted in reply.

“I see. I see. In that case, there can be no error on either of our parts. I will see to these requests personally. Thank you, Nero.”

“One last thing Mr. Vand.” Nero held a slip of paper in his hand looking down at a long list of items written upon it.

“Anything. Just name it.” John was unphased at one last request especially given who the requests were ultimately coming from.

Nero grunted and said, “I have a lengthy list given to me that consists of high-grade military equipment mostly comprised of weapons and ammunition. I am going to send a copy of it to you. Please fulfill this order and have it delivered to Bella Domina directly.”

“Without even seeing the list, I can guarantee it will not take long to fulfill at which point I will have it promptly delivered. The world is awash with weapons following the war.” John was relieved to find the last request a particularly easy one.

“I will get to work on these requests at this very second, Nero. Please let me know if I can help with anything else. Have a great rest of your day.”

Nero then hung up the phone without so much as a goodbye, and John sat back in his chair thinking, “So it is true! Xenia borrowed my car. She isJill the Ripper. And she must be bored while regaining her power.”

He smiled with pride as he realized committing himself, his power, and his resources to Nero on a hunch was the best decision he had ever made in his life. He was now untouchable to the rest of the world.

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