Chapter 23 — The Chronicles of Aris (Part 2)

  The great circular tribunal hall of Planet XP was silent.

  Cold light reflected against the polished stone floor and metallic structures built into the walls. Hundreds of Xprians filled the chamber, whispering among themselves as guards stood along the perimeter.

  At the center of the room, Laura stood in chains.

  Her hands were bound, and her eyes were swollen from crying. She struggled to keep her composure as she faced the council.

  “I… I didn’t know,” she said, her voice trembling. “I didn’t know Aris was a Krizardian. I loved him. He… he was everything to me.”

  Her words echoed through the chamber.

  Several members of the tribunal approached one by one. Instead of questioning her further, they placed their fingers gently against her forehead. The Xprians possessed a rare gift — the ability to read memories directly from the mind.

  Images passed through them: her wedding, her life beside Aris, her trust… and her betrayal.

  When they stepped back, the hall fell into absolute silence.

  She had told the truth.

  Moments later, a holographic panel illuminated the chamber.

  Genetic reports appeared in glowing symbols.

  Lee — pure Krizardian.

  Lara — pure Xprian.

  A guard spoke coldly.

  “The boy must be eliminated. It is the law.”

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  Laura’s chains rattled as she surged forward.

  “No!” she cried. “He is my son! You will not touch him!”

  A heavy presence filled the room.

  Lord Vharon rose from his throne.

  “No Krizardian blood shall be spilled,” he declared calmly. “Such was the oath left by our Goddess Lara.”

  Murmurs spread across the chamber.

  Then Vharon spoke again.

  “The man you married… is now the King of the Krizardians.”

  Laura’s face turned pale.

  The council exchanged worried glances. The balance between planets had changed.

  Soon after, Vharon himself traveled to Krizand.

  He entered the royal hall where Aris now sat upon the throne, wearing the armor of a monarch. The flames of the chamber cast long shadows across his figure.

  “I have come to speak about the alliance you broke,” Vharon said.

  Aris gave a cold smile.

  “A mission given… a mission completed. But I always knew where you were, Vharon.”

  His eyes hardened.

  “I only spared XP because of Laura… and my children. Return them to me, and your world will live.”

  The temperature in the hall seemed to drop.

  Aris leaned forward slightly.

  “I never followed Lim… nor Lara. I will become the new god of this universe.”

  Vharon remained calm.

  “Laura fled to protect XP. And Lee… will be trained. One day, he may even replace you.”

  For a brief moment, Aris was silent.

  Then he exhaled slowly.

  “There is only one reason I have not destroyed XP… my Laura.”

  Years passed.

  Lee grew under Vharon’s supervision, training relentlessly. Combat, strategy, discipline — every day shaped him into a warrior. Along the way, seeds of resentment toward his father were quietly planted.

  Meanwhile, Laura rose to become director of the organization.

  Lara grew as well, becoming one of the brightest minds of her generation.

  But traditions still existed.

  When the director’s son returned, the ancient custom required Lara to marry him.

  A future already decided for her.

  A future that the destiny revealed to Leon threatened to change.

  Back in the present, Laura stood in the surveillance room.

  On the monitor, Leon and Lara sat together laughing.

  Her expression hardened.

  She approached them soon after.

  “Lara,” she said coldly, “the director’s son arrives tomorrow. Everything is prepared for your wedding. And Leon… you are invited as well.”

  Leon understood immediately.

  He gave a small smile and quietly walked away, head lowered.

  Lara watched him go, sadness in her eyes.

  “Mother… I already told you. I don’t like him.”

  “Come with me,” Laura replied. “We will choose your dress.”

  Lara’s hands clenched.

  “Leave me alone!”

  In a flash of light, she activated her transport technique and vanished.

  Leon walked alone through the corridor.

  The ship was silent, and his shadow stretched long across the metallic floor.

  The music of celebration had not yet begun…

  but conflict had already started.