Episode 20 — Shadows Beneath Alliances

  In the previous chapter, the truth behind the Krizardian attacks finally surfaced.

  They were not acting alone.

  Behind the destruction of entire worlds… stood another force — the Spilrians.

  And somewhere in the universe, another race had already vanished.

  Lee walked through the underground market with his hood lowered over his face.

  The place was dim, lit only by blue torches fixed to the stone walls. Cloaked figures whispered while trading weapons, information, and sometimes even lives. Nobody looked at anyone directly. Here, knowing too much could get you killed.

  He stopped in front of a small table where a nervous man sat, sweating despite the cold air.

  “I heard something…” the informant whispered, glancing around repeatedly. “A drunk Krizardian… he kept saying they always ask for ten children. Every time. But he didn’t say who they are. That’s all I know.”

  Lee silently placed a few coins on the table.

  “That’s enough.”

  He turned and disappeared into the crowd before the man could say anything else.

  Not long after, Lee entered a decaying bar on the same planet.

  The air smelled of smoke and alcohol. Red lights flickered overhead. In the corner, a Krizardian warrior laughed loudly while grabbing two Bran women who were clearly terrified.

  Their eyes pleaded for help.

  Lee’s eyes glowed faintly red.

  The next moment, the Krizardian collapsed unconscious onto the floor.

  No one saw Lee move.

  The warrior woke up tied inside a crystal cave on Planet Bran.

  Spilrian chains bound him tightly to the rock walls. The air was damp, and the silence suffocating.

  Lee stood in the shadows.

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  His aura alone made the air feel heavier.

  “My name is Lee,” he said calmly. “I don’t want to kill you. Cooperate with me… and I will remember that when I become king.”

  The Krizardian trembled.

  “We… we don’t know why they want the children!”

  Lee’s aura tightened around him. The warrior gasped, unable to breathe.

  “They… who?”

  “The Spilrians!” he cried desperately. “They control everything! Even us! We may be conquerors, but we answer to them! They once fired a devastating beam at our own world… to prove it!”

  Lee’s expression darkened.

  “That part… I already knew.”

  He paused.

  “But you are still evil. And I cannot allow you to live.”

  The cave fell silent.

  In a single instant… the Krizardian died.

  Lee turned away without emotion.

  Meanwhile, far away, Leon and Lara entered the Xprian Council Hall.

  The enormous golden chamber fell silent as they walked in. Holographic projections of council members solidified into physical forms around a massive circular table.

  Murmurs spread across the room.

  “Where is Lee?”

  “And Laura?”

  Lara crossed her arms calmly.

  “My mother asked me to come. And since I’m not a fighter… I brought a bodyguard.”

  A councilor frowned.

  “Krizardians are not allowed here.”

  Lara smirked.

  “Technically, I didn’t break any rules. My brother comes here too.”

  Leon tried to hold back a laugh, but suddenly the atmosphere changed.

  A powerful green aura filled the room, shaking the entire chamber.

  Leon immediately stepped forward, his golden eyes shining. He jumped onto the table, claws extended, placing himself between Lara and the council.

  “You think you can protect her, boy?” the councilor challenged.

  Leon didn’t hesitate.

  “With my life.”

  The tension reached its peak.

  Then the aura vanished… and the councilor laughed.

  Before Leon understood what was happening, Lara ran forward and hugged the old man.

  Leon awkwardly climbed down from the table, embarrassed.

  The elder smiled warmly.

  “You’ve grown, my child. And congratulations on your bodyguard. He faced the unknown while everyone else stayed still.”

  Leon tried not to smile, but pride slipped through.

  The elder introduced himself.

  His name was Vander — father of Lord Vharon, and someone who had known Lara since she was a child.

  Vander turned to Leon.

  “What is your name, boy?”

  “Leon… sir.”

  “I like you.”

  Several council members looked displeased.

  Then Vander shifted his attention.

  “Director Dario… your son is eighteen now, correct?”

  “Yes,” Dario replied cautiously. “But he’s still in training. I never sent him on missions near Krizardian territory.”

  Vander looked at Lara.

  “But wasn’t he promised to my granddaughter?”

  Lara lowered her gaze.

  “Yes, grandfather… but Lord Vharon said my father threatened him. He doesn’t want my mother or me marrying anyone.”

  Vander’s eyes hardened.

  “And who said Aris needs to know? Soon your brother will defeat him. Then the marriage will happen.”

  Lara stayed silent.

  For the first time… she looked troubled.

  On a distant, desolate planet under a red sky, Lee trained with Lord Vharon.

  Shockwaves exploded across the ground with every strike. Craters formed beneath their feet as their auras collided violently.

  From afar, they looked less like warriors…

  …and more like forces of nature.

  The narrator’s voice echoed:

  While Leon and Lara face political games inside the Council…

  Lee sharpens his strength under Lord Vharon.

  The future of every race in the universe… grows more uncertain with each passing day.

  **End of Episode.**