An emerald construct in the shape of the USS Enterprise zoomed past in the void of space.
It was accurate down to the smallest detail, the saucer section perfectly curved, the nacelles precisely angled. Every panel line, every window, every running light was exactly as it should be. The registry number NCC-1701 was clearly visible on the hull. In the place of the Starfleet insignia was a large green lantern symbol.
Inside, on the bridge, in the captain's chair sat Max. And next to him, in what would have been the first officer's position, was Firehair, who did not look happy.
Max leaned back in the captain's chair, steepling his fingers, and spoke in his best dramatic Kirk impression:
"Captain's log, stardate... well..." He paused and continued "We are three hours away from Asgard. The planned heist... should go well. We've accounted for... most variables. Security protocols, magical wards, the location of guards." Another pause, more dramatic. "But it seems... one of the most important components I need for this to be successful... is having second thoughts. The success of this mission... depends on trust. On partnership. On..." He gestured vaguely. "Mutual understanding of the greater good and—"
His mock log session was interrupted by Firehair.
"I will not be a thief, Max," she said, her arms crossed.
"You're not going to be a thief," Max replied calmly.
"I will also not help you steal, either," Firehair continued, her eyes flashing.
"It's not really stealing, is it?" Max tried.
Firehair stood and began pacing across the bridge, her red hair seeming to crackle with barely restrained cosmic flames. "And from your own friend's homeland, no less! Have you no shame, Max? I thought you an honorable man!"
"Red, listen to me. I am not stealing anything," Max said, standing as well.
He explained patiently, "I just need to get into the vault and be there for a few hours while I retrieve the information I need. That's all. No theft. Just borrowing some very important info I need... I need this for our continued defense of earth."
Firehair stopped pacing and fixed him with a look, her eyes narrowed. "That was not what you said last time."
She was right. Max had pitched his heist of stealing the entire head to her after they left Earth. But he had changed his mind since then.
Jade had pointed out several critical flaws in the original plan: Bor could have put spells on the head to preserve it, and there was a significant chance of them damaging it during the theft. Her initial scans from long ago had shown how it was slowly deteriorating despite whatever magic protected it. Even more practically, even if he got the head, it would take Jade almost three hundred days to fully scan it and begin extraction of data, which meant the ring had to be in constant contact with it the entire time. That was simply not feasible at the moment.
So Max had decided to simply take what he wanted from the head when he was in the vault, a quick in-and-out operation that would leave everything exactly as he found it.
"I have come to realize that it was a bad idea," Max admitted.
Firehair's expression softened slightly, but suspicion remained. "You have already lied to me once, Max." Her voice dropped. "Were those grand tales of the world with the beautiful skies a lie as well?"
Max immediately stood and moved toward her. "No, no, it is not!"
"I only just thought of going to Asgard recently. But I have been wanting to show you Ivern for some time. That part is completely true. I promise you, Red, Ivern is real and it's beautiful and you will love it."
Firehair studied his face for a long moment, searching for deception. Finally, she sighed. "Tell me your plan again. All of it. No omissions this time."
Max nodded, and he formed a construct of Asgard around them.
The bridge of the Enterprise disappeared, replaced by a holographic recreation of Odin's home.
"This is Asgard." He gestured to the floating city, then formed a construct of Mimir's head. "And this is what we're after. Or rather, what's in it."
"Odin's uncle. The one you both killed," Firehair said, her expression somber.
"Well, he didn't really give us a chance," Max said with a slight grimace.
Max took a breath and continued. "The plan is for you, Red, to cause a distraction." He manipulated the construct, showing Firehair's position. "You will show up on Asgard's front door with the full power of the Phoenix and then threaten to destroy it. That would draw out the king and the Asgardians to either battle you or reason with you. Either way, all eyes will be on you."
Firehair's expression immediately hardened. "I will not hurt innocents. I have no wish to attack Odin's home or his own father and family and friends."
"Of course not!" Max said quickly, raising his hands. "You won't have to. You will challenge them to a game of riddles. And that's how you stall them for as long as possible. An hour, maybe two. Just enough time for me to get in, get the data, and get out."
Firehair considered this, her head tilting slightly. "That could work."
"It will work," Max said confidently. Then he grinned. "Come on, don't you think it will be a bit fun for you as well? I mean, you had those people in Gandhara think you were some kind of fire goddess."
Firehair flushed or perhaps it was a blush, her cheeks taking on a slightly darker hue. "That was not intentional."
"Right. Not intentional," Max said flatly, his grin widening.
Firehair smiled slightly despite herself. "Fine. I will do it."
"Thank you," Max said, relief evident in his voice.
"This better go well, Max," Firehair warned, stepping closer to him. "I don't want you stealing anything else, or anyone getting hurt." She paused. "The Phoenix disagrees with the plan as well."
"Don't worry. It will go well," Max assured her.
========
Max and Firehair now stood floating in space near the planetoid that was Asgard.
The realm hung before them like a golden jewel, a flat disc of land suspended in the void. It was impossibly beautiful and impossibly wrong by normal physics.
Max created a construct watch and handed it to Firehair. "When the dial reaches this point," he indicated a marking, "you can begin."
Firehair nodded, studying the device.
"Just go in and say you're going to destroy Asgard and call for Bor to come face you," Max instructed.
Firehair smiled a knowing, slightly mischievous smile. "I know exactly what to say."
"See? I knew you would enjoy this, Red."
Firehair gave him a mock glare, then smiled and said, "Go, so that we can get this over with quickly."
Max cloaked himself, creating reflecting constructs around himself that bent light around his form, rendering him effectively invisible. Then he flew toward Asgard, descending carefully through the atmosphere and landing near the shores of the large body of water that surrounded the planetoid.
Where is all this water coming from? Max thought, watching water cascade off the edge of the flat disc into space, an endless waterfall that somehow never depleted.
Odin had said that Asgard was built on the remains of the giant Ymir. Could Ymir have been a Celestial? Max wondered, looking up at the night sky of Asgard.
He waited for some time and soon he saw Firehair approach.
She burst out in full power, the Phoenix coming out in full force. Cosmic flames erupted around her, growing larger and larger until they took the shape of a massive bird that stretched across the sky.
Then she spoke, her voice echoing with the power.
"I AM THE PHOENIX, AND I AM ASGARD'S DOOM!"
"Fuck yeah," Max said out loud. He could hear the panic and chaos erupting in the city. Screams, war horns blowing, the sound of thousands of warriors being roused.
Max began flying toward the palace, the largest longhouse where he knew the king's vault was located and where Mimir's head would be kept. He knew that much from his conversations with Odin.
Firehair spoke again, her voice shaking the very foundations of the realm:
"COME FACE ME, KING OF ASGARD! PROVE TO ME THE WORTH OF YOUR REALM!"
Max chuckled as he watched thousands of warriors pour out of the longhouse. They were having a celebration, he realized, seeing some still clutching drinking horns, others fumbling with armor.
"COME FORTH, BOR BURISON, OR ARE YOU CRAVEN?" Firehair called out again.
Max watched as King Bor rode out on an eight-legged horse, Gungnir in his hand. The entire army of Asgard formed behind him, the host ready to defend their home. Bor raised his spear and yelled, "FOR ASGARD!"
The warriors echoed his cry, a thunderous roar as they marched out with him.
"Jade, how many people inside?" Max asked quietly, still hovering invisible near the palace entrance.
One hundred remain. They are all leaving now, Jade reported.
"Well, of course they are," Max muttered. "This must seem like Ragnarok for them."
After some time, Jade confirmed: The longhouse is empty.
Max watched as Firehair engaged with Bor. The king, to his credit, did not immediately attack. He reasoned with the Phoenix.
"THEN, BOR BURISON, ANSWER MY FIVE RIDDLES!" Her voice rang out. "If you answer them correctly, I will spare Asgard and leave in peace. Fail, and I will purify this realm in my cleansing flames!"
Bor raised Gungnir. "I accept, Lady Phoenix! Ask your riddles, and know that Asgard's wisdom is as great as its strength!"
"All right, time to go," Max said, flying into the building and making his way toward the vault, which was underground.
He made his way through the longhouse, following directions from Jade.
The interior was vast high ceilings supported by massive pillars carved with scenes of battle, tapestries depicting old kings and warriors.
Proceed down the main corridor. Take the third left. Security measure detected ahead, Jade warned.
Max paused. Floating in the center of the corridor ahead was a golden sphere, its surface covered in constantly shifting runes, rotating slowly and scanning the room.
It will detect any presence, Jade warned.
"Any suggestions?" Max asked.
Recommendation: overload it with conflicting data.
"Oh, I know just the thing," Max said as he created dozens of constructs… duplicates of himself each one moving in different directions, creating noise and confusion in the detection field. The orb spun faster, trying to track them all, its runes flickering. When it was thoroughly distracted, Max slipped past along the wall, dismissing the constructs once he was through.
"Well, that was easy," said Max as he arrived near the large vault doors.
They were massive, made of golden metal inscribed with protective runes that glowed faintly.
Max looked at the golden doors and hoped that the Destroyer armor was not inside waiting for him. It should have been made when Odin was king, so he was like sixty percent sure it wouldn't be there.
Max walked up to the door. "So, Jade, how are we going to open this?"
You should try just opening it, Jade suggested.
"It can't be that easy, can it?" Max said skeptically.
From the data I collected from your mind, the amount of times people have broken into Asgard's vault is considerable. The Frost Giants alone have done it at least a dozen times.
"Right. I guess it wouldn't hurt to check."
Max walked over and then simply tried to open it. He grasped the handles and pulled.
To his surprise, it opened.
"What the fuck," Max said flatly.
See? No wonder people keep breaking in and stealing valuables, Jade commented. I theorize the Asgardians do this intentionally so they have legitimate reasons to engage in combat and recover stolen artifacts.
"I think I agree with you on that," Max said with a chuckle as he walked in.
Inside was a treasure trove all sorts of artifacts displayed on pedestals, in cases, or simply lying on shelves.
Max walked slowly, looking at the artifacts as he passed.
One was a dark, moving void-like substance contained in a crystalline sphere.
Another was a shard of ice that radiated cold so intense Max could feel it through the case itself.
Then came the weapons.
The spear Bor had been using when Max first met him the replacement for Gungnir.
A hammer similar to Mjolnir, but cruder, perhaps a prototype.
Then Max saw a sword.
It was beautiful—masterfully crafted with intricate runes running along the fuller of the blade. The crossguard was elegant, the grip wrapped in fine leather. The pommel bore the symbol of a dragon.
"Woah," Max breathed. He felt like he remembered a sword like this, at least the description of it.
I believe this to be Gram, Jade chimed in.
Max's eyes widened. "Gram? Of course." The sword of Sigurd, the one he used to kill Fafnir the dragon. A blade of legend that could cut through anything.
The very same, Jade confirmed.
Max couldn't resist. He picked it up and it felt right in his hand, perfectly balanced, surprisingly light. He gave a few experimental swings.
When he swung it, the blade released a very precise blast of cutting force a razor-thin wave of energy that shot forward. It sliced cleanly through a golden chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
"Oh, fuck—" Max said as the massive fixture began to fall.
He quickly created two construct arms to catch the chandelier and carefully set it aside.
"Let's just do what we came here to do," Max muttered, walking ahead with the sword still in hand.
It did not take much time to find Mimir's head.
It sat on a pedestal near the back of the vault, preserved by some kind of enchantment that kept it from decaying. The eyes were closed, the expression peaceful despite the violence of its severing.
"All right, Jade, time to work your magic," Max said, pointing the ring at the head.
Beginning extraction. Calculating time needed for extraction...
Max waited, his hand outstretched toward the head, the ring glowing and pulsing.
He began humming a tune while waiting as Jade processed eons of knowledge stored in the head.
After fifteen minutes, Jade spoke: I have found what we need. Additionally, I have located something that will interest Agamotto as well.
Max had asked Jade to look for anything to help with Agamotto's barrier project when searching for the Uru and magical defense information he needed. The Sorcerer was working on a planetary-scale protective enchantment, and any advanced knowledge would help in improving or making it easier for him.
"Well then, take that as well," Max said.
Estimated time: three hours.
"What? Three hours?" Max said, surprised.
Do I need to remind you how complex this process is? Jade replied with a hint of exasperation. It would take the most powerful supercomputer months to do what the ring can accomplish in hours.
"Yeah, yeah," Max conceded. He then decided to take the ring off and have it float in front of the head so he wouldn't have to stand in the same position for three hours.
"Right, Jade, you do your thing. And let's hope Firehair's riddles are hard enough for the king."
==========
Max waited, but standing still wasn't his strong suit.
He played around with Gram for some time, practicing forms and strikes, marveling at how the blade seemed to anticipate his movements. Every swing released those precise cutting waves, and he had to be careful not to accidentally destroy more of the vault.
Then he spotted Surtur's head across the room, the massive, charred skull with horns.
And a few paces away was the Twilight Sword, and beside it, the Eternal Flame, burning in a brazier without consuming fuel.
"Why the fuck would they keep all this together?" Max muttered, staring at the components of potential apocalypse just sitting within reach of each other.
He couldn't help himself. Max began moving them apart, ensuring Surtur wouldn't accidentally rise up. Which led to him reorganizing most of the vault, placing dangerous artifacts as far from each other as possible.
"There," he said, placing the strange icy shard in a place which he thought was much better.
"Are you done?" Max asked, walking over to his ring where Jade was busy extracting information from Mimir's head.
Half an hour more, Jade reported.
Max sighed.
"I wonder how Firehair is doing," Max mused.
As he was about to check, heading toward the vault entrance, he froze.
A woman was entering the vault.
Her face showed shock first, then pure anger. She held a sword and shield, wore full Asgardian armor with a red cloak, and had blonde hair pulled back in warrior braids.
"Oh, fuck," Max said.
"I knew there was someone here!" she shouted, raising her sword. "Another thief trying to steal Asgard's treasures! You cur! You will face the king's judgment!"
Max backed up toward where he'd put Gram. "Look, I can explain—"
"You dare speak, worm?" she spat, then charged at him.
Max quickly picked up Gram and met her head-on, the sword of legend meeting the woman's blade with a resounding clang that echoed through the vault.
"You dare lay your hands upon the sword of Sigurd?" she demanded, fury in her eyes.
"Hey, you're the one who's attacking me!" Max protested.
She slashed at him fast incredibly fast. Her technique was flawless, each strike flowing into the next perfectly.
Max was able to keep up using Gram, parrying and blocking her strikes. The legendary blade seemed to guide his movements, and he was glad that he had an enhanced body even without the ring otherwise he would be dead by now.
She was good.
"You are pretty good at this," Max said as he defended once more, Gram deflecting a strike aimed at his ribs.
"Shut your mouth, thief!" she snarled.
She pressed her attack, driving him back. But Max began to understand Gram's power each parry could release cutting force, each block could redirect energy. He started using it, not to harm her, but to control the fight.
"You know, most people at least ask for my name before trying to kill me," Max said, dodging a slash.
Her cheeks flushed slightly. "I don't need to know the name of a corpse!"
"Ooh, aggressive. I like that in a woman," Max said with a grin, catching her blade on Gram's crossguard.
She actually blushed, her face going red, which only made her angrier. "Stop talking!" She punctuated each word with a strike.
"Make me," Max replied, spinning away from her shield bash. "Also, has anyone told you that you fight so beautifully? Because you do. Such grace…."
"I will END you!" she shouted, her composure breaking, her strikes becoming more aggressive but less controlled.
Max saw his opening. He used Gram's power fully, a sweep that released force at just the right angle, catching her blade and wrenching it from her grip. Then he stepped in close, using his strength to hook her shield arm and unbalance her.
She fell to the ground, and he thought he'd won.
But she was Asgardian, and Asgardians didn't quit.
She pulled him down with her, and they wrestled on the ground—grappling, each trying to gain dominance. She got him in a lock, he reversed it. She tried to choke him, he broke free. They rolled across the vault floor trying to gain the upper hand.
Finally ending with him on top of her, pinning her wrists.
"I am a friend of your prince!" Max said quickly, before she could try to headbutt him.
That made the struggle stop. Her anger dissipated somewhat, replaced by confusion and suspicion.
"The prince?" she asked, searching his face.
Her eyes then fell on the green ring floating near Mimir's head. They widened in shock.
"You, you are him. Grænlaðr. The prince's battle brother. The El—" She stopped herself.
"Oh, you know me?" Max said with surprise.
"Yes. My sister told me of you." Her expression softened slightly. "You may know her. Sigryn."
"Oh!" Max said with a smile, remembering one of Odin's friends, the fierce woman who had challenged him to a spar and nearly won. "Sigryn, Yrsa, Haldor, and Vigmund…yeah, I know them!"
"Can you... get off me?" she asked, her cheeks still slightly flushed.
Max's eyes widened. "Oh! Yes, of course!" He scrambled up and offered his hand to help her up.
She took his hand and stood with as much dignity as she could muster.
"My name is Brunhilde," she said, straightening her armor.
"I think you already know who I am," Max replied.
Her eyes studied him carefully. "Why are you here? Is the prince here as well?"
"No, he's on Earth I mean, Midgard," Max corrected himself.
Brunhilde's eyes narrowed. "Then why are you here? Why are you trying to steal from Asgard?" Then she had a realization, her expression shifting to understanding and alarm. "Is the Phoenix your doing as well? Did you set her upon Asgard?"
"Yes, she's with me," Max admitted. "She is supposed to be the distraction."
Brunhilde could not even respond at first. She just looked at Max with pure shock, her mouth opening and closing wordlessly.
"The Phoenix. You... how..." She then shook her head as if realizing something. "Father was right," she whispered to herself.
Max decided some warped honesty was the best approach now. "I, along with Odin, have been protecting Midgard from threats. It is currently under siege by dark forces. The Phoenix is with us as well, and many other great warriors from Midgard. We've formed a... group. Protectors."
"Truly?" Brunhilde asked.
"Yes," Max said earnestly.
He continued, "I need some of Mimir's wisdom to make sure that Midgard will forever be protected. Knowledge of ancient magic, of defenses that can withstand these threats. Odin wanted to help, but he couldn't come himself, not while exiled. So I came in his stead."
Brunhilde looked at him for a long moment, searching for any deception. Finally, she said, "I sense no lie from you, Grænlaðr."
Max nodded. "As soon as I get what I want, I will leave."
Brunhilde nodded slowly, then her eyes fell to the sword in his hand. "Did the prince ask for that as well?"
Max looked at Gram in his hands and then made a quick decision. "Yes. Yes, he did."
Brunhilde considered this. "I see." She paused. "I doubt the king won't notice it missing for some time. But if it is for the prince..." She looked Max in the eyes. "Swear that it will be in Odin's hands."
Max swore, "Yes, I shall give it to Odin." And then from him to whichever Avenger needs it.
Jade's voice spoke up through the ring: Extraction complete.
The ring floated to him, and Max took it and put it on. A green aura washed over him and disappeared.
"Well, it's time for me to leave," Max said, their eyes meeting.
Brunhilde hesitated. "I... yes... I shall lead you out."
Max followed Brunhilde through the vault and up through the longhouse. When reaching the ground levels, he could see through the windows that Firehair was still asking riddles.
Firehair's voice boomed across the realm:
"I AM NOT ALIVE, YET I GROW. I DO NOT HAVE LUNGS, YET I NEED AIR. I DO NOT HAVE A MOUTH, YET WATER KILLS ME. WHAT AM I?"
Max smiled. Nice one, Red.
"So how many has she asked?" Max asked Brunhilde.
"I believe this is the fourth one," Brunhilde said thoughtfully. "Or maybe the fifth. The king has been deliberating carefully on each."
Max was impressed that Firehair was able to put out riddles so hard it took the King of Asgard this much time to answer.
She's enjoying this way too much, Max thought with amusement.
"Right," Max said as he and Brunhilde exited the longhouse. He floated above her, Gram still in hand. "Odin will bring back the sword whenever he returns."
Brunhilde looked up at him, her expression serious. "He better. If not, I will make it my life's mission to hunt you down to restore my honor."
Max grinned and said with a wink, "Well, if that's the case, I'm tempted to keep it myself."
Brunhilde's cheeks flushed slightly, but before she could respond, Max flew off away from Asgard, up into space.
He spoke through their mental link: Okay, it's time to finish up, Red.
Finally, Firehair responded with relief.
Max watched as Firehair made a show of things.
The Phoenix form blazed brighter:
"BOR BURISON, KING OF ASGARD, YOU HAVE PROVEN YOUR WISDOM! THE PHOENIX IS SATISFIED. YOUR REALM SHALL BE SPARED!"
There was a massive cheer from the Asgardians.
"FAREWELL!"
Firehair flew away and Max followed after her.
They met again much farther away from Asgard, floating in the void near a beautiful blue nebula.
He encased them both in a construct so they could speak.
"That was an excellent performance, pretty bird!" Max said, clapping.
Firehair smiled. "You were right I did have fun."
"I told you, you would," Max said smugly.
Then Firehair's eyes fell on the sword in his hand, and they narrowed. Her tone shifted to anger. "Did you take that sword as well? You have lied to me again, Max."
"I had to take it! And Bor wouldn't even miss it," Max said defensively.
"You still stole it," Firehair said coldly.
"I had to use it to defend myself when an Asgardian caught me in the vault. But I was able to talk her down she had no issue with me taking the sword as long as Odin returns it back to Asgard eventually."
Firehair's expression remained stern. "What use do you have for it?"
"Me? None," Max admitted. "But considering the danger of threats increasing by the year on Earth, I feel Azzuri could use a power-up."
Firehair's expression changed, her anger leaving. "That... yes, that would be wise."
Max nodded. "Yes, it would be. Our king nearly got himself killed during Chthon's incursion. If he'd had a weapon like this—"
"Fine," Firehair interrupted. "Let us go and seek the artifact now."
"Yes," Max said, remaking the Enterprise construct once more.
Max carefully placed Gram in a protective container. Then he turned to Firehair.
"Red, there's something you should know."
"What?" Firehair asked.
Max took a breath. "The location of the planet where the artifact is... it's inside the Shi'ar Empire."
Firehair's eyes widened. "I see."
"I assume you know the history the Phoenix has with them?" Max asked carefully.
"Yes," Firehair said, her voice becoming distant as if listening to something else. "She is reciting it to me right now. She is eager to battle them."
"Now, that is something we don't want," Max said firmly.
Firehair's eyes glowed, and when she spoke, her voice was a mix of her own and what Max could describe was the Phoenix herself: "It is what WE want."
"Woah, woah, cool down, Red," Max said, stepping closer but carefully.
Firehair blinked, and the glow faded. "Sorry. It is just the Phoenix. She... remembers. The Shi'ar hunted her hosts for millennia. Killed them. Created weapons specifically to destroy her."
"Which is exactly why we need to be careful," Max said. "We're just passing through. Get the artifact, get out. No confrontation... no burning their empire to ashes as tempting as that might be."
Firehair nodded slowly. "I will try to keep her calm."
"That's all I ask," Max said.
He moved to the captain's chair and engaged the construct's propulsion. The Enterprise began to fly away, heading toward Shi'ar space.
"Shi'ar Empire first, then Ivern," Max said as the construct accelerated past light speed, stars streaking by in brilliant lines.
It should be fine, Max thought. I mean they can't possibly know that they are coming.
.
.
.
Xaria stared at the screens in front of her and they showed her the terrifying truth.
It was coming.
"Majestrix Xaria," she heard her minister say.
"The Imperial Guard is assembled, my lady."
Xaria turned from the display to see them the greatest warriors the Shi'ar Empire had ever produced, standing in formation in the throne room. Each one was a champion, enhanced through genetics, technology, and training to be the ultimate protectors of the empire.
The Imperial Guard a force that was made to hunt down and destroy hosts of the Phoenix.
And now they were needed again. The beast, the fiery terror, was returning once more.
The sensors didn't lie. The Phoenix Force's signature was unmistakable moving through space, heading toward Shi'ar territory. Every alarm in the empire had been triggered. Every fleet had been mobilized. Every planetary defense system was now online.
"Lord Kallark," Xaria called.
The man in red armor and flowing red cloak stepped forward. He had purple skin and white eyes that held no fear, only absolute confidence. He was Gladiator, Praetor of the Imperial Guard, the strongest warrior in the Shi'ar Empire. Perhaps the strongest warrior in the empire and more.
He bowed. "Majestrix."
"You know what to do," Xaria said, meeting his eyes. "The Phoenix cannot be allowed to enter the empire. If it does, it cannot be allowed to reach our core worlds. And if it reaches them..."
She didn't need to finish. They all knew what happened when the Phoenix came. Worlds burned. Civilizations ended. The Shi'ar had lost entire star systems to the host Rook'shir—it was from that incident that the Guard was created and the hunt for the hosts began. She had even tried to gain the help of the Green Lantern and Odin of Asgard, two heroes of the imperium, but they had left the empire a cycle ago and were nowhere to be found.
"Yes, Majestrix," Kallark said. "On my honor, on the honor of the Imperial Guard, we will drive it back or die in the attempt."
He turned sharply, his cape billowing, and led the Imperial Guard out of the throne room. Oracle, Warstar, Electron, Neutron, Starbolt, Titan, Hussar, Manta, Nightside, Flashfire, all the legends, all the champions, marching toward what might be their final battle.
Xaria watched them go, then turned back to the screens showing the Phoenix's approach.
She could only pray to K'ythri and Sharra that they succeeded.
Yes, she could only pray.