Three and a half months ago.
Location: Military HQ, Central Alliance.
The military headquarters in the central alliance galaxy never slept. The building rose like a fortress of white stone and glass, guarded by ceremonial troops who did not blink as patrol ships swept above them. The imperial crest hung at every entrance. Noble banners clung to the walls like quiet reminders of who paid for the marble underfoot. The air tasted controlled. Even the light felt supervised.
General Kaerin stepped through the main hall with his assistant commander, Verrik, at his side. He walked with calm grace. His armour showed no mark or scrape. His expression invited nothing. Soldiers straightened as he passed. A few bowed their heads. He did not slow. He never acknowledged the awe that followed him. It would only feed the nobles who already whispered about his rank and age.
Verrik studied him from the corner of his eye. He had learned early that Kaerin's silence carried more thought than most speeches. Today, it carried something heavier. Irritation, maybe. Or that quiet fatigue he never spoke of.
"You look worn out. You should have rested."
Kaerin gave him a slightly amused look that only people close to him knew. His eyes stayed calm yet sharp.
"I can sit through a meeting."
Verrik frowned but continued to walk behind him. He watched Kaerin with quiet worry.
The council chamber breathed cold air across polished floors. Tall pillars rose toward a vaulted ceiling that glittered with tiny lights shaped to mimic distant stars. A show of wealth. A reminder of power. The chamber belonged to the Central Alliance, the heart of the Dominion and the place where every noble clan tried to measure itself against the throne.
Kaerin stepped inside with silent steps. His coat fluttered, leaving a faint line along the mirror's shine. His face held no expression. His spine held perfect posture. The room filled with stiff greetings that tried to conceal unease.
General Varos cleared his throat. He always did that before speaking to Kaerin.
"You finally joined us. We have waited."
Kaerin let his brow raise once, then let the remark hang. He lowered himself into his seat without a word. He did not need to explain himself. Everyone already knew he came from a mission at the southern front. Everyone also knew he succeeded. His victories were bitter pills for the other generals, yet they needed him, and that truth scraped at their pride.
Verrik stood at his side like a shadow. The young commander kept his cool, already used to their petty, snide remarks.
The other generals whispered among themselves. Their robes rustled as they shifted. The other generals and stakeholders tried to appear confident, yet their shoulders held a stiffness that betrayed old caution.
They knew Kaerin was heir to the strongest noble family in the Dominion. They also knew he did not care for their games. That made them fear him more while at the same time gave them comfort. An heir who doesn't interfere—who'd imagine that?
General Torin, who served the Eastern Division, forced a smile.
"We gathered to address the insect clan problem. Reports show infiltration along the western border."
Kaerin rested his chin on his gloved hand. He kept his posture elegant yet relaxed. His gaze drifted to the glowing holographic map at the centre of the table. A cluster of red markers blinked near the grey zone.
"They crossed into neutral space. A lower insect queen commands them. They have built new nests and seem to expand toward our territories." General Hyle continued in a sharp voice.
The room hummed as the councillors shifted. Some murmured concern. Some masked greed. A few hid the irritation they felt that the insects dared to exist near their influence.
Kaerin studied the map. His mind cut through the noise with practised ease, then scoffed. Some straightened their backs instinctively; others only lowered their head.
"You had these reports for weeks. And did nothing."
Torin stiffened.
"Neutral space is outside our jurisdiction. We needed proof of their intent."
"They are three months from the mineral galaxy." Kaerin tapped the glowing sphere that marked the sector. "If they enter it, extraction will halt. The nobles will cry over profits. You will panic. Then…inevitably, you will still call me…why come so late when it could be stopped?"
Silence rolled through the chamber like a quiet wave.
Perhaps they wanted things to go out of control for him to take the blame.
Varos cleared his throat again in a small but confident tone.
"We request your division to subdue them before they take root. This is the opportune time, General. The Shadow Division is better suited for unstable regions."
Kaerin heard the message beneath the words. They wanted him to clean their mess. Again. They feared him, no doubt, yet they threw responsibilities at him because they trusted no one else to succeed. Their hypocrisy tasted dull and boring to him.
"You finished a mission yesterday," Verrik whispered. "You have not slept."
Kaerin ignored the comment. His voice stayed collected, smooth, and cool.
"Show the full route of their expansion."
The map shifted. Red trails pulsed across the galaxy like veins. The insects moved with purpose. Each path crept closer toward inhabited human space.
General Hyle, the only neutral figure in the room, folded his hands.
"We cannot ignore this. If they take the mineral galaxy, they will fortify it. Removal will cost countless lives."
Varos turned toward Kaerin with a strained smile.
"Your division will leave at dawn."
Kaerin raised one brow.
A cough was heard. Varos quickly corrected himself. "I… I meant general… you can leave at any time; just…as soon as possible will do, thank you."
Kaerin almost sighed audibly, if not a bit low-toned, then forced himself to stop.
"You already decided."
Torin nodded in a poorly concealed smug manner.
"You are the strongest. It is logical to send you. Your clan will approve."
Kaerin's gaze cooled further.
"My clan does not rule my deployments. I do. Need I remind you?"
The room stiffened at once. Several people looked away, unwilling to meet his eyes.
Verrik stepped forward in a cautious attempt to break the tension.
"The division can prepare quickly. We only need your confirmation."
Kaerin's fingers tapped the table with a slow rhythm.
Silence hung throughout the room.
Kaerin's thoughts moved with cold clarity. His sharp red eyes lazily passed and brushed past every member of the meeting. Each couldn't help but avert their gaze from those cold, harsh eyes lest they become targeted.
Kaerin almost laughed at their fear, but his thoughts were turned to something else.
The insects grew bold, no doubt. The nobles acted blindly. Central Hell wanted a clean hero, and they would push him until he either got assassinated out of paranoia or carried the whole Dominion on his back.
He felt the weight of his fatigue press at the back of his eyes and suppressed a yawn. He hid it with ease.
"We leave once the fleet is ready."
Varos exhaled in relief.
"Good. Then the meeting is adjourned. Any trouble while my division is away shall be subject to martial law."
A few terribly concealed winces were observed, no doubt from the guards accompanying the generals who always promised trouble.
The generals rose at once. They gathered themselves with masks of pride. They spoke in low voices heavy with hidden fear. Some sneered when they believed Kaerin could not hear them. They hated his youth, his power, and his presence. Yet they depended on him...utterly sad.
Kaerin watched them with a faint stare. The sight bored him. The old men clung to their titles and wealth like children clutching toys. He could break every illusion they held, and they knew it.
Verrik leaned closer.
"They fear you, sir."
Verrik seemed to be in a provocative mood that day. Considering how he'd said that statement with clear disregard for hierarchy, right in the presence of the others at that.
"They should." Kaerin stood as he answered to indulge his whims. His coat settled around his frame with graceful lines. "Fear keeps them quiet."
The others nearly cursed his face.
Once in a more secluded, yet open enough space, Verrik piped up once more.
"You need rest."
"I will rest once we reach space."
Verrik sighed in defeat and followed him out of the chamber.
Kaerin stepped into the corridor. Guards straightened at once. Officers lowered their heads. His presence spread through the hall like a sharp wind. He did not speak. He did not smile. He walked with the silent ease of someone born to command and hated for the same reason.