Chapter 714 The Weight Of Trust (1)
The council room was bathed in a soothing hue of blue lights and exuded an air of futuristic elegance. The floor felt like a seamless expanse of polished silver, melded with the walls, creating an illusion of continuity. The room's architecture was a testament to the advanced technology of the Xyrans as if the very essence of the galaxy had been woven into its design.
The seats, arranged in a circular formation, were elevated on platforms hovering above the ground. Each seat was a sleek, ergonomic masterpiece crafted with a reflective chrome-like finish. The arrangement allowed everyone seated to have an unobstructed view of the holographic displays floating at the centre of the room.
Speaking of the holographic displays, they projected intricate galactic maps, celestial bodies, and real-time data feeds. The room felt like a living representation of the galaxy, a cosmic dance of lights and information. Blue lights cascaded gently from the ceiling, adding a tranquil glow to the immersive ambience.
The ceiling, a seamless canopy of crystalline material, displayed a dynamic simulation of the galaxy's movements. Stars twinkled, and galaxies rotated, creating a mesmerising display that transported the onlookers to the heart of the cosmos. The room's designed to emphasise the Xyrans' dominance over the galaxy, a subtle declaration of their prowess in navigating the vast expanse of space, unlike no other species.
The control panel at the centre of the circular arrangement was a sophisticated console with holographic interfaces. The council members could manipulate the visual representations, enabling them to discuss and strategise with a cosmic backdrop.
"I have been there countless times before, but the design always surprises me," Astaroth commented as he prepared to enter the council chamber alone. It was lord Rood's idea to let Astaroth enter the chambers alone at first. Why? Simply because he wanted Ashton and Astaroth to dominate the rest of the Council, and a reincarnated Astaroth was more than enough to shake the Council. Besides, there were other matters that Astaroth needed answers to and allowing him to have an audience first was more than enough to push the Council on the backfoot. But if he couldn't subdue the Council alone, Ibis would join him and criticise how the Council had handled things since her father's death. With all that force, they could blackmail the Council into parting with the only known weapon capable of killing Kro'Han. "Remember," Ashton reminded Astaroth. "Soul killer, we need that at all costs, as it is the only weapon that could kill Kro'Han."
"Relax, my brother," Astaroth rolled his eyes. "This isn't my first rodeo with those ancient fuckers, and as for the soul killer, taking it is your job. Not mine."
"Fine by me." Ashton rolled his eyes as Astaroth was invited into the chamber to present his case.
A gruelling hour passed before the door parted again, and the guards called out Ashton's name. As he entered the massive chamber, he couldn't help but notice the room's atmosphere. Astaroth was smiling as usual, but everyone else looked like they had been caught stealing candy. Ibis and Rood were the only ones who seemed to be in a good mood. "What a delight it is to see our lord's heir in flesh finally!" Rood excitedly announced, and the rest gently tapped on their armrest to convey their 'joy'. Like he had been taught, Ashton ignored the praise and executed the traditional Xyran salute, and it changed something within the council members as their gaze suddenly felt warmer. It was then Ashton discovered something even stranger. Usually, the people he met couldn't move their eyes away from his unusual hair. But the Council seemed more interested in his eyes than anything else. The following second, everyone began to whisper amongst themselves until Lord Rood cleared his throat, and everyone's attention returned to the topic. "It is said a Precursor's identity is revealed by their eyes," Lord Rood continued. "Just one look is enough for us to know your true identity, son of Jo'Han."
Ashton remained silent, carefully watching the changing expressions of everyone around him. He had expected the revelation of his lineage to cause some reaction from the Council, but they were as still as the statues watching them from the entrance. Lord Rood continued, "While we know you have your fair share of questions, answering those is not on the agenda for today." The council members nodded in response. It was clear they were more concerned about Kro'Han than anything else.
"As we now know, an ancient evil has woken up again. An evil who can doom us for all eternity with a mere snap of his fingers," Lord Rood commented. "Nevertheless, we have the weapon to deal with the threat, once and for all: The Soul Killer!" n/-o(-V-/e)/l)/B./1)-n
Ashton listened intently, hoping that Rood would advocate for the acquisition of the Soul Killer in front of the Council. But what he said differed from what they had planned the previous night.
"However," Rood continued, his gaze shifting towards Astaroth, "we must exercise caution in wielding such power. As such, the Soul Killer will be entrusted to Astaroth, someone we know and have worked with for centuries."
'What the-'
Ashton's expression shifted from anticipation to disbelief. Rood's change of stance left Ashton grappling with the realisation that the weapon capable of neutralising a Precursor's immortality would not be under his control. Which meant he was in as much danger as Kro'Han. A murmur swept through the Council, with some members nodding in agreement while others exchanged uneasy glances. As Ashton turned to look at Astaroth, he seemed unfazed, maintained a composed demeanour, and was aware that the decision had strategic implications for Rood's words.
Rood sensed Ashton's gaze and immediately rushed to diffuse the situation.
"T-The council acknowledges Ashton's unique position as a Precursor; since he is a Precursor, the Council has decided to ensure the safety of our people first and foremost," he mumbled. "I hope this decision will be welcomed by all the
parties involved."
With that, the Council members hurriedly left the chamber, leaving Ashton and Astaroth alone to solve their issues.
