Birth of the Ruler: The Emergence of the Primordial Race

"So that is that about the cause and the connection that brought up this war," Hung said, his voice steady yet carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken burdens. "Let's move to the next agenda, the plan to break this endless stalemate." His words, though carefully measured, felt like the edge of a blade slicing through the thick tension hanging in the air.

Beads of sweat, glistening like morning dew under the dim glow of the chamber, traced slow, deliberate paths down his temples. A fleeting crack in his composed mask, a silent whisper of the gravity hidden beneath those deceptively simple words. He inhaled deeply before continuing.

"After several intensive and protracted strategy discussions, the Astro Lord and I have devised this plan." Hung's voice, though firm, carried an undercurrent of exhaustion, yet the determination in his eyes remained unwavering. "Three teams will be deployed south to counter the beast tide, while two teams will advance slowly toward the extreme northwestern front, keeping the North Dark Station in check. This will buy us time, enough for the southern forces to complete their tasks and regroup with the northern front."

A heavy pause settled over the room, thick enough to smother even the unspoken thoughts swirling in each leader's mind. Hung took a measured breath, allowing the weight of his words to fully sink in.

"The teams to be deployed toward the south are..." Every Astro leader's heartbeat quickened, their gazes locked onto Hung's lips, hanging on the precipice of his next words.

"Mountain Astro Team, Flame Astro Team…" Hung paused, the moment stretching, a taut string ready to snap. "And lastly, Zion's newly formed team."

A ripple of shock surged through the assembly. Eyes widened, backs stiffened, breaths momentarily caught in disbelief.

"With all due respect, I don't mean to stir up conflict, but I speak out of genuine concern," Centric's voice finally cut through the thick silence, each word carefully weighed before release. His gaze shifted toward Nyxander, sharp yet devoid of arrogance or hostility, merely calculated scrutiny. "His team is newly formed," he said, his tone even, though the weight behind it was undeniable. "And they have yet to fully prove what they are capable of."

Murmurs swirled like restless currents, unspoken doubts hanging in the air.

"That should not be a concern," Lumina interjected, her voice both soft and sharp, like a whispering breeze edged with steel. Her gaze lingered on Nyxander, unreadable yet piercing. "His team consists of rogue fighters, warriors whose capabilities we are all too familiar with." She let her words settle before adding, "And as for him…"

A moment of silence stretched between them, the air thick with unsaid thoughts. Then, as if making peace with an unspoken truth, Lumina sighed, lowering her gaze briefly before lifting it again, meeting Nyxander's glowing eyes head-on.

"The extent of his strength is unknown," she admitted, her voice dropping to a near whisper before hardening once more. "But both the Astro Lord and the Assistant Astro Lord have vouched for him."

Her words held no hesitation, only the quiet resolve of someone who had chosen to trust, even in uncertainty. Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, "Don't misunderstand, I am merely presenting my own perspective."

Cold, yet not devoid of warmth. Sharp, yet not entirely without softness. A contradiction woven seamlessly into her tone, leaving the room to sit with her words in silence.

"Actually, sending Zion team to the South was a calculated decision," Hildred stated, his authoritative gaze steady and unwavering. "They will play a crucial role." His voice, though firm, softened as his eyes flickered toward Nyxander. A pause lingered, heavy with meaning, before he continued, "When the time comes, I hope you won't hold back."

Without waiting for a response, Hung picked up where he had left off, his tone measured yet commanding. "As you now know, the other two teams to be deployed are the Gravity Astro team and the Aqua Astro team. I will personally lead those heading south, while the Astro Lord will oversee the forces moving toward the Northeast."

"When do we make our move?" Dunstan's voice broke through the room, direct and impatient.

Hung exhaled, his fingers briefly tapping the table as if to emphasize the weight of their decision. "We've already stretched the time we have. There is no room for delay. The first team departs tonight, alongside the merchants and all non-official personnel. The second team will wait two days before departing, ensuring that the station is fully cleared before beginning their journey."

The weight of the plan settled over the room like an unseen force. "Let's conclude the meeting early," Hung added. "We need time to prepare, gather our weapons, secure supplies, and oversee the evacuation of goods and property." With those final words, the meeting dissolved into motion.

Hildred and Hung stood, each exiting through separate doors, their silhouettes vanishing like shadows retreating from the light. Centric followed, slipping through the public entrance with a quiet purpose.

Nyxander rose from his seat, his presence an unmoving force in the shifting tide of the room. His gaze locked with Lumina's, intense, unwavering. The air between them crackled with an unspoken current, a silent conversation neither was willing to break.

"Big sis..." Seraphina's voice rang out, cutting through the charged silence as she strode toward Lumina, only for Dunstan to swiftly pull her back, clamping a hand gently over her mouth. She wriggled in protest, her childlike innocence blind to the tension suffocating the space around them.

Dunstan met her wide, questioning eyes and pressed a single finger to his lips. "Quiet," his gesture commanded. Then, with a subtle tilt of his head, he motioned toward the public exit.

Seraphina's body gradually relaxed as understanding settled in. Dunstan released his hold, watching as her small hands fell to her sides. Yet, as they both turned toward the door, their steps became cautious, deliberate, like thieves slipping into the night, careful not to disturb the silence they were leaving behind.

"Lumina." Nyxander finally broke the silence, his voice steady yet laced with hesitation. "I'm sorry, but I never..."

Before he could finish, Lumina's voice cut through the air like a blade of ice. "Don't die." Her fists clenched, her eyes squeezed shut as if she were sealing away emotions too vulnerable to be exposed.

Nyxander's throat tightened, his breath hitching in shock. His eyes widened, searching her face for deeper meaning.

"I said don't die," she repeated, her voice echoing embarrassingly in the vast emptiness of the room. "Not until you make up for what you've done."

A crimson hue crept up her cheeks, melting away the usual coldness of her expression. Shyness dictated her every movement, each step she took was deliberate, her feet gliding forward as if retreating from her own words. As she passed beside Nyxander, she hesitated, just a few centimeters from the exit.

"You don't have to say anything," she murmured, her voice softer now. "Everyone carries a secret... one they keep buried from others."

Half-turning, she cast him a shadowed glance, her expression unreadable before she finally faced forward and pushed open the door.

On the other side, Dunstan and Seraphina, who had been eavesdropping with their ears pressed against the wood, instantly flinched and stumbled backward in an unconvincing act of nonchalance.

"Hmm," they hummed in unison, darting their eyes around as if pretending to wait for her. But it was too late, Lumina had already caught them. She eyed them both, the weight of her gaze making them stiffen. "Let's go," she said, walking past them. "No need to pretend."

The two exchanged guilty glances before following in her wake, their little act falling apart in silence.

Minutes later, Nyxander emerged from the hall, the warm daylight stretching his shadow long across the ground. The moment he stepped outside, his presence was immediately acknowledged, his team was already there, waiting.

As one, they all dropped to a knee, their left feet planted firmly, their right knees pressed to the ground. "Welcome back, Boss!" Their voices resonated in perfect unison, filled with unwavering resolve.

Nyxander's eyes flickered across them, his gaze lingering for a moment on each of them. Kola. Lunara. Theodric. And Karl. Their energy signatures burned fiercely, no longer subdued or lagging behind Karl's formidable presence. Each of them exuded power, dominant in their own way, their auras intertwining like an unstoppable storm.

A glint of approval passed through Nyxander's eyes before he finally spoke. "Rise."

They obeyed without hesitation, standing tall before him. "Thank you for your gracious favor," they all said, bowing their heads slightly in respect.

For a fleeting moment, a rare smile danced between Nyxander and his subordinates, an unspoken bond solidifying between them. Then, without another word, Nyxander stepped forward, passing through their ranks.

His footsteps were slow yet purposeful, each stride carrying the weight of an unyielding leader. As they turned to follow, his voice rang out like a battle cry. "Let us prepare for the coming war."

The sheer conviction in his words sent a pulse through the air, igniting the embers of their fighting spirits. "Yes, sir!" Ten voices responded in unison, their loyalty unshaken.

Moving as one, they followed him, their auras colliding, intertwining, marching toward the storm ahead.