First Intergalactic Emperor: Starting With The Ancient Goddess

Angel drove Xavier through the glowing veins of the city, neon bleeding into the tinted windows as the car hummed toward Nexus Tower. Neither of them spoke much on the way, but the silence wasn't awkward. It was heavy, like everything between them always was. When the tower finally came into view, its glass and steel body stretching like a needle into the sky, Xavier sat forward a little, his eyes narrowing in thought.

The car slowed to a halt at the entrance. Angel glanced at him from the driver's seat, brushing a stray strand of black hair behind her ear. "Well," she said with a teasing lilt, "the great Xavier has made it home in one piece. I suppose my job is done for now."

Xavier chuckled, unbuckling his seatbelt. "You say that like escorting me around is some grand ordeal."

Her lips curved into a sly smile. "It is when the client is you." She leaned back in her seat, letting her eyes flick over him once more. "Don't forget our deal. I'll be waiting for my payment… and make sure it's enough to satisfy me."

He paused at the door handle, glancing back at her with that calm, cocky glint. "You'll get more than enough. I don't leave debts hanging, Angel."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, not in distrust but in a way that said she was weighing his words, testing them like steel. Then she gave a short nod. "Good. I'll hold you to that."

The car door opened with a soft click, cool air spilling in. Xavier stepped out, straightened his jacket, and gave her one last smirk over his shoulder. "Rest well. Tonight's going to be interesting."

Angel's lips tugged into the faintest of smirks, but she said nothing more. As soon as he closed the door, the car pulled away, its taillights bleeding red into the distance, leaving Xavier standing at the foot of Nexus Tower

Xavier stepped through the lobby of Nexus Tower, the usual hush of polished marble floors and soft lighting greeting him. He didn't bother with the elevator's pleasantries; his mind was already pacing ahead of him. By the time he unlocked the apartment door and pushed it open, he was met with something he hadn't expected. There were three tall, pristine boxes stacked neatly inside his living room, each sealed with a wax emblem that shimmered faintly under the light.

Lyra was already crouched near them, her head tilting curiously, silver hair falling over her shoulder as she poked at the closest crate. Lilia stood behind her with crossed arms, watching like she half-expected something to crawl out of it.

"Finally," Lyra said, glancing back as Xavier entered. "These were waiting here when we got back. No note, no messenger. Just dropped off like… gifts." Her eyes sparkled with suspicion and excitement in equal measure. "Is it food?"

Lilia frowned, her gaze flicking from Xavier to the boxes. "What is it? A gift from your fans?"

Xavier smirked faintly as he set his keys down and walked past them, brushing his fingers over the seal. "More or less. It's from the underworld and this is the invitation for the auction. They don't like to waste time, apparently. These are their little preparations for tonight."

Lyra's eyes widened. "Preparations? As in… clothes?"

"Clothes," Xavier confirmed, crouching beside her. "A suit for me. A dress for whoever I bring. Masks to keep faces hidden. They even had the courtesy to throw in extra options." He tapped the side of the crate, the hollow thud carrying through the room. "They will send a car to pick me up."

Lilia shifted uneasily. "That's… unsettling. They just knew where to send it."

Xavier straightened, the corner of his mouth twitching in a calm, almost cocky grin. "That's the underworld for you. They always know." He paused, then looked at them both. "Question is, which of you gets to come with me tonight?"

Lyra's eyes lit up instantly, while Lilia's narrowed. The air between them thickened in a heartbeat, both girls staring at Xavier as though he'd just tossed a spark into dry cotton.

Xavier didn't let the silence drag too long. He moved past the crates, loosening his collar as he glanced back at the two girls who were practically burning holes into him with their stares.

"Before you two get too excited," he said casually, "Angel already has her own invitation. Jason made sure of that. Which means I've got two slots to fill."

That shifted the mood instantly. Lyra's lips curved into a confident little smile, already leaning forward like she knew what was coming. Lilia, on the other hand, stayed still—eyes steady, arms still crossed—but the weight of her gaze made it obvious she wasn't about to take this lightly.

"I've decided I'll be taking Lyra," Xavier went on, meeting her eyes. Lyra's satisfaction flashing across her face, and her already thinking about the food there.

"And the third…" Xavier paused, letting the silence stretch for just a beat before he delivered it. "…I'm thinking Viola."

Lilia's fingers tightened against her arm, just for a fraction of a second. Her expression didn't shift, her mask unbroken, but Xavier caught the flicker in her eyes. That faint, almost imperceptible shadow of disappointment.

Xavier, though, didn't linger. He simply walked toward the nearest crate and popped the seal with a swift press of his thumb. "No point wasting time brooding over it. Let's see what the underworld thinks suits us best for tonight."

Lyra tilted her head, arms folding under her chest as her grin softened into a mock pout. "But why can't Lilia come instead? We haven't hung out together in a while."

Xavier didn't look up from the crate he was unsealing. The lid hissed open, revealing the sleek packaging of the delivered suits, but his voice cut steady through the room. "I'm taking you because you know your way around space gadgets and tech. There'll be equipment up for auction tonight, things I might miss. I'll need your eye."

Lyra's pout shifted back into a smirk, pride flickering in her expression.

"And Viola's coming because she's a mercenary," Xavier added. "Sharpest in the room when it comes to weapons and gear. She knows the actual value of everything they'll throw on the table. I don't."

Silence hung for a moment. Lilia's gaze dropped slightly, but her posture didn't waver. Xavier still didn't glance her way as he stripped back another layer of packaging, his tone even and final.

"You should focus on your studies and your exams, Lilia. Once they're done, I'll take you and Lyra to the amusement park. Like I promised."