Everything began to move once Dean Ulluw returned to the human leaders, relaying Khanâs message so that they could spread the word to the other guests in the quadrant.
The event forced the group in the desert to disperse, at least partially. Monica, Zalpa, Snow, and the other Niqols left, returning to what was left of Aynor to reunite with Khanâs forces.
Only Rodney, Doku, and George remained in the desert, planning to help represent their respective species. Theoretically, George was superfluous there, but his direct testimony of the Scarlet Eyesâ armyâs power was priceless, so he stuck around.
Khan, Liiza, and Yeza didnât hesitate to join the trio, but their arrival couldnât claim their attention when a never-before-seen scene unfolded all around them. Diverse envoys were converging in their location, filling the symphony with political tension.
Of course, the human party was the first to become visible, comprising a few elite soldiers and led by Dean Ulluw and the three Generals, whom Rodney didnât hesitate to walk toward. He met the group halfway through the desert, joining it before approaching Khan with it.
The Kros came next. A small group of humanoid lizards wearing medical coats and sitting on floating metal chairs hovered over the white sand, led by Muhsin and a tall sphere that featured a bright enneagram on its front.
The Efâi didnât take long to become visible, either. Tlexicpalli led the few troops that had come in Aynorâs aid through the desert, accompanied by a female evolved warrior donning a black robe. The latter had no superficially striking features, but her tail hovered above her head, waving left and right to point at the other guests.
To Khanâs welcome surprise, the Fuveall also arrived. He didnât recognize any of the warriors in their small group, but his attention only lingered on the completely silver figure in the lead. That evolved warrior had more implants than organic flesh, giving his face skull-like features.
Except for the Thilku, all the militarized major players in the regulated universe had appeared, but another group arrived nonetheless.
Lieutenant Dyester led a few Scalqa and humans to the area, making them bring pillows, carpets, tables, and drinks, arranging a proper banquet while everyone else was busy gathering.
Despite the meetingâs relevance, the arrangements were quite simple. The location didnât allow for fancy stuff anyway, so Lieutenant Dyester and his group quickly departed, leaving Khan before that diverse gathering of inhuman powers.
All those species had already interacted and made deals among each other to a certain extent. However, that general gathering was bound to make history. That diverse participation alone was unheard of, and the presence of evolved assets elevated everything to a superior level.
The scene had an even deeper meaning for Khan. Humans, Kros, Efâi, Niqols, and Fuveall had gathered at his request, and their evolved warriors only had eyes for him. The clueless kid from Ylacoâs slums had become able to call upon the greatest powers in the universe, planning to be their savior.
Of course, such a prompt response would have been impossible without a common, terrifying enemy. The wounds the True Chaos had inflicted on the regulated universe during its sudden invasion had vouched for its might, forcing those different powers to at least try to cooperate.
Actually, the results of the True Chaosâ attack were still unclear, and the meeting still lacked a few important guests. Khan was a noble and a Thilku Lord, so he could speak for both, but that would have to be made clear right away.
However, a strand of energy that made all the evolved warriors and those with heightened senses on the scene curious or confused arrived, making them refocus on its source. Something foreign had spread inside Khanâs brain, forcing him to summon his Thilkuâs accent.
"[Old Envoy, what is it]?" Khan asked, speaking despite the conversation happening inside his mind.
Khan listened to the response, and his eyes went wide, ending up voicing a louder question. "[He wants what? Isnât it easier if I-]?"
The voice in Khanâs mind didnât let him finish speaking, and he only sighed in response. He knew that stubbornness very well. Fulfilling it without killing anyone was the problem.
"[Alright, give me a few minutes]," Khan said, massaging his temples. "[Letâs avoid pointless slaughters]."
The foreign mana disappeared from Khanâs brain, but his mood didnât improve. Still, he looked at the gathered groups and clapped his hands to claim their attention.
"Alright, people, we donât have time to waste," Khan announced. "Anyone who isnât an evolved warrior must get as far away from here."
"Prince Khan," Brigadier General Seycomb from the human group called. "We agreed to your request of bringing worthy representatives, but our presence is necessary to ensure that our political stances are respected."
The other alien groups didnât say anything, but their agreeing stance was clear. In most cases, the evolved assets didnât actively take part in the political landscapes, so they needed their weaker companions to voice their speciesâ interests.
Still, Khan didnât have any hidden agenda. He was only looking out for anyone too weak to withstand what was about to befall the quadrant.
"You canât ensure anything if you are dead," Khan cursed. "And make no mistake. You will die once the Emperor gets down here."
Countless eyes lit up at that revelation. The Thilku Emperor was quite the mysterious figure, whom almost anyone involved with politics wanted to meet or learn about.
Yet, Khan disregarded the general curiosity to look at George and Doku to repeat his warning. "The same goes for you two. Out. [If Savdat complains, she can come here herself]."
"One moment, Prince Khan," Rodney intervened, sounding far politer than ever. "Are you certain we wouldnât be able to withstand meeting the Thilku Emperor?"
The other mortal assets from the various groups shared the reasons behind Rodneyâs question. Meeting the Thilku Emperor was a priceless experience that no one had ever come close to obtaining before Khan joined the picture. It wasnât something they could give up on so easily.
"Why do I even bother talking?" Khan muttered as a white glow started to escape Liizaâs figure, protecting the baby in her arms since she knew what was about to happen.
Then, the entire desert and the very sky above it started to tremble as Khan revealed a fraction of what his auraâs weight.