Chapter 32: 100 Years P8
~32.8~
*****
"I think at this point, only Allison and Luma can outdo her," Layla said.
"No," Alethea said. "Shi-chan, San-chan, and I can win against them."
"W-what?"
"I won't say what unless it becomes necessary to use it, but we have something else to use."
Eve raised an eyebrow, knowing exactly what Alethea meant, but said nothing. Nobody asked Alethea what she meant, because they knew she wouldn't elaborate after stating she wouldn't. They left it at that and turned their attention back to the fight that Rei had just joined.
"<<Seiken>>!" Once she was on the outside of the barrier, she launched a blast of light at both Kye and Luma with her twin swords. Each reacted swiftly and countered with the same attack. Rei followed through her attack with a flurry of slashes, forcing both to counter her.
Kye and Luma both grinned and the three began a competition of what could only be described as a three-way dance in the sky.
Down below, Athanasia was getting antsy. "Astarte, Astraia, may I borrow the two of you for a moment?" The sisters exchanged glances. "We soul bonded a long time ago. That soul bond is still active, no?"
The two gave each other a smirk and held their hands out to their niece and transformed into their weapon forms. Atalante felt a rush of pride as she watched her daughter take to the sky. "Hikarimaru! <<Awaken>>! Gaia! <<Awaken>>! <<Radiant Burst>>!"
Atalante smiled. "I think my daughter is stronger than me now."
Artemios and Alexandros shouted together, ""Sister is amazing!""
Athanasia joined the match in the sky, and the four enjoyed slinging powerful spells, blasts of mana, and clashing blades for a few minutes. Once the time limit on Radiant Burst was up, everyone returned to the group.
"Whew!" Kye landed in front of Alethea. "Your barrier didn't falter for a moment. Good work, love."
"Of course!"
Kye patted Rei's head and added, "You really wanted to show off for everyone, huh?"
"I wanted to show them the fruits of your training!"
"Well done! And you, too, Athy. You dual awakened. That's not an easy feat. You didn't train for that with me, yet you still pulled it off with no trouble." Kye glanced at Atalante, who was all smiles. "Well, Lanti, I'm glad to see that smile."
"Oh, heh. Thank you, Kye."
Kye smiled back at her. "I'm glad everything worked out. Anyway, we should set up the portals here and finish the meeting. Governors, Aliana and I need to go with you to each of your domains to set up void portals. If you would like to have them. You can use the main gateway in Athas for official business, and the void portals for private visits."
"I would like that," Nephele said. "I very much want to visit Atlantis, not as an official, but as a tourist. I'm very glad you came to this conclusion, my king."
Kye nodded. "I'm quite angry that the lot of you were pitted against me, and that I failed to realize it sooner. It's a falling on my part that I intend to make up for." She eyed each of the governors, three of them in particular. "Adaal, Orion, Noah, I mean it. I will solve the problem. The three of you were pushed as far as to invade Greater Elysium for the sake of your domains. I will no longer hold you accountable for that. You did what you had to do for the people, and I cannot ask for more than that. However, you can ask for more than that of me. I will make this right, whatever it takes. Will you believe in me?"
Without hesitation, all three kneeled in front of her. """Yes, my king.""" Iris and Nephele did the same thing.
"Atalante." Kye said. "I want you and Athy with us when we discuss solutions to these problems. Are you prepared to represent Atlantis in front of your peers?"
"I am. Atlantis is very prosperous. I want that for the rest of Elysium, too, and I'll do whatever I can to help that become reality."
Athanasia nodded at her mother and added, "As will I. I will represent Athas in these discussions."
Atalante was taken aback. "Can you do that?"
Her daughter confidently nodded. "I can. I am very aware of all the politics involved from the perspectives of everyone I just spent a hundred years with. I am quite versed in the history of Atlantis that I missed, as well as the histories of Athas and Alexandria."
"You were always an idealistic girl who strived to improve." Atalante smiled. "I believe in you, Athy."
*****
After our impromptu trip to the void, we returned to the meeting hall and wrapped things up. We scheduled times for me to visit each of them and establish the void portals for our private use.
Honestly, it was a huge load off my mind. I was afraid the governors would view me as an enemy after everything that happened, but they kept level heads. Tempers did run high a bit, but not too much. Although the guy did take my obvious bait and attempt to take the core. I actually did not expect anyone to try, but it worked out.
Overall, the meeting was very productive. We have a path forward, a new brilliant mind to work with, and a hundred years of training.
Mavel making an appearance was the biggest anomaly. She cares greatly for Maya and even views Sanae and me as her daughters. She's quite the individual. She very well could help us with the phantom problem, but wants us to stand on our own. She will pull us out in the worst-case scenario to save our souls, but we don't want it to come to that. Our goals will fail if that happens.
I will not fail. I will solve this phantom problem. I already have solutions in mind, and I will put my measures in place to build up those solutions.
I will make good on my people's faith in me.
That is my vow as King of the World.
*****
Revision: 2024-10-11