บท 369: Cruz and Borich
The Krafal Second Alliance and the Aval United were known across the galaxy as the most powerful forces working to uncover the secrets of the ancient temple. Their leaders, Cruz and Borich, were legends in their own right, with reputations built on their unmatched strength and strategic brilliance. The fact that both had appeared here, in the temple's deepest chamber, was no coincidence. For those scattered around the hall, it was a clear sign that the moment they had been waiting for—the final revelation—was close.
The inner hall, bathed in its cold, icy-blue glow, felt charged with anticipation. The scattered explorers, a mix of different alien races, pressed themselves against the cold stone walls, their eyes darting nervously between the two factions. Some whispered quietly among themselves, their voices carrying a mix of fear and excitement. This could be the day the temple's secrets were finally unveiled, an event that would be recorded in history for generations. But there was also the very real possibility that a fight could break out between these two powerful factions, and the explorers knew they were insignificant in the grand scheme of things—mere pawns who could easily be swept away in the chaos.
As the tension grew thicker, Borich, the leader of the Aval United, stepped forward. His tall, broad frame carried an air of authority, and his voice was sharp but measured as he addressed his rival.
"Leader Cruz," he began, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "It's been quite some time."
Cruz, the pale and towering leader of the Krafal Second Alliance, stood across the platform. His waxy white skin seemed to gleam faintly in the temple's cold light, giving him an almost spectral appearance. He regarded Borich with a cool, emotionless expression. "Borich. If my memory serves, the last time we crossed paths was eleven years ago."
Borich nodded, his smirk widening slightly. "The Forty-Five Starfield. That meeting left quite the impression on me. Your skills in combat are unparalleled. Even now, I can still feel the ache from that encounter."
Cruz's tone was sharp as a blade. "Your humility is noted, though unnecessary. That clash was a necessity, nothing more. Your reputation as the God of War remains intact."
Their words were civil, but the tension in the air was unmistakable. They weren't exchanging pleasantries; they were testing each other, their veiled comments hinting at a deeper history. The explorers watching from the shadows began piecing together fragments of their conversation, understanding that the two leaders had clashed in the past, and neither had emerged as the clear victor.
In the star realms, power wasn't simply a matter of physical strength. Fighters drew their abilities from a combination of racial talent and blessings from the Supreme Lord. Those who awakened their abilities would experience rapid growth until they hit a plateau, after which their strength would stabilize. For leaders like Cruz and Borich, this meant their abilities had been honed to near perfection long ago, and any improvement since then had come from relentless skill training. As a result, any future clash between them would likely mirror their past encounter—an evenly matched battle with no decisive winner.
"Let's dispense with the formalities," Cruz said suddenly, his voice cutting through the air like a whip.
"Agreed," Borich replied, his smirk fading. "You're a shrewd man, Cruz. I've always respected that about you. It's no small feat to uncover the clues to a secret everyone in the star realms has been chasing. But today, you've done something uncharacteristic. Summoning everyone here in such an open and dramatic fashion—it's not like you. What's your play?"
Borich's words sent a ripple through the crowd. Many had assumed the Krafal Second Alliance was behind the meeting, but Cruz's next statement shattered that assumption.
"I arrived here with questions," Cruz said, his gaze like a cold flame. "I had hoped meeting with you, Borich, would provide answers. Instead, it has only raised more questions."
Cruz's towering frame loomed over the Aval United leader as he continued. "And yet, the specifics of who called this meeting are irrelevant. What matters is that you seem intent on pinning it on us. Why?"
The hall grew deathly silent. Cruz's words carried a weight that made even Borich's followers shift uncomfortably. If the Krafal Second Alliance hadn't called the meeting, then who had? And why would Borich accuse Cruz so openly?
Borich's expression flickered with surprise, but he quickly regained his composure. "Eleven years ago," he began, his tone quieter but no less intense, "there were no witnesses to what happened. But you and I both know the truth."
His words hung in the air like a heavy fog. "The Stardust Remnants were wiped out that year. You, Cruz, took the last survivor. You can lie to your subordinates, your allies, and even yourself, but you cannot lie to me. I've kept your secret for over a decade, shielding you from the hunters and scavengers who would have come after you if they knew. And this is how you repay that trust?"
Gasps rippled through the hall. The Stardust Remnants were an ancient and powerful race, thought to have been completely annihilated eleven years ago. Borich's revelation that Cruz had taken their last survivor was nothing short of explosive. Even the Krafal Second Alliance's members turned to their leader, their expressions filled with shock and confusion.
Cruz's face remained impassive. "Your so-called friendship has been anything but," he said, his tone icy. "You've spent years scheming to uncover the survivor's location, and now, thanks to your efforts, they are no longer in my possession."
Borich's brow furrowed. "What are you saying?"
Cruz's voice was sharp and direct. "Your Aval United operatives attacked our headquarters and took the Stardust Child. You have what you wanted. Why pretend otherwise?"
This time, it was Borich's turn to be shocked. "You're accusing us of taking the Stardust Child? This is the first I've heard of such an event."
Cruz narrowed his eyes. "Your ignorance doesn't absolve you. Someone in your ranks clearly knows the truth. Or are you telling me your organization has slipped so far that you're unaware of its actions?"
The hall erupted into murmurs as the tension between the two leaders reached its peak. The scattered explorers, who had hoped for answers, were now more confused than ever. If neither Cruz nor Borich had called the meeting, and if both were unaware of the Stardust Child's current location, then who was pulling the strings? And what was their endgame?
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