Chapter 601 - Day MMCXLVI, Part V

As Will got deeper into the terrace and sat down by one of the tables, Adam went on the move. He quickly assembled our little council around the paladin, gaining the attention of everybody else.

- What do you think, guys? Should we be getting ready for the worst scenario? - he asked, and I could hear a little bit of nervousness in his voice.

- No - I said. - I trust Ashal Kal Anur. I talked with him, and he was confident about this. Not to mention the fact, that we really didn't do anything. We won fair and square. It's not our fault Zor'xal pulled some shit.

- He is right - said Katri Xel Avakadaisu from behind my back.

I didn't even register her getting this close. I stepped to the side to make space for her.

- Right now you should relax. I know this might be stressful, but in confrontation with the High Queen, you have no chances. I don't know if you noticed, but the whole Sky Palace is held afloat by her powers. She doesn't even move in a normal way anymore, all she uses is her mind.

- That would explain the crazy crown on her head - said Will. - I thought her neck might snap at any moment.

- You better keep those remarks to yourself - Atri warned him. - Disrespect towards the Queen might get you killed here.

He immediately shut up.

- So we just wait, huh? - asked Adam. - Wait and trust in Ashal Kal Anur.

- He has more influence than you think. His words had weight to them you can't understand. I think the High Queen only asked about evidence to shut mouths of those in the council who do not like Ashal Kal Anur. Normally she would just accept his judgment.

- How can you be so sure? - asked Gavriil.

His words made the Atri look down, at her feet, clearly embarrassed. She wasn't sure at all.

- I-i... I heard he is very influential and was even considered to become a part of the Quen's council - she mumbled after a moment.

Semenov rolled his eyes.

- So you know shit, yet you speak like you know everything - he snorted. - You should learn when to shut up.

- Let's not argue - Adam butted in. - We obviously are in the middle of some political maneuvers, and we not only don't really understand them, but also we have no idea about sides. Sabhetani are clearly one of them, but that is all we know, and we really can't do shit here. With all the respect.

- We have to wait - concluded Gavriil. - We know too little and have no options. Let's just trust Ashal Kal Anur.

- If something goes south I can take us all from here - I added.

- And then what? - asked Adam.

- And then turn off the gate leading to India. Maybe we won't save the earth, but at least we still will have a shot at it - I explained.

- A cowardly move, but might be our only option - Nobuo pointed out.

- Let's do that - said Tai. - Sometimes it's better to retreat to fight another day than hold your ground and die.

- Especially when you are in the middle of enemy territory - added Gavriil.

This concluded our little meeting. The guys went to explain to others what might be happening, so everybody would be ready. I on the other hand just pulled out my headphones and disc player, then just blasted some music in a corner, trying to relax.

It was hard since I was already really sick of everything that was happening around us. I thought it was done, but it clearly wasn't. This neverending stream of mess pouring down on my face, provided by a bunch of crazy aliens.

When I thought about this, it really seemed ridiculous. A few years ago I thought something like that was impossible. And it all started on that memorable morning when I woke up in the ruined city now called Arc.

I kept wondering how my life would look if that never happened, but the visions were so dark, that I quickly stopped.

I changed the CD-s a few times, but eventually, the Calludin showed up, and I immediately took fo the headphones.

- The High Queen Ixa is ready to declare her verdict, and she is asking you to be present, as her judgment very much determines your future as a species - he said, and not waiting even for a second turned around and left.

People rushed after him. I was a bit late because I had to put away all the electronics and then get up, so I ended up at the back, with Will, who clearly didn't want to be too close to the Calludin who openly declared his will to kill him.

- Cross your fingers, Peter - he mumbled. - Because I didn't want to be forced to fight with who knows how many planets filled with strong aliens and technology way ahead of ours.

I didn't say anything to him. I just kept walking, mustering my powers to be ready to react at any moment. Still, I doubted that I would be able to take everybody with me in just one go, and there would probably be no second one. Not because of the number of people, but rather because of the space we were occupying. People were simply too far from me to grab in the short window before the shitshow would begin.

The way back to the strange place where the High Queen's throne was located was annoying, but we eventually reached it. I even started thinking that maybe the Calludin was leading us through a longer route just to mess with us.

Ashal Kal Anur was already waiting for us in front of the chamber.

- The queen is ready to give us her judgment - he informed.

- How did it go? Did it go well? - asked somebody from the crowd.

The alien didn't answer. He just simply gestured in the direction we should go.. This caused unrest among us, and I immediately started working on dropping my seal fast and without any visible signs of what I'm doing.