Chapter 859: Sodsi

Chapter 859: Sodsi

UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

As much as Khan wanted to preside over the work on the crumbled mines, his presence was required elsewhere. Checking his phone, he found he had spent around half a day away, which was far longer than a person in his position could afford.

Luckily, Khan's orders were absolute, and the soldiers who had heard them were too terrified of him to strive for anything but perfection, so he didn't doubt the results. He could leave knowing his parents' tomb would be safe.

A slower trip back to Baoway unfolded. Khan did his best to delay his return, but most of the voyage involved teleports, limiting his influence over its length.

Baoway's night eventually invaded Khan's senses. The morning was close, but the planet's star had yet to appear. Yet, the quadrant was far from quiet or dark. Parties with thousands of guests disturbed the symphony, echoing past the main city and other attractions. Lights also illuminated the sky, filling the blackness with their bright pollution.

Khan had reappeared among scientists and technicians, but no one spoke. News from the Slums had already reached the quadrant, delivering inconclusive reports. Khan's mental state remained unclear, and no one wanted to risk angering him.

The teleport's personnel couldn't know Khan paid them no heed. He barely recorded their presence, and his feet moved once he finished absorbing the scenery. His figure disappeared, and the scientists checked their surroundings and each other before drawing their phones.

Updates about the tournament had reached Khan's phone, but he didn't check them. He had left the event in capable hands, so he knew everything had gone well. The current parties even vouched for that, so he flew directly for the city, eager to address his strange mental state.

Needless to say, news of Khan's return spread throughout the quadrant in no time, becoming the main topic of every party. Everyone wanted to see him to offer their condolences and more, but no one had reliable ways of reaching him.

Khan also knew the main building's layout like the back of his hand. He could slip inside and reach his destination unnoticed, but someone had preceded him to it.

Khan found Monica before one of their bedrooms, leaning on its metal doors. She looked tired, and her worry was palpable, but her untidy tracksuit stated her priorities. She had probably hurried outside as soon as the news of Khan's return reached her phone.

As for how Monica had predicted which bedroom Khan would hit, he didn't know. He didn't even need to explain it. Their eyes met, and thoughts disappeared from his brain.

"Khan," Monica called, her voice a mere whisper. She hurried forward, taking Khan's head into her hands before asking a question she knew was useless. "How are you?"

Monica was aware of her mistake but had no control over her throat. She looked deep into Khan's eyes, uncaring of the blinding light they radiated. The day had been exhausting, but Monica had endless stamina when it came to her man.

Khan didn't want to talk, think, or rest. He leaned forward, sealing Monica's lips. The sudden gesture surprised her, but the two had been together long enough for her to understand what was happening. Those were the Niqols' ways, so Monica clung to Khan's neck, jumping to let him carry her into the bedroom.

"Sodsi," Khan muttered. "Bret Sodsi. Khan Sodsi. Khan Nognes. Khan."

Khan tested the various names, hoping to get some kind of reaction. However, they didn't hold any value in his mind since his affections weren't built on blood.

Nevertheless, Alexander saw something different. Bret's death was a crack that could destroy what Khan had built inside his faction. He could very well start another internal war, forcing Alexander to make promises.

"I know I wronged you and your father," Alexander announced. "I'll do everything in my power to make up for it. Just ask, and I'll see to it."

Khan scoffed, surprising Alexander. Khan rarely showed his reactions, let alone thoughts. Yet, he had openly mocked Alexander's statement and didn't stop there.

"Everything in your power, you say," Khan exclaimed, standing up and facing his Grandfather. A blue light shone on Alexander, but all he saw was the intense face behind it.

"I know I couldn't have done much alone," Khan declared, stepping forward. "Heck, I didn't even know what Credits were. All I had were guts and determination." Anyone would have retreated before Khan's slow but firm advance, but Alexander remained still. He had pledged himself to Khan, so he couldn't step back now.

"Realistically, I would have been put down at the first major mess," Khan continued, "And I had many to make. My goals stretch deep into this galaxy, maybe past it, and my methods

aren't nice."

By then, Khan had reached Alexander, and the former almost wore a mocking smirk. Khan's expression never took that shape, but Alexander felt it.

"But you wanted a united faction," Khan reminded. "You wanted someone capable of reining in all the loose ends you created. You even wanted to achieve that without spilling your offspring's blood, so you called me, giving me all the power and means I needed." Khan's expression became completely cold, and Alexander could sense the incoming threat. Alexander also knew Khan was right. He was aware of what he had done, and the results proved him right.

"I will burn down planets," Khan announced, "Eradicate entire species, and start all kinds of wars to fulfill my goals. I'll stop at nothing to get what I want, and the power you gave me will enable each of my heinous acts."

Khan was speaking the truth. He had actually already committed some of those sins. The Empire had colonized Cegnore because Khan had told it how to eliminate its natives. That was

a factual genocide that Khan put on himself.

"You made a deal with a monster to get what you wanted," Khan explained. "Now, you'll spend the rest of your life cleaning up after him."