Prologue: The Awakening

 Agemon smirked and looked at Sorah, who was fuming silently, in his seat. The Emperor and his train had long been gone and only the seven commanders were left in the room. Looking at the uninterested faces of his colleagues he knew the leadership of the invasion would go only to two present- either him or Sorah. It was now left for the council to decide. The other major commanders were already in charge of crucial expeditions; Dunesin  Mëon commanded the conquest of Stowein, Dunesin Dàtunis battled the Cakrami  species, Dunesin Itnava was the menace of the Jestals in Vatania, Dunesin Bosar led raids against the Villeri  race in Cunoti , and Hesidunesin Amrap led the imperial forces against the resilient Genoans in planet Øcetal.

"Your tactics of using the Myrixs and Arcanes will not work, Agemon."

Agemon turned quickly to face him, and saw the humiliation in his eyes. He smiled, knowing he had cornered his foe.

 "And how do you know that, if I may ask?"

 "You are nothing but a selfish fool who basks in the glory others suffered for!" Sorah retorted.

 "That banter should end, now!" Amrap snapped. Out of respect for his father's friend and the oldest war commander in the empire, Agemon kept quiet.

 "I know you have your sights set on this invasion," Dàtunis who sat to his left leaned in to whisper. A bosom friend, both had graduated from the military academy and served at several military outposts, together. He too, had had success in climbing the military ladder.

 "Indeed. Anything to take mee away from the arids of Domeran. If the Xentans don't kill me, the weather will," Agemon joked. Both commanders chuckled softly.

"How are the Cakrami holding up?" Be inquired.

 "Badly. We almost completed the conquest, but for Promeri interference. As we speak, my men are being hard pressed by Promeri cruisers. The multiverse would be our oyster if not for these recent intrusions. When will the Emperor realize this and order a massive assault to vanquish the Promeri. They've begun teaching Hexoni technology to all these lower species. Soon, they will be as advanced as us," Dàtunis lamented.

 "Don't worry, my good friend. The Emperor had his reasons. First, we defeat and rule these lower species, expanding the empire and cementing our sovereignty. Then, we launch a large-scale attack on Promeri and the rest of the Hexoni. We will rule the multiverse," Agemon told him.

 "I hope you are right," Dàtunis said.

 "Of course. You know that I'm right," Agemon smiled at him.

 "Do you remember the first time you said that to me?"

He remembered.

It was on a dark cold night in the Crugi Station of Sector 14 in the planet of Ratatus of System Gadrasil. Agemon was amongst the new batch of fresh recruits sent from the military academy to serve as reinforcements for the soldiers on the garrison. It was their first official assignment as soldiers of the cause, inexperienced as they were.

 On arrival, they met the Station in chaos, with few ammonition, rationing of fod and medical supplies, and rumors of an impending mutiny. The commanding officer of the Station cared less about his situation and the morale of his troops, as long as he had soldiers to give orders to.

He was also not worried about the reinforcements sent to him. He sent them to the battlefront without proper strategy and tactics. Some survived, while many died.

When he got wind of the mutiny brewing, he took his trusted and loyal soldiers and deserted the Station, with all the rations, weapons and ammonition that they could find. The Station, unguarded and without resources, was attacked by barbaric Myrixs, who blockaded the Station for nine days. Those left in the Station sent distress signals to the Headquarters but no help came.

That cold night, while Agemon and Dàtunis kept watch, to look out for possible attacks, they heard an explosion in the distance. Squinting on the dark night, they saw the blast behind enemy lines, and then everywhere was quiet.

Dàtunis questioned him what he thought had happened. He answered that help had finally arrived.

 "I hope you're right," Dàtunis had said, grimly.

 "Of course. You know I am always right," Agemon replied. He was.

 The Emperor and his entourage came out of the chambers, the Imperial guards at the rear. The Lords of the Houses went to their seats and stood, sitting only after the Emperor had done so, himself.

That was fast, he thought. It was impossible to judge the results of the deliberations from the stoic faces of the Lords. After a few seconds of silence, the Emperor stood.

 "After our debates and discussion, the Crugi Empire has decided to invade the planet of Earth and make it's creatures, our subjects. I, Emperor Grumm of the royal House of Cessa, second of my name, Ruler of the Crugi, Protector of the Myrixs, Tamer of the Arcanes, Terror of the Hexoni, and Lord of the Multiverse, hereby order the invasion of Earth and it's annexation into the Crugi Empire."

"The conquest is handed over to Dunesin Agemon, son of Ser Tydin of House Mepovis. Use everything in your disposal for this expedition. This is an important conquest, unlike others we've ever embarked on. You may leave," Emperor Grumm dismissed them and left the meeting chambers with his guards. The Lords of the Houses followed suit.

 Smiling, Agemon turned to guage the reactions of his fellow commanders. Amrap's expressionless face was still unchanged. Dàtunis and Mëon came over to congratulate him, though Mëon looked sad and ashamed, which he couldn't understand why.

Sorah, well, he was stunned by the Imperial proclamation. Agemon wished to relive the last thirty seconds over again, to see that look on his face when his name was mentioned.

 "Sorah, you seem displeased with the proclamation," Agemon walked up to him after the other commanders had left the chambers. Sorah was still on his seat, motionless.

"You look sick. Shall I alert the Qizoduns ?"

 "You mock me, Agemon,"

 "Me, mock you? No, nothing of the sort. I just felt I deserve your appreciation and possibly some of your advice, since you won't be using them to strategize."

 "Best of luck with the earthlings," Sorah glared at him and stood up. He turned away and made for the door.

 "Is that all? That is the worst congratulatory message I have ever heard in my life," Agemon remarked.

 "You should be glad you even heard one."

 "Going to Jötun so soon? You could stop bullying the Romaki  and think of better conquests. Who knows, I could put in a good word to the Emperor for you. The Xentan Conquest is not so bad, you know," Agemon called out to him.

Smiling, he activated the comms systems on his gauntlet, contacting his aide. The hologram of the soldier popped up instantly.

 "Any message from Telmon?"

 "No, Dunesin. The Stowein Headquarters informed us that he and his unit have lost contact for three weeks now. Their crusiers have also gone missing from their radar."

 So that's why Dunesin Meon was so cold earlier on, Agemon realized. Deciding that his friend was not at fault for not telling him about his missing son, minutes after he was given an important responsibility, he waved it aside.

 "Dunesin, should we issue a search party for him from Domeran?"

 "No, forget it. He's no longer a child. He's my son and he'll survive. We always do."

 "What should I do, Dunesin?"

 "Prepare my shuttle." Agemon moved out of the door and the two guards that were at the side, bowed to him.

 "Certainly, Dunesin. The location, Dunesin?"

 "Set a course for Domeran."

 "Yes, Dunesin." The hologram flickered and then vanished.

It was time for a new conquest.