Chapter Fifteen

What comes before a war?

The Dome hadn't witnessed so much activity since its existence, nor had it been threatened. The trained female assassins saw to the availability of weapons and were guided by the militants, who roared orders and evacuated workers who weren't capable of war to an underground steel-enforced bunker.

Beam swords, daggers, metal lances, grenades, war machines, and every resource to get them to win were on standby to be used as the war advanced.

"Be prepared. Show no compassion, slay them all."

The Dome was created to detect threats and danger, notified from the vessels approaching and within the walls. As well as a change in the character of the individuals manning the vessels, especially allies. A change in their thoughts and plans against the Dome gave them away.

Vermeen's monstrous-looking vessels were allowed into the world with their escorts because he was an ally of the Overseer Nyla. He was welcomed at the docking bay with armies of soldiers descending the landing slide. Vermeen was escorted by his male assassins as he marched forward. The warriors marched in two rows behind their master.

 "I request an appointment with Nyla effective immediately."

The commander of the Dome, Anika, yelled, "Overseer Nyla is indisposed and won't be receiving guests at this time. It's rather odd you always inform her before arriving, except you have other intentions, risking our lives." The dark-skinned woman with braided white hair tied in a bunch

Vermeen felt insulted at how he was spoken to by a female soldier who announced Nyla's absence. He didn't hide her distrust. He frowned and sized the commander up from head to toe with disgust and anger, taking the best of his features and forming a bold vein on his forehead.

"I see a way to hide the absence of your overseer. We all know." He spread his hand wide to emphasize his speech, "No overseer, no Dome."

The commander swallowed hard at the verbal attack, "What is the nature of your meeting with our overseer because you've been detected of harm, hence the full armour and soldiers manning every lyre of this territory. You have a problem with that, Overseer Vermeen?"

Vermeen had never heard a pompous and insulting speech from a minor.

Arrogant

"I demand the Messerayf stolen by Shyva from the Tuveshis, Without the orb…I won't be leaving here."

Every female warrior stared at each other for a brief moment and composed themselves.

"Where did you get this information, Overseer Vermeen?"

"I will have that weapon if you're pretending to be deaf or otherwise."

"We have not the faintest idea of your accusation. Therefore, we'll see to you leaving EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY." She stressed the last two words.

Anika knew Vermeen was obstinate, but only a few people were aware of Shyva's mission—except, of course, her sisters. There was no way the message could have been transmitted to the Blood Veil, the world inhabited by the Red Lords. She knew she had to act quickly, or the situation would spiral out of control.

Shyva stretched her neck, running her gaze over each of Vermeen's boys. She was looking for a person but didn't see him, and she knew Vermeen would never leave without his golden boy.

Where are you tikada?

Vermeen was beneath the largest of the flying capsules brought to the Dome. He used his powers to conceal himself with an invisible cloak. He hurried far from the crowd with stealth until he was within their facilities.

Vermeen had instructed him to gain the MesserayfShyva claimed. Nyla wouldn't hand the weapon to him, and his men would be bested with their tactics and weapons. The best way to get their hands on the weapon was to obtain it with intelligence and stealth.

The distraction began.

"The very least you could do is make me and my men settle as we await your overseer."

Anika hesitated and then granted them access to the waiting dock, which was heavily monitored by the best soldiers and borgs. Shyva felt her gut kick hard at her intuition; something was wrong.

"Where do you think you are going, Shyva? Dome is under lockdown." Sula blocked Shyva's path with her 'dogs'.

"I am just headed to ease my overflowing bladder."

"Of course, only cowards have a bladder drench during a potential crisis."

Shyva's mood didn't grant her permission to return Sula's statement. She wanted to leave and follow her gut. Sula didn't seem to mind. She wanted there to be a fight so she could take glory and be closer to the overseer.

Vakiyv, where are you? Are you in the Dome? Can you hear me?

But she had yet to receive a reply.

Vakiyv hurried past the laser guarding the secret archives, using a weapon placed on the wall to stop the cascading lines running from the top of the entrance to the threshold. The next step was infiltration.

"My Lords, I humbly deny such allegations made against me; I have only fostered girls of many races before the fallen world. Fed them, clothed them and educated them in the ways they should. I have not violated any law of the land."

The Lords of the Land were in the cave's darkness; only their cloaked faces revealed their red eyes, flaring with red fire. There were five of them, cloaks covering their feet and hiding the length of their bodies. It was said no one had ever seen the proper form of the Lords of the Land 'because they die by the infliction of their powers. They were the most powerful in the land, and all their powers were combined. With this superiority, they governed the laws of the land and punished or destroyed worlds who disobeyed the laws.

"We have been informed you harbour these girls for your purpose." The voices of the five forms in the dark questioned Nyla, who stood on a flat floating brace, standing trial for her actions.

Clenching her fist at the defeat of facing her lie for many years. The deceit to the lords and the sacrifice there was to pay was greater than she could envision.

Damn you, Vermeen; you can only be the one to know of such information and make me the enemy because you have made them cherish you and respect you. They do not know of your secrets as well. I detest you so much.

Little did she know the information was to keep her busy while Vermeen took what he sought in her world.

"Many years, we have engraved laws in the lands, and Nyla, you have witnessed and heard many worlds that have defied us and the inevitable doom they face." Their voices thundered in unison, "Nyla, you leave us no choice but to see to the immediate destruction of your hard work, but be grateful we would spare your life."

Nyla bowed her head, rage coursing through her veins and bones. Do you have the faintest clue about what you are about to do? Mock me while I have an empire I created with my hands, my strength, and my resources without your laws and your help, and you want to take that away from me and spare my life to watch my failure. I would be dead before you try.

"Nyla!!!" It was the fifth time they called her.

"Yes, my Lords."

"Any last words."

Nyla's head lowered, smirking; any last words.

"Do you have any last words?"

She raised her right hand towards them and didn't give them the opportunity to reply. Dark sparks zig-zagged in the cavern, striking off the walls. The Lords weren't shaken; they were the most powerful in the room as they watched Nyla make a nuisance of herself.

"We suggest you leave this instant, Nyla, or you would only harm yourself."

"I am not leaving." Her eyes sparked with a dark aura, "But I have something I have waited long to show you, and here it is."

Her powers morphed into a massive skull with a cloak behind her. She was two people. She lunged the swirls on her palm at them, and to their amazement, it wrapped around them and tightened. They groaned.

"You'll pay for this once this is over."

"Who said it was ever going to be over."

She lashed at them with sparks, and they all vanished into thin air.

"Like I thought, you were all cowards. Run all you want, but you won't for long."

She smirked and floated away.