Chapter Seventeen: Lie!

Manhattan, New York

Terra, Gaea Solar system

Milky Way Galaxy, Charlie sector

Neutral Free zone

January 15th 2019

Two Weeks earlier

Orion stepped out of the shadows, emerging from the darkness through the enchanted cloak she wore. Shadow-walking was one of its many functions, an invaluable tool for infiltration and assassination—an essential part of Sector Zero's arsenal. She wasn't particularly fond of the cloak, but as a member, she had little choice but to use it.

Her mind drifted back to the fight she had just finished, a battle against the russet-haired Pleiadian—Emily Legens. A friend of Leonard Haravok and Arexander Pendragon. Orion had studied them well, the trio of childhood friends. Out of the three, Emily was the least remarkable. No noble lineage, no renowned bloodline—just an ordinary Pleiadian, indistinguishable from the masses that filled the Federation. And yet, Mallus… that bastard had taken an interest in her.

Orion had discovered that unsettling fact not too long ago, and when she found Emily inside the research lab she had been assigned to eliminate, she couldn't resist testing her strength. The fight had been a letdown. Emily had put up a decent effort, but if Orion had truly wanted to end it from the start, she could have.

Now, she stood inside a space that never failed to impress her. The building's exterior was nothing extraordinary—just another skyscraper towering over downtown New York. But within its walls, the reality shifted. It was a constructed space, much like the pocket dimension beneath the research base where she had fought Emily. The architecture defied normal constraints, the interior vastly more spacious than its outer appearance suggested—a feat that required powerful magic.

Intricate markings covered the walls, floors, and ceiling, glowing with crimson energy that pulsed toward the massive monolith in the center of the room. The monolith was a towering structure of silver metal, etched with ancient runes and symbols that wove together a story Orion didn't fully understand.

Across from it, standing by the window, was the person Orion had come to see—her Master. Dressed in a red-furred jacket, black pants, and red boots, the woman exuded an aura of command. Her long white hair cascaded down her back, and from this vantage point, she gazed out at lower Manhattan, where countless tiny human figures moved about, unaware of the forces at play above them.

"Master…" Orion began, but her Master raised a finger, silencing her. Then, she pointed toward the city.

"What do you see when you look at them?" she asked.

Orion's gaze followed her gesture. "I see the humans of this planet."

"And…?"

"I see their ignorance—the blissful comfort they live in." A pause. "Sometimes, I wonder what my life would have been like if I had been one of them."

Her Master let out a disappointed sigh. "I'm disappointed in you, Freya Lughter."

Orion's expression tightened beneath her mask. It had been a long time since anyone had spoken that name—her real name, not the alias she bore within Sector Zero.

"Take off your mask," her Master said. "You're not among enemies here."

Obediently, Orion removed it, revealing her pale skin, sharp indigo eyes, and silver hair. Her pointed ears marked her as either Fae or Elven—something that, at times, even she had trouble reconciling.

"Sometimes, I wonder if it was the right choice to place you among them," her Master mused, her voice distant, almost wistful. She was speaking of the Pleiadians—the Federation's elite within Sector Zero.

"It's produced results, hasn't it?" Orion countered.

"Yes… it has," her Master admitted. She reached into her coat and pulled out a crystal ball, which projected streams of glyphs and data—reports Orion had sent. Intel on Mallus's experiments. Updates on the situation in Litvain. The fate of Lamentias. Too many moving pieces.

"We succeeded in making the attack on the base appear as an internal incident," Orion reported.

"And the subjects?"

"We executed them," Orion said without hesitation. "A merciful death. At least they won't suffer anymore."

Her Master nodded. "Their sacrifice won't be in vain." Her heterochromatic eyes—one red, one blue—gleamed with the unwavering conviction that Orion had always admired.

"Sector Zero is far from reaching our level," Orion continued, "but they were closer than they should have been."

"Which is why I have told Sophia to proceed with the next phase."

Orion stilled. "The next phase…" Her gaze drifted downward to the streets below, to the people oblivious to the forces about to reshape their world. She held no particular compassion for them, but she could imagine the chaos soon to unfold in their lives. "Isn't it too soon? We don't even know if all of humanity is compatible."

"It is a necessary gamble," her Master replied. She turned away from the window, walking toward the monolith. Orion followed. The war between them and Sector Zero spanned across the galaxy, consuming much of Mallus's attention. But if he were to fully focus on them… it would be too late.

"Every piece we need is already in place," her Master said. "Now is the time to move them according to the path that Fate dictates."

"The ritual," Orion murmured.

"The preparations are nearly complete," her Master confirmed. She thought of the Celestial Realignment—a cosmic event of immense significance, approaching fast. "With the Celestial realignment drawing near, we cannot afford hesitation. I can almost see it—the culmination of what we Vysileafs have worked toward for millennia."

"And then?"

"And then," her Master said, a smile tugging at her lips, "we will usher in a new age."

She rested a hand against the monolith.

"An Age of Greatness."

****

Bedlam Church, New York

Terra, Gaea Solar system

Milky Way Galaxy, Charlie sector

Neutral Free zone

January 15th 2019

Rex expected to feel something—guilt, regret, hesitation—but there was nothing. He had made difficult choices before, and this was far from the hardest. His mind drifted to Leon, a man who had chosen exile to prevent a war between the Federation and another ruling force in the universe. Compared to that, Rex's own choices felt insignificant. He didn't envy Leon's burden.

Then, there was the matter of Project Starseed. The information he had received from Titus painted a grim picture—an experiment that tampered with forces beyond mortal understanding. Would the gods condemn this atrocity? In Agartha, the dominant faith was Annunaki—the worship of the Divine Emperor. But the Pendragon family, a lineage of dragon slayers, revered Mars, the Mighty War God. As the general of the Divine Army and the Emperor's trusted champion, Mars was a protector of the weak, a warrior of justice. He was everything Rex had once aspired to be.

But reality was far from the ideals of the gods.

Many would judge him. Many would call him a monster. But Rex's convictions demanded sacrifice. Though he valued all life, he knew some had to be lost for the greater good. Did that make him despicable? A part of him—small but persistent—whispered accusations, calling him every vile name he deserved. Yet his purpose, his justice, drowned out the voice of doubt. He had come too far to falter now.

It was almost laughable how much he was willing to endure. In that sense, he and Leon were alike. Leon's relentless pursuit of the Fallen Stars mirrored Rex's own desperate quest for justice for his father.

He had witnessed the virus's release in the human city—watched as the Fallen Stars unleashed their creation in strategic locations. Dr. Ahmad had assured them that within days, both humans and denizens of the Hidden World would begin to fall. The data from previous experiments supported this claim. The operation had taken an entire day to complete, but once it was done, Rex returned to the Fallen Stars' hidden base.

The moment he arrived, he knew something was wrong. Guards rushed through the halls, voices echoed in hurried whispers and frantic shouts. Some people were… praying.

He stopped before a door guarded by two imposing figures. Before he could ask what was happening, the door opened, revealing a man with striking pink hair—Henri. Without a word, Henri gestured for him to enter.

Inside, Titus was already present, along with Henri and another woman. She was of average height, but strikingly beautiful—long green hair, piercing emerald eyes, a figure both curvaceous and commanding. Yet it wasn't her beauty that caught Rex's attention, but the immense power radiating from her.

At the center of the room, multiple projections flickered to life—figures clad in white hooded cloaks, each wearing a metal pin fastened to their right shoulder.

Something was happening.

Something big.

"You're certain it's her?" one of the projections asked. "With the Celestial Realignment, it could be anyone who awakens."

"There is no doubt." The Lady's voice was calm but resolute. "I felt her presence within the Odyllic."

"If she's been alive all this time, why now?" another projection questioned. "It's been years since you lost the girl—and James Sinclair. Why are you only sensing her presence now?"

"I don't know," the green-haired woman admitted. "With the Awakening triggered by the Celestial Realignment, the seal James placed on her may have finally weakened."

"Does it matter?" Titus interjected. "The Herald foresaw this, and now the Crown is within our grasp."

"Speaking of the Herald, where is she?" the third and final projection asked.

"As always, she is on one of her many pilgrimages," the Lady said. "Navigating the complex web of Causality is no simple task. She has left all decision-making to me."

"Is that so?" the first projection murmured.

"Yes." The Lady's gaze was unwavering. "And I have decided that things will proceed as they have. The Fallen Stars have Terra well under control. The remaining Inners should focus on their sectors and continue the Octagram Society's work. Our people in Litvain should be returning with the supply soon. Talos, since Litvain falls under your domain, I expect you to oversee the transport vessels more carefully."

"Very well. If you insist," the second projection said.

With that, the projections flickered out, their presence vanishing like whispers in the dark.

The Lady turned to Rex, and for the first time, her composed mask cracked. Her emerald eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her expression shifting into something almost childlike—a look of pure, unrestrained joy.

"Arexander," she whispered, as if speaking a long-lost name. "It's good to see you again."

"And you, my Lady," Rex replied evenly.

"I suppose you don't yet understand why things are so… tense," she mused.

"I was wondering," he admitted.

"She's been found," the Lady said, voice reverent. "Our lost treasure has finally revealed itself, by the grace of the Great Mother."

"Who?" Rex asked, though he already suspected the answer.

"Samantha Sinclair," she said. "That which was hidden from me has finally come to light. And now, things can proceed as they should have—twenty years ago, after the Uprising."

"We need to move quickly," Titus urged. "There's no doubt the High Guardian or Sector Zero have already taken action."

"I want Arexander involved in securing my blood," the Lady declared.

"Are you sure it's wise to entrust the boy with a mission of this scale?" Titus questioned.

The Lady's lips curled into a cruel smile as she turned to Rex. "He has proven himself well enough by now."

Then, softly—mockingly—she asked, "Can you handle this?"

Rex met her gaze, his expression unreadable.

"Sure. Why not?" he promised.

****

Lies! Lies! Lies! Lies! Lies! Lies! Lies! For the past eight years, that was all Rex had been doing. Lying.

He was back at the scene where the Virus had been released—a once-thriving metropolitan city now eerily empty. The citizens had vanished in the wake of a mysterious pathogen, their leaders scrambling for a response. First, strange lights appeared in major cities across the planet. Then, the abrupt disappearance of people. Now, the unknown pathogen was spreading, striking down those who remained.

Rex stood on the edge of a skyscraper, looking down at the vacant streets. The purple night sky stretched above him, stars shining through the dark clouds as they drifted away, making room for the half-moon's glow. Below, the Humans suffered, their frail bodies succumbing to whatever the Fallen Stars had concocted in their clandestine laboratories.

Word had spread that their leaders had enacted a strict quarantine, sealing off the entire city—even the untouched districts. Travel in and out of the city was completely banned. The lockdown was absolute.

Rex was surprised by the swiftness of the decision. This city was one of their most crucial economic hubs. To shut everything down so quickly? The Octagram's influence here must be deeply entrenched. And with the world growing ever more chaotic, outside invasions had become all the easier. The Fallen Stars had extended their reach beyond this planet, beyond Terra itself, influencing the Neutral Free Zones and even the Federation. Their rise to power was astonishing—a far cry from the extremist group that had staged a failed revolution twenty years ago. Now, they wielded influence over entire sectors of the known world.

His thoughts drifted to Lamentias, where the conflict had escalated to catastrophic levels, far worse than the Uprising on Agartha. Memories of that time surfaced—memories from his childhood. The tension between the eight races and the Pleiadians had been unbearable. Aristocrats and commoners clashed violently. Amidst it all, Rex had lost his father to a mission he never returned from.

His mother had died giving birth to him, leaving him with no one in Agartha. There had been family in Albion—the Queen who ruled the planet—but that was on the other side of the universe, far from Leon and his family.

He remembered the rain-soaked day of his father's funeral. Admiral Jonathan Haravok had approached him, offering a lifeline. "Do you want to come with me?" he had asked. "Do you want to become part of our family?" Rex had been no older than five, faced with a decision that would shape his future.

In the end, he had chosen to go with Jonathan, becoming a part of the Haravok family and training alongside Leon. For a few years, it had felt like he belonged somewhere.

Then the uprising had come.

His father had led the rebellion against the Federation. Jonathan Haravok had died a hero, saving Agartha and the Divine Federation from widespread devastation, even briefly leading the Council in its time of crisis. Meanwhile, Rex's father had become a villain, a traitor of the highest order.

With nowhere left to go, Rex had been sent to Albion, placed under the care of his royal family. But no noble title could erase the stain of treason. He carried the blood of the Fallen, no matter how much he tried to deny it. Once, he had been a prince, the crowned heir to one of the Federation's major planets.

Determined to redeem himself, Rex had devoted his life to becoming the best Paladin in Starlight. He had vowed to embody the virtues of the god Mars—justice, respect, and strength. He would cleanse himself of his father's sins and restore his family's honor.

But then, one fateful day, he learned the truth about his father—a truth so devastating it had nearly driven him to the brink of madness-

"Ruminating," a voice said.

Rex stiffened, shocked at being caught unaware. He turned swiftly—Mallus stood behind him. Watching. Silent.

Damn it. He had let his guard down.

Mallus wasn't just anyone—he was a killer, a trained assassin, a master of death in all its forms. He could have struck Rex down in that unguarded moment without hesitation. If he had doubted Rex's loyalty for even a second, Rex would already be dead.

So careless.

"I thought Orion would be here," Rex said, masking his unease.

"She's occupied with other matters," Mallus replied, his gaze shifting toward the cityscape below. "This is my first time on this planet, you know, Agent Krios."

"Is that so," Rex said flatly.

Mallus nodded, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Yes. I've heard tales of the monkeys that inhabit this world—stories of their savagery, their primitive ways, their ugliness. But seeing them for myself..." He exhaled, almost disappointed. "Reality is cruel. The history of this planet is but a speck in the vast ocean of the Divine Federation. And yet—"

"The potential of this planet is undeniable," Rex cut in. "The concentration of Od alone makes it worth its ugliness."

Mallus smirked. "Exactly. A resource wasted on creatures incapable of wielding it."

Rex shifted his stance. "I take it that Lamentias—"

"Has run its course," Mallus interrupted.

Straight to business.

"Do you have it?"

Rex reached inside his cloak and pulled out a small black bag, handing it over. Mallus took it without hesitation, extracting its contents—two vials filled with a shimmering liquid. The serum. The same substance that had plunged this city into chaos.

Mallus studied the vials with quiet fascination. "It seems the Fallen Stars are moving faster than we anticipated," he mused. "The fact that they would sabotage our attempt to reach the final phase first... it reeks of desperation."

"I thought it was just an Abomination attack," Rex said. He wasn't entirely sure how the Fallen Stars had breached the base.

"That's what they would like us to believe," Mallus murmured.

Rex eyed the vials. "Can Sector Zero reverse-engineer it?"

Truth be told, he wasn't comfortable handing over something this dangerous to Mallus. But there were bigger things at play. Ever since the Uprising, since the mass defection of Paladins from Starlight, the number of Ascendants within the Federation had plummeted. Some whispered that it was an omen—that the gods had withdrawn their favor in response to the Oath-breakers.

As much as Rex distrusted Mallus, if he could replicate the serum, Starlight might have a chance to rebuild its Ascendant ranks.

"Yes," Mallus said, slipping the vials back into the bag. "But it won't be easy. This planet requires a cleansing. If Octagram succeeds, the consequences will be catastrophic for the Federation."

Rex's jaw tightened. "What do you want me to do about it?"

He already knew what "cleansing" meant. He had seen it before. It was the same fate that had befallen Lamentias.

"I'll leave that to Nabu," Mallus said. "As for you, I have another task."

He handed Rex a small drive. Without a word, Rex plugged it into his Zodiak. A holographic image flickered to life—a girl. Young, beautiful. Green hair, light brown skin.

Rex's breath hitched.

She looked like the Lady. Was this her, in her youth?

"You want me to kill the Lady—?"

"That is not the leader of the Fallen Stars," Mallus corrected. "That is her daughter. Serafina."

Rex frowned. "Her daughter?"

"She is a threat—not just to the Federation, but to Starlight itself. Her very existence defies the doctrine of the Divine Emperor."

The Divine Emperor. The foundation of the Federation. The linchpin of Starlight.

What could make this girl so dangerous?

Whatever she was, both Sector Zero and the Fallen Stars were desperate to get their hands on her. That alone was enough to make Rex uneasy.

Mallus snapped his fingers. A wall of shadow tore open behind him, swirling like ink spilling into water. From its depths, two figures emerged, clad in black cloaks, their faces hidden behind fish-shaped masks.

Rex's stomach sank.

Sinutu and Anuntium.

Conjoined twins, bound together by a genetic mutation passed down through their bloodline. Infiltration specialists. Assassins. If Mallus had sent them, then this mission was serious.

Rex exhaled sharply. "Here we go again."

He glanced at the holographic image one last time as Mallus's presence faded into the darkness.

 ****

Astraeus Tower

Starlight Headquarters

Orbital space station

Agartha, Anu Solar system

Divine Federation

Krios 15th Y-1909

Rex was in Admiral Wilcock's office in the Astraeus Tower within the Federation sector—or at least, a projection of himself was. He wasn't foolish enough to leave Terra, not when he was supposed to be babysitting a group of murderers. He had excused himself from Sinutu and Anuntium, claiming he needed to report back to the Fallen Star. Since they had no idea what his mission with them entailed, they let him go without question.

Still, Rex wasn't reckless enough to make a direct call to the Admiral out in the open. Before projecting himself, he erected a simple barrier spell. He wasn't particularly skilled in the Arcane arts, but he knew enough to perform low-level spells.

A wave of nostalgia washed over him as he looked around, remembering his childhood here with Leon and Emily. As the Indigo Trio of their generation, they had caused plenty of trouble during their time at Ascendant Academy—trouble that often landed them in the Admiral's office for reprimanding. Leon had never cared much for the punishments. His bravado, even against someone as formidable as the Admiral, had always inspired Rex.

Those were the days—when they had still been innocent.

Then, after graduation, Rex had broken up the group, taking on the mission the Admiral had given him. The others had no idea what he had become. A hunting dog.

The office door opened. Admiral Wilcock entered, followed by another figure.

The Admiral wore his black and silver military uniform, his long trench coat adorned with insignia pinned to his right chest. The other man wore a simple cloak, but beneath it, Rex could see a white long-sleeve shirt and black trousers. A hat covered his silver hair, but there was no mistaking him—Adonis Yesh, the all-powerful King of Genesis.

Genesis was a Tier III civilization, just like the planets within the Federation. Yet, its power alone was enough to challenge the Federation as a whole. That wasn't unique—there were other planetary empires in the Neutral Free Zones with comparable strength. But it was precisely why the Federation preferred peaceful treaties over outright war.

"My boy, Arexander," Admiral Wilcock greeted, still speaking to Rex like he was a child. It didn't faze him the way it probably would have irritated Leon.

"Admiral," Rex acknowledged before turning to the King. "Your Majesty." He bowed.

King Adonis gave him a nod and took a seat behind the Admiral's desk while the Admiral studied Rex closely.

"You look exhausted," the Admiral remarked. "Are you resting?"

"Being a double agent is quite exhausting," Rex replied dryly.

The Admiral smiled.

Rex's thoughts drifted to Seraphina Sinclair. His missions for both the Fallen Star and Sector Zero had yet to gain any real traction. After Mallus had left him alone in that building with the two assassins, Rex had attempted to see if the Fallen Star had made any moves on their end, but so far, they had come up empty. With little else to go on, he decided to report his current mission to the Admiral.

The Admiral, however, had something of his own to share—something that explained why they were meeting face to face. As Rex finished his report, he caught the look on the King's face. The Admiral also glanced at Adonis.

"The girl is with our side," the King said.

His side.

From what Rex understood about Terra, three major native forces controlled the planet: the Seasonal Court, the ruling government of the Hidden World; the Octagram Society, which he had allied with; and the Golden Dawn, responsible for maintaining order in the Hidden World. The Queen of Genesis, known across the cosmos as the High Guardian of Terra, had solidified Terra's presence in the intergalactic community.

If Terra had once been a dumping ground for galactic criminals and pirates, it had since become a death trap for any who dared to prey upon its inhabitants.

"I hear she shows great promise," the Admiral mused.

King Adonis raised an eyebrow. Of course. The Admiral had the Diviner working with him. If she was involved, then she was likely aware of everything happening on Terra with her Heavenly Pupil power. Tsk. To think she would be on the other side. Adonis could only lament allowing Fate to steer her toward that damn Pleiadian.

"So, Sector Zero is making their move," the King said. Rex nodded, detailing how Mallus had assigned two assassins to assist him.

"Sinutu and Anuntium aren't just your average Pleiadian," Rex explained. "They're extremely blessed with the House of Pisces' Unique Technique, making them elite assassins." Unique Techniques were the pinnacle of ability applications engraved onto those who had ascended. Only the Awakened could wield them. Which meant these two assassins were going to be a problem.

King Adonis closed his eyes. Images flashed before him—probabilities, calculations, pathways of fate. He was sorting through them, deciding the best course of action. Only one outcome presented itself. One he wasn't sure of. If she survived… her growth would be astonishing.

But it was risky.

If he went through with this, he would have to intervene. That meant spending more currency. It would be costly. Not that he was lacking in funds, but there was always the chance of a fate rebound. Damn it. Everything was happening too soon.

Samantha wasn't supposed to join the Academy yet. He and Phoebe had planned for her to work through her trauma with Dr. Dingle before bringing her into the fold. But then the Celestial Realignment changed everything. Adonis could smell it. Someone else had interfered.

"So, what do you say?" the Admiral asked, breaking the silence. "If you want, Rex can take care of them before they even get into Luna."

"No... No," Adonis said slowly. "Actually, let him help them."

Rex stared at the King. He must have misspoken. There was no way he was seriously suggesting—

The Admiral grinned.

"I see," Admiral Wilcock said. "Use them to our advantage."

"How is it advantageous to let them into your school to kill Seraphina?" Rex demanded.

"Her name is Samantha. That's what she goes by," Adonis corrected. "And you don't need to know. Just do your job. Sam can handle them."

"You think a girl with no training can kill Sinutu and Anuntium?" Rex scoffed. "Even a High-Stage Warrior Realm would struggle against them."

"And what better way to make her grow than by putting her life on the line?" Adonis countered.

"And what about the Fallen Star?" Rex pressed. "They won't like it if I let those two get close to the girl."

"Have they asked anything about her?" the Admiral asked. Rex sighed. There had been no word from Mallus. Orion had vanished on whatever secret mission he'd been given. Nabu was likely off executing the infected, per Mallus' orders.

"They know you have her. Titus wants me to visit your school," Rex admitted. "Since Leon and Emily are there, I'd have a legitimate reason to go."

"And you should," the King said. "If you're going to help those two assassins, then it's best to come to Yesh Academy. I'll be looking forward to your visit." Rex sighed. Things were about to get even more complicated.

"Pendragon out," he muttered.

And with that, his projection vanished into the air.

****

Moments after Arexander cut the hologram call, Admiral Wilcock burst into laughter, striding over to a drawer and pulling out a bottle along with two cups. He poured the deep crimson liquid and turned to King Adonis, who still wore that ever-calculating expression. The Admiral knew the King was always five steps ahead, even if he couldn't discern every detail of the grand design Adonis was weaving. Not even with the Diviner backing him.

"You should have just told him the truth," Admiral Wilcock remarked, passing a cup to Adonis. "The girl won't be in any immediate danger."

"Oh, she will be," Adonis countered, accepting the drink and taking a measured sip. He caught the Admiral studying him.

"There's no point if there's no risk involved."

Wilcock merely shrugged, knocking back his drink in one go. He exhaled, setting the cup down.

"The situation in Lamentias has reached a boiling point," he said. "Congress is still deadlocked, but the Purists are about to make their move." The mention of those vermin made Adonis sneer. As long as they existed, the Federation would always be a threat.

"Then we'd better make ours first," Adonis said.