Revelation

Ethan Blake may have distanced himself from Argos and the royal family's residence, but he hadn't disappeared completely, not at all. For that reason, Éfesis once invited him as a representative of Naësu to a commemoration of the end of the interstellar war, which had ended hundreds of years ago and had itself lasted hundreds of years.Satori, the general of Naësu's army, advised the young heir to let Ethan go on that official trip, and Ridley, Cassian's weapons master, also agreed. Thus, Ethan went as a diplomatic envoy to Éfesis once he turned twenty-three, when Cassian was eighteen.Much to his displeasure, Ethan couldn't bring Shun-Ri on his ship. In Naësu's nobility, there were already rumors that they were some kind of couple, unaware that they actually shared the same ideology and goals and had formed a strategic alliance. Ethan then arrived alone, escorted by Naësu's space force, a fleet of twenty-seven ships dedicated solely to protecting the prince's safety.Ethan wasn't comfortable on a predominantly human planet, where the nyasuk were a minority. The colorful banners, the gathered crowd, and the festive air that awaited him at the landing strip made him feel somewhat ill, as if his body were rejecting being there. He had refused at first, but Shun-Ri had said it would be a good idea to be seen in public as the face of Naësu. In truth, he wanted to be in Alexandria or the Asteroid Belt, far from everything. He would find a way to make sure this was the last time he was sent on what he considered a pointless errand.The delegates from Éfesis showered him with praise, overly obsequious, which also added to Ethan's annoyance. It was as if they were losing their dignity in their attempt to be well-liked. Ethan thought they were groveling unnecessarily. They accompanied him to the airport press conference."Your Majesty, we are honored that you have dignified this event with your presence," one of the Éfesis representatives said to him.Ethan didn't respond, but he spoke to one of the nyasuk in his entourage in nyasuk:"The human is talking to me, and I think he wants a response."The human he was referring to replied in nyasuk, not perfect but intelligible:"Does he not lower himself to speak to us directly?""I can't understand what you're saying," Ethan said, looking directly at the human. "You're babbling."One of Naësu's emissaries stepped forward to speak."We ask that you give us a moment."The crowd, unaware of these remarks because they hadn't heard them, pressed against the doors outside the press conference, blowing vuvuzelas and waving banners. Guards surrounded Ethan on all sides to prevent any retaliation. Some humans banged on the doors in the spirit of celebration.The human delegates and the representative Ethan had insulted by calling his nyasuk babbling were now engaged in a heated discussion among themselves, no longer focused on Ethan. One of the humans, with a digital slate and a tailored suit, furiously took notes on what had transpired. Then, she addressed the nyasuk representative from Ethan's entourage, and they discussed how to handle the situation.A man, missing one arm, approached Ethan."Allow me a word with the prince," he said, trying to make his way through, speaking in the lingua franca of Éfesis."Let him through. Nothing could be worse than being here," Ethan said in nyasuk."Your Majesty, I admire how you put humans in their place," the man said in perfect nyasuk.The humans around them, mostly unable to understand, did not grasp what was being said since it wasn't in the lingua franca."Come closer, man," Ethan said. "You speak like a civilized being.""You flatter me, sir. We are here to celebrate the truce from hundreds of years ago between the nyasuk and humans, which avoided unnecessary bloodshed. Only a race as benevolent as the nyasuk could have such consideration."Ethan looked at the man with interest.He was human, without a doubt. But his nyasuk was perfect, and his arm stump indicated he had lost it in some violent way. His eyes were those of someone who hadn't slept for several days, or at least his dark circles gave that impression. Still, he wore the purple of the regents, a cloak that reached the ground in long folds. Ethan wouldn't have given him a second glance if it weren't for the circumstances."Who are you?""Filoctetes. I've studied the Blake family dynamics for many years.""You're a representative from the southern region of Éfesis.""I was, it's true. But the Regents and I do not share the same concept of what constitutes a superior race. I came because I have some information for you."Ethan listened attentively and raised his eyebrows. He asked his entourage to allow him to speak privately with this man."Éfesis worked for many years on a human genome enhancement project that was abandoned. They also put a lot of effort into neuroadsentol, a drug that makes the human population obedient to orders. If it fell into the wrong hands, especially in its vulnerable state in the Asteroid Belt, it could lead to very serious consequences. And we don't want that, Your Majesty.""We don't want that, no. But... why tell me this? What are you hoping to achieve?""Simply to place the protection of human civilization entirely in your hands, Your Majesty. While you focus on that, I have other tasks."Filoctetes apparently wanted some position of public responsibility or at least notoriety in Ethan's new world order, should he become king. He wanted to destabilize Naësu's situation by putting Ethan on equal footing with Cassian."If this substance exists and is as you describe it, I'll stay in touch with you to... ensure it doesn't spread.""Nothing would make me happier than to serve Your Majesty... the rightful heir."Ethan observed the crippled man with a mix of disdain and interest. The idea of having such a powerful tool like neuroadsentol in his hands was tempting, but he knew any rash move could put him in a compromised position, especially under Naësu's watchful eye."I'll consider what you've told me, Filoctetes," Ethan finally said, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "But if this turns out to be a waste of time, I'll make sure you never get the chance to offer anyone else this... information."Filoctetes, unfazed, gave a slight bow."I don't fear threats, Your Majesty. I only ask that you don't let this opportunity pass. Not for me, but for the future of Naësu... and the entire galaxy."Ethan turned on his heels without saying another word, closely followed by his entourage. As the guards cleared a path through the festive crowd, the bright colors and human laughter felt unbearably foreign to him, almost offensive. Everything about Ephesus reminded him of how far he was from where he truly wanted to be.As he walked toward his ship, he felt a sense of relief. His next move would no longer be dictated by anyone but himself. Shun-Ri would be waiting, and together they would decide whether this information was worth using—or destroying.The crowd kept cheering as he moved away, but to Ethan, the echoes of human voices were insignificant, barely background noise in his larger plan."Never again," he muttered to himself, casting a final glance at the fluttering banners in the air. "This will be the last time they see me as their envoy."Space awaited him. And with it, a destiny far grander than anything those people could ever imagine.