CHAPTER 6 THE WARNING

—¿In fifty years? — Sapphire voiced her concern in a tone that echoed in the tension of the room.

—Yes, — Lyra confirmed, her voice carrying an urgency that underlined the gravity of her warning. —It is crucial that we speak to the leaders, the councils, and all those who have any degree of authority in this universe.

The silence that followed was heavy, everyone pondering the magnitude of the task before them. It was Terry who broke the silence, his voice a mixture of resignation and determination. —The problem is going to be convincing those in charge. Many of them have a stubborn mindset and consume power as if it were their daily sustenance.

Terry's observation highlighted the challenge they would face not only in preventing the predicted disaster, but also in uniting a universe divided by conflicting ambitions and visions. The task before them was not

just a question of power or influence, but of changing entrenched mindsets and fostering a common vision for the future.

We understand – said Elio – in fact, we have had to talk to such people and the only way has been to eliminate them from that universe, although we have not done it but their own creators have.

It's fascinating – said Sapphire – so, ¿are there other universes where others like you have created them?

Yes – Caelum replied – we have only been simple observers, spectators, to find out and learn if the same thing happened in ours.

Replacing emperors, kings, and other rulers is not difficult – Terry said – ¿how would the conflict begin in fifty years?

It will start because they want to seize the Ætheris Gem – answered Caelum – you will have to use all your ingenuity and all your power together with your brothers to be able to eliminate them, even if you do not want to, there will be no other way to eliminate the problem.

We must prevent that from happening, father – said Kyran looking at him, Terry knew how important it was that no one obtained that power, if someone obtained it it would be the end of the universe and of themselves, with regret he knew well what had to be done.

If I understand you – said Terry looking at the Cosmic Architects – we cannot allow evil hands to have that power and innocent people to be hurt or harmed, it is our obligation to prevent it, even if we have to eliminate corrupt councils, rulers or leaders we must do it for the good of the universe.

We are glad that you understand – Lyra replied – it is necessary to first have conversations with these councils and leaders, in case the conversation is negative, as a last option we leave eliminating them, but first we try to convince them, without them knowing that we can destroy them.

If it is for the best – said Claudius

So, I will begin to communicate with the Concilium Imperium Stellaris and with the Galactic Federation so that we can have a meeting together and talk about the subject to see what answers they give us.

Yes, we only ask that you let us talk to them – said Elio – you can be there, but it is better that you do not say anything about what we have told you, we do not want to reveal to them that the Gem Ætheris is still in this universe, if they find out, the persecution may begin now and we will get ahead of ourselves.

—I understand, — Terry said, knowing that it was important to remain silent in the face of the facts. —Fine, — Terry said, standing up. —Then I'll get going to start arranging meetings and see what we can get out of everything. Take them to Zephyra, — Terry said to Claudius. —There, settle them in Whittaker Castle so they can rest.

Yes father – Claudius nodded, Terry said goodbye and left, only the boys remained with the Cosmic Architects

Well, it's time to go - said Sapphire opening a transport portal with a gesture of her hand - please come in ladies and gentlemen. As they passed through, they found themselves in a huge room, all lit up by large windows, allowing the sun to illuminate the room with beautiful colors, adorned with flowers that filled their aromas, everything very delicate, a comfortable sofa, when everyone entered the portal closed.

—Well let me see what rooms we have available now, — Claudius said, pulling out a LumiCom to talk to the head butler named Jasper.

The LumiCom lit up in the kitchen where Jasper was giving orders and checking that everything was correct in the kitchen, answering him quickly.

—It's a pleasure to see you, illustrious First Imperial Claudius. I was informed that you and your brother had disappeared— Jasper said worriedly.

—Thank you for your concern – Claudius replied – it was a misunderstanding just don't worry – Claudius knew that Jasper really cared about them, his father Terry had saved him one night when they had gone to his house to kill him, Jasper was a vigilante on a planet called Anarxis it is a planet without rules where all the most dangerous assassins go to hide, he had been hired to be a bodyguard for a beautiful young owner of a wealthy place, Jasper knew very well how to do it

his job for the same reason the only way to make him fall was to set a trap for him and the enemies did it, he was going to kill him when his father passed by the place and helped him by saving his life, Jasper in gratitude gave his life to the service of Terry although his friend was not one of those people who charged for his favors, but Jasper came from a planet where it had been instilled in him that if someone saved his life he should put his life in service to that person, Terry understood this and for that reason he allowed it – I need – said Claudius – rooms for my guests

I'll be there shortly, Most Illustrious First Imperial, — Jasper replied, turning off his portable LumiCom and opening a portal to exit into the great main hall. —I have the rooms, — he pointed. —Please follow me. — Claudius, along with Kyran and Sapphire, watched their guests leave. Once the portal was closed, Sapphire turned to her brothers.

You must tell me everything, absolutely everything that you saw – I order them anxiously.

Brother, everything will be fine – said Kyran – we will tell you about where we were, but let us rest a little, we are exhausted and we need to clear our minds – answered Kyran – I know you are anxious to know and learn everything we saw, but give us some time

Yes – said Claudius – we need a restful break, you don't know what we went through, Kyran and I thought we would never see them again, you don't know how horrible all that was

Okay, I'll give you your space, but you have to tell me everything – Safiro replied.

Yes, no problem – said Kyran, yawning and stretching his tired arms – come on brother – he said to Claudius – let's rest and hope that the universe at least lets us rest for a while, even if it's just an hour without anything happening – he said putting a hand on Claudius' shoulder

Yes – Claudius affirmed – see you brother – he said to Sapphire and opened a portal, just as Kyran did to retreat to his room.

Claudius saw his bed and what he did instinctively was fall on it face down to relax a moment later he would take off his first imperial robes, it had been an odyssey that he did not want to repeat again he thought, not because of the trip but because he felt that he had lost his entire family except for his brother Kyran who was always by his side supporting him and encouraging him, they would have been the only Whittaker alive in a universe that had completely disappeared, he thought, if it weren't for Kyran they

wouldn't be there again, he fell asleep in bed with that idea in his head meanwhile, Kyran in his room was trying to take off his clothes and then lie down on the bed on his back, thinking about everything that had happened, an idea crossed his head, what do they have planned for us? He wondered about the Cosmic Architects, his brother Claudius had already told him that they would be the ones to start the expansion of this universe by elevating the minds of the inhabitants, how do they think to do it? That was the main question, perhaps they would give them powers or knowledge on how to do it? He fell asleep thinking about it too.