Chapter One - Fates Intertwined

"Aeri! We're going to be late!" Her mother calls out for her daughter as she came running out of the palace gate and toward their mini shuttle, preparing for launch. The fair haired High Priestess of Altheria boarded the shuttle with her mother, the Queen. They were on their way to the Alpharium Homeworld to attend the funeral of Draderum Alpharius.

Aeria-Sarisa looks out of the window as they ascend into outer space that took them to their bigger transporter ship. It would take them a few hours to travel there. Ever since Aeria's father died from an accident, over forty years ago, it had just been the two of them. Mother and daughter together forever. "You know Aeria...isn't it time you found someone to settle with?" Iridonia asked her as Aeria turned to look at her with bright violet blue eyes. The House Starlight was famous for their eyes.

"I'm not going to be around forever, darling. And I'd hate to think that you'll be all alone." The Queen worried. Who was as equally young looking and fair as her daughter.

"But I've got Snowflake." She insisted naively as she referred to her pet white tiger. Iri smiled sadly. "I know there is someone out there for you. You just have to find them." This was a sad day for her, even more than true Alpharium loyalists. She was saying goodbye to her lover and best friend of over thirty years. She retained the locket he gave her before they forever parted ways to save Iri's life. She wore it every single day since.

Aeria sighed as she gazed out of the window. "There is no-one out there for me. Anyone I ever care for ends up dying. After Father and Dazriel died...I just can't face losing anyone else." She also referred to losing her dearly beloved brother who died with her father in the accident.

Iridonia puts her hand on her daughter's. "It's not your fault they died. It would be better for you to be with one of your own people who will not outlive you..." But other Altherians didn't treat her the way she longed for. They were all afraid to go near the High Priestess or either too confident and arrogant to think that they deserved the Queen's daughter.

To say he was distraught at his father's passing was an overstatement. Saddened perhaps, but not distraught.

The Chamber of Elders was filled as he presided over it. Nero didn't slouch, but he did rest his chin on his hand, wasting time listening to older men and women bicker about the funeral proceedings, the antithesis of what was taught to the imperial young. Even he had to go through the Alpharium Induction: the coming of age rite for all Alpharium whom desired to be more than what the laborers aspired to. To gain status - to be someone - passing the rite was the way to do so. Not many succeeded, not many survived.

He was thankful to the late emperor though. Although distant that they were, his father taught him the complexity of thought required than wielding the arbiter's sword. To be emperor, you need not only a heavy hand but words that cut yet mollified. Dictatorial powers afforded power that was unbecoming to one who guided like an inept fool. Yet, Nero wasn't so presumptuous as to bestow upon himself the epithet of a wise emperor. It was far too soon, for it was only recent when his Accession Rite to Ascended Throne.

A movement at the corner of his view. Nero looked up and saw Kallo: his servant since he was a youth. Kallo gestured to his wrist, which brought Nero a rush of relief.

He stood up, and all noise came to an abrupt stop. "Honorable elders," he said. His voice boomed throughout the chamber, years of practice of oration. "We shall conclude state matters for now. In these dimmed times, I, Emperor Nero Draderum Alpharius, laud your commitment to duty. To the Imperium. I expect to see you all at the funeral."

Nero stepped away from his chair after the elders acquiesced to his unvoiced decree. They would not dare not appear.

When they were in the hall, Nero set a brisk pace. Kallo and the Ascended Guardians followed him.

"Emperor, the delegates from Altheria and the Free States have arrived," Kallo said. "I've taken the liberty to arrange your transportation to the Hall of Emperors. It seems we may skip the attire; the Emperor looks well suited for such a solemn, state affair."

"Have we taken precautions for our xeno visitors?"

Nero could hear the sneer manifested through Kallo's speech. "Adequate, of course, Emperor."

Kallo nearly yelped from the sudden stop. The heavy footfalls of the sentinels shifted moments then came to a still. Nero turned about, and the servant looked down. "Save your prejudice for another time. I will not have the guests harmed during the entombment of my father," he said. "I asked you to be my liaison. Do you swear before me that you fulfilled the task, to the fullest extent I described, you were given?"

"Yes, Emperor. The Home Marshal, and I labored about security until it was near perfect. I beg the Emperor forgive my nonchalance."

Nero spun back around and continued walking. "Let your actions earn your forgiveness."

---

Nero stepped out of the transport shuttle. Soldiers lined the stairs that led up to the hall where previous emperor's now rested. The standard of the Imperial legions present - and the standard Alpharium - stood stalwart, as if they took stood vigil over the passing of the late Emperor. It was a grand affair, but it was an important one. The passing rites were as much for respect as they were symbolic. It was to preserve the sanctity of the Ascended Throne to the subjects that were led under Alpharium rule.

Entering the foyer that preceded the Hall of Emperors, delegates that had already arrived all turned and bowed to him. Nero nodded back to them and started to moving about the room. Proper decorum mixed in with who respected the Imperials enough to send delegates. It was all state craft.

He would remember those who journeyed to the Alpharium homeworld despite eschewing imperial rule - either with the olive branch or the dog of war, and he would remember those who did not come at all.

Hall of Emperor's Grand Foyer


"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the Queen of Altheria, Iridonia Starlight." An announcer in the Grand Foyer of the Hall of Elders declared as the Altherian Queen and her daughter entered the chamber alongside the Emperor's Right Hand and General Kassandra Pierce, who had escorted them in.

"And High Priestess and Princess of Altheria, Aeria-Sarisa Starlight-Suncrest also known as the Galactic Siren." A mouthful for anyone, but Altherians were known for their long and complex names. The two ladies entered majestically, seeming to glide across the floor rather than walk. Both adorned in royal white robes. Her mother wore a golden lined dress and an extravagant headdress and veil to signify her higher royal status, whereas the Princess wore a silver lined dress and a simple silver band around her forehead. The mother only looked ten years older than her daughter. But in actual fact she was actually over one hundred years old!

"Next I present the leader of the third ruled world of the Alpharium Empire...-"

As the announcer continued to bring in world leaders and government officials, Aeri noted that as she passed by there were whispers. She had better hearing than humans as her ears were slightly longer and pointed. They murmoured that she had the most beautiful voice in the galaxy and most admired her songs. But some, looked upon Altherians with disdain. Some were racist toward them, due to rumours that Altherians could get inside your head, influence you. True, they were telepathic but only to one another. For a non Altherian to make a telepathic link to an Altherian, it would be a very special bond indeed. Iridonia and Draderum had such a bond.

Iri glided the floor and a sorrowful expression turned warm upon seeing the faces of the older officials that once served Draderum, they recognised her with awe, she had not aged a day since they saw her last when she almost married Draderum instead of Nero's mother. She took their hand in hers in a warm greeting. As her mother circulated those she once knew and introduced her lovely daughter, who was her spitting image apart from the purple coloured eyes, Iri had blue. Aeri took her father's eyes. Aeria-Sarisa bowed respectfully in her long gown and lowered her head, allowing the dangle drop teared jewels of her headdress to clink. She gently lifted her head up and stood straight as they regarded her sheer beauty and presence. Altherians had a tranquil and calming aura about them and some called the women seductresses for this fact. But all Altherians could do it, even the males.

Aeri left her mother to talk with her old acquaintances whilst she wandered off to admire the architecture of this grand hall. She had never been here before, she knew little of Alpharium culture. She looked upon the grand statue of Draderum with awe. Her bright eyes twinkling as they stared up at it with wonderment. She was truly a sight to behold. She even managed to make the women stop what they were doing and stare at her. Kassandra narrowed her eyes as she felt envious of the Altherian. Kass had short black spiked hair kept primp and proper, adorned the official uniform of the Alpharium Empire and wore a single eyepatch over her left eye where a scar peaked out from underneath.