Kibō-hosh, High Orbit
The Roa'marii fleet at Kibō-hosh sat in orbit around the planet. Since the Draconian fleet had left, they had moved the entirety of the fleet back out into high orbit so as to be ready should more Xenos show up. It had been some time since they had sent the General down to the planet's surface to meet with these Abh that called the planet home. As the fleet waited, a message suddenly shot through the system, sensors picking it up as slightly psionic in nature, yet at the same time not. While whatever was sent couldn't be translated, it seemed to be having an effect on the Abh below. While the effects could only really be guessed at due to the difference in species, the wave seemed to ignite some sort of aggression in the Abh, especially towards the Romans if their treatment of the fallen soldiers was any indication. As this information was relayed down to the Roa'marii on the planet, General Jer'rahd Kaisur was noticing the same thing from his position. An angry grimace seemed to have overtaken the Abh he was currently in the company of. He made a point to mention it.
"I'm sorry, it seems some form of psychic message has been sent through your people. It held no meaning to me, yet I could sense it. Based on its effect on you Abh it seems you understood it to be important. Would you mind explaining it to us?"
Dullahan, High Orbit
The Nightmare Emperor watched over the planet of Dullahan closely before turning towards the Valkyrie next to him.
"General Silvad, I'm going to return to Arcadia once more. General Velkorn will see to the repair of Dullahan before returning to her duties with the Queen's Cross. I'm going to leave you a small piece of my fleet to replace that which you lost from the expeditionary fleet that investigated the Fairy Trade house and defended this planet. You may continue to watch Dullahan if you wish, but I suggest you move forwards in your expeditions. Perhaps you can find the home worlds of the Faerie or some of the other Xenos you picked up. Regardless of your choice, I am leaving soon. I suggest you gather the Valkyrie to fly once more."
With that said, The Nightmare Emperor dismissed General Silvad to her own ship. A short time later, the piece. Of Battlefleet Nox that had traveled to Dullahan left to return to Arcadia. The General gathered her troops who had recovered from their injuries in the time on Dullahan and along with the ship's left for her, prepared for a jump towards a not too distant nebula. While the Roa'marii had fought in Nebulae before, they tried to avoid doing so unless necessary. Yet this was no longer a war expedition, it had become one of discovery. With that mentality, the Roa'marii Expedition fleet A-9 prepared to make its journey into the unknown once more. This time with a small group of fairies on board who had wished to return to the Roa'marii fleet as a sort of payment for saving their lives as well as the Sakari mage wishing to return to territory under the control of his C'ran Dominion.
Dullahan, Dullahan Keep
In the Keep, General Zer'icia Velkorn was busy among the wounded of the city. While there were a large number of wounded, many had only received somewhat minor wounds and we're capable of being housed in normal hospitals not under the Queen's Cross. The wounded Xenos however, as well as those with severe wounds had been brought to the keep for their treatment. It had kept the general fairly busy over the course of the Nightmare Emperor's time on the planet, with hardly any time to even acknowledge his presence. Yet they were learning much from the corpses they had scavenged from the battle of the Xenos belonging to the democracies. When General Silvad taking the majority of her soldiers away again as well as some of the Xenos that wished to leave, it cleared up a good deal of time as General Velkorn no longer had as many patients. The Democracies ships still remained in the system as well as the replacement ships for the Dullahan Defense fleet. She got the occasional question from the Democracies soldiers, but for the most part, they remained on their own, some seemingly against the decision to join the United Empire. Yet, regardless, her work continued.
Arcadia, Cathacia
The Roa'marii soldiers were shocked, to most of them, it had seemed as if the Naga tank had suddenly turned on the Naga around it. Those that were paying closer attention however noticed the unknown xeno running from a nearby building and with an almost unnatural speed and expertise board and capture the tank before the Naga could really respond. Now the tank was firing on any Naga not behind cover, and those that were on the edge of town were quickly retreating. There wasn't much left to do but clean up those that remained. Once this was done, the officer in charge of the Roa'marii soldiers walked towards the Naga tank, now no longer firing, yet still powered and being operated. When he reached it, the hatch on top opened, revealing the Abh Empress inside, who then climbed out. As she stood there, her injuries visible, yet seemingly going unnoticed, more Roa'marii soldiers walked up, weapons at hand but lowered.
One soldier walked up, seemingly no weapons on his person. He stood tall before the Empress for a moment before bowing slightly. As he bowed, his form changed, his hair turned an inky black and his eyes pale red. Meanwhile, his combat armor changed, taking on an almost pristine black shine, a marking on the shoulder signifying the 69th legion. The Soldier then stood from his bow and introduced himself to the Abh Empress.
"Greetings, I am General Rhe'deri Peltis of the United New Roa'marii Empire. If I'm correct, you are an Abh are you not? While I could be wrong, your appearance matches the descriptions received from both our Battlefleet Alpha and other sources. If this is so, I'd like to welcome you to Arcadia, though I'm sure that's already been done if you were staying here. Your injuries look extensive, yet don't seem to bother you. Perhaps that has something to do with the magic you seem to be using. Might I ask, who exactly are you?"
Arcadia, Training Camp Lar'varis
"If you wish to use your own armor, then I will allow you to do so. I will ask that you at least carry a mana rifle with you regardless of whether or not you decide to use it. Now, I suggest you get some rest before we leave. The forces should be arriving at their starting locations soon. We will be among the first to strike, so you'd better be ready."
Arcadia, Moonlight Castle
After the piece of Battlefleet Nox sent to deal with the trouble on Dullahan returned to Arcadia, the Nightmare Emperor had gone straight to the Moonlight Castle. Something had changed on Arcadia, and though he couldn't quite tell what yet, he knew it was important he find out. After a short time spent in the Castle, the Nightmare Emperor took a trip down to the Statue Garden, where the source of the imbalance seemed to be originating from.
Once there, the reason became immediately apparent. Standing on a pedestal formerly occupied by the ancient Roa'marii General Ruin was a large man. He was a Roa'marii soldier, although it was near impossible to know this for certain due to the great amount of heavy armor the man wore. The armor itself was ancient, seemingly crafted from the long dead bones of some enormous creature. The armor hid the entirety of the man's body, even through the plates all that could be seen were more pieces of armor. The helmet he wore covered the entirety of the man's head, only two eye slits allowing any vision through the wall of bone. Through these eyes came a pale white glow.
Then, without even moving from his spot on the pedestal, the soldier spoke, his voice dull and featureless, the only emotion a sadness buried deep as if even the man speaking had forgotten it existed.
"Nightmare Emperor, Lord of Shadows, King Among the gods, and Ruler over all the Roa'marii. It has been a long time since I've been able to move. You know who I am, and while I myself am not completely sure how I was freed, I think you at least have an idea."
"General Ruin, the god that time forgot. I admit, while I felt the imbalance caused by your being set free, I did not expect it to be so. I am curious as to how you know who I am, seeing as you have never been let out during the entirety of my reign. In fact, if I'm correct, you haven't been released since early in the Mad Emperor's rule millennia ago."
"Correct. I was sealed in stone under my Emperor's reign and not let out since. I have, however been awake this entire time. I can see what happens around me, and I've known about your reign since it begun. Though, being free now, I wonder if it might be coming to an end. Something powerful freed me, for what reason I haven't a clue. All I do know is that I will serve you now as I did my Emperor then."
"You are the seventh god of the Roa'marii, I am sure you would be useful among the soldiers. Your experience is even more invaluable than that of my other Generals. I will accept your assistance in any matter in which it is required, but should you wish to return to stone I will not stop you."
"Very well. As much as I liked the cold embrace of my stone tomb, I must stay active for now at least. I am obviously needed for something, whatever that may be."
New Rome, Magical University
The angel Aviana responded to the Roman's reason for calling on her with a smile on her face.
"Do not be afraid, I have no ill will towards you. You say you brought me forth purely for the sake of discovery. Well then it seems you now know of me and my sisters along with our goddess. Since I am now awakened, I will give you a warning. Corruption is beginning to spread through this galaxy. I was tasked with guiding those under my care away from this corruption of chaos and towards harmony. The Goddess Faust will protect all who come to her, and it is my duty to guide you to her if that is your desire."
Roman Colony World A-01
Once the Romans agreed to the use of their meeting room, the Roa'marii spoke once more to the builder.
"Xenos refers to your being of a formerly unknown species. Now that we have a true name to call you we will use it to refer to you. I am pleased to meet you Builder of the Congregation. As a representative of the United New Roa'marii Empire, I am honored to make first contact with you and your people. I will also extend an invitation to our home world of Arcadia once you are finished here. I'm sure the Nightmare Emperor would like to meet with you and your Congregation. Any information you wish to exchange would be greatly appreciated."