CHAPTER 99: HOLO-CONFERENCE

A man wearing robes the color of midnight stood at the bridge of the Noctis Vrex, looking out at the cold expanse of space, his arms held behind his back.

No light entered his shadowy hood, the substance refusing to even come near this powerful mage, lest it incur the anger of a power beyond comprehension.

A tall man in an officer’s uniform, the rank of major indicated by the pins over his left breast pocket, approached him from the side and saluted, his heels clicking together as he slammed a fist over his head.

"High Priest, we have detected a tremendous burst of mana from one of the new student dorms. Sensors indicate it has the touch of Death, yet the element is not in our records."

The mage raised his hand to forestall further information before speaking, his voice coming from every shadow in the vicinity.

"Pay it no heed, Major, it is all according to plan. Monitor the room for a similar sign within the hour."

The officer saluted once more before stepping away, leaving the High Priest to his musings. The whir of machinery echoed in the background as various military personnel did their duty, often sitting behind large and complex computers.

Numbers and letters crossed their screens, each representing a different data stream.

The only thing they had in common was supporting the systems that allowed the Church of Death to pilot one of the few Dreadnoughts in service, a privilege that only three churches had.

It had not been Evander Liandus’ decision to convert their strongest weapon into an academy as well as a battle station, the option having been presented to his predecessors predecessor, and yet if he were asked, he would have supported it regardless.

’Such marvels of technology. It would have been a waste to deny the opportunity of instructing so many prize pupils in a more mundane fashion.’

The burst of energy in the dormitories was proof of this, an investment that he expected to pay dividends all too soon.

’It must have been weeks for him by now. Once he returns, he will be disoriented. A critical period will develop, allowing us to guarantee him on our side for the coming war.’

A faint tremor ran through his body, a sensation he had not felt in decades.

’I was beginning to worry I had no nerves left.’

He raised a hand to his face, his black glove concealing the shadowy appendage beneath. He breathed without moving his mouth, the mana in the air diffusing into his bloodstream at will.

’Refreshing.’

Staring out the window, he watched as a large funnel ripped itself from the fabric of space. A swirling vortex of purple and blue appeared, five large spaceships accompanying it.

Four were escort ships, oval in shape with sharp edges. They looked like naval destroyers if someone added engines the size of cities, armed batteries that dwarfed skyscrapers, and a hangar complement that could hold a hundred smaller craft.

The fifth, in the very center, was similar in shape but almost ten times as large. A stack of three command centers stood in its center, reinforced glass allowing the High Priest to peer inside to see small dots running around.

Hundreds of smaller fighter craft fanned out behind the fleet like a swarm of locusts, their weapons glowing with a red energy

A feminine voice behind him called out.

"All armaments at full readiness! Strike crews are prepared for takeoff. Final orders, sir?"

Evander answered without looking at her, the barest hint of a smile on his darkened face.

"Order all personnel to remain at standby. Our guests might be numerous, but they know what is coming as well as we do. They do not wish to be a primary target."

’For the better. Retaining our alliance with the Church of Blood will make the coming tribulations far easier to swallow.’

A second voice, distinctly baritone, spoke next.

"We are receiving a request for a holo-conference, sir. What is your command?"

’Always too eager, Zagrian.’

"Put him through on the main deck. Seal all doors. Only top clearance is allowed in the room."

A few individuals rose at his command and half jogged, half ran from the bridge, the pneumatic doors sealing behind them with a hiss. One of the remaining officers nodded, and a circular ring set into the steel floor behind Evander began to glow a pale blue.

The High Priest of Death only turned once he heard the familiar stoic tone of the High Priest of Blood.

"Evander Liandus."

A beast of a man stood in the center of the circle of lights. Scarlet robes hung tight to his body, emphasizing large muscles. No less than a dozen weapons were strapped to his waist, back, and legs, allowing him the ability to grab them at any moment.

Unlike Evander’s, the High Priest of Blood’s hood was down, revealing a grizzled middle-aged face with a buzz cut.

"Zagrian Aris. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to Dead Space. It is to my knowledge that you have not graced these systems for many years."

The man nodded his agreement.

"It has been a while, Evander. It is the will of the gods that has kept us separate, and yet now we are drawn together. Has it been done?"

The High Priest of Death smirked in his shadows.

"It is as I promised. The final piece is accomplishing their objective, which will lead to us accomplishing ours. Has there been any word from Esias?"

Zagrian shook his head, his lips turned in a slight frown.

"None. My spies have been rooted out, as well as my emissaries to Life. I believe he has grown suspicious of our activities, but this has not spurred him to cease his own. It is the belief of my Master Magi that if we were to cancel our plans, the war would begin in less than five years."

’Two. It is good that the Church of Blood is behind; that gives us more leverage. We will need it should we hope to sway some of their Chosen.’

"A worrying discovery, regardless. If the Church of Life is preparing to move against us, we may lose the element of surprise."

Zagrian scoffed and turned away, his eyes roaming the faces of the officers pointedly ignoring their conversation, their attention firmly on their screens.

"You are too worried about what the other churches will do. Blood and Death alone are a force that could wipe out most of the others, and if the rumors are to be believed, Sound and Weather have severed ties with Life. If they fight Esias, he will be too busy to stop us."

Evander bit back a snarl, constantly disappointed with the High Priest of Blood’s disregard for important matters.

"We should make preparations in the event that he is better prepared than we believe. If he is not, then we can use them to fight the others."

The large man laughed, the sound deep and abrasive to the ears, like sandpaper. It felt mirthless yet excited.

"I must admit, our alliance has borne unexpected fruit. It is no secret that your ascension to your position was unexpected, dangerous, even, yet you have made those fears unfounded at every turn. If only the previous High Priest of Death was so... effective."

Evander turned away, looking back out the window. The small fleet of Blood vessels was approaching, ready to dock. Once that was finished, they would exchange resources and information before departing.

Initially, they had planned on bringing their entire fleets, but there were too many eyes on them after the war with the Elves restarted.

’If Esias heard news of a thousand Blood ships uniting with a thousand Death ships, he would rally every Life ally there ever had been. He might have even realized the plan.’

"Your words mean much, Zagrian. I cherish them, as I hope you cherish our alliance."

The blood mage chuckled again, this time lower and with less energy.

"We both know this is more my gods doing than my own, your talents be damned. Blood envisions slaughter unlike anything he has ever experienced. His strength will grow much over the next few years. What does Death say?"

That answer had been the same for years.

"Nothing. You know Death has grown silent."

"Can’t blame a guy for checking. I am being told we are ready for docking procedures. I will see you again soon, Evander."

The giant grinned.

"Don’t wait up for me."

The hologram flickered out, the red robes fading into the ground as the machine turned off.

Officers and pilots all froze as they awaited Evander’s confirmation of the procedures, his nod the only response they needed.

’It has come all too soon.’

For years, he had dreamed of this day, always believing it would be later rather than sooner.

There was no stopping it now.

’Civil war will shatter the Human Empire, and only one church will be able to survive it.’

His hands balled into fists as he straightened his back.

’And that church shall bare the gaze of Death.’