“None but The Three…”

  Once Sulistyo was finished repeating the phrase for the thirty-third time, he raised his hands to chest level. He prayed for reassurance from his Lord, which he had been doing in his regular prayers since Sengkolo told him of the upcoming news regarding the Traitor House. He wanted to believe that the wisdom he had accumulated over the past two hundred years would prepare him for it. He wished it would be just another fear that he had to overcome, but he knew Vahsani was as kind to His subjects as He was to whom He despised.

  Sulistyo made the gesture before heading out of the prayer room.

  Sulistyo’s footsteps echoed. An Imperial stood among the array of white basalt pillars adorned with teak and gold, sweeping the marble floor. The man’s wrinkled face turned to Sulistyo, his narrow eyes looking directly into the Grandmagister’s.

  Sulistyo stopped before him. The Imperial withdrew his mop, smiling and nodding at Sulistyo. The Grandmagister nodded back, his transmuted face preventing him from expressing anything. He then walked around the patch of floor that the Imperial had been sweeping.

  After having walked far enough, Sulistyo prayed to Vhisa. Mild heat grew in his head and arm. He gently moved his right index in a circle, focusing the power of The All-Knowing at its tip. White particles revolved around his hand. Sulistyo briefly glanced over his shoulder and flexed his right index, pointing it at the bucket. A subtle white light shot, toppling the bucket and spilling the content.

  “Pesky Imperials…” Sulistyo said, chuckling lightly.

  Such a short-lived group of people shouldn’t have the audacity to ask the Grandmagister for such a gesture. Sulistyo would’ve just walked past him, not caring about the swept floor, if it wasn’t for the binding agreement between The Empire and The Sultanate. He was even against the agreement, if not for wartime needs.

  Sulistyo climbed a teak staircase and made his way to the balcony. His retainers stood in his presence. They sat again once Sulistyo sat down.

  “Was there anything I missed?” Sulistyo said to his wife, who was sitting beside him.

  His wife smirked. “The anxiety of the next participant.”

  Sulistyo studied her. Sari’s head, except for her face, was wrapped in a silky golden cloth. The emerald on her golden circlet glittered.

  “You have an absurd sense of humor,” Sulistyo said.

  Sulistyo touched the neck of the golden goblet sitting on the table beside him, the emerald gems attached to it glowing as he did.

  A Danker and an Imperial sat in the pavilion-like structure below. Banners of the Makmu Sultanate and the Wei Han Empire hung from the poles surrounding the building. Sulistyo retrieved a paper from the retainer sitting to his right. The name of the Imperial, as written on the paper, was Zhao Yang. He then gave the signal to the Danker to begin.

  “Tell us briefly about yourself,” the Danker said, his voice heard through the golden goblet.

  “My name is Zhao Yang,” Zhao Yang said. “I am a graduate of Shi Lijie, currently working as a research assistant under Mr. Fang Min. I majored in gem engineering for enchantment purposes. In my thesis, I explored two alternatives to the Kel-Ett method to fuse two filled gems. It was a theoretical study, one which I look forward to expanding experimentally. Unfortunately, Mr. Fang Min was pursuing a different research topic, but I am permitted to take any present opportunities to pursue my own topic.”

  “Of course…” Sari said, chuckling. “The Kel-Ett method was the work of Magister Waluyo Wejangan Kolu Nggo Sadoyo sixty years ago, right? I think we have discovered various, more practical methods since then.”

  Sulistyo glanced at his wife and put his index on his mouth.

  “What makes you interested in this program?” the interviewer said.

  Zhao Yang briefly looked around. “Well…given what I’ve said about myself, I want to study my thesis topic further. I’m eager to seek the knowledge from whom it dawned, Mr. Waluyo, a Magister in the Dalem Arcane Institute.”

  Sulistyo sighed, resting his left hand on his forehead. He grabbed and quickly crossed out Zhao Yang’s resume. The Grandmagister then handed it to his retainer who was sitting one chair away from him.

  “That's the tenth potential thief to the House Archive today,” Sari said.

  “If only they knew how much we have spent to obtain such wisdom.”

  “Since when do the Imperials care about the interest of others? Typical.”

  “And these participants complained of not being sent home right after they finished their studies.” Sulistyo put his hands on his stomach. “There is no ticket home until you earn merit for The Sultanate.”

  “Or Great House Dalem…”

  Sulistyo looked at his smiling wife. “That's the bare minimum.”

  The interview with Zhao Yang continued, but Sulistyo wasn't listening to the rest of them. Another participant walked in. Sulistyo retrieved her resume.

  As soon as Wang Lili finished introducing herself to the interviewer, Sulistyo prayed to Vhisa and Vahsani. His brain and muscles convulsed as his left hand glowed orange. His left arm felt like it was pierced by tens of needles, yet Sulistyo remained calm. The Grandmagister pointed his left index at Wang Lili. A glowing particle flew toward the Imperial’s head in the blink of an eye. The color of Wang Lili’s irises turned into orange.

  The interviewer glanced at Sulistyo indifferently. He then said to Wang Lili, “What makes you interested in this program?”

  “I adore the Dankers,” Sulistyo said in his head.

  “I adore the Dankers,” Wang Lili said to the interviewer. “I wish to understand their way of life and personally indulge in their countless distinctive traditions, which are found only in Mananggal. When I return, I look forward to participating in a Danker community and contributing to their wellbeing. I will use my newly acquired wisdom from the program as well to meet their needs in the Empire.”

  The interviewer glanced at Sulistyo again.

  The Grandmagister circled Wang Lili's name in the resume and handed it to the retainer sitting to the left of his wife.

  Sari chuckled. “Into the front you go,” she said.

  “In several months or so,” Sulistyo said. “Depending on the demands.”

  Sulistyo prayed to Vhisa and cast a Mantra of Sanctuary to get rid of his control of Wang Lili.

  “P-pardon me…” Wang Lili said, shaking her head gently. “What was that?”

  The interviewer smiled. “Nothing troubling,” he said.

  The interview continued. Sulistyo observed Wang Lili, the youngest of today's candidates. She answered the remaining questions with a wide smile and didn't stutter even once. Wang Lili spoke of how she could benefit both the Sultanate and the Empire with her proposed study. She was also confident that she could bring the two parties closer with her participation. Her arms were as active as her mouth as she talked. Her attention was fixed on the interviewer.

  After Wang Lili's interview, Sulistyo was invited to the Imperial Palace. He stepped into his gilded closed-top carriage with his wife. Several retainers of Great House Dalem escorted the Grandmagister on stallions.

  The convoy rode down Erming Tang's highway. Despite the high volume of carriages and riders, there was still a wide space between each. Hundreds of buildings of varying heights stretched to the left and right beneath the highway. Their trapezoidal roofs were similar to the design used by The Sultanate, except the slopes were curved.

  A network of large steel beams stood as high as the highway, supported by pillars. A line of three connected passenger-carrying wagons moved below the beam, following its path. The mechanical claws on the roof of each wagon gripped the beam above, keeping the vehicle attached. The chief engineer of that transportation project — the Dragon Rails — studied under Sulistyo thirty years ago. The Sultanate could have built one if the people weren't too self-absorbed.

  A building loomed ahead of the convoy, the highway going through it. Lanterns dangled from the shadowy eaves, casting warm light on the dragon, cloud, and flower motifs etched into the jade pillars. A golden board floated in front of its red-colored roof. The Imperial characters inscribed on it translated to The District of Heaven.

  Sulistyo and his followers disembarked on a plaza before the palace. The palace servants attended to the stallions and the carriage, directing them to the pen and guests’ carriage rows. There were barely any visitors during these late hours. Those who still strolled around were either on their way to the exit or being shouted at by the guards.

  Sulistyo craned his head up, gazing at the colossal golden structure before him. It felt like every day he had to climb the hundreds of steps toward the Imperial Palace, each time making an exercise sufficient to prolong his life. Yet he still couldn't ease up whenever he visited. He knew he shouldn't revere anything else other than The Almighty Three, but The Emperor — the way he presented himself — made it difficult to believe he hadn’t hailed from the heavens.

  The Grandmagister felt Sari's touch on his right arm. He turned his attention to his wife as she closed the distance between them. Her serene smile outshone the oblate spheroid lanterns floating along the ornate railing of the limestone stairs.

  Beyond the giant gate sculpted with the face of a dragon was a hall that could fit three kun skimmers side by side. Sulistyo and his followers boarded one of the levitating carriages offered by the palace servants. They cruised down the sea of reflective jade marble floor. The red pillars on both sides were wrapped by golden sculptures of dogs, snakes, and dragons arranged in a helix. Paintings of scenery-depicting motifs hung on the walls.

  Various statues gave aesthetic to the ‘sidewalk’ of the palace interior. The biggest of them were human statues as tall as the giants that had mysteriously appeared in Mananggal, clad in the armor of the Imperial Guards. The blades of their spears were elongated and curved. Their eyes glowed, suggesting that they were alive.

  The levitating carriage took them deeper into the palace. Sulistyo noticed that the coachman, a wizard, wasn't taking him to the chamber where he usually conversed with the Emperor through his spokesperson. Sulistyo’s heart began to race, realizing where he was going after getting past the fifth gate. He could feel Sari's grip on him tightening.

  The carriage stopped before the sixth gate, the most ornate one out of the rest. There was no palace servant around. The coachman asked them to disembark.

  As soon as Sulistyo and his followers presented themselves in front of the gate, the dog sculptures on the pillars glowed. Particles swarmed from them and gathered before Sulistyo. They formed into a living dog as big as the Imperial Guard statues.

  “My name is Gou Bin,” the solemn dog said with a female voice. “Palace Steward. You are about to see Emperor Ji Chuan in person. I will brief you on the proper behavior in His presence, but you must listen for I will not repeat myself.”

  Sulistyo and his followers shared a glance. He swallowed before nodding to The Palace Steward.

  “Now, focus,” Gou Bin said. “Look into my eyes.”

  Sulistyo did what Gou Bin asked.

  The dog sculptures began vibrating, flooding Sulistyo’s ears with a subtle ringing noise. Shortly after, the Palace Steward barked once. Her voice echoed across the fifth hall. The Grandmagister felt his consciousness reeling. He briefly fell to his knee, his vision wobbling. Suddenly, he knew how he should behave in the Emperor's presence.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Now,” The Palace Steward said. “Are you ready to meet Him?”

  Sulistyo stood. He looked at his retainers who assured him.

  “We're ready,” Sulistyo said.

  The Palace Steward turned to face the door. She barked twice and followed it with a howl. She repeated the sequence two more times. The gate mechanisms shifted one by one, their noise thundering. Sulistyo strapped his staff on his back.

  Once the gate opened, Gou Bin walked in. Sulistyo lifted his robe slightly and trotted into the Emperor's chamber.

  A golden dragon rested on an elevated stage. His long snake-like body was curled up, but his tail was gently wagging up and down. Sulistyo tried not to get distracted by the hills of gold and jewelry that could enrich every member of his Great House.

  The Palace Steward bowed before the dragon. The Grandmagister and his retainers kneeled, placed their hands ahead of them, and touched their heads to the cold jade floor.

  “Rise, Sulistyo,” The Emperor said, his voice shaking the chamber. “Grandmagister of Great House Dalem.”

  Sulistyo slowly lifted his body. The golden dragon’s right eye was looking at him. He quickly fixed his sight above the Emperor's eye.

  “Y-your Majesty,” Sulistyo said, sitting on his calves. “An honor to finally see Your Majesty in person. It is to our shame that we come before Your Majesty with empty hands.”

  “Ease your worry, Grandmagister,” Emperor Ji Chuan said. “For the summon was too sudden.”

  “Does Your Majesty seek the news regarding the apprenticeship program from me personally?”

  The dragon lifted his head. “For that matter, I demand you write it down and give it to Gou Bin.”

  “It shall be done, Your Majesty,” Sulistyo said, bowing.

  “You have done a great service to the people of the Empire,” The Emperor said. “Pity that we haven't been able to deliver what we had promised for our friendship.”

  “Your Majesty…it's natural for Your Majesty to prioritize the people of The Empire over anyone else.” Sulistyo had lost count of how many times he asked the Imperial diplomats for their end of the bargain, but he couldn't sound demanding before The Emperor himself.

  “And that's why,” The Emperor said. “This day is when fortune smiles upon you.”

  Sulistyo caught his breath hearing that. The Emperor told them to ride on Gou Bin. The giant dog offered to lift them, but Sulistyo and his retainers were able to levitate themselves to the Palace Steward's back.

  Ji Chuan flew to the ceiling, his body waving elegantly. Gou Bin's fur glowed. The giant dog ran vertically, following the dragon. Sulistyo and the others were sitting as they did in any other carriage, their bodies attached to Gou Bin's back.

  They reached a dim chamber that was as large as The Emperor's quarters. The dome structure was infested with lenses of varying sizes suspended on a golden rotary mechanism. Clusters of stars were visible in any direction, Sulistyo observed them in awe. A giant optical tube went through one side of the ceiling. The chamber rumbled as the tube shifted, revolving around the center of the dome.

  The golden snake at the central platform pulled a handful of levers, substituting several lenses in the tube. Its attention turned from the tube’s eyepiece to the jade glass panels glowing with moving lines, numbers, and Imperial characters. The snake then slithered down the altar and hissed at The Emperor, its tongue wagging.

  “I sense a great disturbance in The Cosmic Harmony,” Ji Chuan said. “A great hatred is threatening the essence of life that binds us all. In the southern corner of Hag-Elslag, beneath the crown jewel of the Land of Monsters, an ancient power seeks to unleash their vengeance.”

  The Emperor shared a brief glance with the snake. “Jing She has been conversing with The Ancestors — they who speak for The Cosmic Harmony. They confirmed that my senses weren't deceiving me. This spiteful queen intends to cause a great calamity upon the world. Nowhere is safe if her madness prevailed. Not The Empire, not Praskovia, not Qarnain, not even the Heiligsplat.”

  “Did Your Majesty mention…spiteful queen?” If Sulistyo's eyes could widen, it would.

  “Yes. The ancient ruler of Kodai-no-Rakuen, long slain by Sultan Mangkuprawan I, the queen of the Kishinzoku, Han'einoki.” The Emperor stared right at Sulistyo’s eyes. “She has returned for blood,” he said.

  The Tunggadewi…

  Sulistyo felt his hands shaking. Sari latched onto Sulistyo’s right arm, squeezing it. There was nothing but worry on her face. If she had returned, then what chance did they have? How were they going to defeat her?

  “Your Majesty…” Sulistyo said. “What wisdom does Your Majesty have to perceive this as a fortunate day for me?”

  “This day is your fortune,” The Emperor said. “Because my army will set sail for the Land of Monsters.”

  ***

  “Hello…”

  Mey opened her eyes, wishing that she was back in the Arc-Hive chamber. She lethargically glanced toward the source of the voice. A fair-skinned young lady with blonde hair and dark blue eyes stood beside her. Her peanut-colored nylon kebaya had a beautiful embroidery of flower patterns along the collars, bottom, and buttons line.

  Mey sighed. If only she met her earlier, before the dispute between her, her people, and that general.

  “Good evening,” Mey said in her language. She hid her face and closed her eyes again.

  “So you are a Praskovian,” the lady said, also in her language.

  Mey looked at the lady again with a slightly more interest. “I'm not,” Mey said. “But I can understand what you said.”

  “That's amazing.”

  “You can call me Mey. What brings you here?”

  “I'm Nadezhda,” she said, bowing. “Nice to meet you. My father said that some strange Praskovian giants just appeared in Nadin Strip, so obviously I'm intrigued.”

  Mey raised an eyebrow. “You came here by yourself? Aren't you concerned for your safety?”

  “You saved the Eightieth Legion, right? So I assume that you are on our side.”

  “You are lucky today,” Mey said. “Don't attempt the same thing without careful consideration in the future.”

  Nadezhda crossed her arms, her lips puckering. “You sound just like my father.”

  “Then your father must be a reasonable person.”

  Nadezhda was silent. Her face suddenly grew distraught. “So you think divorcing a spouse and abducting their own daughter was a reasonable thing to do?” She sighed before walking away.

  “W-wait…” Mey’s hand reached for Nadezhda before she realized it.

  Nadezhda looked back impassively.

  “I…” Mey only wanted to praise her father, trying to be respectful. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to do that.” She lowered her hand. Thinking that it was probably too late, Mey inhaled and leaned against the tree behind her again.

  “Something must have been bothering you,” Nadezhda said.

  Mey remained silent.

  “I’ve been watching you for the past two days. You did nothing but sit there with the face of a Praskovian girl who just broke up with their boyfriend.” Nadezhda tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I…did that once too, but not because I broke up with someone. I have never had one.”

  “My people are out there,” Mey said. “Fighting the Danker’s war, but they are guided by a no-one.” Mey glanced at the young lady.

  Nadezhda sat beside her, pulling her legs close. “Why don’t you follow them?” she said.

  “They keep me here to guarantee that my people do what The Sultanate asks them to.”

  “Are you…concerned for the safety of your people? Or do you just dislike how they have been treating you?”

  Mey frowned at what Nadezhda said.

  “I heard about the dispute,” the young lady added. “Stories spread faster than a blizzard here.”

  Mey was no stranger to disagreement. It had been her daily lunch when she still served a key role in a company. She knew she was right then, so she defended herself with all her might. She even dared them to take matters to court. It was when they pulled the strings, taking everything from her. She was cast out and shunned.

  Mey shut her eyes tight. She pulled her legs closer and let her face fall to her knees. In her role as the General Secretary of State, she rarely met anyone who disagreed with her because The Primus could do no wrong.

  But The Primus wasn't here.

  Mey sniffed, a single tear wetting her skirt.

  “Mey?” Nadezhda said, stuttering. “A…Are you crying?”

  Mey lifted her head slightly. She tried wiping her eyes with her fingers, but more tears dropped to her skirt instead. Her chest became heavier, her breath shortening.

  “I-I'm sorry!” Nadezhda waved her hands overhead. “P-please…I didn't mean to…please stop crying…”

  Nadezhda shrieked when Mey picked her up. The secretary gently pressed the young lady against her chest. She locked her there with her arms, embracing her.

  “I…uh…” Nadezhda said. “D-do you feel better this way, Mey?”

  Mey only nodded. She felt Nadezhda’s tiny hand patting her armor.

  They stayed that way for a while. Mey thanked Nadezhda deeply once the tears stopped flowing.

  “My parents divorced when I was twelve,” Nadezhda said. She sat on Mey's lap, her back leaning against one of Mey's empty mag pouches. “I wanted to stay with my mother. I didn't know how, but when I woke up that night, I was already on a ship with my father instead, sailing away from Praskovia. Then, all these gray-skinned people started appearing in my life.”

  “Do you have friends back in Praskovia?”

  Nadezhda curled in. “I haven't seen them since I left.”

  “What do you do now?”

  “I'm…” Nadezhda’s eyes wandered. “A student at Ge-Tu University.”

  “What year?”

  “Sixth.”

  “What issues are you facing for your study to take that long?”

  “I have finished everything…” the young lady said. “Everything but one course.”

  “Is it a difficult one?”

  “I don't want to take it.” Nadezhda took a deep breath. “I don't even want to be there, my father does. He always tells me to do this and that, saying that it's the best for me.” Nadezhda leaned forward, resting her chin on her knees. “I’m tired.”

  Mey stroked Nadezhda’s head with her right thumb.

  Nadezhda looked up. “Thank you,” she said.

  “I'm sorry that it happened to you. Do you have any plans going forward?”

  “I'm just waiting for Mount Wardhana to erupt.” Nadezhda rested her head on Mey’s armor. “Everything will then be over.”

  “Nadyusha!”

  Mey and Nadezhda turned their attention to the yelling man.

  “What do you think you're doing?” the man said, sounding concerned yet angry. “Get down here and return to your room!”

  Nadezhda briefly stared at the man. “Yes, papa,” she said, sighing. “I'll see you next time,” she said to Mey.

  Just when Nadezhda was poised to climb down, Mey stopped the young lady with her right hand.

  “She's under my protection now,” Mey said, gazing at the man bitterly. “She'll return when she wants to return.”

  Nadezhda's father chuckled. “She just said that she wants to return.”

  “That's because you're threatening her. Now, leave her alone.”

  “You don't understand,” the man said. “In an hour she has to attend a ball held by Great House Pringgitan, as one of the representatives from Great House Pawon. After that, she has to do her academic duties. Then she has to exercise her ballet and work on her cooking skill–”

  “I said leave!” Mey cast Dispenser and Dismantler right in front of the man. A reticle popped up on her neuralface, locking on Nadezhda’s father. She hoped the man wouldn't push her further, because switching the label on him from ‘friendly’ to ‘hostile’ was as easy as flipping her hand. “I wasn't asking.”

  The man stepped back. “Y-you can't do this to me. I'm her father. I have more power over her than you.”

  Mey glared at him. “You do, but you are abusing them. Thus, Nadyusha has the right to seek protection, and I have the right to protect her as her friend.”

  Nadezhda’s father was silent, frowning at Mey.

  “Now, leave,” Mey said, pointing away. “Before I show you what my Praskovia are capable of.”

  The man left in silence.

  “That…” Nadezhda looked at Mey awkwardly. “...wasn't necessary.”

  “It was,” Mey said. “I want you to stay here with me longer.”

  “Also, are you sure you want to call me your friend?” Nadezhda said, gesturing at herself. “We just met. We even hailed from different worlds…at least that's what they said about you.”

  Mey brought up the picture of Genesis’ face from when they were arguing. Nadezhda’s blond hair made her look a bit similar. As Mey looked back and forth between the maid sergeant and the young lady, she began to understand why Genesis resented her that time.

  Mey smiled at the young lady. “And so do Genesis and Wati.”