Having stood from the couch, Hammond now faced Xenia across from her as she inched her tight leather pants back on.

“So, President Hammond. I’m sure you know why I am here.” Xenia finished inching her pants on and securely zipped and buttoned them before looking up at Hammond.

“Well, of course I do. You are here to add the United States into the fold of your empire.”

Xenia smiled at him with approval, “So are you ready? Is your country ready to accept me as their ruler?”

Hammond gave a nervous chuckle, “The United States becoming a territory under the banner of the BloodStar Empire is all but an inevitability. As such, I see no reason to rush things. The American people are content with considering themselves Heraklinos allies for now. Switching allegiances on the eve of major battles to come would confuse the populous.”

“Oh I see. You want to sit on the fence. Take a wait and see approach until the victor between the Heraklinos and BloodStar families is crowned.” Xenia folded her arms under her chest and glared at Hammond, “I’m telling you that isn’t an option.”

Hammond threw his hands up at a loss, “Usurping the United States may cause more harm than good at a time like this. There is no apparent reason for the United States to switch sides. After having won the war, bending the knee to you will be obvious. The people will accept it. Recall the American people didn’t take kindly to Pope Gregory invading Texas. How do you think they will respond to you forcing your will upon them? Would it be any different?”

Xenia pushed her tongue into the side of her cheek and scoffed, “Comparing me to Pope Gregory? That’s cute Hammond. That is really cute, but I am not a draconian religious leader. I am a charismatic, fun, and free ruler. Hollywood will make movies about me, pop stars will writes songs about me, and scholars will praise my power and insight by the time it is all said and done.”

Xenia walked back over towards Hammond and sat beside him leaning towards him with her legs crossed, “I will win this war. And you will thank me for bringing you to the winning side of history as soon as I could.”

Hammond felt his heartbeat flutter but regained his composure as only a master politician could in the presence of Xenia, “My fear remains in rebuking such a great power in the Heraklinos Empire. An empire who considers the United States an ally. We may not have the powerful ki masters of the world, but we have democracy, and we have great wealth in the form of natural resources. We are not without our bargaining chips.”

Hammond could feel a sweat forming on his forehead, “I have to advocate for my people. I can only represent them after all. Furthermore, I am but one branch of this country’s government. I cannot unilaterally pledge the nation to the BloodStar Empire.”

Xenia’s eyes narrowed like a predator eyeing its prey. Her voice became sharper as she began to speak with an authoritative and less friendly tone, “So it is your people you are worried about? Then allow me to give you an ultimatum. Pledge your allegiance to me and my empire today or pick a city for me.”

Hammond furrowed his brow, “Pick a city for what exactly?”

Xenia smiled to herself, “I was planning on showing the world my newfound supremacy starting with the Sage Empire; however, if you need convincing, I am happy to start here. Maybe Los Angeles? You seem like a man who hates L.A. I’d be happy to give them my vision of manifest destiny on the west coast. Or maybe San Francisco? Not a gold rush, but a blood rush. That sounds fun.”

She eyed Hammond as he remained speechless. He knew Xenia was both capable and willing to destroy entire cities; however, he couldn’t help but wonder if she would really waste her time and resources while the Heraklinos Empire prepared further to fight her.

“Not the west coast? Fine. How about Dallas? I’d be happy to, how do they say in the south?... Come and take it.” Xenia then put her finger up to her chin and said, “Hmm or how about right here on the east coast? I’d be happy to tread on them.”

She laughed to herself, “I’m not giving you an option, Hammond. But I am giving you a chance because I like you. Your country has so many storied political rally cries and slogans, but maybe my favorite is join or die. Because those are your only two options.”

Hammond took an audible gulp before nodding his head, “Very well. I will make arrangements to confer with the other branches tomorrow following which we will formally contact the Heraklinos Empire before announcing it publicly.”

Xenia shook her head, “No. Not good enough.”

“Not good enough? Democracy takes time. Things must be coordinated. Opinions must be heard. The input of others has to be considered.”

Xenia laughed, “As of right this second, the United States is no longer a democracy. The people may not know it just yet, but I am now their ruler. So, as your empress, I command you to contact Jarek Heraklinos right this second on video phone and inform him of your decision.”

Xenia stood up and walked around to the back of the couch and began to rub Hamond’s shoulders, “Don’t be so glum. This is cause for celebration. I think you will find nothing but prosperity, pleasure, and optimism under my rule.” She then shrugged and said, “And the occasional violence to keep order and satisfy me, your empress.”

As she rubbed his shoulders, she said, “So tense, Hammond. Don’t worry so much. I’ll help you relax during the call. All you have to worry about is relaying the news to the Heraklinos Empire. Okay?”

Hammond relaxed and thought to himself, “She’s right, and she knows it. The Master Families of the world have long ruled in a fashion which encourages a wealth gap and oppression of their peoples. Why should anyone support them if there is an alternative? Xenia is that alternative, and she is thusly hated for it by the powers that be. I won’t gamble with the total annihilation of an entire metropolis just to keep her out of power, especially not when she may be the better option for the common folk despite her deplorable moral compass and extreme violence.”

Xenia smiled proudly at his realization as she silently intruded upon his thoughts without saying anything.

Hammond then looked up and nodded to her, “Very well. Let’s make this call.”

______________________________________________

Loud booming explosions could be heard for miles as the Earth shattered and crumbled near the mountainside adjacent to the Heraklinos Palace as Jarek and Jacek trained in their Perfect Warrior forms.

Both men huffed and puffed as their bodies accumulated immense damage which was only compounded by the stress of also accumulating excess ki via Perfect Warrior.

Jacek raised his hand to fire a ki blast; however, as he did, his shoulder joint dislocated, and the skin along his forearm began to shred revealing the subcutaneous soft tissue beneath.

Jarek immediately took notice, “Stop!”

He then walked over to Jacek and popped his son’s shoulder back into place while inspecting his forearm, “This is a failing of my own. I never trained you in Perfect Warrior to its fullest, and your body isn’t prepared for it.”

Jacek grit his teeth, “Fuck my body. It can die along with Xenia. So long as we get the job done.”

“That is the mindset that will win us this war. Sacrifice.” Jarek took a few steps back and sat on the ground in the lotus position, “However, if we are to defeat Xenia, we cannot forsake our bodies. Sit.”

Jacek sat in the dirt several feet across from his father assuming the same position.

“Meditation is of equal importance to physical training. Mental sharpness and acuity strengthens the body in more ways than one. It will allow you to control your ki, and more importantly, it will allow you to keep the excess ki of Perfect Warrior from destroying your body.” Jarek closed his eyes and Jacek followed suit.

Jacek already knew the importance of meditating. Xenia had taught him the basics of meditation many moons ago when she first arrived at Saber Fortress. Jacek couldn’t help but think to himself, “How things have changed since then.”

Jarek began to speak as both men had their eyes closed, “The goal is to intertwine your body, your mind, and your ki as one. Don’t think for a second that our enemy hasn’t trained in meditation. Xenia can bloodbend hundreds of people at once without losing concentration, she can harness massive amounts of excess ki from a giant BloodStar without the slightest bit of damage to her body, and she can do it all without thinking twice about it. It is no understatement to say she likely has the highest mental acuity of anyone in the world. It’s a shame she isn’t keen to teach us her secrets before we end her. Her techniques will be lost forever.”

Jacek smirked at the irony that Xenia had tried to teach him.

Jarek opened one eye to look at Jacek smirking, “Is something funny?”

Jacek began to answer; however, Jarek cut him off, “Now we concentrate! For the next 30 minutes I want silence!”

The two men sat in the lotus position across from one another meditating for no more than five minutes when soft but quick footsteps could be heard approaching.

“Excuse me sires. Excuse me Master Heraklinos and Lord Heraklinos.” A messenger from the palace gingerly addressed the two men who were clearly fully emerged in meditation.

Jarek growled and turned his head opening his eyes, “What is it?” He held back his temper knowing that important information regarding the movement of Xenia could merit action at any time.

“Lady Starfallen would like to speak to you.” The messenger held out a phone, “She says it’s urgent.”

Throughout the dealings, Jacek had not moved an inch, and as Jarek stood he looked at Jacek with approval before taking the phone.

“Yes, Starfallen.”

“I have good news and bad news regarding our contingency.”

“Tell me.”

“The good news is that we recently had a breakthrough of sorts you could say. We have proof of concept. It works!”

“And the bad news?”

“The bad news is that our calculations have been so far off. Incredibly far off. If we are to maintain accuracy in our trajectory, we can transport two people at most.”

Jarek nodded his head in silence as he walked farther away from Jacek and the messenger, “That won’t be a problem. It just means you’ll have to find a way back eventually, yes?”

Starfallen replied with a solemn tone, “Yes.”

“Make me a promise, Starfallen. If it can only be two people, promise me it’s you and Jacek.”

“Is that wise? Traveling through a void portal for that distance will require immense strength which you and I have. Does Jacek –”

“PROMISE ME!”

A few moments of silence passed before Starfallen said, “I promise you. And I’ll also promise you that we return as quickly as we can.”

Jacek laughed, “Return for the prosperity and leadership of the humanity on this planet. But do not return for me. I may be long gone.”

Starfallen laughed in kind, “Somehow I doubt that.”

“Jacek and I have a lot of training to do, so I must go. Don’t forget your promise.”

“I won’t.”

Jarek hung up the phone and returned it to the messenger who promptly scurried off.

He then sat across from Jacek and resumed meditation. No more than a few minutes had passed until another, different messenger came running up to them with soft but quick footsteps.

“Excuse me sires, Master Heraklinos and Lord Heraklinos. I have an urgent call.”

Jarek opened his eyes and took a big huff, “Tell Lady Starfallen it can wait 30 minutes.”

The messenger cocked his head in confusion, “But Master, this isn’t Lady Starfallen. This is President Hammond of the United States on a video call. He says it’s urgent.”

The messenger held out a large digital screen, and Jarek once again sighed with annoyance as he stood from his meditation to take another call.