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Klaus walked into Nadraca’s house with a small smile on his lips as he glanced around the humble space.  The Clavex adopted many cultural aspects from the Nalveans; she had cupboards, a place that drained water outside for washing, two barrels of water, a table with chairs to sit on, and some form of a sleeping cot with padding.

Nadraca ushered him in, pulling out a chair for him; she’d been fairly quiet on their journey from the Mother Superior’s meeting hall, but he’d managed to get the matriarch’s name.

He watched the Ri’bot bustle between the cabinet and a barrel of water, creating some kind of herbal concoction.  “... So, what are your thoughts, Nadraca?”

She paused, blinking as a lump dropped down her throat.  “Umm … guilty,” she mumbled, returning to her task.  “I’m a little conflicted, though.”

Klaus understood where she was coming from; if Nadraca hadn’t gone to the other side, then she would have not gotten the support from the living humans that she’d garnered through her party’s own blood, but he wasn’t sure she was considering the positive aspects of her venture.

“Hmm … I believe I can sympathize with that, but can you tell me the benefits from your actions?”  He asked, accepting the cup Nadraca gave him.

Nadraca breathed out a long sigh while sitting across from him, fingers fidgeting with the cup.  “... I do feel like it wasn’t a waste … still, I did not expect to lose Lacord, and it weighs a lot on my heart.”

He decided to postpone sampling the unknown drink to complete the discussion without interruption.  “I recall the things you shared with me while we sailed.  Losing a father figure is not easy, and it’s normal for you to feel this way.  However, Lacord was not foolish enough to blindly follow you, correct?  He believed in the cause you set out to accomplish.”

The female Ri’bot’s eyes widened, fingers tightening around her ceramic cup.  “... You’re right, Lacord did trust in our purpose, to free ourselves from the debt owed to the Nalveans.”

“Right, and I’d say that Empress Elinor knows the Clavex are a worthy people to fall under her banner.  It was the other clans that drew Supreme Chief Yesenia’s ire.  What more could you have done in that situation?”

Nadraca shifted a little in her seat.  “There was Benira … I should have kept a closer eye on her … the girl was only six.”

“... Hmm,” Klaus folded his fingers across the table.  “What do you think would have happened if your Clan hadn’t shown the gentle nature Ri’bot are capable of?  How much worse could the situation have gotten if not only Supreme Chief Yesenia but the Supreme Chief of the Pits were to find the Ri’bots unworthy of consideration?  Your actions could have saved your entire race, returning them under the Empress’ protective grace.”

He could see the wheels turning in her mind.  “M-Me?”

“Let’s not dwell on the mistakes of the past, Nadraca.  If The One Above All has cast her judgment and finds you redeemable, then what right do you have to challenge such a divine decision?”

“... What right do I…” Nadraca’s jaw had slackened with the implications rolling around in her brain.  “I never thought about that.”  Her brow creased with concern.  “Umm … Grand Chief Klaus … I have had a question for … for a very long time.”

Klaus gave her a soft smile.  “Ask it.”

“Why does … why is there evil in the world … why do the Supreme Chiefs’ allow it?  Are there evil Supreme Chiefs that we are unaware of?”

“...”  Klaus sat back, arms folding across his chest as he pondered on the profound question.  Several answers came to mind, but a response would need to be filed away and delivered to Valdar to solidify in the religion.

When she saw his studious expression, Nadraca began to panic.  “... Oh, eh … was I not supposed to ask that?  It’s just … it’s kind of been on my mind recently … now that the Supreme Chiefs have descended and we discover there really is a war in the Heavens.”

“No, no, it’s a valid question,” Klaus replied with a reassuring smile.  “The answer is a bit complicated, but let me see if I can give you a straight response.  Hmm … three things govern everything, Nadraca.  Truth, equity, and agency.  Those three core concepts organize everything.

“Agency is an action that creates an equal and opposite reaction, equity.  Equity means that every creature is given what is expected upon their completion of the test, which is judged by truth.  The One Above All is the arbiter of truth and is the great balancer.  Tell me, how can there be individual action without judgment?  To take an action, you must make a judgment; you must judge, and that includes your environment, yourself, and others.

“Evil is the result of agency, but so is good; they are two parts of the same coin and cannot exist without the other.  To have no agency is to have no will, and to have no will is to have no life.  Life is a test, placed on a plane of existence to prove that your unique spirit is willing to choose the good over the evil.  That is why all will come before the Empress’ seat to have their heart weighed.

“If there is good in existence, then there is evil; if there is action there is a reaction; if there is true judgment, then there are standards; if there is equity, then all are judged by the same fair standards but will not receive the same rewards because their actions are not equal to garner that reaction.  Evil actions reward like reactions, and good, the same.  Opposition in all things.  Does that make sense?”

Nadraca’s expression told Klaus that her mind had exploded with the connecting dots; she couldn’t speak while dissecting his explanation, and after a full three minutes, her eyes fell to the table.  “... That’s … it makes so much sense.  If … does that mean if … is there an evil One Above All?”

Knowing this was the route she’d go down, Klaus shook his head.  “Evil and good two sides of the same coin … the Empress is the coin fusing the two.  Equity or the Supreme Chief of the Pits is the arbiter of truth, weighing action and the heart’s intent to determine the appropriate reaction.

“Therefore, the Empress’ arrival on this planet means that there were actions taken in the Heavens that disrupted that balance.  The Empress is the gray that bridges the two and allows movement between them.  Great Chiefs can fall, and fallen creatures can rise.”

“... Redemption…”  Nadraca whispered in stunned realization.

Klaus let the response hang for a moment.  “... To answer your earlier question, yes … there are evil Supreme Chiefs, which is their choice, granted to them by The One Above All.  However, even the divine cannot escape the Empress’ scales, but at this moment, there is an attempt to do that very thing, and that great rebellion will be quelled like so many before.”

“... What happened to the Supreme Chiefs that … that tried before?”  Nadraca asked, eyes wide with wonder as cosmic answers were being fed to her.

“... To be honest, I can’t tell you because not even the Great Chiefs know their fates.”

“... Wow … it must be horrible.”

“We can only assume.”

“Hmm…”

Klaus’ smile returned.  “Now, why don’t we move to something less weighty!  Tell me about Nalvean culture; whatever pops into your mind.”

Nadraca spent the next few hours discussing everything she could think about, and within that time, Camellia had discovered the Ri’bot that had been contracted to kill Kolira.  Klaus gave his plan to the Juggernaut, who happily went along with it, offering a few points of change that he was inclined to roll with.

A few of Nadraca’s explanations about the reptilian Empire drew his immediate attention, pushing his curiosity to ask for details.  The political climate was a little difficult for her to distinguish since the Ri’bot had no part in such processes, and Klaus set the priority question to the side for later that night.

In fact, after listening to the Priestess’ intel, he started to realize just how ignorant the Ri’bot were of the Nalvean culture.  They’d developed a separate model of the salamander creatures based on what they saw and heard through conversations, but within the last century, they’d only managed to scratch the surface of understanding the race.  He needed a Nalvean; of course, plans were already in motion to draw the perfect candidate to him.

The fading sun quickly fell below the horizon, but Klaus’ enhanced vision could adequately pierce the darkness.  Klaus had Nadraca retired for the night, telling her to wait for them in the Mother Superior’s audience chamber at sunrise.

A hot burn tickled his throat when testing out the drink, but it wasn’t bad and had a similar taste to Brandy.  He liked the reminder, finishing the glass, and noted it didn’t have quite the same effects as alcohol, but it might have to do with his new body.

He’d spent the last forty minutes cleaning the mud from his clothes.  The spider silk easily repelled both the dirt and water, making the process quick; it had the feeling of cotton while providing exceptional breathability, windproof, and waterproof.  He expected the material to even exceed GORE-TEX fabrics while far surpassing the tensile strength of Kevlar.

Klaus smiled down at his clean clothes, free from dirt; he always enjoyed looking his best.  The Ambassador left the Priestess’ humble house when the Uxi Clan’s rogue Xaria prepared to move on the Mother Superior, noting there weren’t any locks on her door.

The night was filled with strange noises from the wildlife that prowled the streets, looking for the scraps that were left from the day’s activities, and Klaus was a little surprised by the freedom the Ri’bot allowed the creatures to have in their city.

He spotted several small rat-like creatures that seemed surprisingly much cleaner than the New York City or L.A. counterparts he’d witnessed.  The soft sea breeze tickled his nose, reminding him of the time he’d spent in Michigan, and a variety of other scenes brought back memories from his old life.

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, between the folds on the sides of his suit coat, Klaus enjoyed the leisurely stroll.  Several watchmen seemed to have set patrol routes, but they only kept an eye on him within their assigned districts.

The Clavex are ripe to be taken advantage of … of course, from everything I’ve been told, the Nalvean economy has increased by quite a bit with the Clavex’s presence.  I can’t imagine the economic department or Nalvean employers would want the Ri’bot to leave or become independent; they have low-wage second-hand citizens that will not only work for below Nalvean wages but also deliver a portion of their goods back through the tax.

Yesenia coming in to disrupt the entire Empire’s economic structure for blind revenge wouldn’t sit right with a lot of the Nalveans, I assume, but I can’t be sure.  Still, the fact she’s working in private with a select group of believers makes it appear that opposition is heavy.

If that’s correct, then it could take a while for Yesenia to consolidate enough power to take control.  Wow, such a fun little game … I feel like an American spy during the Cold War.  My new life is certainly not boring.

He entered the alleyway leading to the side door to Kolira’s assembly building, staring up at the sky with a smile on his lips; the scuffle inside had just eased.

You have to love it when a plan is flawlessly executed.

Walking through the doors, he caught Welix carrying out the unconscious guard that had been on duty, placing her by the wall; she’d been given a high dose of a common sleeping agent that would have caused her to overdose had not the Mother Superior been able to purge enough of the medication to curb the ill effects.

Kolira looked a bit tired after the healing she’d been forced to rush, but the addled state of her mind had been taken into consideration, and his vision lingered on the sleeping form of Elluinara.  He expected she would awake soon but needed to be sure; it had been a calculated risk, but a lot of anticipated information hinged on her stability.

“Mother Superior, how is Elluinara?”

The elderly Ri’bot’s vision lifted to appraise him, breathing heavily.  “Ambassador Klaus … I appreciate the Supreme Chief’s intervention; it allowed me to save my daughter.”  Her eyes fell to the limp form of the fierce creature.  “Elluinara will be waking soon.”

“Excellent news.  Might I suggest we move to a more … secure location, somewhere that we can be certain no one would expect?”  He turned his gaze to Camellia with a curious hum, glancing over the struggling assassin.  “I have a lot of things to discuss with our rogue Xaria.”

Camellia giggled.  “He tried to run.”

“Mmh, he was pretty fast,” Iona mused.  “I’m a little surprised how sharp he was for a rogue Xaria in a peaceful area.”

Welix returned through the doorway, eyeing their prisoner.  “He stopped struggling?  Wise choice to conserve energy.”

The Ri’bot glared at them, his cold, calculating eyes centered on him, likely identifying him as the mastermind of the ambush.

Klaus folded his hands behind his back.  “Just be a little patient,” he stated, addressing the assassin.  “I have no intention of putting a knife in your chest.  No, we have much to discuss, and can’t we be civil about such things?  After all, I might be able to make use of your particular skill set.”

“What?”  Iona, Welix, and Kolira gave him a shocked expression while the assassin’s brow furrowed with silent thought.

“You cannot be serious!”  Kolira growled, struggling to her feet.  “He tried to kill my daughter!  No … he tried to kill me, the Mother Superior!”

“Please, Your Holiness,” Klaus replied in an even tone, “allow me the opportunity to change your mind, but first, a secure location would be the best option.”

Iona and Welix glanced at each other with weak shrugs.

On the other hand, the Mother Superior’s thankful expression had turned into a brooding glare, but she relented after glancing at Camellia.  “... My Head Warrior, Lumicra, will be here shortly … we can go to his residence.”

“It is decided,” Klaus chuckled.

Elluinara awoke minutes before the Head Warrior; the female Nalvean had instantly gone on-guard upon seeing Camellia, noticeably shaken by the level of danger she sensed from the Thélméthra princess.

Kolira managed to keep their questions at bay, urging for the location change, and the ambassador silently followed behind the party as they exited; Camellia hid along the rooftops, keeping their prisoner out of sight.  The assassin was dragged through the air, suspended by Camellia’s hair, mouth gagged shut with web.

The Head Warrior guided them down streets between patrols, knowing the paths, and not one Ri’bot was awake in the areas they moved, all sleeping for tomorrow’s early workload.

Along their journey, Klaus silently laughed at the lighthearted jokes passed between Iona and Welix while Camellia questioned him internally about some of the contexts.

Elluinara wouldn’t stop glancing up, searching aimlessly for the Spider Sister while Kolira and Lumicra whispered about the current situation.

The house was quite the spectacle compared to Nadraca’s humble single-room building; Lumicra’s living space had four rooms on the first floor and two on the upper level.  By the Ri’bot standards he’d seen, Lumicra had a mansion.

Stopping out front, he said, “Camellia, take our guest to a room with comfortable chairs.  I’ll join you after speaking to our humble patron, Lumicra, for allowing us to use his home.”

Camellia shrugged, not finding anything odd with the request since he’d already explained the plan to her.  “Okay.”  However, she communicated through the Nexus her transformation would be ending soon.

On the other hand, the others gave him questioning stares.

Once Camellia had moved to the left backroom, Klaus turned to address the Nalvean and four Ri’bot.  “Iona, Welix, if you two could scout the nearby jungle, then that would be wonderful.  Be as careful as you can, but memorize anyone you see skulking in the shadows.”

Iona grinned.  “Easy!”

“Ugh … spy work is not my forte,” Welix mumbled.

“Perfect,” Klaus chimed.  “You can use yourself as bait to lure people out for Iona.  I’m sure you two can properly defend yourselves if issues arrive and prioritize identifying an individual and retreat.  Camellia can always track them later; we just need to know where to look.”

Welix sighed.  “... We’ll get on it.”

The two raced off, Iona giggling as Welix mumbled something about her acrobatic flexibility.  The other three kept silent, but by their body posture, they were unsettled about the situation.

Klaus cleared his throat, addressing Kolira.  “Your Holiness…”

The Mother Superior scratched her wrinkled forehead with a low growl.  “Just call me Kolira, Ambassador … I understand you’re being respectful; it is tiring.”

“Of course,” Klaus promptly replied.  “Kolira, I understand that what I am about to do might put you on edge, but I ask that the three of you,” he stated while gesturing at Elluinara, Laurina, and Kolira, “remain silent and listen carefully.  I am here on behalf of the Supreme Chief of the Pits, and I have several assignments I must complete.  All will become clear in time.”

Elluinara’s left hand clamped around her right wrist, seemingly trying her best not to slide it up to scratch her arm.  “Umm … Ambassador Klaus, correct?”

“Klaus is my name,” he replied with an encouraging smile.  “Ambassador is the position given to me by Empress Elinor.”

“... Right, umm … what is that other human?  I haven’t felt … I can’t stop shaking if I focus on her.  I heard … my mother says she’s a Great Chief?”

“Mmh,” Klaus’s head tilted to the side as he cupped his chin.  “We can have a discussion on that in a bit, but what you’re sensing is probably the difference in strength.  Camellia is very powerful; although, she is the weakest of her family.”

“Family?”  Kolira asked, eyes widening while glancing at the house.

“By the Ancestors,” Laurina whispered, keeping a low profile while dissecting the conversation.  “How many?”

Klaus’ tone turned apologetic.  “I’m afraid we don’t have time for that at this moment.  Please, stay silent, think about what you want to ask me, but wait until I am finished.  Are you three content with that?”

They all hesitantly accepted the request.

Walking inside, Klaus kept a cheery atmosphere while entering the house, sharp eyes scanning the space.  The other three followed after, settling down in the front left room that appeared to be for entertaining everyday guests while the back left was for special visitors.

Well, isn’t this the civilized abode … quite the unique designed furnishings, as well?  How would our Head Warrior afford such things?  This dual society becomes more interesting by the hour.

Entering the cozy room, Klaus moved to sit on an octagon-shaped chair with a large section cut out at the base, presumably allowing Nalvean tails to exit.  The fabric was smooth as silk; although, the padding could have used some give.

Crossing his legs, Klaus settled in.  “Camellia, if you could please ungag our guest?  We have much to discuss.”

Camellia’s hair extended, holding the creature in front of her appraising eyes.  “Hmm … should I sit him down, too?”

“That would be wonderful.”

The flaming red-head placed the suspicious assassin across from him before her hair unwound, returning to her back to hang down to her calves.  “I’ll be around,” she giggled as half her hair seemed to cut evenly, falling to the floor, and the girl turned transparent to Klaus, vanishing before the Ri’bot’s eyes.

“How…”  He glanced around, rubbing his arm absently.  “That … is a terrifying creature,” he mumbled.

Klaus patiently waited for the Ri’bot to check his surroundings, shifting uncomfortably on his chair.  After a moment, his vision moved to Klaus, sitting comfortably with his legs crossed, elbows on the armrest.  “... What is … this?  I can sense the three others in the house, but that other … thing is … no, I bet it’s still around, isn’t it?”

The Ambassador took a deep breath before releasing a short chuckle.  “Camellia is scouting around the building.  We wouldn’t want anyone learning of your connection to us, would we?”

“... Connection?”  He mumbled, taking a deep, calming breath.  “I’m a little confused … friend.  Could you tell me what you are, to begin with?  I don’t want to be rude, but … I have never seen anything like you.”

Klaus nodded with a tolerant tone.  “Completely understandable.  Your people call me a Great Chief; although, my talents lie in a different area than Camellia.  Have you not wondered how I can speak your language so freely?”

“... Now that you mention it, it is kind of unsettling how naturally you speak the Ri’bot common tongue.  I heard what the Mother Superior told Laurina … is it true, has Supreme Chiefs come down from the Heavens?”

Klaus’ blue eyes casually shifted around the strangely decorated room, lingering on what he assumed was Nalvean decorations by the similarity to the objects he’d seen on the towns they passed.  “We both know you care nothing for the old traditions.”

“Huh…”  The assassin’s tongue slid out to press against his bloodied teeth, marked by his struggles to get free, biting into his lower lip.  “Well … I mean, I haven’t really prayed for some time, but, uh … I could be persuaded.”

“Hehe,” Klaus focused on the Ri’bot again.  “You see, this is why I think you’ll be a valuable asset.  What is the handle you go by?  I can’t believe you’d use the name from your former Clan with how intelligent you are.”

“Ah … I thought it might turn out like this.”  The Ri’bot’s nervousness of Camellia swiftly faded while getting more comfortable.  “You can call me Kojax for business purposes.  Hmm … what kind of deal do you have with the Mother Superior?  The Nalveans are willing to pay quite handsomely for her head, but I assume you already knew that since you foresaw my arrival.”

Klaus’ features didn’t change.  “... Kojax, what if I were to tell you that the Nalveans that contracted you had … met an untimely end within the jungle after meeting with you?”

The Ri’bot’s lips twisted into a smile.  “I’d be skeptical had I not seen that creature you call Camellia, but … I’d say you did me a service.  Nothing is tying me to the Mother Superior’s assassination attempt.  You actually offed both Nalveans?  Uniqualix and Ulikajuno?”

“You’re mistaken,” Klaus replied.  “There were three Nalveans involved in that attempt, and over a dozen potential contractors scouted before you were selected.”

Kojax’s vision narrowed, jaw popping to the side for a moment.  “Wait … you killed the Nalvean that gave them orders?”

“A simple task, really.  Uniqualix and Ulikajuno’s overseer was drained of blood, packaged, and hidden for transport long before you were approached for this job.”

The confidence in Kojax’s posture faltered upon hearing the information.  “... A ranking member of the Nalvean’s Shadow Hand?  If he’s gone missing, then … questions will be asked.”

“I’m counting on it,” Klaus replied, calmly folding his fingers in his lap.  “You weren’t sent to kill Elluinara, were you?”

The question seemed to catch Kojax off-guard.  “Who is that?  It sounds Nalvean … the Seaweaver?  No, that was just some girl in the way.”

“Interesting,” Klaus hummed.  “What is the Shadow Hand?  If you posed the name Nalvean before it … are there multiple branches throughout the races?”

Kojax grinned.  “Before we get into any of that … what am I being offered?”

Both of their lips fell as Kolira growled, “A painless death…”  Heard from the other room.

Klaus laughed it off.  “What is being offered?  Tell me, what was the Nalvean Shadow Hand’s price.  It must have been pretty substantial for a job like this.”

“Of course,” Kojax stated with a smirk.  “Half payment upfront with the promise of deeds to a southern Nalvean land by the ocean.  Enough Red Gems to make this house look like a swamp, two-thousand, to be exact.”

The three listeners in the next room seemed to choke at the information, but Klaus knew better; based on what Camellia had seen, if he had received half of the payment upfront, then it was no more than a hundred total.

Klaus gave no indication that he was impressed.  “I believe you’re underselling your talents.  Monetary value like gems lose their worth; no, what you really want is power, correct?  Why would you settle for a small piece of land when you could rule an Empire, hoarding those riches for yourself?”

Kojax expression went blank.  “... What are you talking about?”

“Have you seen the Nalvean palace?”

“... Yes, well, not close … Ri’bot can’t enter that area of … wait … you’re that you’d give me the whole Nalvean Empire if I do … do what?  You have to be … even a joke is … hmm…”

Klaus’ lips didn’t fall as he delivered each sentence with utter confidence.  “I’ll repeat myself, would you wish to have a small plot of second-rate land … or the entire plot?”

“I’d … how can you do that … why would you do that?  This just sounds like you’re reaching!”

“Reaching, you say?”  Klaus hummed with an amused smirk while rising to his feet.  “Kojax, this is a limited-time opportunity that I’m offering you.  Think carefully … how powerful are the Ques’ká?”

The Ri’bot’s dubious expression fell in a second as he mentioned the renowned race.  “... You have the support of the Ques’ká?  That’s … but, the treaty…”

“What land lies east of here?”

“... The Ques’ká’s territory.”

“Are they not prepared for war?”

“... Always,” a lump dropped down Kojax’s throat as the web Klaus was spinning played into imaginary forces marching across the Nalvean Empire.

Walking to a nearby shuttered window, Klaus opened it to stare outside; there was a decent view of the Nalvean capital city from the position.  “Look at it, Kojax.  Are the Nalveans prepared for a full-scale war?”

Kojax hesitantly moved to join him, voice becoming hoarse.  “... If the Ques’ká attack … there’s no saving the Nalvean Empire.”

“Not entirely true,” Klaus mused.  “I have plans already in motion within this Empire, and there is a place for someone like you, Kojax.  Of course, that is if you have access to certain information I require.  Are you willing to take hold of the shining opportunity I’m presenting you with?

“I don’t have another candidate with your particular web of contacts; I’d be more than willing to offer you things much greater than pretty stones.  Think about it; Nalveans, licking your feet, competing with one another to grovel before you in hopes they receive just a shred of mercy, or … you can join them.”

The rogue Xaria shivered, sweat breaking out of his pores while imagining the destruction he illustrated, and he swallowed a lump in his throat, jaw locking.  “I…”

He trailed off, vision meeting Klaus’ glowing blue irises; the Inquisitor sent a wave of impending dread through the Ri’bot’s mind.  Kojax was a competent Xaria, but Klaus had managed to seed an event in the warrior’s mind that shook him to the core.

“War is coming, Kojax.  Will you be by my side … or the Nalveans?”

Kojax’s frame began to quake as Camellia appeared in the empty street, turning while showing her vicious fangs, multiple red eyes glowing in the night.  She took several silent, blurred steps forward before vanishing by leaping onto the roof, causing the Ri’bot to fall on his butt.  “I ... wh-what do I need to do?”

“Good,” Klaus smiled.  “First, I need to know everything about the Nalvean underworld and tell me more about this Shadow Hand.  Once we are finished, you’ll guide me to every one of your contacts in the Ri’bot criminal empire … we have a lot of work to do and a network to commandeer.”

“W-What was that?”  Kojax shivered, voice trembling while still picturing the giant spider; sweat slicked his skin.

“That creature you just saw?”  Klaus chuckled.  “You know what she was.”

“It’s … impossible.”

“Oh, we both know that’s not true.  So, you’ll cooperate?”

“... Whatever you need.”

“Wonderful.  We’ll start right away; real warfare is won outside the battlefield.  Now,” he gestured to a chair, “let’s solidify your loyalty to the cause, shall we?”

They moved back to their seats, Kojax spilling everything he knew about the Shadow Hand, a criminal empire, operating in the shadows between all the major races, started during the war against the Quen’Talrat.

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