The Nexus’ woes finally ceased. Only those involved knew what happened on the Sanctums above. Moons and the Beholders carried suspicion on what occurred. Stars on the otherhand frowned for their bodies interpreted the throes of the Nexus, and in turn the Amalgam.
Distant Stars of the Nexus, whether in the high peaks of the Northern Regions, or in the dense magical woodlands of Spiritas turned to the direction of the pale Axis Mundi, sensing the disturbance of the Amalgam.
One Star, who carried the wings of a dragon and a thick, spiked tail with a fluffy tip detached himself from the audience of a dragon King in the distant Northeastern Region of Drakos. A sea of golden statues depicting the glorious, imposing form of various kings surrounded the beast.
They were the trophies of fallen kingdoms it had conquered and left cherished them greatly within its chamber of treasures. The Dragon itself was vastly powerful. Dragons were already high-level creatures. For one to be recognized as a King meant that they needed to exceed at least 150 levels.
Most were in the 200’s in this Region.
And yet the Star turned his head towards the wall in the direction of the Nexus, blocking out the voice of the King like a CognitO Filter.
“Doth thou dare to keep thy attention off mine?” The red Dragon spoke in a guttural growl.
Its real language was the Tongue of the Dragons.
The origins of the language were enshrouded in mystery. There was a legend that said the first ancestors of the Dragons one day emerged from a great, flaming river found near the Molten Springs east of Caldera. Others believed that humans that drank or ate from the river was what brought such mythical beings into existence.
Of course, that was all but folklore and legend. But those who knew the existence of the Rivers recognized that it held more truth than most tales.
The Star ignored its call. The room quaked as a massive tail slithered to surround the Star, crushing coins of gold in its wake. Even when the tail concealed his vision, the Star did not break his line of sight with the invisible Nexus.
“It’s warm.” He enunciated, boasting about the strange sensation that overcame him. “Lesser things cannot perceive the Nexus like we can, us who have been chosen to shoulder its light and Will.”
“Can thou afford to ignore mine authority?”
“I can. However, your kind cannot ignore ours.” The Star warned, causing the Dragon’s tail to slip away after a faint, glow of light.
That light carried the heat of the sun for a fraction of a second. It was not the first time the Dragon had seen this on display, but it was unexpectedly powerful compared to the previous displays of their power.
Stars of the Nexus were always equal when it came to their powers derived directly from the Nexus. What differentiated them were their previous abilities and experiences.
One could describe how they harnessed power like a ray of light. So long as they were in the Epiderma Layer, then the Nexus could fuel them indefinitely. This was why Stars did not roam in the Subderma or lower, less they wish for their powers to be severely weakened.
Although, they were still able to hold onto reserves of power.
“A valve has been opened unexpectedly. It makes one wonder what goes on within the Nexus. O Amalgam. You are its rightful owner after all.”
“The message should be clear to you.” The Star did not entertain it any further. “Avoid the territory of Caldera Industries, less you wish to be drawn into a war your kind cannot afford. This is a message from Act X. They hoped that the presence of a Star would remind you of the various Heralds you executed for giving you less-pleasing news. It was your kin that signed the contract. Do not forget that.”
“Ignorant Star. When the demands of sacrifice and cannibalism were made, Act X committed transgression against mine kin. Can you blame us for our resent?”
“A few hundred dead for your guaranteed survival. It is not a bad deal. The Amalgam annihilated hundreds of thousands. Cut off an Atelier like a thorn. The Nexus shines ever brighter.”
The Star smiled, reveling in the Amalgam’s ruthlessness. Many Stars carried depraved ideals, such as that they were above many because they were called by the Nexus.
The tragedy of the Nex Megalopolis was largely seen in a celebratory light by the Stars. They perceived it as a necessary process to further consolidate their rightful power and place in this world.
Anything that contributed to the existence of the Nexus was always endorsed by them, no matter how morally twisted it was. The reason being could be boiled down to how it was only the Nexus that reached out for them, and so they followed it like moths to a flame.
“Something came ashore that day.” He continued. “Had your kind been there… I need not go into the details. We can both agree that Act X directly saved you. I will part with you with this warning.”
He turned his back to the Dragon and made his graceful exit.
“Pay what is owed, or there will be no hands left to pay. Generations thereafter will be swallowed by the pride of their Kings, and cursed blood of their fathers.”
“Will you Stars begin banishing entire populations to the Subderma? As you did before the First Advent?”
“I’d be inclined to, but I am no Iron Star. I have no chains that bind me, neither do I have the ability to traverse through the Thresholds like them. It is unneeded for a Star that roams these heights. Heed Act X’s warning.”
“When their members are weak enough to be felled by a single breath?”
The Star then chuckled sanctimoniously.
“That is the difference between you and the Beholders, dare I compare you to the Amalgam. All things have inherent meaning. They did not die for no reason. A hundred thousand did not perish without cause. And millions do not suffer because it is simply the nature of the world.”
His words resounded within the chamber. It echoed further even after he disappeared, leaving the Dragon king behind with only his thoughts.
“There is no telling whether the Nexus is a rot that must be removed or not. Such ambiguities make this all the more difficult.” The Dragon brooded.
His emotions stewed into an agonizing whirlpool as he contemplated how to move forward.
That was when he suddenly heard a faint ticking.
“Yes, Elysia. I am aware. Mine form does not do me any favors. But still, I must retain it. For the sake of my kind. All of us are the same. Please do not interrupt our thoughts. I have seen what thou hath done to others before.”
With that exchange, the ticking disappeared, but not without him smoldering:
“I would rather perish than for there to be a ‘next time’.”