Chaos Heir



Khan remembered the event as if it were yesterday. He recalled that moment of peace after the deadly sunlight, the bloody efforts to survive, and the many deaths. He couldn't forget that well-deserved break from Nitis' catastrophe and what it meant for his feelings and life. The flat dome at the bottom of the circular gorge replaced the scene in Khan's vision. He relived his first real interaction with the Niqols' technology and his meeting with Liiza's Great-grandmother. Her glowing scarlet eyes were still vivid in his memory, as was the presence she generated.

Liiza's Great-grandmother's aura was denser than the evolved soldier's. She had also filled an entire gorge with it, and something told Khan that the white woman couldn't accomplish a similar feat.

A tinge of regret invaded Khan. Recognizing an evolved warrior had confirmed his hunches about Liiza's Great-grandmother, but his senses had been nothing more than tricks back then. He couldn't learn much from such a lucky encounter, so his comparisons were mostly superficial.

Yet, the current inspection remained extremely useful. Khan could finally study an evolved soldier, obtaining answers to questions that had long since afflicted his mind. He couldn't probe too deeply into the white woman, but what he saw was enough to confirm many ideas. 'I'm on the right path,' Khan exclaimed in his mind.

The white woman's mana expanded past her physical figure, basically making her one with the symphony. That was something Khan had learned to do years ago, and the similarities didn't stop there.

The evolved soldier's hair, eyes, and porcelain skin probably resulted from the aided metamorphosis. They were traits gained after a transformation meant to make her body more suitable for her element. Khan had already undergone a similar process, and the blue plants were continuing it.

The white woman's piercing eyes were another similarity. As a human, she was unlikely to have trained her perception, so that ability probably resulted from the evolution, which made sense. Turning into a being closer to the mana was bound to provide a deeper understanding of it, but Khan had already cleared that requirement.

Of course, differences existed. Khan's transformation had happened through the Nak genes, not the chaos element. That species embodied mana, so the effects were relatively similar, but Khan had yet to morph into something more suitable to his specific energy.

Also, Khan's senses and understanding of mana were limited by his level. He knew and saw far more than the average human, but that didn't put him on par with evolved soldiers. He lacked the organs and energy to do so.

Lastly, Khan's ability to control the symphony came from mastering different alien arts. He could expand his presence, but that only was an invasion perpetuated by his natural aura. Khan didn't exist past his physical limitations. He could only imitate that effect.

The differences didn't dishearten Khan. He was actually excited to have finally found those clues. The experience filled him with confidence and a desire to train harder, but other priorities demanded his attention.

"As a sign of gratitude for this experience," Khan announced, ignoring the evolved soldier to approach the last empty seat, "I won't immediately depart. However, know that my interest is running thin."

The evolved soldier understood Khan wouldn't clear her doubts, so she continued her inspection, hoping her senses could provide an answer. The six representatives also glanced at her, curious about her question. Still, no explanations reached their ears.

"What's the reason behind this meeting?" Khan went straight to the point, ignoring the interest in his true nature.

Khan didn't inspect the representatives after uttering his question. Truth be told, even if the invitation had happened earlier than he had expected, its purpose didn't change. Those factions wanted a share of Khan's influence, profits, and products, but he wasn't willing to give them away easily. Khan was actually ready to refuse any offer for now.

The representatives did their best to endure Khan's palpable disinterest. They kept their mouth shut even while he summoned a drink from the circular table. The tournament had given him immense leverage, and his interaction with the evolved soldier had only reinforced his status.

"Prince Khan," The first representative, the brown-haired old man, called. "We have all come here to represent our factions and our Excellencies' wills regarding the family's internal business."

"Excellencies," Khan muttered, sipping his drink. "How does one earn that title? Is it just assigned to the faction leaders?"

The representatives didn't reply and only noted down Khan's enduring disinterest. Still, Khan didn't let the matter go and eyed Prince Thomas, who had long since reached the back of his seat.

"The title mostly is a sign of respect and authority, My Prince," Prince Thomas explained. "However, yes. It is assigned only to faction leaders."

"Should I change my title then?" Khan wondered.

"That usually happens after a few decades of commendable service," Princess Rebecca explained, leaning past the chair's back to smile at Khan. "You will get it earlier, Prince Khan."

"I see," Khan nodded, finally pointing his bright eyes at the representatives. "I guess I'll have to wait a few years to force you to address me properly."

"Is this a game to you, Prince Khan?" The second representative, the old woman, asked. "Establishing a balance among our factions is a priority issue. A fallout is unavoidable otherwise."

"It's a priority for you," Khan corrected. "My faction is doing fine on its own, and I'm sure you know it will do more than fine in a few months."

Khan's reply targeted the main issue. The explanation behind that sudden meeting had never been in doubt. The other factions were aware of the tournament's success, so they wanted to negotiate deals before Khan's leverage became too steep.

"Don't take this as a threat, Prince Khan," The third representative, the black-haired middle- aged man, announced. "The family rules authorize us to enforce a balance. Your insistent refusal to cooperate might eventually send evolved soldiers your way."

"Isn't one already here?" Khan asked, toasting at the white woman. The gesture intensified the displeasure on her expression, but her face remained overall peaceful.

"Miss Christen is here only to ensure our safety," The third representative explained. "I'm afraid authorizing attacks with evolved soldiers is more troublesome but not unheard of." "That sounded like a threat," Khan commented. "I must truly terrify you."

"As promising as you are, Prince Khan," The first representative exclaimed, "Your allies are the terrifying aspect of your rule. You have built your domain under the Thilk Empire's protection. That privileged access borders treason on many levels."

"So, what?" Khan asked. "What's your offer?"

"I must have failed to make myself clear," The third representative stated. "The family rules are clear. We don't have offers. We are giving you options."

"That's a lie," Khan sighed. "Even with her annoying mana clouding this hall, I can see it clearly. At least three of you are willing to join forces with me."

The white woman's mana hindered Khan's abilities, but his eyes still worked perfectly. He saw the representatives' energy, as well as their intentions, and some seemed to like his

behavior.

Of course, that didn't imply a willingness to forge a secret alliance, but Khan didn't need to be correct, either. Everyone knew about his senses, so they took his words for truth. The representatives knew they lacked a joint front, but seeing that façade exposed so easily made them lose the little leverage they thought they had.

"We have handled political matters for longer than you have been alive, Prince Khan," The second representative, the old woman, scoffed. "All of us are intrigued by your assets. Don't

think you can sow division so easily."

"There is no division to sow," Khan revealed. "There are no options, either. You'll get a special price for the supplement and my magic items. Everything else is not yours to request

nor demand."

"That can still be taken," The third representative pointed out.

"No," Khan shook his head. "My alliance with the Empire isn't founded on the Nognes name. It exists because of me, and it will disappear without me." "Many might still see that as a victory," A fourth representative, a relatively young-looking woman, said. "Right now, you might be the biggest threat to our authority, Prince Khan."

"Of course I am," Khan confirmed. "You wouldn't bother playing fairly if I weren't." "The issue stands," The fourth representative continued. "We do not take threats lightly, especially one befriending alien forces. Your existence might eventually put the entire family in danger, so taking care of you can be a wise move."

"Whoever did those calculations miscalculated," Khan announced. "Trying to take me down will definitely put the entire family in danger."

"We have countermeasures for the Thilku Empire's claim over Baoway, Prince Khan," The first representative revealed. "We also have old connections with all the families you planted on the planet. Your early departure would create problems, but we would survive." "That's exactly where you are wrong," Khan exclaimed. "The price for taking me out would

be massive, and you'd only gain my absence from it. There are no prizes waiting for you after

my death."

"Prince Khan," The second representative, the old woman, called. "What are you implying?"

"I'm implying the obvious," Khan said, putting his empty glass away to summon another drink from the table. "I'd burn Baoway to the ground, kill any member of the Nognes family I can reach, and do the same for its allies. I might attack the other nobles, too, since I'm at it."

"You can't expect us to believe you, Prince Khan," The first representative declared. "We know about your recklessness, but you also have much to lose now."

"I can expect you to send your Excellencies to negotiate with me," Khan said. "You waste any more of my time with these empty threats, and I'll show you how far my recklessness can go." "We carry our Excellencies' wills," The third representative pointed out.

"You don't have their faces," Khan chuckled, leaning on the chair's back and putting his feet

on the table. "Go on. The clock is ticking anyway. It won't be long until the threat of evolved soldiers will lose its effect on me."

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