BloodStar

Chapter 93: Ancient Chest

Xenia sat at the desk within the vault in the lower levels of the Holy Light Empire Basilica.

Michael appeared at the entrance; however, Xenia took no note of him as she continued to examine her sword, BloodBane. She then raised it up to admire it, “Finished!”

She carefully placed it on the desk and turned her head, “Hello, Michael. I have just finished upgrading my sword with the materials you so carefully provided for me.”

He smiled and looked to the black obsidian sword hilt, “Upgraded you say? It looks exactly the same to me.”

She gave him a closed-lip smile and simply said, “Looks the same, yes. However, one day soon, you will see that it is far from the same.”

He raised his eyebrows, “Very well. I will await the day to see your upgrades in action then.” He looked around the vault, “Have you found everything to your satisfaction?”

Xenia scowled as she looked around, “These are all valuable items to be sure. However, I have little to no use for most of them. I am disappointed with the family treasures although I suppose I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.”

Michael stood a bit ashamed. They were after all his family treasures. He walked over to a table of items and said, “Yes, I suppose you don’t need healing items. That is what most of these are. And the weapons… I suppose you would find little use for those too. I apologize for the lack of usefulness the vault offers you.”

She shrugged, “I plan to arm my generals with such items. As you are one of them. Please take what you wish.”

Michael nodded, “I will look them over. Thank you, Xenia.”

She then stood and walked over to a black leather trunk. Or at least it had scraps of leather covering a now bare-metal surface with steel straps clenching it shut tightly. She looked at it and said, “I do have one question.”

Xenia sat atop the black trunk and pat it with her hand, “What is in here? I am a powerful bitch, and I couldn’t budge this chest an inch. It has quite annoyed me.”

Michael flinched at the sight with a look of worry.

She took note of his reaction to her sitting on it and gave him a confused look, “Should I be worried?”

Michael motioned with his hand and said, “Get up! Get up!”

He pulled her arm as he lifted her from the trunk and breathed a sigh of relief, “I suppose I should’ve warned you about this item.”

She gave him an interested look, “Go on.”

He stood with her as they gazed at the trunk, “It’s an interesting piece of human history. Or at least I believe it to be human history. The truth is, no one knows quite where it comes from. But there is a legend that surrounds it.”

Xenia gripped his arm with excitement, “A legend! Tell me more.”

He nodded, “Legend has it that the Holy Light Empire was built after a great war between angels and demons. The angels were ultimately victorious and swept the lands clean of demon traces save for one piece that they could not destroy. This chest is rumored to contain the last earthly remains of an item either held by a demon in war or an actual relic of a once living demon.”

Xenia looked to the trunk with curiosity, “So no one knows? Why has no one focused their efforts into opening it?”

Michael replied, “Well. Many have tried. However, my ancestors received a divine image of a great evil pouring out of it. Thus, thousands of years ago, my ancestors built this basilica and this vault for the sole purpose of housing this trunk to keep it safe for eternity. There is no key, there is no way. My advice… keep it shut.”

Xenia gave him a serious look, “I tried with a great deal of my strength to open it. With no luck. Whoever sealed it was incredibly strong.”

Michael laughed, “An angel sealed it. We cannot compete with the powers of angels.”

Xenia laughed with him, “There are no such things as angels and demons, Michael. Only extremely powerful ki users from our past who are depicted as such.” She stood clinging to him and said, “I can tell you one thing about what’s inside this chest, at least.”

He eyed her curiously, “And how would you know anything about what’s inside of that chest?”

She released his arm and said, “There’s blood covering whatever item is within. And that blood is laced with some of the most immense ki I have ever felt in my life. I can only imagine how powerful it would feel to me if it weren’t isolated and concealed.”

Michael gave her a concerned look, “All the more reason to keep it sealed. Forever.”

Xenia smiled and looped her arm through his, “Enough of mysterious ancient objects. What about the present? Walk with me.”

Xenia and Michael began to walk as she clung to his arm like a date doting over her man. Michael began, “The committee has, in principal, agreed to the armistice you proposed. Meaning, there will be no major offenses or assaults… for now.”

She gave an open mouth smile and said, “Why, that’s wonderful! What an accomplished diplomate you are becoming before my very eyes.”

Michael gave a faint smile, “Yes, well it is not all good news. Master Karasu has been officially recognized as a Master and intends to attack from the North when called upon. Furthermore, within our own borders, Jarek plans to contact Nathaniel Jackson and Solomon Bautista to tap them to offer support from the South against you. They can and will stir up political turmoil within our nation, and they have quite the military resources too.”

Xenia nodded, “It seems I will need to pay them both a visit sooner than expected. Is that all?”

Michael hesitated, “Not exactly.”

She stopped before entering the main cathedral and said, “What is it?”

He then finally said, “Jarek plans to have Jacek lead a covert incursion onto BloodStar lands to rescue Peter during the armistice.”

Xenia laughed to herself, “What a crazy idea. My mother would be furious. They wouldn’t make it onto land even. They would be dead in the water.”

Michael nervously laughed, “Yes, well I told them that. However, they – rightfully so – suspect I may not be loyal to their cause, and it was suggested I prove my loyalty by arranging to have Empress Victoria visit the Holy Light Empire. Draw her out so to speak for the sake of the rescue.”

Xenia put her hand on his cheek and said, “I think that’s a great idea Michael. Consider it done. Tell them my mother will be away from her castle in 3 days. We wouldn’t want to give them too much time to prepare would we?”

Michael breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank you, thank you Warlord BloodStar! You have my assurance that the rescue will go according to their plans. King Ramses and Queen Zara are providing detailed plans of the dungeons and castle.”

Xenia laughed, “I hope it does go to plan. I can use this foolish maneuver to my great advantage.”

Michael furrowed his brow, “What do you mean? This is largely a plot to secure my loyalty and trust to the other side. How will you use it?”

She ran her finger up to his lips and said, “Shhh. Leave that to me.”

She then said, “But if I am going to be giving away my favorite toy all for the sake of a larger plan…” She ran her finger down his chest and continued, “I am going to need a new toy to play with.”

He began, “Warlord BloodStar, I-“

She pushed him back and into a confession booth against the wall. The two fell into the dark closeted booth with rays of light shining in, and she said, “How many times do I have to tell you? It’s just Xenia to you.”

She began to kiss him as she pushed him into the seat straddling his waist and grinding up against his body passionately. “You’ve done so well for me. I want to reward you. Can I?”

He kissed her in return, and in between kisses managed, “Yes, please Xenia. Reward me as you see fit.”

She kissed his neck up and down, “As I see fit? I see both pain and pleasure to be fitting.” She smiled and began to ravenously kiss his face as the two began to make love within the church.

After a solid 30 minutes within the booth, Xenia alighted from it wearing her all-black leather outfit. Her hair was completely disheveled. One look and anyone could’ve guessed what she had been up to.

However, undeterred, Xenia pushed through the adjacent double doors to enter the cathedral. She walked into a hall of loud cheers as commoners from around the empire lined up to see her.

She gracefully walked with her arms out and a huge smile on her face as she addressed the crowd, “I am so sorry to keep you waiting! I am thirty minutes late, I know. But your wait will be well worth it!”

She sat atop a throne at the head of a large staircase and called out, “Come forth! I will heal any and all ailments for the next thirty minutes.” She then put her hand to her chin and said, “Actually, make that the next hour for my tardiness.”

The people cheered in awe of her generosity as she welcomed the first commoner with a broken leg and infected knife wound from being robbed. The commoner held a 4-year-old girl by her side and said, “Please, Warlord BloodStar. Do not heal me. Heal my daughter who was injured during a robbery. She was stabbed several times for no reason. Doctors have stabilized her; however, she will never live a normal life. That is all I want for her.”

Xenia held her hand up, “Don’t be foolish. You are both my people. You will both be healed.”

Xenia held out a hand of healing aura, and the citizens lining the cathedral aisle cheered as the healing began. She was their new savior.