"Stay here long enough," I warned, "and your engines will work harder, not because gravity increases, but because reality thins. Time desynchronizes. Causality frays. Eventually, thrust becomes irrelevant." Daryus stared at the projection. "And if that isn't enough, one or two of your navigators will feel an extreme urge to fly the ship straight into the Dark Abyss' maw.
"You need to move your ship," I finished. "Now. Put distance between yourself and Nox Eternum. Then we can discuss the Cryons."
For a long moment, the emperor said nothing. I could see the calculation in his eyes, the anger, the pride, the unwilling respect. Finally, he exhaled sharply and turned to his aide. "Helm. Increase distance from the Abyss. Gradual withdrawal."
The comm hummed as the order went out. Daryus looked back at me, irritation still burning, but tempered now by something closer to caution. "Zapharos said you were dramatic."
"He's learned to soften his words. I haven't."
The ship shuddered—subtle, but real—as it began to pull away. Only then did I straighten. "Good." Now we could get to the part I was interested in. "Now—about the Cryons."
Emperor Daryus watched me, not with suspicion, but with the careful appraisal of someone measuring how sharp a blade really is before deciding whether to grip it or let it fall.
"This is a courtesy call," I informed him, settling into the chair opposite him without waiting to be invited.
Daryus's mouth twitched. "Courtesy," he echoed.
"Yes. Before I begin operating inside territory you believe is… quiet." His jaw tightened, making me hesitant for only a moment, "You did annihilate the Cryons?"
He corrected me instantly, sharp and precise. "Nocc—no—they were absorbed." The word carried weight. Imperial weight. "Subsumed into our territory. Their fleets were dismantled. Their officers removed. Their operations placed under direct supervision." His voice hardened. "There is a difference, Arkhevari."
I smiled thinly. "Then your supervision is inadequate."
Silence fell between us, heavy with measured offense.
"The Cryons are still trafficking humans," I continued calmly. "And now they have one of my brothers."
"They took an Arkhevari?" Disbelief sharpened his features. "Our records show no sanctioned Cryon activity in any region."
"Then your records are incomplete," I replied. "Or your remnants are disobedient."
"You are suggesting absorbed forces are acting independently." He scoffed.
"I am stating it," I confirmed. "And I'm retrieving him."
"You will not conduct unilateral military action?—"
"I already am," I interrupted. "This conversation is the courtesy."
For a moment, it was nothing but will pressing against will. Emperor versus Arkhevari. An empire measured in centuries standing before something that had existed before measurement was even a concept. Daryus exhaled sharply. "Zapharos said you were arrogant."
"He's grown diplomatic." I waved. "It doesn't suit him."
I felt something… a presence… to distract myself, I added, "I despise diplomacy. And retrieving prisoners is not my vocation.As for Nythor—" I paused as my irritation coiled tightly. "The fool went where he should not have."
As if summoned by the thought, pressure flared behind my eyes. Fragments slipped through my mental wards, jagged, incoherent.Thirty-two over nine—collapse isn't mass—don't extract yet—the wound learned—it's listening?—
I severed the connection with a growl. But something else was still there, lingering and growing stronger.
Daryus gave me a questioning look, and I felt compelled to explain, "Oracle word-vomit," I stated flatly. "Ratios without anchors. Geometry pretending to be prophecy."
Daryus ignored me, since my words probably made as little sense to him as Nythor's did to me. "You're certain the Cryons are involved?"
"I'm certain something wearing their authority is," I replied. "Zapharos saw them, his… Aelyth…" I stumbled over the word, because it wasn't one I thought I would ever use again. "Was sold by the Cryons to the Ohrurs, assisted by the Moggadesh." I glared at Daryus because all three of these species were his responsibility. "I think you need to clean house." I rose. "While I retrieve him, I'll gather intelligence and keep you informed."
He didn't try to hide his fury. It would have been hard to. His archenemy had aligned itself with two races he thought were under his control. He was seething. He needed to be, to clean the corruption in his midst. Grudgingly, he inclined his head, "I'm in your debt." And after a pause, "I'll assign an escort."
I stopped. "Observers?"
