Timeless Assassin

(Outer Orbit, Floating Marble Palace of the Su God, Somewhere within Su Family Controlled Space)

The stars drifted silently around the floating asteroid, where a massive white marble palace sat like some overbuilt shrine to ego.

This was the domain of the Su Clan's founder. Their protector God. And no one apart from the acting Su Family Patriarch was allowed to step foot here without permission.

Su Tang walked forward alone, his boots thudding against the smooth white floor as the palace doors creaked open by themselves.

It was the first time in five years he had set foot on this floating slab of rock, and somehow the place still smelled like old incense and arrogance, exactly like what he remembered it to be during his last visit.

He walked through the long corridor in silence, his footsteps echoing faintly across the empty marble, at the end of which stood a throne, pure white at first glance, but closer inspection revealing faint veins of scorched black running through it, a remnant of how it had been forged.

Melted from the bones of Su Ren's enemies.

And now, the Su God himself sat on it, one leg lazily resting over the other, golden eyes half-lidded as he waited for his son to arrive.

*Step*

*Step*

Su Tang finally reached the base of the throne, came to a halt, and without hesitation, bowed from the waist, his hands placed firmly behind his back.

"I greet my father and the originator of the Su Clan."

The man on the throne barely moved.

"Rise, Patriarch Su Tang."

The voice was calm but sharp. The kind of voice that made you sit straighter whether you wanted to or not.

Su Tang looked up, meeting the golden gaze of the man before him.

Su Ren.

The progenitor of the Su Clan, The man who had joined hands with Kaelith, Mauriss and Helmuth, to betray the Timeless Assassin.

Su Ren's hair and eyes were the shade of pure gold.

He didn't wear a crown or carry a weapon, but he didn't need to. His entire presence screamed predator. The kind that didn't bark or posture. The kind that watched, waited, and only moved when it was time to kill.

If a lion ever decided to take human form, Su Ren was probably what it would look like, as the man simply had no hint of human emotion or weakness on him.

Just calm judgment and quiet power.

"Father, The Cult Of Ascension seems to be on the move once again.

Our scouting reports confirm that they have set sights on planet Nemo.

As of yet, it doesn't seem like Soron will personally be involved in this conflict, but I'm here to seek your wisdom regarding the same nonetheless," Su Tang said, as Su Ren calmly observed his aura.

"Speak your mind…. I can see in your aura that you're hesitating.

What is it that you really want to say?" Su Ren urged, as Su Tang's eyes widened in surprise.

Aura was one of those things he hadn't mastered yet, despite being a peak Monarch, and hence, he couldn't understand what his father just did here.

"As expected…. Nothing can stay concealed from your eyes," He flattered, before adjusting his tone, and putting forward his real request.

"I know that the six great clans are currently trying to break free from the Universal Government's influence.

And that, we do not wish to ask for help from the Universal Government or any other Clans for this conflict.

But they're still honor bound to come to our aid if we call for them.

And if you permit it, I wish to call them to help us fend off this Cult threat….." Su Tang said, as he bowed deeply after making his request.

"I say this, not because I'm not confident in the Su Clan's ability to keep our borders safe, but because I would rather have their soldiers dying to keep our borders safe, than our own.

Since we are still a part of the Righteous Alliance, why not make the most of it while we can?" Su Tang argued, as Su Ren listened calmly to his words.

"No,"

Su Ren said at last, his voice steady and final, as he rejected Su Tang's proposal without hesitation.

"This entire situation reeks of a trap. Something cooked up by Mauriss the Deceiver to corner the six great clans and drag us back to the negotiating table with the Universal Government. But we won't fall for it.

The biggest mistake I regret making in my life is staying within the Righteous Alliance after the fall of the Timeless Assassin.

Instead, I should have left then, and convinced the leaders of the other great clans to leave with me, instead of us all agreeing to become junior partners under the universal government's rule, with limited autonomy.

For two thousand years, we have followed their laws, obeyed their mandates, and tolerated their presence in our lands.

Now they poach our top talents, make profits off every product we export just because they own the trading union, and collect taxes from us to fund their own personal army.

But no more.

The Cult's return to the universal stage gives us a rare chance to shift the balance. To challenge the status quo and rise as equals, not subjects.

This is not the time to reach out for help.

It is the time to show we don't need protection.

That we can stand on our own. That we can win on our own."

Su Tang lowered his head, lips pressed tight, but made no argument. He knew his father's mind would not change once made. So he simply bowed once more, accepting the verdict.

"I understand."

With that, he turned and walked back down the corridor, footsteps slow but firm, as the weight of what was coming began to settle on his shoulders.

Despite being part of the Righteous Alliance, the Su Family would face this war alone.