Timeless Assassin

(Planet Vorthas, Central Square, Twelfth Elder's POV)

The Twelfth Elder stood atop a massive twelve-foot-tall stage, with banners of the Dragon's Army, the Cult of Ascension, and the Vorthas Workers Union hanging behind him in the background, as he addressed a crowd of fifty-thousand strong.

The election season was drawing near, and he needed to not only secure the administration rights to Planet Vorthas this cycle, but also hopefully expand to a few more planets, elevating himself from the title of Twelfth Elder to hopefully the Seventh or Fifth.

With his recent surge in popularity, it seemed likely that he could pull this off, and secure the administration rights to at least 3-5 more planets.

"If you people remember," he began, his voice booming through the sound projectors, "I stood side by side with the Dragon when the dastardly snake Dupravel Nuna attacked him…"

The crowd roared in anger at the name, some shouting curses, others shaking their fists in the air.

"I couldn't kill him that day, and yes… he escaped," the Elder continued, his tone dipping for dramatic effect. "But what did I tell you?"

He pointed to the audience, scanning the faces as if searching for someone to answer. "We will capture him, and we will bring him to justice. And did I do it or not?"

The cheer that followed shook the square, chants of his name rising and falling in waves.

After soaking in the noise, he raised both hands for silence, flashing a proud smile. "After thirty-two long years… the Cult has conquered a new planet! We are expanding once more!"

The square erupted again, people stamping their feet and waving flags, the sound echoing off the surrounding buildings.

"But…" he said, letting the word stretch as he leaned forward on the podium, his voice lowering into something almost conspiratorial. "Does our Dragon Army have the best resources? The best training? The best healers?"

A chorus of "No!" rolled back at him.

"That's right. No, they do not," he said, shaking his head slowly. "Because over the past thirty years, we have been too engrossed in our despair to focus on such aspects. Too content with holding ground instead of taking it. Too quick to accept survival instead of demanding victory."

He straightened, slamming a fist against his chest. "But no more! Re-elect me… and I will make sure our Dragon's Army has the best of everything! The finest weapons, the most skilled healers, the most proficient training, so that they may conquer a new planet for us every few months!"

The crowd's roar this time was deafening, flags whipping through the air as the chants of "Lord Twelfth!" thundered through the square.

—---------------

"I think your speech went marvelously well, Lord Twelfth, I think you're the greatest orator I've ever had the pleasure to see speak in my entire life…." Chaosbringer praised once the speech was over and the Twelfth Elder had retreated from the public eye.

"Hahaha, yes, yes, it was one of my better speeches for sure…. The crowd was absolutely electric!" He said, accepting the praise, as he tilted his nose just a tad bit higher.

"What's next My Lord? Which new planet are we visiting next to showcase your magnificent glory... Dodo? Saraf? Morod? Or perhaps…. Tithia?" Chaosbringer suggested, as the Twelfth Elder chuckled at the suggestion.

"Nono, Morod and Tithia are out of question. I may have momentum, but I'm not strong enough to clash with the First or Second Elder directly yet.

The workers unions there are too strong, they won't let me make a public speech on their soil without sending men to disrupt it.

As for Saraf…. Maybe we can have it as our last stop on the campaign trail, but for now let's focus on Dodo.

Planet Dodo is the one place that we are most likely to win elections in as per internal polling," The Twelfth Elder said, as through his words Chaosbringer grasped a new bit of information.

—> The narcissistic Twelfth Elder was scared of offending the First and Second Elders directly.

This was something he made a mental note of, so that he could create a perfect personality model of the Twelfth Elder in the future.

—---------

(Meanwhile, within the Eternal Garden, Kaelith's POV)

The upcoming Cult internal elections were not the only important cosmic event scheduled in the coming months, as the All-Gods summit between all righteous faction gods was also scheduled to take place in a few weeks time.

The sentiment surrounding the event seemed grim, and there seemed to be a strong consensus that the Six Great Clans were planning a rebellion.

"No, no, no, no, no, NO. Do you understand what you're suggesting Mauriss? Have you lost your damn mind?

You want to orchestrate another Great Betrayal?" Kaelith admonished, as just the idea of killing another God made Kaelith feel like he wanted to punch Mauriss in the face.

Unfortunately, Mauriss was not before him today, and the two of them were just conversing over a crystal call.

"Think about it, Kaelith….. It's the classic carrot and stick approach.

We kill one of them.

Dangle some benefits and concessions before the rest of them, and voila, we have a working treaty for another 2000 years." Mauriss explained, as he seemed to be deadset on his idea.

"I don't know, I don't like this. I feel like it's a very volatile idea.

If things don't work out like you want them to, then this may potentially backfire big time." Kaelith said, sounding concerned, as he seemed against taking such a drastic measure.

"It may potentially backfire big time, but it may also broker peace for a long time.

The righteous alliance is built on the backbone of bloodshed and killing the Timeless Assassin.

If we did not do that back then…. Then we wouldn't have such a long lasting peace right now.

You want to rule the universe with an iron fist? You must not be scared to use it to quell rebellion…." Mauriss explained, as he clapped his hands and pointed towards his own forehead.

"Think Kaelith think. It's either this, or we lose control over the Six Great Clans.

Those fuckers are dead-set on making us the enemy now…." Mauriss urged, as finally Kaelith's reserved expression broke.

"I don't know man…. Let's discuss this with Helmuth" Kaelith said as Mauriss instantly waved him off.

"What does that barbarian know about strategy? He'll fight when we tell him to fight." Mauriss countered, as Kaelith let out a long sigh.

*Sigh*

"Mauriss, respectfully, your plans aren't working as well as they used to.

You said that the Cult's attack on Planet Koral will force the Six Clans to come back to the negotiating table with us, but it did not.

Nobody fears the Cult anymore.

We have reduced them to a size where they are no longer a threat that unite us, and we are paying the price for it.

So I hope you know what you're doing this time…. Because surely I don't want to live in an age once again where Gods die like dogs every few years." Kaelith cautioned, as Mauriss chuckled at his words.

"My plans work just fine, Eternal Sovereign.

I said 'It should bring them to the negotiating table'

Emphasis on the 'Should' because I never said 'It will'.

There was always a chance that they've made up their mind to rebel and nothing can change it anymore.

But that's exactly why we need to take a drastic step.

If they want to rebel, they must be ready to pay the price for it!" Mauriss said, as he chuckled like an evil maniac.

"Stop fretting over the small things and start polishing your origin blades…. Soon, they'll need to plunge another god's heart." Mauriss said, before disconnecting the call.