Chapter Text
My heels clacked against the metal walls as I raced through the ship’s halls to the communication room. Slaine is right beside me matching my stride perfectly, his expression as serious as mine. My guards were ahead and behind dutifully making sure no one got in our way.
“Status On Legend!” My voice barked out.
Slaine looked at his slate quickly before looking back up as we did a sharp turn around the corner. “Still on the line, it seems he’s being patient. But he’s still saying he’ll only talk to you or some form of upper leadership. Princess, might I suggest that we assign a general or myself to see what he wants?”
I'm quiet for a few moments then take a quick look at Slaine and he’s staring back with his silver eyes awaiting an answer. I considered it for a moment before denying it anymore with a shake of my head. “No, Legend is one of the top heroes in the world, he called us most likely knowing that.”
We stop in front of a large door which begins to open. “I see…I will respect your opinion on it Princess. “ Slaine said, ending with a bow.
We walked into the communication room once the door was open. The best way to describe it is organized chaos flashing lights here and there with communication officers talking into their mics and officers running around handing out information on data slates. But the thing that has my attention is the black and red hologram in the middle of the room with text scrolling around it.
It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots. The two guards in front of me slam their feet together and make way for me and Slaine.
“Princess on deck!” The deck goes silent and all look at me for a brief second before kneeling, those that were sitting fell out of their chairs to kneel.
“At ease. Someone connect me to Legend.” my voice called out.
One of the senior officers near the terminal stumbled up and quickly pressed some buttons before the red hologram turned blue and featureless and stood in front of me.
Slaine stepped up and said “You speak to the first princess of the Vers Empire, Heir to the throne, Princess Taylor Vers Rayvers san Hebert! You will speak with respect and address her by her title!”
I blinked surprised as Slaine said it at all without a fumble in one breath. I stood there with bated breath waiting for a response. For a moment or two, I swear he wasn’t going to say anything but then cackling came from the hologram. “I’m the leader of the 1st protectorate protection force and veteran hero Legend. I greet the Princess of the Vers Empire.”
I stepped past Slaine and I looked at the program where its eyes should be. “How did you even contact us, Legend? It’s impossible to contact us with your current equipment and you can’t steal ours.” I clasp my hands in front of my dress while awaiting his answer.
To my surprise, he answered sooner than last time. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you the specifics but a talented cape of ours was able to think of something.”
“I see, what did you wish to discuss?”
“I wish for there to be talks of negotiation.”
“Negotiation?”My eyes widened at that it hadn’t even been a full year and then wanted to negotiate now.
“Yes, we want to make a non-hostility pact with you, in person.” I narrowed my eyes at that last part but let it slide.
“So you want to negotiate when you realize that you’re going to lose.”
“I-ah that’s not my call but yes.” I started pacing around the room looking at the unchanging hologram, as I moved everyone gave me a wide berth.
“Let me ask you a question. How many people must I kill before your people realize that they should’ve surrendered rather than throw lives away?” Legend was quiet for a few moments after that.
“This…was not my choice, if I was able to make such a decision I would’ve immediately started negotiations. Please, believe me, I want this war to end. Nothing good has come out of it.” Even through the crackly speaker, I can hear the emotion in his voice.
“I don’t want this war to happen either but humanity can’t be left to govern itself.”
“...What?”
“You’ve seen it yourself Legend Moord Nag, The Nine, Ellisburg, all of these are humanity's mistakes. We can’t let humanity make any more mistakes. As such, I’m going to conquer the earth and craft a world where these mistakes won’t happen. Where I didn’t happen.”
I said the last part under my breath although Slaine seemed to have picked up on it due to the look he gave me. ‘That will be a talk later.’
Legend seemed to sputter loud enough that his mic picked up on it, “What you’re doing is just mindless death! You still have the chance to stop it now before hundreds of millions-billions die! Are you saying you’re willing to condemn that many people to death just for some ridiculous goal!”
“Ridiculous? RIDICULOUS!?!?! WHAT I’M OFFERING IS A WORLD WHERE TRIGGERS AREN’T COMMON WHERE HEROES AREN’T NEEDED. YOU ARE A FOOL LEGEND-!.” My voice starts to break as I finish yelling.
“I challenge you, Legend. To a war of Ideals, I will show you the world I will craft. You will show me the world you’re trying to save. If you convince me I will not only stop the war but I will allow myself to be charged with war crimes.” The communication hall was silent outside the pips and beeps of the computers and various communication instruments.
It was probably a minute but it felt like a year until Legend answered. “I accept. I will show you this world and why it doesn’t need your corrupt version of saving. Then you will hand yourself in and get rid of your trips in full.”
“If I win I want you to join my new world Legend. You'd be one of the pioneers, a key figure in pushing humanity further.”
“Deal.”
“Deal.” I mimicked. The communication was cut off and the room was silent. “We know you will succeed in your endeavors Princess!” A guard shouted.
“ “We know you will succeed in your endeavors Princess!”” the room echoed. I nodded and motioned for Slaine to follow me. We had work to do.
Legend
I clicked the cut-off communication button and the holographic table in front of me flickered back to how it was before I started the call. I rubbed my face through my mask and sighed heavily. My mind was a whirlwind. Anger, Confusion, Hope, everything wrestled inside me. The thought of a one-world government is foreign to me. The thought of working under one that would more than likely be oppressive disgusts me.
I say my goodbyes to everyone before leaving the bunker. I would usually do my report immediately afterward but I have a feeling that I need an advantage if I want to convince Taylor to come in willingly and not destroy the world order. I started flying in a random direction making sure to be far from any cameras or people even though the bunker was already pretty isolated. I landed softly on the grass and admired the view for a second before I opened my mouth.
“Door.”