Origins: The Absolute

Chapter 18: The Summons

In the cold, sterile expanse of the Zel'Raeth Quorathian's command chamber, the other Twelve Sigils knelt in a semicircle, their heads bowed in reverence. Their varied garbs, now signifiers of their immense powers, glimmered subtly under the stark lighting. Korixso, towering and imposing, stood slightly ahead of them, his back straight and eyes fixed forward. The air crackled with tension and anticipation as they awaited the arrival of a figure whose very presence demanded such a display of submission.

A shimmer of light heralded the entrance of the unnamed figure. Cloaked in a long, flowing robe that seemed to absorb the surrounding light, the figure moved with an ethereal grace, each step sending ripples through the fabric that hinted at a form both majestic and unknowable. A hood obscured the figure’s face, leaving only the faintest glint of eyes that burned with a cold, authoritative light.

The silence in the room deepened as the figure came to a stop before them. With an air of effortless command, the figure spoke, the voice a resonant blend of curiosity and quiet power.

"Korixso," the figure intoned, the voice echoing softly against the metallic walls, "have you found the Absolute among your thirteen?"

Korixso stepped forward, inclining his head respectfully. His voice, deep and resonant, filled the chamber. "Your Grace, I believe I have. Our Thirteenth, who is currently recovering on her homeworld, shows immense potential. Her abilities are unparalleled among the others."

The figure’s eyes, barely visible beneath the hood, seemed to pierce through Korixso, evaluating the weight of his words. "Earth," the figure mused, referring to the planet by its common name. "This 13, you are certain she is the one?"

Korixso nodded solemnly. "Yes, Your Grace. Her control over her aura and her recent activation of what she calls Divergence indicate a power that transcends the others. She has proven capable of stabilizing immense energy and even manipulating the core of her planet. I believe she is the Absolute."

A faint smile touched the figure’s lips, a gesture almost lost in the shadows of the hood. "Interesting," the figure murmured, a note of satisfaction in the tone. "You have done well, Korixso. However, to ascertain her true potential, she must be brought before me."

The figure’s gaze swept over the kneeling Sigils, each one a pinnacle of their own extraordinary abilities, yet now humbled before this enigmatic presence. "Bring me your Thirteenth," the figure commanded, the words carrying the weight of an unchallengeable edict.

Korixso straightened, his eyes gleaming with determination. "It shall be done, Your Grace. She will be brought here immediately."

The figure inclined their head, a gesture of approval that seemed to ripple through the very air. "Please bring here to me, High General. The Absolute must be confirmed, and if she is the one, our plans may advance to a new stage."

With a final, inscrutable look, the figure turned, the cloak flowing behind in a cascade of darkness. The light shimmered once more as the figure vanished, leaving behind an atmosphere charged with anticipation and the echo of their command.

Korixso turned to the Sigils, his expression hard and resolute. "12, 1," he called, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. The two Sigils rose, their movements precise and disciplined.

"You are to retrieve 13 from Earth," Korixso instructed, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "Bring her to me here, at once."

Xilon; 12 and 1 exchanged a glance, a shared understanding passing between them. This mission was more than a simple retrieval; it was a crucial step in confirming Aza’s role within the Empire's grand design.

With a single synchronized statement “It will be done, High General.”  They turned and made their way to the ship's departure bay, their minds focused on the task ahead. As they moved with purpose, the flagship remained in its steady orbit around Earth, a silent sentinel overseeing the planet below.