The Xhanria Saga

It was a cold bitter day on Amacerion. It wasn’t the kind of planet you’d choose to visit. Being so far from the nearest sun meant the place was in a permanent twilight. It was a cold unforgiving place, mainly mountainous. The towering peaks were covered in ice and snow, with howling winds that can tear the very soul out of you.

Chariad had not had a choice about living on Amacerion. He was one of the Immortals who had fought the Vhakana Alliance in the last battle. The Alliance had ruled this sector of the galaxy with ruthless indifference. The two smaller planets of Apherius and Roerchon were the first to join the Alliance. They then persuaded two more planets to sign, Vhargus, and Iaxima. Lyaskar, Amacerion and Egria chose to take a stand and remain neutral. But Xhanria was the world the Alliance desired control of the most for the knowledge stored in its vast library. It was the home of the Immortals, a place of legend to many.

They never even managed to land on the planet. In fact, they never found it. The Immortals had used their combined power to make the planet invisible to anyone but themselves. Then they took the battle to the Alliance. It wasn’t a hard battle for the Immortals to win. But they had paid the price for victory. Never had the galaxy witnessed the unleashing of such power. But as dictated by the Ancient Laws, many of the Immortals had to sacrifice themselves for peace.

Those who had survived, like Chariad, were scattered across the galaxy. He did not know how many there were. Despite the fact that the Immortals are very powerful psychics, a part of the sacrifice was the severing of the link that held them all together.

It was after the last battle that he had found Amacerion. Badly wounded and barely able to pilot his craft, he had landed near an isolated village. One person had come to his aid, Marcaius, and had remained loyal to Chariad. Because of the close bond that had developed between them, Chariad had offered Marcaius the gift of immortality. And they became bound together as brothers.

Not once during the time after he landed on Amacerion had Chariad thought to find out what, if anything, was left of his home world.

Chariad gathered his cloak around his shoulders and pulled the hood over his head. Nothing seemed to keep out the relentless cold. At first sight, he appeared almost ghost like. Tall and slightly built with long flowing grey hair, and striking angular features. Always immaculately dressed, his ghostly appearance emphasised by the grey uniform he wore out of respect for those he’d lost. Chariad possessed powers gifted to him by the Universe itself.

He made his way to the Central Department, another pointless meeting he had to attend. Marcaius was waiting for him, they went inside and through to the main chamber. As usual when Chariad attended the meetings, everyone stood up as he entered the room. Removing his cloak, he took his seat next to Marcaius and waited for the proceedings to start.

The leader of the Department, Rthalus got to his feet.

“We have had another request from the Vhakana Alliance to join them. I know we have opposed it in the past, but we have to look at the current state of Amacerion. Trade has suffered by taking a neutral stance. Other worlds that are part of the Alliance have thrived. Is it not time to reconsider our position?”

Everyone looked at Chariad, expecting a response. But he remained seated. He knew this would be fiercely debated, and the usual conclusion reached that Amacerion would remain neutral. So he saw little point in stating his opinion again. Marcaius tapped Chariad on the arm.

“I’ll do that at regular intervals to make sure you’re still awake”

He grinned at Chariad.

As the debate progressed, Chariad started to sense a change in the consensus of opinion. Those who had been strongly opposed were starting to be swayed towards joining the Alliance. Reluctantly he got to his feet, the room fell silent, everyone turned to face him.

“I understand why some of you may feel that joining the Alliance will improve the financial status of Amacerion. But don’t forget, there will be a price to pay. You will be required, as part of the Alliance, to have one member from the council on Vhakana present at all meetings. And although they will not have the right to affect the running of Amacerion, I can assure you that they will be making note of what goes on. And should that not be to the liking of Vhakana, there will be a penalty to pay”

Rthalus got to his feet.

“Chariad, I appreciate your concerns. But I also feel that your opinion may be biased, which I understand. You are an Immortal, we don’t have that luxury, our lives are short and we have to enjoy them while we can. Personally, I vote for joining the Alliance. Is anyone else going to validate that motion?”

One by one all the members voted in favour. Chariad looked around the room in despair.

“Well now you have made your decision, I wish to inform you that I shall no longer be attending your meetings. And shall have nothing further to do with Central Department”

Wrapping his cloak around him, Chariad stormed out of the Chamber. Marcaius hesitated for a moment, then followed him out. As they left, a member of the council watched them go, he felt that Chariad would go further than just leaving the Central Department. Keeping out of sight, he followed them.