The heavy clang of boots echoed through the metallic halls of the ship as Lord Gravax, the Crimson Knight, and the black-scaled Granian made their way toward the exit hatch. The Crimson Knight’s heart pounded in rhythm with her steps, every beat a reminder of how ecstatic she was to see these creatures and even perhaps showcase her new Crimson Knight capabilities.
The two higher-up Granians, on the other hand, walked with an air of calm authority, their reptilian eyes glinting with pride and a touch of arrogance while walking into a den of one of the most powerful and strategic species in all of Akrina — the Cyclitharans.
As the hatch hissed open, Cherry’s breath, of all those onboard the ships, caught in her throat. Before her, Lord Gravax, and Grim, lay the heart of the Cyclitharan capital: a sprawling city that stretched farther than the horizon, gleaming with an iridescent mix of advanced technology from an intricate amount of diverse species that lived amongst each other peacefully (surprisingly). Artificial architectural designs, accented by massive bioluminescent plants interwoven with sleek, metallic spires decorated the wide, spacious, and glamorous roads of the Capital, blessing it with a glorious view.
Thousands of diversely crafted hovercrafts, vessels, and vehicles of different shapes and sizes zipped through the sky like dancing insects, carrying different species engaged in trades, politics, and other activities that kept this empire running.
Cherry wasn’t the only one in awe of what the Cyclitharans had developed for even the two higher-up Granians couldn’t help but admire... enviously. Snapping out of their daze, the two higher-up Granians quickly gave way to a sharp focus on the task ahead. They were here to trade, not gawk at the scenery.
"Quite the sight, isn’t it?" Gravax’s voice was a low rumble as he stepped down, his long reptilian tail flicking absently. He looked at the Crimson Knight who, unintentionally, showed more interest in the Capital and its layout than she had ever shown at any of the Granians’ wonders. "Don’t get too distracted, Cherry. These are not allies to admire just yet. They are merely.... a tool for us to...exploit to our advantage."
Cherry met his gaze with icy resolve. "Tools or not, they deserve respect. They’ve managed to do what neither of our species could. Especially yours. "
Gravax narrowed his eyes but said nothing, a smirk playing on his lips. Grim, who had remained silent during the descent, motioned for them to move forward as a procession of Cyclitharan officials came to meet them.
As soon as Cherry caught sight of them, a rush of emotions flooded her senses with a dense sense of confusion, joy, ecstasy, and immense curiosity painted itself on her face.
These creatures, built exactly like she and her kind but with only one large eye, looked like something straight out of a fever dream. Not only were they somewhat similar in terms of build type, they, for some reason, looked so much better than ninety percent of most humans on Earth.
Their forms were immaculate, their bodies chiseled and well cut, and their height rivaling those of most professional athletes.
’I don’t know how to feel about this,’ the young woman thought to herself while her two good eyes focused on the Cyclitharans approaching her. Their skin was a mottled mix of red, white, pink, brown, and a hint of golden-yellow, their SINGULAR eyes open wide and discerning, as if calculating every possible angle of advantage from the moment they laid eyes on their guests. ’They look....human but aren’t. How many other species look like us?’
At last, they, Lord Gravax and his entourage, were now standing in front of a procession of Cyclitharan officials, each adorned in flowing robes and plated armor that shimmered under the planet’s blue sun; an attire fit for beings as stunning as these were
"Lord Gravax and Grim of Grania," a Cyclitharan stepped forward, bowing slightly, though not deeply enough to suggest subservience. His voice had an almost melodic quality to it, but Gravax could sense the steel behind the tone. "I am Atris, the Speaker of the Cyclitharans. We welcome you to our eutopia, our pinnacle of civilization. Your presence has been anticipated."
Gravax inclined his head in acknowledgment and got straight to business. "We are here for a mutually beneficial exchange, Atris. I trust you are aware of our situation. I understand you seek resources to continue your exploitation efforts and, in return, we seek your assistance in this War. After all, you managed to build quite a reputation for yourselves. Why not prove it to us and the rest of Akrina?"
His voice dripped with the implied threat that often accompanied Granian negotiations.
Atris’ expression remained unreadable, though he, and the rest of the officials accompanying him, flicked their attention momentarily to the one whose likeness was close to theirs as if gauging her role in this meeting.
"Proving our strength to you is such an interesting phrase, Lord Gravax," he said, his lips twitching with the hint of a smile. "Especially coming from a Granian. But, yes, we are aware of your needs as you are aware of some of ours. The Ethisians are growing stronger and as they do, our development has come across as frightening to them. I hate to say this of them but they are a hindrance to us and we couldn’t care any less with them out of the picture...."
Cherry stood silently, observing the exchange, but her mind was far from idle. ’That answers Grim’s question. They’ve got somewhat...similar motives as the Granians do,’ she thought. ’Question is, will it be enough for them to help us?’
"....Shall we proceed to the Council Chambers and continue this conversation from there? I’m sure the others would be pleased to see you and your...companion" Atris suggested, stepping aside to allow the Granians and their entourage to follow. "There’s just so much our leaders have to discuss with you. Please, right this way."
While the officials led Gravax, Grim, and Cherry inside, other Cyclitharans adorned in armor and Mechanized machines arranged themselves by the colossal Granians Colonial Ships in wait for the transfer of the delivered minerals.
Meanwhile, the Granians onboard waited patiently while remaining armed to the teeth as they expected the worst to happen. This wasn’t their first "meeting" with other species and they couldn’t be too careful.
After being led through the beautiful, magnificent, and glorious scenes of the Capital, the officials, and Granians with their humans finally arrived at the central building—a massive dome-like structure that seemed to pulse with light. Once inside, the Granians found themselves in a vast chamber with a circular table in the middle. Seated around it were a variety of Cyclitharan leaders, their robes darker than those of the officials they had met outside.
Hundreds were gathered in the structure and with that came hundreds of eyes staring at the Granians and, of course, Cherry.
The Crimson Knight couldn’t help but take note of all the murmurs and mumbles made toward her appearance. Like children spotting a never seen before figure, the majority of the Cyclitharans pointed, murmured, and laughed in awe and excitement at this pinkish-red fleshed, red-haired, binocular-visioned creature gracing them with their presence.
"If we knew they’d react ," Gravax, taking note of the attention Cherry was getting, whispered to Grim, "we should have brought the others along. Imagine how they’ll react when they see the thousa..."
"Quiet!!" Grim, using the tip of his tail, whacked his Lord and urged him to remain silent, not because of the Cyclithians but because of....
"We welcome you, Granians," At the head of the table sat the Cyclitharan ruler, a tall, lying more on the slim side being whose eye sparkled with ancient knowledge. Not surprisingly, he too was drawn to Cherry’s features which drove him to approach her. "Goodness. Look at this one, everyone."
All those present dropped what they were doing and stared at the Crimson Knight, their gazes making her more than uncomfortable. Some of the younger beings pocked the fingers on her skin and icked, laughed, and cackled at how soft she was.
"What species are you?" He asked but Grim and Gravax spoke on her behalf since she didn’t speak the same language everyone else spoke and they didn’t seem to possess translators that were up to date.
"And isn’t from Akrina." Gravax concluded and together with Grim waited patiently, awkwardly, and quietly for Cherry’s attention to die down.
As though the ruler had sensed himself lose sight of what brought the Granians, he quickly rushed back to his seat and directed his attention back to Gravax and Grim.
"Forgive me for my actions. We Cyclitharans are very curious, especially about species that are painfully similar to us. Let us get to business.
"We understand you seek our assistance to fuel your war against the Ethisians, correct?" Googlᴇ search 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁
Cockily, the Grand Duke repositioned himself on his seat, squinted his eye, and asked Gravax, "What, exactly, are you offering us in return that we can’t get ourselves?"