Ero Kalid stood imperious and commanding as he knew he must, hands clasped behind his back. He stared out towards a vast metropolis that encased the entire world before him as the elevator he was in continued to rise.

  His world, Osiris.

  Ero eyed many skyscrapers, intermingling with the glowing, aqua beams that ran through the world. They provided lanes for ships of all shapes and sizes to travel within Osiris, leading towards the atmosphere itself. It was these that represented the biggest change to Osiris these past ten years, since the decision to open up its borders to all worlds and beings.

  A decision which Ero himself had led, which was almost as controversial as his running for Supreme Leader.

  Yet, it had provided the greatest economic boom ever seen in Osirin history. That was what they said nowadays. They had once called him the Odian who shouldn't intervene in politics. He wondered, after today, what would they call him?

  Ero was thankful that Salkon received the eyes of Osiris for that reason, as well as most of the galaxy. It made decisions easier to make, alongside giving him the ability to sidestep Osirin propriety, say what needed to be said. Ero intended to test that today. By the end of this almost three-minute elevator journey, he would indeed test that boundary to its limit.

  He would finally speak what had been on his mind for years.

  At least I have you by my side, Salkon, Ero thought, sensing his Odian's presence emerge from within, like another entity within his body. This time, Salkon filled him with assurance, meaning to inspire confidence and faith in his chosen course of action. Those little things made the difference.

  You weren't alone. You always had your Odian partner.

  Darkness encased them then, signalling the elevator had reached halfway. This caused the lighting to reflect Ero's appearance back at him as he donned the armour of Salkon. This made him smile, hoping to give his Odian a sign of warmth.

  You look the part, as always, Ero thought, noting Salkon's brilliant bio-mechanical design as a Guardian. He was a faceless entity, his armour almost completely white except for silver etchings embroidered throughout. They created a majestic pattern which mirrored either side of his body, surrounding a glowing blue light at the centre of his chest. His helmet had eye slits which glowed blue, with no other facial features except a horn on his forehead. A white cape draped across his shoulders and a dazzling rapier with a large, intricate pommel was at his side. Ero rested his left hand on it, prompting Salkon to stir out of curiosity.

  Do not mind me. I'm just a little nervous.

  Hmm— I sense that, Salkon replied, as Ero sensed his Odian partner probing. Your shoulders are rounding.

  Ero smiled, just stopping himself from replying aloud, remembering who stood alongside him. Shifting his gaze, Ero gained the attention of the fellow Osirin alongside him, Galko Bastille. Nostalgia emerged then, as Ero remembered the military commander who had once been sent to his old squad, the 'Breakers'. Back then, he'd been sent to Ero in order to be 'corrected', yet Ero only chuckled at this, recalling their first mission together.

  Back then he would have never imagined this man, who everyone had discarded as 'unfitting' as an Osirin, would become his most trusted friend, alongside witnessing Ero becoming the Guardian Osiris now depended on.

  'What was that for?' Galko asked. He was much bigger than your typical Osirin, broader, muscle-bound, fitting the black and sapphire garment of the Osirin military with authority and power. Osirins were commonly a nimble race of beings, possessing a greyish-white skin, with deep black eyes, a small nose and small holes for ears. His head, like all male Osirins, was hairless. Only the females grew any kind of hair. Still, regarding Galko, Ero found his smile growing, recalling the young man who had once stood as though the entire world stood against him. Then again, it had.

  But even he had changed that perception, a result of his undying loyalty to Ero and others. Salkon sometimes reacted to that part of him, making Ero think if something happened to him, his replacement had been found.

  Only, he couldn't tell him. No one could know how Odians and their Anubian partners bonded. Only that you became a Guardian, or 'Odian' for short. The Odians kept the secret of Anubians from non-Guardians.

  Alongside the secret of the Virtues themselves.

  'Oh, nothing,' Ero answered Galko, straightening his posture. 'I was recalling the old days. You were so different back then, Galko. I sometimes wonder how it is even possible, the two of us standing here, heading to address the rest of our kind.'

  'I never realised you were growing sentimental,' Galko remarked, his expression becoming somewhat amused. 'You're nervous.'

  'Is it obvious?' Ero asked, turning to regard Galko. Galko glanced back at him, and his expression grew serious as the elevator emerged from darkness into light.

  'What are you planning, Ero?' Galko asked, repeating the question he had been repeating a lot, to no avail. 'I can almost hear Salkon correcting you now.'

  Ero tried his best to force a smile, wishing to return the conversation to a more light-hearted slant.

  'Perhaps one day you'll be able to hear his voice as he speaks in my mind,' Ero said, as Galko smiled, as though knowing what Ero was doing.

  'A terrifying prospect,' Galko commented. 'Though I don't doubt Salkon would much enjoy that.'

  'I, for one, am glad he can't,' Ero said. 'Having him inside my head and you alongside me is quite enough. I can barely get a moment's respite.'

  'Perhaps you should travel to some distant rock on the outskirts of Gorkas. I'm sure you'll have some respite there,' Galko said, before grinning at Ero, knowing his words were on the nose. Even Salkon chuckled, filling Ero with much amusement.

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  Don't tell him I laughed, his Odian said. I don't want to give him the satisfaction.

  Neither do I, Ero agreed. The jest was perhaps a little distasteful, considering what was happening. Still, that was Galko. He provided the rare moments he could forget his responsibilities as Supreme Leader of Osiris.

  But not for long. One could only enjoy respite for the briefest of moments.

  'Did I get Salkon to laugh?' Galko asked.

  'You didn't even get me to laugh,' Ero replied, turning his gaze back towards the metropolis beyond, thankful that Salkon's armour hid his face.

  'That means yes,' Galko said, smirking.

  'You still seem impressed with yourself.' Ero said.

  'Naturally. That's what you're doing this for, isn't it?' Galko asked, as Ero noticed his friend looking at him, seeing it in the glass's reflection. Still, he didn't retort. There was an element of truth in his friend's words.

  But there was also so much more.

  You cannot find out, not yet. Even if everyone expects me to address the Gorkas Federation and its recent actions, there is something more important to discuss. More likely, the entire galaxy needs to hear what I'm about to say. It needs to understand what I seek to do…

  'Do you trust me, Galko? Do you trust my intentions despite not knowing what I plan to speak about?' Ero asked, surprising himself as he sensed something else stir within him, something that was neither he nor Salkon, but the thing which allowed them to bond, his Virtue.

  It knew it was almost time.

  'Yes,' Galko answered, not knowing any of this, speaking with a sense of finality Ero wished he himself possessed. 'Things have to change, Ero. We cannot afford to stand aside and allow Gorkas to do what it pleases. They stood out of line long ago when they first invaded Aphron, and even further still when they took Revyr for themselves. Now, they seek to expand further still. We have to intervene now. We have to be the ones to order them to stand down.'

  'But does it help our reputation of appearing aloof to the other worlds?' Ero asked. 'Besides, how can we be sure they'll take our threat seriously? It has been a long time since the Old War, yet it still rings as one of our greatest failures.'

  'That depends on perspective,' Galko countered. 'That was over two hundred years ago, and while most of the galaxy regards that as a failure, it led to us developing our technology and infrastructure. Now, we have the military to defend ourselves.'

  Galko appeared to pause then, his expression softening, as though realising the tension he had spoken with.

  'Besides, we didn't have you, Ero.'

  But I am not enough, Galko. That's the point of all this. I am but just a single Guardian. If this galaxy continues to descend this path, we must become something more…

  Inside, Salkon responded to that sentiment by filling Ero with affirmation and courage. His Odian believed in him and his decisions. That had to be enough, for Ero was sure he would be alone after this, understanding the gravity of his chosen path. Galko frowned, as though more concerned by a lack of a response from him.

  'Ero, we've discussed this so many times before. We have to make a stand. If the rumours are true and they're seeking to take Gungin next—'

  'And you believe they'd succeed?' Ero cut in, turning towards Galko. 'Gungin is a different world from Aphron and Revyr. They'd retaliate hard against any attempt at invasion.'

  'If they're not too busy fighting amongst themselves…' Galko retorted. Ero eyed him.

  'That is their way, Galko,' he said. 'They don't fight amongst themselves out of animosity. They do it for fun.'

  Ero watched as Galko took in a breath, shaking his head. They didn't intend the conversation to go this way. Yet, it only informed Ero he'd made the right decision, not revealing the truth behind this press conference. If he had, he knew Galko would try to thwart it, suggesting another path.

  But there was no other path. If they were to save this galaxy from destroying itself, they needed the Guardians to do it, not another war. It was for that reason Ero relaxed himself, turning back towards the final stages of their ascent, as Galko sighed alongside him.

  'Look, Ero,' his best friend said, relaxing. 'No matter what happens, I'll stand by your side, brother. I've always got your back.'

  A shiver reverberated through Ero at those words, as the distant sensation he was sure was his Virtue stirred. Yes, there was something about Galko's character which separated him, something inside of him which he didn't know, nor would he, unless…

  Ero, Salkon warned from within, urging a measured stance from Ero. Of course, his Odian was right. Anubians could never find out they were Anubians, not unless the time was right. The truth behind an Odian bond was not shared, not until one became a Guardian themself.

  At least tell me one thing, Salkon. If anything were to happen to me, would he—

  I will not allow that to happen, Ero, Salkon replied, his retort firm. You are my Anubian. I will not fail you. I am your Odian.

  Ero allowed the matter to drop, nodding in appreciation, both towards Galko and Salkon.

  'Thank you,' he said to both of them before the elevator slowed, reaching the top of its ascent. It was with that knowledge that Ero allowed Salkon to take control of his body, feeling it being given to his Odian.

  'It is time,' Salkon said, speaking through Ero's body. Ero watched as Salkon turned his body towards the elevator door behind them. Galko, meanwhile, reached into his pocket, putting on a pair of tinted glasses.

  As Salkon stepped out of the elevator, they were met by hundreds of camera flashes and questions from Osirin reporters.