Galko Bastille had long dreaded this day, ever since Ero had become an Odian. Even if that fateful mission against Sukan always remained etched upon his memory, he knew that although Odians were powerful, they could be subjugated. What had happened to Idion proved that.

  But he had never figured that Odians could be killed too, and now Ero Kalid was dead. His best friend. His mentor. Gone, with Salkon nowhere to be seen.

  What are we supposed to do?

  Galko stood on the Kryon Tower rooftop, where Ero had given a speech that would be remembered as delusional and fantastical.

  Only now it would be regarded as Ero's last words before he died.

  Galko shivered. He tried to distract himself by regarding the red carpet and microphone at the top of the stairs. Sadness arose, as he remembered the chaos which descended upon not only this tower but also Osiris. This place had been the epicentre.

  Osiris would never know what happened in the aftermath of Ero Kalid's speech. They would never discover how Ero's body had been discovered, in his Osirin form, with a deep cut across his rib cage, surrounded by blood. Nor would they ever know that the Osirin military had not found a single body from the three towers which fell. As far as they would be aware, Ero died as the hero he was, saving lives.

  Yet, none of that bothered Galko compared to the fact none of the other worlds had responded to his mentor's declaration. Even Gorkas hadn't responded to his words of condemnation. It was like they didn't care. Ero's words hadn't meant a thing.

  It reminded Galko of his own family.

  Bitterness rose within Galko. It made Ero's loss even more painful. He had changed Galko's life. Now he was gone.

  Galko squeezed his fists, fury and indignation rising from deep within. He forced himself to control those feelings, knowing it was what Ero would've done. Galko relaxed, before a sad smile appeared on his lips.

  'You would seek to reestablish order,' Galko said. 'Tell our kind everything was going to be alright. But would they believe me, Ero? Would it sound the same coming from me as it would from you?'

  Probably not. Galko had long accepted it. Still, something bothered him. Not just the fact that Ero had blatantly been killed, but also in the immediate aftermath of his speech, when he had told the entire Vegeta Galaxy of his intentions. To unite the Odians as one, to form a coalition in which they'd work together, to keep everyone safe.

  Yet even that plea would go unanswered. No one seemed to care.

  But I do… Galko thought to himself, regarding the now fallen towers. Smoke still rose from their burnt-out frames, while the emergency services sealed away all access. Around them, normality was being restored.

  But was it enough? Could they let Ero's last words die and continue to live as they always had? Galko shook his head, knowing little time remained. He was to attend the Council of Osiris, even though he disliked meetings, as he was now the Supreme Leader. It was such a scientist thing to do. The military preferred simplicity and efficiency.

  Then there was today's topic: how to proceed after the death of Ero Kalid.

  Galko sighed, shaking his head. He stepped towards the elevator, the last place they had stood together. That elicited a sense of eeriness within Galko, but he forced himself to walk inside anyway. The doors closed behind him, and he pressed the button to take him to the ground floor.

  Then he was alone, watching as the warm afternoon sun settled over the distant horizon of Osiris.

  I hope you're alright too, Salkon, Galko thought, finding himself concerned for the Odian. He liked Salkon, and he hoped he was alright. It was a delicate position they now found themselves in without their Guardian. Would others see it as vulnerability? Would the other worlds find an opportunity during their darkest moment?

  Or would they continue to show they didn't care? That annoyed Galko the most, as his body bristled during the descent.

  Does anyone care about what you said? Are the other Guardians ignoring you, too? Why?

  Galko forced himself to breathe, closing his eyes. He was already doing the wrong things even now. Ero would never have allowed the others to frustrate him. He would've been the leader everyone needed him to be.

  Ero would've been everything Galko was not.

  'Still, I must do something,' Galko whispered to himself, opening his eyes, realising he was perhaps seconds away from reaching the ground floor. 'I cannot let your words go ignored. You were right, something needs to change. The Guardians need to stand up again. But, what can I do? How can I make them listen?'

  The elevator stopped and Galko turned and walked into a large hallway. Many Osirins wandered around him. The military wore navy and black tight-fitting and smart clothing, and the scientists wore white robes with coloured sashes. They were making their way to the left, towards a pair of doors twenty feet tall, ornately carved with large circular knocker handles. Two Osirin soldiers stood at guard alongside them, stoic and silent as the others passed them. Galko made his way towards them.

  Towards his gauntlet of fire, the Chamber of the Council.

  After nodding at the two guards, Galko stepped into a dark corridor illuminated by two strips of sapphire lights on either side. They followed a small staircase to a round platform, also lit up with sapphire lights. It gave the room a dark hue, especially as the central platform was surrounded by many much smaller floating ones. There, each member of the council stood in silence, awaiting him. A pit emerged in his stomach, as the silence that surrounded him was almost haunting. The Supreme Leader always stood on the main central platform first. Galko understood that.

  But that didn't prepare you for it, and as Galko stepped onto the platform, he drifted towards the centre, hands clasped behind his back like Ero always did. It always seemed a commanding pose to hold. The only problem was it made Galko feel like a poor imitation. Still, he held the pose, forcing himself to raise his chin, goosebumps rising on his skin.

  'Council,' he began, nodding. 'You have called this meeting to discuss our next moves, following… Ero's death…'

  Galko gulped, knowing it was weakness he shouldn't show. Yet, no one mocked him for it. No one said a thing. At least they granted him that small mercy.

  It still didn't paint him as the leader he needed to be.

  'Galko.' A voice emerged from somewhere to his right, forcing Galko to turn, praying it hadn't come from a certain source, especially one near the centre.

  Oh, but it has… he rued, as saw one of the many floating platforms had changed colour, now showing a crimson hue rather than sapphire. That meant a member of the council wished to join him on the central floor. Atop the small platform stood an older woman, who, despite her years, maintained a dignified yet aloof posture. She wore the robes of the scientists, her sash the colours of black and crimson. It distinguished her as a master of her order.

  But to Galko, she was Bulasi Goncal, the former Supreme Leader of Osiris before Ero.

  'I wish to join you,' Bulasi said, emotionless. That was terrifying. Bulasi was tough to read at the best of times, and Galko was being watched, seeing how he dealt with her. She had been a popular and successful Supreme Leader, and she also possessed ties to the military through her marriage to the former commander, Kai Galus. Unlike him, she'd remained in politics, and possessed a strong popularity among the Osirin public.

  And now she's about to school me in Osirin politics, Galko rued, but nodded towards her request. Her platform floated downward, stopping before the main central platform, before Bulasi stepped to join Galko. She regarded the council with a graceful, commanding glance.

  'My fellow council,' Bulasi began, already sounding much better than he had. Galko made sure to keep his posture strong. His success here could secure the council's confidence, allowing him to decide as he wished.

  'There is a risk of allowing flowery words and delicacy to distract us here. I won't mock Ero Kalid's rule, but his last speech put us at risk. He declared war on the Gorkas Federation without warning and mocked the other worlds. My question to you, Galko Bastille, is did you know what Ero was planning?'

  Galko felt the gaze of everyone in the room, thankful he didn't wilt. It surprised him to feel indignation at Bulasi's words. He forced that aside, knowing he shouldn't let it control him.

  'No, I did not,' Galko answered. 'But I agree with every word he said.'

  'Naturally…' Bulasi said, as though this didn't surprise her, rolling her eyes. 'However, I would ask if you study this situation logically, Galko. While everyone here is aware of how loyal you are to him, we cannot let this guide our future actions. We must move to denounce his earlier speech, and declare it the words of someone standing beyond protocol. Though there has been no response, we should take steps at once.'

  'You assume everyone here agrees with you, Bulasi,' Galko said. 'Tell me how anything of what Ero said was wrong. Did he truly step out of line? He stated the facts. Gorkas is stepping out of line, and it's obvious to everyone here what's happening. If we don't act, they will keep conquering worlds, and we'll end up in a greater war with them than before.'

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  'You are the one who makes assumptions, Galko,' Bulasi said, more curtly. 'We have eyes on them. Tell me, have they shown any sign they seek to begin another invasion?'

  'That doesn't mean they aren't planning one,' Galko said. 'I'd rather study their previous behaviour, and that shows they would strike another world.'

  'Again, you're basing that on assumption,' Bulasi said. 'You don't see the risk your former mentor has put us in. Have you considered that following Ero's words, Gorkas could choose to summon their fleet against us?'

  'Then we should take steps to prevent that, no?' Galko said, knowing he was using Bulasi's words against her. She appeared almost half-impressed.

  But it was akin to a mother being impressed with a child.

  'Perhaps,' she conceded. 'But since you're the commander of our military, tell me, do you honestly think that we could win a prolonged war with Gorkas? Consider their infrastructure. Consider that their society breeds them for war. Also consider the fleet this entire galaxy fears. Do you believe we could survive? If so, please illuminate me. Have your plans against an invasion yielded a satisfying outcome? Can you stand before everyone here and tell them we'd survive such a full-scale war?'

  Fury arose within Galko towards those words, but still he held himself. Bulasi had got him, and she and everyone else here knew that. Galko and the other officers had indeed drawn up provisions for if war occurred between Osiris and Gorkas.

  And despite the advancement of Osirin society since the last war, they were nowhere near strong enough to last.

  Yet, had that not also been part of the reason Ero suggested another path? The Guardians who were meant to stop things like this. Considering that, as the desire to honour his friend grew, almost like another feeling within, Galko forced himself to take a breath.

  'We will need the Guardians…' he said, deciding to regard Bulasi with frankness. 'That's probably why Ero did what he did. If someone is going to stop Gorkas, it's going to be the Odians.'

  A hushed chatter emerged all around him, as Bulasi almost appeared to roll her eyes. She sighed, as a part of Galko dreaded what she was about to say.

  'Galko, tell me, have you heard a single word from an Odian since Ero's speech?' she asked, her tone soft, yet it silenced the entire room. Bulasi shook her head. 'I understand how much you cared for Ero, and his last words will never be forgotten. However, is it clear the other worlds do not care for anything he said, alongside their Guardians. If I'm being honest, the Odians are a relic of the past. Their role has diminished over the years, as the worlds they once protected grow more sophisticated.

  'We don't need them anymore…'

  The hushed chatter returned, while Galko turned cold. Had she actually said that? Were the Guardians no longer needed?

  But you didn't see what I did, Bulasi, Galko thought. He recalled that fateful mission over ten years ago, when a terrorist Odian known as Sukan once threatened the entirety of Osiris, along with a group of Aphrions. He'd defeated the previous Odian, Idion, and held him captive. Then Commander Kai had summoned Ero Kalid's Breakers to deal with the threat.

  That had been Galko's first mission with them. Then Ero had bonded with Salkon.

  Galko closed his eyes, shivering at the memory. The way Ero fought, aided by the power of an Odian. Nothing Osiris could design could even come close. No, the Guardians were something ancient, magical.

  Heroic.

  Beyond Ero's complete faith in Galko, despite who he was, despite what everyone said about him, the image of the imperious Guardian had been what inspired him to become better. It had inspired him to become a better man. That was what Osiris, no, the entire galaxy needed.

  But what can I do? Galko wondered, surprised to sense something arise within him, like another presence that agreed with every sentiment within. It believed in what Ero said. It believed in the Guardians.

  And it believed in his desire to honour his friend.

  'It has to be me…' he said, his words quiet, so quiet in fact Bulasi turned and looked at him, frowning as though she hadn't quite heard him.

  'What did you say?' she asked, silencing the room. Galko stood straighter, more confident, as he looked at her.

  'I'm sorry, Bulasi,' he said, 'but you're wrong. We need the Guardians.'

  Galko looked around, knowing many shocked faces would look at him. Yet, a part of him didn't care. Let them look. Let them call him a fool. It no longer mattered.

  'I remember the moment Ero became an Odian,' he said. 'But most of you won't have heard of it, because they deemed the surrounding circumstances classified…'

  Galko glanced at Bulasi then, noting how she seemed almost embarrassed as she scratched her head. It had been her decision to deem the mission as classified. Osiris hadn't needed to know it had been threatened by a rogue Guardian.

  'Regardless, believe me when I say nothing can ever match a Guardian in terms of inspiration. After all, they are Odia's chosen warriors, heroes, and our Guardians. I think that's what Ero was trying to say. They've become lost, and they need reminding of what they once were. He sought to unite them, so the entire galaxy could see what I saw, decide to become better.'

  'And now Ero is dead,' Bulasi said. 'Salkon lost. Tell me, Galko, what will make the Guardians unite now, considering it seems they don't even care?'

  'I will,' Galko said, answering with an earnest seriousness. It almost seemed to catch Bulasi off-guard, her lips parting in amazement. Though Galko knew it was the most ridiculous thing he could've said, the sensation inside of him still agreed. It seemed further emboldened by his words. Galko took this as his resolve strengthening.

  He would honour the man who believed in him. He would take on his quest.

  He would unite the Guardians of Odia.

  'I'll do it,' Galko repeated, looking about the room, making sure they understood his seriousness. 'I will travel to the other worlds. I will convince the Odians to unite. We shall deal with Gorkas. We will avoid war. And, we will inspire the galaxy to become better, not by orders or fancy words, but by example. We will show the universe Odia's chosen still has meaning. That they can be the heroes they once were, like Ero was to me.'

  Stunned silence. That was all they met him with. Satisfied, Galko returned his gaze to a surprised Bulasi, who appeared to be processing everything he had just said.

  'You… realise how ridiculous what you've just said was, don't you?' she said. 'You're not even a Guardian yourself. We no longer have an Odian. What makes you think they'll listen to a single word you say, when even Ero Kalid himself couldn't get a response?'

  The chatter returned, more fervent. Galko heard laughs, too.

  'I don't say this out of disrespect, Galko,' Bulasi said, appearing to have recomposed herself as she stepped towards him. 'But you're not Ero. You're not the inspiring commander he was. Even now, you forget you're now Supreme Leader of Osiris. You have duties.'

  'Yes, I do…' Galko admitted. Even if her words were a gut punch, he didn't let it show. She was right. He was not Ero. Not by a long shot.

  But he believed in what Ero had said, and what needed to be done.

  Galko nodded before smiling at Bulasi.

  'I give it back to you, Bulasi,' he said, watching as her eyes widened, comprehending. 'I relinquish my position as Supreme Leader, and choose you to take up the mantle. You were the leader before Ero, and we've always respected you. Besides, Osiris needs its Lady of Steel, perhaps more than ever. Please, accept this position, and I shall go to unite the Guardians.'

  The silence returned all around them, while Bulasi regarded Galko with frank shock, before shaking her head.

  'You're serious about this, aren't you?' she said. 'You genuinely seek to honour Ero's last words, and believe you can do it.'

  'Someone has to,' Galko said. 'I cannot stand aside and let my mentor's last words go unanswered. Even if I fail. Even if the other Guardians laugh in my face. I have to try. I have to show this galaxy they can look to them again. All I ask is that you supply me with a ship, nothing else. Please, Bulasi, do this for me. Be the leader this world needs again.'

  Bulasi appeared to consider it, while the entire room seemed to wait in anticipation. Then she sighed.

  'Very well. Though I swore I would never run for the position again, I accept your proposal, and I will grant you all the support you require for your mission, Galko Bastille. Though I'm sure you will fail, I respect your determination, especially before everyone here.'

  Galko nodded in appreciation, turning before walking towards the staircase that would take him out of the chamber. Once he reached the first step, he turned to regard the room one last time, maintaining his strong posture.

  'We need the Guardians,' he said. 'I promise, before everyone in this room. I will unite them, and they will show this galaxy what we can become again…'

  He ascended the staircase, knowing he had taken on an almost impossible mission.

  But he would succeed. He would unite the Guardians of Odia.