Kirsi lowered herself slowly toward the roof of the building; her movements graceful. But her eyes were narrowed and studious, lips set in a thin line. Her voice carried effortlessly across the entire room: "What...is...going...on here?"
Dodeka stepped forward, her voice gruff and teeming with vitriol: "Ridding our land of monsters like you!”
Despite the insult, Kirsi did not seem fazed; there was no rise in her heartbeat or a single twitch of irritation.
"And who exactly have you been 'ridding' in this manner?" She asked calmly, sweeping eyes across the room again as if silently counting how many Fennec soldiers stood inside. "Because as far I can see, it looks like the ones causing trouble here are you. I thought the Fennec people were a loving, accepting race. This level of violence being perpetrated by you is unheard of.”
The Fennec squad leader bristled, her tail lashing wildly while the rest of her soldiers muttered amongst themselves.
"We're protecting our home," the squad leader retorted, her expression hardening as she pointed her rifle at Kirsi's arm, gesturing to her fair skin color. "And you're hardly in a position to criticize us, you weren't here to see your ilk terrorizing us ever since you came here!"
Kirsi's expression remained calm on the surface, but there was an intensity in her eyes that indicated otherwise. She held up a hand; a nonverbal command to stand down.
"Lower your weapon—now," she ordered, voice leaving no room for debate.
The squad leader let out an irritated huff but obeyed after a moment of hesitation. She lowered her weapon, but only so Kirsi couldn't call her out for violence anymore.
"That's a start. Who are you anyway?" Kirsi asked, her tone measured and cool.
The squad leader stiffened at the question. She looked like she wanted to say: who do you think you are, demanding my identity? But she clearly remembered the fact that she was talking to the Empress and held her tongue. Her tone was resentful as she answered with only a hint of growl: "Squad Leader Adara.”
Kirsi nodded slowly in acknowledgment of the introduction, looking thoughtful for a moment before finally speaking again: "I've never seen you, Adara." Her eyes flicked to the rest of the squad: "Or any of you before."
The soldiers shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of the stare. The leader, Adara, flicked her tail restlessly before speaking up again.
"You've been gone for a long time...Empress," she said stiffly. "There are things you don't know."
As collected as ever, despite the simmering tension beneath, Kirsi nodded. "Then take me to meet the President of Alua. We can talk this out smoothly without another bullet being fired.”
The Fennec soldiers exchanged uneasy looks among them, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of taking orders from someone who had just threatened them, but the continent's respect and loyalty to Kirsi ran deep.
Adara reluctantly nodded and gave Kirsi a sharp salute: "As you wish, Ma'am. Follow me."
The Aluan President's residence wasn't much to look at, just a simple house on the edge of the city. But there was a certain comfort in simplicity.
Two Fennec guards were stationed at double-doors, weapons at their sides, just in case. They saluted Adara and Kirsi as the Aluan President emerged from behind doors, flanked by her own guards.
The Aluan President was a lean, bronze-skinned, older Fennec woman with a stern face and a tired expression. She offered Kirsi a nod of acknowledgement: "Empress Kirsi of Ukiuq…”
Kirsi returned the nod with regal grace, her golden eyes sharp as they studied the Aluan President. "President Raliya," she acknowledged, voice carrying neither warmth nor malice, just cold neutrality.
Raliya’s expression tightened slightly at being called by name so bluntly (no honorifics), but she let it slide for now: "You came all this way just to see me?" Her tone was laced with suspicion as if expecting a trap somewhere in this conversation already...
Kirsi cleared her throat before stepping forward: "I am here because there are…unresolved matters between our people, and I wish to make peace." She gestured vaguely toward Dodeka still lurking near the back wall, rifle slung over her shoulder like some silent warning disguised under professionalism.
The room tensed instantly; Raliya's fennec ears twitched downward while her tail stiffened into a rigid line behind back, clearly recognizing soldier insignia on Dodeka’s uniform despite never meeting the woman herself before today…
Raliya glowered at Dodeka briefly, clearly not a fan of seeing an armed soldier so close to Kirsi. But before she could comment on it, Kirsi cut in again: "You have nothing to fear. She is here for diplomatic reasons only."
Although 'diplomatic' was probably a generous assessment considering the rifle. But Raliya chose to keep quiet, simply giving Kirsi a curt nod and gesturing to a nearby chair. "Please—sit.”
Kirsi politely took a seat, folding one leg over the other elegantly, all poise and grace.
Raliya followed suit, sitting opposite her and crossing her own arms. Her expression was carefully composed now, giving nothing away. But there was still a glint of caution in her eyes as she finally spoke: "...I take it you wish to discuss the issue that's been causing so much conflict between our people." She made no effort to hide disdain over the situation in her voice either.
Kirsi remained unruffled. "Correct," she said.
Raliya let out a sigh, shoulders dropping like some of the tension had faded in that one simple sound. But when she spoke again, the tension returned like an unspoken current: "And I take it that you have some kind of plan to deal with this problem." She said 'plan' skeptically, her voice dripping with cynicism.
Kirsi's lips twitched at the corners, almost a smile, but not quite. Her tone was still perfectly composed. "I do."
Raliya raised an eyebrow; skepticism radiating off her like radiation: "Oh?”
Kirsi leaned forward slightly in her seat, hands folding in her lap, but eyes as steady and unyielding as a hawk: "But I need your help for it."
That made Raliya blink. She leaned back, eyebrows raised in genuine surprise. "My…help?" Her voice was just bordering on disbelief now. Raliya's mouth twisted, but not in a smile: "You're asking me for help?"
Kirsi simply nodded, undeterred by the skepticism. "Yes.”
Raliya exhaled sharply through her nose, almost a scoff but not quite. She studied Kirsi for a long moment, searching the Empress’s face for any hint of deceit or hidden agenda.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
Finally, she uncrossed her arms and leaned forward too: "Fine."
She then spoke into an electronic communication system on her desk to tell the Fennec Army across Alua to cease attacking.
As soon as that was done, Raliya fixed Kirsi with a serious look, no trace of the usual disdain left. "Let me see if I understand this correctly," she started. "You want me to stop the conflict between our people. And that will be achieved…by asking us to forgive and forget?"
Kirsi nodded once more, her expression solemn. Raliya leaned back again, arms crossing automatically; her tone was tinged with doubt again: "And that's it? You are aware that some acts are unforgivable, yes?”
Kirsi didn't flinch. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, golden eyes unwavering as they locked onto Raliya’s: "Forgiveness is not mandatory."
A beat of silence passed before Kirsi continued smoothly: "But justice is. And I am here to offer it." Her fingers tapped once against the armrest, a quiet but deliberate motion that carried weight somehow…
Raliya's ears flicked back in surprise; tail stiffening again at the sudden shift in tone from diplomatic peacekeeper straight into something far colder (and more dangerous). "...Justice?" She repeated slowly like testing the word on her tongue for poison. "I prefer MY form of 'justice'."
Kirsi shook her head. "Let me tell you this. Killing them doesn't help either side. All your plan will do is make people think that what they're saying and that what they see on the news is true. It'll just make people think they're under attack… because you're going around shooting down people with fair skin, people like me. It'll validate their fears , and they'll do even worse things. Killing them won't fix anything. You'll just make things worse for the people who want to find good in people like you.”
Raliya's expression faltered briefly at that, as if Kirsi had managed to hit a nerve with that comment. But she quickly schooled her features back into that cool mask of composure again.
She leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing in suspicion: "You say that without knowing what your kind has DONE to us yet. We're taking violent measures NOW, but we were NOT always this way, and you know this."
Kirsi didn't back down. Her voice was still composed, but there was a hard edge to it now, the patience running out... "I'm well aware that Fennec people have been hurt. But killing others doesn't help anyone, Raliya. It's just revenge, and that won't bring any of your people back."
Raliya scoffed loudly, her patience running short now too: "Oh? And what would make them 'come back', hm?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm: "Flowers? Hugs and kisses?”
Kirsi ignored the sarcastic tone easily; her voice remained steady, almost detached: "That's not what I had in mind, no."
Raliya scoffed derisively again, rolling her eyes: "Oh? What then, Empress?" She crossed her arms tighter, leaning back in her seat as if daring Kirsi to produce some grand solution. "You've got another clever plan, hmm?" It was half statement, half mocking taunt…
Kirsi took a slow, steadying breath, clearly not appreciating the tone, but refusing to let it get to her. She met Raliya's challenging gaze with unwavering coolness: "Actually," she said calmly, "I thought of something much simpler. But I need you to inform me of your predicament in its entirety before I make a proposal."
Raliya's eyebrows shot up at the word 'simpler.' You could almost see gears turning in the leader's head as she wondered what Kirsi meant. "Oh?" She drawled, voice oozing sarcasm: "Then allow me to explain why we Fennecs are taking...drastic measures against the likes of your folk."
Kirsi didn't show any reaction to the sarcastic jab. She just nodded quietly, urging Raliya to continue.
Raliya’s expression darkened, her tail lashing behind her as she leaned forward, voice low and venomous: "You people pretended to have our best interests in mind, seeing us Fennecs as equals...then enslaved us. Forced our men into hard labor under your 'Elbrastrian Empire' while you treated our women like common livestock." Her claws dug into the arms of her chair now; knuckles white with tension. "And then when Elbrastion finally fell as the sole global superpower, what did your precious new Republic do? They left us to rot in slums where we starved, where Fennec children died because no one cared!"
The room was so silent after that outburst, it felt suffocating…until Raliya abruptly stood up from the chair (slamming hands down on table for emphasis): "...So tell me again how I'm supposed to believe this isn't exactly what you all deserve."
Kirsi hadn’t flinched once during this tirade but now rose smoothly too, her own golden eyes flashing cold fury beneath composed exterior: "Because justice isn't about revenge."
She took a single step closer until barely an inch separated them anymore; voice dropping dangerously quiet so only Raliya could hear clearly:
"...It's about making sure those responsible pay.”
Raliya's breath hitched, her pupils dilating in shock at the sudden proximity. For a second, she looked like she might lunge across the table to throttle Kirsi...but then something flickered in her expression: Interest.
"...Elaborate," Raliya demanded sharply, still tense but now with an edge of cautious curiosity cutting through old anger.
Kirsi didn’t move back; just tilted her head slightly as if studying prey before pouncing: "Tell me who gave orders during those slums. Names." Her voice was steel wrapped in silk, soft enough not bruise pride yet hard enough to promise bloodshed if necessary...
The unspoken threat hung between them for a beat too long before Raliya finally let out a slow exhale and muttered a single name under her breath like a curse: "President Vexa."
Kirsi nodded once in silent acknowledgment of the information.
"And who was the President before Vexa?" She asked calmly, still maintaining eye contact.
Raliya's ear twitched at the sudden shift in topic; her mouth flattened into a thin line. She looked like she wanted to argue, but...something in Kirsi 's stare made Raliya sigh heavily; voice a bit grudging as she answered: "President Azar.”
"And who was the President before Azar?" Kirsi asked casually; as if discussing trivial everyday matters instead of digging deeper into painful history.
Raliya's ears flicked like she was annoyed by constant questioning, but still managed to keep her tone civil: "President Hali. Happy?"
There was a pause as Kirsi just studied Raliya’s expression for a moment.
Kirsi's lips curled into something that almost resembled a smile, but it was too sharp to be anything but predatory.
"Three names," she mused, tilting her head slightly as if mentally cataloging each one for future use. Then, with deliberate slowness, she reached into the folds of her dress and pulled out a small datapad, tapping at it briefly before sliding across table toward Raliya:
"...Care to see how many of those three still breathe?"
The screen displayed live surveillance footage from various locations; all showing different people going about their daily lives…completely unaware they were being watched by the pacifist Empress now.
Raliya’s pupils dilated sharply as realization dawned on face, because there was no mistaking what Kirsi implied here…
"You...have access to Fennec surveillance footage...?" Raliya demanded hoarsely, her eyes glued to screen as she struggled to comprehend how one woman could have such power at her fingertips.
Kirsi didn't answer right away. She simply watched Raliya with calm, steady gaze before finally nodding once; voice as level as ever: "Among other things...so please, please let me make my proposal first. You'd be surprised how much I already know..."
"I still prefer to just wipe out those like you in our land," Raliya spat, her earlier anger still simmering beneath it all.
Kirsi shook her head slowly; her eyes never leaving Raliya's face.
"And it would achieve nothing," she said flatly, voice almost a reprimand. "Violence only teaches the people you want dead more hatred…and there are better options out there that can change things for the long term."
Kirsi paused for a bit. Raliya clearly wasn't having it, and Kirsi knew it, so she continued:
"I know it won't be easy, and it may even take years. But it'll be way better to get to that point, than get stuck in a war forever. I know what it's like to be hurt… but killing innocents isn't the answer. It'll just lead to more hatred, and more people who want to hurt the Fennec people back.”
Raliya's breath caught, her pupils dilating like she'd just been slapped. For a moment, the room was so silent you could hear Dodeka shifting uncomfortably near the wall.
Then Raliya laughed, a sharp, bitter sound that echoed off stone walls: "You think we don't know what suffering looks like?!" Her claws dug into her own arms now; tail lashing wildly behind her as her voice rose dangerously: "We were slaves under your people's Empire! We watched our families starve in gutters eating blubber while Elbrastrians ate gourmet meals and slept on silk sheets!"
Kirsi didn’t flinch this time either…but something flickered behind those calm eyes before she spoke again. "Blubber?"
"Or 'protein blocks' or whatever the hell you people call those things!" Raliya scoffed. Dodeka remembered the blubber, or 'protein bricks': the slabs of seal meat encased in a block of gelatin mixed with just enough nutrients necessary to keep the body going.
Kirsi's golden eyes hardened at the bitter words. "I know your history," she bit out, voice still steady but with a cold fury in its depths now. "The Fennec people have suffered tremendously. You've had your culture and language suppressed, your children taken away…you lost so much…and I can understand why you feel the way you do."
Raliya opened her mouth to snap out another angry retort, but Kirsi spoke first in the same calm but cold tone: "I lost something too.”
