The Great Authority Hall was bathed in a soft golden light, its vast space filled with a silence that carried weight. Seven Astarchs sat in a wide semicircle, each on a raised seat carved from polished stone, engraved with the emblem of their home planet. In front of them, slightly apart, sat the eighth—the Supreme Astarch. He was alone, yet composed under the steady gaze of the others.
The gathering space was a large circular platform, surrounded by tall golden pillars placed evenly around its edge. The walls were smooth and silver-grey, forged from a rare metal found only on the planet of Andromir. The Supreme Astarch's throne rose just slightly higher than the others—a quiet reminder of his rank. His seat too bore the mark of Staranthea, the planet he ruled.
Behind each Astarch stood two Vanguards, their stances firm, each holding a unique weapon. Vanguards were not ordinary warriors—they were among the most skilled individuals from their respective worlds, chosen to protect their Astarch with unwavering loyalty.
Above them stretched a vast dome, clear and nearly invisible, yet strong enough to resist even the deadliest enigma powers. Through it, the night sky revealed its full splendor. Stars glittered like distant fires, and the spirals of faraway galaxies floated across the void. It was nearing 11 p.m., and Andromir's sky was at its most serene.
Though the hall remained still, faint voices could be heard from outside. The support Vanguards were on standby, exchanging quiet words while they maintained their positions. From within, it sounded like distant murmurs, soft and unobtrusive.
The Supreme Astarch looked around at the circle of authority members. He drew in a long, steady breath and prepared to speak—ready to break the silence that hung so heavily in the air.
"Welcome, esteemed Astarchs, to the authority gathering of ALR-6126. It hasn't been long since our last meeting. The past few years have tested us all, but now, at last, things have settled. Perhaps we can finally call it peace—at least for a little while."
Just a few days ago, the Zorgonax Dominion welcomed the dawn of a new year—ALR-6126. The term ALR stands for After Legendary Revolution, a calendar used throughout the Dominion. Time is measured from the date of the historic event known as the Legendary Revolution, which took place 6126 years ago. As the new year begins, so does the annual authority meeting, held at the Great Authority Hall on the neutral planet of Andromir.
Zorgonax is a vast galaxy made up of many planets, but among them, eight stand out as the core of the Zorgonax Dominion. These eight planets are home to diverse races known for their intelligence and strength. Each planet is led by an Astarch, chosen by the people through different systems—elections, royal succession, or even by conquest, depending on their traditions.
Together, the eight Astarchs form the Authority, a council responsible for maintaining peace and balance across the Dominion. From among themselves, they choose a Supreme Astarch—the strongest and most capable leader—who guides the Authority and represents its will for as long as they are fit to lead.
The Authority is based on a neutral, uninhabited planet known as Andromir. Though no race calls it home, Andromir serves as the central hub for all major administrative, political, and interplanetary affairs of the Zorgonax Dominion. From council gatherings to classified operations, everything important takes place here. The planet houses several critical facilities, including the Great Authority Hall, the central Lending Power System, and the Hell's Prison.
After the Supreme Astarch's opening words, the Astarch of Novarion leaned forward, his voice calm but edged with resentment.
"I still carry my doubts about the decisions this Authority made in the past few years. Yes, the outcomes favored us in the end—but only because circumstances happened to improve. If they hadn't… Novarion might not even exist today."
The Astarch of Galaxar let out a soft click of annoyance, his brow twitching. "Tch. We discussed this thoroughly, Astarch of Novarion. Every member gave their approval."
With arms crossed and posture unshaken, the Astarch of Novarion met his gaze. "Not every member. I voiced my disagreement clearly. And if sacrificing a planet was so easy for you… then why didn't you sacrifice your own?"
The Astarch of Galaxar raised his hand, gesturing dismissively as he spoke.
"Because we need Novarion's people for the development of Zorgonax. Why would we abandon a strong and intelligent planet in favor of those who offer nothing in return?"
The words struck a nerve. The Astarch of Novarion's jaw clenched, a flicker of anger passing through his eyes.
Astarch of Galaxar continued, his voice cool, with a hint of superiority.
"Don't take it personally—but even you can't deny the truth. Your people have become a burden. They contribute the least to the Dominion, and worse, their defiance creates more problems than progress. As their Astarch, that failure reflects on you."
Thud. A sharp bang echoed through the hall as the Supreme Astarch struck the armrest of his throne, silencing the rising tension.
"Enough," he said firmly. "The Novarians are not refusing to contribute to Zorgonax's progress. If anything, we have failed them—failed to provide the resources they truly need."
He let his gaze sweep across the chamber before continuing.
"Unlike the others, Novarians have fewer power variants. Their population lacks those with natural affinities for elements like rock, water, and air. This makes them more reliant on the lending system than most. And they are not alone—many other planets face similar limitations."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice deepening with authority.
"That is why we must finally accept the need for an unequal distribution of lending power—one that reflects the actual needs of each planet," the Supreme Astarch continued. "We've resisted this change for too long. But now is the time to move forward."
He looked around the hall, his voice steady but firm.
"As always, we'll settle this with a poll. Who stands against this proposal?"
The sudden call for a vote caught the Astarchs by surprise. A quiet tension filled the room, but it was soon replaced with quiet nods and glances of relief. Many had been waiting for this change for years.
Only the Astarchs of Galaxar and Nebulon raised their hands in opposition.
"Then it's decided," said the Supreme Astarch. "Six out of eight are in agreement. We will begin assessing the needs of each planet and prepare a new model for power distribution. This will ensure that those with fewer natural abilities are no longer left behind."
He paused, his tone turning heavier.
"And we must do this now. We've only recently recovered from the imbalanced Ather incident. It's been ten years since the attack of Velnut—an apocalypse that didn't even last ten days, but left scars that took a decade to heal. That was a deep failure, a shame we still carry."
His gaze moved to each of the Astarchs in turn.
"But the past is behind us. Now, we must look ahead—toward building a future stronger than what we lost."
A wave of approval swept through the hall. The Astarchs, along with their Vanguards, rose briefly from their seats in silent agreement. A few shared quiet nods, others allowed themselves a small smile—rare gestures in a place usually filled with rigid formality.
For a moment, the atmosphere felt lighter. After years of disagreements, delays, and imbalance, a major step had finally been taken. The long-awaited reform had begun, and with it, hope stirred again within the Authority.
Everyone welcomed the moment as the beginning of a new chapter. Small celebrations followed—nothing loud or grand, but heartfelt enough. The Supreme Astarch remained composed, yet even he allowed a subtle grin to escape, watching as old rivals shared rare glances of unity.
The discussion soon resumed, moving forward with fresh energy. The Astarchs began outlining the next steps—assigning representatives, planning surveys of each planet's current power state, and proposing dates for further councils. Topics shifted quickly from resource distribution to planetary defense and diplomatic ties.
As the night stretched on, the Great Authority Hall, once cold and heavy with tension, now echoed with voices that sounded more like allies than divided leaders.
And so, under the watchful stars of Andromir, the seeds of a new era were quietly sown.