Chapter 7: Old friends
The room grew considerably quiet as the meeting came to an end.
Commander Oti grumbled through gritted teeth, visibly displeased with the outcome. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it now. He was a bit surprised by Umber's drastic change in tone, considering he'd been on their side in previous meetings.
Tera sighed in defeat, not caring too much about It. She just hoped whatever resulted from this wouldn't affect her people.
Aztec said nothing as a low hum escaped his lips.
Meanwhile, Respen simply leaned back in his chair.
Bastian could tell those two were more disappointed than everyone else here, although they weren't the type to show it. He just hoped they weren't planning anything.
Bang!
Nas.h's fist slammed the table hard, the sound echoing sharply across the room.
"...Fine then. Do what you want. I've already detached myself from these matters. The crater at the center of Tarok has taught me enough. I will not make the same mistakes I made last time." he said, standing abruptly.
Then, he turned to the door and stormed out of the room without looking back.
The rest of the council didn't react to his sudden outburst – After all, they were used to them. They rose one by one, bowed slightly to Bastian, and then left in silence.
Respen paused briefly at the door, glancing back at Bastian one last time before stepping out.
Soon, only Bastian and Tristan were left in the room.
Bastian exhaled deeply as he leaned back in his chair.
"How tiresome."
"All of this... is really so tiresome. It almost feels like we're losing every single time."
Tristan let out a breath as he turned his gaze to Bastian.
"Don't be like that, old friend. Are you not the one always going on about hope and faith? It would be too sad if you lost yours as well."
Silence stretched between them for several moments.
Then Bastian chuckled slightly as he turned to face Tristan.
"I suppose it would huh?"
"... You know, I've often found myself reminiscing on the old times these days, when all we had to worry about at the time was competing against each other on missions. How I miss that."
"Why did we have to be such geniuses and advance so fast? How shortsighted of our younger selves!" He mused as he pulled a jade coin from his pocket.
A faint purple glow enveloped it a second later, causing it to float slightly above his palm.
Bastian Lost, was a genius in every sense of the word. At only thirty four, he had already done what most took decades to achieve – if at all. He had cultivated his Heart Shard to the fifth stage, Dominion.
Not only that, he had also developed a unique ability from the moment he had been implanted with it.
Heart shard ability: Gravitas
The ability to manipulate one of the fundamental concepts of the universe, gravity itself.
He was quite good at it too, although not as good as a certain Warden – Something he'd often been reminded of.
His elemental ability that came with the Heart Shard was wind, which synched perfectly well with his ability.
As of right now, he was considered the second strongest Sentinel in the entire Galaxy.
Naturally, Tristan – a silver Mornan, wasn't that far behind either.
His Heart Shard had already reached the fourth stage: Harmony, like every other member of the council – despite being a quarter their age.
He had never gained a unique ability like Bastian, which was common – but he did receive four elemental affinities with his Heart shard instead of the usual one, an impossible feat.
He was a prodigy in his own right.
Tristan smiled warmly as he glanced at Bastain.
"I think leadership suits you well, my friend."
"Now you actually have to think, before you act." He quipped.
Bastian glanced at him with a look of indignation.
He ignored it as he went on.
"Also, you're the only genius in this room. I simply had to try my best to keep up with you, that's all." Tristan said, leaning back in his chair.
Bastian scoffed.
"Oh please, don't try to sell yourself short. Unique abilities are nice and all, but most people develop one as they keep ascending. You'll get one as well when you reach the fifth or sixth stage."
"The same can't be said for elemental abilities." Bastian mumbled with an envious expression.
"So don't go acting all humble, it's only annoying me."
Tristan let out a faint chuckle
"Alright fine, I was being a bit modest. Maybe I am the better genius." he teased.
Then, his expression darkened slightly.
"So, that was quite an interesting meeting, wasn't it, Bastian? Especially the part about the Renegade boy."
Bastian nodded in agreement.
"Yes, it was. And thank you for backing me up on that matter, by the way – Like always."
"Truly, I'm blessed with great company... Well, mostly, at least."
Tristan waved dismissively as he leaned forward, his pristine white hair glinting in the room's light.
"That was nothing. It's only natural I have your back, old friend."
"... But there is one thing I find quite strange about the meeting though."
"Something I'd go as far as to say is quite out of character for you."
Bastian's brow raised.
"Oh? What's that?"
His eyes meanwhile were focused on the jade coin zipping about the room.
Tristan turned his gaze to the coin gliding around, as well – his bright blue eyes narrowing slightly.
"To me... It almost seemed like you were more concerned about the fate of that half-human boy – than dealing with the fallout from the annihilation of one of our most treasured planets."
"That wouldn't be the case right, old friend?"
"You're not planning anything for that child, are you?"
He paused for several moments, then continued on.
"...Anything having to do with Yue Xie, for instance?"
Bastian lazy smile faded almost instantly as the jade coin halted in the air.
The invisible tension in the room suddenly became much more noticeable.
His gaze met Tristan's again as he turned to him.
Then, Bastain's jaw clenched slightly as he stood up – levitating the coin closer to him and pocketing it.
"...That's uncalled for, Tristan. You of all people know how much that name means to me."
Tristan said nothing in return as he studied Bastain intently.
Finally, Bastian let out a deep breath as he walked towards the door.
"There's nothing going on old friend, trust me. You're being paranoid again."
"This was merely an emergency meeting to get some pressing matters out of the way. We have to fully understand the scope of our current losses to know where we go from here."
"The Arbus situation could just be settled quicker, so I decided to focus on that sooner."
He glanced back at Tristan for a moment.
"You know me, Tristan. I'm simply doing what I think is best, and what I believe is for the greater good. I'm not one to let my emotions get the better of me. Not anymore at least." Bastian whispered as he walked out the door – closing it behind him.
Tristan sat silently for several moments. "You are right, Bastian. I do know you."