Julian shook his head. "No."
While he could theoretically usher the entire population of Brass Horizon City into his Hallowed Realm immediately, the logistics of thousands of people required a steady hand. He needed to identify the leaders first.
As he moved through the streets, Julian noted the eerie lack of chaos. Aside from the soldiers patrolling the walls, the city was orderly. People were terrified, yes, but they weren't rioting.
'To keep a city under siege by bone-wraiths this stable... the person in charge is a genius,' Julian thought. This was exactly the kind of talent he needed. The Stargates were unstable; when they shattered, the fate of those left behind was often grim. If he could recruit this strategist, the management of his Hallowed Realm would be secured for years to come.
"I'll pass word along," the veteran soldier said, summoning a runner.
Moments later, the runner returned. "Sir, Commander Ben has invited the gentleman to the Manor."
"Take Mr. Julian," the veteran ordered. "I must hold this sector." He turned to Julian with a weary nod. "I hope you're the miracle we need."
"The people of this city will be fine," Julian promised.
Inside the City Lord's Manor, Ben sat in the high chair, while the young man who had orchestrated the "spark of defiance" sat below him, sipping from a bronze cup.
"Jaxen, a man claiming to be from 'beyond the heavens' is at the gates," Ben said, his voice echoing through his steam-armor. "He claims he can save the city. Do you believe him?".
"Nothing is certain," Jaxen Flaux replied, his expression indifferent. "Monsters from the void have appeared; perhaps immortals exist as well. Or perhaps he is just a charlatan, like the zealots of The Order of Mecha."
Ben sighed, his servos whining. "I'm a soldier, Jaxen. I know how to swing a blade and command a line, but managing this... my head spins just looking at the ledgers."
"If he's a fraud, I'll know," Jaxen said, setting his cup down. "And then you can throw him from the battlements."
A moment later, Julian was ushered in. The air in the room smelled of sharp wine and machine oil. Julian's eyes immediately locked onto the young man, then shifted to Ben.
"Interesting," Julian murmured. He looked at Ben's face—so similar to Garrett's—and smiled. "Are you the current Lord of Brass Horizon City?"
"I am the Commander," Ben replied, trying to project a calm he didn't feel. "You claim to be from the heavens? You can save us?"
"I can save every soul in this city, and those in the surrounding wastes as well," Julian said confidently. Then, his eyes twinkled. "By the way, Commander... do you have a younger brother?"
Ben bolted upright, his armor hissing as he stood. "How do you know Garrett? Where is he?"
"He's my lead guard," Julian said. With a flick of his wrist, a ripple of golden energy manifested, and a burly figure in customized steam-plate appeared beside him.
Garrett blinked, looking around in confusion until his eyes landed on the man in the high chair. "Big Brother?"
"Garrett!" Ben roared in delight.
Julian stepped aside, letting the brothers reunite, and walked toward the seated strategist. Jaxen Flaux's eyes were wide, his hand trembling so slightly that wine spilled over the rim of his cup.
"A chat?" Julian asked.
"It seems you are truly from beyond," Jaxen sighed, regaining his composure. "You possess a spatial displacement ability I have never seen. For a strategist, an unknown variable is a nightmare."
"I am Julian, from beyond the heavens," Julian said, pointing toward the fractured sky.
"I am Jaxen Flaux, of the Ironside Academy," the youth replied, cupping his hands.
Julian's heart skipped a beat. Jaxen Flaux? In the history of the ancient era he studied at the Academy, Jaxen Flaux was a legendary genius whose foresight was said to be supernatural. He was the "Ghost Talent" who died far too young.
"Jaxen Flaux... the Ghost Talent?" Julian's surprise showed.
Jaxen narrowed his eyes. "You know my name? And my title? I have only just completed my studies. My reputation hasn't traveled past the province, let alone to the 'heavens'.
"I know a genius when I see one," Julian replied, pulling up a chair. "And I know your destiny. In the world beyond this sky, your name is whispered as a man who could outthink the gods."
Jaxen filled a second cup and pushed it toward Julian. "I've only just begun to study the stars. How could my name reach the heavens?"
"In my world," Julian said, taking a sip, "we study the greats to become great ourselves. If you come with me, you won't just manage a city. You'll manage a realm that spans the stars."