Xander replied, "Apex there's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing, they all look like gay men out there. They literally look like gay couples and assistants with their weird and goofy makeup."
"Don't say that out loud, you'll get a curse. You creature of the heathens of earth. Brighten up a little."
Xander responded, "A curse? For what? For speaking the truth to their faces. Have you even looked at the people we are talking about? You know when Solstice said council meeting with the realm lords, I expected generals, men of war and power, men of experience and strength. They may have strength but they don't look the part."
Apex smiled a little at his comment, "Give me a brief minute Xander. I'll be right back, I need to get the apparel I sent you." He passed through the portal and took it.
Xander pulled his clothes off his body, he had nothing but his boxers on. Apex came in, he stared at Xander for a moment. He uttered, "My oh my, you deserve to be on a billboard or a magazine. You look like a model. Who knew you had such a grace. Anyway wear this. It'll fit your body and your skin tone."
Xander took the gold and army green cloth, he wore it on his body. He looked like a general, it fit his body type and tone just like Apex said.
Apex spoke from behind, "Turn around Alexander."
"Oh—So you know my name? The whole title? Interesting to be aware of."
He turned around, Indeed Apex knew he did a good job. He said, "Sit, I need to fix your hair."
"Apex my hair feels and looks fine. It suits my face. Don't make me look like I'm gay. Even if I may give a masculine gay vibe but that's not the point now. Is it?"
"Yes it does but I can give you something that suits you better than the rest. Sit and let the master do his work on you."
Xander gave up his minimal approaches aimed at turning Apex away. He waited to see what Apex had up his sleeves. Alex trimmed a little bit of his hair and styled it with a touch of gel.
In a few minutes, he finished the process and said, "I'm done. Head downstairs, you are already late for the introduction of the council. Be quick."
Apex walked out of the room. Xander gaped at his reflection once again and noticed he looked fine. Better than before, he didn't regret it.
He walked down the stairs with nothing but a mild measurement of self confidence. He noticed a couple of eyes turning to meet his, he took his eyes to the stairs as he walked down. He didn't mind not having the top confidence in the room.
He took a glass of wine and drank from it. It had a peach like alcoholic taste, He ate a few cookies and sat by the table. One of the lords walked up to him, "Greetings Lord Xander. It's a pleasure finally meeting you. I've heard a lot about you and all that you conquered."
Xander gulped down the wine like a manner less and classless prince he was. He replied, "Oh yes that's fine. That's totally true. It's a pleasure meeting you too, what's the name and what realm please?" He said while standing up.
"Thank you for your honour, please sit. I'm Lord Yerti. I'm the lord over the Earth Y, the one close to yours."
"Oh yes, Earth Y! I've heard of it. What's it like there?" He tried to hide his highest level of sarcasm, he maintained his ecstatic nature.
The man continued to speak with Xander as time went on. Nebula on the other hand watched them from a very far point across the hall.
He drank from his glass cup, he stayed till he didn't feel like drinking anymore. He walked around pacing with the next plot still stuck in his mind. He needed Xander out of the seat fast.
Solstice muttered from behind, "The young man is too smart for any of your tricks Nebula. They won't work, Apex won't allow it at all. Know this and know it's peace."
"Let it be then." He walked down to hit his glass with a knife. He said out loud, "Let's be seated, it is time for the courts to gather."
He dropped the glass, he kept the knife. They all gathered around the long table to recognize the highest in authority, Solstice.
They stood to honour him as she walked down the stairs. They all remained silent till he got to the last step, he sat on his chair and said, "Please be seated. You are all welcome."
They all sat silently, Celeste read aloud from the paper in his hand. "Greetings to the realms and the lords, peace to the union and the brothers. You are all specially welcome to the council gathering of the alignment. Let us now discuss the reason for our gathering."
In total the lords around we're exactly twelve in number, excluding the chamber lords.
The first lord of the first earth realm, Earth SDIA stood on his feet. He greeted, "Greetings to the highest chambers and it's members. On behalf of Earth SDIA, We do not agree to the alignment."
He sat, Xander suddenly realized that they had the right to say no to it or to say yes if at all. The next man stood on his feet, "On behalf of Earth SOID, We agree to the alignment."
Solstice said, "Now, we have two different answer and conclusions of two realms. Those in favour of the alignment say yay! And those not in favour of the alignment say nay!"
The whole hall had a major echo move through. Solstice replied, "So be it."
Xander interuppted, "Wait!" The faces turned to him. "Why do we need the alignment?"
Apex asked with a low voice, "Xander what exactly are you doing? What are you asking?"
Xander stood, "I have a proposal, what would happen if we don't have the alignment?"
Solstice answered, "We would lose at least one earth realm and one chamber lord to balance the uproar of energy."
The hall turned quiet. They turned to each other. Xander asked, "Who amongst us would die?"
Solstice stared at him quietly, Apex answered, "The oldest and strongest, it's between both. So that either you or Solstice."
Xander's eyes showed a silent expression of shock. "And what would happen if we did it?"