House of the Celestials: Crown of Stars Rewrite

Congress Chamber

Congress Tower,

 Kelito city

Agartha, Anu Solar system

Divine Federation

Karkinos 8th, Y-1909

Back in the Congress chamber, the dimly lit room buzzed with tension as the Senators of the Divine Federation deliberated over the recent galactic events shaking the Known Universe. The destruction of Lamentias had not only obliterated a thriving planet but also severed the supply of Gallium crystals—a resource the Federation had relied upon heavily. Now, the Senators were locked in a heated debate over how to recover their losses.

Some demanded retribution against those responsible for Lamentias' downfall, pointing fingers at the planet's former Magistrate. However, any chance of holding her accountable had vanished when she and her family mysteriously turned up dead. Others argued that Starlight, the military sect tasked with planetary security, should bear the cost for failing to prevent Lamentias from becoming a Forsaken. That notion, however, was quickly dismissed—Starlight remained the backbone of the Federation's military might, too crucial to alienate. Still, whispers circulated among the progressive factions, hinting at a radical idea: severing Starlight from the Divine Federation entirely and establishing it as an independent organization. These rumors, though unsubstantiated, cast a shadow over the already fractious discussions, further dividing an increasingly unstable Congress.

Julia Haravok, well aware of the rumors circulating, felt a quiet satisfaction. The path paved with so many sacrifices was finally yielding the result she needed. She glanced at the Admiral beside her, who was listening intently to the heated debate unfolding in the chamber. Julia, however, had no interest in the discussion. As a Seer, she had foreseen this moment long before it came to pass. She already knew how it would end. There was little in the universe that could surprise a Seer of her caliber. Yet, despite her foresight, she had chosen to be here, to play her part. It was a necessary performance, even if the outcome was already written. The debate among the Senators grew increasingly contentious as they grappled with the repercussions of losing Lamentias. The economic ripple effects would impact every tier of the Federation's planets—colony worlds, minority planets, and even the influential Major planets. For now, the Major planets were insulated, thanks to their acquisition of Ogham, the former automaton-machine world capable of producing Gallium crystals. While Ogham's crystals lacked the purity of those from Lamentias, they were a temporary buffer. However, Julia knew the reprieve would be short-lived. Within five centuries—or perhaps even sooner—the loss would ripple outward, striking even the Major planets with undeniable force.

Julia allowed herself a small, knowing smile. The Senators might argue and posture, but the future had already been decided. Although Julia knew all too well that even the smallest of choices could shift the delicate threads of fate. As the Senators continued to argue, their discussion turned to finding an alternative source of ore—one that could replicate the unique benefits of Gallium. But where in the vast expanse of the Known Universe could such a resource be found? The debate hung in uncertainty until a Senator rose from his seat—a representative from one of the minor planets and a prominent member of the esteemed House of Aquarius. Dressed in a silver scientific robe, the hallmark of his House, he exuded an air of elegance and intellect. His turquoise hair slicked back with meticulous care, shimmered faintly under the chamber's dim lighting. With a face as radiant as it was striking, he commanded the attention of the House of Congress as he stood tall before them.

Clearing his throat, he prepared to address the chamber, his presence alone enough to momentarily silence the heated discussions.

"Esteemed members of the House, I would like to present an exhibit that I believe will be of great interest to everyone here," Aditya Sato began, his voice calm yet commanding. With a click of a button, the hovercam above the chamber activated, projecting the image of a device. Its design was unmistakable—it bore a striking resemblance to the Zodiak devices produced by the Zodiak Corporation, though it seemed to match the older models.

"What about it, Master Sato?" a Senator from the Conservative side asked, her tone laced with skepticism.

"This," Aditya continued, gesturing to the projection, "is a Zodiak device recovered from one of the planets within the Neutral Free Zone."

"So what?" another Senator interjected dismissively. "Zodiak devices aren't exclusive to the Divine Federation. They're sold across the cosmos. What's your point?"

Aditya's eyes narrowed slightly as he replied, "My point is this: one of the critical components required to build a Zodiak device is Gallium crystals. Normally, the Zodiak Corporation purchases these crystals from us to manufacture their devices, which they then sell within the Federation at lower prices. However, outside the Federation, the price of Gallium is double. Despite this, the Zodiak Corporation seems to have no trouble obtaining Gallium crystals elsewhere. This suggests we are not the sole source of the crystals." The room fell into a brief silence before a Senator from the Progressive faction erupted, his voice sharp.

"Are you insane, Master Aditya? Are you suggesting we go to war with the Land of Wa?" The mention of the Land of Wa caused murmurs to ripple through the chamber. An isolationist force located within the Neutral Free Zone, the Land of Wa shared a precarious border with the Federation, and any conflict with them could lead to catastrophic consequences. The Land of Wa was also the only other force known to possess a Gallium crystal source with purity rivaling that of Lamentias. In fact, before Lamentias came under the Federation's control, the Federation once held a trade agreement with the Land of Wa to acquire Gallium crystals. However, that agreement was severed after Lamentias' acquisition, and the relationship between the two forces has grown increasingly strained ever since.

"We all know that the Sato Industry has been trying to break into the mining business in the Land of Wa," a Senator said pointedly. "But to exploit this crisis as a way—"

"Be silent," Aditya interrupted. His voice, though devoid of Mystical power or Internal strength, carried a commanding intensity that silenced the Senator mid-sentence. "I suggest nothing of the sort. I am fully aware of the precarious nature of our relationship with Wa. If you had allowed me to finish, I would have clarified that the Zodiak device before you comes not from Wa, but from the planet Terra. I trust you are all familiar with Terra."

"Isn't that one of the backwater planets in the Neutral Free Zone?" a Conservative Senator scoffed.

"A tier-zero civilization," a Progressive Senator added, their tone equally dismissive. "Minimal Odic energy concentration, right? It's a human planet, isn't it? And its inhabitants are mostly mundanes if I'm not mistaken."

"Non-Mystical humans," another Senator chimed in. "Unlike Lamentias, which thrived with Mystical human populations."

"It's been centuries—no, perhaps millennia—since Congress last discussed such a place," remarked the Speaker of the House of Congress. A woman appearing to be in her late sixties, though much older than she looked, commanded respect with her calm, measured tone.

"And that is precisely why we remain ignorant of the truth," Aditya said, his voice calm but firm.

"What truth?" a Senator snapped impatiently. "Get to the point, Aditya. We don't have all day."

"While Terra is classified as a tier-zero planet with a tier-zero civilization, it is nonetheless capable of producing resources that surpass even those of the Capital planet of the Federation," Aditya declared. The chamber erupted into a chorus of objections, with many Senators viewing his claim as heresy against their revered Capital planet. But before their outrage could reach a crescendo, Aditya acted.

"Observe this," he said, raising his hand. From a band on his wrist, he produced a small, bluish orb—a core. The orb floated upward into the center of the chamber, radiating a faint glow. "You all know what this is. Feel its presence for yourselves." The room fell silent as the Senators extended their Internal senses toward the orb. What they detected left them momentarily stunned. The unmistakable energy of Vitanium—a rare and extraordinary resource infused with pure Life Force Od—emanated from the core. At first, some doubted its authenticity, suspecting it to be a trick. But the undeniable purity of its energy silenced even the skeptics. All eyes turned to Aditya, now filled with a mixture of awe and suspicion.

"Senator Sato," one of them demanded, "where did you acquire such an artifact? Surely you didn't steal it from the Federation's private collections?" The suggestion was not unfounded. As a powerful organization, the Divine Federation possessed an extensive collection of resources from planets under its control. However, the Vitanium before them radiated a purity that surpassed anything within the Federation's existing stockpile, leaving them to wonder how Aditya had come into possession of such an extraordinary item.

"I am not foolish enough to bring evidence of a crime," Sato replied, his tone edged with offense. "The truth, however inconvenient for the Federation, is that this Vitanium was obtained from the planet Terra."

"Terra?" a Senator echoed, disbelief etched into their voice. "But how is that possible? How could a planet of Non-Mystic humans produce such a—"

"That is because Terra is not a planet of only Non-Mystic humans," a deep voice interrupted.

All heads turned toward the source. A figure in a black cloak, its folds obscuring his attire, stood beside Aditya. His face was concealed by a bullhorn-shaped mask, the polished surface gleaming ominously under the chamber's dim lighting. The moment the Senators recognized him, the atmosphere in the room grew tense. This was Mallus, the Chief Commander of Sector Zero—an enigmatic figure whose power was whispered to rival, or even surpass, that of the Grand Admiral and the Supreme Pontiff of Starlight. His very presence carried an oppressive weight, and when he spoke, his cold, resonant tone silenced the chamber entirely.

"Let us not feign ignorance," Mallus said, his voice cutting through the stillness. "Some of you in this very chamber are well aware of Terra's true potential. After all, members of your own vassal families live and thrive within the Hidden World civilization on that planet." A ripple of unease spread through the room as Mallus's words hung in the air, exposing secrets that some had hoped would remain buried. The senators exchanged uneasy glances, silently wondering who among them had known such information.

"Even the noble Lady Julia of the Haravok family originates from the planet," Mallus added.

All heads turned to Julia. She met their stares with a composed smile, radiating poise and confidence.

"Still," Julia said, her tone measured, "the planet remains a tier-zero civilization. I fail to see why Senator Sato insists on bringing it to our attention."

"While it may be a tier-zero civilization, there is no denying the planet's capacity to produce extraordinary resources," Aditya interjected. He gestured toward the holographic image of the Zodiak device. "This particular Zodiak's Gallium crystal was mined and refined on Terra. That crystal was then used to produce this device. I believe that the Zodiak Corporation is well aware of Terra's resource potential and has quietly secured mining rights on the planet."

The chamber buzzed with hushed conversations as the senators discussed the implications of Aditya's revelation.

"If Terra, even as a tier-zero planet, can produce resources on par with Lamentias, imagine its output if it were to enter Ascendance," Aditya continued, his voice rising with conviction. "The resources it could yield would surpass anything in the Known Universe."

"I see where you're going with this, Sato," President Dallae interjected, his tone contemplative. "The planet could serve as a critical replacement for what we lost with Lamentias. But we cannot simply lay claim to a planet that does not belong to us."

"Why not?" Aditya countered. "As a tier-zero planet, Terra lacks a planetary will and has not officially been claimed by any force. It exists in a legal gray area—"

"If you truly know Terra," Admiral Wilcock interrupted sharply, "then you would understand that the planet is far from ownerless. You seem to forget the Peace Accord we signed with the forces of the Neutral Free Zone, which explicitly prohibits us from deploying military forces within its territories." The chamber filled once more with whispers and murmurs as the weight of Wilcock's statement sank in.

"The Admiral is correct," a senator added. "If we're unwilling to provoke the Land of Wa, then we absolutely cannot risk a confrontation with the Genesis Empire."

"The Yesh family, which governs that region, is rumored to have deep ties with the planet Terra," one senator noted gravely.

"And let us not forget the immense power they wield," another senator added. "Until the Divine Saints awaken, we cannot afford to provoke forces that possess Divine might."

"The Peace Accord you reference prohibits the military sect of Starlight from entering the Neutral Free Zone," Mallus interjected, his voice sharp and commanding. "But it does not restrict the Religious Sect."

He raised his hand, and the hovercam adjusted its projection. A new image appeared, followed by a video feed that sent a chill through the chamber. The screen displayed scenes of Terra, overrun by grotesque horrors. Cities were engulfed by the corruption of the Blackearth Virus, with innocent humans being transformed into monstrous Abominations. The imagery bore a haunting resemblance to the final days of Lamentias.

"How is this possible?" Speaker Naomi Bedford gasped, her voice trembling with alarm. "How can a tier-zero planet be encroached upon by the Infernal Plane?"

Mallus turned to face the chamber, his tone colder than ever. "For a tier-zero planet, Terra holds an unusually potent energy—energy that has drawn the attention of the Abominations. If we do nothing, it is only a matter of time before Terra becomes Forsaken—a foothold for an Infernal invasion the likes of which we have never seen."

The room fell into stunned silence as Mallus's words sank in. The weight of the revelation was almost too much to bear.

"I have already spoken with the Supreme Pontiff of Starlight," Mallus continued, his voice echoing with finality. "He has deemed that the planet is in urgent need of a Cleansing."

"A Cleansing? Do you truly wish to destroy a planet brimming with such potential?" President Dallae questioned, his voice filled with disbelief. "Just minutes ago, Aditya was proposing that we bring this planet under our fold."

"I have no intention of destroying the planet," Mallus replied calmly. "I am simply pointing out that this situation provides us with a legitimate reason to enter the Neutral Free Zone. The Peace Accord of the Sirius Pact, Act Two, explicitly states that Starlight has no jurisdiction over matters within the Neutral Free Zone—unless they pertain to Infernal-related activities. This planet clearly falls within that exception. A partial Cleansing should suffice. We will purge the Infernal energy from the planet, eliminate the Beast King responsible for the madness we saw on Lamentias, and claim Terra for the Federation, all in one decisive operation."

"I am not certain this is wise," President Dallae said, his tone hesitant. "Even with justification, the other forces will view our actions with suspicion—"

"President Dallae, have you forgotten the Blackstar Incident?" Mallus interrupted, his voice carrying an edge that silenced the murmurs in the chamber.

"What? Of course not!" Dallae replied, visibly flustered.

"Two hundred and sixty million years ago, a Star became Forsaken," Mallus began, his tone dark and deliberate. "In its depraved hunger, it began to devour entire solar systems, one after another. When the Abomination turned its gaze toward Agartha, the primary seat of the Divine Emperor's power at the time, it was the Divine Saints who united the forces of twelve planets—planets that would later form the foundation of the Divine Federation—to vanquish the threat."

He paused, his piercing gaze sweeping the chamber. "If we fail to act now, we risk repeating that tragedy. The Infernal corruption on Terra may seem contained but left unchecked, it could grow into a Cosmic threat. Just as we did with Lamentias, we must cut this problem at its root before it becomes unmanageable. And in doing so, the Divine Emperor shall reward us with the bounties of a planet overflowing with resources."

The room fell silent, the weight of Mallus's argument pressing heavily on every senator present. His words carried both a warning and a promise, one that none could easily dismiss. Even President Dallae could offer no rebuttal and was ultimately forced to agree with Mallus. Julia sighed softly, knowing full well that arguing against him was futile. She had warned the president about this very outcome—the sequence of events, the debates that would unfold, and even his eventual reaction. But foreknowledge was no shield against the inevitability of human emotions, and Dallae, like so many others, was ruled by them.

"I suppose we should put it to a vote on whether a Cleansing should be authorized," Vice President Jensen Bedford announced, his voice steady as he addressed the chamber. A member of the House of Pisces and husband to the Speaker of the House, he carried himself with a measured calm that belied the gravity of the situation. The vote was cast, and the outcome was no surprise to Julia—it unfolded exactly as she had foreseen. The majority of senators voted in favor of the Cleansing, granting it official approval. Yet the entire process was nothing more than a charade. The forces for the Cleansing had already been dispatched to Terra, with the Supreme Pontiff's blessing, under the Divine Saints' assurance. This vote was a mere formality, a spectacle orchestrated by Mallus to unmask the true enemies of the Divine Federation hidden among them.

Mallus's cold, calculating gaze swept across the chamber, finally settling on Admiral Wilcock and Julia Haravok. Though his face remained impassive behind the bullhorn mask, his intent was clear—an unyielding, burning desire to eliminate those he viewed as sinners, threats to the sanctity of the Federation. Julia met his stare with quiet defiance, her enigmatic smile betraying nothing of her thoughts, even as the tension in the chamber grew palpable.