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It’s surreal to see her in person. I’m used to seeing pictures of her in a pleasure dress, but today she is clad in the Orb-Armour of Elites, tailor made to fit her smaller frame.

She looks like she’s barely a few years older than me – but I know she’s commanded the Aurelian Empire for centuries.

One look at her steely expression makes me realize the vids and pictures don’t tell the story of who she really is. She is not the toy of her triad, who has been fucked on the holo-vids.

I realize now that Jasmine’s performances were all an act. With the Bond enhancing my senses, I now see who is the true power behind the Aurelian Empire. She’s commanded from the illusion of subservience – tricking those who believe in the Old Ways that she is utterly submissive to her triad, while in truth wielding complete control.

In front of her stand two of her oldest sons. I can’t see their eyes, but I know they’ll be colored, just like those of my triad. Jasmine’s sons are born of the Bond.

She has sired many more – hidden away, to prevent the Priests from dealing a fatal blow to her lineage by targeting them.

Behind Jasmine stand her ferocious triad. Led by Emperor Raegan, their faces look as if they were chiseled from stone. They’re weathered by stress, but tower like mountains. They stare down at the crowd below imperiously.

Down below, the sand of the arena is empty.

Dry.

Thirsty.

The blood of countless warriors has been spilled here for centuries. It’s part of the history of the Aurelian Empire. Men have fought and died beneath the same blazing sun – entrusting their fate to the Gods in a trial by combat.

Emperor Raegan himself slew the mighty Scorp-Blooded General Asmod in this very arena - paving his way to taking the throne.

That evil man, Asmod, was the first voice of the return to the old ways. Deadly, and charismatic, he would have led a rebellion centuries ago, if Raegan hadn’t cut him down.

As I stand there, the Arena becomes deathly quiet.

My triad marches in. My breath catches.

I expect them to look up at me as they’re led across the sands, but they keep their gaze forward, their backs straight. Their battle-armor covers them, and they carry Orb-Blades at their side, ready for combat.

Will this be trial by combat?

Will they have to face punishment for their crimes of smuggling?

I glance to the right and my stomach sinks. Up on the royal balcony, Raegan’s hand hovers over the hilt of his Orb-Blade. His triad are equally ready for combat. Raegan had become Emperor by slaying a man in this very arena, and he won’t hesitate to face down my triad now.

Bond-enhanced warrior against Bond-enhanced warrior? Blood would spill, and none of it the Empire can afford to lose.

Up on the balcony, Queen Jasmine raises her hands.

“We are fractured.”

Her voice booms out, amplified, and to my shock every Aurelian looks up at her with the same expression of devotion. Those that remain are utterly loyal to her.

She brought in a new era of Bonding. She gave these people hope, and they’ll die for her.

“The Old Ways are a lie,” Jasmine calls down. “Any child sired of a Forced Bond is cursed and twisted. The Priests and their traditions would doom our race. We.Will.Not.Let them.”

The crowd screams out for blood. They bay, cheer, and roar – the traditionally reserved, cold Aurelians letting go of their authoritative demeanor for a terrifying moment.

But my triad does not.

They stand calm and ready, like weapons waiting to be wielded.

Emperor Raegan steps forward.

“There has been a great betrayal,” he announces. “The Priesthood were plotting rebellion, and they were funded by our oldest enemies – the Toads.”