The Reformation

by Garggie Talukdar

  “Surely NNR can bear to part from their king for a little while longer!” a man cried out, looking much more sincere than any other politician that Jax had ever encountered. Of course, they had years of practice on their side; endless time for them to master their fake smiles and forced laughter.

  “You must stay for a fortnight,” a woman to his side said, gushing in a way that Jax gathered as for a show that he would never bother entertaining himself with.

  “King Jaxcon is so very busy, but I am sure he will try his best to make time for us,” Kessia said, her blue eyes colder than Jax expected, seeing her sunny smile. “Pray tell, what was the cause of your delay in getting here?”

  “It’s a long story,” he started, though the woman to his side seemed to have wanted to hear it, turning her unnaturally violet eyes on him.

  “I adore stories! What kind is it?”

  “Well, it was because of a matter concerning the palace, actually,” he started, spying a small servant boy running up to Kessia to hand her a note out of the side of his sight. He could see how her smile fell, and he was able to see that soldier demeanour that was nagging him the entire evening, her face serious, grave, and somewhat pissed. And if there was something that Jax knew, it was that his Strategists had a knack of pissing people off, and if they were here, safe for now in the Citadel, he would have to trust they could manage themselves. He turned to his audience, waiting as he gave a little dramatic pause for his pondering, letting his lips quirk into a smirk. “It was a meager incident, but you know how these things work; you must attend to them before they become a raging inferno.”

  Jax’s smile was slightly less forced now, a little proud of his play on words, but it grew even more when he noticed the slightly distressed look on Kessia’s face. The General carefully licked her lips, looking as if weighing her words carefully.

  “As sad as I am to be breaking up the party, I’m afraid I have a small problem I have to settle. After everything is done, I’ll speak to you in private King Jaxcon, and we’ll allow you to go back home. Until then, I’m sure everyone here will be entertaining,” she finally said, a terse smile plastered on her face.

  “Of course, General. But please, don’t let me keep you from whatever it is you need to do,” And good luck with getting them to break, he mentally added, turning back to the conversation at the table.

  He knew them, they wouldn’t let a word slip from their mouths. The human in him however, found itself wanting them to confess, because maybe then, there would be a chance that she would leave them unscathed. They were tough, he knew that, but he didn’t want them to be subject to pain on his behalf.

  But before he could tune out the amble to worry about the three lives that were potentially at stake, someone drew him into a conversation, and Jax found himself lost, once again, in the word of false happiness that he just couldn’t seem to shake off.

  …

  “I see you’ve met Major Jae Parks. He’s recently been promoted to Major here; you might remember him from the Garrison in Talibut during WWIII,” Jax looked up to Kessia, and wasn’t sure if her arrival was a relief or not. On one hand, she was giving him the vibe of a maniacal dictator who had just tortured his friends and murdered his father, but on the other, Major Parks managed to give Jax a horrible feeling within the first 4 seconds of seeing him.

  He was dark, tall, and handsome, maintaining his look of being in his early-twenties well. He also had a murderous glint in his eyes, the sadistic gleam of someone who had seen so much and inflicted even more hurt. But as soon as he was placed beside Kessia, he looked nothing more than a pawn standing behind his General—always looking pretty—to Jax. To Major Parks, however, Jax figured that the situation looked ideal; the Major likely thought that soon, he would take Kessia’s power for himself. But something in Jax told him to doubt that outcome.

  “I have,” Jax said, choosing to keep it brief. “I hope all business went smoothly?”

  Her jaw was tight. “Extremely so. Major, dismissed. I need to have a private audience with His Majesty.”

  The Major just nodded, giving both Kessia and Jax a small bow. “I hope we’ll meet once more before you leave, but if not, I sincerely wish you’ve enjoyed your stay here on Elix,” And even though Jax knew that Major Jae Parks would age before he would ever be sincere, he simply smiled and turned back to Kessia.

  “I hope all your business is taken care of?”

  There was a predatory gleam to her smile. “It is. My office?” she offered, opening a door just by where they were standing in the hallway. Jax just managed a smile, charming and political as always, and followed her in, making sure to firmly close the door behind him.

  The room was like any other in the Citadel; beautiful and perfect and modern. And right on the middle on the desk was a document, one that made Jax’s heart hammer into his throat, because this was the reason so many died. King Nikholas refused to sign this document, and that led to the bloodiest war of their time, and now Jax had to sign it. If he didn’t…

  “I’m assuming you know why I’ve invited you in?” Kessia asked, and Jax didn’t let his smile falter for a second.

  “I’ve made my assumptions, but you know what they say about those,” Kessia laughed, and Jax dug his fingers into his palm, reminding himself that he had to do this. “But I would feel more comfortable if you explained as well.”

  “The signing of the Treaty,” she started, taking a seat on the other side of the desk. “-is sometimes something that is hugely publicized. I like to keep my signings quiet, hence, we’re in here. Wine?” she asked, and Jax nodded.

  If he was going through this, he might as well have some liquid courage running through his veins.

  “Perfect. Take a seat, please.”

  Jax pulled out his chair, carefully sitting himself down as Kessia pulled out two goblets, seemingly too intricate to have anything drunk out of it, but Kessia simply unstopped a glass bottle, pouring the red liquid evenly between the two.

  “I simply need to sign?” Jax asked, taking his goblet to take a small sip, before resting it on the table.

  “Simply sign,” Kessia reaffirmed, pulling out a pen and turning the document towards her. “I do appreciate NNR’s cooperation.”

  Kessia uncapped her pen, and Jax felt her stomach curl in dread. He knew that this was the only way, that this was the only choice other than death for his nation. But it still felt so wrong, knowing just what the Immortales were capable, what they were already doing.

  But he had already tried delaying the signing for as long as he dared, holding off to see if any of his Strategists would burst through the doors, giving him a reason of why not to sign the Treaty. Because right now, he didn’t have a reason to willingly be the cause of WWIV.

  And by her grin, Jax guessed that Kessia knew that.

  Of course, she knew.

  She moved to put the pen to the paper—the time fluid and too slow for Jax to bear—moving to seal the fate of Jax as her puppet for the next 3 years by simply signing her name in ink and turning the page around for him to do the same. It would take less than a fraction of a second for everything to be done, and Jax’s gut corded tightly in accordance with that fact, his breathing more constraint and shallow.

  But her pen did not meet the paper, because someone rapped on the door, causing Kessia to jolt upwards, looking annoyed. “Later,” she called, though the knocking did not subside. “I said-”

  She did not get to finish her sentence, because Major Parks burst through the doorway, his head cast low. “General-”

  “I told you that you were dismissed, Major. Is something unclear?”

  “Not at all,” he said tightly, eyes not meeting hers, and—despite the fact that it was the tedious Major instead of Celine or Stel or Z—Jax allowed himself to ease his jaw a bit because whatever was happening, it would clearly buy him some time. “There is a guard who defied orders explicitly given to him by you, attempted to steal property, and has deserted p
ost.”

  “What guard?” Kessia asked, eyes narrowed into slits.

  “Weslin.”

  Kessia sighed, setting down her pen while turning towards Jax. “I know you’ll understand, King Jaxcon. Besides, I know that everybody at that table was a bore, so why don’t I show you true Immortale entertainment?”

  Jax smiled, the only thing he was apparently competent at, feeling his stomach drop in dread. He needed time, and this was a clear way to buy it, but he wasn’t quite as sure if he was ready to face the repercussions that came with making this choice.

  Kessia’s eyes glinted dangerously, and she turned to nod at the Major, who then ushered in a young-looking guard. “Weslin; you’ve interrupted an extremely important meeting. What do you have to say for yourself?”

  “I’m sorry, General. I was just-”

  “Sneaking off, trying to board a boat which was not his,” the Major supplied, grinning wolfishly. The General, however, didn’t look as amused, instead looking quite bored. Something about that made Jax’s skin crawl more than the gleaming white teeth of Jae Parks.

  “Is that really, Weslin?” The guard looked down, and Kessia’s nostrils flared in anger as her chair loudly scraped backwards, and the leader herself propelled herself to her feet. The sudden rage, left Jax whirring, as he was not expecting to see so quickly. “I asked you a question.”

  “Yes, General.”

  “I assume your duties aren’t done,” General Kessia mused, taking her seat once more. “How is Sonja?”

  The guard looked up in shock, his ageless face confused, and honestly, Jax felt as puzzled as him. “Pardon, General?”

  “Sonja Tarell. She’s a stunning woman, Weslin. You’re a lucky one; it’s rare to find someone who stops aging at the same time as yourself, isn’t it? So let’s keep her pretty. Finish your assignment before the next full moon. Give me their heads and Sonja will be given to you, unmarred. Until then, she will be held in our prison block. Dismissed.”

  Weslin’s eyes were wide, this time in fear than anything else, and he gave his General a quick bow before scurrying off. The Major moved to follow but stopped as Kessia called out for him. “How is Kaleb, Jae?”

  If he wasn’t disgusted before, Jax definitely was now. Kessia had just given Weslin a potent threat, one that Jaw knew that she wouldn’t hesitate to follow through with. Whatever this assignment was, he assumed it was important enough for manslaughter, but even then…

  And now, Jax knew he was about to witness another threat being made. And by the way, Jae swallowed, Jax realized that the Major knew it too. “He’s well.”

  “Great man, really. You two look so well together, so watch your step if you want him in one piece,”

  Parks’ jaw tightened, his eyes pained. “Is that all, General?”

  “Of course; just after you make sure that Sonja Tarell is put in the block. Retire early and send Kaleb my regards. And take all of the guards with you, they’re a bother.”

  The Major opened his mouth, and then wisely shut it, bowing meekly before filing out of the room. That left room for silence, consuming them whole, and Jax could feel the watchful gaze of Kessia, studying him similarly to how he was earlier studying her.

  “Definitely more entertaining than dinner,” he finally chose to say, still reeling from trying to process that overload of information.

  “Isn’t it?” Kessia asked brightly, her eyes filled with a child-like humour. It would have made her look even prettier, had Jax not known that this brightness was caused by entertainment that required many threats and deaths. She picked up the pen again, light-fingered and hard mouthed, and Jax felt his heart stop not for the first time that night, and not for the last, he was certain. “Now about the Treaty-”

  ‘Where is the Immortale Queen?” Jax blurted out, and for the first time during that entire day, Kessia looked surprised. Her smile faded, and she furiously bent over across the paper, signing her name with rapid speed.

  Looking up, she turned the document over and slid it towards him. “The Immortale Queen is not in a position to be making decisions. For that reason, I, as the next person in line for the throne, am taking her place.”

  She set the pen down in front of him, though Jax made no move to touch it. “In the agreement, it is said that the Treaty must be signed by the Immortale Queen,” Jax reasoned, buying for time. Beforehand, he wanted to get the signing over as soon as possible, but now that he knew almost for certain the Strategists were here, he needed more time.

  “If you do not sign this, you know what it will bring. King Nikholas made the mistake, and he caused the greatest war to date. I believe that Malachi—the boy serving as your guide—showed you our War Technology Hall. I know of what you do in NNR, Jaxcon, and I assure you, we will win only in the matter of days,”

  “It’s King Jaxcon, unless stated otherwise,” Jax informed her coldly, pushing the Treaty away from him slightly. “And I would advise you against underestimating NNR, and the mere mortals that reside there.”

  Kessia anger was more fire than Jax’s ice, but she was steely calm, somewhat serene. “Of course, King Jaxcon,” she said, looking disgusted as if his name tasted foul in her mouth. “And you are quite right; Celine Hollingsworth—that is her name, is it not? —well, she’s a trooper. Took her much longer than I expected for her to scream. She’s resilient, I grant you that much. I’m not sure what kind of training you put them through, but my—even after being put through excruciating pain, she went through more trials until she collapsed, her heart failing her.” Jax felt his heart leap into his throat, his fear burning into fury. “She’s probably heaving her last breaths as we speak.”

  Jax knew her game, and he wouldn’t grant her the satisfaction of breaking, so he went the route that the Strategists no doubt did—keeping his head high and keeping his teeth gritted through the pain. She’s lying, she’s lying, she’s lying. “Cards on the table,” Jax said, scanning Kessia’s face for any uncovered thoughts.

  “They’ve been on the table for some time, King. It’s just that you’ve now acknowledged them.”

  He leaned forward, keeping his face impassive. “What did you do with them?”

  “Everything I had to,” she shot back, her face just as collected as his. “I’m merciful; I cleared out the guards so if they somehow managed to get out of their chains, they would leave. If they really are as ineffable as you describe them to be, they’ll be able to go home with you on your boat tonight.”

  “That’s too easy,” he said.

  “I am merciful,” she repeated, smirking as she straightened her pantsuit. “But you are right; it is too easy. That’s the reason why this offer is only valid if you sign the Treaty.”

  “The Treaty won’t stand,” He leaned back in his chair, staring her down. “I need the Immortale Queen or some proof that you are her lawful successor.”

  “You’re more intelligent than I thought you would be,” she said plainly, standing to move the large painting behind her chair. Behind the rather abstract swirls, was a safe with a dial that she quickly turned, opening it up to reveal one single file. She sat back down, opening it for Jax to see. “This is a document signed by our former Immortale Queen, myself, and your father. Authenticate it for however long you wish.”

  Jax picked up the paper, staring at it long and hard, feeling his mouth dry up as he saw his father’s signature. There was something in the loops and ineligible calligraphy reflected Jax’s own handwriting that made Jax know it to be his father’s. He read the document as quickly as he dared, rereading some parts before coming to the one conclusion.

  Kessia had every power to sign the Treaty.

  Meaning that opting out of this signature would cost NNR, Elix’s goodwill and peace. And god knew what would happen if it were to come to that. “Before I sign the Treaty, I want a signed, valid agreement regarding the fate of the three you tortured. If the offer still stands, I want it in pen and paper.”

  “Already done.” S
he slapped down a piece of paper that already possessed her scrawled signature, and tentatively, Jax picked it up to make sure that it wasn’t a forgery or dupe. “You don’t need to a sign a thing. It’s an agreement stating that they have been granted access by the government of Elix-”

  “-to leave the city upon their request. Signed by Sovereign General Kessia Van Dyke,” Jax finished, reading the agreement out loud. “If I sign, they’re free? You can assure that no matter what, they get to go back to NNR?”

  Kessia shrugged. “If they make it that far. They weren’t in the best shape when I left. Sign the Treaty, and you have my promise of their freedom along with peace for NNR.”

  “The cards really are on the table, aren’t they?” he asked under his breath, faced by an easy but still morally challenging decision. Signing is what he came here to do; not signing wasn’t an option. So why didn’t he just sign the damn Treaty?

  “There is no other choice. We’re 5 steps ahead of you no matter whatever move you make. We’ve known the entire time that Stel was waltzing here, how Arleyene was dead. We’ve known about your little group dedicated to rebuilding NNR while taking us down since the moment of its conception. We know every morsel of information on each person in your nation.”

  Jax stayed silent, knowing exactly how that came to be.

  “Oh wait. Do your people even know that they are chipped?” Jax tried to be impassive, knowing that he was losing grip on their argument. “That truly is something. You didn’t tell anyone that they have an ID number for us Immortales to constantly track. But that shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, seeing as many of them don’t even know that we exist. You are still trying to protect them from our empire’s shadow,” she chuckled wryly, before hardening her eyes and leaning in. “Well, you can’t protect them anymore, Jaxcon. We already have NNR in stalemate.”

  “This isn’t in any way encouraging me to pick up that pen,”