At the head of the table stood Pyraz Hammerian.
An Amazon slave maid moved quietly around the perimeter, pouring dark red wine into polished iron goblets. Her movements were silent, disciplined, invisible to most of the men in the room.
Pyraz rested both hands on the table.
"I have gathered you all today to speak about the future of Dragon Hive. In the coming days, this island will be turned upside down."
The room grew still.
"How do I know this?" Pyraz continued. "Because Lux Wig himself told me that the so-called Parasite King has no true control over his parasites. And yet, Lux pretends ignorance about how they have been controlled all this time."
He lifted his goblet but did not drink.
"My conclusion? The Empress, so we are going to over throw her kingdom and kidnap her.."
Jeriko leaned back in his chair, a grin spreading across his face as the maid filled his cup.
"That sounds like a splendid idea."
Lacion Hammerian spoke next, his voice even and calculating.
"And what exactly do you plan to do once you have kidnapped her?"
Pyraz finally took a slow sip.
"We torture her until she reveals how her power works. We take that power. We use it to control the parasites. Once we control the parasites... we control the entire island."
Jeriko "Goodness that's perfect because I'm really tired of smacking slaves and them still smiling."
A quiet murmur of approval moved through the chamber.
Lacion's eyes narrowed slightly.
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
"And how did you acquire this information?"
"I have sleeper cell soldiers positioned near the Empress and scattered across the island," Pyraz replied smoothly. "Not to mention my son, Roxer. He attends Dragon Hive College. He has been feeding me information as well."
Jeriko chuckled.
"The plan is excellent. It should be an easy takeover. Once that happens, we will restore the Brothers Trinity completely."
Pyraz's expression hardened.
"There is one threat to us."
The room fell silent. Even the maid paused briefly before continuing her careful pour.
"The Sister Trinity," Pyraz said. "Three of them currently serve in the Black Ops unit."
Jeriko waved a dismissive hand.
"But they're being sent beyond the Wall. They'll die before they make it back."
"Perhaps," Pyraz replied. "But there is a possibility they survive. And if they do... that becomes a problem."
"Who cares if they return?" Jeriko scoffed. "We'll enslave them, Father. That's how it should be."
Lacion nodded.
"If they survive beyond the Wall, they'll be completely drained of Abi. They wouldn't be able to harm anyone."
Jeriko leaned forward.
"wait, I just remembered according to my little bro Roxer, the Scytherian has been using a rare Abi... Rose Red."
Lacion's brow lifted.
"That is higher-tier Abi. I was under the impression Scytherians can only access that after several centuries of life."
Jeriko shrugged.
"Maybe we should ask Metal. It is his daughter, after all."
All eyes shifted to the far end of the table.
Metal sat in shadow, his goblet untouched. The maid approached him carefully, filling it anyway.
He grinned. Then a thick deep southern accent came out.
"Don't trouble yourselves about my daughters," he said, almost bored.
"They'll serve their purpose. A man's seed is too valuable to waste on outsiders."
Lacion turned slightly.
"And what of Toshi Zenco? The so-called hero of Shogun?"
Jeriko's smile sharpened.
"Leave him to me. I will kill him personally."
Pyraz nodded once.
"Lacion, if you don't mind, I would like you to handle the Parasite King."
Lacion lifted his goblet.
"It would be my pleasure your excellency. In the end... all must fear the Hammer."
The Amazon maid finished her final pour and stepped back into the shadows as the men raised their goblets in silent agreement.
Above them, the island of Dragon Hive remained unaware that its fate was being carved in stone.