Chapter 135 - First Time

"NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!" Flamewing shouted when she found out what Alexander was planning. 

"Why not? I agree with Regis, it's an excellent idea. We need solid intel to create the right tactics and strategies to make our invasion a success. That sort of solid intel can never be found by reading a report. I need to be there, to feel, to see, to hear… Plus it would purely be a recon mission. There wouldn't be any danger involved." Alexander said mildly before the entire room erupted with more protests.

"What do you mean no danger? You're travelling with a damned sellout who would sell you the minute he gets a better deal than the one you're offering!" Flamewing said hotly. "No offence, Regis."

"None taken. That's actually an excellent description of me." Regis grinned. 

"Which is exactly why it would be safe for me. Who else could offer him more than what we're offering?" Alexander pressed on. "The fact that we're the highest bidder would tie him to our cause very, very strongly.

"What exactly are we offering, Your Majesty? Betraying his God and risk his utter and complete wrath? High possibility of death, and even worse, undeath?" Caerose said. 

"Great risks for an even greater reward." Alexander simply said. 

"And apart from travelling with a ridiculously untrustworthy companion, we'll also be travelling into his turf, hostile territory with THREE Gods to boot!" Flamewing cried out. 

"They don't know we're hostile - Yet." Alexander said. "Although I am sure we can go on for hours about the advantages and disadvantages of this mission, you guys are forgetting one crucial thing."

"What is it?" Caerose demanded.

"Very simple. This is my command." Alexander smiled. But there was no warmth in his smile. There was only cold determination.

Protest. Protest. Protest. Protest.

"I command it." 

Protest. Ridicule. Protest. Plea.

"I command it."

Protest. Mock. Protest. Protest.

"I command it."

On their way out, Alexander and Aleyria could hear Dubaza complain bitterly to Blackfire. 

"How in God's name are we supposed to guard the King as the King's Guard if the damned King himself insists on getting himself surrounded by enemies who can obliterate him with a single lifting of their fingers, an entire REALM away from us?" 

"You need to find a new job then." Regis Darkbane chimed in with a chuckle.

"Great idea. Are you hiring Royal Bodyguards?" Dubaza asked hopefully.

"Are you kidding? Of course not. But I know many who would be hiring new Royal Bodyguards soon." 

"Who?"

"His enemies."

"... …"

*-*-*-*-*-*

Once the room had cleared out and only Alexander and Aleyria were left, Alexander turned to Aleyria and smiled ruefully.

"Aleyria, I -" He began.

"Hush." Aleyria stepped into his embrace gracefully and nestled her head on his broad shoulders with a contented sigh. 

Too many crazy things had happened recently and it was really difficult for Aleyria to emotionally digest everything. 

Her world had suddenly expanded beyond her wildest dreams, and the enormity of everything that was happening to her was peeking through the veil that she had erected over her heart, seeking an opportunity to come crashing over her. Through everything, the only thing that was constant in her life was Alexander. He was her lifeline, her anchor in the crazily evolving situation she was in. 

God or not, power difference be damned, the heavens knew that she desperately needed the intimacy with Alexander. 

With a happy sigh of his own, Alexander wrapped his powerful arms around Aleyria. For many long minutes, both of them remained in that position, finding much needed comfort in each other's embrace. 

However, men were not designed to settle merely for comfort in the arms of his extremely beautiful beloved.

Gently, Alexander caressed Aleyria's hair with his left hand before pulling away from their embrace very slightly, just enough to place his right hand on her cheeks. Alexander stared deeply into Aleyria's eyes and found, to his pleasant surprise, a passion within them that mirrored his own. 

Slowly, he bent his head down for a kiss. As Aleyria closed her eyes, he could feel his heart hammering loudly in his chest. 

His bottom lip grazed her upper lip lightly, like a little nudge. However, that little act caused little explosions within their hearts as their passion ignited completely.

He could feel Aleyria's sharp breath intake as she subconsciously lifted her lips up, seeking another touch from his. This time, Alexander allowed his upper lip to gently trace the contour of her own upper lip. 

At that, he could feel Aleyria's excitement shoot through the roof as she breathed out and lifted her lips up even more, desperately seeking a release to her mounting hunger for Alexander's lips.

Alexander stopped his little tease and gave Aleyria a deep, and much needed kiss. Finding that Aleyria was kissing him back passionately fed his hunger for her immeasurably. 

Both Alexander's and Aleyria's went completely blank as they indulged in their carnal desires by devouring each others' lips. Very soon, their tongues began to intertwine. Gently and lightly at first, little shy flicks that ignited even more little explosions in their hearts, before devolving into a full blown contest as to who could wrap their tongues over the other's first.

Future loss gave force to present passion. 

Alexander ran his hands all over Aleyria's back before finally grabbing her bottom with his right hand. Aleyria breathed in sharply at that, but allowed Alexander to do whatever he wanted as she continued to kiss Alexander hungrily.

Emboldened by Aleyria's implicit agreement, Alexander continued his exploration of her body.

What followed was the most natural consequence of two people fully in love and committed with each other being alone and completely cut off from the outside world (by force of barriers which Aleyria had hastily erected when she realized things were going in a certain unique direction).

*-*-*-*-*

The aftermath of the epic battle that occurred above Arcanus 26, and Aleyria's ascension into the Realm's top spot in fighting power was drastic, to be really mild about it. 

Strangely, the place with the least amount of shock and disarray over the whole thing was Arcanus 26 itself. Being a completely magical world devoid of meaningful technology, they had no idea of the incredible things that happened in space. All they knew was that literally billions of flying metallic constructs had suddenly appeared from beneath the ground, fought another bunch of massive flying metallic constructs which eventually landed and gained control of their cities for a few short hours, sending millions on a manhunt that ended as soon as it started. 

There was an uproar over the whole thing, of course, but it was largely political. The main continent was still recovering from the Lich King's invasion and the appearance of yet another planet-ending threat had only served to strengthen the rulers' desire to quickly strengthen their armies and prepare. 

Within Alexander's tiny continent, the impact was much more muted. All of the countries had spies in Rin-Turah, and all had reported the incredible news that King Aloxandros had single handedly defeated the Lich King and his minions. 

The secret was out. Rin-Turah was home to a peerless powerhouse. The only question they had to deal with was, fight or submit? It was simple, really. 

All in all, it was nothing compared to the state of emergency which was imposed upon Symphonia. 

The Emperor kept a tight hold on ALL of their Starships, and as such, had full visual access over the entire battle. In fact, he and his team of advisors had already convened an emergency meeting the moment Flario released his drones. Every single thing that happened afterwards was fully exposed to the top tier powers of the Empire. 

From Alexander's incredible performance against the Bumblebees, to Regis Darkbane's takeover of The Tiger Lord, to Alexander's yet another incredible performance against The Star of Symphonia and the Dark Warriors, to Krakus's and Magius's subsequent appearance, and finally, Aleyria's ridiculous power which forcibly dragged THREE Starships to her. 

Strangely, they grappled with the same question which the rulers of Arcanus 26 were grappling with, albeit on a vastly large scale and with more complications. Still, it was essentially the same thing.

The elites of the Symphonian Empire were divided on the issue. A peerless powerhouse had appeared, and was apparently a resident of their experimental planet. Should they fight or submit? If they choose to fight, would fifty Starships be enough to kill her? If they choose to submit, would she destroy them out of spite, considering that her planet was merely an experiment for them? 

A third faction but much smaller faction advocated for an alliance with the peerless powerhouse. 

"We should not fight a hopeless fight, yet, we should not be too quick to discount our strengths as well. It is very much possible that the powerhouse would be willing to see us as partners!" 

The old Emperor looked at his ministers arguing among themselves and sighed deeply. "Frogs in the well." He thought to himself.

In his mind, he already knew what had to be done. 

"Your Majesty. Planet Hy-Polar had fallen off the grid.." A trusted aide appeared by his side suddenly and reported.