The emperor's palace was nestled in a mountain range in Elysium Prime's northern hemisphere. Snow-capped peaks stretched higher than any of the glass and metal structures Iggy had grown accustomed to seeing in Neon City.

According to their holographic map inside their transport, they had arrived in Sector One. They flew through a forcefield wrapping around the mountains, protecting the empire and his fellow Noblus from any outside forces. Iggy couldn't help but shift in his seat as they approached the palace built into the face of a cliff.

Cream-colored slabs of rock had been smoothed down to form a dizzying array of arches, overhands, and intricate patterns that made Iggy's head spin. The architectural style insinuated the structure had been around for centuries, but Iggy could see the bits and pieces of modernity hiding beneath the surface. As they dropped from the sky, he got a closer look at the palace's entrance.

A woman dressed in a white pantsuit waited for them on one of the many platforms designed for small ships to dock on. Once they touched down, their transport's sleek door popped out and slid open. An Elysian guard exited first before helping the high priestess out of the vehicle. Iggy and Tenn were left to dismount the hovering pod themselves.

The teenaged Arigorii cupped his hand over his brow, shielding his eyes from the bright sun bearing down on them. The warmth felt amazing against his skin. Being cooped up in the drafty arena meant he didn't get to feel the sun's embrace often. It reminded him of home. Not Novr, but Yensari.

He smiled for a moment before Noia's guard beckoned them forward.

"Welcome!" the woman in white exclaimed as Iggy, Tenn, and Noia approached her. "We've been expecting you, High Priestess."

"Yes, hello, Opal."

Iggy blinked Opal. She was an android, perfectly constructed and modeled after a slender woman with white hair. She bowed in the presence of her master. She shifted her glowing eyes to the two tributes before her. "I trust your journey to the arena went well, yes?"

Noia nodded. She gestured at Opal while glancing at Iggy and Tenn. "Iggorii Amrada, Ohr-Yahn Tennic. Meet Opal, my personal advisor and servant."

"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance," the android chirped. "Congratulations on your survival in the arena!"

Tenn huffed. "Awfully cheery, she is. What settings have you got her on?"

Iggy stifled a laugh.

Noia simply smiled at the man. "The empire boasts some of the most hard-working and obedient androids throughout the galaxy. You'll be seeing a lot more of them once we're inside."

Turning on her heel, she strutted toward a set of thick, twisting pillars up ahead. Opal and Noia's guard stayed close behind. Iggy and Tenn followed reluctantly.

The row of pillars gave way to a mongering arch that emptied out into a spacious room sunken several levels into the ground. A set of stairs took them into the pit. Thin streaks of yellow light ran up and down the walls, doing their best to dispel the shadows creeping along the edges of the room. Iggy had a feeling the partial darkness wasn't a fluke in the lighting design. Flags boasting the empire's insignia hung from the ceiling above. Iggy spotted clouds drifting across the sky through the multiple skylights; golden rays poured through the glass openings, illuminating the otherwise shadowy antechamber.

The room itself was devoid of any furniture or decorations, apart from the few draping flags cascading down in excellent, colorful rolls several feet over their heads.

Faint music poured through the opening. Iggy could smell food wafting through the air. His mouth salivated at the thought of eating dishes prepared for the Elysians instead of the grim meals the arena provided. As they treaded across the hall, his stomach grumbled with the force of a creature much larger than him. He smiled sheepishly as everyone shot him a bemused glance.

"The emperor has provided us quite the spread today," Opal said. "We've been hard at work for days preparing today's feast. House au Saara has imported delicacies from all over the empire. There's this fruit from the fields on Olympium that is to die for. Well, that's what I've heard. Androids have no need to consume fruit, of course—"

"What have I told you about rambling, Opal?" Noia said with a roll of her eyes. "Don't make me mess with your conversation configurations again."

The android bowed her head as an embarrassed look washed over her features. "Yes, High Priestess. My apologies."

Iggy offered her a smile. "That all sounds lovely."

Opal smiled back at him.

"Come," Noia said as she stepped through the second archway. "It's time for introductions."

#

The Elysians were gifted in many areas. Some of the most important and sophisticated pieces of technology came from the minds of their researchers and engineers. Their military might awarded them control over hundreds of planets throughout the galaxy. The size of their space fleet meant they had a monopoly on the

But their true calling might've been in the party business.

The feast was held in an auditorium kitted to the gills with tables food of food and drinks, lavish decorations, and sculptures crafted out of sparkling stone. Long, cloth-covered tables were placed in a half-circle around an assortment of smaller tables with chairs placed around them. At the front of it all was an elevated platform boasting a golden throne. Six chairs flanked its left and five remained on the right—each one reserved for the head of each Noblus house. The wall behind them was a tall, long window crafted out of stained glass the color of gold. A view of an ocean met Iggy's eyes through the colored panes. Waves crashed against the craggy cliffs the Elysian palace was built upon.

Peeling his eyes from the breathtaking view, he took another look around the room. Chatter and music buzzed in the air. Plenty of Elysians donning bold outfits populated the space. As soon as Iggy entered the room, he felt their judgmental stares. While the clothes he and Tenn wore were meant to help them blend in, they couldn't help but stick out like sore thumbs amongst the perfect Elysians and androids among them.

High Priestess Noia Adani stood out amongst the crowd as well, but for other reasons. She might not have been an Elysian, but her beauty couldn't be compared to theirs. They seemed to know it as well, as she seemed to catch a few dirty looks herself.

Iggy tilted his head at her as Opal led them to an empty. "How come you were the one to bring us here?"

"Excuse me?"

"The emperor could've sent anyone to pick us up from the arena. But he sent you, his fiancé. Why?"

She shrugged but turned her face from his. The answer hid somewhere in her eyes. Before he could go searching for it, a waiter holding a tray of vegetables cut into funny shapes passed him by. His eyes widened as they latched onto the appetizers.

He'd never been so hungry before.

Giggling, Noia stopped the waiter and grabbed three of the tiny vegetable dishes. She handed one to Iggy and one to Tenn. They each took a bite simultaneously. Their faces lit up like lightbulbs.

Iggy devoured the rest of his without a second thought. It easily was the best thing he'd tasted in cycles. Certainly better than anything he'd eaten in the arena or on Novr. He peered at the tables full of food behind him. Opal hadn't been kidding.

"There's more where that came from," Noia said. She gestured at their seats. "Please, sit. Enjoy yourselves." She turned to her servant. "Look after them."

Iggy frowned at her. "Where are you going?"

"I must meet with the emperor. He will be giving a speech before the commencement of the feast." She gave him a reassuring nod. "I'll be seeing you both later. Try not the cause any trouble, yes?"

"Do I look like a troublemaker?"

"Not particularly. But looks can often be deceiving."

With that, Noia turned and walked into the crowd. He followed her pink hair until she disappeared into the sea of Elysians. Sighing, he slouched in his seat. Tenn rolled his eyes.

"You ask too many questions, boy."

"What?"

"You heard me."

Iggy waved him off. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever, old man." Moments later, a waiter set down two tall drinks of effervescent blue liquid in front of them. The pair of tributes exchanged wary glances before bringing the glasses to their lips. A grin spread across Iggy's face. "I could get used to this."

Tenn snorted. "Well, don't. This is a one-time thing."

"Not if we get sponsored."

"We finished third in the games, remember?"

While that was true, Ivy Brightway told him he had suitors waiting to sponsor him when he woke up in the infirmary. Surely if he had people wanting to help him progress in the games, Tenn did too. The old man had a far greater chance of surviving than he did. Anyone with sense would've put their money behind the old man—especially after his performance during the capture the flag challenge. He might've been the oldest tribute, but he didn't fight like it.

They both had been invited to the feast for a reason. A sponsorship had to be on the cards for them.

"We're getting sponsored," Iggy finally said. "I just know it."

"Keep dreaming, Iggorii." Tenn patted his arm. "While your naivety can be annoying at times, I'm starting to see the humor in your futile optimism."

He pursed his lips and shook the man's hand off. "You'll see."

"For both our sakes, I hope you're right."

Iggy brought the glass of blue liquid to his lips once again. He decided he'd ignore Tenn for the rest of the feast—or until he caved. Whichever came first. With how the celebrations around him looked, he had a feeling he'd have no problem not talking to the Andradan. The music around him swelled. Dancers dressed in minimal clothing flitted through the room. They passed by the tables with their arms and hands waving. They slipped past Iggy and dragged their hands over his shirt, their fingers caressing his clothed skin for a short moment before moving on to the next.

He shifted in his seat as he watched them.

The dancers eventually made their way to the platform at the front of the room. Their dance number culminated in a move that left their arms reaching for the domed ceiling. The music ceased. Everyone went silent.

A dozen white-armored guards marched into the room. Noia and a tall man with wavy, platinum blond hair stood in the center of them as they escorted the pair toward the throne. They journeyed up the short set of steps before taking his seat. Noia stood beside him, her beautiful face devoid of any expression. The guards formed a protective row at the base of the platform. The spotless visors of their mechanized helmets reflected the wary gazes of the onlookers before them.

Iggy noticed Tenn glaring at the man.

He, on the other hand, couldn't help but stare in awe at the power and authority rolling off his body in waves like the radiation that permeated from Novarus' atmosphere.

"Citizens of the empire!" an android standing near the platform announced. "Your gracious emperor, Voltai au Castus."

Applause filled the room. Iggy and Tenn half-heartedly joined in. Voltai lifted his hand and the clapping stopped. The silence returned. It seeped through the room like carbon monoxide, thick and invisible. The emperor's eyes swept the room, his chiseled face quietly examining the hundreds of faces around him. Finally, he rose to his feet.

Adjusting the cufflinks clipped to the starched sleeves of his black coat. He lifted his angular chin before addressing the room.

"Welcome, friends of the empire," he said. "I'm glad you all could join me today in celebration of our glorious kingdom. In light of recent...events, I would like to provide you all with reassurance that we are headed in the right direction. The previous administration under the late Emperor Rikard au Quintillion allowed a cancer to grow in the veins of our wondrous empire. Left unchecked, that cancer would have destroyed everything our ancestors have built. Millions of planets, thousands of systems, and billions of lifeforms. All of them were at risk. Under my rule, that sickness will be cured—no, eradicated."

The Noblus families in the room nodded in agreement. Iggy slid Tenn a quizzical look as if it were a note written on one of the decorative napkins resting near his hands. The Andradan's steely glare never left the emperor.

"Those who speak of unrest throughout our great kingdom simply wish to see us fall. They speak and spread lies designed to inspire fear. But we will not cower. We will not falter in the face of our purpose. Whoever stands in our way, well." He laughed, but it was one devoid of humor and humanity. It was full of malice and nefarious intent. "Our enemies will be dealt with. I will make sure of that."

Voltai held his hand out toward Noia. The Majaan priestess carefully placed her hand in his and smiled. She might've fooled everyone else in the room, including her fiancé, but Iggy saw the discomfort behind her strained smile. He saw it in the stiffness of her figure and how she failed to meet the emperor's eye.

Before he wondered about the true circumstances of their eventual union.

Now he didn't have to.

Like everyone else he'd met until this point, the priestess had secrets of her own.

"Many of you have already met my beautiful fiancé by now, but for those of you who haven't, allow me to introduce you to the mesmerizing High Priestess Noia Adani."

She curtsied, her face stiff with faux politeness.

"Together, we will usher in a new era—one that will make the golden age of the past seem bleak in comparison," he continued. "Our empire will explore new territories, expand our reach, and continue to help those who cannot help themselves. Together, we will achieve our destinies as rulers of the galaxy."

The room erupted into applause. Iggy didn't clap this time.

How could he?

Not only did the emperor want Noia's homeworld and the sector it belonged to, but he wanted the rest of the galaxy as well. That meant the majestic, magic-filled lands of the Caecillian Traverse, the rebellious Axaris Systems, and the uncharted worlds of the Far Reaches. Hundreds of stars. Millions of planets. He planned to conquer them all.

Iggy shivered at the idea of the entire galaxy crushed by the fist of the oppressive empire. His homeworld—and countless others like it—would fall to the tyranny and borderline criminal actions carried out by the Elysians and their allies.

He slipped his hands off the table. Beneath the tablecloth, they turned to fists, hidden away from the eyes of the jubilant Elyisans cheering around him.

"Now," Voltai continued. He gestured at the spread of food. A small smile settled on his pale lips. "Enjoy yourselves."

Everyone rose from their seats and made their way toward the platters of exotic dishes laid out for them. Even Tenn got up to fill his plate with food. But not Iggy. He stuck to his seat, unable to move. His appetite had vanished, replaced by a swirling vortex of disgust and horror.

Voltai might've been the most beautiful man to exist. His smooth skin, touched up with bronze makeup coalescing around his cheeks and eyes, was the perfect shade of alabaster—stark and white like an ivory monument. Black paint darker than the abyss-like expanse of space highlighted the bright colors adorning his pale complexion. His sharp chin and jaw threatened to cut anyone who got too close.

And his eyes...

His eyes.

They looked like shining stars in the middle of a desolate binary solar system.

Yet, Iggy saw straight through his unblemished appearance. He saw underneath the façade he crafted for those he ruled over.

Voltai spoke of helping those who couldn't help themselves. He'd heard those words plenty of times before. Elysian-owned news outlets and programs parroted the sentiment endlessly. Loyalists of the empire echoed their dogma. As the self-proclaimed highest-evolved race in the known galaxy, the Elysians took it upon themselves to improve those around them. They wished to make everyone like them. Perfect. Efficient. Impeccable. They'd achieve their goal by any means necessary—whether it meant crushing the spirits of those unfortunate enough to be born within their domain or by ripping away thousands of generations of culture only to replace it with their own.

But Iggy knew the truth.

The Elysians didn't want to help. Not really.

They wanted to control. To dominate. To cleanse.

So, Iggy remained rooted to his seat with his gaze narrowed at the most powerful man in the galaxy—a man who could've ended his life with a simple wave of his ring-covered hand. Eventually, the golden-eyed emperor spotted the young Arigorii staring at him amid the sea of raging people ambling about the room. The pair locked eyes, a nigh impossible feat within the crowded space. But they did. They saw each other—truly and unequivocably, their pure selves residing in the deepest parts of their eyes.

The smile faded from Voltai's lips, much like how the sun dropped from the sky when the day's time ran out. He stiffened, neck craning upward just enough to give off a look of disgust. Or was that fear? Iggy couldn't tell. Frankly, he didn't care. He held his stare, not daring to budge even an inch.

Voltai broke first. His mask of a smile returned. Chuckling at nothing in particular, he averted his gaze from Iggy and planted a kiss on Noia's tattooed hand. He nodded curtly at her before heading to his squadron of guards standing by a few paces away from him. They silently escorted him out of the room.

A sense of triumph swelled in the boy's chest, flooding his lungs and replacing the oxygen he needed to breathe. Pleased with his victory, as small and insignificant as it was, he rose from his seat. He cast a glance toward the buffet. The smell of food hit his nose once more. He smiled.

He couldn't wait to eat.