Centuries ago - Planet Nihari
Robin was sitting before the entrance of Jabba's cave, quietly watching the sky.
Only a few weeks earlier, he had removed the Curse of Eternal Stasis from himself, and after an imnse, exhausting struggle, he had narrowly succeeded in saving his own life.
But this was still only the beginning...
He still needed to find a way to awaken Jabba completely, to restore him in full. And also...
This was not a bad opportunity to spend so ti alone and finally take care of several unresolved matters.
This was not a bad opportunity to enjoy a brief mont of calm.
Bzzzzt.
At that very mont, an instant teleportation gate opened directly in front of the cave, and a figure stepped out of it.
"Hm, Theo?" Robin raised an eyebrow slightly. "What brings you here? I thought we had finished our discussion back at the palace."
Before coming here to awaken Jabba, Robin had t with all of his followers and carefully arranged the affairs of his empires. Theo had been one of them... and during that eting, his highest priority had been a mission from Robin: gathering all available information about the forces secretly preparing to overthrow Lord Hedrick.
Robin lifted his eyebrow again. "Did you finish the investigation this quickly?" "I've only just begun," Theo replied as he pulled a stone over and sat on it, facing his father. "I issued the orders and increased the number of my agents there, then ca straight back here... There's sothing I want to discuss with you." "What is it?" Robin let out a slow breath. It seed that this short period of rest would not last very long after all.
"It's about the war in the Middle and Young Sector 101," Theo stared directly into his father's eyes. "I want to get more deeply involved."
"To what extent?" Robin asked. "And for what purpose?"
"I don't know," Theo shook his head. "But the atmosphere there points toward an imminent explosion. In situations like that, new powers rise while old ones collapse... I want to take the Shadow Swords and ride the wave." He paused briefly, then added, "But of course, I want to be among the winners."
"Oh? You want to help Zarion against Hedrick?" Robin displayed a strange, unreadable smile.
"What do you think?" Theo didn't deny it. "Lord Hedrick is undoubtedly powerful, but he isn't the winning horse. Even without digging too deeply into what's happening, I can tell he'll be crushed once the war begins-unless he receives massive, unconditional support. Unless he gains a patron, to be more precise. Warning him or offering advice won't benefit us in any way."
"..." Robin looked off into the distance. "To be honest with you, I have a sort of agreent with Hedrick. A floating one-protecting a planet in exchange for protecting another. I could ignore what happens to Hedrick himself and act as if that agreent never existed, It seems that he will get himself killed in a couple of centuries anyway, but..."
"But what?" Theo furrowed his brows slightly.
"...I feel that standing against him is not the right choice in this case," Robin raised his hand and placed it over his chest. "I was waiting for you to bring a detailed report before discussing this, but since you're already here, let's talk." He looked back into Theo's eyes. "What do you think about supporting Hedrick instead?"
"Supporting him?" Theo frowned deeply. "As in full support?" He then reached out and began sensing the heat on his father's forehead. "Did sothing happen to you?... Your energy levels are extrely low as well."
Paah.
Robin slapped his son's hand away. "I'm not crazy!" He rubbed his forehead, then paused and did it again. "Listen... sotis I get a very strong feeling about certain things-a sense of negativity, danger, or reassurance. I was told it's a gift I gained when I tore apart the threads of my fate in that cave and wove new ones. A gift connected to causality itself, which I nad the On of Truth..."
He fell silent for a mont. "...When I heard about the forces lying in wait for Hedrick, I felt danger-like I was about to lose a trendous opportunity. That's why I laughed the way I did back then, I didn't understand why that feeling ca to , but I recognize it... and I hate it."
Then he furrowed his brows slightly. "Why do you think that feeling would co to over a war that doesn't concern , in a sector I don't care about? Because of a simple 'protect one planet to protect another' agreent? That deal was rely a way to keep him away from for so ti. I know very well that having a single Monarch at my side won't benefit Nihari much- especially if that Monarch isn't willing to sacrifice himself for my cause." "...Why, then?" Theo furrowed his brows deeply, confusion and unease mingling in his expression. How could he possibly answer a question rooted not in logic or strategy, but in emotion... in causality itself, sothing unseen yet ever-present?!
"..." Robin exhaled slowly, the sound heavy, as if he were releasing more than just air from his lungs. "I fear that a chain of events will inevitably follow Hedrick's death-events so violent in montum and consequence that their shockwaves will reach us here, in Middle Sector 99." His voice lowered. "I fear that what's happening over there is not rely a clash between Zarion and Hedrick, not just a struggle of pride or ambition. What's unfolding there is a conspiracy vast enough-dense enough-to alter the balance of this entire portion of the universe."
"..." Theo's brows knitted together even tighter, his jaw clenching. "Then let's follow the On of Truth all the way to its conclusion," he said after a mont, spreading his hands in reluctant acceptance. "What do you suggest we do? If this isn't just a skirmish between the sons of Behemoths, then who else is involved?" He paused, then added grimly, "At least one Behemoth... perhaps two? That's not a level we can fight against-not in any shape or form."
"....." Robin remained silent for a long mont, his gaze unfocused, as if tracing invisible threads only he could see. "Didn't you say Hedrick could fight-truly fight-if he were to obtain a patron?"
"And you would be that patron?!" Theo blurted out, shock clear in his voice. "Can you even imagine the sheer scale of numbers required to sponsor Lord Hedrick in a war like this? He'd be a bottomless abyss. No matter how much you pour into him, it would never be enough." He shook his head sharply. "He would drain you completely until nothing remains. If you spend a single unit on the Cradle and the Grave, you'd spend twenty-four on Lord Hedrick alone!"
Then, as if reconsidering, he extended his hand gently. "If you wish, I can withdraw my proposal about intervening to support Lord Zarion. We can simply stand by, observe from afar, and prepare for the day when the ordeal of Middle Sector 101 finally begins to spill over and affect us."
"...Do you think," Robin said quietly, turning his gaze toward the distant horizon, "that the individual who founded that Syndicate reached such an absurd level of power by rely watching events unfold from a safe distance?" A broad, almost knowing smile slowly ford on his face. "Do you believe the Law of Causality favored him up to the Sixth stage while he stood idle, arms crossed, waiting for outcos to present themselves?"
"...?" Theo frowned deeply, unease creeping into his chest.
"Listen carefully, Theo," Robin continued. "This will be an excellent opportunity to test the gift of the Master Law of Causality." His tone grew firr. "I will allow the On of Truth to guide our movents within Middle Sector 101. Each ti you gather a sufficient volu of reliable information, send it to ." He tapped his chest lightly. "From there, I will draw you a map-a path forged not purely from logic, but from what I sense through the On of Truth instead."
A faint, daring smile crossed his lips. "We relied on reason, calculation, and structure in Sectors 99 and 100. Why not go a little mad in 101?" He chuckled softly. "Why not entrust ourselves, just this once, to an unknown gift?" "...That really is madness," Theo replied after a long pause. Still, he rely shook his head and sighed deeply. "But they are your forces, your resources-and I am yours." He straightened slightly. "Give the signal, and everything will be done." "Heh heh... then here is your signal," Robin said with a calm smile. "Do not stand against Hedrick. Gather as much information as you possibly can. That is all you will receive from for now." His eyes sharpened. "Everything else-
decide it yourself."
His smile widened further. "Will the sons of Behemoths beco involved? The Behemoths themselves?" He shrugged lightly. "Then defeat them on your own. I will offer nothing beyond general guidance. The On of Truth is not a compass I can activate at will, unfortunately..." His gaze softened slightly. "...but I have complete faith that you can handle it, Theo." Finally, he locked eyes with his son, seriousness overtaking all else. "I do not know what will happen after we commit to this path. I do not know where it will ultimately lead us." He paused, then spoke with quiet certainty. "But I do know this- placing my trust in the gift of the ONLY Law I have affinity for is not the wrong choice."
A faint, dangerous smile returned.
"I don't know where are we going in mid sector 101, or what will happened
there... But If we execute this flawlessly, it will be an outstanding blow." He nodded once.
"Of that, I am absolutely certain."
User Comments
0 comments from readers