Unitas Republic

It started as a whisper and grew into a murmur as the royal caravan slowly made its way to the huge pyramid in the middle of the city. People started to fill the streets, which had just been busy with business, their faces a mix of pure wonder and intense curiosity. Everyone was watching the procession. As it got closer to the big building, the crowd fell silent, and everyone stared in awe at the King and his generals. They marched in a disciplined, percussive rhythm. But the crowd was interested in two things: the foreign king and the famous admirals who were with him. It was an event in itself to see all three of them together in Unitas.

The people of Unitas watched with a respect that was almost reverent. You could feel their admiration for the King's disciplined soldiers in the tense silence. The pyramid towered over everyone, a sign of the republic's strength and history. This diplomatic mission got closer to its unclear end with every step. When the royal delegation got to the base of the huge building, they were met by lines of Unitas troops, who stood still and silent. Their stern, chiseled faces showed how disciplined they were, which was a clear sign of the republic's military power, which was ready to go.

Then, a new movement caught everyone's attention. From the top of the pyramid, a single person in clean white robes began to slowly and carefully descend the long stone stairs. The man's dark skin stood out sharply from the clothes he was wearing. Sunlight shone on the smooth surface of his bald head, making his earrings and the sharp lines of his perfectly trimmed goatee shine. This gave him an air of refined authority. Every step he took made a loud, sharp echo across the stone plaza that got everyone's attention.

This was President Tetelyus. He stood in front of the King at the bottom of the stairs. He was relaxed but had a huge presence. His voice was calm but strong, and it carried easily through the quiet air.

"King Arkadia," he said, a small, knowing smile on his lips. "It's been too long. Welcome to Unitas Republic. It's an honor to have you here." He bowed slightly in respect.

King Arkadia bowed his head in a sign of respect. "President Tetelyus, the honor is mine. We heard about the tragedy. On behalf of my kingdom, you have our deepest condolences." His voice was a smooth, diplomatic baritone.

President Tetelyus's smile got tighter, and there was a brief look of real sadness in his eyes before he nodded. "And you, ours. It seems that our countries are connected by a shared sadness. Together, we must find our way through these dark waters." He pointed broadly toward the entrance of the pyramid. "But these are things that should happen in stone halls, not open squares. Please follow me."

King Arkadia and his group went to the pyramid at the President's request. The inside was just as beautiful as the outside. The air became cool and still, which was a nice break from the heat of the sun. Ancient Unitas inscriptions and strong symbols snaked across the tall walls, telling the story of the republic's long and interesting history without saying a word. Shen's eyes moved around quickly, taking in the sharp, angular beauty of the buildings. They were so different from the flowing, natural shapes of his home.

As they got deeper into the pyramid, the formal greeting went away. Tetelyus, the president, turned to King Arkadia and spoke in a low, serious voice. "The creatures... they came for us, too." "Came out of nowhere. But we don't have any answers yet."

King Arkadia nodded slowly, his own face grim as he took in the news that his fears had come true. He confirmed, "The same monsters attacked us." "This is a kind of threat we've never seen before: planned, widespread, and completely out of the blue."

The lines on President Tetelyus's face got deeper. "We need to find out where this plague came from. Is it because of a change in the environment? Is it the secret actions of a rival nation? Or is it something else, something we never expected?" He looked the King straight in the eye. "King Arkadia, it seems clear that the best way for our countries to survive now is to work together."

The King thought about the offer, his mind racing. He could tell that the President was holding back, that he didn't want to speak freely in front of the larger group. Tetelyus seemed to know this and leaned in a little, lowering his voice to a whisper. "I think it would be best if we talked about this next part of our conversation in private, where honesty isn't a problem."

The King thought for a moment and then nodded firmly. He looked at his leaders. "Of course," he said, his voice getting back in charge. "Please wait for us to come back. The President and I need to talk in private."

As the King and President Tetelyus went deeper into the pyramid, two of the admirals quietly left the group and took up strategic positions to guard the corridor. Shen and the other leaders turned around and walked back out of the pyramid, back into the light and warmth. The city was a low murmur around them, a noise of life that didn't know about the crisis being talked about inside the stone walls. Shen looked over the crowd and saw his brother, Geno Takeda, who had found a good spot to watch from just outside the door. Geno stood guard, his eyes carefully scanning the rooftops and the sea of faces. His face was a mask of grim purpose.

The great pyramid cast a long, dark shadow over the plaza, where a conversation that would decide the fate of two nations had just begun. It was a silent witness to this important event.