Chapter 21 — Standing on Business (Ash Zenith Arc)

◽ 3240.13.01 ◽
The sand shifted violently as the three Varrak Titans approached.Each step carried weight—intelligence behind it, not mindless hunger.Varn, the elders, Sarth, Raleth, Rynn, and the security detail stood frozen.Dolvak and the Dravel Stone tribe quietly followed Varn’s earlier instruction, hands visible, no hostile intent.Zarek and the Ashru'Keen, however, had their hands resting on their weapons.
Then a familiar voice rang out.「Chief Elder Varn, is that you?」
All eyes snapped upward.Phipher stood atop Morr’Khei’s massive head like royalty on a living throne.
Varn blinked. Once. Twice.「Err… yes, Princess. It’s me」
Phipher leapt down gracefully.And the shock truly began.She was taller now—no longer 5’8, but a full 6 feet.Her brown skin had shifted to a warm, radiant orange.Her antenna wove around her head like a subtle crown.Her hair and eyes changed color to resemble that of her mate's.Her bronze-blonde hair shimmered under Ash Zenith’s brutal sun.Her hazel eyes glowed with quiet confidence.Fine baby-blue bioluminescent lines traced from her antenna down to her feet.The markings of a claimed mate.The glow of new life.
Rynn swallowed.「Chief Elder Varn… is this normal among Dun'khal princesses?」Varn slowly shook her head.「No… this is a first」Phipher chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck.「I know this ain’t what you expected」She grinned.「But don’t worry. I’m still that irresponsible brat you know, Chief Elder」Varn stepped closer, studying her.「So… you finally did it, huh」「Yep」 Phipher beamed. She looked up at Morr’Khei.「Carl! Come down here. I want you to meet some people」From above, a familiar voice groaned.「Do I really have to?」「You do」 Phipher smirked.「Or you wanna stay hiding in this political shit storm?」A sigh echoed.「Fine」Carlton descended.
Kaleth leaned toward Rynn. ⟨Oh yeah… that’s definitely Princess Phipher⟩Rynn chuckled.⟨No doubt⟩
When Carlton’s boots touched sand, the silence thickened.He had ears—but rounded, not pointed.Muscular—but not towering like a Mid’cal.Eli’cal height—but not gaunt.Lou’cal familiarity—but alien undertones.That was what unsettled them most.He looked like them.But wrong.And right.At the same time.
Carlton stood beside Phipher casually.「You must be Chief Elder Varn」Varn blinked again.「Ye-yes. That’s me. And you are… alien— I mean—」Carlton chuckled.「See that, Phy? Told you they’d be beyond shocked」Phipher giggled.「I mean, if you had pointy ears you’d basically be a lou’cal」Carlton examined his hand.「Or blue skin. I’d make a convincing eli’cal」He nudged her gently.「That would be hot」 Phipher admitted shamelessly, leaning into him.Carlton slipped an arm around her waist.「Relax. I’ll quench your thirst later」「You better」 she replied, antenna twitching.
Varn cleared her throat loudly.The two horn dogs paused.
Carlton glanced at her throat.「That cough don’t sound too good」
He reached into his bag, pulling out a cough drop and a bottle of water.He handed them to her.The surrounding Calzors stiffened.
Varn stared at the water like it was myth incarnate.「You’re… just giving this?」Carlton blinked.「Err… the drop’s for dry cough but it works for raspy throats too—」Phipher giggled.「Carl. They ain’t shocked about the drop. Only ten percent of Sorshess has clean drinkable water remember.」Carlton froze. Then exhaled.「Ohhh. That. Right. Forgot about that」
Zarek made his move.He and his guards stepped forward, subtly pushing others aside.His gaze moved from the water… to Carlton.
「You. Traveler」Carlton looked up calmly.「What do you want」
One of Zarek’s guards twitched toward a weapon.
Zarek raised a hand, stopping him.「It’s fine. He’s a traveler. Ignorant of our ways」Carlton rolled his eyes.「Egotistical much?」Zarek smiled thinly.「Not at all. I’m sure the Dun'khal informed you of the water situation」「Yeah I know」 Carlton replied flatly.「Cut the crap. What’s your point?」Zarek’s smile sharpened.「Serve the Ashru'Keen tribe. You’ll get anything on this planet. Territory. Slaves.」His eyes flicked to Phipher.「Women of stronger blood」Carlton’s expression didn’t change. But the temperature dropped.「You can only offer that kind of deal to someone below you」Zarek frowned.「What do you mean by that?」Carlton scoffed softly.「From what I hear, the Heart Sun is the most important thing to Lou, Mid, and Eli’cal alike. So what makes you think you’re equal to me?」
Silence.The dynamic shifted.Carlton was shorter than the five-meter Mid’cal.But somehow…He stood taller.
Carlton glanced at Phipher casually.「So… Phy. Who’s mans is this?」She giggled.「Zarek Ashru'Keen. Messenger of the Ashru'Keen tribe」「Thanks」Carlton looked back at Zarek.「On what grounds are we unequal for you to make demands like that?」
A communicator chimed.A projection formed between them.Zarek and the Ashru'Keen bowed—half respect, half fear.?#01 appeared.
His gaze landed on Carlton. ⟦So… you are the one the Dun'khal princess gave herself to⟧Carlton remained calm.「And you got a problem with that?」⟦No. But I am aware my subordinate made you a proposal⟧「He did. And I won’t repeat myself. The answer is no」⟦Is there no way to change your mind?⟧Carlton’s eyes sharpened.「What I say about not repeating myself?」A pause. Then laughter. ⟦I see. Then I hope you keep that bravery when we meet⟧Carlton laughed too—but it wasn’t friendly.「I hope you do too. Be a shame if you just talk. So when we meet… you better stand on bidness」The projection tilted slightly. ⟦Stand on bidness?⟧Carlton smirked.「Means if you make a threat, you better have the strength to back it up. You say it, you stand on it」A deeper laugh echoed. ⟦Heart Sun… when we meet, I hope you stand on bidness. Because I do⟧Carlton nodded once.「Bet. But don’t keep me waiting」
The projection vanished.The desert wind picked up.And for the first time…The Dun'khal Nomads truly understood.They weren’t standing beside some random traveler.They were standing beside something that didn’t bow.Something that didn’t negotiate from below.The Heart Sun.And Ash Zenith was only just beginning.