Away from the dreary corridors of the lower district of Bastion, in a building with a half-dome ceiling at the apex of the city, there was a girl with purple hair with her hand on a translucent orb set upon a white marble pedestal.
The orb was filled with a purple light that spilled out into the majestic hall where a few men and women watched the proceedings attentively. The girl suddenly opened her eyes and pulses of power seemed to transfer from her hand into the orb and the purple color showed flecks of gold.
Soon enough, the flecks of gold overwhelmed the purple color and in an instant, a pure golden light dominated the hall. The girl removed her hand and the golden light receded back into the orb.
She then turned around and faced the small audience with a smile on her face. So captivating and enthralling was the smile, and combined with her elegant demeanor, the admiring gazes of some had hints of adoration.
She had just turned 18 and wore her purple hair in a ponytail. Her hairstyle complemented her swan-like neck and people who saw her from the back were mesmerized even before seeing her face. Her face had a dainty nose, strawberry sweet lips, and slender eyebrows. Such features also came with sky-blue, doe shaped eyes. She was still growing into an hour-glass like figure, but onlookers couldn't help but wish to hurry time forward, so they could witness the figure filling out in all the right places.
"All hail the newest and youngest Genji to join Bastion, Lady Saya!" intoned a voice.
Applause greeted the announcement and the scene was reminiscent of past ages, when humanity was not so concerned with survival. There was a sense of levity among the audience, as if the happenings of the last few years of constant loss and defeat did not even register in their minds.
There were hints of arrogance and aloofness in the gazes of a few, and the sporadic conversations might lead an onlooker to wonder…did they really live in the same world as the one that was teetering on the edge of a precipice?
"Lady Saya, congratulations on breaking through. I always knew you could reach Genji-tier based on your drive and latent talent. All your hard work has paid off. The recent gossip I hear is that the Council wishes for you to create portals to the moon and mars." Said a dark-haired man with a goatee.
The dark-haired man with a goatee had kind looking eyes hidden behind gold-rimmed spectacles. He had the air of a scholar, with refined features in his face. Next to him was a man with blond hair with an arrogant demeanor and cold, blue eyes. Saya was familiar with both men. The dark- haired man was Darius and the blond-haired man was Gerris. They were both Genji.
Saya smiled as she said, "Thank you, Lord Darius…I am grateful to the Council for their support. I still have a long way to go in order to develop portals to the Moon, let alone Mars. I have succeeded in creating a stationary portal from the western district to the eastern district of Bastion. However, I was only able to accomplish this because I have been to both locations. I don't see how I can create one yet to a place I haven't visited. Maybe if I can go to the moon or Mars…"
"Lady Saya, your opportunity approaches. The Council has tested your portals from West to East Districts and there are no issues. In fact, a new initiative has been raised to bring you to the moon once all contingency plans are in place. The advance party is set to head out in the shuttle in a few days along with Lord Gerris. You will surely be on the next shuttle to the moon in a few weeks, as long as the advance party has successfully secured an operational facility."
After interrupting the discussion, an older man approached and joined their conversation. He had a balding head, with silver hair on the edges like a bird's nest.
"Councilman Alders." greeted Saya as she made room to include the councilman into their discussion. Saya's eyes brightened as her thoughts invariably turned to the memory of a young man who stood valiantly in front of her facing an oncoming horde.
"Mr. Alders, when can I meet with Kain? Has he been getting my letters? I want to confirm a few things with him and now that I have risen in rank, I believe I have met the expectations of the Council."
"Lady Saya, Kain is quite the lucky man. Who else can say he has a Genji looking out for him? It is almost incomprehensible that such a young and charming woman like yourself doesn't consider any other suitors for your affections. It is almost as if the man has monopolized your thoughts. Please consider that you are the rising star of Bastion and your status alone should dictate who you associate with."
Observing the rising glint of anger in Saya's eyes, the old man quickly switched tactics. "Of course, the Council has been watching out for Kain and he has been doing very well in the defense of our city. I will look into it personally as to why he isn't replying to your letters. Maybe he is busy with all the training he is being provided, just as you were busy trying to break through."
Saya considered the councilman's words and was about to reply when she noticed a young man entering the hall. The young man had flowing gold hair and was quite handsome. Shooting a knowing glance at Mr. Alders, Saya remarked, "Excuse me, I have some other things I have to do." Saying so, Saya walked to a side door in the hall and escaped quickly.
Lord Darius chuckled appreciatively at Saya's disappearing act while throwing a side glance at the somewhat peeved looking councilman.
The young man caught sight of the disappearing Saya as she escaped through a door and he quick walked over to the councilman, before hurriedly bowing to the two Genji in accordance to protocol and said, "Grandfather, I hurried over when I got your message. Where is Saya going? I wanted to congratulate her and brought her a gift."
"Gentlemen, please excuse me. I must speak with my grandson." The councilman guided his grandson to the back of the hall.
Watching them leave, Darius turned to Gerris and said, "Gerris, you haven't said a word and I noticed a certain look in your eye whenever you interact with Saya. What say you, friend?"
The blond-haired man smirked and said, "The councilman reaches too far trying to set up his grandson with a Genji. Only another Genji deserves someone like Saya. I would throw back the councilman's own words to his face regarding status but I find it disparaging to deal with such an uncouth fool."
Darius laughed and said, "Gerris, the real reason why you didn't say such a thing was because you didn't want to risk your benefits from the council. I think you have your work cut out for you though, hearing about this Kain character. Saya's actions speak for themselves in regards to how she feels for the boy."
Gerris laughed with derision, "You really think I care about some boy who can't even reach the most basic Esquire power tier? He can at most watch from afar and look up to us Genji. There is one good thing about uncouth fellows like Alders…he is willing to get his hands dirty to achieve his goals. Seeing how he has kept Saya from seeing this Kain for so long, I'm sure he will have other plans in place. In Bastion, power always prevails and schemes are for the riff-raff catering to the powerful. Let the ants play as they will."
Darius watched as Gerris flicked his sleeve at the end of his words and exited the hall. Darius whispered to himself, "Friend, we were all once so weak. What happened to the man who fought desperately together with me just a few years ago? If it weren't for the fact that I could create enhance pills, would you still even associate with me?"
Alders, seeing Darius leave the hall, turned to his grandson and admonished him, "Gabriel, how will you even have a chance of winning Saya's heart if she runs at the mere sight of you?"
"Grandfather, I have followed your instructions, but ever since I spoke some unkind words regarding Kain, she can't even stand to be in my presence."
Alders sneered and said, "How can that girl be so blindly infatuated? No matter, we just have to approach this problem in a different direction. We need to get rid of Kain. His orders were already sent out, but it isn't too late to change the directive to have his squad sent to Trebz."
Gabriel's eyes widened in shock, "But, if Saya finds out we sent Kain to a Juggernaut's territory…plus she can probably find the report that the squad that was confirmed eliminated was sent there…"
"Don't mind that, I will think up some excuse and appear contrite and apologize when the news comes down of his demise. I will make sure a subordinate of mine sends the change in orders and pass it off as a miscommunication. In the meantime, you lay low and don't go around Saya until everything passes. This way she won't take it out on you."
Thinking of the beautiful Saya, Gabriel nodded his head and said, "Ok, I will follow your lead."
"My rivals on the council will have to think twice before going against me once I have a Genji as a part of my family." Thoughts of gaining more power swirled a beautiful dance in Alders mind as he trotted off to speak with other influential citizens of Bastion.