Everyone was at the main pavilion feasting together as people got acquainted with their new allies. Every leader that arrived brought some of their prominent members, and they all wanted to become familiar with each other. Zack was sitting at a table with all the leaders and his companions.
"I wasn't expecting your presence so please excuse any formalities I may have missed," Mephisto told Ozen with a bow.
"Didn't expect to see you here either. What's more surprising is your face isn't the only one I recognize. How's retirement?" Ozen asked Julius.
"It's been quite well. We get some bandits now and then but that's about it." Julius replied.
"They picked the wrong man to cross that's for sure." Ozen laughed raising his cup to Julius.
Julius served in Ozen's army for several decades and was one of the few non-demons to rise to the rank of an officer. It's been over a decade since their last meeting and Julius was envious to see Ozen hasn't aged a day.
"How did the construction go?" Zack asked Valan.
"It wasn't so bad, and the dolls have been adjusted to construct them on their own. I heard you found something interesting in your trip to the city." Valan replied.
"I left it with Rolen if you're interested, but once it's ready to be opened let me know. We need to set a proper barrier just in case." Zack stated.
While they were talking Tamiko was glancing at all the species surrounding her. To have so many people mingling together without a problem was hard to believe. Tamiko was also surprised to see her people opening up to the others.
"This place is really lively, and everyone seems so friendly." Tamiko smiled.
"I've been here a few times and still haven't fully adjusted to it," Emilia replied.
"My people have been begging to come back ever since. I'm pretty sure some will be making the move in spring. If you don't mind that is." Quinn told Zack.
"I have that same feeling," Julius stated.
"I'm okay with new residents but not sure if that will cause any issues," Zack replied.
"We have limited living space, and it's mostly the young residents eager to set out on their own. If your willing to take them the extra space it would give us could help greatly."Quinn stated.
"I have no complaints either if some should decide to stay. From what I hear a few have found partners here, and I wouldn't wanna stand in the way of that."Julius told Zack.
"It's funny you should mention that," Lilith replied glancing at Dyna.
Dyna shook her head with a serious look and Lilith decided to not mention it. Julius already declared that Dyna should maintain her position till the spring and she didn't wanna risk it being revoked. She enjoys her current life in Eden and wasn't ready to leave yet. Dyna still needed to build the courage to confront her father about staying permanently.
"I'm sorry to hear about your father's demise. Marcus truly was a good man, and we stood side by side many times. No offense princess but if I could've helped him in his revenge I would've." Ozen told Emilia.
"Don't be rude." Lilith scolded.
"It's okay really. What they did was unforgivable and brought grievances on many." Emilia told Lilith.
"I didn't mean I would harm you or your father. Just those involved." Ozen stated.
"It's all in the past now, and we are moving forward to a better world just like they both wanted." Cassandra smiled.
"She's right we can't afford for division between us right now. I wanted to wait till after diner, but this is rather important." Zack declared.
Zack went on to explain his encounter with Malachi and the slavers. They knew the slavers would lay low after Michael got involved. Their actions wouldn't halt, but with all the extra eyes in the neutral territories, they wouldn't be able to move large groups. Some argued telling the people would only cause chaos but Zack refused to withhold the information from his people.
"Some of our people were already cautious about getting involved in our current partnership," Tamiko cautioned Zack when seeing the look in his eye.
"It would be unwise to pretend the threat doesn't exist." Ozen declared.
"Imagine for a minute that you do hide this from your people. Then some people come around, and they don't consider them as a threat. Next thing you know you're explaining to someone's family why someone will never be seen again." Julius told Tamiko.
"I don't wish to do that again. Just let me know what you need from us." Quinn said while chugging his drink.
"You've made your point." Tamiko sighed giving in.
Zack got up explaining the situation to everyone, and after hearing the slavers were organized now more than ever caused some panic looks to appear. Even with this in mind, no one dared think of leaving. To do so would only increase their chances of capture, and there was strength in numbers. The popular opinion circulating was to hide within the barrier. All that talk was halted once someone spoke up.
"We should fight them. If we hide they will just attack others and take their families away." Tanya said in a serious tone.
Along with Tanya stood all the other students. Most of them were from the orphanage and lost their families to the slavers. They had every reason to hate them, but it was clear in their faces revenge wasn't the reason.
When the first kids who brought in and got older, they took up important roles in taking care of the new kids to roll in. They wanted to protect their new family and to do that they needed to stop their biggest threat. Witnessing the children willing to stand and fight those with thoughts of hiding had a change of heart. Zack smiled walking up to Tanya patting her on the head.
"I have no intention of hiding. I'll be forming a defense force, and anyone who needs assistance just needs to send word. We can get all of you a barrier similar to ours that can both hide, and protect you. This will help ensure your people's safety. With the waystation connecting us, and our cooperation they can't act over the border so easily. Once we're properly prepared we can take the fight to them."Zack declared.
With this announcement, several people came forward to offer their services. It was all the representatives from Eden and the new leaders from the neutral territories. Each of them dedicated some of their best warriors to help protect their way of life. Following their lead, Zack's allies pledged some forces to join as well, and Tamiko was shocked to see some of her warriors volunteering to serve.
'Seems he was right after all.' Tamiko smiled at Zack.
"You're forgetting the other announcement. Destiny laid an egg last night, and it's fertile." Lilith announced.
"Is she okay?" Yuki asked immediately.
"She's gonna need a lot of rest, but she will be walking around in a few days," Zack replied.
"I was wondering when it would happen congratulations man," Vicente announced.
Vicente saw a look of concern sweep Zack's face. Hearing this news each of his partners began glaring at him with intense lust along with other women in the crowd. Most thought it was impossible for such a thing to occur, but hearing Destiny gave birth without injury aroused their desires.
If they could have Zack's child it would grant them a significant standing in the city, and many species also desired a powerful mate. With these temptations combined, they were losing their reasoning. Zack was slowly surrounded by women wanting to be the next to bear his child.
"Calm down we're in public," Zack said trying to calm the mob.
Zack could tell in their eyes reason would not be heard. As they prepared to pounce a flutter was heard as the women crashed into each other. Looking around Zack was nowhere to be seen.
"Seems the sparring did help his abilities after all," Samuel smirked.
"Find him!" Andrea shouted as the harpies took off.
"I knew this would happen eventually." Vicente laughed.