"Commander! We have strange things happening!" Lantas the first officer of the fleet reported to Palian.
"What exactly?"
"Not a single enemy ship has approached us lately! We notice them at a distance, and they suddenly disappear, crumbling into heaps of garbage".
"Looks like an explosive superpower," Palian suggested, puzzled.
"Do any of the Zarian magicians have such extra strength? Isn't that Erin?"
The Commander shook his head, surveying the space.
"No! It's super magic from another reality blowing up ships at a great distance from the planet - who is capable of this?"
"A creature of a different nature who settled on Zaria?"
"Yes, but who is he?"
Lantas closed his eyes as he entered the higher dimension.
"He is a syrinx. I see him... Resident of Azaren. Black wings and hair. I send him a request..."
The officer suddenly swayed, barely able to stand on his feet.
"He attacked me in the form of a fiery whirlwind. Why such aggression if he protects us from the enemy?"
"Rohen is his name. This is an alien… Phoenix! Ever heard of such creatures? He is a powerful destroyer and stronger than our entire army."
"What is he up to?"
"Power!" growled Palien in annoyance. "He captured Zaria! This is a big problem for us! Very big! We are unable to resist him."
"Is negotiation possible in this case?"
"Let's see what happens next. We will act carefully so that he does not destroy us. Let's grab zarian hermaphrodite and get out of here quickly. Let the Great Archons deal with this Phoenix."
Palian urgently summoned a second officer to his office.
"I cannot provide you with one of the princesses, Ramies, as you requested. We have some difficulties. And one of our problems is the capture of the hermaphrodite Lariel. Your task is to charm him and persuade him to go with us to Xantari."
"O-uh! Commander! This is not an easy task. I studied him: he is a fairly strong magician, able to resist charms and quite stubborn."
"Talk to him kindly, invite him to visit the ship, perhaps he will like you."
"I'll try, the officer agreed absently. "But the chances are slim, given that I'm not as handsome as he is. I like him madly, but with such a temper as that herm, it is difficult to cope."
"Make an effort. In any case, this guy, by his own will or by our will, should get here."
Sighing heavily Ramies attempted to telepathically contact the zarian hermaphrodite. He introduced himself to Lariel, sending him a sounded image.
"What do you need?" the herm replied angrily.
"I want to be friends with you. I like you."
"I don't date guys and I have a wife."
"I want to invite you to the ship, introduce you to the crew, nothing like that."
"No, I don't need it," Lariel persisted. "I don't trust you, because you are stronger than me and can deceive with charms."
"Look, I won't hurt you in any way," Ramies continued the conversation affectionately. "Your beauty excites my heart and the sensitive herm, like you, is threatened only by tenderness and exquisite pleasures ..."
"I said I don't need it!" Sharply emphasized Lariel.
"You'll have to obey, dear! Herm is only born once in a millennium, and the Lords of Xanthari won't leave you alone anyway. It is better to accept fate and get royal privileges."
"I do not obey Xantari! I have my own Master and I serve only him," the fleet officer was taken aback by the strange information.
"And who is he?"
There was no answer and the telepathic channel was suddenly interrupted.
"What else the Master?" Ramies wondered to himself. "What's the news? This is a stupid bluff on his part. I'll have to kidnap you, honey, anyway! I like you so-o much…"