Post by Lord Xylo on Feb 8, 2017 12:16:02 GMT
The Mighty Lord Xylo enters his Spacepod in the late hours, during the sunset of the third Namekian Moon. With a quick button input, the pod lifts off the ground, and takes flight. His destination is unknown to all but his own children...
Xylo's pod cuts through the space between worlds like a knife through hot butter. His arms are crossed over his chest, as his eyes dart to and fro, searching the inky abyss critically. It had been ages since he'd ventured through space by himself. The feeling of lonesomeness was alien to him now, but he would get used to it again soon. He'd been alone for over a century, after all. It was hard to forget how empty one could feel.
The Namekian reaches down to the side of his chair, and rips off a chunk of a strange yellow block. He stares down at it as it rests in his hand, his eyes meeting what he used to call "Food for Galactic Wolves"; a special protein block intended for consumption during long travel. As a Namekian, he didn't actually need to eat. That didn't mean he wouldn't partake, though. As he bites into the gelatinous meal, his mind fills with memories. Some are prideful, others not so much. He takes another bite, and another, quickly finding himself out of food. He briefly considers reaching down for another handful, but there was no need to stuff himself.
His eyes travel downwards as he settles more comfortably into his seat. On the hatch of the spacepod rest a set of controls, alongside a screen. The illuminated screen showed a map of the star system, a small red light blinking on the far side of it. His destination was marked in bold letters, just underneath this light.
Raiti-Zacro Asteroid Belt
He frowns as he reads the estimated arrival time. It would be a long journey, for sure, but there was a chance that rewards would come from patience. The Asteroid Belt was home to the vilest scum in Arcosian Space, as well as some valuable resources. Both were things he'd need in the early days of his fledgling empire. If he could gain a foothold on the asteroid belt, then expanding his empire into other regions would become all the more simple.
It was a dangerous choice, leaving Namek so early. He'd only just captured his homeworld weeks ago, and he was setting sail for more land. If someone powerful caught wind, they could undermine everything he's worked so hard for in a single hour. It was a harrowing thought, but risk was needed if he wanted to be ready for the next step. The Solar Empire had lost a good amount of its footing with the death of Mayze, but even still, they couldn't barge into Vegeta's throne room just yet. They needed more men, and they needed allies. Conquering Raiti could assist in relations with the Arcosians. They were still reeling from the attack Zucceta orchestrated over a year ago, but it seemed their hold on their side of the galaxy was still strong. Having their assistance in the battles to come would be a great boon.
He'd decide whether or not to turn on them and take their side of the Galaxy for himself some other time.
As the time marched onward, Xylo began to lose focus. It was hard to stay awake when all you could see was stardust. Perhaps it was for the best, though. He needed to be fully rested before he claimed the asteroid belt. He clicked a button on the side of the ship, and a liquid slowly filled the ship. It was a special mixture that allowed for extended sleep during space travel. Quite useful when you had nothing to do. As the liquid coated his body, his eyes closed, and he drifted off to sleep.
"Xylo... It's time to wake!"
A young Xylo awakes from his deep slumber with a start. He jolts upright, his head colliding with the fellow who woke him. They both reel back from the pain, yelping as they gripped their foreheads tightly. Xylo shoots a glance at his rouser, and his frustration dissipates. He would recognize that face anywhere. It was the face of his good friend, Lian. He was a young Namekian, like Xylo, but he had come from the Warrior Caste. He'd snuck away in the dead of night, and made his way to the Northern Scar to see what the big fuss was about these big bad Mazoku.
"Lian! Is it time already for our fight? The third sun only just went down!"
Lian turned to Xylo, flashing a fanged grin at him. "You know it," he says happily. "We've been training for months, and now we finally get to show off to the Elders! We can't be late, Xylo! C'mon!"
Before Xylo could protest, Lian gripped him tightly by the wrist, and sprinted out of the stone bedroom. They had been living in this particular cave as bunk-mates for only a few weeks now. As Mazoku, they didn't get to stay in one place for too long. Cocksure Warriors would come from the mainlands every so often to test their mettle against the demons in the mountains, and if the Mazoku they found failed to kill them they'd squeal the location of their current encampment while they were being healed by some wrinkled old Mystic. It was harsh, but only the harsh could ever survive long enough to be known as a clansmen of the Mazkou.
As the duo made their way down the carved stone halls, Xylo's eyes wander. There wasn't much to see here, but it was always good to get a feel for your surroundings no matter how accustomed to them you are. He was a bit of a curious fellow in these young years. Unlike most Mazoku, his aging process was untouched; Lord Tuner said it made for wiser leaders, and stronger soldiers.
Eventually, the duo reached the large main hall. This room had torches lining the walls due to how deep into the mountain it was. An imposing stone throne sat at the back of the room, with a small training ring across from it. A group of mutated Namekian's watched the two children enter the room, and what little chatter there was stopped immediately.
Xylo's skin ran cold. He forgot how intimidating his kin could be. Had he not caught sight of his father, Lord Tuner, standing near the throne, he might have started to sweat. He and Lian slowly walked towards the training ring. As they stepped onto the sand, an ancient, gravelly voice would come from the darkness.
"Xylo, Son of Tuner... And... Lian, Son of Nah-eel... You two are the youngest of the Mazoku. Are you ready to prove yourself to this Caste?"
The Duo nodded.
The owner of the voice leaned forwards in his shadowed throne. His bony fingers gripped the edges of his armrests, and pushed his face into the light. His face was sunken in, and deep lines and wrinkles covered his face. He looked like he was the oldest being the universe had ever seen. He smiled wickedly at the two boys, and retracted to the shadows.
"Gooooooood... Begin your battle, then."
Lian and Xylo turned towards one another, and bowed. A few of the rowdier Mazoku chuckled, but Tuner shushed them. After a brief pause, the duo charged one another, and thrust their fists forwards with a determination unseen in most children. As their limbs collided, the sand displaced below them.
Xylo was the first one to move again. He withdrew his fist, and stretched his leg out in an attempt to kick Lian in the chest. The former Warrior Caste child side-stepped the kick easily, sending an open-palm thrust into Xylo's torso for his trouble. The young fin-headed Mazoku tumbled back, but caught himself quickly.
Lian pressed his advantage quickly; his body leapt into the air before rocketing down towards Xylo with both knees outstretched. Xylo rolled to the side, and as Lian smashed into the training ring, Xylo planted a harsh elbow into the boys back. Lian fell forwards from the force of the blow, but he was quick to push himself up into the sky, narrowly avoiding another kick from Xyo.
The young Mazoku cursed to himself as Lian hovered above him. Xylo still hadn't mastered sky dancing yet, but Lian wouldn't be able to do much if all he could do was hover above the arena. With a taunting chuckle, Lian flew circles around the ring, infuriating his sparring partner further. With a mighty leap, Xylo shot into the sky, surprising Lian quite a bit. Xylo locked his hands together above his head, and swung them down at Lian's cranium. The strike landed painfully, sending Lian plummeting towards the sand. He smashed into it back-first, splashing some of the sand across the room.
As Xylo landed, Lian got to his feet again. They were both giving it their all in this, but only one could make it out on top.
They each roared out, and with a quick burst of energy, they charged at each other again...
Xylo awoke with a start as his ship began to rumble. The liquid drained from the cabin a few minutes ago; any grogginess he could have experienced from such a long flight was eliminated thanks to that mixture. He stared out into the black expanse in front of him, his eyes catching sight of something decidedly not space-like. A set of asteroids came into view, mist visibly emitting from some of them even at this distance.
The Mazoku smirked to himself.