D76
Dynasties
By James
Chapter 76: Revelation
Hadea removed her robe and cast a smile across the room, beckoning the Phantom with a curl of her finger. It felt nice to take a break from the affairs of her court. She'd spent all day talking. Now she wanted some action.
The Phantom pulled off his garment, standing as naked as his wife. He hesitated before closing the distance between them.
As their bodies touched and their lips met, Hadea lifted her legs around the Phantom's waist. They fell upon the bed moments later, Hadea's chest nestling atop her husband's.
She lifted her head, then lowered her lips back to his. It had been a long day indeed, and she had another long one coming up. But Hadea was more than ready for the challenge. She was actually looking forward to it right now.
The Phantom opened his eyes amidst the moment of heat, pausing to notice something he'd been trying to ignore.
Hadea thought about her schedule for the rest of the week. She had a meeting with her Ruby Queen coming up, and the Diamond Queen would receive a visit from her too. If time permitted, the empress could even see both of them in one day.
As Hadea went on considering her options, her kisses came rapidly, almost automatically — devoid of warmth, devoid of passion. Her hands were swift and casual as they touched the Phantom's torso, displaying little of the affection she'd shown in the past.
The Phantom turned his head aside, letting her lips hit his cheek.
Hadea slowed down, sensing a shift in his mood. "What's wrong?" she whispered.
"You're not in this moment with me, Hadea," he murmured.
The empress shook a little. "I don't understand," she said. The statement didn't sound at all sincere.
The Phantom let his eyes linger on a distant wall.
She touched his face. "Don't shut me out. Not now. We barely find time for this as it is."
"That's exactly my point. You've become so absorbed in your work lately." He turned to her. "This doesn't feel like something meaningful to you. It feels like it's just another part of your schedule. Your body may be here, but your mind is somewhere else. You're not thinking about tonight, you're thinking about tomorrow."
Hadea frowned while averting her eyes. Several years earlier, on the day they'd met, she'd asked the Phantom why he'd refused her proposal. Among his many answers, one had stood out: he was a workaholic, and he suspected that she was one too. For people like them, work would come first, and love would come second.
Months ago, on the day they'd wed, Hadea had vowed to prove the Phantom wrong. She couldn't see the future, but one thing was certain: she was going to spend several decades as both a ruler and a wife. She didn't want to be better at one job than the other.
Hadea looked her husband deeply in the eyes. Just as she was about to reply, a soft beep came from a device by the bed. Someone in the throne room was trying to contact the empress.
She ignored the sound and turned back to her husband. "You're right." Hadea was learning that her position and her marriage were two very different things, but compassion was a key part of both roles.
The Phantom sighed, wrapping his hands around her waist.
"Let's discuss this," she continued.
The beeping intensified, growing steadier and more persistent.
The Phantom glanced to the side. "You should probably answer that."
"Whatever it is can wait until morning." She ran a finger along his chin.
Around three minutes into their conversation, a quick knock arrived at the door to their bedroom.
"Highness?" called a nobleman.
Hadea scowled, annoyed by the constant interruptions. "Enter," she called.
The regal door opened slowly, letting a line of illumination crawl across the floor. The pale man quivered upon spotting Hadea. Her expression said it all: This had better be good.
"Highness," he uttered, catching his breath. "A foreign army is marching toward the Netherworld."
It was something that Hadea simply never wanted to hear: one of her kingdoms was facing danger. Moments like these made her pause to recall the responsibility she'd accepted.
Five lands.
Dozens of nobles.
Millions of people.
And just one empress.
She'd been trusted to make decisions that kept societies thriving, that kept people safe. Thus far, she'd been doing just that — and she didn't plan on letting things change tonight.
The empress pulled her robe closed while striding through the palace, her bare feet audibly slapping the floor. A crowd of guards and nobles surrounded their ruler. The Phantom moved steadily by her side.
Hadea walked down the steps at the golden hallway's end, passing through a curtain of shade that led to her throne room. The usual burst of cool air greeted her arrival. She paused to study the tense faces around her. Then she walked to a huge monitor that relayed a scene from the Netherworld.
Sure enough, the feed displayed hundreds of Hadea's pale soldiers suited up in armor. All were lining a border in order to defend their land.
The visiting army was just as big, but more diverse. Among them were numerous brown-skinned soldiers who resembled Hadea's, and pale men and women like the empress herself.
On both sides, a number of hover crafts bobbed above the gathering. Each was equipped with a large and complex cannon.
The Phantom turned to Hadea with a face full of questions. "Where did these people come from? I thought that you had control of all five kingdoms."
Hadea held her eyes on the confrontation. "There are a number of small villages outside of my kingdoms...but none of them have armies this powerful. The villagers must have organized and consolidated their forces."
He faced the screen again. "But why?"
The visiting group split into two large formations. A dark figure appeared at their misty center, slowly walking toward her army's front lines.
Hadea squinted in confusion.
The elegantly dressed woman came to halt, standing right in front of Hadea's army. Every soldier of the Netherworld recognized her outfit, as it was identical to the one Hadea had worn as queen. A sparkling tiara sat atop her long brown hair, and she appeared to be no older than Jedda or Rachel.
While watching the Netherworld's soldiers with a firm stare, the woman reached to her waist and drew a golden sword. She raised the blade's tip high above her head, then slowly planted it into the ground. Her right hand ascended just over her shoulder, and everyone in her army lowered their weapons.
The Phantom turned back to Hadea in surprise, looking for some sign of positivity on her face. If she was relieved, then perhaps he could be as well. He found no trace of what he was searching for, however. His wife's eyes were still full of anxiety and suspicion.
One of Hadea's generals approached the enemy leader. "What is your business here?" asked the large, bulky man.
The woman eyed him a moment, then noticed a security camera right above the scene. Rather than answering the general himself, she directed her statement straight at the lens. "My name is Danica," she said calmly. "And I have something very important to discuss with the empress."
Hadea lifted her chin, narrowing her eyes a bit.
Danica stood before Hadea's throne, assessing the empress with a calm stare. From what she'd heard, Hadea was many things: respected enough to become the second Empress in history; beautiful enough to seduce any man she pleased; smart enough to rule the entire galaxy if she wanted. And from what Danica could tell, just by meeting Hadea, all of this talk appeared to be true. "Thank you for agreeing to speak with me," she said flatly.
Hadea noticed the lack of a "highness" or an "empress" in the girl's statement. She placed her hands in her lap, listening carefully.
"I assume that you'd like all of this to end peacefully," Danica said. "If so, I assure you that the two of us have that in common." She lifted a hand to her hip. "Actually, you and I have something else in common as well: we've each learned some interesting things about our families in recent times."
Hadea's suspicion began to grow.
"It's well known by now that you're a proud descendant of the Empress. For a good deal of your life, you've loved her as much as people love you." Danica's eyes began to darken. "What I have to say will surely be painful...but I'm afraid that the Empress isn't the heroine that you believe her to be."
Hadea merely eyed the girl for a moment, letting a bit of smugness and distrust appear in her stare. Though she barely showed it, she was utterly stunned by Danica's nerve. A stranger expected to come into her house, stand before her throne, and claim that everything she believed about her idol was a lie?
Danica showed no sign of remorse. "As you know, the Empress herself was once Queen of the Netherworld — a position she gained through bloodshed and conquest." Danica paused, seeing no change in Hadea's untrusting expression. "Naturally, I did not expect that you would believe me — which is precisely why I happened to bring proof." She shot a glance at one of Hadea's men. "Your guard removed a possession of mine. That device contains a recording from the days of the Empress."
Hadea was immediately intrigued, but cautious as well. "A recording of what?"
"The Empress herself, engaging in the very acts which I've accused her of. It's been well-hidden...until now."
Hadea hesitated, letting a deep breath come and go. Recordings of the Empress were incredibly rare. In Hadea's view, any footage of her heroine was something to treasure — as long as the woman's actions were indeed heroic.
There was only one question on her mind right now: could she bring herself to watch something she didn't want to see?
Danica slowly folded her arms, eyeing Hadea with a bold, daring stare.
After another moment of pause, Hadea instructed her guard to play the recording.
A screen lit up with ancient footage of the Netherworld's palace, the very home that Hadea had inherited as a girl. Four separate areas were seen at once. Judging by the high, diagonal viewpoints, Hadea could tell that she was watching old security feeds. Despite the age of the recordings, the advanced technology provided her with fairly crisp viewing.
Hadea flashed a suspicious frown, squinting at the images that began playing out before her.
The Empress and her soldiers charged onto the screen, entering the palace with laser weapons flaring. Several guards attempted to stop the assault, but each of them were shot down and left for dead.
The Empress swung her arm and led the team down a hall, leaving another trail of blood and destruction in her wake.
Finally, the invaders reached the throne room and found the Netherworld's rulers. The queen was wearing a familiar dress — the official gown of Netherworld royalty. It was worn by nearly all women who'd ruled throughout history, the lone exception being Rachel Walker, and looked much like the one that Danica wore at present.
The rulers of the Netherworld lifted their hands, quickly yielding to their armed foes.
The Empress ordered both of them to their knees. Then she approached them slowly, and aimed her weapon.
Hadea's eyes widened as she watched the screen. Two shots were fired, and the king and queen lay dead.
The Empress looked up at the camera recording her, eyeing it with a hardened stare. Moments later, the video went black.
Danica turned to Hadea. "And that is how your ancestor became Queen of the Netherworld."
Hadea eyed the blackness in disbelief.
"I'm certain that your people will inspect this recording, but they'll find that it hasn't been altered in any way," Danica said. "What you saw is what actually happened. The Empress stole the Netherworld's throne from the legitimate rulers."
Hadea held quiet in a trance-like state. Then she squinted as Danica's statement sunk in. "The 'legitimate rulers...' " Hadea suddenly felt her insides growing stiff and cold. "That would mean that my family..."
"Yes," Danica said. "It means that your ancestors were not the original rulers of the Netherworld. Your family took over by force. When you reigned as queen, you were sitting on a throne that was never meant to be yours."
Hadea simply froze, eyeing the stranger in her home with an awestruck scowl.
Danica moved to the controls and tapped a few buttons, replaying the moment just before the execution. She paused the video as the rulers raised their hands. "Look closely," she said. The view zoomed in on the king's wrist, revealing a birthmark composed of three blue circles in the shape of a triangle. "All members of the king's bloodline have that mark." Danica began rolling up her sleeve. "All my life, I never knew what to make of it...but I do now." The very same birthmark was present on her wrist.
The empress began looking the girl over with fascinated eyes, studying her familiar outfit once more.
"I am a descendant of the Netherworld's true rulers, Hadea," Danica said. "And I've come to claim what is rightfully mine. I'm here to take the Netherworld back."
Hadea tightened up again, hoping that she hadn't revealed the tension that she was now feeling.
"I should also state that I do not wish to serve under your reign. I wish for the Netherworld to be made independent, with me as its lone ruler." Danica looked the empress over, sensing a growing amount of distress in Hadea's eyes. "As I said, I understand that all of these revelations will weigh heavily on your heart, and I realize that you will need time to absorb what you've learned. However, I'm afraid that I cannot give you very long. If I've not received control of the Netherworld in 20 days, I will begin preparations to take it by force."
Hadea lowered her eyebrows — and her voice — eyeing Danica with a darker stare. "If you're threatening me, you're making a very big mistake."
"The biggest mistake of all would be starting a needless battle. So why don't we avoid doing that? Return the Netherworld to its rightful ruler."
Hadea turned away, closing her eyes a few seconds.
"My army will leave in peace today, and I hope that we'll return in peace as well." Danica studied the empress with a cautious stare. Then she turned around and made her exit. A number of Hadea's guards followed her out of the building.
Hadea folded her arms and took a deep breath, casting her stare toward the ceiling.
The Phantom eased down beside Hadea on their bed, taking her hands within his own. She declined to speak or even face him for a while. He'd rarely seen her so distraught.
Hadea looked down at her pale knees. "I finally know how Jade felt when I claimed Jedda as my daughter."
The Phantom averted his stare briefly, uncertain of how he might respond to that.
"The Netherworld is my homeland — even if my family didn't rule it first. Before you and Jedda entered my life, the only love I ever felt was for that kingdom." Hadea shook her head slowly. "I can't lose it," she whispered.
He braced himself for what he had to say. "Will you fight Danica's forces?"
Hadea brushed a lock of her hair back. "There would be many lives at risk. I can only send my soldiers to battle if I believe that what they're fighting for is right."
He had to pause. "And you don't believe that defending the Netherworld would be right in this case?"
"I wish I could," she murmured. "But if the Empress seized power by force...then perhaps Danica is right. Perhaps my family never did have a legitimate claim to the throne." Hadea had never said anything that was quite so painful. "I wish I could still see the Empress as the woman who I've always believed her to be..."
The Phantom held quiet a moment. "But you don't."
She closed her eyes, shaking a little.
"Please talk to me, Hadea. Don't keep the pain inside. Tell me how that makes you feel."
"You don't want to know." She touched her temple. "You truly don't want to know how I feel."
"I do."
She turned to him. "Imagine if it had been your father in that recording."
The Phantom quivered, and his mouth opened a crack.
"What would your immediate reaction be?"
"I..." He quieted again, pondering the question. "If I was feeling the kind of pain that you feel now, the first thing that I would probably do...is turn to you."
Hadea's eyes watered a bit while she looked him over, then she pulled her husband in for a hug.
The Phantom ran his hands along her back. "Perhaps Jedda can help us avoid a conflict with Danica's army. We could ask her to teleport their weapons and vehicles into space, or elsewhere."
"Those weapons could end up in the wrong hands. I'd rather not be responsible for that."
The Phantom nodded slowly. His clever wife was constantly one step ahead, often thinking of something a few moments before he did. He usually found this amusing, because it made perfect sense. He'd married an empress, after all. "In that case, I suppose we'll wait and see if the other kids can come up with anything."
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Down the hall, Rick and LJ sat before a large screen in a room full of technological equipment.
"There. You see that?" Rick asked.
"See what?" LJ replied.
Rick replayed the final moments of the video, just as the Empress was looking up at the camera. "Her mouth moves a little. She's about to say something there. And then, suddenly, everything goes black." He looked at his friend. "Why does the video cut off at that point? Why would Danica leave the rest of it out?"
LJ glanced at the screen. "Maybe the Empress didn't say anything meaningful. It could've just been a boast or something."
Another chair scooted up beside theirs. "Or maybe it's the opposite," Rachel offered. "Maybe she said something that Danica didn't want us to hear. I mean, if the Empress was gloating, that would just make her look even worse in Hadea's eyes, right?"
"Good point," LJ noted.
Rick stared at the screen. "I don't think this is the original recording. I think this is a copy, with something important removed."
Rachel touched her chin. "We've got to take this to Hadea. She can request the full version from Danica."
"She could," Rick said, "but I doubt that Danica will be all that honest or cooperative." He pulled the disc out of the player, looking it over for a few seconds. "The scouts say that Danica's base isn't all that big, and her soldiers are mostly scattered in the neighboring villages." He eyed LJ closely, then turned his gaze to Rachel. "I think we'd better pay that base a visit. Something tells me that there's a bit more to this story."
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Chapters
Volume I
Shorly after Jedda leaves the team, Queen Hadea begins a galactic conquest.
Jedda finds herself back on Mongo — and reunited with Prince Krotan.
Despite their affection, Jedda endeavors to counter Hadea's plans.
Seeking to resolve the matter with Hadea, the Defenders begin a climactic mission on Mongo.
Rick enjoys a meaningful reunion.
Volume II
Jedda and Krotan confront their feelings.
Against the wishes of his wife, Krotan grows tempted to pursue a vendetta.
Rick has a difficult time moving on.
In the wake of Krotan's actions, Jedda faces a difficult choice.
Hadea reunites with an old acquaintance.
The Royals of Mongo organize what's supposed to be a friendly feast.
A glimpse into the future on Mongo.
Volume III
Instead of spending a romantic evening together, as Jedda intended, Hadea and Phantom find themselves pursued.
Amid their exploits, Phantom and Hadea discuss personal matters.
Flash visits Ming's prison while thinking of Dale, and Rick learns that a new girl will be joining the team.
A vengeful woman targets Jedda.
The Defenders face an internal crisis.
Will she choose affection or ambition?
Needing to depart Mongo on business, Jedda and Krotan ask Hadea and Phantom to fill in for them temporarily.
Volume IV
As the enormity of his situation sinks in, an anxious Rick finds unexpected comfort.
Hadea continues to counsel Rick by reminding him that his actions have consequences.
Phantom and Hadea are advised to marry.
The acting rulers face a variety of issues on their big day.
The Defenders consider returning to solo work.
Volume V
Krotan and Jedda try to find time for their marriage while tending to duty.
Someone from Jedda's past returns.
Krotan and the guards attempt to defend the kingdom without Jedda.
Krotan and Ming have another confrontation under different circumstances.
Flash and Rick have a personal discussion.
As Rick prepares to leave the team, he and LJ receive a surprise visit.
Volume VI
The new trio embarks on a mission.
The Phantom is left startled by the recent development.
After spending a couple of days with Jedda, Rachel departs for the tme being.
In the future, Vera receives advice and comfort from her mother.
Jedda reflects on the recent years.
In the aftermath of an attack on her land, Hadea seeks help from a mercenary.
Flash is stunned by his discovery on a distant planet.
Volume VII
Hadea makes an announcement that leaves the Phantom unsettled.
The Phantom works to undo his mistakes.
In the future, the Royals of Mongo enjoy quality time together.
Rachel assists LJ and Hadea in very different ways.
Rachel adjusts to her new position awkwardly.
With Rachel and Jedda at her side, Hadea learns more about the history of her kingdom.
Volume VIII
The Phantom plans to propose.
Hadea and the Phantom attempt to work through their issues.
Rachel visits Hadea to discuss new intentions.
The Defenders confront a group of aliens who have descended on Earth, while Ming continues to scheme behind the scenes.
Flash, Rick, and Krotan engage Ming in battle.
Jade reunites briefly with her daughters.
A special occasion has finally arrived.
Volume IX
Rick has a meeting with Zyna that leaves him staggered.
Flash and Rick travel to another planet to investigate news.
Dale begins to set her agenda in motion.
The Royals of Mongo have a lengthy discussion about the past and future.
Dale takes bold steps forward.
Flash and Rick confront Dale to discuss her actions.
Empress Hadea appoints new queens.
Volume X
In the future, the royals have a discussion about politics on Mongo.
LJ and Lothar discuss family affairs.
Jedda views her official government profile to learn where she ranks among Mongoian queens.
Castra and Aura look to put their differences aside.
The Phantom learns more about Hadea's duties.
Volume XI
The Phantom, Hadea, and Rachel depart for a mission in the Bandar village.
Rachel heads off to find Kurt on her own.
Dale provides answers for Rachel.
Jade observes a significant discussion beween Phantom and Kurt.
Phantom learns that the village mission affected Hadea on a personal level.
Volume XII
Jedda and Krotan renew their commitment.
Krotan pampers Jedda as they discuss the future.
Nearly everyone joins the Phantom for a mission via boat.
The group arrives on Raven Island and learns the identity of the opposing team's leader.
Flash, Dale, and Rick spend time with Flash's sister, Commander Abigail Gordon, and her daughter Sara.
Rick and Kristina head off on a late-night mission.
Kristina, Rick, and Hadea confront their personal matters.
Once again, someone lands on Mandrake's yard during a storm.
Volume XIII
A woman arrives in the Netherworld, claiming to be the rightful ruler.
LJ, Rick, and Rachel investigate the Netherworld matter.
Flash and Dale's date is interrupted by news that Rick has been captured, and it's up to Kristina to save him.
While grouped together one night, several people must team up suddenly in order to defend the mansion.
Atascadero discusses her upbringing with Mandrake.
Volume XIV
Soldiers from Atascadero's kingdom come looking for her.
Ata heads to her kingdom to resolve the issues there.
Vera begins learning more about Jedda's past.
In response to the recent events, Hadea makes a controversial decision.
Rick attempts to resolve a certain personal issue.
Rick and his girlfriend decide to go their separate ways.
Flash, Dale, and Rick reunite with Dale's father, as well as Flash's.
Jonathan Gordon becomes overzealous, leading to repercussions.
Flash and Dale chase Ming down.
Kristina bonds with Rick in the aftermath of the events at the base.
Volume XV
In the future, Jedda and Krotan have to teach Vera the value of humility.
In the future, Vera is courted by several boys.
Rick and Kristina become stranded on an island.
Hadea is approached by an old suitor.
Kristina and Rick grow closer while stuck on the island.
Ata and Mandrake discuss their relationship.
Castra and her husband have a talk about their longtime commitment.
Krotan and Jedda discuss the past, and look to the future.
Flash and Dale reaffirm their feelings.
The series finale.
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