Somewhere deep within the galaxy, a planet hidden among the stars could be seen glowing. The protective shield that protects it glitters like the stars. This planet contains a powerful empire called Frostvein, which ruled over ancient, dangerous clans that wield power beyond one's imagination.
Seven clans in total help select the next emperor. This was a tradition for millennia, until the Bravta clan decided to seclude themselves from the eyes of the public.
Each Clan has unique genetics that come with powerful abilities that can guarantee the bright future of the empire. Every hundred years, children from each clan are to attend the royal academy with other heirs from the aristocrats' families.
The Bravta were strict, and their ways were vicious, yet the emperor let them be. With the powers they wield, who knows what they are capable of? They had been in seclusion for thousands of years until they suddenly sent two of their heirs to the royal academy nine twelve years ago. After their graduation, they both disappeared as they had never existed.
Now the planet is under lockdown, and the citizens of the Frostvein Empire are waiting anxiously for feedback from other planets or survivors.
Right in the courtroom, seated the old emperor. His advisor stood beside him, watching as the court grew chaotic with curses and arguments filling the air. Right in front of him sat a beautiful woman, Astrella Ashford, whom he doubts has any interest in the impending doom befalling them. Though she still held the title as Vultrix, the only female general commander in Frostvein Empire that moves like a possessed bloodthirsty vengeful goddess of war, Vultrina that feeds on the flesh and blood of her enemies on the battlefield, she is now retired with her husband on the planet of Sol.
Astrella hissed under her breath in frustration. 'Nothing about this is organized. After three hundred years, the court was still a child's playroom.
"The cure is more important, one of the aristocrats yelled at the others. "We don't have the time to waste our resources on more manpower to figure out where the Crokun originally came from.
"Do you hear yourself?' Another man yelled. "What makes you think the cure is the only key to destroying the Crokun completely?'
"Who knows what is out there?' The man yelled. "We can't take that risk. I say the cure first.
"I don't know how you ended up in this court talking nonsense, another yelled from the back.
"Why you-
"Enough, all of you, the king's advisor roared. "This is why the clan leaders refuse to attend the courts. You all are too mature for this childish act.
"They don't want to see full-grown aristocrats acting like toddlers,' Astrella sneered, her well-defined nails drumming her armchair. "But I must say, your majesty, that your control over these clans is weakening.
The advisor gave her a warning glare, the old emperor merely sighed. "I cannot force them to attend. They were in power before my ancestors established this empire.
Astrella sneered. Her violet pupils dilated in suppressed rage. One could still admire her extraordinary beauty if only her mind weren't filled with schemes.
"My child was abducted, married, and abused by one of these clans, she casually stated. "Though he left the marriage, I can't guarantee his safety unless his bond with them is broken.
The old emperor stared at Astrella for a while. Sweat coating his wrinkled forehead, "The Bravta clan is very mysterious. To get in touch with them will take days. They don't know where he is at the moment, so I can assure you that he is safe at the moment.
"Then how did Nuit find him,' Her gaze was the kind that looked through him – like it had seen every hidden lie he was about to spill.
The old emperor sighed. The court was quiet; it stretched as if floating endlessly in the silent space.
"We are still trying to figure everything out, the advisor cyclical answered, his dark eyes staring down on Astrella. "With all the chaos that surrounds us, I don't think we have time to look into that mystery.
"Is that so?' Astrella mocked, her exquisite eyebrow raised.
Murmurs filled the courtroom as everyone watched the two snakes in human form exchange vicious stares.
However, their show was ruined as a guard barged into the court.
"Your majesty, the Crokun had managed to infect a dozen people at the safe zone,' the guard yelled, his body trembling at the memory of the horrific scene he had witnessed.
The old emperor stood in shock. The murmurs were now overwhelming. Panic was spreading rapidly. The advisor took charge with absolute proficiency.
"Lock down all sections of the safe zone. Establish a second internal checkpoint for the uninfected survivors and eliminate all those infected with the Crokuns.
"B-but sir, there is something abnormal about the Crokun, the guard was pale as he spoke, drenched with fear. "They can communicate, but not as clearly as us. They possess the abilities of the seven clans. It's like nothing I have ever seen.
The advisor and the emperor exchanged glance, while Astrella eyed the both suspiciously. They officials and aristocrats were now getting restless.
"Do they fight?' One asked with fear in his eyes.
The guard remined silent for while. "The fight like ancient warriors. Women, children and men with no experience with weapons fight like high level assassins in from the seven clans.
"Are you trying to insunate that the Crokun was done by them?' Another shouted in rage.
"You all are making a ruckus over nothing,' Astrella chuckled lightly. "Even if the Crokuns was as big as a boulder or sharp as a Teju I will kill it and burn it to ashes. Lead the way soldier.
Astrella began to move but not before sending the emperor a glance of a deal to be signed later.
The guard hurriedly lead the way to the entrance of the palace, where Astrella jumped on her horse and rode to the square where chaos and destruction coalled with force.
The infected were very fast in their pursuit for fresh blood. Countless black slimy hands and faceless heads were now pultruding out of the infected bodies. The way they fight against the soldiers were so unique. It was worth researching. What a wonderful toy husband will make of these creatures.
Thick black slime drawled down from a Crokun's broken mouth as it stood staring at Astrella. This Crokun is a little girl in drenched pink gown, her blond hair was now matted and her half of her head bitten off roughly.
"You must have been a brat,' Astrella mocked in excitement. She summoned her sliver spear and weaved in a fighting stance. "And beautiful too. What a poor unfortunate soul.
The little Crokun jumped in air and swung her feet down. Astrella did a three sixty and cut her in half.
Astrella swiped the green smelly substance off her spear and huffed. "Well, that was easy.
She looked around, there were so many Crokun biting and fighting soldiers.
Some soldiers have turned into a Crokun reducing the manpower of the imperial soldiers. Astrella killed more Crokuns, now looking at the burning building, crying soldiers and panicked citizen, she knew that this is just the beginning.
That moment her terminal rang with urgency. "M-mother?'
A voice which she had long forgotten made her twitch in both regret and annoyance.
"Father is injured.