A sparkling white dot.

Against the carbonous dark of space.

Winter on Ierne was its own exceptional phenomenon.

As the spacecraft drew closer to the Hi'er Capital, the red splotch became more and more evident like a stain of blood on the otherwise unsullied snow. The Riu-nu-Aresean.

The spacecraft landed at the base of the Mux'xra mountain range, and out stepped two Ithi'hra members; one old, one young.

The young Ithi'hra member's eyes lifted up; the peaks weren't visible under the fat snowflakes drifting heavily ground-wards. He sighed at the prospect of the long climb that awaited him - one that had been avoidable. The Hi'er Emperor had, ever so kindly, offered them fly-vehicles to make the journey from the spacecraft-docks to the Palace. But the older Ithi'hra combatant, his mentor, had refused. No proud Ithi'hra fighter sought the easy way out or accepted unneeded generosity not offered to the general-others, he'd refuted.

The younger man stared up at the slim steps carved onto the mountain-side, shrouded in snow, and thought of how that generosity would have been better off accepted than falling to their death.

Two Royal guards, identifiable in their bone-white gear, greeted them under the arch indicating the start of the Mux'xra Ust premises. No other guards were around, and the young combatant saw that as strange. Even the Ithi'hra's Prime-Centre on Ytèan had far more securities in place.

They started the climb and the young Ithi'hra member shivered, each step taking him higher into colder air. Sleepy from the time difference between Ierne and Ytèan, he yawned, earning a sharp disapproving-glance from his mentor. He pulled his gear tighter; winters on Ierne were harsher than those on Ytèan. He stifled further yawns; with his heart's ache still fresh as the memory of his first kiss with the girl who broke it, he let his mind wander to her to keep himself awake.

Over a Ytèan-hour later, they reached the flattened peak over which the Mux'xra Ust resided, and none of them had tripped and fallen over, much to the young member's relief. He beheld the architectural-marvel with awe. He'd heard of the White Palace, but seeing it for real brought an overwhelming sense of appreciation to his heart.

**

The Hi'er Emperor was stunning. The young fighter had no other words to describe the man. The Emperor radiated warmth, and even though the young combatant had been nervous, he started to feel at ease. The Hi'er Emperor seemed young, not many years older than himself, and yet, everything about his demeanour seemed ancient. Dressed in a golden gw'xun, the man wore no crown or other jewellery Iernei Royalty often wore. And his hair, knotted, sat low over the back of his neck. He appeared relaxed, making all in the room slacken their guard.

He needed the approval of the Hi'er Emperor - a direct member of the Ithi'hra in charge of Earth - to go to Earth to carry out the mission he'd been bred for. The Emperor had requested Fyo'run Ubj'var - his mentor - to meet him once. He knew the Emperor was rumoured to scour into the futures of people and had concluded that it was the reason the man had wanted to meet him.

"Ah'Vatei Rurenor," Aa'di Hi'er addressed the young combatant, voice rich with the vibrancy of summer. "Do you want to do this - sacrifice yourself for Earth?"

The young fighter's breath stalled in his lungs. He'd never been asked the question before, though all variations of it had run through his mind for as long as he could remember. Do you want to do this, Rurenor? Are you fine with dying, Rurenor? Are you sure you want to die for a different people, Rurenor? No one had asked him; it was expected of him as a priority Soul and a member of Ithi'hra that he do his duty. His mentor had even bestowed him an Earthen name, confident that he'd be approved of and shipped to Earth.

Luka, meaning light.

Looking at the Emperor, he knew the man was genuinely concerned. No one had shown him that kindness.

Fyo'run Ubj'var glimpsed at him, no doubt startled by the question and apprehensive of his answer. But Rurenor had never been made to see he had a choice; born with one purpose alone. And he didn't fear it.

"Yes, Aa'di Hi'er," he answered with a bow.

The Emperor offered him a grim smile and announced his approval for him to go Earth. "Mayhap," Aa'di added, "you shall live a little longer."

Rurenor bowed.

****