Golden leaves fell onto the ground of the courtyard in the Garden, a place of peace that resided in the Second Ring of the kingdom Kogeer. The Garden looked like an arena and acted as a courtyard or place of meditation for politicians and senate members alike, for it was at the center of the Grand Senate building. Short green grass and tall trees gave homes to tiny creatures, providing cushion and shade for those who want to take refuge from their duties.

The afternoon sun began to make way for the wake of the night, and the daggering wind of Autumn has made an appearance this time.

"Aeris," a distant woman's voice called. "It's getting dark, sweetie! You know how cold it gets when this time comes around."

A couple of giggles came from the bushes.

"Shhh," one voice said. A peaceful silence fell over them. "They're almost out." The winds were mostly blocked by the brushes and the trees, rustling their leaves giving a slight breeze for those who took shelter among them.

"Girls, you're going to catch a cold." The lady said, walking around the corner—her lips pursed at the sight of them. Her gray dress flowed down to the floor. Her hair was put up into an ornate headdress that matched her golden hair.

"Hold on, mother. Lyra and I want to see the stars."

"The stars can be viewed in our backyard or anywhere else, Aeris. What makes the Garden so different?"

"The serenity, no light pollution. That kind of thing."

"Serenity?" The mother began to laugh. "You're talking serenity when Lyra is around."

One of the girls shot up from where they lay. Her red hair swayed in the wind, and her eyebrows furrowed above her green eyes.

"Senator Veil, what is that supposed to mean?" She said, unable to hold back the smirk that crept on her face.

"It seems like you know what I'm talking about. Need I ask your mother how many windows she had to repair since you've been tinkering?" She gestured for Aeris to come to her side by raising her arm to an acute angle. Before the afternoon sun disappeared beyond the Montenyu mountain range, Lyra could see Aeris' golden hair fall down to the middle of her back. Her white dress was less official than her mother's but still formal with the gold linings. "Come now. The senate has gathered, and this one I cannot miss. You still have much to learn, Aeris." Senator Veil turned to Lyra as she began to dust herself off. "You should get home. Aeris will most likely be there tomorrow, knowing her." She giggled to herself.

Lyra watched as they walked away into the Senate building. She began to scale the large building with her eyes. The doors looked like they were made for giants. Thanks to her discovery of electricity, the Kingdom of Kogeer had a sufficient and brighter light source than that of fire. Lights shined up the towering building, and its windows were illuminated from within. She couldn't help but smile at her work.

· · ─ · ◯☽✵☾◯ · ─ · ·

Aeris stayed one pace away from her mother at an angle, able to see past but still behind her. Many people walked these halls. All sorts of life, even those from the Underworld. They would bow their heads towards each other as they passed. Guards that wore polished gray armor stood posted alongside the outer walls and the occasional doors on the other side. They held their swords in front of them, resting the tips of their scabbards on the ground. One of their hands rested on the other on top of the pommel, bringing it forward as if it was part of their uniform.

Rampart arches erected on the outer walls between windows. It reminded Aeris of a rib cage but with a white interior. A purple carpet expanded as far as the endless corridor, and lights lined the corners of the ceiling.

Senator Veil stopped at a door. Aeris peered out the window but couldn't see the top of any building, let alone the ground. The guards bowed their heads and opened the doors for her and closed them once they entered. The room was just as large as a manor's living room, with a few stairs leading down to a balcony. A couple of lounge seats sat near the edge where the entire Senate chamber could be seen. There was a plethora of balconies just like theirs, lining the vast hole of the Senate building with people from allying nations occupying its space.

"Some say this chamber was built over a volcano," Senator Veil said. "I always found the creation of the Senate building so peculiar."

"I know, mother. You always say that when we have to go here."

Aeris looked over the rail but only saw a dark abyss and a disc slab of stone lit up by spotlights. Within the disc, a circle of chairs lined up inside a raised part of the stone acted as Elderlor's cabinet table.

The conversation amongst the balconies was amplified, all sounding like one big roar. Aeris watched as cloaked figures walked out of the shadows and onto the disk, taking their seats. The noise in the chamber began to quiet down. All of a sudden, a deep thud echoed through the chamber, silencing the chatter. An older man in red robes walked to the center of the chamber. From what she could see, he had long silver hair put back into a ponytail.

"We will now commence this meeting of the Senate." The man's raspy voice added to his air of age and wisdom as it echoed through the chamber. "Brought forward, the ambassador of Barum. Arna of Nasherux."

The people began to mumble among themselves.

"Thank you, Elderlor." A seductive voice echoed. A spotlight was put on their balcony. "We propose an armistice, as it seems that both sides have taken great casualties to both personnel and resources. At this rate there wouldn't be any kingdom to rule despite who wins."

The chamber began to discuss amongst themselves, but others created disorder.

"How do we know if the Grand Prexy will keep this armistice!" One voice screamed.

"The denizens of the Underworld cannot be trusted!" Screamed another with a strong Agruvian accent. A spotlight shined down on her balcony. "Their tactics of trickery cannot fool Agruvia as they never did in the past."

The chamber began to agree with the Agruvian senator.

"Agruvia might have realized that their food is starting to become less and less," Arna rebutted. "How long until your sources of meat run out and all you have is cold water? Your people will starve."

"That's what allies are for," the Agruvian senator smirked as if she dealt the final blow.

"Allies are only good if they are supplied," Arna began to gesture to the rest of the balconies. "Once their supplies begin to run out, it won't take long for them to turn on you, perhaps lead you on to supply them while you run out. Instincts tell us to survive, not to help."

"And yet we've survived this long with our instincts," Aeris became blinded as a spotlight turned on to their balcony. Her mother stepped forward, resting her hands on the railing. "Our instincts tell us many things. All of them have a choice: to survive and live under fear or to fight and set the pace of the future ourselves.

I don't believe our people are so weak as to turn on each other but rather strong enough to prosper from their struggles. As my father did, and his father before him. We have created an era of peace and love, maintained a safe place for our friends and loved ones, and we can and will continue to do so."

The chamber was in an uproar, not in discordance, but rather in unity and agreement. Another thud echoed, and the chamber once again quieted down.

"Senator Veil makes a valid point, Ambassador Arna." Said Elderlor. "Our people and our allies have prospered through hardship, almost as if they strive for it. This proposal of an armistice will not sell peace but rather prolong the inevitable. Death will come to both nations, loss of territory, and loss of resources. Nothing will change."

"Perhaps we can be the ones who change," Aeris nearly jumped from her seat when her mother spoke. "For too long we have known war; it has become an acquaintance. Perhaps there is a way to persuade our nations with a moment of peace that would deter us from future battles.

This armistice proposes a greater opportunity than just regaining morale; it proposes the question of why and when the people start to ask their own questions, they begin to have their own answers."

Voices began to whisper and slowly started to become a roar.

"Are you siding with the Underworld?" One senator shouted.

"Has all your time outside this kingdom rotted your brain?" Another asked.

"Perhaps she's a defector!"

"Where do you stand?"

Aeris began to ball her fists at the barraging questions. She sensed that this consideration has made her seem weak.

The deep thud sounded again, turning the uproar to personal mumbles.

"So you are saying this armistice could be the gateway to the end of the war?"

"There are no certainties in war, just hope," said Senator Veil. The chamber grew quiet. "We have lost so much, and if we don't find a solution soon, we might lose it all. We have become so blinded that we aren't considering our people, our kingdom," she looked at the Agruvian senator, "our friends."

"War isn't just about giving the final blow; it's about outlasting our opponents as well," a senator said. Another light shone on Senator Fogan's balcony. "I agree with Senator Veil. The armistice can benefit both parties. Unfortunately we cannot predict the outcome of what comes after, but we must be prepared for both."

Senator Veil bowed her head towards Senator Fogan, appreciating his support.

"We've all taken risks; what's one more?" Another senator said.

The chamber began to roar in agreement with the armistice, though there are definitely a few who don't support the idea.

"The kingdom of Kogeer is with the armistice proposal." Said Elderlor. "But before the senate agrees, however, what are your kingdom's terms, Arna of Nasherux?"

Ambassador Arna began to describe the armistice conditions, stating that all battles must cease and a clear line must be drawn on territory lines. The Senate agreed only if both parties had a cartographer to record these lines, and the ambassador agreed to those terms. Another condition was to allow trade between lines, but the Senate did not approve of it. However, Elderlor agreed to it upon the condition that they must have a merchant's pass specific to this armistice with an inspection. Arna agreed to these terms.

With the armistice in effect by next winter, the ambassador of Nasherux bowed and took her leave, and the chamber was dismissed. Aeris followed her mother through the room. She couldn't begin to fathom her influence, the status she holds over the people of Kogeer and its allies. Her mother has done so much for the kingdom, and it shows in her wisdom. She had great shoes to fill, she felt.

Aeris bowed her head to the guards at the door as she passed them. The windows gave the evening away. As usual, the hallways were bustling. People stopped to talk with each other, and the most common gesture was a bow of the head.

Aeris found themselves in the grand chamber of the senate building. A commotion was being made, and from what she could observe, it was because of Ambassador Arna's escorts. The people of the Overworld don't take kindly to the denizens of the Underworld.

Just as they approached the door, they were stopped by a familiar, seductive voice. They turned around and saw Ambassador Arna and her advisors. She walked towards them as if she were on a tightrope with one foot right in front of the other. Her figure had all the men looking at her and even some women. Now that she was closer, Aeris had the chance to finally get a good look at her. Her eyes were a piercing yellow, and her skin a milky brown, and all of her hair was put in small braids going back into a ponytail except a few strands left dangling at the side of her head. Her ears were pointed with black and gold earrings that matched her attire.

"Ambassador Arna," Senator Veil bowed her head and looked at Aeris to do the same. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"You are surprisingly reasonable," said Arna. "The rumors about you must be true."

"Rumors are no use to anyone, just an expectation upon first impressions."

"How 'bout some dinner? We could talk about glory days or the state of affairs."

"Tempting," Senator Veil paused. "But I do believe we have matters to attend to."

"Understandable. Well, I hope the armistice goes your way," she abruptly stopped herself, a smile creeping on her face. "I hope it goes ours."

"Fear will not be your ally, Arna of Nasherux."

"We do not plant fear, Senator Veil; we harvest it."

· · ─ · ◯☽✵☾◯ · ─ · ·

The highway of the galaxy shined bright in the night sky. The noises from the streets began to quiet down, and the lights began to dim. A slight cold breeze listlessly blew through the air, making Lyra's fiery red hair slightly cover her face. She began to fix her hair when she heard the roof tile shift around. It was Aeris. She sat next to her and hugged her knees against her chest. They took a moment to look down at the lower rings. Though they could only see a small portion of them, it was still an amazing sight. From the lights of the business district in the third ring to the houses of the fourth ring.

"You've accomplished so much," Aeris planted her chin between her knees. "You're amazing."

Lyra raised her eyebrow and looked at her. "What's wrong now?"

Another slight breeze blew past them, and Aeris paused as if the wind took her words away.

"I don't know what to do."

"With what? You practically have it all set in front of you."

"That's not the issue. . . I just don't think I'm ready."

"Of course you're not," Lyra leaned back on her hands. "We can't be ready for everything that comes our way."

"I don't think you get it."

"Probably not," Lyra paused. "But I know that every action I make has its consequences." Lyra looked back at the lower rings. "My discovery shined a bright light on our world, but with light comes shadows."

Aeris could see the serenity in her eyes yet a slight worry in her face.

"You built up your life, but everything was built for me. I got pointed in a direction, but there are so many doors."

"Isn't that the beauty of it?" Lyra looked back at Aeris. "Replace your fear with courage, come opportunity." Lyra reached out her hand to Aeris as she stood up, signaling her to take it. She grabbed Lyra's hand and stood up with her help. "We can do whatever we can if we put our all into it."

The two stood on top of a roof and stared back down at the lower rings. They could see the streets bustling with life, like veins leading blood to the heart. Lyra could still feel the uneasiness within Aeris. She took her hand and held it tight, and she felt Aeris' hand reciprocate the comfort.