Chapter 27: Conspiracies Against Xavier || Morning Wood
While Xavier slept, unaware of the storm gathering around him, Aldric Blackwood sat on the lounge balcony of his grand mansion in Astraeus City's most exclusive district. The night air carried the scent of expensive cigars and aged wine as he gazed upward at the celestial spectacle above.
The Celestial Haven, a massive floating island, drifted across the sky - a place where only legends could set foot. No laws, no jurisdictions, just pure power and freedom. Spaceships darted between the stars and holographic advertisements, their ion trails painting temporary constellations in the night sky.
Darius Vexey, Aldric's chief secretary, silently stepped onto the balcony, his polished shoes making no sound on the marble. "You wanted to see me, sir?"
Aldric took a long drag from his cigar, the ember glowing bright in the darkness. "That damned grandson of mine," he growled, "hasn't left his room all day. Not a word to me. He just sits there playing those infernal VR games." His grip tightened around the wine glass until it shattered, crimson liquid spilling like blood across the balcony. "It's all because of that village rat Xavier!"
Darius quickly poured another glass, the rich aroma of aged wine filling the air. "We could always... remove the problem. As we have with others who stood against us."
Aldric's eyes flashed. "Then why haven't we?"
The secretary's voice was calm, measured. "The incident went viral. The chatter has died down, but people remember. If anything were to happen to Xavier now..."
Aldric scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "We'll buy the media. Silence them."
Darius shook his head slightly. "We can't buy silence from millions of voices, sir. Not even with our resources."