At the vast arena, on the highest viewing stand, protected by a purple energy barrier.
Below, the nobles cheered a victory, raising their glasses as they enjoyed the spectacle of gladiators they had bet on acting out a drama with their lives.
But Charlie Sirian, seated on a throne made of living spines, had fallen into a long silence.
This old-school Dark Eldar, king beneath the shadows of Commorragh and head of the foremost of the three great families, appeared calm. Yet a fierce chill lurked beneath his expression, like the final stillness before a storm.
His pale, slender knuckles repeatedly tapped the smooth white bone, making a crisp sound.
Knock. Knock. Knock!
Each tap seemed to strike at the hearts of everyone present.
"Young human, may I take it that...
His words trailed off deliberately, the final syllable drawn out. Then the cunning, treacherous Aeldari suddenly glared, and a palpable killing intent swept across the entire viewing stand through the energy barrier. "You're deliberately trying to disrupt Commorragh's political order, hoping to make the Imperium of Man invade Commorragh again?!"
The instant his voice fell, the tortured souls imprisoned inside the Crystal Balls hanging above the viewing stand let out a series of shrill, chilling screams!
"How bold!"
Charlie Sirian let out a sinister chuckle. "You claim Hernandez wants to repeat Viktor's trick, luring the Imperium of Man into attacking Commorragh so he can take the opportunity to wipe out our three great families. Where's your evidence?!"
As he spoke, he suddenly slapped the smooth white-bone armrest. "Boy, Commorragh may have spent ten thousand years fighting over power, but in the end, we're still Aeldari. No matter how foolish Hernandez is, he wouldn't do something like that. Accusing him of betraying the Aeldari? Fine. If you can't produce evidence