As much as Khan wanted to preside over the work on the crumbled mines, his presence was required elsewhere. Checking his phone, he found he had spent around half a day away, which was far longer than a person in his position could afford.

Luckily, Khan's orders were absolute, and the soldiers who had heard them were too terrified of him to strive for anything but perfection, so he didn't doubt the results. He could leave knowing his parents' tomb would be safe.

A slower trip back to Baoway unfolded. Khan did his best to delay his return, but most of the voyage involved teleports, limiting his influence over its length.

Baoway's night eventually invaded Khan's senses. The morning was close, but the planet's star had yet to appear. Yet, the quadrant was far from quiet or dark. Parties with thousands of guests disturbed the symphony, echoing past the main city and other attractions. Lights also illuminated the sky, filling the blackness with their bright pollution.

Khan had reappeared among scientists and technicians, but no one spoke. News from the Slums had already reached the quadrant, delivering inconclusive reports. Khan's mental state remained unclear, and no one wanted to risk angering him.

The teleport's personnel couldn't know Khan paid them no heed. He barely recorded their presence, and his feet moved once he finished absorbing the scenery. His figure disappeared, and the scientists checked their surroundings and each other before drawing their phones.

Updates about the tournament had reached Khan's phone, but he didn't check them. He had left the event in capable hands, so he knew everything had gone well. The current parties even vouched for that, so he flew directly for the city, eager to address his strange mental state.

Needless to say, news of Khan's return spread throughout the quadrant in no time, becoming the main topic of every party. Everyone wanted to see him to offer their condolences and more, but no one had reliable ways of reaching him.

Khan also knew the main building's layout like the back of his hand. He could slip inside and reach his destination unnoticed, but someone had preceded him to it.

Khan found Monica before one of their bedrooms, leaning on its metal doors. She looked tired, and her worry was palpable, but her untidy tracksuit stated her priorities. She had probably hurried outside as soon as the news of Khan's return reached her phone.

As for how Monica had predicted which bedroom Khan would hit, he didn't know. He didn't even need to explain it. Their eyes met, and thoughts disappeared from his brain.

"Khan,

" Monica called, her voice a mere whisper. She hurried forward, taking Khan's head into her hands before asking a question she knew was useless.

"How are you?

"

Monica was aware of her mistake but had no control over her throat. She looked deep into Khan's eyes, uncaring of the blinding light they radiated. The day had been exhausting, but Monica had endless stamina when it came to her man.

Khan didn't want to talk, think, or rest. He leaned forward, sealing Monica's lips. The sudden gesture surprised her, but the two had been together long enough for her to understand what was happening. Those were the Niqols' ways, so Monica clung to Khan's neck, jumping to let him carry her into the bedroom.

A messy and sweaty couple of hours followed. Khan flooded his head with nothing but Monica, overwhelming the conflicting and raging emotions inside him. That break from the mourning calmed him down, allowing him to face his pain, which he did once Monica was too tired to remain awake.

Khan found himself on an empty terrace, sitting cross-legged on its edge. His bright eyes looked past the handrails, studying the gradual sunrise on the distant horizon. The celebrations were quieting down, but workers woke up at the morning's arrival to prepare for the tournament's second day.

Empty bottles stood or rolled behind Khan, but he wielded a full one in his hands while Baoway's star kept rising. He took occasional sips, immersing himself in his clearer feelings. Truthfully, the matter had no solutions. Khan only had to get used to a world without his father.

A disturbance eventually hit the peaceful scenery. Still, it didn't come from the city past the terrace or the world outside. Khan sensed it nearing behind his back, stopping a few meters from him out of respect.

"Grandfather,

" Khan said without turning. He kept watching the dawn while bringing the bottle to his mouth.

Alexander didn't say anything. He looked at Khan before peeking past the terrace's handrail, hoping the dawn would appease his internal turmoil. Khan didn't berate him, but he guessed how he felt, and things couldn't be good.

Khan wouldn't even be to blame for his anger. Alexander had played a significant part in keeping Bret in the Slums. His faction had also destroyed his family, covering every possible track of that tragedy.

"Do you hate me, Grandson?

" Alexander eventually asked.

Hearing Alexander's voice awakened something inside Khan, but he didn't let it take control of his actions. His anger was real, but that wasn't the time for harsh decisions. Besides, Khan had already accepted his family's situation. Going back on it due to his father's natural death wouldn't be his style.

"Yes,

" Khan admitted, drinking from the bottle again.

"I understand,

" Alexander nodded.

"My condolences. My actions might say otherwise, but I respected your father. He was a great scientist.

"

Khan didn't answer. He ended up thinking about Abraham and how he would have liked to attend Bret's burial. The two were friends, but Khan had handled the matter on his own. Somehow, Khan had to make it up to him.

"What was his name?

" Khan asked.

Alexander couldn't help but look at Khan. He understood his curiosity toward the topic, but a proper answer could lead to problems. Khan was famous for his unreasonable actions, so it wouldn't surprise Alexander if he started using his father's name, ignoring his noble lineage. However, Alexander also felt he owed Khan a genuine reply. He had hurt his family too much to refuse that simple request, especially after Bret's death. Moreover, Alexander had sworn loyalty to Khan, and lying would go against that.

"Sodsi,

" Alexander revealed.

"Bret Sodsi.

"

"Sodsi,

" Khan muttered.

"Bret Sodsi. Khan Sodsi. Khan Nognes. Khan.

"

Khan tested the various names, hoping to get some kind of reaction. However, they didn't hold any value in his mind since his affections weren't built on blood.

Nevertheless, Alexander saw something different. Bret's death was a crack that could destroy what Khan had built inside his faction. He could very well start another internal war, forcing Alexander to make promises.

"I know I wronged you and your father,

" Alexander announced.

"I'll do everything in my power to make up for it. Just ask, and I'll see to it.

"

Khan scoffed, surprising Alexander. Khan rarely showed his reactions, let alone thoughts. Yet, he had openly mocked Alexander's statement and didn't stop there.

"Everything in your power, you say,

" Khan exclaimed, standing up and facing his Grandfather. A blue light shone on Alexander, but all he saw was the intense face behind it.

"I know I couldn't have done much alone,

" Khan declared, stepping forward.

"Heck, I didn't even know what Credits were. All I had were guts and determination.

" Anyone would have retreated before Khan's slow but firm advance, but Alexander remained still. He had pledged himself to Khan, so he couldn't step back now.

"Realistically, I would have been put down at the first major mess,

" Khan continued,

"And I had many to make. My goals stretch deep into this galaxy, maybe past it, and my methods

aren't nice.

"

By then, Khan had reached Alexander, and the former almost wore a mocking smirk. Khan's expression never took that shape, but Alexander felt it.

"But you wanted a united faction,

" Khan reminded.

"You wanted someone capable of reining in all the loose ends you created. You even wanted to achieve that without spilling your offspring's blood, so you called me, giving me all the power and means I needed.

" Khan's expression became completely cold, and Alexander could sense the incoming threat. Alexander also knew Khan was right. He was aware of what he had done, and the results proved him right.

"I will burn down planets,

" Khan announced,

"Eradicate entire species, and start all kinds of wars to fulfill my goals. I'll stop at nothing to get what I want, and the power you gave me will enable each of my heinous acts.

"

Khan was speaking the truth. He had actually already committed some of those sins. The Empire had colonized Cegnore because Khan had told it how to eliminate its natives. That was

a factual genocide that Khan put on himself.

"You made a deal with a monster to get what you wanted,

" Khan explained.

"Now, you'll spend the rest of your life cleaning up after him.

"