Thriexa Aizih POV

  With the training session behind us, I had little time to linger. There was much to do before my mother returned, and preparations for the meeting with the President could not be ignored.

  “Come with me,” I said to Jace as I stepped off the mat. “There are things you should see before we meet your leader.”

  Jace pulled his shirt back on, still catching his breath. “Where are we going?”

  “First, to the Klaro nation. They are studying human biology, and their findings will be vital to our discussions. Then, we will meet with the Bopro. They have been analyzing human technology and are already thinking of ways to improve it. Finally, I must speak with the representatives of each nation to prepare for the meeting.”

  Jace nodded, his curiosity piqued. “Alright, lead the way.”

  The Klaro settlement was nestled within the lushest part of the island, where healing plants and medicinal gardens flourished. Their structures, like all Eova buildings, were seamlessly integrated with nature, appearing more as extensions of the land than something artificial.

  The moment we arrived, a group of Klaro healers, dressed in flowing white garments, greeted us. One of them, Lethis, stepped forward. “Aizih Thriexa, it is good to see you. We have made significant progress in understanding human biology.”

  “That is what I was hoping to hear,” I said, stepping forward. “What have you learned?”

  Lethis gestured for us to follow, leading us into a large open-air laboratory where intricate diagrams of human anatomy were displayed alongside comparative sketches of the Eova’s true forms. Jace studied the charts, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took them in.

  “These diagrams…” he muttered. “Humans and Eova are—”

  “Surprisingly similar,” Lethis confirmed, nodding. “Not identical, of course, but the base structure of your species is closer to our natural form than any other race we have encountered. Your biology is adaptable, resilient, and functions in ways that mirror our own. This is why we have been able to take human forms so seamlessly.”

  Jace crossed his arms, taking in the revelation. “So, you’re saying that in your true forms, you already had a structure similar to humans?”

  “Yes,” Lethis said. “Humanoids are common across the galaxy, but your physiology aligns with ours in ways we did not expect. It is a fascinating discovery.”

  I watched Jace process this, his thoughts racing behind his steady gaze. Before he could respond, a young Klaro approached, her wide, curious eyes fixed on him. Without hesitation, she reached out and began tracing her fingers along his arm, her touch light but deliberate.

  Jace stiffened. “Uh… what’s happening?”

  Lethis chuckled. “Forgive her, Agent Strickland. The young ones are naturally inquisitive, and you are the first human she has seen up close.”

  The girl glanced up at Jace, her expression unbothered by his initial discomfort. “Your skin is warm. And firmer than I expected. Your limbs feel heavy, yet balanced. My own, in my true form, are lighter, made for speed and agility. You must rely on strength where I would rely on fluidity.”

  Jace watched her, his brows furrowing slightly as she continued her examination, lifting his arm and gently testing the movement of his joints. Her fingers traced over the bends of his elbow and wrist, pressing lightly against the muscle. She muttered something under her breath, seemingly comparing it to her own structure.

  “Your flexibility is limited, but the stability is impressive,” she murmured. “In my true form, my limbs are more fluid, built for speed and agility rather than raw strength. This body feels… heavier, more grounded. It’s fascinating.”

  Jace cleared his throat, clearly unsure of how to respond to being analyzed like a science experiment. “Uh… glad I could be a useful point of reference?”

  I couldn’t help but giggle at his discomfort, though I quickly stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on the young Klaro’s shoulder. “Come now, little one. Let the human breathe. He is not accustomed to being examined so closely.”

  The girl looked up at me, then back at Jace before stepping back with a small, satisfied nod, as if she had learned all she needed. “Thank you for letting me study you, human Jace. You are interesting.”

  Jace let out a breath, shaking his head with amusement. “Yeah, no problem. Happy to help… I think.”

  Before we left, my curiosity got the better of me. “Lethis, have the Klaro been able to heal humans the same way they heal the Eova?”

  Lethis clasped her hands together, her expression a mixture of excitement and hesitation. “We believe we have discovered the process for healing humans, as it is remarkably similar to our own. However, as always, we cannot know for certain until we test our abilities on an actual human.”

  Jace’s brow furrowed slightly. “What exactly do you mean by healing?”

  “Any kind of healing,” Lethis explained. “From closing wounds to curing diseases. Our methods should, in theory, work just as well on your species.”

  Jace considered this for a moment before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small knife. “So if I were to cut myself, you’d be able to heal it?”

  Lethis’ posture stiffened, and a flicker of unease crossed her face. “Yes, but—”

  I straightened immediately, my own discomfort flaring. “Jace, that is not necessary. I did not bring you here to be experimented on. The Eova do not inflict pain without purpose, and certainly not in such a meaningless way.”

  Jace met my gaze steadily. “It’s not meaningless,” he countered. “If this works, you’ll know for sure that you can heal humans. And if it doesn’t, I’ll just have a cut on my hand. No harm done.”

  I searched his face, trying to understand why he would willingly do such a thing. It was irrational, reckless, human. What kind of species would harm themselves just to prove a point?

  Before I could stop him, Jace turned his palm upward and drew the knife across his skin in a clean, deliberate motion. A thin line of red appeared, but his face betrayed nothing—no wince, no flicker of pain.

  Lethis reacted instantly, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small, glowing crystal. She pressed it to the wound and closed her eyes, her focus absolute. A faint pulse of energy radiated from the crystal, and within seconds, the cut was gone, leaving his skin unmarked.

  Jace flexed his fingers, inspecting his palm. “There,” he said simply. “Now you know that you can heal humans.”

  Lethis and I both stared at him in bewilderment, unable to comprehend the casual way he had just sliced his own skin open without hesitation. My mind raced to understand the recklessness behind his actions—was this a trait unique to Jace, or were all humans this unconcerned with their own well-being?

  Lethis slowly lowered the now-dimmed crystal, her expression still caught between fascination and dismay. “You… you willingly inflicted harm upon yourself just to test our abilities?”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Jace shrugged, completely unfazed. “It was the quickest way to get an answer. Now you know for sure.”

  I exhaled sharply, shaking my head as I turned away. “Come on, Jace. We’re done here.”

  Lethis still looked stunned as we left, and I couldn’t blame her. I had expected Jace to be bold—but not like this.

  The Bopro settlement was entirely different from the natural harmony of the Klaro. Instead of an environment interwoven with nature, here everything was sleek, metallic, and glowing with energy. The walls pulsed faintly with embedded circuitry, their surfaces smooth and shifting with data streams that I knew only the Bopro could perceive fully. Unlike the other settlements, which hummed with life and organic integration, this place felt like it thought—like it adapted to its inhabitants rather than the other way around. The moment we stepped inside, there was a distinct hum of energy—technology in motion. The air was filled with the soft glow of interactive displays, projections of complex schematics, and the constant quiet chatter of brilliant minds at work.

  Typhis, a Bopro dressed in deep green, approached, his sharp eyes flickering with interest. “Aizih Thriexa, we have much to show you. Your human companion may find this particularly enlightening.”

  “Then by all means, Typhis, proceed,” I said.

  He led us toward a large central workspace where various human devices—computers, communication systems, even a disassembled vehicle engine—were laid out in careful study. A few Bopro were gathered around them, their hands hovering just above the surface of the machines, eyes flickering with deep concentration.

  “What are they doing?” Jace asked, his voice low with intrigue.

  “The Bopro have an innate ability to interact with technology in ways others cannot,” I explained. “They are not just studying your machines—they are connecting with them. Understanding them on an intuitive level.”

  One of the Bopro, a younger engineer, turned toward Typhis with an eager expression. “We have already developed ideas for how to improve on these designs,” he said. “Their energy efficiency is lacking, their systems could be streamlined, and their adaptability is far behind what it could be. With time, we could enhance them in ways humans have not yet considered.”

  Jace raised a brow. “You’re saying you can make our tech better?”

  Tophae, standing a little behind Typhis, spoke then, his voice smooth and precise. “Not just better, Agent Strickland. More efficient. Your devices function with a reliance on fuel-based and electrical output, but their structure could be vastly improved. Your computers, for example, process data through programmed pathways, but if they were built with integrated adaptability—like our own—they could predict your needs rather than merely respond to them. Your vehicles are limited by their reliance on crude energy. We have already theorized ways to make them function with self-regenerating power sources.”

  Jace let out a low whistle. “That’s… a lot to take in.”

  Tophae regarded him for a moment before nodding. “It is. And yet, we have only just begun. The true challenge will be in sharing this knowledge without disrupting the balance of your world. Advancing too quickly, too drastically, can cause as much damage as falling behind.”

  I allowed a small smile. “That is the nature of the Bopro. They never stop looking forward.”

  Jace exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck, still taking in everything he had just heard. “And what exactly do you plan to do with all of this? Just suggest improvements to us? Or are you thinking of actually changing how we build things?”

  Typhis stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. “That depends on your people. We do not force advancement where it is not wanted. But we do not hold back knowledge where it is needed. If your leaders allow it, we will help integrate your technology into something greater. Something that will last beyond its current limitations.”

  Jace Strickland POV

  Henry was already there when we arrived, standing near the center of the chamber, arms crossed, his sharp gaze moving over the gathered leaders. I was the last to step inside, following closely behind Thriexa. As soon as I entered, I took in the grand circular room, my eyes drawn to the softly glowing symbols carved into the walls—each one representing the different Eova nations.

  The atmosphere in the room was thick with expectation. The representatives sat in a formal but relaxed posture, their expressions ranging from polite curiosity to quiet intensity. There was no unnecessary grandeur here, no over-the-top displays of power. But there was authority. These were leaders, and they had gathered for something monumental.

  Thriexa stepped forward, her presence commanding without force, and began the introductions, ensuring that each representative’s role within the Eova was understood.

  “Zetill Trenal,” she said, motioning to a man in a slick black suit. “He leads our most advanced telepathic network, ensuring that no Eova is ever truly isolated, no matter how far we travel. He is responsible for maintaining communication between the Aizihs and our people, even beyond this world.”

  Trenal inclined his head toward me, his sharp eyes studying me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. I had no doubt he could read more about me than I was comfortable with.

  “Klaro Cholti,” Thriexa continued, gesturing to a woman dressed in pure white. “Cholti is one of our most revered healers, guiding the Klaro in their research to expand our medical knowledge. It is because of her efforts that we now understand how our healing abilities interact with human biology.” As she spoke, I felt her gaze shift toward me, and when I turned to look at her, she was glaring. Not at Cholti, not at Henry—but directly at me. The message was clear: she was not impressed with the fact that I had cut myself just to prove a point. I shifted slightly under her stare, but she said nothing, simply turning back to Cholti with an expectant look, waiting for her to continue.

  Cholti folded her hands in front of her, her gaze calm but observant, as if she were already assessing my biological makeup just by looking at me.

  Then Thriexa’s voice softened just slightly. “Vorak Algoks,” she said, looking toward an older man draped in deep red robes, the color of the Borzork nation. “My grandfather, a leader of strength and wisdom among our people. He is not only a guiding voice but a protector of our traditions, ensuring that the core of who we are remains intact even as we evolve. The Borzork believe that strength is more than physical—it is the resilience to lead, the discipline to endure, and the wisdom to know when to stand firm and when to adapt. Vorak Algoks has shaped generations of Eova, his counsel ensuring that every decision is made with purpose and honor. Without him, our people would not be where we are today.”

  I glanced at Thriexa, catching the faintest flicker of warmth in her eyes. It only took me a second to put it together—this wasn’t just a leader. This was her grandfather.

  Algoks met my gaze, his expression unreadable. There was no hostility, but there was an unmistakable weight to the way he appraised me. Like he was measuring something deeper than words.

  “Vorak Sculki,” Thriexa went on, gesturing to a woman with piercing blue eyes, her robes a deep navy. “A brilliant strategist and one of our leading diplomats. She is responsible for ensuring our negotiations are sound and that we approach every diplomatic exchange with wisdom. She has been overseeing our preparations to ensure that this meeting benefits both our people and yours.”

  Sculki gave me a nod, but there was something in her gaze that told me she had already calculated a dozen possible outcomes for this meeting before I had even walked in the door.

  “Bedzut Talgis,” she introduced next, indicating a man draped in soft pink. “A master of emotional resonance, he ensures that we maintain harmony within our people and those we interact with. He advises on the emotional well-being of the Eova, guiding us in how to strengthen our bonds with other species without conflict.”

  Talgis smiled warmly, but there was something in his expression that told me he already had a read on my emotional state, whether I wanted him to or not.

  “Luxsor Leelo,” Thriexa continued, turning toward a golden-clad man whose presence was both regal and amused. “A keeper of memory and perception, Leelo is responsible for safeguarding the history of our people. The Luxsor are entrusted with ensuring that the lessons of our past are never lost, and that we do not repeat the mistakes of worlds before us.”

  Leelo tilted her head, studying me with a knowing smirk, as if she already understood more about me than I could grasp.

  “Topzell Astrea,” Thriexa introduced next, motioning toward a woman draped in deep orange. “A bridge between worlds, Astrea has ensured that no language barrier hinders the Eova. Her ability to understand and integrate language is unmatched, making her crucial in fostering communication with any species we encounter.”

  Astrea’s knowing smile was subtle but confident, her posture open and inviting, yet precise, like someone who had mastered the art of reading between words.

  “And finally, Bopro Tophae,” she finished, gesturing to a man in dark green robes. “The mind behind our technological advancements, Tophae and his people ensure that we do not stagnate. They take the knowledge we gather from every world and refine it, pushing the boundaries of what is possible while ensuring that our innovations do not come at the cost of our ethics.”

  Tophae gave the smallest nod of acknowledgment, his calculating gaze sweeping over me and Henry as if already determining how useful we would be in advancing their understanding of human technology.

  Thriexa then turned back toward us. “These are the voices of our people. What we discuss here will determine the future of the Eova on Earth. Choose your words carefully.”