Chapter Text
Halfway through the guard shift one day, Emperor Valkorion commanded his Knights to gather in front of the Eternal Throne. Senya expected the typical delegation of duties—ending a crime ring or a conquest of a bordering planet.
“I have seen success with the Skytroopers in expanding our perfect society,” Emperor Valkorion announced. “Zakuul must continue to progress. I will begin with introducing the Skytroopers into your ranks.”
His elite guard, replaced with mere droids? Senya felt slighted. After all of her battles, those that had earned her a place among the Knights, to be replaced with a machine? Machines could not defend him and Zakuul as effectively as the Knights. While numerous and efficient, they were disconnected from the Force. And they could never feel deep in their core the tenets of the Eternal Empire which were inscripted on all Zakuulan armor—Loyalty Eternity Destiny Family Sacrifice.
“Emperor Valkorion, you cannot do this,” Senya interrupted.
Her fellow Knights remained silent, but she felt their shocked gazes boring holes into the back of her head. No one could ever imagine speaking against their Immortal Emperor, and she had just done it.
But Emperor Valkorion only seemed intrigued at her outburst. “Do you have doubts?” The deep resonance of his voice rang against her very core, testing her resolve.
Senya didn't falter. “A droid cannot feel. It cannot feel devotion to Zakuul or to you. Each one of us has proven our devotion and skill. We are the ones solely capable of serving as your personal guard. I urge you to reconsider.”
Emperor Valkorion didn't reply, instead staring at her. His flaming red eyes held eternity within them—time, space, creation, destruction, nothing, everything. They conveyed the power and knowledge of centuries. Beyond anything Senya herself could hold. Beyond the mortal scale. Yet she held his gaze, never once glancing away.
“I will consider your words.” Emperor Valkorion turned his back on them all, signaling the end of the matter.
When the guard shift rotated, the others interrogated her immediately upon entering the Knight Quarters. “Senya, how could you possibly want to speak against our Immortal Emperor?”
“As a Knight, it is my duty to prevent our Immortal Emperor from making a mistake.”
The topic was never brought up again. But it appeared he had listened to her—Skytroopers remained as only supplements to the Knights. In the following months, a few more times occurred when she would speak her mind, with the other Knights recoiling in shock and Emperor Valkorion heeding what she had to say. The Knights had always rotated in their guard positions, but after a year Senya earned herself a permanent spot in his immediate detail. And after another year, their relationship progressed beyond Knight and Emperor.